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ford ecoboost

Going In-Depth With Ford's Twin-Turbocharged V6 EcoBoost Engine

Today we made our way over to Ford's Beech Daly Technical Center, a nondescript building along the Dearborn side roads which houses what is, for lack of a better term, Ford's engine skunk works. Capable of doing everything from rapid-prototyped vinyl intakes to turning out fully functioning engines, the tech center is where all Ford's engines go to get the bugs worked out. Our mission was to get to know the 3.5-liter Ford EcoBoost on a nuts-and-bolts level by putting one together ourselves.

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Feature

7:00 PM on Wed Aug 27 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
1,297 views, 37 comments

Latest by n/a: Welcome to what makes the VAG 2.0T FSI engine in the Volkswagen/Audi lineup so good. Direct-Injection is an amazing system for more »

2009 corvette zr1

Secrets Of The 2009 Corvette ZR1: Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 Tires

One of the most impressive things about the 2009 Corvette ZR1 is how much grip it has. Normally, sticking 638 HP into something that weighs just 3,350 LBS and driving only the rear wheels would result in massive amounts of wheel spin, both in a straight line and around corners. But in the ZR1, it doesn’t — not without significant provocation. This is partly due to the whiz-bang magnetic damping system that adjusts itself near-instantaneously to keep the car level around corners and keep the tires in contact with the road over rough surfaces. But a big part of its grip, and the resulting 7:26.4 ‘Ring time, comes down to the tires: Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZPs specially developed, racecar-style, alongside the ZR1.

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Feature

4:00 PM on Wed Aug 27 2008
By Wes Siler
1,563 views, 40 comments

Latest by NovaloadMissesPolar: Meaty, big and NOT bouncy. more »

Ten Non-Automotive Product Automotive Tie-Ins

The Ten Worst Non-Automotive Product Tie-Ins With Automotive Brands

The Porsche-branded kitchen earlier this week reminded us that automotive marketing gurus like to use their considerable name equity to brand products having nothing to do with cars. While sometimes this can help increase brand identity with the masses, here's our list of the ten auto-branded products which decrease brand equity and dilute brand stature. More »

Feature

2:00 PM on Wed Aug 27 2008
By Matt Hardigree
11,091 views, 99 comments

Latest by stoneman: I bought a really cheap VW-branded watch of ebay for 6 cents. It's so cheap I can't bring myself to more »

Mustang Drifting

Anatomy Of A Ford Mustang Drift Racer

We caught up with professional drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. and had him walk us around his Ford Mustang to show us what makes his trick drift car tick. Not only did we get a close-up look at the machine, he even took us for a quick spin around some cones conveniently placed in the parking lot. This was our second time riding shotgun in a drift car — our first was in a JDM Nissan Skyline — and we've gotta admit, even though some may feel drifting isn't a real sport, it's unquestionably fun. Check out all the action in the video after the jump.

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Feature

1:15 PM on Wed Aug 27 2008
By Mark Arnold
1,316 views, 36 comments

Latest by thunder: "... even though some may feel drifting isn't a real sport, it's unquestionably fun." Popping wheelies on my Stingray when I more »

muscle car wars

The Making Of The First Photo Of Detroit's Muscle Car Threesome


Getting the first photo of all three of Detroit's new muscle cars was no easy task — taking time, hard work and more than a little luck. Want to see what transpired? The folks from Garage419 showed up to create the above "behind the scenes" video showing just how it was done. We'd also like to point out while the PR folks on the ground weren't very happy with us showing up with the competition, the GM and Chevy brand PR teams back in Detroit found the stunt humorous and took it in good stride. We give them a lot of credit for doing so. And why not? It ended up making it all across the auto enthusiast online world, with even Motor Trend picking up on the story — although they seem a little bit baffled by how it all happened. But whatever. Enough words, hit the play button above! (Hat tip to Craig Lieberman, Garage419 and Ned!)

Feature

12:00 PM on Wed Aug 27 2008
By Ray Wert
928 views, 44 comments

Latest by NovaloadMissesPolar: Brilliant, Ray. Just brilliant. I can't believe the street just didn't freeze in time. Here they are about to reveal their baby more »

question of the day

What Would You Do With A GT500KR?

You already knew one of us was out here in sunny Southern California after our little photographic fun with all three new American muscle cars in one photo for the very first time. But that wasn't the only reason we were out here on America's Left Coast. The other reason? The 2008 Shelby GT500KR. We've been given the keys to the only super 'Stang in Ford's media fleet to drive longer than any other car outlet's gone in the car to date. We'll be taking this 580 HP über-muscle car on a 1,779 mile trip from LA to Dallas. Along the way we'll stop in Las Vegas and Phoenix, liveblogging the entire way. Follow along with us at our Shelby GT500KR Road Trip tag. Although this now begs today's question of the day, what would you do and where would you go with the GT500KR and a full tank of gas?

