The high revving 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 is known strictly for its energized 5.0-liter V8 and its adjustable suspension because it was built as a track car. It was built to go fast and handle well in the corners but one aspect of the car that could use some work is the no-frills interior.

Several owners have been complaining that the interior could use some more technology. It looks as though they may be getting their wish, as a leaked list of features includes the SYNC system. The Boss will also be getting a 4.2-inch LCD message center that will likely be the same one currently used in the Explorer and F-150. The Boss will also get HID headlights, although it is unclear whether they will be standard or an option, but what has been confirmed is that the graphics package will be available, similar to that of the 1970 Boss 302.

Read our full review of the Boss 302 here!

GALLERY: Ford Mustang Boss 302

[Source: Mustangs Daily]

Ford is ready to take on Hyundai in a duel for fuel efficiency bragging rights. Hyundai has advertised the redesigned 2011 Elantra as a 40 mpg rated subcompact, regardless of options.

However, Ford can only officially say that the 2012 Focus attains 40 mpg when equipped with the Super Fuel Economy package and six-speed automatic transmission. Ford is eager to prove that the Focus is more fuel efficient regardless or its options, so the American automaker organized a media drive in Romeo, Michigan.

Ford invited reporters to drive the Elantra at a steady 45 miles per hour around the 2.5-mile track. Then the reporters drove a Focus without the SFE package and lapped the track at the same speed. Conditions were equal for both cars and an engineer sat in the backseat, monitoring the fuel economy. The results showed that the average fuel economy of the Focus was 40.4 mpg and the Elantra achieved 37.8 mpg. This proves that the Focus is more efficient at a steady 45 mph than the Elantra.

[Source: Automotive News]

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2011 Hyundai Elantra Review

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2012 Ford Focus Review

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors and auto journalist Dan Neil have a bet going regarding the launch of the 2012 Tesla Model S. The bet began when Tesla said it would launch the new model before the end of next year. Neil said the schedule promised by Musk was “an audacious timeline that makes many in the car industry roll their eyes”. Neil also said “even people inside Tesla are leery”. Neil did not believe Tesla would be able to deliver on Musk’s promise. The two began emailing each other back and forth until Neil challenged Musk to a bet on the outcome.

The requirements for Musk to win the bet are as follows:

1) Series production models of the Tesla Model S have to be delivered to paying customers before the end of 2012. (It was originally 2011, but Neil concedes that Tesla said it wouldn’t make that date fairly early, and has since stuck to its 2012 date.)

(2) The Model S has to have seven passenger seats, certified as such by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and earn a 4- or 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA.

(3) It has to have a battery pack that allows en-route swapping at a highway roadside station, similar to the Better Place battery swapping scheme.

(4) Model S prices must remain at the levels Tesla and Musk announced: $57,400 for the version with 160 miles of range, $67,400 for the 230-mile version, and $87,400 for the top-of-the-line 300-mile version (which will comprise the bulk of early production). All prices are before any Federal or other incentives.

If Musk does not deliver on any of these targets, he must donate $1 million to Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders). However if Tesla fulfills the criteria, Neil must donate $1,000 to the same group.

[Source: Green Car Reports]

Nissan has announced it will launch the all-electric Nissan Leaf ahead of schedule in the city of Chicago, citing popular demand as well as preparedness by the city.

Last February, Gov. Pat Quinn announced that $1 million would be invested to install state-of-the-art charging infrastructure for electric cars throughout the Chicago area. The City of Chicago matched the investment with an additional $1 million for the project to implement 280 EV charging stations.

“Illinois is laying the groundwork for electric vehicles, and our efforts are paying off,” Gov. Quinn said. “By investing in electric vehicle technology, both the State of Illinois and Nissan are making transportation in our state more efficient, sustainable and affordable.”

The City of Chicago has also spearheaded an aggressive infrastructure plan to add 73 DC quick charging stations and 207 Level 2 stations by the end of 2011. So far, 40 stations have been installed, but when complete, the system will provide the Chicagoland area with the most extensive infrastructure for electric vehicles in the U.S.

