2011 Ford Mustang GT vs. 2010 BMW M3: Tie Game? [w/poll]

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Performance, BMW, Ford, Luxury

Alright, fan boys (and girls), prepare for battle. The ever keen-eyed Sam Smith over at Jalopnik has spied an interesting phenomenon in the car universe. The new 2011 Ford Mustang GT performance figures are within spitting distance of the mighty 2010 BMW M3. The Bavarian bruiser produces 414 horsepower out of its milky-smooth 4.0-liter V8 and hits the scales at 3,652 lbs. Meanwhile, the 5.0-liter Mustang serves up two less horsepower, but weighs 40 pounds less, too.

At this point, odds are your blood is pumping no matter which side of the ring you happen to find yourself on. Stats that close yield frighteningly similar numbers when the two cars hit the track, too. The M3 can clip off the 0-60 dash in 4.3 seconds. The Mustang can do it in 4.4. Quarter mile? Deadlocked at 12.7 seconds at 111.3 mph.

It’s true, a quarter mile doth not a sports car make, which is why these next figures are so important. While the M3 can come down from 60 mph in 105 feet, the Mustang can do the same in 104. And here’s the real shocker: Both cars hold onto the skidpad at .97 g. Now, before the comments go superfly TNT, it’s worth noting that the as-tested BMW will set you back an eye-widening $28,180 more than the Ford. We could think of a thing or two to do with an extra 30-large.

So the question remains, which would you take home?

View Poll

[Source: Jalopnik]

2011 Ford Mustang GT vs. 2010 BMW M3: Tie Game? [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Videos, Audi, Celebrities, Luxury

We’re officially counting down the days until Iron Man 2 hits theaters on May 7. The sequel to one of our favorite superhero flicks is set to boast a serious cast, including performances by Don Cheadle and Micky Rourke. Speaking of those two, the actors will be bringing two of the best characters from the Iron Man universe to life – War Machine and Whiplash. Oh yes. It will be good.

Of course, one of the best parts of watching Robert Downey Jr. play the part of spoiled playboy Tony Stark is drooling over the guy’s bachelor pad/garage. We would give unmentionable portions of our anatomy to have our very own holographic drafting table and pint-sized manufacturing facility stashed downstairs. You can go ahead and throw in the flathead ‘32 roadster while you’re at it.

Audi has once again teamed up with Marvel for Iron Man 2. A new ad from the company shows off the R8 Spyder as one of Stark’s main rides, which makes sense considering the car was spotted on the set not too long ago. As if we needed another reason to be jealous. Hit the jump to see the spot for yourself.

[Source: Audi via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Audi R8 Spyder gets lead role in Iron Man 2

Video: Audi R8 Spyder gets lead role in Iron Man 2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Ford, Humor

Ford has officially stirred up a mess of snakes by inviting consumers to submit their ideas on how to improve the company’s vehicles to its website at TheFordStory.com. We’ve spent the better part of a day sifting through what the world has to say to Ford, and though we expected bucket loads of the web’s own brand of vitriol, so far the comments were largely constructive.

We say “largely” because, as you know, the internet is still the home of LOL Cats and Chocolate Rain, and for every common sense suggestion on the site, there’s one telling the company to offer an automatic pet feeder as an option. We wish we were kidding.

Ford has split its internet suggestion box into six categories ranging from performance and driving dynamics to safety, and while we dig ideas like trimming weight through the use of structural adhesives and the implementation of rear fog lights, a few themes rose above the rest to grab our attention. We’ve cataloged five we think Ford could do well to listen to, along with another five the company could skip all together.

Follow the jump to peek inside the suggestion box.

Continue reading Ford Gets An Earful: Five best and worst ideas from consumers

Ford Gets An Earful: Five best and worst ideas from consumers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Technology, BMW

BMW has just announced that the company will join forces with Seattle-based SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers LLC to build a new manufacturing facility in Moses Lake, Washington. Don’t get too excited just yet. The plant won’t be cranking out CF bits for your 3 Series so that you can have a roof that looks like the one on your neighbor’s M3 (shown above). Instead, BMW says the $100 million facility will be creating carbon-fiber reinforced plastics for the upcoming Megacity vehicle. At the same time, SGL and BMW will be creating 80 jobs in the Moses Lake area.

The Megacity vehicle is slated for launch in 2015, and will get stitched together at BMW’s plant in Lepzig, Germany. Since that’s the case, you may be asking yourself why the Bavarian automaker would bother investing in a facility nestled half way around the globe in the sticks of Washington State. Turns out the answer is that the location has plenty of things going for it, including clean hydro electric power, a capable work force and a government that was willing to work with both SGL and BMW.

Both companies have made a point of saying that this is a big step for the democratization of carbon fiber in auto manufacturing. Let’s hope they’re right.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW, SGL announce new carbon fiber plant in Moses Lake, WA

BMW, SGL announce new carbon fiber plant in Moses Lake, WA originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Toyota

According to Reuters, a federal judge has consolidated the majority of lawsuits filed against Toyota involving unintended acceleration. Over 100 such suits have been bundled together by U.S. District Judge James Selna, and temporary lead counsel has been chosen for both sides of the case. Expect a star-studded cast to show up for this one, including lawyers formerly involved with everything from Big Tobacco legislation to the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

Toyota is staring down the barrel of some pretty hefty claims, including calls for complete refunds for owners of the recalled vehicles. Needless to say, that’s something the company is aiming to avoid at all costs.

