Ford Set to Offer Manual Transmission in Top-Spec Focus Titanium

Ford Set to Offer Manual Transmission in Top-Spec Focus Titanium:

The redesigned 2012 Ford Focus is pretty popular here in the C/D office—we awarded it a 2012 10Best honor—and the same goes for manual transmissions. We like what happens when you put the two together, especially since it allows buyers to avoid the less-than-stellar dual-clutch automatic that’s offered in the Focus. The only problem with making this seemingly simple transmission choice is that not all Focus trim levels have been available with the three-pedal option. That’s why we’re happy to report that, per sources at Ford, the manual option is migrating this spring to the top-shelf Focus Titanium trim level.

Currently, the five-speed manual is only available on the base Focus S sedan and the mid-level SE sedan and hatch. The upmarket SEL and Titanium trims have been automatic-only, leaving enthusiasts seeking a Focus with all the trimmings out in the cold. (The SEL will remain automatic-only, and the turbocharged Focus ST will ship exclusively with a six-speed manual when it goes on sale later this year.) Regardless of transmission choice, the Titanium package includes MyFord Touch, front sport buckets, and 17-inch wheels as standard. An available handling package bundles a sport-tuned suspension and 18-inch wheels with summer tires.

We were told the decision to expand manual-transmission availability to the Titanium was guided by a combination of factors both within and outside of Ford, but the company is still taking a bit of a jump here. That’s because apparently enough customers have expressed interest in a top-spec manual Focus to make it happen—many asked specifically for a manual-equipped Titanium with the handling pack—but, so far, only about seven percent of buyers have chosen the stick in its available trims. The take rate may be low because of the transmission’s relatively limited availability, or because there actually isn’t all that much interest in it.

Either way, Ford will find out soon enough, as dealers have been told the manual-equipped Titaniums are on the way. We’ll consider the move a “win” for Save the Manuals fans everywhere.

Source : Google Reaeder

2013 Porsche Cayman Rendered: What We Know About Porsche’s Next Mid-Engine Coupe

2013 Porsche Cayman Rendered: What We Know About Porsche’s Next Mid-Engine Coupe:

Now that the third-generation Porsche Boxster has been announced, predicting its closed-roof variation is almost a no-brainer. This, dear readers, is what we believe the new Cayman should look like. You will remember that this mid-engine coupe was introduced as a derivative of the second-gen Boxster—and that Porsche surprised the industry with the chutzpah to charge more for the coupe than for the convertible.

Keep Reading: 2013 Porsche Cayman Rendered / Cayman S Rendered

Illustration by Christian Schulte

Source : Google Reaeder

Ford Reveals 2013 Fusion NASCAR Sprint Cup Car, Looks More Like Production Model than Old One

Ford Reveals 2013 Fusion NASCAR Sprint Cup Car, Looks More Like Production Model than Old One:

One of the hits of the 2012 Detroit auto show was the 2013 Ford Fusion, and the NASCAR Sprint Cup version of the Ford is the hit so far at this week’s NASCAR media tour at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The automaker debuted the race car to the press this afternoon, and it’s impressive, looking far sleeker than the “Car of Tomorrow” currently used by NASCAR. The main reason: It maintains many styling cues from the production Fusion, including its nose, tail, greenhouse, and even profile. The same wide-mouth grille and squinty headlights and taillights also are present, at least in sticker form.

Currently, thanks to NASCAR’s “COT” uniform design, every stock car wears a body shell that’s nearly identical, with brand identification essentially consisting of a handful of headlight and grille decals. Beginning next season, however, NASCAR wants manufacturers to race Sprint Cup cars that wear more brand-specific bodywork, and that means forthcoming race models from Chevrolet, Dodge, and Toyota also will more closely resemble their street counterparts. Unlike the introduction of the Mustang Nationwide race car, which was gradually introduced over two seasons, the new Fusion will debut as Ford’s entry at the 2013 Daytona 500 in just over a year.

