Saturday, March 6, 2010

Geiger Cars 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

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The 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 features a host of additions and changes, most notably an aluminum block and some weight saving measures that result in improved performance over the previous model. But for some folks, better is just not enough.
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Karl Geiger of Geiger Cars is there for those folks. He has added to the already impressive GT500 a bigger Whipple supercharger, larger throttle valves, a better fuel injection system, and ported heads. These improvements result in a mighty impressive 799 hp and 697 lb-ft of torque. Top speed is a claimed 220, which seems a little on the high side to us.
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All that whoa is backed up with a three disc carbon clutch and reinforced six speed transmission. Handling is improved thanks to a "racing chassis," panhard rod, polyurethane bushings and adjustable lower control arms. Brakes are 15 inchers with six pistons. Check out the press release below for all the details.
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Press Release

Alongside the Ford Mustang V6 and its V8 brother Mustang GT there is the crowning glory of the series the wild Mustang Shelby GT500, which is equipped ex factory with 540 PS, an aggressive body and traditional double stripe paintwork. Anyone who remembers the American racing legend Carroll Shelby will be able to instantly imagine how uncompromising and purist the Shelby GT500 factory settings already are. The US car specialist Karl Geiger from Munich has now got its hands on this vehicle and take a look at how the upright Cobra has been transformed into an almost untameable monster!

810 PS, 945 Nm engine torque

As usual the engineers at GeigerCars.de from Munich operated on the open V8 heart of the American muscle car and in the process left no stone unturned. For more pressure they donated a 3.3 litre compressor to the 5.4 litre aluminium engine block which with its 1.6 bar supercharging pressure provides real fire in the forged crank drive. Larger throttle valves, a modified injection system, a 100 millimetre air flow meter and machined cylinder heads also guarantee that the inner organs are fine tuned. Additional coolers for charge air, coolant and engine oil ensure that the eight cylinder can always work at the perfect temperature range despite massively increased power.
Thanks to the massive changes the Geiger Mustang Shelby GT now generates a legendary 810 PS at 6,700 rpm, whereas the maximum engine torque of 945 Nm at approx. 4,300 rpm pulls on the increased differentials. Of course with so much engine torque the transmission also had to be reinforced and in the same step its 5th and 6th gears were shortened. A 3 disc carbon clutch produces smooth power transmission. A special manifold with racing catalytic converters and customised sport exhaust guarantee that exhaust gases are disposed of properly according to type.

High end chassis engineering

So that so much power can also be transformed in acceleration, GeigerCars.de fitted the Shelby with a special racing chassis as well as a Panhard rod made from chrome-moly steel including polyurethane bushes on the ends to balance the axial offset and new reinforced and adjustable trailing arms for improved rear axle directional stability. For the all-important contact to the asphalt surface four classic OZ alloy wheels in 8.5 and 10x20 inch guarantee adequate grip thanks to Michelin high performance tyres in 245/35ZR20 and 285/30ZR20. The upright Cobra is slowed down using 6 piston high performance brakes on the front axle with 380 millimetre large drilled or optionally slotted brake discs.

Perhaps this Mustang Shelby version would also put the fear of God into the US racing legend Carroll Shelby!


Friday, March 5, 2010

Hennessey MaxBoost 435 Lincoln MKS



Ford's EcoBoost technology is just beginning to trickle into some of the automaker's models. One of the first to receive the boosted treatment was the Lincoln MKS. The V6 powered Lincoln is pretty stout in stock form, putting out 355hp and 350 lb-ft of torque.

Hennessey Performance is the first to offer an upgraded kit for the EcoBoost V6, the MaxBoost 435. The kit ups the ante to 435hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 comes quick at 4.5 seconds, and the quarter mile happens in 13.08conds at 106 mph.

The parts that make this Lincoln as quick as a BMW M5 include a cold air induction kit, polished intercooler piping, engine management software upgrade, and a cat back exhaust. Hennessey also backs the package with a one year, 12,000 mile warranty. Check out this video above to see it in action.


Thursday, March 4, 2010

2010 Ford Mustang V6 officially the most efficient 300+ horsepower car ever

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When Ford announced that it's 2010 Mustang V6 was going to put out over 300 horsepower and get over 30 mpg highway, it raised a lot of eyebrows. While the V8 powered Mustang GT gets most of the attention, the V6 outsells it by a large margin, so it's not surprising that Ford would make it a major priority.

And now the 2010 3.7 liter model not only makes more power than it's Camaro competition, but it gets better mpg's as well. Officially rated at 19 mpg city and 31 mpg highway (with six speed auto, manual is rated at 30 mpg), the Mustang bests the Camaro by 2 mpg.

Not only is that best in class, it's best ever. The 2011 Mustang V6 is the first car in history to achieve 30+ mpg while making 300+ horsepower. Check out the press release below for more details, and deservedly a little bragging.

NEW MUSTANG WITH 305 HP CERTIFIED AT 31 MPG HIGHWAY; MAKES HISTORY AS FIRST CAR WITH 300+ HP AND 30+ MPG New 2011 Ford Mustang V-6 final fuel economy certified by EPA this week at 31 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city
On sale this spring, Mustang with new 3.7-liter V-6 achieves 305 hp with available six-speed automatic transmission; first car ever to achieve 300-plus horsepower and 30-plus mpg
New Mustang already has more than 11,000 orders, half for the new V-6

DEARBORN, Mich., March 4, 2010 – The 2011 Ford Mustang today breaks new ground, cracking the record books as not only the most fuel-efficient Mustang ever, but also the first production car in history to produce more than 300 horsepower and more than 30 mpg highway.

The Mustang's official EPA ratings – completed this week – certify that models equipped with the 305-hp 3.7-liter V-6 and available six-speed automatic transmission achieve 31 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city. The standard six-speed manual transmission is rated at 30 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city.

Mustang is powered by a lightweight, all-aluminum 3.7-liter dual-overhead-cam (DOHC) V-6 engine that uses advanced engineering to deliver its combination of power and economy. Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) adjusts the valvetrain in microseconds depending on driver inputs, further contributing to the engine's overall efficiency.

The fact that Mustang achieves its top fuel economy rating with the convenience of an automatic transmission also marks a shift in conventional wisdom. Ford engineered a modern six-speed automatic transmission with carefully calibrated gear ratios and shift programs to maximize economy, while still delivering high-horsepower driving fun.

"Advanced powertrains like our Ti-VCT V-6 and six-speed automatic really speak to the future of Mustang," says Barb Samardzich, Ford vice president of Global Powertrain Engineering. "We've proven that, using technology, Ford can deliver both power and fuel economy."

In addition to engine improvements, upgrades to Mustang's body, powertrain and chassis design contribute to the higher fuel economy numbers for 2011. Examples include:
New Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) system eliminates the drag of an engine-operated hydraulic power steering pump
Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions allow lower cruising revs without sacrificing off-the-line performance
Aerodynamic changes include improvements like a new front fascia, tire spats on the rear wheels, modified underbody shields, a taller air dam and an added rear decklid seal

The new 2011 Mustang already has more than 11,000 orders. Half of all the nationwide orders are for the car's fuel-efficient 3.7-liter V-6 engine. The 2011 Mustangs are also being equipped with record levels of technology, giving customers the option of choosing navigation, high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps and rearview cameras.

The new 2011 Mustang goes on sale this spring and will be built at the AutoAlliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Mich.