Chrysler has received a tremendous amount of negative criticism for their full-page ads thanking America for our “investment” in Chrysler. This is in reference, of course, to the $4 billion dollar bailout package the company just received.
The fury stems from the fact that Chrysler paid up to a quarter of a million dollars for some […]
I’m ashamed to admit that last Wednesday was the first time I’ve ever actually driven a hybrid. I’ve read all about them and can recite specs until I’m blue in the face, but I didn’t expect it to actually be fun.
That’s right, fun.
The Escape hybrid and Mariner hybrid can run in electric-only mode at up to […]
While in Detroit, I had the opportunity to drive several 2009 Fords, Lincolns, and Mercurys that are either new for 2009 or have been significantly updated.
I also had the chance to drive the 2008 and 2009 Ford Escapes with 4 cylinder engines back-to-back to evaluate the drive train improvements. Huge difference. Horsepower is only […]
I’m back from Detroit. It was a very full day today.
We started the day being bussed from the hotel to the Dearborn Development Center. There were four stations that our time was split between. Two were tents where various manufacturing and engineering aspects of present and upcoming Ford vehicles were discussed. The other two […]
A short while back, I reported on the state of the electric car. I missed one future offering.
It’s hard to keep a straight face with this one. SSC, makers of the 256 mph Ultimate Aero, have announced that they will have a prototype of a 500 horsepower electric car, the SSC Ultimate Aero EV, […]
About a year ago, I asked “Are electric cars ready for primetime?”
It seems the answer was a resounding no.
Let’s see where each of those three stand today.
Tesla Roadster - A year ago I said that this one had the best shot at being produced. I still think that’s true, although they are looking more […]
You know how every adventure movie has that one scene with the mining cart? You know, the one where the hero loses the brakes in the cart and goes careening down into the mine. Eddie Rickenbacker did that.
You know when Snoopy gets up on his doghouse and dons his scarf and goggles and becomes […]
Ford’s Sync system lets drivers control various functions of their audio system, MP3 players and bluetooth phone without ever taking their hands off the wheel or their eyes off the road. It’s voice activated and appears to work well. Best of all they have great commercials for it.
But it’s powered by Microsoft.
There’s no doubt […]
The highlight of the auto show for me has been a tour of Ford/Lincoln/Mercury products led by none other than Peter Horbury, Ford’s Executive Director, Design, North America.
The vehicles he discussed were the New F-150, The Ford Flex, the Ford Verve concept (possible production by 2010), and the Mercury Mariner Hybrid.
Audio of the entire tour […]
Ford’s Verve concept is a gorgeous car to look at, and you can’t fault them for trying to introduce a viable contender in the small car market. I think the real sticking point will be price. If they can’t bring this car to market at a price comparable to a Honda Civic, I’m afraid it […]
