A new flagship for Lincoln - isn’t that a contradiction in terms?

Lincoln is most famous in the UK for the LS, the car that sired the Jaguar S-type. This new MKS flagship is different, though, being based on the Ford 500 platform.

The shape is similar to the 500’s and most prominent is that grille. It’s slightly bling, dovetailing with hip-hop star Common who is the brand’s new celebrity face. Naturally, you can spec 20-inch wheels on your MKS should you wish.

Lincoln has been in the doldrums but has recently started to reinvigorate its line-up. It hopes that 60 percent of MKS buyers will be new to the brand.

Source: Lincoln MKS

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People who talk to their cars will now find them responding with Ford’s innovative new SYNC offering. SYNC is a fully integrated, voice-activated in-car communications and entertainment system that works with most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and most popular digital music players. It is available on a number of vehicles launched and shown this week at the Los Angeles Auto Show, including the Lincoln MKS, Ford Taurus and Taurus X, and the Mercury Milan. SYNC will be available on a total of twelve 2008-model Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles. The system is based on state-of-the-art Microsoft Auto software, and is the result of close collaboration between Microsoft and Ford.

“This will change the industry – we’ll never design entertainment or information systems for cars the same way again,” says Gary Jablonski, Ford’s manager of infotainment systems. SYNC uses Bluetooth to connect with a driver’s phone and has a USB port for music devices, controlling them via voice commands and piping music and phone calls through the vehicle’s speakers. On phones capable of Bluetooth text messaging, it also has the capacity to read SMS messages to the driver, and allows him or her to respond by selecting 1 of 15 pre-defined messages.

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Source: Innovative Ford SYNC Available on New Models

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Frank Filipponio
Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Time Warp, Supercars

If the name Gerald Weigert sounds familiar, you’re probably a car nut of a certain age that remembers his travails trying to launch his pet supercar project, the Vector, back in the ’70s, and the ensuing limited production run and financial difficulties during the ’80s and early ’90s. Originally powered by a turbocharged GM V8 in W8 guise, they eventually were fitted with a Lamborghini-sourced V12 in the M12 model. Fast forward to 2007, and the man that created quite a stir a generation ago with his All-American supercar is at it again. Vector Motors sent out a press release announcing their newest offering, the Vector Avtech WX8.

The full specs on the car are in the release (which you’ll find after the jump), but it’s fairly similar to the original plan. A race developed chassis with a bunch of aerospace technology, powered by a big V8. In this case it appears to be a Z06 mill that has been tweaked to produce 600HP, or a whopping 750 with an optional supercharger. Claimed acceleration is right in the middle of the supercar pack with 0-60 mph happening in 3.3 seconds, the quarter in 11.3 sec. at 138 mph, and a top speed of 260-270 MPH, given the proper gearing.

We’ll see the car at the LA Auto Show this week, but Jalopnik ran these photos which make it look a bit like a mid-engined previous gen Camaro. We’re not sure if this is the final look or not, so we’ll reserve judgment.

[Source: Vector Motors via Jalopnik]

Press Release:

LOS ANGELES CA, The renowned automobile entrepreneur and vehicle designer Gerald Wiegert announced today the introduction of his latest creation - ultra-super-exotic vehicle trade named HPV for the “Vector Avtech WX-8″. Gerald Wiegert, Chairman and Founder of Vector Motors Corporation, manufacturer of the Vector Avtech WX-8 ultra-supercar, announced today that the company will exhibit the Vector Avtech WX-8 at the prestigious, internationally acclaimed “Los Angeles Auto Show” from November 15th through November 24th in Los Angeles, CA.

The Los Angeles Auto Show event will be the first-ever debut of the all-American VECTOR WX-8 Hyper-Tech Performance Vehicle, and is regarded as one of the world’s foremost showcase for exotic concept automobiles.

Interest in the all-new VECTOR WX8 supercar, as well as the Company’s Private Placement stock offering, is intensifying due to the buzz among car enthusiasts. The new Vector Avtech WX8 is expected to establish several new records for a custom and production automobile, including a 0 to 60 in — 0 to 100 in — Quarter-Mile in —- Skid Pad —— and a top speed of——.

Vector Motors Corporation is based in Wilmington, California near the Port of Los Angeles.

FACT SHEET

The 2008 Vector Avtech WX8 a Hyper-Tech Performance Vehicle (HPV).

