Ford continues work on 420-hp Coyote 5.0L V8, will replace Boss V8 in 2010

According to sources from the land down under, Ford is marching forward with its ‘Coyote’ 5.0L V8 for the Ford Falcon. Ford Australia confirmed that it will still use V8s beyond the life of the current 5.4L V8 Boss engine.

The Coyote 5.0L V8 is currently being tested in the U.S. with outputs coming in at 402-hp with a maximum torque of 398 lb-ft.

The Australian Ford Falcon is expected to get the engine in 2010 and rumor has it that the engine will find its way under the hood of the 2011 Mustang and the Ford F-150 later next year.

While the decision to develop a new V8 may be a bit surprising to a market that is moving towards turbo V6 units, Ford Australia product development director Russell Christophers said that performance enthusiasts are still looking for a V8.

“We are going to have to take a punt,” said Christophers. “It is amazing how that segment has really stood up. If people just want performance they would buy the turbo, but plenty of people are still buying the V8.

Source: Drive

Vorsteiner’s Ventross Nissan GT-R will be built-to-order

Vorsteiner announced today that sales of its Ventross Nissan GT-R will begin from June 1. Instead of mass-producing the package, Vorsteiner will produce its Ventross Nissan GT-R on a built-to-order basis making sure that each unit is of the highest-quality

Unique Sportcars/Novitec Rosso unveil the Ferrari F430 Calavera

In a partnership with Novitec Rosso, Unique Sportcars has unveiled their first design concept based on the Ferrari F430. The Ferrari F430 Clavaera also features work by airbrush artist Knud Tiroch, who has previously designed for David Coulthard, ZZ Top and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

After Unique Sportcars and Tiroch finished adding their visual touches, Novitec added twin-superchargers to the 4.3L 8-cylinder engine allowing for a total of 707-hp. 0 to 62 mph comes in just 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 216 mph.

Unique Sportcars is hoping that customers that want more than just an off-the-shelf product, will opt for some custom-tailoring done by their team. The customizer said that all work takes about 3 months to complete.

Make the leap for the press release and the high-res image gallery.

Unique Sportcars/Novitec Rosso Ferrari F430 Calavera:

Press Release:

Ferrari F430 “CALAVERA” by Unique Sportcars and Novitec Rosso

Calavera “where performance meets design”

Using 11 months of design and development, the bavarian design house “Unique Sportcars” has completed their first design concept: A Super Sports Car for the streets.

Limiting the series to the number of 11, the unique “Calavera” design is based on the Ferrari F430, collaborating exclusively with Ferrari Specialist Novitec Rosso and Airbrush Artist Knud Tiroch.

The “Calavera” concept (Spanish: Skull) is the brand of Unique Sportcars, mother of future design implementations.

In touch with modern fashion, Unique Sportcars has combined “whats hot” with a luxurious sports car, the “Calavera”.

All involved create an inspiring team. For over 20 years, Novitec is well-known on the tuning scene. In the early 90s, Novitic received attention and recognition for their Turbo- and Supercharged motors for Alfa Romeo. 2003 was the year of the first Novitec Rosso twin-supercharger engine for Ferrari, making a statement to professionals worldwide.

Knud Tiroch is one of a kind. He belongs to Europe`s finest Airbrush artists and is responsible for creating the exclusive designs on chassis and interior. His finesse was of great use to David Coulthard, ZZ Top, Arnold Schwarzenegger and many more.

Unique Sportcars develops exclusive designs for customers wanting more than off-the-shelf. Custom-tailoring individual ideas and customer’s wishes, we are on the look-out for partners to make these come to life. Idea, Concept and Implementation, all from one source!

Besides design composition and project engineering, these Bavarians have developed a few special extras. “Calavera’s” front is suited with daytime lights, creating a more agressive look, but not impeding on it`s aerodynamics.

A real eye-catcher is the illuminated engine compartment. This non-standard gimmick puts the “Calavera” in spotlight, setting the tone for the brute rear and 707 HP engine.

The finishing touch is given through its interior. The “Calavera” design continues. Embroidered seats and a modified, extended middle console, leaving room for conventional functions and extensions like the new generation Apple iPod.

The whole procedure of tuning includes completely dismantling the vehicle`s frame. The modifications of engine, aerodynamics, rims, tires and sports exhaust system are done by Novitec.

