Photos Of 2011 Ford Mustang 5.0

The Mustang is not just an iconic pony car or a retro-modern throw-back to simpler times. It's a fan-favorite performance vehicle that has a rabid and enthusiastic base of drivers, tuners and manufacturers behind it. So news of the return of the '5.0' badge to the front fender of the 2011 Ford Mustang is likely to be met with a roar of approval, as are these photos of the car that bears it.

Earlier this month at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, Ford unveiled its 2011 Mustang, but only the base V-6 model, which itself has been upgraded with a new 3.7-liter mill churning out 305 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque.

At next month’s 2010 Detroit Auto Show, however, the Blue Oval will pull the wraps off the new V-8 powered GT, which we can confirm will pack a 5.0-liter V-8 with 412 horsepower and 390 pounds-feet of torque on tap--just 14 horsepower shy of the output of the Chevrolet Camaro SS. These photos of the car are early leaks, but expect full high-res photos and details once the show draws near.

The new engine will come with four valves per cylinder and Ford’s latest and twin independent variable valve timing. Tuned exhaust headers, a forged-steel crankshaft, plus high-performance pistons and connecting rods will also come as standard. Customers will be able to pick from a 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission.

Finally, fuel economy is claimed to be as high as 25 mpg, but this is most likely a highway figure.

Slow Sales of Honda Insight Give Insight into Hybrid Market

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Honda Insight
The failure of the lower-cost Honda Insight hybrid to dent the market for the Prius has some in the auto industry answering yes. Business Week reports that the Insight, which was introduced this year with a base MSRP of $19,800, over $2,000 less than the Prius, is still being outsold by Toyota’s car 6 to 1.

The Insight’s sluggish sales is proving a useful cautionary tale to other automakers looking to catch up to Toyota in the hybrid market, and some have already made major strategic shifts as a result.

General Motors, which will introduce the Volt late next year through its Chevy brand, has scrapped plans for a “Prius-killer” hybrid sedan that would get 53 miles to the gallon. Part of the reason, no doubt, is that the beleaguered car company needs to focus its energies on making the Volt successful. But the other big reason is Prius’ merciless crushing of the Insight.

Ferrari 458 Italia price emerges at $240,000

Ferrari 458 Italia

Dreaming of getting your hands on Ferrari's upcoming 458 Italia? You'd better know what you're getting yourself into, and this is our first real indication. Stemming from a supposedly leaked price sheet, the new V8 supercar will start in Europe at €162,900, before any taxes are taken into account. At today's exchange rates, that figures to about $240,000 – around halfway between the price of the outgoing F430 and the 430 Scuderia.

Of course, that's not an official figure – Ferrari North America has yet to confirm pricing for the U.S. market – and the long list of options amply demonstrates that the $240k starting price is exactly that: a starting price. On to that you can add leather everything, special paint finishes, upgraded wheels and more – most if not all of which you can already check out in the online configurator we reported on recently.

Click the thumbnails below to view the leaked document in Dutch and the translated one next to it – and note that the British pricing is a rough conversion, not an official figures. And just for your viewing enjoyment, we've updated the gallery of press shots with seven new images of the 458 Italia in motion.

Jeep Wrangler Overland

The Jeep Wrangler Overland is perfect for those craving travel and adventure. The Mopar design team took a 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon and turned it into a mobile “on-the-go” self-contained campsite.

To increase cargo capacity for hauling gear, the Jeep Wrangler Overland’s rear seats are replaced with a large, flat, rubberized utility floor. Mounted to the cargo rack is an all-new ARB two-person Simpson II rooftop-mounted tent and touring awning. The interior of the Jeep Wrangler Overland features water-resistant Mopar front-seat covers, rugged Mopar slush mats, a Daystar dash bin and lower switch panel that powers added accessories.

Enhancing off-road travel is an American Expedition Vehicles’ (AEV), Nth Degree, 3-inch suspension lift and a Full Traction rear sway bar. The lift allows aggressive 35-inch tires mounted on 17-inch steel Mopar winter/off-road wheels to fit under the Jeep. Additional off-road protection at the front and rear is provided by AEV steel bumpers and for added security, a Warn 9.5ti winch.

In order to prepare the Jeep Wrangler Overland for desert duty, an AEV Jeep Wrangler heat-reduction hood and snorkel kit is fitted to the vehicle. Mopar windshield-mounted off-road lights and Daystar bumper-mounted lights provide additional lighting for nighttime and off-road driving.

RDSport RS46 Based On BMW M3 E92

For over 25 years now, RDSport has been tuning BMW cars. Now from an M3, they’ve created the RS46 that can, as the official announcement said it, can withstand the rigors of the Formula One.

The standard 4.0Liter V8 has been reworked to be able to fit in larger aluminum pistons, forged, billet connecting rods and a new billet crankshaft with a longer stroke. All these changes gave the RS64 a new 4.6Liter, 392kW (524 horsepower) with 556Nm (410 pound feet) of torque.

Chassis enhancement is done with the specially-valved Bilstein shocks and RDSport Springs. Differentiating kit includes a carbon/Kevlar RDSport front bumper, a carbon fiber meshed rear diffuser, and factory-PDC-compatible aero bits. The interior may be customized according to the customer’s needs.

BMW G-Power X5 M and X6 M Typhoon

Another BMW tuner, G-Power, comes out with the aerodynamic kit for the BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M which is largely based on the G-Power Widebody-Kit Typhoon.

Both SUVs feature a full carbon fiber front skirt with striking air inlets, a bonnet made of Kevlar hybrid or carbon fiber, and wide carbon fiber side skirts. A rear diffuser compliments the bragging four tailpipes. The X5 M is fitted with one-piece aluminum wheels measuring 11×23 and 12×23 inches while the X6 M’s three-piece versions also have the same dimensions. Additionally the X6 M can be had with 22-inch wheels. Tires are 315/25 ZR 23 high performance Michelins. The suspension systems can be lowered by 30mm.

The twin turbo engines were boosted from 408kW (550hp) to 441kW (600hp) at 6,000rpm and peak torque is 700Nm at 2,000rpm. Acceleration from 0 - 100km/h (62mph) happens in 4.5 seconds, 0 - 200km/h (124.2mph) in 16.2 seconds and top speed is beyond 300km/h (186.4mph).

Other features of the package include a sports steering wheel, a G-Power design speedometer, carbon fiber inserts and more.

Renault Megane CC Spied

A Renault Megane CC is caught testing in the cold weather before it appears at its scheduled debut in Geneva.

A few new details of the Renault Megane CC shows that two rows of what appears to be LEDs are integrated in the rear as brake indicators, with a whited-out section for reverse and turn. The vehicle will also share design with the Megane coupe, including a similar front fascia as seen with the CC’s placement and integration of the fog-lights and air intakes. The engine will also be the same, with a choice of bio-fuel, diesel and petrol options.

The Renault Megane CC is ideally set to be launched in spring to early summer as it is the perfect timing for drop-tops in the market. Further details about the Renault Megane CC will be available as the Geneva Motor Show nears.