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The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.

21/03/2011 | By: Blake Z. Rong

The controversial looks and unconventional format of the FF hasn’t stopped Ferrari from selling every example they’re building this year.

All 800 examples of the FF’s first year of production have been accounted for, after Ferrari completed their private previews with the well-heeled and interested in January. Those who are shelling out the $368,700 in May, when the FF officially goes on sale in Italy, will receive 2012 models.

Ferrari plans to limit production to just 800 cars a year, and has already started ramping up the assembly lines. They plan to build a maximum of 70 cars per month by June.

[Source: Automotive News]

16/04/2010 | By: Colum Wood

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While Ford has made the decision to turn the Explorer from an SUV into a crossover, it seems committed to making that crossover as capable as possible. Ahead of its debut, Ford has announced the new Explorer will get a “terrain management system” to help owners get the most out of the 4WD system.

After market research, and knowing full well that as a crossover the new Explorer will be marketed to less off-road savvy individuals, Ford wisely decided to do away with having to make drivers choose from two-high, four-high or four-low depending on road or trail conditions. Instead the next-gen Explorer will get a simple console mounted knob with clearly marked driving modes for normal, mud, sand or snow. Every mode will also be compatible with a new hill-decent feature, to navigate steep grades. Rather than use a traditional transfer case, Ford will use more advanced electronics to send power to each wheel. This will also reduce the overall weight of the truck crossover and combined with a new V6 engine will see a reduction in fuel consumption by as much as 25 percent.

See the official release and a short video demonstration of the system after the jump:

Continue Reading…

02/01/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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A joint project with Nissan, the 2009 Suzuki Equator pickup truck will be built in Nissan’s Smyrna, Tenn. Facility. Suzuki will offer plenty of variants including Extended Cab and Crew Cab body styles, Long Bed and Short Bed variants, four- and six-cylinder engines, and two- and four-wheel drive options.

The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine makes 152hp and 171 ft-lbs of torque, whereas the more capable 4.0-liter V-6 powerplant produces 261hp and 281 ft-lbs of torque. Four-cylinder models will be available with a five-speed manual transmission. A five-speed automatic will be optional on the 4-cylinder and standards on V-6 models.

2WD V6 Extended Cab models will boast a towing capacity of 6,500 lbs.

An optional shift-on-the-fly 4WD system is an option with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case. The Equator comes equipped with traction control, an electronic locking rear diff, Vehicle Dynamics Control, Hill Descent Control and Hill Hold Control.

Pricing for four-cylinder models starts at as low as $17,995 with the Crew Cab Base model with 2WD starting at $23,985. The Crew Cab Sport, which includes aluminum alloy wheels, cruise control and power windows and door locks, starts at $25,150 for 2WD and $28,095 for 4WD models. Finally, the Crew Cab RMZ-4 carries a starting MSRP of $29,325.

Suzuki Equator:

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Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…