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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.

03/11/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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The truck isn’t even for sale yet, but Ford shipped one of its new Super Duty pickups to tool maker DeWALT, to build a custom work vehicle for the 2009 SEMA Show.  The simply massive truck gets special items like a winch, special cargo compartments on the outside of the truck’s bed and even a small crane designed to move heavy cargo (like a generator) into and out of the bed.

In looks more like something that might be in a Transformers movie – which makes it a perfect fit for the SEMA Show.

Along with all these custom goodies, the DeWALT concept also gets everything that will make the 2011 Super Duty the leader in the big truck class, including an all-new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 with a new 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission with Ford’s SelectShift function so drivers can choose gears just like on a manual transmission. This new tranny also gets a Tow Haul option with integrated engine exhaust braking.

Another amazing feature is what Ford calls Live Drive PTO (Power Take Off), which allows auxiliary equipment like snowplows or salt spreaders to be powered through the transmission. Ford is the first company to bring this technology over from agricultural machines.

Of course, the Super Duty will also get a long list of Ford’s impressive truck technology, like Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, Trailer Sway Control, Trailer Brake Control and, of course, Ford’s AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control.

In addition Ford will offer it’s exclusive Ford World Solutions program which now comes with a 4.2-inch LCD screen between the truck’s gauges, which will display relevant information to the driver about things like fuel-economy or the status of the fifth wheel hook-up.

GALLERY: 2011 Ford Super Duty DeWALT Contractor Concept

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28/10/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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Prior to its official SEMA Show debut, several photos of the Saleen S281 version of the 2010 Mustang have leaked onto the net. With all the controversy surrounding the Saleen brand as of late, it’s no surprise that this pony car won’t be displayed along with the stable of Stangs at Ford’s booth. Then again, with the Saleen name still carrying a lot of cache, the Mustang tuner doesn’t exactly need to piggy-back.

The S281 2010 Mustang is (arguably) the first full package to come from the new Saleen Performance Vehicles company. Several months back the “new Saleen” did roll out a 435S model, but in many ways it was more a collection of parts than a fully thought out vehicle. Even the company admitted that the 435S was more of a budget-minded performance vehicle.

As for the S281, it promises much more and we have to say the exterior styling is impressive – although we’ll take ours without the rear quarter window covers.

And as for the rest of the package, that info didn’t leak out with the pics, so we’ll have to wait for SEMA to find out more.

Be sure to check back for AutoGuide’s 2009 SEMA Show coverage starting November 3rd.

GALLERY: 2010 Saleen S281 Mustang

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[Source: TheMustangSource]

27/10/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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Mid-sized sedans aren’t exactly the type of vehicle that spring to mind when you think of the SEMA Show, but Ford will be presenting three versions of its impressive new family car in Las Vegas next week. Each of the three vehicles represents a different part of the Fusion’s spectrum, with a hybrid offering, a high volume four-cylinder model and a powerful V6 Sport model.

Seemingly the least exciting, the 4-cylinder Fusion might just be the opposite. The Ford Fusion T4 by MRT (pictured above) gets a turbocharger to help pump out a lot more power, but still retains a reasonable level of fuel economy – along the lines of Ford’s own EcoBoost setup. MRT estimates the car should make anywhere from 275 to 300-hp. Other modifications include an intercooler, a special exhaust system, an H&R Springs suspension setup and a set of 20-inch wheels.

For a more dedicated approach to fuel economy (performance be damned) the folks at MJ Enterprises modified the Fusion Hybrid. The car is now even greener thanks to: a reduced body weight (with lighter products); a more aerodynamic body; heat-reflective paint and the removal of petroleum-based products.

Finally, Ford will showcase the efforts of Aaron Vaccar Signature Series, and owner Aaron Vaccar. This 3.5-liter V6 Fusion also gets a turbocharger for what will no doubt be an SHO matching amount of power.

See AutoGuide’s live SEMA Coverage here!

GALLERY: Ford Fusion Show Cars for SEMA 2009

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Official release after the jump:

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26/10/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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Along with a simply massive display of 2010 Mustangs for this year’s SEMA Show, Ford will showcase the tuning expertise of four shops (and one in-house project) that have chosen the F-150 as their vehicle of choice. And just as the Mustang is the most customized overall vehicle in the $31.8 billion aftermarket industry, the F-Series of pickups is the most popular pickup to modify.