All custom work is completed within about 3 months.
A bolide, right on schedule for the last series of the Ferrari F430; creating a new sensation.

Summary…a brilliant combination of exclusive design and modern technology. Truely, a “Unique Sportcar”.

Technical Details

707 hp / 520 kW, 712 Nm, 0 - 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds, a top speed of 348 km/h and extremely sporty interior appointments. At the heart of the CALAVERA lies the NOVITEC ROSSO twin-supercharger engine in its latest evolutionary stage. Up to now, the eight-cylinder, four-valve engine with a displacement of 4,308 ccm and mechanical NOVITEC ROSSO twin superchargers produced 656 hp / 482 kW.

The sprint from rest to 100 km/h is shortened by half a second to 3.5 seconds. After just 10.5 seconds the car reaches 200 km/h. The 300-km/h barrier is shattered after 29.9 seconds. In combination with longer gear ratios available upon request the top speed grows from 315 km/h to 348 km/h.

20-inch wheels instead of the standard 19-inch wheels: The three-piece NOVITEC ROSSO NF3 double-spoke wheels in sizes 8.5Jx20 in front and 12Jx20 on the rear axle fill out the F430 wheel houses perfectly. High-performance tires in sizes 235/30 ZR 20 and 325/25 ZR 20 come from technology partner PIRELLI.

Like all other body components the NOVITEC ROSSO front spoiler was developed in the wind tunnel. It is attached to the underside of the production front apron. It lends the F430 an even more aggressive frontal appearance and reduces lift on the front axle Agile, safe handling is one of the strengths of the NOVITEC ROSSO sport suspension for the Ferrari, optimized everyday use the other. Contrary to the production suspension the front can be raised by 40 millimeters at the push of a button to safely navigate past curbs, driveway entries and speed bumps. Once the car reaches a speed of 80 km/h the suspension automatically lowers itself back to normal position, about 35 millimeters lower than the production car.

NOVITEC ROSSO sport stabilizers reduce body roll and provide even more direct turn-in. To be able to safely control this enormous performance potential at all times NOVITEC ROSSO also modifies aerodynamics, tires, suspension and brakes.

Fisker Karma shows off some track action

We have yet to see how the Fisker Karma performs when it goes hard. Luckily some footage of the Karma going around a track has popped up on YouTube for us to enjoy. Who said that when going green, you’ll have to sacrifice performance and good looks?

Refresher: Power comes from Fisker’s Q-DRIVE system, which is made up of two 201-hp electric motors that are powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. That allows the 2010 Karma to travel up to 50 miles without the use of any gasoline. A generator attached to a 260-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec direct injection gasoline engine by General Motors provides an extended range of up to 300 miles. 0 to 60 mph comes in 5.8 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph.

Ford Confims the Return of the 5.0...400 HP "Coyote" V8 Slated for 2011 Mustang

The new 2010 Mustang is just beginning to hit the streets and for most Mustang enthusiasts the current engine lineup leaves much to be desired, especially compared to the new Camaro.

Well before the 2010 Mustang was launched it was stated that the 2011 model would see changes to the engine lineup. Well it is now being confirmed that Ford is working on a new 5.0L V8 that will put out somewhere around 400 horsepower. Codenamed "Coyote", the new V8 will be used in the Mustang and F150 thereby replacing the 4.6L and 5.4L V8s. Ford Australia product development director Russell Christophers has confirmed the existence of the new aluminum double-overhead cam 5.0-liter V8, “I have seen the performance curves and it is a pretty good engine,” he said.

The new V8 will begin appearing in the Mustang and F150 sometime in 2010

2010 Ford Mustang coupe gets 5-star safety rating

The Ford Mustang remains the number one selling sports car by a wide margin, with nearly 40 percent share of the segment in April. With May sales already ahead of projections, there is just one more reason for consumer shopping in this segment to pick the 2010 Ford Mustang.

Ford has announced that the 2010 Mustang coupe has earned the U.S. government’s top 5-star safety ratings, which includes 5-stars for driver and passenger in front and side crash tests, as well as for rollover performance.

