Posted by WebAdmin on May 14, 2010 · Leave a Comment
As the 2010 model year starts to show hints of winding down and strong incentives continue to sweeten the deal, there are plenty of deep discounts to be had if you know where to look—and, especially, if you don't mind getting a model that's soon to be replaced.
With more details announced for the new 2011 Chevrolet Cruze—and first drives of the Cruze from several sources including TheCarConnection.com—the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt that it replaces is being heavily discounted. According to the pricing intelligence firm TrueCar, which gathers its data from real transaction-price information, it's the most-discounted model this month, at about 25 percent off MSRP; that's more than $4,000 off the well-equipped 2010 Cobalt LT, for instance.
A number of the models with the strongest incentives during May are pickups. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was the most discounted, forecasted at about 19 percent below MSRP, while the equivalent GMC Sierra 1500 along with the 2010 Ford Super Duty F-250 was also heavily incentivized (in anticipation of the redesigned 2011 Ford Super Duty trucks that are due at dealerships about now.
Several convertibles—the Ford Mustang and BMW 3-Series—are also predicted to be strong deals in May. With the 2011 models soon anticipated (and much talked about), the 2010 Ford Mustang remained discounted at about 11 percent and was predicted to be the most-discounted convertible for May. The 2010 BMW 3-Series Convertible is also anticipated to sell nearly at final prices nearly $400 lower than last month.
The Mustang was also the 2010 model with the longest days in inventory, with 2010 'Stangs sitting for 113 days before sale, on average—another indicator that you'll be likely to find a good deal on those outgoing models. It was second only to the 2010 Hyundai Sonata, at 157 days in inventory. The 2010 Sonata has already been replaced by the all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata, which offers much-improved refinement, comfort, and safety, plus a new direct-injection four-cylinder engine that places it at the front of the mid-size sedan pack with respect to fuel economy. The Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec, Toyota Highlander, Toyota RAV4, and GMC Terrain were among the shortest in inventory—an indication that sales are strong.
Among new 2011 models, several models were already discounted by well over five percent, typically, thanks mainly to strong incentives. The 2011 Toyota Camry was predicted to sell at about nine percent below MSRP in May, followed by the 2011 Honda Pilot at eight percent below and the BMW 1-Series, Volvo C70, and Kia Sorento all at seven percent below sticker.
Although Ford continues to make gains in consumer perception, it was the most-discounted brand for 2010 models (followed by Chevrolet and Chrysler)—likely having more to do with a number of early introductions for the brand, however. Among 2011s, Toyota and Honda were most discounted on a brand basis, at eight percent across the board, followed closely by Kia and BMW.
TrueCar also noted that the effects of the recent recall of the 2010 Lexus GX 460 can be seen in its sale prices, which have run about $1,000 lower than in April with no change in incentives.
Here are TrueCar's most-discounted 2010 models for May, by body type:
Chevrolet Cobalt (sedan) 25% below MSRP
Jeep Grand Cherokee (SUV) 18%
Ford Focus 15%
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 19%
Ford Mustang 11%
Chrysler Town & Country 11%
Hyundai Elantra Touring 10%
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Posted by WebAdmin on March 28, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Let's cut to the chase: The new 2011 Mustang GT is about as badass as you can get in a normal production car.
In this case, one with a bargain bottom-line price tag as low as $30,495.
The first time you see—or hear—a new Mustang GT open up the throttle, you'll understand why we call it badass. Floor it, and the V-8 develops a deep authoritative bellow that turns heads and sounds way better—especially from the outside—than the more resonated sound from the bigger V-8 in the Camaro SS. And it has the capability to pin you back in your seat with almost supercar thrust, no matter what the gear. Or commit seemingly unlimited acts involving smoky burnouts
We've told you about this new V-8 in detail, but what counts is that Ford didn't just make the old engine a little larger to bring back the '5.0' badge. It's an all-new engine, with Ford's latest TI-VCT variable valve timing for deep breathing throughout the rev range for good performance and fuel economy, and a completely redesigned deep-sump oil system that's designed for hard use (or a 10,000-mile oil-change interval). Yet with rather tall gearing, it achieves EPA ratings of 17 mpg city, 25 highway.
The new engine starts up with the low rumble of an old big-block muscle car, yet it settles almost immediately into a smooth purr of an idle that's completely different than the lopey, rough idle we've come to expect in some higher-horsepower Mustangs of the past.
