Life and Style

Boss Returns from Vacation: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

August 14, 2010 By lizzie Leave a Comment

Built as Ford’s response to losing the prestigious SCCA Trans Am manufacturer championship to their pony car rival the Chevrolet Camaro, the Boss 302 edition of the Ford Mustang was given form in 1969 as both a premium straight-liner and an aggressive turn-hugger. Thanks to Trans Am series homologation rules, Ford was required to produce road-going variants for customers. A fruit of production-based racing specifications, the original Mustang Boss 302 is one of the blue oval brand’s most beloved contribution to the muscle car era (perhaps second only to the Boss 429). Musing the Mustang faithful since advertising the return of the 5.0 liter engine size (302 cubic inches), Ford Motor Company has given new life to the Boss name for a limited edition issue in 2012.

On first glance at the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302, Ford again projects the heritage of their beloved pony car through modern sheetmetal. Signifying the 2012 Boss 302’s adhering to the pride of the original vehicle, the iconic Boss 302 C-stripes are tattooed along the side panels. Wearing one of five classically-inspired but still provocative exterior primarily colours, the 2012 Mustang Boss 302s C-stripes, roof and hood sections will stand out in either black or white. Having been a model for late 1960s aerodynamics, the Boss 302 appears in 2012 a graduate student of cutting edge air manipulation techniques. The lower air dam now features a large air splitter while the rear end treatment is topped with modest but functional rear spoiler and a rear diffuser.

A revised Mustang suspension system featuring high-rate coil springs and a wider stabilizer bar faithfully provides the performance-oriented ride the 1969-1970 Boss 302 was known for creating. The 2012 Boss 302’s new suspension assembly lowers the car incrementally compared to a 2011 Mustang GT with 11 mm on the front and 1 mm in the rear. Minor-sounding adjustments, this slightly altered ride height will serve the Mustang Boss 302 well for handling in corners or traveling along a high-speed stretch. The enhanced Boss 302 ride is also supplemented with a ride type selector. Via a driver-controllable knob, three settings allows handling to be Comfort, Normal or Sport quality. Backed by electronic stability control and traction control, the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 strides with confidence.

When coming to a stop, high-performance brake lines are engineered to provide a more instant response in slowing down the Mustang’s four wheels. Brembo 4-piston brake calipers firmly grabs the 14 inch disc brake rotors with grace. Compared to the GT version, the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 is slated to stop about 3 feet sooner with the improved brake hardware. Beyond this braking system, the full extent of the stop and go workout is credited to the Mustang Boss 302’s Pirelli PZero summer tires. Surrounding 19 inch black alloy wheels, the wheel and tire combination fosters control good effort to achieve over 1 g of lateral acceleration.

Thankfully not simply a dress-up package, under the 2012 Mustang Boss 302’s hood is 440 horsepower secured within a 5.0 liter V-8 sporting a retro-styled plenum The most powerful Ford Mustang available without the intervention of Carrol Shelby or supercharging, the Boss 302 engine’s 28 horsepower increase over the 2011 Mustang GT is accredited to an ultra-high capacity intake manifold design and a reshaped camshaft. Special final gearing and a limited-slip differential assures the 440 horses are providing the best gallop.

Becoming the boss of the Boss, the driver rides within a specifically-catered interior design. Recaro racing seats combine cloth and suede-like materials comforting driver as well as the front passenger as the Mustang Boss 302 is put through its paces. Unique to other Ford Mustangs, the dashboard surroundings are trimmed with a dark metallic finish while the driver will have an equally distinctive gauge cluster to admire. Driver and passengers ears will ring with an unparallel sound of the 5.0 liter V-8 engine. Compared to the GT model Mustang, 11 pounds of sound-deadening material had been removed for weight-savings and for simply enhancing the driving experience. As a Muscle Car era touch, the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 shifter knob resembles the black pool-cue ball.

As an added bonus to the Boss Mustang’s reincarnation, a select number of buyers will have an opportunity to buy an harder core driving sensation with the Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca edition. The name Laguna Seca was given for the race track where an original SCCA Trans-Am competition Mustang Boss 302 won on in 1970 in a significant opening race. The Ford Mustang Boss 302, driven by Parnelli Jones at the Laguna Seca round, won for what would be a precursor in retaking the league’s manufacturer championship back from Chevrolet. The 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca will offer increased chassis stiffness and extreme aerodynamics for optimized race-like handling. This Laguna Seca’s devotion setting up the race car experience even includes omitting the extra weight of the Mustang’s rear seat.

