Ford Focus - transportation and fashion, only in the UK

Note the red Focus tail lamps

When is a car a dress and when is a dress a car?  Can you accessorize your dress with jewelry made from your car?   Seems challenging to imagine and actually make it happen. 

Now in Britain, Ford has taken that challenge and delivered both a Focus automobile, but also a dress and jewelry from parts of the Focus car.

We have seen that automotive manufacturers have been using more intriguing, and some would say bizarre methods to draw attention to their new products, design and technology. 

Ford  has certainly been in the forefront of this kind of promotional activity as shown at the opening of LEGOland™ this fall complete with a Ford exhibit of a full size replica of a Ford Explorer made from 380,000 LEGO™ bricks and the Matchbox creation of an F350 Super Duty fire “brush truck” concept shown at SEMA in November.

First Drive - 2013 Chevy Malibu ECO debuts with eAssist™

The new 2013 Chevy Malibu ECO with eAssist™ technology to boost mileage, drives firmly yet very light on its feet in city driving.  The 2013 Malibu ECO is the first Chevrolet to be powered with the eAssist™ integrated power train including a new generation 6-speed transmission.

General Motors launched their “all new” 2013 Chevy Malibu ECO in Austin, Texas  this week, hosting national automotive media writers in a series of two day briefings with ride and drive events in the city and then closing with a half day drive around Lake Travis to fully evaluate the significantly improved Malibu.

According to Jeanne Merchant, the Vehicle Line Director for Global Midsize Cars at Chevrolet, the challenge was to build from the Malibu iconic brand, a new car that could compete around the world. She says that the result of the intense and accelerated development effort is a “Malibu that will shine in markets around the world”.

Eclectic Boomer: BIG is Better in the Infiniti QX56 4WD

Eclectic Boomer: BIG is Better in the Infiniti QX56 4WD: Hands down, the Infiniti QX56 is about the best large luxury SUV’s on the market this year. And for 2012, the very top of the line QX56 ...

BIG is Better in the Infiniti QX56 4WD

Hands down, the Infiniti QX56 is about the best large luxury SUV’s on the market this year.   And for 2012, the very top of the line QX56 AWD 4WD loaded with just about all of the extras available confirmed  that boldly for me during a test drive week just recently. 

We recently drove a 7 passenger version in Liquid Platinum with the lush leather appointed Wheat interior and Tuscan Burl trim that was every bit as comfortable and rich as it looked. Following a week of driving the QX56 in Texas Hill Country that included a night at the Paramount Theater in Austin to a wonderful lunch at the Salt Lick Barbecue in Dripping Springs and an afternoon at the Westcave Cellars Winery in Round Mountain, Texas, I would buy this SUV. 

2013 Dodge Dart will be revealed at Detroit Auto Show

You can win a trip to the 2012 Detroit Auto Show as a guest of Chrysler Group LLC Dodge Brand to attend the reveal of the exciting new 2013 Dodge Dart.  Many of us in the baby boomer generation "fondly" and with mixed emotions, remember the old "slant six" Dart that got us where we needed to go every time.  Now, we have a chance to own the Dart again, this time with Alpha Romeo styling and Dodge performance to create a new Dart driving experience.

Consumers are invited to follow www.Dodge.com/Dart information about the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart as the Detroit Auto Show approaches.  Some exterior shots are available with the announcement today.  Interiors will be revealed on the site on 12/13 and consumers can follow the reveal at the Detroit Auto Show live on line on January 9.

The website directs you to the Dodge Dart Facebook page where you can enter a drawing for a trip to the reveal in Detroit in January.  If you have never attended the Detroit Auto Show, it is not to miss.  And, by following and sharing the Dart on Facebook, you can increase your chances to win the trip.

2013 Cobra Jet Mustang is coming - Fans Can Help Choose Color Online

Get out your checkbooks and be the first of 50 people only to own the turnkey performance Cobra Jet Mustang 2013.  Somewhere between $86,000 and $93,000 (depending on the engine you choose) will get you one.  But the orders are “first come, first served”.

The Cobra Jet Mustang limited run is back for 2013 and you can also help choose the official color of the 2013 edition.   Choose the color of the 2013 Cobra Jet – classic white, silver or black – by voting online at www.fordracing.com. Voting ends Dec. 31, 2011.

