4.1.5 Rob Gruhl - How to Buy a New Car - Ignite Seattle 2007-8-8

This is sad and unexpected news, Andrea Pininfarina, CEO of the world famous Italian car design company that bears his name was killed in a traffic accident this morning near Turin, Italy. He was 51.

Andrea’s first job with the firm was Program Manager of the Cadillac Allanté project, eventually moving up to the post of chief executive officer.

Pininfarina was one of the world’s most prolific design firms, and its name was synonymous with Italian car design, producing such landmark cars as the Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 the Dino 206 the MGB GT the Alfa Romeo 1600 Spider Duetto the Ferrari Daytona, 308, 328, Testarossa, 288 GTO, F40, F355, 550 Barchetta, 360 Spider, 575M Maranello and 612 Scaglietti, the Rolls-Royce Camargue, the Jaguar XJ6 the Jaguar XJ220, the Alfa Romeo GTV & Spider as well as various Lancias, Peugeots, Mitsubishis, Daewoos and Hyundais.

Initial reports are that he was on his way to work on his Vespa scooter, when he was hit by a car. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Source: Core77

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Via Tony

NEW Car Crash accident Russia

Ford has officially released the 2009 Mustang details, specs and photos.  The 2009 model year will be an abbreviated one with only about 45,000 Mustangs being produced to make room for the refreshed 2010 Mustang arriving in early spring of ‘09.  Changes for the 2009 model include the addition of an optional glass roof for the V6 and GT models, new color Brilliant Silver clearcoat, new “Premium” standard extras like ambient lighting, satin aluminum instrument panel trim, interior upgrades and SIRIUS satellite radio. Model choices include V6, GT, California Special, Bullitt, Warriors In Pink, Shelby GT500 and Shelby GT500KR.

All the photos and details about the 2009 Mustang can be found after the jump…

Press Release:

Ford Mustang, the country’s best-selling sports car for 22 consecutive years and one of the auto industry’s most successful nameplates ever, celebrates its 45th anniversary with a new panoramic glass roof option that opens the world to pony-car enthusiasts from Maine to Maui and all points between. The segment first, factory-installed glass roof is available as a $1,995 option on Mustang V-6 and GT models.

“Our new panoramic glass roof will allow owners to enjoy the outdoors year-round from the comfort of their Mustang,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president for Global Product Development. “It’s one more feature that sets Mustang apart from the competition.”

Three Roof Choices - Top That!

The glass roof joins the coupe and convertible to give Mustang customers three roof choices. It also addresses the fact that 62 percent of buyers in the sports car segment are interested in a sunroof or moonroof on their next vehicle, according to J.D. Power and Associates research. Mustang’s new roof allows customers to let the sun shine in for half the price of moving up from a coupe to a convertible.

While allowing occupants an unrestricted view of the world above and around them, the special tinted, reflective glass reduces energy used by the vehicle’s air conditioning system by 20 percent and also protects the interior fabric from fading and deteriorating. A manually operated roller blind allows owners to block the light on bright days.

Noise, vibration and harshness are controlled in the cabin with a layer of sound absorbent vinyl sandwiched within the special glass.

The glass-roof Mustang is built like the coupe and has been developed to maintain the structural integrity of the car.

“We want to offer this feature to customers while maintaining the quality and safety of the vehicle that we’ve been recognized externally for,” said Paul Randle, Mustang chief engineer.

More Standard Equipment

For 2009, Ford has also added more standard equipment to the popular “Premium” arrays offered on both the Mustang V-6 and GT, including SIRIUS® Satellite Radio, ambient lighting, satin aluminum instrument panel trim and upgraded interior trim.

A new, optional GT Security Package includes an active anti-theft system and wheel locking kit and Brilliant Silver clearcoat metallic joins the list of available Mustang exterior colors.

