LA Show 2011 Highlights: 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

The new, 200mph Ford Shelby GT500 ‘takes muscle car performance to new heights’ and is the ‘ultimate’ version of the car, according to Blue Oval chiefs. The 2013 model of the Ford Shelby GT500 was unveiled on the eve of the Los Angeles motor show and, Ford claims, the headline figures of 650bhp and 600lb ft from the 5.8-litre supercharged unit make it the most powerful production V8 engine on the planet.

The power output of the 1750kg machine is a boost of more than 100bhp over the current, 5.4-litre engined version, which you can read more about here.

Ford says every part of the powertrain has been optimised for producing the additional horsepower, including a larger, more efficient supercharger that is a unique design for the Shelby GT500’s engine.

The clutch, transmission and axle have all been upgraded and the Ford Shelby GT500 also gets a new carbonfibre driveshaft, cross-drilled block and heads and updated camshaft profiles. The gearing of the six-speed manual transmission has been revised to manage to torque and power delivery.

Other tweaks include a new downforce-generating front grille, a redesigned splitter that is designed to make the car feel more planted at speeds of 160mph-plus and a new quad exhaust system. The cooling system has been uprated and features a larger, revised cooling fan and more efficient air cooler.

Stopping power comes from six-piston Brembo calipers, revised pads and larger front and rear rotors to reduce brake fade. The Shelby GT500 runs on 19-inch front and 2-inch rear wheels coupled with Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar G tyres.

An optional, track-oriented Performance Package offers Bilstein electronic adjustable dampers and a Torsen limited-slip differential. On top of that, a Track Package is also available for even more extreme performance.

The price of the new Ford Shelby GT500 hasn’t been set, although the current version is available on import to the UK for between £40-50,000.

Ford’s Los Angeles motor show muscle car line-up also includes a refreshed, 2013 model year version of the Mustang Boss 302, which comes with new retro paint options and design details.

Thanks to: Autocar

LA Show 2011 Highlights: Land Rover DC100 Concept

An evolved, more rugged version of the Land Rover Defender DC100 concept will be shown off at the Los Angeles motor show today.

The revisions – which include optimised off-road 20-inch alloy wheels shod with Cooper all-terrain tyres and expedition accessories such as a raised air-intake 'snorkel' for wading and a roof rack – have been made to assert the go-anywhere looks and off-road credibility of the Land Rover Defender DC100 concept, which will appear alongside the open-topped DC100 Sport at Los Angeles.

Land Rover wants to return the new Defender to its roots and connect with the third world. Land Rover boss John Edwards told Autocar that the new 4x4 “must be capable, usable and abusable and appropriate for the third world market.”

As well the DC100s at Los Angeles, Land Rover had another variant at the recent Dubai motor show that featured all-terrain wheels and tyres better suited to desert driving.

Edwards wants to assert the off-road cred of the new Defender after criticism that the first two DC100 concepts focused on ‘lifestyle’.

“Sometimes we talk too much about Californian surfer dudes and not enough about the Red Cross, Zambia or the Australian Outback,” said Edwards. “If we happen to be able to sell it in California as well that’s nice, but that’s not the most important bit for us.”

Both concepts feature a suite of off-road technological aids aimed at reducing the workload on the driver. These include Land Rover’s Terrain Response system, which optimises the car for any conditions without driver pre-selection.

In addition, a new Terrain-i system creates a map of the topography in front of the car, identifies potential hazards and suggests alternative routes. A new Wade Aid system utilises sonar sensors mounted in the bumpers and wing mirrors to measure water depth and optimise the car for water crossings.

The Land Rover DC100 concepts also feature an intelligent twin-solenoid stop/start system mated to the latest eight-speed automatic gearbox and a ‘driveline disconnect’ system, which sends power to the front-axle only unless conditions demand all-wheel drive.

Edwards has developed a three-pronged brand strategy, focusing on utility, leisure and luxury. While the new Range Rover will place the emphasis on luxury, the Defender will maximise the utility. According to Edwards, this strategy will allow Land Rover to develop “a whole family of vehicles” catering to different needs.

It also leaves the door open to the continuation of the existing Defender models when the new 100 model goes on sale in 2015. Autocar understands that the existing Defender can comply with emissions and crash legislation up to 2017.

