We’ve had the good fortune of getting up close and personal with quite a few of Icon 4×4’s creations, from their off-road wares like the and to one-off restomod hot rods like their . While few people may be able to afford the company’s offerings, the creativity and thought that goes into each of their vehicles is something everyone can appreciate.
We have a particular affection for Icon and its latest project, the Bronco. We went for a brief drive in the very first example just before it made its debut at last year and fell in love with every detail of the modernized off-roader. Every trim piece on the car has been laser cut or machined from stainless steel. The unique gauge cluster is inspired by Bell & Ross watches. The interior aluminum is the same found on the inside of luxury skyscraper elevator doors. The Icon Bronco is capable of proving its worth both on and off-road too, thanks to an Art Morrison chassis, custom-built Dana 60 and 44 solid axle assemblies, and a 5.0-liter V8 under the hood.
Jonathan Ward, creator of Icon, recently invited a documentary filmmaker inside his facility to take a closer look at the Bronco. The resulting film will give you a better idea of what went into developing the Bronco as well what makes Ward tick as both a designer and a builder. If you’ve like any of Icon’s creations, it’s definitely worth a watch. Just and hit play.
In the high-stakes world of performance cars, horsepower is king. It’s the first stat bragged about by owners trying to explain why their , or is better than their foes’, and it’s the headline figure promoted by the automakers themselves year after year.
When announced that the would be punishing the pavement with , the world stood up and took notice. Remember, though, these were just estimated figures, as the car had not yet been SAE certified. If reports from the Team Shelby message board prove accurate, the 2013 GT500 has finally gotten its official figures.
How’s about 662 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque?
Yep, that’ll do. It’s notable that these figures represent increases of 12 horsepower and 30 lb-ft over the earlier estimates, and they also put even more distance between Ford’s top-performing Mustang and Chevy’s 580-horsepower . It also means the Shelby lays down considerably more ponies that the and its 638 horsepower and 604 lb-ft.
Now, will we see a corresponding horsepower-addled response from or ? Only time will tell.
2012 marks the 50th anniversary of the Shelby Cobra, and it seems ol’ Carroll and his band of hot rodders are intent on celebrating the legendary roadster for the entire year. Back in January, Shelby kicked off a series of nationwide 50th anniversary events with the , and earlier this month, the company and the new at the .
The most recent celebration happened this past weekend at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, California, where dozens of Shelby Cobra owners gathered for a 50th anniversary reunion put on by the Team Shelby Pacific Coast Division. All kinds of Cobras crowded into the parking lot in front of the museum, from 289-powered slab-sided Cobras to original 427 side-oiler models to the modern continuation Cobras.
In addition to the Cobras gathered outside, the NHRA museum also had a display of significant vehicles dubbed the Speed Merchants of Venice. The collection included the , generously loaned to the museum by collector Bruce Meyer, as well as a , an , a , and an .
You can see all of these and more from the Shelby Cobra 50th anniversary reunion in the photo gallery above.
It looks as if the Mustang Club of Poland has inspired its South American counterparts to get in on a little movie-making action. The Mustang Club of Parana got together with a few local sponsors to commemorate the group’s eleventh anniversary with a brief flick starring some of Brazil’s most diehard fans.
Every generation of Mustang development gets at least a little time on screen, from less-loved members of the clan like the Mustang II to a few ever-popular Eleanor replicas. The video took its creators just over three months to produce, and the final product is clean and well-edited.
There’s plenty of engine note, smoky burnouts and sharp sheet metal to obsess over, too. So, is this better than the Polish original? We aren’t picking sides on this one. Both videos are a great way to blow a chunk of the work day. Be sure to check out Brazil’s ode to the Pony and for a look at the original inspiration behind the new film.
Episode #278 of the is here, and this week, Chris, Dan, and Zach are joined by of Autoblog and AOL Autos to chat about Dodge Dart pricing, the next Ford Mustang shying away from retro styling, Chevrolet quietly developing an Impala SS, and a NHTSA proposal to mandate brake override systems. Your questions and comments power the end of the ‘cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our , thanks for taking the time. We’ve embedded our Q&A module for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!