The Mustang V-6 coupe and convertible are equipped with a 210-horsepower, 4.0-liter SOHC 6-cylinder engine that is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission or an optional 5-speed automatic. The Mustang GT coupe and convertible are powered by a 300-horsepower, 4.6-liter 3V V-8 engine.  The standard gearbox is 5-speed manual, with an available 5-speed automatic.
Other highlights include:

• Standard front-seat side air bags; dual-stage driver and front passenger air bags; safety-belt pretensioners; passenger seat sensing; crash severity sensing.
• Available High Intensity Discharge headlamps.
• 18-inch wheel offering on V-6 coupe.
• Available customizable instrument panel allowing mix-and-match lighting at the touch of a button. 
   

Warriors in Pink

The 2009 model year also marks the return of the “Warriors in Pink” package, which was designed to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Ford doubled its contributions this year to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure to $500 for each “Warriors in Pink” Mustang sold.

Available on the Mustang V-6 “Premium” coupe and convertible models, the “Warriors in Pink” package adds a pink ribbon and pony fender badge, pink Mustang rocker tape striping, charcoal leather trimmed seats with pink stitching, an aluminum-spoke steering wheel with pink stitching and charcoal floormats with pink ribbon and contrast stitching. Three body colors will be available: black, metallic silver and performance white.

The development of the “Warriors in Pink” package took on a special meaning for the entire Mustang Team as they watched one of their own battle breast cancer and survive. Mustang program manager Jackie Marshall DiMarco was diagnosed with breast cancer while working on the special model. 

“Being on Team Mustang is a special experience because we are all enthusiasts at heart. And I was thrilled to be part of the Warriors in Pink project knowing that we would be contributing to the Cure,” said DiMarco. “The shock of my own diagnosis while working on this project highlighted to me how any of us can be affected when we least expect it, and how important it is to work together to heighten awareness, support the courageous women fighting the disease, and ultimately find the Cure.

“I am blessed to be a survivor while so many are still being lost each year to breast cancer and I am proud to work for a company that is committed to my survival,” she added.

Onboard with Bullitt

One of the most memorable modern sports cars - the Mustang Bullitt™ - returns to the stable for 2009.

Inspired by the 1968 film of the same name that featured one of the most memorable car chase scenes in cinematic history, the 2009 Mustang Bullitt™ is powered by a 4.6-liter V-8 with 315 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. Both the engine and suspension are modified with Ford Racing Technology to make one of the best-sounding, best-handling Mustangs ever. The 2008-model Bullitt, introduced as a limited run of 7,700 units, continues as a 2009 model due to customer demand.  An additional run of 3,000 units is planned.

Following are highlights and specifications for the 2009 Mustang Bullitt:

Exterior

• Highland Green (unique to Bullitt) or black exterior paint
• Modified 18-inch micro-machined Euro-flange Bullitt wheels.
• Dark gray painted calipers \
• Modified badging with unique satin finish and Bullitt nomenclature
• Unique 3.5-inch stainless steel packed exhaust tips

Interior

• Unique aluminum I/P finish panels with unique gunmetal engine turn pattern
• Aluminum accents throughout including an aluminum shifter ball unique to Bullitt
• Revised cluster with “gun sight” graphics and unique font
• Shelby GT500-style front seats
• Shelby GT500-style steering wheel with Bullitt logo
• Unique aluminum door scuff plate with Bullitt logo
• Serialization plate on strut tower brace 
   

Powertrain 

• 4.6-liter, 3-valve SOHC V-8
• Tremec TR-3650 5-speed manual transmission
• Signature Bullitt exhaust sound
• New open-element cold air induction system & hood blanket with AIS seal
• High performance calibration
• Dual knock strategy enabling the vehicle to run on either regular unleaded or premium (for improved performance)
• Crisper throttle response
• Revised cam timing at peak power
• Redline at 6500 RPM
• 3.73:1 axle ratio

Chassis 

• Unique strut tower brace
• Unique shock and strut tuning
• Rear spring change that lowers vehicle ride height
• Carbon metallic front brake pads for improved performance

The seats in Bullitt, and in all 2009 Mustangs, are made with foam comprised of 5 percent soy-derived materials in place of petroleum-based products. Earlier this year, Ford announced plans to push that figure to 40 percent in the near future for foam used in seats and head rests.