Feature

12:00 PM on Tue Aug 26 2008
By Ray Wert
5,237 views, 155 comments

Latest by stoneman: I know somewhere in this world a special object exists for me if I ever get to drive this car more »

Tokyo Dream Boats

The Ten Most Gorgeous Japanese Cars Currently For Sale

They said it couldn't be done. They said compiling a list of ten gorgeous Japanese cars currently for sale was a fool's errand. What they didn't know was that in Japan the cars aren't designed to be as purposeful and uncharismatic as many of their American offerings. In fact, half of the cars on the list are not sold in the United States. And while no cars from the land of the rising sun made it onto our Ten Most Beautiful Cars list, it was easier than we thought to find these ten most gorgeous Japanese cars. More »

Feature

2:00 PM on Mon Aug 25 2008
By Matt Hardigree
12,528 views, 132 comments

Latest by n/a: @wheels OF satan!: How about "Failboats" if youremove those hideous and useless wings, at least a couple of these cars are "OK". But more »

I'm Doing My Laundry Tonight

Ten Worst Cars To Take On A Blind Date

Your hair's properly coiffed, best threads are doffed and there's a reservation at the hottest spot in town with your name on it. After all that hard work it would be a shame to drive up to your date's house in a vehicle so terrifying she's either faked an illness or called the police. For those in the dating game and prone to driving unique vehicles, we present this helpful list of ten cars guaranteed to scare away a blind date before the date even begins. You know, as a public service announcement. More »

Feature

12:00 PM on Fri Aug 22 2008
By Matt Hardigree
15,536 views, 129 comments

Latest by mzs: I so disagree with the conversion van. One look inside and if the date asked about the bed you knew more »

2009 corvette zr1

2009 Corvette ZR1 Mega Gallery

Think you’ve seen all of our photos from our review of the 2009 Corvette ZR1? Well you haven’t. Follow the jump for every single one of our 81 photos of the "best car ever made," in all their unedited glory.

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Feature

6:35 PM on Wed Aug 20 2008
By Wes Siler
3,162 views, 59 comments

Latest by JrodNJ: I wish they had ponied up for some real seats; hell - just steal them from Porsche. The flabby, never more »

He's Got A Purdy Mouth Dont He

Ten Most Beautiful Cars Currently For Sale

For prospective consumers looking to purchase a car as more than mere transportation, we decided it was time for the Jalopnik commentariat to put the ten most beautiful cars in the world currently for sale on a pedestal. We've done the ugliest cars at home and abroad, now it's time to soothe your eyes with images of cars that'll evoke your inner dragon. To be considered truly beautiful, we decided a vehicle must transcend gimmicks and needless ornamentation to achieve an economy of design, eschewing the aggressiveness of most modern sports cars. Instead, these cars capture the classic feminine qualities that have encouraged owners to refer to their cars as "she." Given this standard, we think the ten below are almost indisputably the most beautiful — thought that certainly won't stop you all from adding your own two cents in the comments below. More »

Feature

3:15 PM on Wed Aug 20 2008
By Matt Hardigree
76,780 views, 198 comments

Latest by p3p3: There is a god damn Citroen on the list. You silly Americans, I wish you would be forced to own more »

jalopnik reviews

2009 Honda Fit, First Drive, Part Two

As we told you yesterday, we asked our many-layered friend John Krewson to take a spin in the new 2009 Honda Fit. After yesterday's taste of the new-and-now-priced-to-move-starting-at-$14,550 Honda Fit, he's brought us the whole red pepper of a review today. — Ed.

It's always been hard for me to find someone who doesn't like the Honda Fit. And what's not to like? It's earned a reputation for being nimble, thrifty, capable, and perhaps most importantly, charismatic. It might not be all that muscular, and it might be just the slightest bit IKEAesque inside, but for about fifteen grand it's hard to think of another subcompact that's quite as, well, friendly to live with. If the Fit were a transformer, it would fold out into a cheerful, helpful little brother with freckles and a turned-up nose.

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Feature

2:15 PM on Wed Aug 20 2008
By John Krewson
10,921 views, 78 comments

Latest by badco/LoJ: My local Honda dealer is selling '08 Fits with $2500 worth of magic sealants and crap accessories plus a $3000 more »

jalopnik reviews

2009 Corvette ZR1: First Drive

The 2009 Corvette ZR1 is the best car ever made. It redefines what performance cars are capable of, not by its numbers (the 0-to-60 in 3.3 seconds and a 205 MPH top speed figures are no longer noteworthy north of $100,000), but by how it makes those numbers so accessible. Simply put, the ZR1's most remarkable achievement is how easy and unintimidating the chassis makes exploiting the car's 638 HP. The only problem is I'm not good enough a driver to fully do so.

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Feature

10:30 PM on Tue Aug 19 2008
By Wes Siler
57,017 views, 171 comments

Latest by hustler: "luxury bass boat" is pretty lol more »

jalopnik reviews

2009 Honda Fit, First Drive

We've asked our many-layered friend John Krewson to take a spin in the new 2009 Honda Fit. He'll have the full first drive for us tomorrow. In the meantime, here's a taste. — Ed.

It's always been hard for me to find someone who doesn't like the Honda Fit. And what's not to like? It's earned a reputation for being nimble, thrifty, capable, and perhaps most importantly, charismatic. It might not be all that muscular, and it might be just the slightest bit IKEAesque inside, but for about fifteen grand it's hard to think of another subcompact that's quite as, well, friendly to live with. If the Fit were a transformer, it would fold out into a cheerful, helpful little brother with freckles and a turned-up nose.