Autoblog Podcast #278:
In the Autoblog Garage
Hosts: , ,
Runtime: 01:34:50
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If Ford actually comes to market with a new GT, then we’ll be right there with them.
With the debut of its at the earlier this month, you might be wondering what direction Shelby will be headed in the future. After all, they can’t just keep adding more horsepower to the . Can they?
Shelby president John Luft tells us that while they will continue producing post-title packages (they have a product plan for the pony car through 2020), the company is also considering branching out to other vehicles in the lineup.
“Our plans include everything from the Mustang to looking at future development of the EcoBoost motor,” he told us. “There could be a or development in our future.”
The plans don’t stop there, though. Luft revealed to us that Shelby is considering producing another halo sports car like they did in the late 1990s with the Series 1.
“We always pose the ‘what if’. If you remember when the Series 1 was developed, that was a purpose-built halo sports car for the Shelby brand. We always put those things in the plan because maybe down the road we would want to readdress a purpose-built Shelby sports car. It doesn’t mean we’ll build it, but we always want to challenge ourselves to put it on the table and talk about the practicality of it.”
Keep reading for more insights into Shelby’s plans for the future.
We’re almost ready to record Episode #278 of the Autoblog Podcast with of Autoblog and AOL Autos joining us, and you can check out the topics below, add your own to the and join us live via , as well, and we’ve embedded our UStream player . Thanks for listening!
Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #278
We record Episode #278 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and we’re joined by of Autoblog and AOL Autos. Drop us your questions via our Q&A module below, and chime in to direct our conversation. Our main focus will be recapping what we saw at the , but who knows where the conversation will take us! Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast if you haven’t already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.
Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #278
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Matt Ramsey from The Wall Street Journal claims that the next-generation will be ditching its ’60s-inspired retro styling. Citing people familiar with Ford’s plans who have seen the new Mustang, Ramsey claims the new model will look more like the and be a dead ringer for the that debuted at the last fall. The reason for abandoning the retro-inspired styling, says Ramsey, is Ford’s desire to appeal to Generation Y consumers – people born between 1980 and 1999.
It may very well be the case that the next Mustang, which Ramsey says will be a 2014 model (we suspect it will be labeled a 2015), will look a lot like the Evos concept, but we don’t buy some of the author’s reasoning for why the Stang’s retro look might be going away. He cites declining sales of certain retro-styled vehicles like the and Mustang itself, but having just experienced an economic recession, many models saw their sales decline during the past two years compared to prior peaks, not just ones with retro styling. In particular, he cites Volkswagen selling just 6,468 units of the New Beetle last year compared with over 81,000 in 2000, but last year was that generation’s final year of sales. It has been replaced with the all-new-but-equally-retro 2012 Beetle, sales of which are up 2,722 percent so far in 2012.
And as for the Mustang, after enjoying a competition-free pony car market from 2002-2010, it’s now sharing that segment’s sales with worthy competition from both and . Its sales are certainly below their peaks from last decade, but again, a recession and new competition where there was none before will do that.
So while we have no reason to argue against Ramsey’s claim about the next Mustang moving away from its retro roots, we’re not sure we buy his evidence for the reason behind it.
is getting religion when it comes to light-weighting its vehicles. The company has entered into a new partnership with to develop carbon fiber that can be manufactured at affordable prices for high-volume applications. That, of course, is the holy grail of weight reduction, which is why other manufacturers like General Motors are also to try and achieve the same ends.
Now before you get too excited about the carbon-fiber in the photos, understand that it was just a limited-production car shown at in 2009, and it carried a price tag of $135,000. That’s the problem with carbon fiber parts – they are expensive because they are much more difficult to manufacture in volume than steel.
But if Ford and other carmakers are going to achieve the sorts of fuel economy improvements required by new regulations, they’re going to have to either scale carbon fiber or dramatically shrink the size of most vehicles. Ford says it’s targeting a 750-pound weight reduction per vehicle by the end of the decade.