AMERICA’S ONLY HYPER-PERFORMANCE VEHICLE (HPV)

Projected performance:

A. 7.0 Liter Race Proven V8, made in the USA.

B. 750 hp (Supercharged)

C. 600 hp (normally aspirated)

D. 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds

E. Quarter mile 11.3 sec. at 138 mph

F. 260-270 mph top speed (Bonneville gearing)

Technical specifications and features:

q Transverse, Supercharged, all aluminum, 7.0 Liter (427 cubic inch), port fuel injected, 16 valve high-performance V8 engine, with dual air to air intercoolers and twin sequential flow, side mounted radiators.

q 15-inch diameter competition brake rotors with 6 piston calipers provide phenomenal braking capabilities. 19-inch aluminum racing wheels are complemented by race engineered tires capable of sustained high speeds.

q The all new aerodynamic high down-force WX3 body incorporates both hard edge and soft design features including: huge integrated inlet and exhaust ducts for heat exchangers, an extended tail with a high mounted, low drag symmetrical inverted high down-force airfoil wing spoiler that enhances high speed stability with aeroflaps.

q The Aerospace engineered body of the Vector A-WX8 is constructed of ultra-light Carbon fiber/E-Glass structural body panels.

q A wraparound glass to glass edge canopy with invisible A pillars differentiates the advanced styled Vector and a custom integrated three across seating system incorporating integrated storage compartments, fold down center bolsters/armrest for lateral support for maximum long distance touring comfort and utility, is a special order option.
q All jet aircraft type instrumentation panel machined from billet aluminum. Features include black anodized dash finish, military specification F- 22 Raptor switches, warning lights and reconfigurable electroluminescent 4 mode display panel, spacecraft circuit breakers, audible alarms and warning lights incorporating heads up display interface option.

q The Vector’s chassis is a DOT crash tested and road proven aluminum honeycomb, semi-monoque aerospace engineered structure with a full chrome-moly race ready roll cage. The Vector’s W8 structure attained the highest test results of any automotive structure tested by the DOT laboratory, and was the only auto structure ever to pass front and rear destructive tests with the same chassis.

q The Vector A-WX3 leading edge custom engineered sound system is powered by a revolutionary new technology incorporating amplifiers driving the 10 speaker system which consists of subwoofers for extreme bass output and ribbon tweeters for accurate high end sound resolution. The amplifiers are less than half the size and weight of equivalent power units.

Other standard Vector A-WX8 features include:

q High output air conditioning and ventilation
q Custom designer developed all leather interior
q Custom prototype stereo system
q Power steering with an adjustable tilt-telelescopic column
q Cruise control
q Retractable power mirrors
q Aircraft type flush windows
q Airbags
q Fully adjustable 2 abreast seating
q Sequential clutch-less automatic/manual shifting
q Two large storage compartments

Projected production for the 2008 Vector A-WX8 is scheduled at a very limited number of
units per year, with an anticipated sales, price to be determined by the Company and its dealer network.

The Vector A-WX8 represents more horse power, more torque, more features, more substance and superior man/machine environmental comfort than any other supercar ever offered. The A-WX8 is user friendly, easy to maintain and service. This “aerospace engineered” machine establishes a new paradigm in the high-end performance vehicle category.

VECTOR MOTORS CORPORATION has just created the next generation Vector Avtech WX8 Hyper-performance Vehicle (HPV), code named the Vector Avtech WX-8 Its design represents a significant aerodynamic and aesthetic breakthrough and calculated departure from the previous W8 supercar, while still maintaining the Vector character and family identity.

The Vector A-WX8 body and aerodynamic shape, hard trailing edges with softer leading edge contours. The all-new design incorporates numerous NASA type technology transfer features to solidify the Company’s and Mr. Wiegerts’ philosophy of “aerospace technology for the road”.

The Vector A-WX8 features an all-new titanium valve 7.0 liter, 750 + hp engine which is unequalled in displacement and performance. The Supercharged engine has horsepower potential to 1200+hp. The normally aspirated version, is in the range of 600 to 700 hp. Projected speed of the extreme Vector Avtech WX8 HPV at maximum boost is in excess of 270 mph, with 0 to 60 mph times projected in the 3.0 to 3.3 second range.

Source: New Vector WX8 revives iconic American supercar name

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Volkswagen today took the wraps off the "Space Up! Blue" concept car. For the most part, the vehicle looks identical to the "Space Up!" concept that was unveiled earlier this year, but it's what powers the concept that is real story here. It features the world's first high temperature fuel cell and an array of twelve lithium-ion batteries.

Volkswagen says the high temperature fuel cell (HT-FC) system is superior to prior fuel cell technologies because it offers: considerably lower weight, significantly greater everyday utility, substantially lower price, and therefore clearly the better chances of becoming a reality someday as a mass produced technology.

When the 61 hp electric motor of the car is driven exclusively by battery, a range of 65 miles is possible — enough to handle nearly all distances in downtown areas.