“We’ve made many upgrades to the new Mustang that contributes not only to the car’s safety, but also to its driving enjoyment thanks to a stiffer structure,” said Steve Kozak, Ford Chief Engineer for Safety Systems.

Ford has more U.S. government 5-star ratings than any other automotive brand. That’s good news for some of us who will be driving around the 2010 Ford Mustang GT for a full review starting May 27 (look out for that during the first week of June).

Click through for details on how the Ford Mustang coupe received the U.S. government’s 5-star safety rating.

2010 Ford Mustang:

2010 Ford Mustang Safety Details:

The new Mustang uses high strength steel in its body structure and uses ultra high strength steel in the door intrusion beams for additional side impact protection.

The Mustang’s considerable body stiffness contributes to the coupe and convertible’s driving performance and has a parallel benefit in accident protection. While the coupe’s body structure is approximately 31 percent stiffer than the previous Mustang platform, the convertible’s is more than twice as stiff - creating a structure that helps protect the cabin from deformation and intrusion during an impact.

The front structure’s crush zones are computer-designed to absorb energy in a controlled manner and help dissipate it before it can reach the passenger compartment. Ford engineers have run thousands of design iterations of the Mustang’s front rails to arrive at an octagonal shape that helps spread crash forces evenly to help protect occupants.

State-of-the-art technology adds to the convenience and safety of the 2010 Mustang, from the availability of the latest version of Ford SYNC®, with new features 911 Assist^TM and Vehicle Health Report, to standard AdvanceTrac® Electronic Stability Control, which complements the all-speed traction control and standard anti-lock braking system (ABS).

Additional standard safety equipment includes Beltminder® and the Personal Safety System^TM - a system that includes dual-stage driver and front passenger air bags, safety belt pretensioners and Beltminder.

Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S

The new Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S sets another milestone in the high performance luxury saloon segment. Conceived and developed as “a real driving machine in the guise of a luxury saloon”, the Quattroporte Sport GT S is the ultimate expression of Maserati’s sportiness in the Quattroporte range. The uniqueness of the car in its segment [...]

Autobild compares the BMW Z4 / Porsche Boxster / Mercedes SLK / Audi TTS / Nissan 350Z

Earlier this year, we were the first auto publication to attempt an obvious and highly-awaited comparison: the new BMW Z4 against the Mercedes SLK, Porsche Boxter and the Audi TT. Our comparison was simply based on “looks” and was intended to show you the visual differences between these beautiful roadsters.

The German magazine Autobild decided to takes this further and add to this comparison the Nissan 350Z and the new Audi TTS. Since Autobild doesn’t offer the comparison results on their website, we will just have to conduct our own poll here and decided, based solely on the design aspect, which roadster gets the crown.

As a curiosity, let’s outline the models tested by Autobild: BMW Z4 sDrive35i, a twin-turbo inline-six engine producing 306 hp, Porsche Boxter, 2.9 liter six-cylinder engine 255 hp, Mercedes SLK 350, 3.5 liter V6 engine 300 hp, Audi TTS, four-cylinder turbocharged engine 272 hp and the Nissan 350Z, 3.5 liter V6 engine and the most  horsepower out of all the other four roadsters, 313 hp.

With this being said, let’s vote on our favorite roadster.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

[Translated article from Autobild]

Maff Muron Porsche Cayenne

The line between exuberant individuality and ostentation is a difficult and dangerous one to toe. Exhibit A: Witness the envious derision of Lamborghinisti by those who really just wish they had the money—or balls—to own a flamboyant Italian exotic. Exhibit B: Take a look at the Muron, a Porsche Cayenne body kit from Romanian tuner Maff that may have overshot the bounds of taste. You decide.

Hot Grille on Grille Action

Up front, the Maff Muron sports a grille that looks ready to suck down a dairy herd. Why bother with bumpers when you can add more grille area? Maybe for increased airflow? More air would be good, since Maff claims it can add 100 hp toany Cayenne engine and has packages to boost output to 700 hp in turbocharged versions.

Keep Reading: Maff Muron Porsche Cayenne - Car News

Audi supercharges the A6, but wait for the 2010 model

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)

Audi successfully carved out a competitive space against BMW in the sport luxury market with the A6. But as the need for greater fuel economy and fewer emissions threatens to dampen this segment, Audi responds by making its most efficient engine ever for the A6. The ...