It was only a matter of time before pushed the out of the American nest and into the global market. According to PopularHotRodding.com and Auto-Motor-Und-Sport.de, that time has come. The German site quotes Barb Samardzich, head of development for Ford Europe, as saying the next-generation Mustang is being designed to meet European Union pedestrian safety regulations, despite the fact that no formal decision has been made on whether or not buyers in the EU will be able to get their hands on the Pony.
Then there’s Popular Hot Rodding, which has gathered news from far and wide into a lengthy composite of what the future may bring for the Mustang. Tucked among sourceless whispers of a hybrid drivetrain, an independent rear suspension and a whole new design language is the indication that the performance coupe is being prepped for sale in the UK, Australia and even Japan.
That’s good news for buyers who have been forced to content themselves with grey-market imports until now. Popular Hot Rodding also indicates the new model may shave as much as 300 pounds to increase performance while maintaining today’s power levels. How much of this is true? We’ll find out when the 2015 Ford Mustang debuts in 2014.
If you fancy a new but are looking for some added muscle, few places will give you what you want and what you need like Roush. The veteran tuning house has just released its latest range of customized pony cars, and at the top of the line sits its most powerful model yet.
In full-fat spec, the Stage 3 Roush Mustang supercharges the 5.0-liter V8 up to a whopping 565 horsepower and 505 pound-feet of torque. But the Roush kit isn’t all about power: it also features an upgraded suspension riding on 18-inch cast aluminum wheels with Cooper rubber that help it pull a full g on the skid pad, an enhanced aero kit and a choice of four different brake packages.
There’s also plenty of optional equipment to make the Roush Mustang your own – all covered under Roush’s bumper-to-bumper warranty – but if the Stage 3 model proves too much car, buyers can also opt for the Stage 1 body kit or the Stage 2 suspension upgrade without the supercharged engine. to read the press release.
Traxxas has done a smart job of establishing itself as a toymaker for grownups. With radio-controlled iterations of and , the company has something for everyone.
Or at least it does now. Traxxas is now producing R/C funny cars for straight-line antics. The cars are capable of over 70 miles per hour, come with an adjustable wheelie bar and a TQi 2.4GHz controller with all sorts of fun modes. Launch control, race, burnout and staging mode are all part of the programming. A 1/8th scale Christmas tree is also available.
So far, there are only four funny car models. Buyers may choose between Courtney Force’s , John Force’s Castrol GTX Ford Mustang, Mike Neff’s Castrol GTX Ford Mustang or Robert Hight’s AAA Auto Club Ford Mustang. to see a quick video of the cars in action.
There are many names you could associate with tuning, but few are as iconic as Steve Saleen. The American tuner extraordinaire made a name for himself tweaking the muscle coupe under the Saleen brand until he left his own company to start SMS Supercars. But now that the two have been , word has it that Saleen is moving ahead with plans to produce a new mid-engine exotic to follow in the footsteps of the famed S7.
Saleen, as you may recall, branched out of tuning pony cars with the S7 in 2000. The car packed a 7.0-liter V8 that was later twin-turbocharged up to 750 horsepower to make it good for a 0-60 run in under three seconds and a top speed of nearly 250 mph. The car endures as an American performance icon, but while an S5S Raptor concept (pictured above) was showcased four years ago at the , the schism between the two Saleen companies kept it from ever seeing the light of day.
With that ugliness now behind us, however, Autoweek reports that Steve Saleen is intent on picking up where the S7 and S5S left off. Getting to that point is expected to take Saleen a while, but in the meantime, he’s working at integrating the two operations. The SMS facility in California will continue building the cars – White Label for mild upgrades, Yellow Label for supercharged models and Black Label for the works – while his Saleen facility in Michigan will distribute the parts. Look for a tuned to come rumbling around the corner in the near future.
It’s always interesting to see what the guys who make and sell speed parts will build to show off their wares. Heck, that’s the appeal of the show in a nutshell. So we’re intrigued by this new project from Ford Racing, despite its unfortunate color, “Gotta Have It Green,” a hue that doesn’t exist in the natural world. (Outside of 1980’s album covers, that is.)