“The F-150 is the ultimate all-around ‘do everything’ truck, and it is available in 10 different distinct versions, everything from an XL work truck to a Platinum luxury edition to the latest edition – the SVT Raptor – for the ultimate off-road experience,” said Mark Grueber, Ford F-150 marketing manager. “People can personalize the F-150 to meet any need and do just about anything with it.”

Ford’s SEMA Design Manager Melvin Betancourt agrees and says much of the F-150’s success with tuners is due to its broad appeal. “Some people use the F-150 as a work truck. For others, it’s a luxury truck,” he said. “And everyone is always looking to create something that’s new that no one else has ever seen.”

See AutoGuide’s live SEMA Coverage here!

See the full list of custom F-150 trucks after the jump:

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26/10/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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The 2010 Mustang is here and its only fitting that the most customized car in the world will be the focus of attention at the 2009 SEMA Show. Ford will have eight Mustangs, modified by tuning and race shops on display. Plus, there are certain to be  numerous others at the show. Tuners like 3dCarbon and Galpin Auto Sports will showcase their creative sides, using the 2010 Mustang, while dedicated performance shops like Steeda Autosports and Paul’s High Performance will cater more to the performance traditionalists, focusing on making power and putting it to the ground.

Ford is also using the show to promote its 2010 Mustang Customizer, where alread one million people have visited to create their own custom Stang. Make your’s here:

http://www.fordvehicles.com/the2010mustang/

For a full list of the 2009 SEMA Show Mustangs, see after the jump:

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26/10/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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Ford has once again reached out to resto-mod tuner shop Mobsteel to build a display car for the SEMA Show that kicks off next week. Specializing in rebuilding 1960s Lincoln Continentals, Ford noticed two of these cars at SEMA a few years back and had the Mobsteel crew build a custom Ford Flex for last year’s show. That car also won two awards at the show.

This year, Ford is (apparently) putting the focus on the high-powered Taurus and we can only hope Mobsteel’s SHO is as serious as the Lincolns they build.

The car will feature a modified body with a new front and rear end, as well as new side skirts. In addition, all the vehicle’s chrome has been removed and replaced with more subtle brushed aluminum. Shop owner Adam Genei says he liked the look of the new Taurus and that its design doesn’t require as much modification as the Flex did. Genei also said that once the vehicle is completed it will still have a, “certain level of sophistication,” which is rare for the often overdone SEMA show cars.

Along with the shop’s custom work, Mobsteel is working with several other companies (including Pirelli, MagnaFlow and Super Chips) to build the SHO.

We’ll be sure to bring you coverage of the car, as well as the other SEMA SHOw cars starting November 3rd.

See AutoGuide’s live SEMA Coverage here!

[Source: LivingstonDaily]

23/09/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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I Legacy, the company responsible for the Lee Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang has just announced pricing o the completely custom pony car and it’s not easy to swallow. The coachbuilt creation, named after the man who first introduced the world to the Mustang 45 years ago, will start at $89,950 – more than even the Mustang GT500KR. And for the record, that price does not include the Ford Racing supercharger, which pums up the power to 400hp.

What the Iacocca Mustang offers is exclusivity, not just through its design but due to its rarity, with just 45 of the cars being built.

“The Iacocca Mustang embodies all the elements of a car that will be a future collectible,” said Keith Martin, publisher of Sports Car Market magazine. “It is stunning in appearance, will be built in limited numbers and has top-flight performance. Further, given its true custom-built nature, it is being offered at a very reasonable price.”

The car sits lower than stock and has a completely redesigned front end with a slanted grille and recessed headlights. The wheels are 20-inch Iacocca Design models with center caps that feature a bold “I” in the middle. Other markings, including an Iacocca Design hood badge and Iacocca lettering on the rear, will help distinguish this car as a rarity – as will the special Iacocca silver paint.

Inside the choachwork continues with special leather seats, a new leather wrapped steering wheel with an “I” badge, Iacocca-lettering on the door sills and a numbered dash plaque.

As for performance, the 45 cars will be outfitted with a Ford Racing handling package and optional 14-inch Ford Racing brakes.

The Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang is offered exclusively through Galpin Ford.