Since its victorious introduction at the NHRA Winternationals in 1968, Ford’s Cobra Jet Mustang has created a legacy of power, performance and triumph. That legacy was renewed in 2008 when Ford Racing offered a limited run of the 40th Anniversary Cobra Jet Mustang that quickly sold out. Subsequent 2010 and 2012 model year offerings of the Cobra Jet have proved just as popular.

Friday Dec. 2, Ford Racing unveiled the 2013 Cobra Jet Mustang at the Performance Racing Industry show in Orlando, Fla.

The 2013 Cobra Jet offers two 5.0-liter Ti-VCT engine options. Customers may choose a naturally aspirated engine with Cobra Jet induction system, CNC ported heads, high-lift cams and low-drag accessory drive, or a 2.9-liter Whipple supercharged version with CNC port-matched manifold and heads, and a proprietary 10-rib supercharger drive system for high-rpm use without belt slip.

“The 5.0-liter has all the attributes to make a world-class drag racing engine and is ideal for the Cobra Jet,” said George Goddu, business manager, Ford Racing Performance Group.. “Both the naturally aspirated and supercharged engines will be competitive as delivered.”

The 2013 Cobra Jet chassis has been improved. Lightweight body modifications give better weight distribution and electric power steering provides better driveability without horsepower loss. A new roll cage design is optimized for safety and chassis rigidity while the brake pedal ratio has been revised for more modulation and stopping power. And the rear suspension geometry delivers faster and more consistent 60-foot times.

The 2013 Cobra Jet is priced to be the best value, with an approximate MSRP of $86,000 with the naturally aspirated engine option and $93,000 with the supercharged engine.

There will be additional options and pricing announced in January 2012.

2013 Cobra Jet production is limited to only 50 units and orders placed through Ford dealers will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. (Part number M-FR500-CJ.)

Production of Cobra Jets will commence in June 2012, with delivery of all vehicles expected midsummer 2012.

Nissan Nismo Concepts now include the Juke

The Nissan Juke is proving to be immensely popular both in Europe and the United States and Nissan is seizing on the growing popularity to not only create a Juke R as I reported earlier, but to also show a Juke Nismo concept at the recent Tokyo Motor Show.

Introducing a concept version of the Juke Nismo at the Tokyo Motor Show, Shoichi Miyatani, President of Nismo said, “Nismo adds even more excitement and innovation to Nissan products. We now plan to inject that style and excitement into other models in the Nissan range”.

The Juke Nismo Concept shown at the Tokyo show was finished in Nismo’s signature color of pearl white with their signature subtle red highlights. Though detail specifications were not immediately available, the Juke Nismo is said to include performance tuning for the suspension, more power from the 1.6-litre direct injection turbo engine along with a stylish functional aerodynamic body kit.

The distinctive styling of the Nissan Juke defines it within its segment. With the concept shown makes it even more distinctive. It is lower, wider and has a tougher stance. Standing still, it appears to be in motion. The dynamically efficient profile created with Nismo parts includes lower bumpers front and rear, wider fenders and sill side skirts.

"As the Concept shows, Nismo brings new levels of individuality to mainstream Nissan cars like Juke. The future for Nismo is to develop premium sports designs for an ever-widening range of customers," said Nismo President, Shoichi Miyatani.  "Our forthcoming range of cars will be just as accessible and innovative as every Nissan product, but with added Nismo energy they will be even more fun to own and drive," he added.In support of that commitment, Nissan is looking at additional production of complete performance versions of Nissan models (such as the Nismo 370Z RC I reported on in October).

Nismo will relocate to an all-new purpose designed global headquarters in Tsurumi, Yokohama at the start of 2013. The company plans to expand its range of Nismo performance parts and accessories in addition and by bringing all of Nismo’s activities under one roof, Nissan Nismo intends to create a global center of excellence for race and performance road car development. As well as a race shop, the centre will have a large maintenance area for service work, a heritage area where famous Nismo race and road cars will be displayed and a specialist store – the Omori Factory, named after Nismo’s current base – where customers can buy performance parts and items from the Nismo Collection.