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Horsepower hi-fi: 2010 Ford Mustang GT

Buried in the midst of Car and Driver magazine's report on the 2010 Ford Mustang GT ($28,845) I spotted a reference to the engineers newfound awareness of sound. Not in the sense of a new multichannel sound system or iPod dock, no, Ford "pipes-in" the sound of the GT's 315 horsepower V-8 engine to the cockpit.

The specially designed pipe, dubbed a "Sound Induction Tube," transmits the sensual sounds of the Mustang's throbbing American V-8 muscle. In fact, the tube is fitted with a "Tuned Membrane" to provide just the … Read more

99: The Car Tech guys have a beer with you

Hyundai protects buyers who lose their jobs; December's another disaster for car sales; "solar Prius" may be a crock; and sit down for a beer with Wayne, Antuan, and Brian.

Listen now: Download today's podcast SHOW NOTES

• Ford Park Assist: See it in action.

• CNET's Tech Car of the Year announcement is imminent

• Solar Prius? Really?

• Is Chrysler aiming to become America's BMW?

• Car Tech Preview from the Consumer Electronics Show

Ford offers Lincoln 'Park Assist'

A new feature from Ford Motor will allow drivers to let their car do the steering when faced with a parallel parking space, the company announced Tuesday.

This latest car gadget, which Ford calls Active Park Assist, works slightly differently than the park assist feature on Toyota's self-parking Lexus.

On the self-parking Lexus, the driver can use an interface to adjust the space the car aims for, and only maintains control over the brake while it's maneuvering.

In Ford's version the driver pulls up alongside a space and pushes a button. The car then applies ultrasonic-based sensors … Read more

Ford accelerates electric-vehicle plans

Ford Motor made electric vehicles a centerpiece of a turnaround plan presented to Congress on Tuesday, saying that it will introduce an all-electric van for fleet use in 2010 and a sedan in 2011.

The Big Three U.S. automakers are scheduled to return to Washington, D.C., this week with the hopes of negotiating loans to forestall a collapse from lack of cash.

All three companies are seeing a continued dip in sales, but Ford is considered far better off financially than General Motors and Chrysler. Ford on Tuesday said it could be cash-flow positive from operations by 2011, … Read more

Restyled Mustang: More refinement, horsepower

The 2010 Mustang has been re-engineered and restyled--the pony car's first major change since the 2005 model.

"This car is a modern interpretation of the Mustang heritage," Doug Gaffka, the Mustang's chief designer, said at a media briefing this month in Dearborn, Mich. "That is what we want to get across to everyone."

The 2010 message also is about refinement in terms of ride, handling, steering, braking, vibration and noise level -- and especially the look and feel of the Mustang's interior, a hot-button issue with some Mustang enthusiasts.

"It is about … Read more

2009 Ford Flex (review)

With the body of a 1950s station wagon, what's the Ford Flex doing on a car technology site? The answer is inside, as this retro-wagon features the best infotainment system currently available. Mention an album name, and the stereo will start playing it. Say a street name, and the car will show you how to get there, on a route that avoids any bad traffic. Get low on fuel, and the car can tell you where to find the cheapest gas. It even gives you a weather forecast, movie times, and sports scores.

As for the drive quality, well, … Read more

Video: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

The Fusion is a big bet for Ford, so it's about time it goes hybrid.

Its new hybrid drive system gets--according to Ford's estimates--5mpg more than the Toyota Camry Hybrid, while the EcoGauge system helps drivers to keep their lead foot in check. Toss in a fantastic sounding Sony stereo system controlled by Microsoft Sync and you've got the makings of a great tech package to go with your green powertrain.

See all coverage of the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Photos: Ford offers a Fusion Hybrid

The Fusion, Ford's bread-and-butter mid-size sedan, gets a significant update for 2010, complete with new body work, new cabin tech options, and an all new hybrid model. Ford built on the hybrid powertrain technology it already uses in the Ford Escape Hybrid, but significantly retunes it for the Fusion, giving it a top electric speed of about 47 mph. Gas mileage is estimated to be around 38mpg city and 35mpg highway. Along with its high-tech powertrain, the Fusion Hybrid gets an innovative instrument cluster with a variety of gauges to monitor economy and powertrain operation. Putting it over the … Read more

'Green Car Journal' announces 2009 Green Car of the Year

LOS ANGELES--The Green Car Journal gave its 2009 Green Car of the Year award to the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. This year's list of nominees included the BMW 335d, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid, and Smart ForTwo. The Jetta TDI uses a 2-liter, turbocharged, diesel, four-cylinder engine to achieve an EPA-rated 41mpg highway fuel economy and 30mpg city. Volkswagen's new clean diesel technology makes the car legal in all 50 states, meeting California's stringent Air Resources Board requirements, under which is qualifies as a SULEV, or Super … Read more