GALLERY: Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang

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Official release after the jump:

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21/09/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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Roush has just released its new top-level “Stage 3″ tuning package for the 2010 Mustang. With an R2300 ROUSHcharger blower and a modified 4.6-liter Ford V8 (with new pistons, con rods and a forged steel crankshaft) the motor now makes 540hp and 510 ft-lbs of torque.

Outside, the car gets a full aero kit as well as a new billet upper grille, which deletes he fog lights and gives the car a meaner look, while improving cooling. A set of 18-inch chrome wheels is included with 20-inchers optional. The suspension includes new shocks and struts, as well as tighter and lower springs and stiffer sway bars.

Numerous interior upgrades are also included.

“The ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang has traditionally been among the halo vehicles of our lineup and I’m really proud that it sits atop the pecking order once again,” said Jack Roush. “This new iteration of the Stage 3 represents our highest horsepower and most sophisticated Roush Mustang yet, and is sure to resonate among our fans.”

In addition to this model, Roush has also released a new 540HR package. Designed as a sleeper, it comes with all the power and performance upgrades but with a mostly stock exterior. In testing the HR model ran an 11.8 at 121 mph.

“The new ROUSH 540RH is really intended to be a ‘sleeper’ car,” Roush explained. “It will be purposely built with minimal content as it was designed for the buyer who wanted the ROUSH horsepower but with a blank canvas that can be customized into their own personal one-of-a-kind ride.”

Roush is pricing the 2010 Stage 3 car from $59,945 and the HR model from $46,145. Only 103 Stage 3 models will be produced.

GALLERY: 2010 Roush Stage 3 and 540HR Mustangs

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Official release after the jump:

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28/08/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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Steeda Autosports has gotten into the crossover segment with its take on the Ford Edge.

Best known for its Mustang modifications, the Florida-based tuner is giving the top-selling mid-size crossover a Steeda-style makeover with the Steeda Edge Sport.

The package includes an eight-piece body kit, blacked out head and tail lamps and 22-inch polished aluminum rims.

Steeda offers a number of options including six-piston Brembo brakes, a Magnaflow cat-back exhaust,  a cold air intake, a throttle body spacer and an ECU tune. Power figures and pricing have not yet been announced, but Steeda says it has created a crossover vehicle “worth of the Steeda name.”

GALLERY: Steeda Edge Sport

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Official release after the jump:

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29/06/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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Shelby Automobiles, Inc., the Las Vegas tuning shop that bears the name of Carroll Shelby himself, has just announced that it will offer a Super Snake kit for the new 2010 Ford Shelby GT500.

Customers will be able to choose from two supercharger kits with a Shelby/Ford Racing kit increasing output to 630hp or a Shelby/Kenne Bell blower kit pumping out 725hp. That 725hp kit will also include a new driveshaft capable of handling all that power, as well as twin 75mm throttle bodies to feed the supercharger. A Borla exhaust will also be included, as will a six-speed transmission with a 3.73 rear axle ratio.

Shelby Autos will offer two suspension setups, including a Shelby/Eibach package or a Ford Racing package with adjustable shocks, lowering springs, sway bars and a front strut tower brace.

A set of Shelby-design Alcoa 20-inch wheels comes on the Super Snake with a massive set of six-piston front brakes.

Outside the Super Snake can be distinguished by a unique fiberglass hood, Super Snake stripes, Shelby lettering on the rear decklid and Super Snake badges. The interior will also feature plenty of unique Shelby and Super Snake items.

“We take great pride in engineering fast, fun cars that people love to drive,” said Carroll Shelby. “Over the past 12 months, my team of hot rodders was hard at work on a Super Snake package for the next generation GT500. Every lesson we learned kicking the competition around on the track over the past two years has been poured into this new car to keep Shelby owners out front.”

“Since we introduced the Super Snake package for the GT500 in 2007, this Shelby has become the pinnacle of current generation muscle cars,” said Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Automobiles. “While the stock GT500 is a fine car, serious enthusiasts know that they can come to us to make their Shelby even better. For those who crave a harder edged Shelby, this is your car.”

The 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake is available through Shelby Automobiles at a cost of $29,495 for the 630hp package and $33,495 for the 725hp package. The Super Snake transformation will be offered in limited numbers to retain exclusivity.

GALLERY: 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake

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Official release after the jump:

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