Monday, October 26, 2009

Ford previews 2009 SEMA Mustangs

Ford Mustangs and the aftermarket go together like peanut butter and jelly, and the annual SEMA show is the gold standard of hopped up pony cars. While there are historically great examples of aftermarket Mustangs at SEMA, there are also historically ugly and horrible examples as well. Either way, it's good press for Ford and it sells cars off the lot.

Ford has released a preview of this year's SEMA show and some of the Mustangs we can look forward to seeing under the bright lights in Las Vegas. The list promises to appease pretty much every fan of the venerable pony car, and promises to offer up lots of options for the new-this-year 2010 model.

2010 Ford Mustang by 3dCarbon


Galpin Motor Sports


H&R Special Springs


Paul's High Performance


Steeda Q350


Street Scene Equipment


Mustang RTR-C


Ford Vehicle Personalization


PRESS RELEASE:

LAS VEGAS – The Ford Mustang, America's favorite muscle car, is also the most customized car in the $31.8 billion aftermarket industry, and there will be no shortage of polished-up ponies at this year's SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show, which is being held Nov. 3-6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

"The Mustang is an iconic car," said Melvin Betancourt, Ford SEMA design manager. "People always want to reinvent it, and everybody has an idea about what the next Mustang should be."

According to Allison Revier, Ford Mustang marketing manager, much of Mustang's popularity in the aftermarket is steeped in tradition.

"Many fathers pass down their classic Mustangs to their sons to restore," she said. "They form emotional ties to the car and create special memories."

But what really drives Mustang's success is a universally shared desire among owners to make their steed unique, says Revier. "The Mustang is a 'Look at me' car," she said. "You don't want to have the same Mustang that the guy down the street has. You want to stand apart."

In an effort to feed customization-hungry pony car enthusiasts, Ford recently launched the 2010 Mustang Customizer at www.the2010Mustang.com, a Web site offering an online experience that allows people to create their own virtual Mustangs, choosing colors and decals to complement the all-new design.

"Since we know the first thing customers do when they buy a Mustang is customize it, we wanted to show them everything they could do," explained Revier. "Some of it is concept – changing colors and stripes – but the site also gives us a chance to showcase our Genuine Ford Accessories as well as other aftermarket parts."

The response has been overwhelming. In just two months, more than 1 million custom Mustangs have been built on the site. "The Mustang Customizer allows users to get closer to this new product, as well as connect to the brand in a creative way because they can truly make it their own," said Adam Barrow, Ford digital marketing analyst. "Self-expression is what this brand is about."

Self-expression is evident with the Mustang project vehicles on display at this year's SEMA show, according to Revier. "They all look dramatically different, and that's what I think is so great about it," she said. "Everyone starts out with the same vehicle, but each aftermarket builder turns it into something completely distinctive."

Ernie Bunnell, vice president of sales and marketing for 3dCarbon of Newport Beach, Calif., says his Mustang is unique because it is a modern-day version of 3dCarbon's award-winning 2005 Mustang Boy Racer.

"We are introducing the 2010 Boy Racer – an evolution of styling from the old to the new," said Bunnell. "With its bold, aerodynamic design, this vehicle is sure to turn heads."

In addition to a 3dCarbon Boy Racer body kit, the red Mustang with white racing stripes features a front "E" grille, rear window trim, window louvers with gel decal inserts, headlight splitters and decklid spoiler – all created by 3dCarbon.

The official motto of Steeda Autosports, "Speed matters," is most certainly reflected in the Steeda Mustang that will be on display at SEMA.

"The Steeda Q350 is embodied with the very soul of Mustang performance," said Dario Orlando, president of Steeda Autosports. "It combines the dynamics and agility of a high-performance sports racer with the everyday practicality and comfort of America's original pony car – all in one integrated package."

The Steeda Mustang has an array of modifications, including a functional body kit with unique aerodynamic features, an upgraded street/track suspension system, numerous powertrain enhancements and a top-notch sport interior.

Ford Vehicle Personalization also will have a Mustang on display at SEMA. The vehicle, which features Ford Custom Accessories, sports a unique Carbon Black Metallic custom-colored exterior accented with satin gold 20-inch wheels and gold-tinted headlights and fog lamps. The interior continues the gold theme, with gold leather seat and door trim inserts, seat piping, steering wheel cover and shifter boot.