NASCAR big boys, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon attended a Chevrolet Volt Homecoming Parade in metro Detroit on August 18 as a part of the festivities surrounding the annual Woodward Dream Cruise.

Over 50 owners from 12 different states attended the even, with both Johnson and Gordon included in the pack as actual Volt owners. In pure racing fashion the duo waved flags to mark the start of the parade. Both NASCAR drivers spent plenty of time talking up the electric Chevy crowd at the parade.

“These cars are just another step in the right direction of going green. Hopefully the Volt will provoke more thought and change,”said Jimmie Johnson.

As for Jeff Gordon, he touched on how Chevrolet is always pushing the envelope in the right direction. “With Chevrolet celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, I can’t think of a better vehicle to show off the brand’s heritage and where it’s headed.”

Check out the video after the jump!

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General Motors has confirmed production of the Cadillac ELR coupe. The American automaker has yet to announce pricing for the coupe, but an unidentified course close to the project revealed the Cadillac ELR’s price will be lower than the $57,400 Tesla Model S. It is expected that the ELR will be priced somewhere around $49,900 with options adding up to $8,000 to that base price. Other sources have predicted that the plug-in ELR will cost somewhere in the mid-$50,000 range.

GALLERY: Cadillac ELR

[Source: GM Inside News]

In 2010, the world’s vehicle population hit one billion which works out to be roughly one car for every seven people. Reports conclude that China fueled half of the global growth, as it passed Japan for the world’s second largest vehicle population, with 28 million cars on the road.

India’s vehicle population has increased by nearly nine percent, pushing its total to 21 million cars on the road. The United States is still the country of cars, despite a lingering downturn in vehicle sales. The total vehicle population of 240 million cars, works out to be one car for every 1.2 persons.

[Source: Inside Line]

Fiat’s luxurious Maserati brand has plans to build its first Jeep Grand Cherokee based SUV at Chrysler’s Jefferson North assembly plant in Detroit. The eagerly anticipated concept version of the model will debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show next month.

CEO of Fiat and Chrysler, Sergio Marchionne, aims to expand Maserati and Alfa Romeo by drawing on Fiat and Chrysler’s combined size to boost profits. This is a very similar plan to what Volkswagen did with its production volume and Audi’s luxury to generate more than 40 percent of VW’s earnings from less than 20 percent of sales.

The  vehicle will be based on the brand-new Jeep Grand Cherokee, but insiders have said it will be hard to spot the resemblance. The interior will be fitted with plush Italian leather as well as wood accents throughout the inside. Under the hood will be a Chrysler HEMI 6.4-liter V8 producing 465-hp. While Maserati already has their own 4.7L V8, the reality is that the HEMI already fits in the platform quite well and will help keep the cost of the vehicle down. The well regarded Fiat V6 diesel will also be available on the Cherokee platform.

[Source: Automotive News]

Chevrolet is very excited about the futuristic Miray sports car to say the least. The Miray was first unveiled at the Seoul Motor Show in May this year, and the futuristic looking Chevy merges a jet-inspired exterior with advanced hybrid powertrain technology. The Miray will get its first European unveiling at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September.

Outside, the Miray has an aerodynamic fuselage reminiscent of the modern fighter jet. The front and rear fenders evoke Chevrolet Corvettes of the past and express the concept’s sports car spirit. Carbon fiber spoilers at the corners help control downforce and airflow. The Miray has 20-inch front rims and 21-inch rear wheels made of aluminum carbon-fiber composites.

On the interior, the car features an assortment of brushed aluminum, natural leather, white fabric and liquid metal surfaces. The wrap around twin cockpit has drawn inspiration from the iconic Corvette. An interesting detail is the centrally located start button that when pressed, the column mounted retractable meter cluster rises like the canopy of a single seater plane.