Read more
Posted by WebAdmin on March 10, 2010 · Leave a Comment
The 5.0 is back, and Ford didn't take the opportunity lightly. The 2011 Ford Mustang GT will pack a 412-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8 that for all practical purposes is an all-new engine. A very stoutly built, race-ready one at that.
Along with the 3.7-liter V-6 that will also be introduced in the 2011 Ford Mustang, Ford suddenly has a completely refreshed powertrain lineup for the pony car and nothing to be ashamed of. Considering weight, in fact, the 'Stang now has a leg up on its rivals.
It's an about-face from the past several years, when Ford has seemed a step behind other automakers with respect to V-8 engines—especially if you take a look at power output. Even with the Mustang's lighter weight than the Camaro and Challenger, Ford's current 315-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 in the 2010 Mustang GT is no match for the larger Chevy and Chrysler V-8s.
With the '5.0' badge, the 2011 Mustang GT approaches the power output of those big-displacement engines while promising both stout construction and race-ready performance plus better fuel economy in everyday driving.
Bore is 92.2 mm (3.63 inches), with a 92.7-mm (3.65-inch) stroke, calculating out to just over 302 cubic inches and—this time—properly rounding up to 5.0 liters. And the new engine in the 2011 GT makes 412 horsepower, which should be enough for the lighter Mustang to beat both the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS and the 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T. In the Camaro SS, GM installs a huge 6.2-liter V-8, making 426 horsepower, while Chrysler puts its 372-hp, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 in the Challenger R/T, among other vehicles, and the 425-hp, 6.1-liter V-8 in the Challenger SRT8.
At the same time, Ford projects an estimated 17 mpg city, 25 highway for the new engine (with the automatic) in the Mustang. The Camaro SS gets 16/25, while the Challenger SRT8 is rated at just 13/19.
The new engine will require just 87-octane gasoline, though 91-octane will be recommended for peak performance.
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Posted by WebAdmin on January 8, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Ford has revealed full powertrain details, along with some other information, regarding the 2011 Ford Mustang, which will go on sale this spring. Right here, we bring you a summary of what's changed—including details on the new 5.0-liter GT—and a preview of what to expect. Check back for a revised Bottom Line with firsthand driving impressions as soon as The Car Connection can get behind the wheel.
Likes
More power, without more weight
Improved refinement
Interior tech features—including SYNC
Value
The '5.0' badges are back
Dislikes
Tight interior
Plastics could still be upgraded
Two all-new engines—a V-6 and a V-8—promise to make the Mustang lineup a lot more exciting for 2011. Although the 2011 Ford Mustang isn't fully redesigned, it's extensively refreshed, with a new line of powertrains, new power steering, and suspension changes that altogether guarantee that it's going to be faster, more fuel-efficient and, likely, more fun to drive.
While the 2011 Mustang has changed little on the outside, this year marks the return of the '5.0' badge, which alone is likely to bring back waves of nostalgia for anyone aged 30 to 60. By the mid-to-late '80s, the Mustang GT, with its stout 225-horse 5.0, was arguably the king of the pony cars and faster than many sports cars costing much more. In addition to those prominent fender badges declaring it's a '5.0,' the new GT will get a higher 160-mph speedometer and three new colors: Yellow Blaze Tri-Coat, Race Red, and Ingot Silver. Inside, the changes include some additional soundproofing and new door seals, plus an upgraded instrument cluster, including a 160-mph speedometer and 8,000-rpm tach. Ford's MyKey system will be offered on the Mustang for the first time for 2011, along with a garage-door opener, message center, and new blind-spot aids for the mirrors.
Base Mustangs will get a new all-aluminum 3.7-liter DOHC V-6, producing an impressive 305 horsepower and 280 pound-feet. The new 3.7-liter engine in the 2011 Mustang, part of Ford's Duratec family, uses Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) and a Direct Acting Mechanical Bucket (DAMB) valvetrain to vary valve control through the rev range (up to 7,000 rpm) and achieve a three percent improvement in fuel efficiency and ten percent more power versus the same engine without this technology. Highway ratings with the new engine will be as high as 30 mpg, and it uses regular, not premium, gasoline. The 2010 Mustang GT packs a new 5.0-liter V-8 good for 412 horsepower. Almost as significant to budget-minded buyers today is that the new Mustang GT will achieve a projected 25 mpg on the highway. Also contributing to the fuel-economy improvements are a new electric power-steering system and a host of small aerodynamic enhancements. Two new six-speed transmissions (versus five-speeds for 2010) come with either engine, and a limited-slip differential and new suspension settings will help take advantage of the boost in power. And to help handle the added power, the 2011 Mustang V-6 gets revised damper tuning and spring rates, plus a new rear lower control arm and stiffened stabilizer-bar bushings; Ford also adjusted the car's front/rear aerodynamic balance to help the Mustang feel more "planted." It also gets larger brake rotors—11.5 inches in front and 11.8 in back.