"Metallic gold is currently very much in fashion throughout the design world," said Mark Conforzi, chief designer, Ford Vehicle Personalization. "There is a wide variety of modern gold finishes that can be seen in fashion apparel designs from Stella McCartney, Dior, Prada and Alexander McQueen. I would like to encourage gold finishes on our future products, in subtle and technical applications presented in a modern way."


Sunday, October 25, 2009

Hennessey receives a call from OnStar while his CTS-V runs an 11.07 second 1/4 mile



In the process of running the quarter mile in 11.07 seconds at 128 mph, this 700hp Hennessey tuned Cadillac CTS-V receives a phone call from OnStar. Hilarity ensues as the OnStar representative has a few select questions for the driver


Friday, October 23, 2009

Ford Racing to announce race only 2010 Mustang Boss 302R


Ahh the Boss. This author's personal favorite Mustang of all time, the 1970 Boss came in 302 and 429 flavors, and made beautiful use of the Grabber Blue hue that is again available on new Mustangs.

2010 is the 40th Anniversary of the 1970 Boss 302's Trans-Am championship, so it only makes sense that Ford would celebrate by offering up a new race only Boss, the 302R. The new Boss will be offered in the Ford Performance Parts catalog, along with the FR500S, FR500C, and FR500CJ.

The 302R is obviously for off road use only, and of course will be very limited in production. Pricing is said to be $79,000.

Two versions of the 302R will be available, with the base package designed to compete in various SCCA and NASA classes and the upgraded version built to Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series specifications.

The base Boss 302R includes a 5.0-liter four-valve V8 pushing out an estimated 400 horsepower as well as a six-speed transmission, race-spec suspension, brakes and tires, and safety equipment including a roll cage and race seats with safety harnesses.

The Grand-Am spec version also gets a sealed high-output race engine, seam-welded body, racing fuel cell, a data acquisition system and more for a cost of $129,000.

Ford Racing is currently taking orders, and judging by sales of their other competition Mustangs you will need to order immediately if you want to get one.

PRESS RELEASE

Ford Racing Announces Limited Edition (50 units) 2010 Boss 302R Mustang

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Mustang Boss 302's iconic 1970 Trans-Am championship, and to build on the success of the Mustang FR500C (winner of 2005/2008/2009 Grand-Am Championships), Ford Racing is proud to announce the development of a new race-prepared road racing Mustang – the 2010 Ford Racing Boss 302R. Details of this exciting program have already begun to surface, and we want to ensure our dealers hear about it from us first.

The Ford Racing Mustang Boss 302R will be a factory-built race car, ready for track days and road racing in a number of SCCA and NASA classes. An optional Grand-Am Homologation Package will be available for the Grand-Am KONI Challenge series. While details are intentionally limited at this time, the following should help you assess the product and its appeal.

Program Intent
Continue the winning tradition of Mustang racing

Build limited to 50 units

Off-road only (VIN replaced by serial number)

Estimated pricing, $75,000 WD, $79,000 MSRP

Build/delivery in 3rd -4th Qtr 2010

Ford Racing Part #: M-FR500-BOSSR

Vehicle Content:
400 hp (est.) 5.0L 4V engine

6-speed manual transmission

Roll cage

Race dampers/springs, brakes, tire

Race seats, safety harness

Optional - Grand-Am Homologation Package2010 Grand-Am spec/approved package (Part Number: M-FR500-BOSSR1) for KONI Challenge includes:
Sealed high output race engine with upgraded cooling system

Close ratio 6-speed transmission with integral shifter

Seam-welded body

Race suspension/KONI dampers and ABS brake tuning

Race wheels/tires

Race performance exhaust

High speed balance 1-piece driveshaft

Racing fuel cell

Race data acquisition

Grand-Am spec vehicle is estimated to be $129,000 MSRP ($124,000 WD)

Orders / Feedback
Vehicle orders should be placed with the Ford Racing warehouse, 800-367-3786.

Priority delivery will be given to multiple vehicle orders.

An "off-road only" competition release will be required prior to delivery of the race car to the dealer.

Production of only 50 units is under consideration for 2010, so dealers are encouraged to submit their orders before December 31, 2009.

Questions about ordering should be directed to Wayne Geoffrey (wgeoffre@ford.com).