ABG Exclusive: Ford and OSU team up for fuel cell land speed record

May 23, 2007

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Ford and Ohio State University are teaming up to attempt a double land speed record for fuel cell-powered vehicles. Ohio State already holds the land speed record for electrically driven vehicles at 315 mph with the battery-powered Buckeye Bullet. Now they are providing the motor and fuel cell that will power the Ford Fusion XV1 and the Buckeye Bullet 2 when they head out to Bonneville to try and set dual records for fuel cell powered vehicles in the unlimited and production classes. AutoblogGreen has the information and will be providing more coverage over the coming weeks and months.

[Source: AutoblogGreen]

 

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Matech Ford GT wins its first race in FIA GT3

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click above image for 45 more desktop wallpaper-size pics

No doubt followers of FIA GT3 racing were surprised at how well the Ford GTs from Matech ran in the first two races at Silverstone earlier this month. No one, however, was prepared for the can of whoop ass they opened up in Bucarest last weekend. Despite heavy rain at times, the two Matech Ford GTs were dominant, though not both at the same time.

The first GT3 race of the weekend was won by the #34 JMB Racing Ferrari F430, but the #43 Matech Ford GT driven by Thomas Mutsch and Martin Bartek finished second, the best result in the first three races of the season for a Ford GT. The second race of the weekend, however, concluded with the #44 Matech Ford GT driven by Stefan van Campenhoudt and Romain Bera crossing the finish line first, ahead of no less than three Porsche GT3s that were chasing it down. Romain Bera was driving the Ford GT at the race’s conclusion and didn’t realize until after the race that one of his rear tires had gone flat near the end. Despite that and the heavy rain, Matech left Bucharest with its first win and a solid second-place finish - an amazing result considering their program is about four months old.

We’ve got a gallery full of gorgeous shots from the Bucharest street race, and we threw in a lot of extra pics taken of the headlining FIA GT race, as well. We wish it were easier to follow the FIA GT series from the U.S., as watching such varied marques battling on the same track would be a dream come true, or at least better than watching NASCAR’s CoT turning left all day long.

[Source: FIA GT3]

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Spyker Cars mortgages name for a loan

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Spyker is bankrupt.

Old news, actually, it happened in 1926. Spyker Cars, founded in 2000, however, got a little extension on life back in September when it mortgaged the Spyker name for a €12.5 million loan from Friesland Bank. Spyker says the deal is nothing out of the ordinary but a Reuters story quotes some folks who think otherwise.

“Why do you have to sell your name to get a loan? Because the bank thinks the results are not good enough and want security, I think,” trader Rik Zwaneveld AFS Brokers told Reuters.

Spyker investors seem to agree, with the stock trading down today.

Motor Authority says the company has its hopes pinned on the new Super Sports Utility Vehicle coming soon. Spyker says it already has 182 orders for the SSUV. We too hope it’s the must-have vehicle that keeps the quirky company afloat.

[Sources: Motor Authority, Reuters, Forbes]

 

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Have a nice trip? Man falls 120 feet and lives by landing on Smart car

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Picture it: one minute you’re standing on your 12th story patio enjoying the fresh air, and the next you’re falling from said balcony. Your first thought is that you’re probably a goner. Then, as the ground approaches, you realize that the car below you may break your fall. Your next (and presumably last) thought would probably go something like “Oh great, it’s a Smart C…(splat).”

For Slovenian Darko Mirinovic, the above hypothetical has more truth to it than he’d ever hoped. Young Darko, 25, did fall from a 12 story balcony, but he miraculously survived. The Smart car that rested 120 feet below his window broke his fall, and in return Darko broke a bunch of bones. Not surprisingly, doctors were more than a little shocked that Darko survived the fall, even with news of his make-shift safety net. The owner of the Smart car didn’t know whether “to be happy or sad” since his car was destroyed, but Darko lived. We hope he had insurance.

[Source: eGMCarTech]

 

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Jeep JT Concept: more pics

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The responses to our post on the Jeep JT Concept that’s headed to SEMA this year were overwhelmingly positive. The number of people who commented they’d buy one if Jeep didn’t wussify it on the way to production was incredible. One constant theme was the demand for a diesel engine, and most commonly cited was the 3.0L CRD motor used in other Jeep products like the Grand Cherokee CRD. With purposeful, bare-bones styling and a motor generating 376 ft-lbs. of torque, the Jeep JT would be a workhorse budget truck for those not interested in spending thousands more on a half-ton.