Thanks to: Autocar

LA Show 2011 Highlights: 2013 Mercedes ML63 AMG

This is the new, 518bhp Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, which will go on sale in the UK next spring after its world debut at today's Los Angeles motor show. It is powered by AMG's new twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8 engine.

Compared with its predecessor's normally aspirated 6.2-litre V8, the 5.5 brings a gain of 15bhp and a 51lb ft hike in torque to 516lb ft, delivered from just 1750rpm.

The AMG engine - which gets stop-start as standard - takes the ML to a governed top speed of 155mph and enables it to cover the 0-62mph sprint in just 4.8sec.

An optional AMG Performance Pack (which adds a carbonfibre engine cover, red brake calipers and an AMG steering wheel) pushes the engine¹s output to 550bhp and 560lb ft, although it shaves the 0-62mph sprint back by only a tenth of a second. Economy and CO2 emissions are the same for both versions of the engine: 23.9mpg and 276g/km.

The powerplant drives all four wheels through the AMG 7G-Tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and specifically designed transfer case, which distributes the engine's torque in a ratio of 40 per cent to the front wheels and 60 per cent to the rear.

The suspension set-up - based around Airmatic suspension, auto damping, speed-sensitive steering and auto-levelling - gets the Active Curve System, which uses active anti-roll bars to reduce body roll in corners.

The ML AMG line began in 1999 with the ML55, powered by a 347bhp 5.5-litre AMG engine, followed by the ML63, which had a 503bhp 6.2-litre V8. Since 1999, 24,000 AMG SUVs have been sold.

Thanks to: Autocar

LA Show 2011 Highlights: 2013 Ford Escape/Kuga

Ford has revealed its first-ever ‘unified’ SUV, to be known as the new Ford Kuga in Europe, at today’s Los Angeles motor show.

The compact five-seater is destined to replace the US’s best-selling Escape and will hit European showrooms next year as an all-new, considerably larger Kuga. It will also be launched in China later next year.

The new SUV’s styling closely follows the European-designed Vertrek concept unveiled in Detroit at the beginning of the year. It is the latest fruit of Ford chief Alan Mulally’s ‘One Ford’ philosophy, which has already made a success of European models such as the Fiesta and Focus in the US, and will bring even more unification to Ford’s world markets.

Product development boss Derek Kuzak claims fuel economy for the new Kuga/Escape will beat all comers in its class, reducing real-world consumption by 5-6mpg. He also claims the car has 11 convenience features not offered by any rival, including a hands-free powered tailgate that swings upwards if you aim a gentle kick at the underside of the rear bumper.

Among other refinements, the car comes with internet connectivity and improved aerodynamics, including grille slats that close when maximum cooling is not needed. This cuts aerodynamic drag and reduces fuel consumption.

US models will get a normally aspirated 2.5-litre engine, as well as Ford’s turbocharged 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre petrol Ecoboost units. European versions get Ecoboosts plus a diesel line-up already familiar in the third-generation Focus. There may also be small-capacity three-cylinder models within a year.

Compared with the outgoing model, the new Kuga is around 100mm longer, with most of the extra length concentrated in the wheelbase. Ford admits one current point of customer dislike is the current Kuga’s small boot and rear passenger accommodation.

Although a new Mondeo is due next year, the Kuga will probably be Ford’s most important launch of 2012 in volume terms. Demand for mid-size SUVs has increased three-fold in a decade, Ford says, and 60 per cent of America’s new car buyers now consider either a mid-size saloon or SUV.

“More people every year are looking for cars like Escape,” says Kuzak. “We want to give them many reasons to buy.”

Thanks to: Autocar

LA Show 2011 Highlights: Ford Fiesta ST 5-Door Concept

Ford has revealed its future high performance US-specific five-door Fiesta with this Ford Fiesta ST concept, which has been shown at the Los Angeles motor show today. A three door ST variant for Europe was previously shown in Frankfurt.

The hot Fiesta ST is powered by Ford’s 1.6-litre Ecoboost petrol engine, which is tuned to produce 178bhp and 177lb ft of torque. Power is transferred through the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. The most powerful factory Fiesta currently on sale is the 132bhp 1.6 in the special-edition Fiesta S1600.