The debut took place in the Nationwide Series garage at Charlotte Motor Speedway, with Ford executives and even NASCAR honcho Mike Helton in attendance. The event included Ford putting the only two 2013 Fusion race cars in existence on the track for a demonstration. There is obviously no rear-drive, V-8–powered Fusion in Ford’s lineup—and there will be no turbocharged NASCAR entry despite the hilariously inaccurate EcoBoost stickers seen here—but neither Chevrolet nor Toyota have such a model, either. (Chrysler’s Dodge Charger, of course, is offered in such a configuration.) Looking at the NASCAR Fusion, though, we mused that a performance coupe version of the production car just might sell; in person, the thing almost has the presence of a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG coupe. At minimum, at least this new race car will be more pleasing to fans’ eyes than the current car and its razor-blade grille graphics.

Andy Slankard, Ford’s NASCAR production manager, said that NASCAR and Ford “heard the fans loud and clear—they want more brand identity in their race cars.” Such a shift began in 2010, when the aforementioned Mustang debuted, which led Chrysler to enter a semi-realistic Dodge Challenger. Chevrolet has unfortunately not embraced the idea of a NASCAR version of the Camaro, and Toyota no longer has anything but the four-door Camry. Slankard said Ford came close to using the Mustang in Sprint Cup competition, “but once we saw this new Fusion, it seemed like a natural to stick with that.”

Even though we’re still a ways off from the old “Race on Sunday, sell on Monday” dynamic from NASCAR’s halcyon days—beyond driveline and engine differences, there is that pesky tube-frame in the stock car—this Fusion shows we’re closer than we’ve been in years. Given that, we dig.

Source : Google Reaeder

Tech Dept.: Diving Inside Porsche’s Seven-Speed Manual and PDK Transaxles

Tech Dept.: Diving Inside Porsche’s Seven-Speed Manual and PDK Transaxles:

Rummaging through the parts bin to build several cars out of the same basic bits is nothing new and, in rare cases,can even result in cars with distinct personalities. Porsche’s Boxster, Cayman, and 911 don’t suffer from sharing a multitude of  body, chassis, and powertrain components. Now Porsche’s transmission engineers have moved parts-sharing down to the micro level to reap two transaxles from one blueprint. The world’s first seven-speed manual gearbox is an offshoot of the seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic introduced three years ago for the 997-series 911. Both are available in the 2012 991-series 911 Carrera and Carrera S.

Keep Reading: A Tale of Two Porsche Seven-Speeds: Manual and PDK – Tech Dept.

Source : Google Reaeder

Blacked-Out Jeep Grand Cherokee Concept Previews Upcoming Special Edition

Blacked-Out Jeep Grand Cherokee Concept Previews Upcoming Special Edition:

This blacked-out, unnamed (more on that later) Grand Cherokee concept isn’t a radical show car. Instead, it previews a potential future special-edition model. The SUV is being shown at the Houston auto show today, where Jeep says it will study the public reaction to the “concept” to determine whether to put it on sale. There may not be much deliberation; the concept’s mere existence and imminent plausibility mean this Grand Cherokee likely is happening.

To create the “production-intent” concept, Jeep started with a mid-level Grand Cherokee Laredo X and added lots of black accents. Pretty much everything on the exterior has been given the dark treatment, save for the chrome window trim, select badges, and the exhaust tips. The concept’s wheels are “one-of-a-kind” for a Jeep; in actuality, they’re just gloss-black Dodge Durango R/T pieces. Overall, the stealth treatment results in the meanest-looking Grand Cherokee this side of the vented and flared SRT8.

Jeep also will show a red-painted version of the same concept at the Washington, D.C., auto show tomorrow—a company spokesperson tells us that if (okay, when) the Jeep goes on sale it will be offered in a variety of colors with the same black trimmings.

Jeep will hold an online “Name My Ride” contest for the model (further proof of production inevitability) and select three choices from the entries. Consumers can then vote online and the person who submits the chosen, official vehicle name will have a chance to win a new 2012 Grand Cherokee. Allow us to suggest a few: “Jeep Grand Cherokee Everything’s Blacker in Texas Edition” for this one and “Jeep Grand Cherokee Red-Tape Edition” for the D.C. version; we also like “Jeep Grand Cherokee R/T,” “Toledo 1-8-7,” and “Black Death.” Whatever it’s ultimately called, expect this special Jeep to go on sale this spring.