The Miray’s “mid-electric” propulsion system, located behind and beneath the driver, has been engineered to maximize performance and fuel efficiency. The two front mounted 15-kW electric motors are powered by a 1.6 kWh lithium-ion battery that is charged through regenerative braking energy. Interestingly, power can be switched from front-wheel to rear-wheel drive. The hybrid system is also powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine positioned behind the cockpit. The powertrain is mated to a dual-clutch transmission, that has been tuned for improved top speed in performance mode.

Gallery: Chevrolet Miray Concept

Click here to read AutoGuide’s Chevy Volt Review

Car buyers are choosing panorama roofs instead of convertibles. Ford has reported that sales of vehicles with panoramic roofs are increasing. Almost half of buyers purchasing the Explorer and Edge SUV are purchasing the option. About a third of Flex buyers are also buying the same skylight paneled cars.

Convertible sales have also decreased accordingly. Traditionally, drop top sales accounted for 1.8% to 2.0% of the automarket which is down to 1.2% to 1.4%, according to information firm R.L Polk & Co. For a comparison, the best selling convertible this year was the Chevrolet Camaro with 7,540 sales. The 2011 Explorer has already sold almost 25,000 vehicles equipped with the panoramic roofs. One reason for this success is that consumers are turning to more practical vehicles and finding that the panoramic roof is a good compromise.

Ford also has its own theory as to why the glass roofs are a hit. “We are seeing more buildings utilizing glass structures because letting natural light in is a popular architectural trend,” said Sheryl Connelly, Ford’s manager of global trends and futuring.  “This trend has crossed over to the automotive industry, and Ford’s Vista Roofs open the car to more sunlight which keeps drivers energized and gives the luxurious feel customers desire.”

[Source: LA Times]

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a recall for 4,077 Buick LaCrosse sedans after finding issues pertaining to the electronic stability control system. The issue only pertains to 2012 model year cars, built between June 9 and July 2.

According to the recall notice, “The StabiliTrak system has an incorrect calibration that may cause the system to not properly detect if a sensor were to malfunction, and the warning light indicating that the system is not operating would not illuminate, as required in the safety standard”.

If the ESC malfunctions, there is a possibility the system could falsely activate, resulting in sudden changes to the vehicles driving dynamics. If this were to happen, there is a higher probability in loss of driver control, which could lead to a crash.

The recall will begin towards the end of August, and affected vehicles will have the electronic brake reprogrammed free of charge.

Chrysler’s Ram truck brand will expand its advertising into Wal-Mart stores throughout the U.S. this fall. Dodge Ram advertisements will be in thousands of Wal-Mart stores and will integrate Mossy Oak camouflage, another of Ram’s partners into the promotion. ”We recognize the alignment between truck buyers, the hunting/fishing lifestyle and Wal-Mart,” said Marissa Hunter, head of Ram advertising. “We are working on promotion that brings all three together.”

Ram will also be launching two new commercials today, for its “Code of the West” advertising campaign. Marissa Hunter commented on the commercials saying, “The role of these spots is twofold. First, continue to create overall awareness about the capability of the full Ram lineup. Second, do so in a manner that inspires consumers to think differently about the Ram Truck brand.”

Fred Diaz, CEO of the Ram brand said that through the first seven months of 2011, Ram brand U.S sales were up twenty-five percent. He expects sales to continue to grow for the rest of the year. ”The fourth quarter always represents a key selling season opportunity for commercial business which historically increases commercial sales by up to 50 percent.”

Check out the commercial after the jump!

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Chrysler has announced the “No Payments for 90 Days” program on all 2011 and 2012 Chryler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram truck models financed through Ally Financial. The payment promotion is now available, and will run through Chysler’s “Summer Clearance Event” which ends September 6, 2011.