Returning to the streets through the next model year, its worth noting the Boss 302 name has been rejoicing in a resurrection in auto racing competition. Since the beginning of the 2010 Grand Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge season, the Ford Mustang Boss 302R is a race-fitted 5.0 liter V-8 ringer within the production-based sports car series. Winding through its first season of competition, Ford Motor Company has credited the Boss 302R race cars in the development of the upcoming production Boss Mustang. Director of Ford Racing Jamie Allison commented “The tradition and the spirit of Boss, a car born for the track, remain today and you can bet more than a few Ford Racing employees will have a Boss 302 in the garage soon.”

Information and photo source: Ford Motor Company

Boss Returns from Vacation: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

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Filed Under: Autos, Life & Style Tagged With: 1970 Boss 302, Air Dam, Boss 429, Boss Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, Cubic Inches, First Glance, Ford Motor, Ford Motor Company, Ford Mustang, Ford Mustang Boss, Ford Mustang Boss 302, Manipulation Techniques, Mustang Boss 302, Mustang Ford, Mustang Gt, Pony Car, Rear Spoiler, Stabilizer Bar, Suspension Assembly

How Much Will Driving an Electric Car Save You?

August 14, 2010 By lizzie Leave a Comment

How much will driving an electric car save on transportation costs? It’s one of the biggest questions people have as they consider the switch from internal combustion to electric drive. For people accustomed to per gallon calculations, entering the world of plug-ins involves a bit of new thinking and some extra consideration.

Across the U.S., electricity rates vary from lower than 3 cents per kWh in central Washington state to more than 27 cents per kWh in Hawaii. In some regions, such as much of California, electricity rates vary drastically by the time of day the electricity is being used (it becomes more expensive during high demand periods, typically the middle of the day). Given these huge variations from state-to-state, and sometimes hour-to-hour, figuring out how much you might save by driving an electric car can get to be a bit tricky.

For those of you not interested in the particulars, suffice it to say that, even at 27 cents per kWh (currently the most expensive in the U.S.), you will be paying about half as much per mile in “fuel” costs as your average family sedan at $3 per gallon gas. On top of that, you won’t have to go to the service shop for oil changes anymore (saving about $30 every 3-4 months for most Americans). And, at the average US electricity rate of 12 cents per kWh, you would be paying about a quarter as much for “fuel” costs—dropping your yearly fuel bill from about $1,400 to $350.

But what if you live in an area that has time-of-day use charges? Will you always be able to charge in the wee hours of the morning when rates are lowest? How do you start to figure out how much it might cost you to charge your vehicle every month? Detroit Edison (DTE), a Detroit, Michigan, utility company, has decided to experiment with charging rates for electric vehicles to help satisfy consumer anxiety about the issue.

Yesterday, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) approved two rate options for eligible DTE EV customers: one that provides a lower rate for charging during low demand periods (between 11 p.m. and 9 a.m. Monday through Friday) and another that provides for a monthly flat fee of $40 per vehicle no matter how many kWhs are used.

“As manufacturers begin to sell plug-in electric vehicles, it is important that Michigan’s electric utilities be ready as well,” said MPSC Chairman Orjiakor Isiogu. “The program approved today will help Detroit Edison evaluate the effect of electric vehicles on its electric system, offers off-peak rates that customers can use to charge vehicles, and offers the infrastructure required to charge these vehicles.”

The experimental electricity rates will initially only be available to 2,500 residential customers. As part of the program, the users will be eligible for up to $2,500 of installation of a separately metered circuit and charging station, or will have up to $2,500 of installation costs reimbursed by the installing company if their station meets the program’s needs. If participants want to take advantage of the grant money, they will need to sign an agreement with DTE that specifies the “terms and conditions regarding the use of such equipment.”

So is the flat fee worth it? It appears that DTE off peak rates average about 9 cents per kWh, and on peak rates are about 16 cents per kWh. For the sake of comparison, if you were able to charge your vehicle completely off peak (I know it’s unlikely, considering you’d need to charge it on the weekends), you’d spend about 2.25 cents per mile driven. At those rates, in order to make the flat $40 rate worth it, you’d have to drive more than 1,800 miles per month (21,600 per year).