Source : Google Reaeder

Mini Wants to Position JCW as Full-Fledged Performance Sub-Brand, Sell Diesels in the U.S.

Mini Wants to Position JCW as Full-Fledged Performance Sub-Brand, Sell Diesels in the U.S.:

Prior to his current job as head of Mini, Kay Segler ran BMW’s M division. It seems almost obvious, then, when he tells us that he wants JCW to serve the same purpose for Mini that M does for BMW.

Once the JCW Countryman arrives, Mini will offer John Cooper Works packages for all of its models, but Segler wants to further differentiate JCW products in the future. This means that cars wouldn’t so much be equipped with the John Cooper Works package, but rather positioned as standalone models.

Mini already considers the standard JCW powerplant—a turbocharged 1.6-liter four making at least 208 hp—a “unique” engine, and not a standard Cooper S mill with more boost. But we interpret Segler’s remarks to mean that the John Cooper Works engine will come in for additional work in the future; that could mean it will get some unique internals, or that the displacement will be increased. Segler’s sentiments also suggest that more hard-core, limited-edition models like the upcoming new-gen Mini GP could be produced.

Other than the Countryman, Mini models are likely to remain front-wheel-drive-only for the foreseeable future. Getrag showed a proof of concept for an all-wheel-drive setup that would fit in a regular Mini hatchback a few years ago, but Segler told us it was still too expensive to adopt without much higher volumes. The engineers and execs at Mini are aware there’s a limit to how much power the front wheels of a car can handle, and that the current JCW cars are right up to the edge. How they’ll deal with adding power in the future, then, remains an open question. We have spotted all-wheel-drive Mini hybrid prototypes, however, with electric motors providing power to the rear wheels; this is one possible solution.

Even though Minis have a real penchant for getting absurdly expensive with options and accessories—see our $46,244, ex-long-term JCW convertible as a prime example—Segler says the company will be careful about pricing future John Cooper Works offerings. Take a note from the relatively reasonable pricing of the BMW 1-series M and M3 GTS, we’re told. Considering that the 1-series M was something of a bargain at $47,010, that’s encouraging.

Diesel For You, Too

The single most common request that Mini gets from American customers, however, isn’t for more JCW models—it’s for diesel engines. “We’re delighted to hear it,” Segler said enthusiastically. “We are looking into this not for the short term, but for the medium term.” The current generation of Minis will run on gasoline only, but when the third-generation model arrives in a few years, we’re nearly certain that a diesel engine will be offered. The 143-hp, 225 lb-ft diesel four in the Mini Cooper SD in Europe is a gem, and we agree with Mini execs that a subset of the brand’s fans in the States would love it. (We have previously tested a less-powerful Mini Cooper D; you can read that review here.)

If a Mini dizzler does happen, figure on it arriving in 2014 at the earliest.

Source : Google Reaeder

The Continental’s Detroit Notebook: The Best Motor City Show in a While

The Continental’s Detroit Notebook: The Best Motor City Show in a While:

Each week, our German correspondent slices and dices the latest rumblings, news, and quick-hit driving impressions from the other side of the pond. His byline may say Jens Meiners, but we simply call him . . . the Continental.

After this year’s Detroit auto show and a trip to California for a press event, I am back on my German home turf. This Detroit auto show—public days of which just ended last weekend—was the best one in several years. After thumbing through my notes, I’ve compiled a few of my observations from Cobo Hall and subsequent meetings, outlining the highlights, lowlights, and so-so performances.

Yes: Acura NSX. Finally, another super sports car from Honda! A Honda/Acura rebirth is on the way, disturbing comments by the company’s North American marketing executives notwithstanding. This car won’t be a compromise. One caveat: Voices tell me CEO Ito has seen the light in the form of electrics and hybrids. At least he thinks so.