Ken Block’s Gymkhana 4 has been filmed and is ready for release in a few days, on August 16. To hype up the release of the video, a teaser trailer has been released, getting us ready for some serious hoon action. In the video, we get a thirty second taste of the turbocharged rally monster. Nine GoPro cameras catch the half-metre long flame flowing out of the Ford’s titanium exhaust. We are very excited to see what Ken has up his sleeves for us.

Check out the video after the jump!

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Yesterday, the CEO of General Motors, Dan Akerson purchased $250,500 in shares of the automaker, buying 10,000 shares at $25.05.

As of yesterday, Akerson owns 103,600 shares in the company. This last week has seen the worst stock market decline since 2008, with the crash has wiping out more than $6.7 billion from the value of the stock held by the U.S Treasury Department.

GM shares fell $1.62, or 6.34 percent, closing at $23.92 in the NYSE yesterday.The US Treasury holds 500 million shares of GM. At its peak, the stocks were worth $19.5 billion on January 7, closing at $38.98 per share. Today, the Treasury’s holdings are worth $11.96 billion.

[Source: Automotive News]

According to a new study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), stability control has made cars much safer, lowering fatal accidents by eighteen percent. The government study used statistics from 1997 to 2009 to assess the effectiveness of stability control systems. The study also noted in 2005, less than twenty percent of new vehicles were sold with the feature. By 2007, legislation was passed to require electronic software in all 2012 models.

Stability control consists of sensors in the vehicle that detect roll and wheel slip and adjust braking and power to compensate for loss of control.

“In many ways, ESC (electronic stability control) is an ideal crash avoidance technology,” the study said in its summary. “Because it acts so quickly and without driver input it can prevent a crash without the driver of the vehicle being aware that the system has intervened.”

[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

Summer is almost over, which means back to school shopping. Forget about pens, pencils and binders; what about picking up a new set of wheels? Surely that will make the thought of heading back to class a little better!

Kelley Blue Book has put together a list of vehicles that it believes will appeal to kids. There are some odd choices though.

The new car picks all seem to be decent, all are affordable, efficient and attractive. However the used choices are surprising. The Kia Sedona probably won’t be very appealing to students because well, minivans are not cool. As well, the F-150 is a pretty large truck and although it is the best selling vehicle in America, it’s hardly fuel efficient. The HHR was also an interesting choice because not many young people drive them. The new vehicles are probably better choices overall, but who knows, maybe minivans are secretly cool among teenagers… or maybe just teenagers trying really hard to be ironic. What do you think?

Check out the list of new and used vehicles after the jump:

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Electric cars not green enough for you? How about a solar powered car? Ford will be working with SunPower, an established solar provider, to build a solar energy system for the Focus electric vehicle that goes on sale later this year.

Solar panels will be mounted on the car owner’s house or garage, to power the vehicle. The panels won’t directly charge the electric car’s battery but will provide power to the house at a rate sufficient enough to offset nearly 1,000 miles of driving a month in the Focus.

The solar power option will allow for green electricity, rather than traditional electricity from a house, which is often made by burning fossil fuels at power plants. The 2.5-kilowatt system will produce about 3,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year. The power will be generated by 147 square feet of roof panels (11 panels that are 4 feet by 2 feet). The solar power option will be offered through Ford dealers for about $10,000 after federal tax credits. The Best Buy Geek Squad will work with Ford to install home chargers at the customers house, after the purchase.

Ford has yet to announce the price of the 2012 Focus electric, but the first vehicles go on sale in California and New York later this year.

Ford is delaying the full launch of the 2012 electric Focus. Initially, the Focus EV was to be launched in 19 markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit and Seattle. However, plans have changed and the primary launch will be concentrated in California and New York.

Ford’s electrified-vehicles marketing manager David Finnegan said, ”For the first few months of production, we will be concentrating on California and New York,” he said. “Our dealers in those areas will be the first to have their retail orders scheduled and receive the Focus electric. We will be rolling out to the remainder of our initial markets starting in spring 2012.” Ford has yet to set a date for the Focus EV launch in the remaining markets.

