Geneva 09': Ford iosis MAX Concept Previews Next-Gen Focus

Ford is going to unveil the iosis MAX Concept at the Geneva Motor Show tomorrow.

The iosis MAX Concept previews the design of Ford's next generation global C-car family, which includes the Focus and C-Max. Ford has already announced that the next-generation Focus will be the same model sold in Europe and North America. The C-Max MPV could also eventually make it to the US.

The concept is powered by a 1.6L EcoBoost four-cylinder that puts out 178 horsepower thanks to turbocharging and direct injection. The engine is mated to a dual-clutch transmission. This engine could eventually makes its way into the next Focus.

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1959 Speed Shop Part 3: More Performance Parts!

Heads, cams, adapter kits… I’ve even scanned the page of Quick Change rearends & mag wheels. We’re almost done thumbing through the 1959 Almquist catalog, but I figured you might want to check out a few more parts and prices of a half century ago. Notice at the bottom of the Flathead heads page, you’ll see the Weiand “Sportsman” heads. They were all aluminum, high compression heads that appeared stock- A little cheater head idea taken from the Ford aluminum Denver & Canadian heads. My buddy just picked a pair of these Sportsman heads up at the swap last week thinking he was getting Canadian heads, only to find the little Weiand logo on the back. Nice Score!! Check out the Edmunds head selection for flat 6’s and 8’s, and the “Double Disc” brakes by Halibrand for a whopping $595 (about $4,300 in today’s money)!

Anyway, I hope your not getting bored with the catalog scans, cause I’m having fun. Coming up soon, Part 4 will have hubcaps and accessories for the Custom guys…

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Sure, I’ll pick up a franchise

My grandfather was recently going through some old documents from my grandmother’s family, and he pulled out a particular letter that he thought might amuse me, incidentally dated six days after she was born. It’s a document that was a receipt for a piece of property that my great-grandfather, Bernhard Herberich, was purchasing from the Hartshorn family.

It seems that Mr. Hartshorn sold quite an array of goods… in modern terms, he had a NAPA, Dick’s and Home Depot, as well as an Overland showroom and garage, all wrapped up in one.

Overland offered three models in 1917, each available in four body styles – the Light Four 90, the Big Four 85 and the Light Six 85. Overland prices ranged from $650 to $1,585 in a year when the local Ford agency was selling Model Ts for between $360 and $645, so I have to wonder if Mr. Hartshorn moved more varnish and penny nails than Overlands!

We just happen to have a colorful framed 1916 Overland magazine advertisement hanging here in the Hemmings editorial office – seems like the company was making a concerted effort to get the word out and boost sales in that period.

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Honda is Working on a New Accord Based Crossover for 2010

Honda currently has the Pilot, CR-V and Element crossovers in its lineup, none of which are more stylish like the Nissan Murano or new Toyota Venza. Well that will change this fall with the introduction of a new crossover to Honda's lineup.

Development vehicles wearing the US Accord front end mated to the European Honda Accord Tourer have been caught testing. The ride height has been increased and its obvious that the car has a rear differential, which means the car will be available with Honda's VTM-4 AWD system. The body also has new fender flares that indicate that the track has been widened slightly from that of the Accord.

It's not known what will power the new Accord based CUV, but its expected that the 4-cyl and V6 engines from the Accord will be available. Maybe even the 2.3L turbo from the Acura RDX.

Honda's newest crossover will start production in the 4th quarter of this year and will slot between the CR-V and Pilot in Honda's lineup.

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Detroit 2009: Day 2 Wrap-up

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show

This year's North American International Auto Show is a different beast entirely than year's past. Thanks to a number of absences from this year's show, the 2009 Detroit Auto Show began to run out of steam sometime during Day 2. The second day has traditionally been as equally as exciting as the first, but today's big reveals were confined to just the 2010 Toyota Prius and Fisker's debut of the production 2010 Karma series hybrid sedan and Karma S concept. Nevertheless, we kept ourselves busy scrounging every nook and cranny of Cobo Hall in Detroit for vehicles to write about. Below you'll find the fruits of our labor, and there's still more to come on Day 3, so stay tuned

Motor City guys and dolls... but mostly gals

BYD
BYD e6 plug-in hybrid crossover

Fisker
Fisker Karma S Concept [w/VIDEO]
2010 Fisker Karma [w/VIDEO]

Ford
Mustang Alley accessory wheels

Detroit 2009: Ford demos Park Assist

General Motors
Post Bail-Out Booth Tour - GM

Jaguar
2010 Jaguar XFR
2010 Jaguar XKR
Jaguar XFR Bonneville Racer

Lincoln
Lincoln Concept C
2010 Lincoln MKT
2010 Lincoln EcoBoost MKS

Maserati
Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT-S

Mazda
2010 Mazda3 five-door


Revenge Designs
Revenge GTM-R

Toyota
2010 Toyota Prius

Detroit 2009: Day 2 Wrap-up originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: 2010 Lincoln MKT adds flexibility to the lineup

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Lincoln

Click above for live, high-res images of the new 2010 Lincoln MKT

We already gave you details about the new 2010 Lincoln MKT this morning, but Lincoln just wrapped up its press conference and now we have live impressions and photos to share. After showing us the MKT concept here last year, the production version is a more realistic interpretation of the 7-passenger CUV. While it resembles everything from a GM Lambda to an Audi Q7 in profile, the nose and tail are all Lincoln. It's a tasteful vehicle that looks classy and upscale, as it should for Ford's premium brand. Unfortunately, it's being launched at a time when this class of vehicle seems in remission.

Built on the same D4 platform that underpins the Ford Flex, this new suit of clothes suits the Lincoln well. The interior, in particular, is rather handsome with excellent materials and fit and finish that was exemplary for a show car. Good quality leather, wood used sparingly but effectively and elegant satin-finish metal accents abound. The seats are comfy and the cargo hold looks like they've made good use of that extra length compared to the Flex. The MKT will also feature Ford's twin-turbocharged, direct-inject EcoBoost 3.5L V6 as an option, giving it the best horsepower (355) and fuel economy in its class. The standard engine will be a 3.7-liter V6 with 268 hp and 267 lb.-ft. of torque. That should keep it in the hunt with the Acura MDX and Audi Q7, which Lincoln have tabbed as the MKT's major competition.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Lincoln MKT live

Live photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.

Detroit 2009: 2010 Lincoln MKT adds flexibility to the lineup originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: GM will build Volt battery packs with LG Chem in Michigan

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Green, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM

One of the big remaining technical questions for General Motors' Chevrolet Volt has been who the automaker will tap to supply the batteries. LG Chem and A123 Systems are the two companies that have been supplying prototype battery packs for Volt development program. It has long been rumored that South Korea's LG Chem would be selected, and today CEO Rick Wagoner confirmed the selection. Surprisingly though, GM has decided it will take responsibility for actually building the complete packs. GM will also take full responsibility for all the battery management systems and power electronics.

The company will build a new factory in Michigan, but a specific site has yet to be announced, in part because negotiations are ongoing with state and local authorities on the usual incentives and approvals. LG Chem's US subsidiary, Compact Power of Troy, Michigan, has been building the prototype packs for the development vehicles and will continue to provide integration support and act as a liaison for the program.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Detroit 2009: GM will build Volt battery packs with LG Chem in Michigan

Detroit 2009: GM will build Volt battery packs with LG Chem in Michigan originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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