Although seating will likely remain unchanged—in previous years we've found it to be a bit tighter than in most other performance coupes—Ford also promises a better cabin refinement, including various improvements both to overall noise and vibration control, and the convertible will get a stiffer body structure thanks to improved bracing. The automaker has also made special note of the V-6 engine sound, saying that engineers have worked to on the engine's breathing with satisfying performance sounds in mind.
To match the higher output of the engine, the new Mustang GT will get larger brakes, plus stiffer rear suspension settings. A Brembo brake package will be optional, incorporating the larger rotors (14-inch discs in front) and calipers used in the Shelby GT500 Mustang, plus 19-inch alloys and summer performance tires. The 2011 Mustang GT also gets the Electric Power Steering System (EPAS), which Ford is in the process of phasing in through its entire lineup. Although Ford hasn't yet detailed feature changes, the 2010 Ford Mustang GT will offer a wide range of features, including integrated blind spot mirrors, a universal garage-door opener, and Ford's MyKey programmable vehicle key system. Beginning in August, a Performance Package will be offered on the V-6, bringing the lower axle ratio plus 19-inch wheels, a strut tower brace, summer performance tires, a sport mode for the stability control, and the firmer suspension from the Mustang GT.
Bottom Line: Incorporating a series of changes over the past several years—and now with a new pair of engines—the 2011 Ford Mustang looks poised to take the pony-car lead.
Other Choices
If you like the 2011 Ford Mustang, also consider:
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Dodge Challenger
- Nissan 370Z
Reason Why:
With the 3.6-liter V-6 engine in the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro producing 305 horsepower and getting EPA ratings of up to 18 mpg city, 29 highway, the lighter 2011 Mustang should be considerably quicker than the base Camaro while also more fuel-efficient. That's our kind of muscle car. And while the Mustang GT's power output doesn't quite approach that of the Camaro SS, it's significantly lighter. In comparison, the Camaro's interior feels more gimmicky than the Mustang's, and the Camaro's delicate front end make it slightly less day-to-day usable. The Dodge's interior is larger, and its base V-8 still offers more horsepower than the Mustang's only V-8, but it's more portly and drives as such. While not a direct competitor, the rear-wheel-drive Nissan 370Z is one of the best-tuned pure sports cars on the market but lacks even small rear seats and a proper trunk.
Buying Tip
If you like the handling of the 2011 Ford Mustang GT but don't need that much power, you'll probably want to consider the Performance Package on the V-6 models.
Posted by WebAdmin on December 21, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Aftermarket customization is nothing new: for decades, proud car owners have made use of special accessories and paint jobs to distinguish their rides. But thanks to technological developments, it's now become easy to mass produce wraps for vehicles -- and to do so with remarkable consistency. Seeing increasing demand for such skins, Ford recently partnered with Original Wraps to launch its own snazzy line of decals for Ford cars and trucks next year. In addition to vehicle-specific skins for the Mustang, Flex, Focus, Taurus, F150, and other models, there are also cause-oriented wraps for breast cancer awareness and eco-conciousness. Click around FordCustomGraphics.com to see what's on tap for your ride in 2010.
[Autoblog]
Posted by WebAdmin on December 17, 2009 · Leave a Comment
We've been planning to bring you word on the 2011 Ford Mustang in a few weeks, when the 2010 Detroit auto show kicks off.
We can't wait--because Facebook and Twitter can't wait, from what we can see. The juicy details on the '11 'Stang have broken through the lacy filigree of a news "embargo," so here's what we know.
The 2011 Ford Mustang returns to the hallmark V-8 displacement of the recent past. Yep, in shorthand, the 5.0 Mustang is back. Vanilla Ice be praised, it'll turn in 412 horsepower--only 14 hp or so less than the Chevrolet Camaro SS. (Yes, that's a V-6 'Tang you see above--we're sticking with the photography embargo until someone else commits mortal sin.)
Those are the details divulged so far, but who knows? Maybe Twitter will cough up more embargoed information before the week is done. Stay tuned--and come back for our 2010 Detroit Auto Show preview on Friday.