[Source: Automotive News]

The Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson has been updated for 2012 with a new look and added features. On the outside, new design enhancements include unique bodyside graphics, 22-inch machined-aluminum wheels and a new exterior color choice – White Platinum Tri-Coat. The truck also features a bold front fascia and six-bar billet-style bright chrome grill.

On the inside, Ford is proud to offer new snakeskin leather interior accenting, a voice-activated navigation system, a 4.2 inch-productivity screen, power sunroof and remote starter system. The screen will offer information from fuel economy to towing performance.

Powering this machine is Ford’s 6.2-liter V8 engine with 411-hp and 434 lb-ft of torque, which provides a maximum trailer towing capability of 7,500 pounds.

Intended to be a high end truck, the F-150 offers impressive options including a rear view camera, second-row heated seats, power adjustable performance pedals, power deployable running boards and more.

GALLERY: 2012 Harley-Davidson F-150

Ford’s Australian high performance FPV division Black Concept sedan has been given the green light for production after their a concept version was unveiled last month at the 2011 Australian Auto Show.

Following the excitement and positive feedback received at the show, the company decided to produce the car. The concept is based on FPV’s existing Falcon-based muscle sedan. The production carwill be sporting a unique version of the Mustang Boss’ 5.0-liter V8, mated to an Eaton supercharger, producing 449-hp and 420 lb-ft of torque.

The FPV GT Black Concept sported a black paint finish, 19-inch black alloy wheels, black tailpipes and a track-tuned suspension. Stopping the GT will be easy because it comes equipped with six-piston front and four-piston rear brake setup. On the inside, there’s a display screen with a reverse camera and, you guessed it, black leather. Unfortunately only 125 of these stealth bombers will be made, so Aussie buyers will have to act quickly. It has not been confirmed as to whether all of these performance accessories will make it to the production vehicle, but FPV has said that some pieces will appear on the production vehicle.

Gallery: Ford FPV Black Concept

[Source: Motor Authority]

Ford recently announced that the four-cylinder Ecoboost powered Edge achieves  21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway with the Ecoboost option, an improvement over the 3.5-liter V6 which gets 19 mpg city and 27 highway.

The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder produces 240-hp and 270 lb-ft of torque,  down 45-hp from the V6 model, but up 17 lb-ft. The Ecoboost engine will be mated to a unique six-speed automatic transmission and the vehicle also features active grille shutters that close at higher speeds to improve aerodynamics. Pricing has not been finalized, but the EcoBoost costs $995 above the 3.5-liter V6 on the Explorer, and the same numbers are expected to carryover for Edge pricing.

Today, General Motors confirmed that the Chevrolet Spark subcompact will be sold in the U.S. The Spark goes into production this month as the smallest car sold by Chevrolet. The General Motors executive director of North American production communications, Jason Laird, confirmed that the vehicle will launch between January to June 2012 as a 2013 model.

The Spark is currently selling in Asian countries and has been a very important model for Chevrolet in the global mini car segment. Laird explained that the ”Spark minicar will give Chevrolet A-B-C-D-E segment coverage for first time in [the] U.S.” The Spark fits in the A segment, the Sonic fits in the B segment, the Cruze fits in the C segment, the Malibu fits in the D segment and the Impala fits in the E segment.

GALLERY: Chevrolet Spark

[Source: Green Car Reports]

The 2011 Dodge Durango was awarded the Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The SUV earned the award based on receiving a score of ‘good’ in front, side, rollover and rear crash tests.

The Dodge Durango implements advances to offer 45 safety and security featuers aiding drivers in vulnerable situations as well as keeping drivers safe when accidents occur.

“The performance of the Durango means buyers are getting the best protection in the most common kinds of crashes, and electronic stability control for avoiding many crashes altogether,” IIHS President Adrian Lund said.

The Durango can now join the line of other Top Safety Pick winners including the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 200 sedan, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Journey and Jeep Patriot.

Check out the crash test after the jump!

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