Our man Jonathan Ramsey got to play with the Jeep JT in person and echoes everyone’s sentiments about the little pickup. He brought back some more pics of the concept, including inside shots that show a basic Jeep Wrangler interior with no frills. We also get a view of the hardtop roof with removeable panels and the JT Concept’s current motor, a 3.8L V6.

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Hide under the covers: ROUSH Nitemare unveiled

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Looks like the F-150 Harley-Davidson isn’t the only blown Ford truck making its debut today. Fresh from Livonia comes word that Roush is releasing a 100-truck limited run of the Nitemare, a ROUSHcharged F-150 4x2 Styleside that deals 450 horsepower from the modified 5.4L V8 tucked behind its billet grille. Looking like something All Nitemares are finished in the menacing black you see above and trimmed out with matte black accents, the aforementioned grille, and a chin spoiler. An optional rear wing and/or hood scoop can be added as well. Its lowered stance comes courtesy of a Roush sport suspension that provides a two-inch drop. Inside, a number of details like new seats, special badging and a Roush gauge package tell occupants that they’re not in any sort of garden-variety F-150.

Pricing for the Nitemare starts at $41,750, and those interested will be able to find the trucks at Roush-authorized Ford dealers starting in June. You can read the full details in the Roush press release pasted after the jump.

[Source: ROUSH]

PRESS RELEASE:
NEW ROUSH NITEMARE WILL GIVE OTHER TRUCKERS JUST THAT

LIVONIA, Mich. (May 23, 2007) - With the introduction of the 2007 ROUSH Nitemare F-150 there are destined to be plenty of other pickup drivers having nightmares about this limited-to-100 edition hauler after watching it blow by them on roads across America.

The 2007 ROUSH Nitemare is a menacing tone-on-tone, 445-horsepower beast. Based on the standard cab version of the F-150, the power-to-weight ratio will ensure that this monster has plenty of haul.

Under the hood is the famous ROUSHcharger* which boosts the 5.4L, 3 valve engine to 445-horsepower and 500 lb-ft. of torque. Additional “go fast” components include intake manifolds, intercooler, radiator, and air induction system. This unit, like all the ROUSH components from a company so highly recognized for producing power, quality and performance, is covered by ROUSH’s industry exclusive 3 year/36,000 mile warranty.

The ROUSH Nitemare will be offered exclusively in black for the 2007 model which is limited to just 100 units, each striped with a matte black design to further accent the ominous look. A ROUSH front chin spoiler and black aluminum billet grille complete the exterior styling, but the addition of the ROUSH dual rear exit exhaust system gives this truck the growl expected from such a beast.

To further the performance of the ROUSH Nitemare, the Livonia, Mich.-based technicians install a Ford limited slip 3.73 rear axle and have increased the electronically-controlled speed limiter to 105 mph.

Sliding into the cockpit, the ROUSH Nitemare logo is embroidered into the ROUSH custom leather seats, and is on the black ROUSH instrument cluster, where it will appropriately be lit up in red in the dark. ROUSH Nitemare embroidered floor mats, a black dash trim kit, and ROUSH billet aluminum pedals help to complete the styling.

Only a handful of options are available on the limited edition ROUSH Nitemare, including a rear wing, hood scoop, locking lug nuts and GPS system. The ROUSH sport suspension system which lowers the truck two inches in the front and three in the rear is sure to be a popular addition to this performance vehicle. This complete kit includes ROUSH-engineered front coil springs, rear leaf springs, front sway bar and specially-valved shocks. For more information

Available exclusively in a regular cab 4x2 Styleside model, the 2007 ROUSH Nitemare has a suggested retail of $41,750 and is expected to be available at ROUSH-authorized Ford dealers starting in June. Each will carry a blacked-out ROUSH Nitemare fender and tailgate badges, and a unique serial number badge stating which number of the 100 that truck is.

