Although plastics have replaced iron and wood and airbags (1970s) and radio controls (1990s) have been added, the basic design remains the same: a circular ring with spokes connected to a central hub.
For those unfamiliar with the Firebreather, the Pontiac Firebird-ized 2011 Camaro was originally created by Classic Design Concepts as a one off movie car for Exxodus Pictures' new sci-fi film, Jinn, but the company took the decision to build a limited series for sale to the public.
We've already posted all the details along with a comprehensive gallery on the 7-seater crossover here, but the Dearborn automaker has released new photos from the presentation events that took place in various cities across the country including Chicago, Washington D.C. and New York City.
If you follow the jump, you'll also find four videos that showcase the Explorer in motion and highlight the SUV's new technology features such as the Terrain Management System. We remind you that the redesigned Explorer will be offered at launch with two powerplants, a 290HP 3.5-liter V6 and a 235HP 2.0-liter EcoBoost Turbo. Sales start later this year with a base price of $28,995 -including delivery- for the V6 model.
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More interestingly, the Dearborn automaker also released a new video explaining the process that went into camouflaging the prototype versions of the SUV model, which by the way, will be unveiled on Monday, July 26. You can watch the video after the jump.
This time, the Dearborn-based automaker released a photograph of Jennifer Brace who helped design MyFord Touch partially revealing the 2011 Explorer's dashboard and center console, as well as two videos with Ford racing drivers Robert Hight and Bob Tasca III.
The new 2011 Explorer will arrive in U.S. showrooms before the end of the year. It will be offered with the choice of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four and a 3.5-liter V6, both paired to a six-speed automatic transmission for improved fuel economy.
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Ford says the Explorer with the EcoBoost engine will get at least 30 percent better gas mileage than the existing V6-powered 2010 Explorer, without, however, releasing any specific numbers.
The current Explorer with the 210HP 4.0-liter V6 is rated at 14mpg city, 20mpg highway and 16mpg combined (4x2 model), meaning that fuel economy for the EcoBoost-powered 2011 Explorer will be better than 18.2/26/20.8 mpg respectively.
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It will be offered with the company's new 2.0-liter Ecoboost turbocharged four-pot and a 3.5-liter V6 engine in both naturally aspirated and twin-turbocharged versions.
Today, Ford of Europe unveiled a collection of five Focus RS cars in unique paint schemes, each paying tribute to a Ford race car that made history at the Le Mans 24 Hours.
The Focus RS in black with white stripes and gold rims echoes the 1966 GT40 Mk II; the red with white strips the 1967 Mark IV; the white with a thin blue centre stripe surrounded by a red border the 1967 GT40 Mk IIB; the two-tone sky blue and orange the GT40s that dominated Le Mans in 1968 and 1969 and finally, the two tone white and blue, the Capri RS 2600 which took the Touring category in 1972.
Santos, derived from the Department of Defense's Virtual Soldier Research program, is Ford's next stage of virtual work assistance. He works in a simulated Ford factory and measures the effects of real-world stress by combining a "complete biomechanical muscular system" with "predictive dynamics".
Ford ergonomics technical specialist Allison Stephens thankfully explains it in layman's terms:
Recently, they put out a challenge to the public: come up with different tests to help assess the Fiesta and see how it stacks up against some major players. This one pits the upcoming Fiesta hatch against a Lambo in some real-world (and Fiesta-centric) tests.
It's a tad cheesy, but you should still be able to enjoy the show. Video after the break.
Mark Cohen, Boston PD Licensing Division director, says this about the Transit Connect: "It's the closest thing to a purpose-built vehicle for taxi use that I've seen in 25 years." I guess he's never been to the UK...
For many places, the issue with replacing the large, Panther-based Crown Victorias has been the regulation of vehicles that are allowed to perform taxi duties. A successor would have to meet various size/measurement/cargo/safety standards before approval, and the city of Boston has deemed the TC Taxi worthy of the job.
Developed in conjunction with Revolve Technologies, the engineering firm behind the Mountune brand that tweaks the Focus and Fiesta STs, the Focus RS500 boasts a 350-horsepower version of the standard model's 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five and some cosmetic touches, including a matte-black film (no paint here).
Ford mentions that preliminary performance figures indicate that the RS500 goes from zero to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds and 0-160km/h in 12.2 seconds. Video after the jump.
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In standard form, the RS's five-pot produces 305 ponies with power transferred to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.
Not much else is known about the Focus RS500, but we expect to see the special edition model featuring other mechanical as well as styling changes over the 305HP version. You can get a taste of the Euro market RS500 in the teaser video after the break.
"I'm itching to get behind the wheel of my Mustang and really take it out on the streets," said Nelly. "This vehicle being a part of my album artwork is just a reflection of the direction and feel that the album has. To be able to partner with Ford again on another vehicle that is going to change the automotive game is exciting," he added.
Nelly's blacked out "5.0" gets a custom gloss black paint job with flat black racing stripes and a Street Scenes wide body kit complete with custom 22- and 24-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli tires. Other features include a billet grille, hood scoop, tinted taillights, angel eyes headlights and a Borla exhaust.
The Mustang GT's interior has also been upgraded comes with a complete suede and leather design as well as a custom JL Audio system that includes two 12-inch subwoofers, amps and speakers.
There are no changes under the hood with Nelly's GT retaining the stock model's new 5.0-liter V8 engine with 412 horsepower and 390 ft.-lb. of torque.
"Nelly is a true car guy, there's no denying that. When Nelly expressed interest in wanting to partner with Ford on the all-new 2011 Ford Mustang GT, we knew it was a perfect fit," said Crystal Worthem, Ford's Multicultural Marketing communications manager.
We say that Ford's marketing team always manages to discover "car guys and gals" in all but the most obvious places...
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