No: Cadillac ATS. Cadillac has been defined by its characteristic and unmistakably angular styling language, and I was expecting an ultra-contemporary, aggressive compact sports sedan. A sharper and more compact CTS, please. Alas, the ATS falls flat down on its unremarkable face—and the interior doesn’t save it, either. Are Cadillac’s designers voluntarily abandoning its styling language, or was this car clinicked to death? At this point, it makes no difference. But hey, it’s supposed to beat the 3-series on the road, right? We’ll see.

Yes: Audi’s Q3 Vail concept. “Two months ago, [CEO] Rupert Stadler asked us to create a Q3 for America to gauge interest in the car,” says exterior designer Frank Gruner. His team took the off-road styling package add-ons, resprayed them in a granite color, added running boards, aluminum appliqués, and 20-inch wheels, plus an aluminum roof rack with integrated LED lights.The concept was so well received that Stadler confirmed the Q3 will come to the U.S.

So-so: the Mercedes-Benz SL550. I love the fact this car is up to 275 pounds lighter than its predecessor, and I am sure it will be an absolute blast to drive. (Please also mark me down for extended test drives of the upcoming SL63 and SL65 AMG versions.) Meanwhile, however, allow me to comment on the interior design: I noted the center air vents and screen are slightly off-center, presumably so the center left vent’s airflow won’t disturb the driver’s right hand. Not a lovely solution, and I strongly suspect this isn’t what the original sketch looked like. But an absolute low point is the “Mercedes-Benz” lettering on the steering wheel—curved and in italics—that oozes all the tasteful restraint of a “Stauer Meisterzeit” timepiece (consult your in-flight shopping catalog). It is patently misplaced in an ultra-modern sports car. As to the SL’s exterior: Why does the gap of the trunk/roof cover extend to the sides when Mercedes managed to avoid this on the SLK? For which full-size truck were the enormous headlights originally designed? And does Mercedes really intend to establish those flimsy-looking exterior mirrors and those oval, 1990s door handles as the connecting element bridging all vehicle classes?

Yes: German suppliers. Schaeffler, KSPG, ZF, and Continental showed a number of technologies to enhance efficiency, ranging from lighter and more-efficient transmissions to turbochargers, auxiliary components, and—if you must—range extenders. Impressive stuff worth looking into. One executive says: “Thanks to all the talk about CO2, we can finally sell the technical solutions that we’ve peddled to carmakers for years.” That said, he doesn’t believe in the horrible tale of the perils of CO2. But that’s just his personal opinion . . .

No: Tesla Model S. The fit and finish of the five-door-seven-seater-130-mph-300-mile-range miracle car marked a nadir at this show. It looks fine from a considerable distance, but don’t get too close. Taillights were unevenly glued together; body parts fit poorly; and the interior, with its crude flat screens, is a 1960s futuristic nightmare. The car is supposed to be delivered to customers this summer? I wonder if Franz von Holzhausen would have gotten away with this at an internal, early-stage presentation at Mazda.

Yes: Porsche. It’s good to see the German icon in Detroit, only some years after former CEO Wendelin Wiedeking thought the brand could do without the show. No way. (And Jaguar/Land Rover really should have been there, too.)

So-so: the Dodge Dart. It looks like a 1990s compact and—this is an educated guess based on experience with its Italian siblings—a Volkswagen GTI will probably run circles around it. But it has a nicely executed interior, its technical basis is efficient, and it puts Dodge back in the game.

And my favorite: VW CEO Martin Winterkorn. On the Mercedes stand, he was all over the new SL with its 90-percent-plus aluminum structure. Just to be sure, the VW boss produced a small magnet to examine the innovative structure. You see, Winterkorn is a materials scientist. At supplier presentations, we’ve seen him scrape the surface off samples with a knife—to ensure he isn’t presented with a dummy part. This executive is a paragon of a genuine car-guy culture.

So much for Detroit; this Conti is written from the Rally Monte Carlo, which Sébastien Loeb, driving a Citroën DS3 WRC, has just won. An unbelievably cool rally. More on that next week.

Source : Google Reaeder