I know my numbers are speculative because DTE hasn’t announced their rates for the experimental program yet and I’m just going off of what they currently charge for off-peak usage, but even so, 21,600 miles per year is a lot of mile for a vehicle that goes 100 miles on a charge. It’s possible, but you’d have to drive almost 60 miles each and every day. If that sounds like your driving pattern, and you live in Detroit, the $40 flat fee could be worth it. In any event, the program is enticing if only for the $2,500 charging station installation grant.

source: plugincars

How Much Will Driving an Electric Car Save You?

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Filed Under: Autos, Life & Style Tagged With: California Electricity, Demand Periods, Detroit Edison, Electric Car, Electric Vehicles, Electricity Rate, Electricity Rates, Fuel Bill, Fuel Costs, Gallon Gas, Internal Combustion, Michigan Public Service, Michigan Public Service Commission, Michigan Utility, Mpsc, New Thinking, Oil Changes, Plug Ins, Public Service Commission, Rate Options

Juan Pablo Montoya Abuses A Corvette ZR1 With Me In It [Motorsports]

August 14, 2010 By lizzie Leave a Comment

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Click here to read Juan Pablo Montoya Abuses A Corvette ZR1 With Me In It

Flat out, power-sliding in a Corvette ZR-1 at a hundred miles an hour was probably the wrong place to mockingly ask NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya if he was “having fun turning right.” Don’t worry, he punished me for it. More »

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Filed Under: Autos, Life & Style Tagged With: Corvette Zr 1, Corvette Zr1, Having Fun, Juan Montoya, Juan Pablo Montoya, Nascar, Nascar Driver, Source Article, View Source

2011 Chevy Cruze Eco Harnesses Air for Peak Efficiency

August 13, 2010 By lizzie Leave a Comment

Inching closer to producing an universally likable subcompact car, Chevrolet is looking favourably on the 2011 Cruze as being the vehicle which will be seated alongside the leaders in the class. Hoping to lead through quality and sales, the Chevrolet Chevrolet is also positioned for class-leading fuel economy with the Eco version.

Picking up in the foot steps of the Cobalt XFE, the Cruze Eco promises of even better fuel economy gains up to 40 miles per gallon highway through the integration of several fuel-savings features. Sporting 1.4 liter turbocharged Ecotec engine, lowered height and weight, low-rolling resistance tires, the Chevrolet Cruze Eco will also feature an innovative automatic air shutter system designed to optimized engine bay airflow equating to a fuel economy gain.

Always strategic in their placement and layout of air intakes, the typical attitude for many motorist is to look at a car’s front grille in merely a stylistic point of view. In reality, the size and shape of the opening is also a carefully considered element for vehicle engineers as well as aerodynamists. Engineers will wanting to induce sufficient breathing into the engine compartment only to have an aerodynamic expert arguing that a sizable air intake would negatively affect the vehicle’s drag profile.

While this is a typically a fixed arrangement on road-going production cars, competitors in the motorsport world have long realized that certain conditions have required variances in front-end air openings. Assembled as a low-cost but effective way to alter the air intake, NASCAR fans would be familiar with the technique of placing tape over the grille work. For stock cars, applying tape offers a chance to gain much-desired downforce by diverting air. Changeable through pit stops in the course of an event, too much tape can cause the 800 horsepower V-8 engine to overheat potentially damaging the NASCAR racing powerplant.

Combining sensors and electric motors, automatic air shutter system within the Chevrolet Cruze Eco allows the intake volume to be controlled in real-time. Operating inconspicuously behind the Cruze’s lower front fascia, the shutters are set to open at low-speeds for maximum engine cooling but closes at faster speeds when a consistently higher quantity of air into the engine bay. Besides creating a catered aerodynamic flow, the engine benefits with an additional temperature control measure. The automatic air shutter system is credited for a half a mile per gallon for the Cruze’s combined driving distance.

While the Cruze Eco is designed to be a low-cost alternative to hybrid vehicles, Chevrolet has been flashing around a working prototype Cruze combined with the Chevy Volt’s plug-in hybrid technology. As General Motors will be devoting itself to the Volt’s efforts, don’t expect a production version of an extended range Cruze any time soon.

