Ford 2009 Model Year Test Drive
Ford 2009 Model Year Test Drive
As you may already know, last week I went to Ford’s 2009 Model Year Product Program Event in Dearborn, MI. Ford paid for roughly 200, give or take a few, automotive people to come and check out all of their 2009 cars and technology. It was a lot of fun. I met some great journalists and got to drive some good cars on two of Ford’s tracks, a small slalom course and part of their road course test track. Needless to say I was able to put the Bullitt and many other Fords and Lincolns through their paces.
To me there is nothing better than getting the keys to numerous cars, whether they be crap or great, and driving the hell out of them, for free!
On my plane flight I started to try and think about the cars. I could still remember driving the Bullitt and the Flex, and was already ready to drive them again on the track. But I wanted to try and clear my head of every negative thought I had about Ford and try and see them for what they were trying to become and newly do.
There is no doubt that Ford treated us great while we were there. So much so that I think I gained 5 or 6 pounds, ugh…
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Ford Flex Scores Top Honors
As many of you saw, I test drove the 2009 Ford Flex a few weeks back and was incredibly impressed. Even more so, I went to Ford’s 2009 Model Year Product Program where I drove the Flex on the slalom course and test track. And may I just say for a 6 or 7-passenger MONSTROUS SUV (on the inside. The exterior projects a much smaller vehicle), that weighs 4468lbs in FWD trim and 4640lbs in AWD format, the Flex handles itself incredibly well and adjusts well to your level of input from the steering and gas around the track. The brakes were pretty damn good, too. I am more impressed each and every time I drive the Flex.
But, to one-up the Flex again, the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) came out with its crash test results for the Ford Flex. And I’m pleased to say that the Flex recieved top honors at 5-star frontal, 5-star side impact and 4-star rollover. What an achievement. I’m not trying to kiss Ford’s ass here, I’m just being honest.
The official Ford Press Release is after the jump.
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BREAKING NEWS: 2008-09 Bullitt Mustang is 2010 Mustang
BREAKING NEWS: 2008-09 Bullitt Mustang is 2010 Mustang!!!
I just got back from my overnight trip to Dearbon, Michigan to play with Ford’s new 2009 model lineup and technologies on their test tracks and such. It was a great trip. Although, the greatest part of the trip was being told that the 2008-2009 Bullitt Mustang is the platform for the 2010 Mustang GT.
Basically what this means is the 3.73 Limited-Slip Differential rear-end, the suspension and chassis tuning and setup is the basis, if not identical, for the 2010 Mustang GT. So the Bullitt is actually a rolling research project. But that is also the bad news. The Bullitt has no Independent Rear Suspension. I asked if the 2010 Mustang would go against the Bullitt in this respect, and I was told, no! What Ford has in the Bullitt is what we will get in 2010. The IRS is just too costly they say…
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2008 Auto Industry By The Numbers
2008 Auto Industry By The Numbers
You read the news and you’d think the sky was falling tomorrow. Well, it very could be, who knows. The auto industry is proving to ride the same wave as the economy does. I have devoured research upon research that shows both sides of the coin. It showcases that the automotive companies are being hit hard, and yes this is true. Remember Chrysler just killed its leasing programs and BMW, who runs 60% of their U.S. volume every year off of leases, have been trying to urge more customers to buy, rather than lease. The dollar is weak, labor is expensive and unions are costing more money by the day. What’s more, the materials to make cars are getting more expensive due to everyone being in a slump and riding the recession roller coaster. But, at the same time, this is an election year. And election years always prove to be a down turn for the economy for a little while. The sales slumps of each automaker keep pouring in month by month on all of the news reports. Even worse, gas prices are still high and now the automakers are continuing to raise prices on their cars for 2008 and 2009 to help even out their losses.
Every month Autoblog has their usual reports on how the car companies are doing by showing the monthly sales figures. Each month has shown the big 3 falling farther and farther, so much so that it’s now pointless to even assess how much money they have lost. Every carmaker is losing money in some form or another. Except each month you see Mini taking top honors in the best sales department, and it seems Hummer takes the cake for the worst. BMW Group is usually pretty high on the list each month, while more companies that you would expect to be rising are falling.
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Interesting GTR vs Z06 Video
I found this interesting video of the Nissan GTR versus the Corvette Z06. It seems to be a pretty old video, and of horrible quality, but it shows some points that I kind of already figured would be true…
( NEW) GTR R35 VS C6 Z06 - first street race.
The results, at least to me, are not that surprising. The weight of the GTR and lack of Turbo power up top help prove that it really is a pig. Below 120 MPH, though, there is no doubt the GTR is incredibly impressive. What do you guys think?
-Josh
“Happy Motoring!”