Externally, the Fiesta ST concept mirrors the styling used on its Focus ST bigger brother. Similar design features include a large, distinctive trapezoidal grille as well as side skirts, rear diffuser and spoiler and twin chrome tailpipes. Flared arches filled by 17-inch alloys complete the package.

Ride height and suspension geometry is also revised compared with the standard car to ensure better, more focused driving dynamics that can “flatter less-experienced drivers while rewarding those seeking to push the limits of the Fiesta ST's sports performance,” according to Ford.

Derrick Kuzak, global product development vice president said: "The Fiesta has a rich history of high-performance models so a new ST performance model is a logical next step in our performance vehicle strategy for our global small cars."

Ford director of global performance vehicles Jost Capito added: "With the Fiesta ST Concept, we are demonstrating that our global performance plan has legs.

"The Fiesta ST Concept shows in the most dramatic way possible that the qualities that define an ST are not limited to one model."

Much like the forthcoming Peugeot 208 GTI, the Fiesta ST will recall the model’s more iconic iterations such as the Fiesta XR2i, RS1800 and RS Turbo.

Thanks to: Autocar

LA Show 2011 Highlights: 2012 Hyundai Azera

The latest car to feature Hyundai’s fluidic sculpture design language, the Hyundai Azera saloon, has been unveiled at the Los Angeles motor show today.

The Hyundai Azera – which is based on the same platform as the Kia Cadenza – is the latest vehicle to adopt Hyundai’s new design language, currently used on its i40 and ix20 models.

It is also the last car in Hyundai’s ‘24/7 version 2.0’ product initiative, which has resulted in seven new models being released in the past 24 months.

In the US market the Azera will compete against models such as the Nissan Maxima, Ford Taurus, Lexus ES350 and Buick LaCrosse V6.

The saloon will be offered with a 3.3-litre, V6 GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine and six-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic manual control. The engine produces 293bhp at 6400rpm and 255lb ft at 5200rpm.

Azera's powertrain has an active eco mode, which modifies engine and transmission control for improved fuel economy. It produces a combined 23mpg on the combined US cycle.

The Azera, which weighs 1638kg, is fitted with a MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link independent rear suspension. It rides on a 2844mm wheelbase, with an overall length of 4909mm and width of 1859mm – dimensions that pitch it between the Sonata and Genesis models in Hyundai’s US range.

The Hyundai Azera goes on sale in the US early next year, but there are no indications that it will reach the UK market.

Thanks to: Autocar

2013 Ford Flex

2013 Ford Flex

2013 Ford Flex

2013 Ford Flex

2013 Ford Flex

2013, the Flex's base 3.5-liter V-6 engine, gains Ti-VCT variable valve timing. As a result, power jumps from 262 hp to 285 hp, torque climbs from 248 lb-ft to 253 lb-ft, and the redline is increased from 6700 rpm to 7000 rpm. The changes are expected to improve fuel economy ratings by 1 mpg, to approximately 18/25 mpg (city/highway) for front-wheel-drive models and 17/24 mpg for all-wheel-drive models. There are no changes to the 355-hp, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine, which is available only with all-wheel drive.

Because the three-row Flex is meant for hauling families, Ford has outfitted it with several new safety technologies. The 2013 model can be optioned with adaptive cruise control, a blind-spot warning system, and seat belt airbags for the second row of seats. The seat belt airbags first debuted as an option for the 2012 Explorer, on which they purchased by about one-third of customers. Other new gadgets include push-button start, rain-sensing wipers, and the latest version of the MyFord Touch infotainment system.

Visual changes for the 2013 Flex begin with a new front end, which has restyled headlights, a new grille, and a more rounded fascia that softens the car's face. The grille-mounted Blue Oval emblem has been removed and replaced by bold "FLEX" lettering above the grille. At the rear, dual exhaust tips become standard. The interior receives updated instrument clusters, new seat trims, and a revised steering wheel.

Also available is a new appearance package for Flex SEL and Limited models, which bundles 20-inch wheels; leather seats; white, gray, or black contrast coloring for the roof and mirrors; and unique interior trim pieces. The new model year adds three paint colors, Ruby Red, Deep Impact Blue, and Kodiak Brown.