The initial hearing is set for May 13, and the outcome will likely weigh heavily on the public’s opinion of Toyota, not to mention the company’s bottom line.

[Source: Reuters | Image: Andrew Yates/APF/Getty]

Reuters: Unified Toyota lawsuits set in motion by judge originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Safety, Videos

Sébastien Buemi ran into a bit of trouble during practice at the Shanghai International Circuit. After busting down the back straight, the Formula One racer applied the brakes, apparently causing enough stress on a previously untested set of uprights to cause the pieces to shatter. When that happened, the whole front suspension was compromised, and what ensued can only be called catastrophic failure.

The Toro Rosso car’s front wheels shot off of the racer like a cheap McDonalds toy, leaving Buemi to fend for himself as he slid into the gravel pit. Fortunately, the Swiss racer was unharmed. A report from The Guardian notes that on his return to the garage, Buemi had a few choice words for his team.

Meanwhile, teammate Jaime Alguersuari had no problem cranking out a total of 43 laps without incident, finishing eighth fastest in the process. The Chinese Grand Prix kicks off this weekend, and the Toro Rosso engineers are confident they can get Buemi’s car back together before the green flag drops. Hit the jump to see the accident for yourself. Thanks for the tip, Tyler!

[Sources: YouTube, The Guardian]

Continue reading Video: Sébastien Buemi unhurt in crazy Shanghai F1 GP practice crash

Video: Sébastien Buemi unhurt in crazy Shanghai F1 GP practice crash originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: China, Marketing/Advertising, Geely, Beijing Motor Show

Chinese automaker Geely Holding Group is giving that divide and conquer thing a shot. The company is apparently planning to begin selling all of its vehicles under three different brands starting next year. That means current products will likely see a logo and name change before 2010 is over and done with. Starting in 2011, Geely Holding Group will sell vehicles under the Gleagle, Emgrand and Englon banners.

And what about Marple? That brand will continue to sell alongside its three new brothers, but only until the end of its vehicles product cycles. After that, it will fade into oblivion.

Why is Geely Holding Group shaking things up like this? Our bet is the company is hoping keep from overwhelming buyers. We recently heard Geely plans to show off a total of 58 vehicles at the upcoming Beijing Motor Show. Splitting those models up between three brands would be an easy way to make the products more approachable for buyers. Besides, it worked for General Motors, right? Right??

[Source: Gasgoo]

Report: Geely to adopt (confusing) new multi-brand system originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Budget, Recalls, Crossover, Toyota, Canada

Toyota just can’t seem to get out from under its recall woes. According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, the feds are once again taking a close look at the Japanese manufacturer, this time for failing to recall the Venza here in the U.S. promptly enough. The company first recalled the crossover in Canada back in December, but postponed the move here in the States because the problematic all-weather floor mats weren’t available down south.

Thing is, Toyota recalled the Venza in the U.S. on January 27, anyway. That delay is enough to raise some eyebrows in Washington, especially since manufacturers are required to notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of a potential defect within five business days of discovering the glitch.

Toyota told the Los Angeles Times that the floor mat used in the U.S. is different from the one implemented in Canada, and that once the company realized that the Venza accelerator pedal could become trapped even with the American mat, it issued the recall. Whether that will be enough to satisfy the federal regulators looking into the delay remains to be seen.

[Source: Los Angeles Times]

Records reportedly suggest Toyota delayed U.S. Venza recall by six weeks originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Videos

If you can count the number of hours you spent blowing up pixilated cars in the very first Grand Theft Auto by the tens, the video after the jump will probably strike a chord. The genius souls over at Honest Directors have taken it upon themselves to whip up a car chase, complete with images borrowed from Google Earth. There’s plenty of carnage, including an explosion or two, and a lot of other awesome special effects.

Feel free to hop the jump to see the action for yourself. If you’ll excuse us, we hate to be so short… but you can find us dusting off our old GTA disks out back if you need something that just can’t wait.

[Source: How We Drive via Jalopnik]

Continue reading Video: Google Maps great for viewing aerial chases

Video: Google Maps great for viewing aerial chases originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 09:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Celebrities

We won’t ask you whether or not you want the real-life F-Bomb 1973 Camaro because, let’s face it, deep down inside, we all want a 1,500 horsepower, twin-turbo V8 beast to play with. But would you lay down your hard-earned pay check on a facsimile of the car built for the latest Fast and the Furious? If so, here’s your chance. One of the movie cars built just for filming and piloted by Vin Diesel himself is up for grabs.

The car is being sold by the Volo Auto Museum for a measly $39,998. We’re assured that the Camaro is fully functional, and is capable of being driven on the street if your heart so desires. It’s worth noting that the replica gets its power from a fairly healthy 350 V8 bolted to an automatic gearbox instead of the glorious mill Hot Rod Magazine chose for the genuine article. Originally set up for wheelie scenes and camera work, the faux F-Bomb still boasts all of the hardware for those duties.

Could you build your own F-Bomb replica for less than $40k? Maybe, but it wouldn’t have a film history behind it.

[Source: Volo Auto Museum]

Vin Diesel’s F-Bomb 1973 Camaro for sale originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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