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Feature

6:01 PM on Tue Aug 19 2008
By John Krewson
8,734 views, 58 comments

Latest by brandegee: @mechimike: Unfortunately, the Matrix handles like a top-heavy truck, at least compared to the Subaru Outback Sport I compared it more »

woodward dream cruise

The Sports Cars And Exotics Of The 2008 Woodward Dream Cruise

We've mentioned already the Woodward Dream Cruise attracts all types of cars. In addition to locally-brewed sports car stars like the Chevy Corvette in every imaginable model and engine flavor, and a couple of Dodge Viper ACRs, we're also talking about rarified objects hailing from Italy, Germany and Great Britain costing more than your house. Exotic cars are definitely few and far between on Woodward, but we snapped a smattering of high-buck machinery — and some lower-buck but still just as special — idling alongside the Detroit iron this past Saturday at the 2008 running of the cruisers.

Feature

4:30 PM on Mon Aug 18 2008
By Andrew Stoy
1,952 views, 18 comments

Latest by n/a: HmmmNovaloadMissesPolar... He's not the only one who just looked at the manta and thought + Watch video I swear.. I like Vetes more »

woodward dream cruise

The Hot Rods Of The 2008 Woodward Dream Cruise

We've given you the muscle and the customs of the 2008 Woodward Dream Cruise. Now it's time for the hot rods. — Ed.

Metal-flake, flames, chrome wheels or just plain flat-black, the appeal of hot rods stretches across generations. The Woodward Dream Cruise brings 'em out in droves, so here are just a few of of the chopped, channeled and shaved rat rods and T-buckets we saw on the Avenue over the weekend.


Feature

4:00 PM on Mon Aug 18 2008
By Andrew Stoy
1,598 views, 22 comments

Latest by bygeorge: @Turboner: Maybe my love of all things 'Vair overcomes my dread of all things "Dub", but I really love this more »

woodward dream cruise

The Custom Cars Of The 2008 Woodward Dream Cruise

We started with the Muscle and now we're taking you to another end of the spectrum of the cult of cars at the 2008 Woodward Dream Cruise, the Customs. — Ed.

Yeah, we're just gonna be generous and lump everything that's been given a custom job into this category. Our friend with the custom Nova kit car would fit in here, for example, and he'd have plenty of good company. From stretched Corvettes to metal-flake paint-shop horrors, some of the most imaginative cars on Woodward came not from car factories but from the minds of individuals working quietly in garages year in and year out. Click through for the gallery below and judge for yourself.

Feature

3:30 PM on Mon Aug 18 2008
By Andrew Stoy
1,842 views, 11 comments

Latest by v8corvairpickup: Love the Vair, but aside from being lowered...how is it custom? more »

woodward dream cruise

The Muscle Cars Of The 2008 Woodward Dream Cruise

One day, 40,000 cars and over a million people spread out on a ten mile stretch of Woodward Avenue in Metro Detroit. Yeah, the sheer size of the Woodward Dream Cruise is hard to express unless you've actually been there. Luckily, one good way's through photos, so here's our first of a series of round-up galleries we'll be running this afternoon showing off the best of the metal from Saturday on Woodward. First up are the muscle cars. — Ed.

Otherwise-sedate midsize American sedans and coupes with massive engines stuffed under the hood: That's the recipe for a muscle car, and it's the bread n' butter of the Woodward Dream Cruise. Muscle machines are out in force every year, with the Detroit three well-represented, along with independents and oddball makes (and we're lumping the "pony cars" in here too). What doesn't change is the police presence keeping these monsters from frying the treads at every stoplight. Oh well — they're still fun to look at even without turning their tires to smoke, so be sure to click through our full gallery to see the classic and modern muscular machines found at the 2008 Woodward Dream Cruise.

Feature

3:00 PM on Mon Aug 18 2008
By Andrew Stoy
2,365 views, 25 comments

Latest by n/a: @JB_Finesse: Yea, the chevelle was a big awesome from me, but I kept looking for the novas... Someone I know more »

first drive

2009 Dodge Challenger

Last month's review of the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 may have seemed to some a blinding orgy of Detroit love. Having just moved from Detroit to New York City, I was homesick and was seemingly in need of a shot of Motor City muscle. Still, I offer no apology, because despite the rose-colored glasses, I managed to outline the three glaring issues with the low-volume '08 model year Challenger SRT8 — the outdated interior, the weight and most importantly, the automatic transmission. After spending a day this past week driving the new 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T, SRT8 and SE on the roads of New York City and on the Raceway Park track at Englishtown, NJ, Dodge has fixed at least one-third of the Challenger's problems. That's a good thing for Dodge, because I left the rose-colored glasses back in Detroit.

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Feature

4:30 PM on Sun Aug 17 2008
By Ray Wert
9,951 views, 66 comments

Latest by n/a: @stoneman: Last i checked gas prices are on the way DOWN, news was saying backing in the high 2s by more »

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