The 2009 Mustang, including Bullitt and Warriors in Pink models, will be built at AutoAlliance International in Flat Rock, Mich. All 2008 Mustangs earned the government’s highest five star frontal crash test ratings. The Mustang convertible stands alone as the only sports car and the only convertible ever to earn five star safety ratings in all five test categories under the government’s New Car Assessment Program.

Via CobraMatt

http://www.paulrobinett.com

My first NEW car… ok SUV… and a bit about other things…

damn this car is just to sick

OK, that headline makes it sound like I know what Project Alligator Is in the first place.

I didn’t, Project Alligator snuck up on me, but it holds some pretty interesting possibilities for the car freak … or the car freak with suitcases full of cash (which I am not).

It would seem that in England, there have been rumors flying around for a while concerning Aston Martin and … well, it could have been any number of firms, varying from week to week, (last I heard it was that V. J. Malia guy) but now it comes out that it might be Mercedes of all people.

Merc is looking to somehow merge Aston Martin and their AMG sub-brand/skunk-works as far as drivetrains & common platforms.

One example is stuffing AMG’s 6.2-liter V8 into the next Vantage (ooh baby).

They are also talking about doing things like cooperation between AM & AMG in the development of diesels and hybrids, using Mercedes’ future eight-speed auto gearbox in Astons, sharing platforms between both companies higher end models, somehow using future AMs as Maybachs

But wait, there’s more …

The rumor is that if this all works out, Mercedes could BUY Aston Martin outright.

Now, there’s no indication if Mercedes would just take Aston, or whether there would be a merging/cooperation with AMG and Prodrive … Hmmm, now wouldn’t it be interesting to see what AMG and the guys from Prodrive could cook up?

Source: CAR Magazine UK

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Via Tony

Terence Newman, pro-bowl cornerback of the Dallas Cowboys poses next to his 1967 ‘Pit Viper’ which he recently took delivery of in Dallas. Newman’s 1967 ‘Pit Viper’ (#002) is 1 of 25 Mustangs built by Total Performance Inc of Kansas. The Mustang sports a 427ci all-alluminum small-block Ford mated to a six-speed transmission cranking out 575 horsepower. The car has a race-spec suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, 13″ Baer brakes and a Ford 9″ rear end.

“I first saw the Pit Viper in Dallas and instantly fell in love,” said Newman. “Brook Phillips and his team at TPI have taken great care of me and they’re just a phone call away if I have any questions. The Pit Viper, which I named ‘Serena,’ is especially popular at our training facility in Valley Ranch. We’re holding a contest on the Dallas Cowboys Web site where fans can watch a video and vote for their favorite custom car driven by a player.”

Other featurs on the Pit Viper include a steel custom hood, air scoops and bumpers, as well as a custom dash, console, roll-cage, racing harness and mini-tubbed rear wheel wells. The Michelin Pilot Sport tires are wrapped around 20-inch chrome Foose wheels. The interior includes Carroll Shelby-embroidered bucket leather seats and Shelby signature gauges, as well as amenities like air conditioning, power windows and locks and a custom stereo system.

Pit Vipers are definately starting to gain popluarity since being seen at SEMA and the Woodward Dream Cruise. TPI has sold three such vehicles at Barrett-Jackson giving it some good pub for future buyers who would like to own a truly unique vehicle.

For more on T-New’s Pit viper check out this article.

Via CobraMatt

ROUSH and Ford have been named in a lawsuit brought on by New York resident Drew Conner who owns ROUSH BlackJack #002. Connor claims originally ROUSH stated they were only going to build 100 of these limited edition Mustangs in 2007. Well, in 2008 ROUSH decided to build another 100 BlackJack models making the first 100 not so limited. Connor and the other plaintiffs claim their cars are not so unique or rare anymore as were stated to them by ROUSH. Connor has been joined by at least 100 other BlackJack owners who are asking for class-action status, a jury trial, and $12 Million.

Source: Reuters

Via CobraMatt

A young man by the name of Roderigus Ceasar is being dubbed ‘Stang Jumper’ after he successfully jumped over a white 2000 ish Ford Mustang en route to winning a dunk contest in Georgia. Unlike Kobe Bryant’s fake Jump over an Aston Martin this video is very real. See for yourself in the video above.

Via CobraMatt