Based in Livonia, Mich., “The Art of Performance Engineering” takes place at ROUSH Performance. In addition to the array of Ford Mustang and F-150 styling, handling and performance upgrades, a complete line of performance parts and crate engines are offered. For more information see your local ROUSH dealer, visit www.ROUSHperformance.com or telephone toll-free (800) 59-ROUSH.

 

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The Autoblog Relaunch Celebration Sweepstakes featuring the All-New 2007 Dodge Nitro!

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click image above to enter to win an All-New 2007 Dodge Nitro R/T!

Welcome readers to the new, redesigned Autoblog site. It’s been almost three years since Autoblog first went online in June 2004, and we thought it was definitely time for an update.

Dodge has joined us in celebrating our relaunch, and together, we’re making blogging history. We bring you: The Autoblog Relaunch Celebration Sweepstakes, featuring the All-New 2007 Dodge Nitro!

That’s right, Dodge, as our partner, has made Autoblog’s celebration a defining moment by offering an All-New 2007 Dodge Nitro for one lucky reader. As the ultimate sweepstakes prize, you could win a Nitro R/T featuring standard 20-inch chrome-clad wheels and a 4.0L V6 engine with 260 horsepower, and it includes the optional MyGIG[TM] Multimedia Infotainment System, plus, a factory-installed power sunroof-prize valued at over $29,000!

Simply click this link to enter the sweepstakes. You can enter once a day until the sweepstakes concludes on 6/15/07! Please see the full sweepstakes rules for all of the details.

Like all of our Autoblog sweepstakes, it’s that simple, but this time you can be part of blogging history by being chosen as the winner of an All-New 2007 Dodge Nitro!

 

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The Autoblog Relaunch Celebration Sweepstakes featuring the All-New 2007 Dodge Nitro!

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click image above to enter to win an All-New 2007 Dodge Nitro R/T!

Welcome readers to the new, redesigned Autoblog site. It’s been almost three years since Autoblog first went online in June 2004, and we thought it was definitely time for an update.

Dodge has joined us in celebrating our relaunch, and together, we’re making blogging history. We bring you: The Autoblog Relaunch Celebration Sweepstakes, featuring the All-New 2007 Dodge Nitro!

That’s right, Dodge, as our partner, has made Autoblog’s celebration a defining moment by offering an All-New 2007 Dodge Nitro for one lucky reader. As the ultimate sweepstakes prize, you could win a Nitro R/T featuring standard 20-inch chrome-clad wheels and a 4.0L V6 engine with 260 horsepower, and it includes the optional MyGIG[TM] Multimedia Infotainment System, plus, a factory-installed power sunroof-prize valued at over $29,000!

Simply click this link to enter the sweepstakes. You can enter once a day until the sweepstakes concludes on 6/15/07! Please see the full sweepstakes rules for all of the details.

Like all of our Autoblog sweepstakes, it’s that simple, but this time you can be part of blogging history by being chosen as the winner of an All-New 2007 Dodge Nitro!

 

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Spy Shots: Fiat 500 Abarth scooting around the ‘Ring

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Camera wielding spies around the Nurburgring have spotted what appears to be an Abarth variant of the new Fiat 500 super-mini. Abarth is Fiat’s long-time in-house tuner and it looks like the Italians are taking direct aim at the latest Mini Cooper S with the new Abarth 500. The larger lower-profile tires put down what is anticipated to be 150 hp from a 1.4L turbo four cylinder. CAR is projecting a 0-60 time of 8.0 seconds, which given the 500’s diminutive size seems conservative, but this could still be a fun competitor to the little Brit from BMW.

[Source: CAR]

 

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Spy Shots: Fiat 500 Abarth scooting around the ‘Ring

Filed under: , ,

Camera wielding spies around the Nurburgring have spotted what appears to be an Abarth variant of the new Fiat 500 super-mini. Abarth is Fiat’s long-time in-house tuner and it looks like the Italians are taking direct aim at the latest Mini Cooper S with the new Abarth 500. The larger lower-profile tires put down what is anticipated to be 150 hp from a 1.4L turbo four cylinder. CAR is projecting a 0-60 time of 8.0 seconds, which given the 500’s diminutive size seems conservative, but this could still be a fun competitor to the little Brit from BMW.

[Source: CAR]

 

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