Information and Photo Source: General Motors

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Filed Under: Autos, Life & Style Tagged With: Air Intake, Air Intakes, Chevrolet Cruze, Downforce, Drag Profile, Engine Compartment, Foot Steps, Fuel Economy, Fuel Savings, Height And Weight, Nascar, Nascar Fans, Nascar Racing, Peak Efficiency, Pit Stops, Production Cars, Resistance Tires, Shutter System, Stock Cars, Subcompact Car

How To Order From A Taco Truck [Jalopnik How To]

August 13, 2010 By lizzie Leave a Comment

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Click here to read How To Order From A Taco Truck

Taco trucks offer authentic, cheap and delicious food, yet fear of the unknown sends most of us straight to Taco Hell. Follow this simple guide and you’ll be running out for more salsa verde instead of running for the border. More »

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Filed Under: Autos, Life & Style Tagged With: Delicious Food, Fear Of The Unknown, Source Article, Taco Hell, Taco Truck, Trucks, View Source

BMW Four-Door Coupe Receives Green Light

August 13, 2010 By lizzie Leave a Comment

With four of the five premium German automakers adopting the four-door coupe experiment, BMW is not blind to the realization that they are the living with a void in their product array. Shown at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show as a concept vehicle, BMW showed off their fighter to the Mercedes-Benz CLS and the soon to be released Audi A7 Sportback. Identified in China as the Gran Coupe, BMW’s low-looking, four-door captured the sporty essence the brand known for producing “The ultimate driving machine” is meant to project. Though classified as a concept, the degree of production car cues made it clear that the Gran Coupe was merely awaiting a powerplant choice and a starting price tag. According to Automotive News, BMW has issued the official go ahead to the Gran Coupe’s production version for the 2012 calendar year.

Presenting a satisfying exterior image, expect very little to change from the Gran Coupe concept vehicle. Shorter in overall height than the BMW 3-Series sedan, the four-door coupe’s design conveys a racier appearance which also helps lower the center of gravity. Wheel arches are powerfully emphasized while vehicle lighting projects an equally strong character. On the concept Gran Coupe, BMW took a fresh approach on the tail lighting.

If going with a choice of existing powerplants, the 4.8 liter normally-aspirated V-8 or the 4.4 liter twin-turbocharged V-8 seems to be formidable candidates featuring 360 and 400 horsepower. The only problem with these high-technology BMW engines is they’re already widely used in the current German luxury car lineup. If BMW wants to furnish more of a specialized sports coupe, there might be a chance for the German automaker could spark an unique sensation with their fusion creation. Perhaps the 4 liter V-8 used in the BMW M3 could inspire the passion needed for their upcoming four-door coupe.

The roll-out of BMW’s four-door coupe is expected to closely correspondent with the upcoming revision of the 6-Series. Caught testing at the Nurburgring next week, the set of spied 2012 BMW 6-Series (provided on pistonspy.com) has given potentially truer insight on the composure of the four-door coupe drivetrain. A six-cylinder entry-level engine is expected to produce more than 300 horsepower while a 4.4 liter V-8 will again be offered with a mild power bump. The real power gain will be made on the new BMW M6 slated to house a powerplant with a 600 horse output. It’s reasonable to assume the four-door coupe will also be honoured through an M line upgrade. Automotive News’ source with the announcement has also entertained (albeit casually) the notion that the production vehicle based on the Gran Coupe could be a hybrid.

With the BMW production car unlikely to be sold with the Gran Coupe name, the question remains for where will the four-door coupe fit in the German’s auto company’s numerical lineup. With the Bavarian auto company wanting to position this car above the 5-Series, the closest number left available on top of the listing is 8-Series. However, it seems more reasonable that BMW may opt to use their alphanumeric sports car scheme the ‘Z’ preceding the selected number perhaps the Z5 or Z6.

Information Source: Automotive News, BMW, Pistonspy.com
Photo Source: BMW

BMW Four Door Coupe Receives Green Light

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Filed Under: Autos, Life & Style Tagged With: Aspirated, Audi A7, Automotive News, Bmw 3 Series, Bmw Engines, Bmw M3, Center Of Gravity, Coupe Bmw, Exterior Image, German Automaker, German Automakers, Mercedes Benz, Mercedes Benz Cls, Powerplants, Product Array, Production Car, Specialized Sports, Sports Coupe, Vehicle Lighting, Wheel Arches

Top Gear USA Stars Talk About Show, Stunts And Accidents [Exclusive]

August 12, 2010 By lizzie Leave a Comment

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Click here to read <em>Top Gear</em> USA Stars Talk About Show, Stunts And Accidents

You’ve seen the trailer, now hear the stars of American version of Top Gear give Jalopnik some dirt on the upcoming show in an exclusive interview, including how two of them nearly died in the backseat of a Camry. More »