Energy is "refueled" either via an electrical outlet or by the Volkswagen high-temperature fuel cell. In the latter case, the car’s range is extended an additional 155 miles. This makes it possible to drive up to 220 miles on a single "energy charge".

With a large solar panel on the roof, up to 150 Watts of energy can also be fed into the battery.

Source: VW Space Up! Blue concept previews new fuel cell technology

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Even in a race of one-legged men, there's usually a winner. That's a fact that seems lost on Fortune's Alex Taylor Three Sticks. Writing for CNN Money, Taylor compares Ford's and GM's turnaround efforts (Chrysler's gone dark since private equity hoovered them up from Daimler). He brushes aside GM's third quarter losses ($1.6b without the tax write-off) and suggest that "most indicators put it in the lead." What indicators? Well, for starters, Ford isn't selling as many cars to fleet buyers, producing a greater drop in market share. [We have word that Mazda's taking over that part of the biz. More later.] Ford doesn't have as "rich" a mix of vehicles (i.e. GM has more duplicate and overlapping models). But the real clincher– so important that it bore repeating in picture captions– Rick Wagoner has been at GM longer than Alan Mulally has been at Ford. Ignoring the fact that this means Slick Rick has farted around for seven years without even suggesting a deadline for a return to profitability, Taylor states that Big Al's impact on Ford in the year he's been there "is only on the margin." While Taylor sees Ford taking until 2009 to start showing a profit, he reckons "most analysts expect GM to return to black ink next year." Really? Name one.

CNN Money »

Source: Alex Taylor III: Wagoner Will Be The Last Man Standing

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Viper Kid

All guts, no stereo. This redesign of a stamped 1927 hot-rod body is fitted with Mopar’s new 392 Hemi crate engine making 525 horsepower. Channeled through the roadster’s rear tires, skinny in comparison to everything else at SEMA, there should be a smoke show any time you do more than tickle the throttle. Irresponsible and fun, especially when it comes from a manufacturer.

Source: Chrysler SR 392 Roadster

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Competition authorities from the European Union are investigation a proposed research and development aid package from the French government to French automaker Peugeot-Citroen for the development of a hybrid diesel car.

Neelie Kroes, EU competition commissioner, told London’s Financial Times that the European Commission strongly supported the development of environmentally friendly cars but thought it likely that the car maker would have undertaken the project anyway. The French government’s package would have covered half of the costs.

Source: Peugeot-Citroen: Going Green Prompts EU Probe

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VW Space Up Blue: the lowdown

VW shows its new Space Up Blue for the first time today. Forget the dreadful name and concentrate on the concept’s import: it’s the third in a series of Up concepts, the rear-engined mini for global sales, and this time the four-seater is designed to echo the Samba Bus from VW’s back catalogue.

But what’s under the rear bodywork is most significant here. The Space Up Blue’s name is misleading - there’s no Bluemotion tech going on here, rather VW has fitted it with its greenest tech yet: a cutting-edge fuel-cell powertrain.

Wolfsburg calls it the world’s first high-temperature fuel cell stack, and it can drive 65 miles on zero-emissions electric power thanks to 12 lithium-ion batteries that store up power in reserve.

Source: VW Space Up Blue

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Ah, the new Audi A3 convertible…

Not quite. It certainly looks like a drop-top A3, and although that car’s on the way, this is the Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro. Now trying say that really fast.

This two-door, four-seat cabriolet previews Audi’s Q5, and perhaps more significantly, will make its debut at the LA Auto Show today using diesel power.

But don’t worry, Audi hasn’t forgotten that all concept cars must feature some irrelevance, so it’s given this cabrio whopping 380mm ceramic front discs.

Source: Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro

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GM will use this week's LA auto show to reveal the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid — a full-size pickup that achieves 40-percent greater city fuel economy and a 25-percent improvement in overall fuel economy.

GM says the truck will be the most fuel-efficient full-size pickup on the market. GM already claims to lead hold that distinction with the current non-hybrid Silverado.

Featuring GM's 2-Mode Hybrid system and a 6.0 liter gas V8, the Silverado Hybrid provides all-electric driving at low speeds, allowing fuel savings to be realized even when the truck is fully loaded or towing up to 6,100 pounds.

With 2-Mode system, the electric power used to propel the vehicle is generated by the hybrid system itself. When the brakes are applied or the vehicle is coasting, the electric motors within the hybrid system create electricity that is stored in the 300-volt battery.

With the fuel mileage savings of the hybrid system and Silverado's 26-gallon (98-liter) fuel tank, the Silverado Hybrid has a cruising range of more than 500 miles.

The Silverado Hybrid goes on sale in late 2008 as a 2009 model.

Source: 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid unveiled