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Filed Under: Autos, Life & Style Tagged With: Accidents, Backseat, Camry, Dirt, Raquo, Source Article, Stunts, Talk Show, Top Gear, Usa Stars, View Source

Teen Carjackers Back Over Cop Car In Failed Ford Escape Escape [Car Crime]

August 11, 2010 By lizzie Leave a Comment

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Click here to read Teen Carjackers Back Over Cop Car In Failed Ford Escape Escape

Three teens in the Maryland suburbs of Washington were trapped by a police officer after carjacking a Ford Escape. So the driver decided to try running over the officer’s Crown Victoria in reverse. Physics sides with justice on this one. More »

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Filed Under: Autos, Life & Style Tagged With: Car Crime, Cop Car, Crown Victoria, Ford, Ford Car, Ford Escape, Maryland Suburbs, Physics, Police Officer, Running, Source Article, Three Teens, View Source

Americans Awaits India’s Inexpensive Pickup Truck

August 11, 2010 By lizzie Leave a Comment

The sport utility vehicle (SUV) has grown through a noticeable metamorphosis within the past 20 years. Popularized through the 1990s as an affordable yet ambitious family vehicle, the SUV was in fact a cheaper product for auto manufacturers to build than sedans and minivans. Eventually deciding not to continue passing the savings to the customers within the hot SUV market, the tall-standing conveyances began springing larger price tags as luxury became the true focus. Adapting to the confines of the crossover vehicle, the traditional rough and tumble SUV has fallen onto the endangered species list. Looking to reintroduce the of truck-based ruggedness, Mahindra and Mahindra Automotive unit have been planning their step into the American automotive market intending to put empathize utility in sport utility vehicle.

Based on Mahindra’s Scorpio platform, vehicle configurations include a two-door and four-door pick-up as well as a sport utility model. Borrowing styling cues which many major automakers abandoned in the early 1990s, the Mahindra line of vehicles refreshingly provides nothing more than practical body panels on the outside and a simple cabin layout inside. Powered by a 140 horsepower clean diesel engine developed by reputable American trucking name International, 236 pounds feet of torque would also be delivered with a thrifty 30 miles per gallon highway fuel economy. Sporting a planned starting price tag around $20,000, the light truck-based vehicle features a six-speed automatic transmission, electronic stability control and a MP3-enabled stereo system.

Creating a name on this continent as a farm equipment maker (presently 4th most popular tractor producer in the United States), plans for 2010 had called for the Mahindra name to adorn a United States lineup through a importation deal with Group Vehicles USA, Incorporated. However, as you can tell, the first quarter of the year deadline has past with the dealership lots of 350 American distributors left empty. Group Vehicles are now arguing that the Mahindra and Mahindra automotive head office in India has been deliberately holding up the process for green-lighting the vehicle for American sales. Awaiting government approval on items such as emissions, the Georgia state-based importer has been preparing since 2006 to bring the Mahindra light truck to North America. Global Vehicles has earmarked a fall 2010 release date but that plan seems to be falling in peril as the legal fight is readying.

Taking into the account the past efforts of similar vehicles entering the United States market, Mahindra sport utility vehicles are attempting the impossible with a truck-based only lineup. As recent as 2003, a company called Cross Lander USA was plotting to import a practical, low-cost SUV on Romanian off-road vehicle producer ARO. In the end, funding dried up for the venture before a single vehicle had been sold. It is the hope of Global Vehicles and their dealership network that the outcome with Mahindra would see the Indian-derived vehicles roaming American off-roads

Information Source: Global Vehicles, Business Standard Motoring
Photo Source: Global Vehicles

Americans Awaits India’s Inexpensive Pickup Truck

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Filed Under: Autos, Life & Style Tagged With: American Trucking, Auto Manufacturers, Automakers, Automotive Market, Body Panels, Cabin Layout, Crossover Vehicle, Electronic Stability Control, Endangered Species List, Highway Fuel Economy, Mahindra, Price Tags, Rough And Tumble, Sport Utility Vehicle, Stereo System, Suv Market, Tractor Producer, True Focus, Utility Model, Vehicle Configurations

The Facts About Speed Cameras in the UK

August 10, 2010 By lizzie Leave a Comment

dccaf SPEED CAMERA STATS The Facts About Speed Cameras in the UK

For our UK-dwelling readers, breakdowncover.org has created a graphic covering some interesting facts about speed cameras. Even though some areas over there are shutting down their cameras, many of you still have to deal with it for a while. Click on the infographic below to view the full version:

Infographic by BreakdownCover.org