As reported on , the project starts with everyone’s favorite V8, the Coyote five-liter, but adds a whole bunch of stuff from the Ford Racing Performance Parts catalog, including a 2.3-liter, intercooled, twin-screw Whipple supercharger. The car has a six-speed manual, of course, and there’s an 8.8-inch axle out back. It’s been lowered an inch, thanks to new FRPP springs paired with matching shocks. Stopping power comes courtesy of a 14-inch, four-piston Brembo setup and Laguna Seca brake duct kit. This project ‘Stang is also equipped with a Mustang GT Side Exhaust System, 19-by-9-inch wheels with massive 255/40/ZR19 Pirelli PZero tires, and the Laguna Seca Adjustable Front Splitter.
While we don’t see any performance specs for the car, we know .
You can check out all the images of the Ford Racing Mustang project car in our .
As if last year’s wasn’t enough, Shelby has just taken the covers off their lastest creation, the “1000″ at this year’s . The muscle coupe comes in two flavors – the 950 horsepower street version and the track-only 1100+ horsepower S/C – although the difference seems like a moot point when it comes to a car’s capability on the Pirelli street tires. A massive Kenne Bell 3.6L supercharger is the main source of the increased engine output, while a variety of chassis and drivetrain enhancements ensure that the additional horsepower and torque is delivered to the pavement.
Besides being the most powerful production car ever to come from Shelby, the 1000 will also be one of the most exclusive. Shelby President John Luft tells us that just 100 of the examples will be built with a starting price of close to $200,000. If the idea of a six-figure seems like a hard sell, then you’re underestimating the lure of the Shelby brand. While the company has refused to take orders for the car before its debut, Luft informs Autoblog that the company already has a waiting list of more than 30 customers anxious to plunk down their hard earned cash for the model.
You can read full details on the 2012 Shelby 1000 in the press release by and take a look at our live photos of the car’s debut in the gallery above.
Steve Saleen is back to feeling himself again. That’s because he’s once again at the helm of the the marque that bears his name. As you may recall, the racer and performance part guru from the Saleen brand empire he nurtured for 23 years back in 2007. The Saleen brand was then sold to MJ Acquisitions, along with the right to produce S Line and Racecraft models. Saleen himself, meanwhile, went on to create SMS Supercars, which produced notable creations like the , and .
But when MJ Acquisitions and Saleen, Inc. refused to honor warranties for vehicles purchased before the company took control of the Saleen brand, SMS Supercars stepped in to , even without any legal obligation to do so. Steve Saleen and SMS Supercars then sued MJ Acquisitions to get the company to stop using the Saleen name in order to protect the brand’s reputatoin.
Today’s announcement means Saleen was successful in his quest. Moving forward, all of the products sold under SMS Supercars will be available under the Saleen banner. for the full press release.
Bucking The Downsizing Trend For All The Right Reasons
Sometimes in life, you hit the nail right on the head, sink a hole-in-one or strike a perfect bullseye. It happens in all walks of life – from the original Star Wars trilogy to the Apple iPod. It even happens from time to time in the automotive realm. Take, for instance, the 1965 or the original Acura Legend.
Other times, we’re not so lucky. Like the ill-begotten Star Wars prequel trilogy, the automotive world has played host to a long line of underwhelming encores. The Mustang II comes to mind, and so does the .
Of course, every so often, automakers release a car to market that’s just isn’t quite fully baked, like the ill-timed and poorly received Edsel from Ford. Though not nearly as obvious, the first-generation falls into this unfortunate camp.
Originally marketed to the upwardly mobile male Gen-X population – a guy named Jason back in 2006 – it turns out that well-to-do, tech-savvy men aren’t actually all that interested in an entry-level premium crossover from Honda’s luxury division. And that’s why, for 2013, the Acura RDX is being re-aimed at the heart of the market: namely, baby boomers and young couples – defined by Acura as DINKS – “Dual-Income, No Kids” – who prefer quiet, comfortable and composed to quick, nimble and raucous.
“Fleet” is sort of a dirty word when describing vehicle sales, and the Detroit Three have traditionally been quite smitten with bulk buyers. Unfortunately fleet sales have been demonized for a reason. They can adversely affect resale values, and since fleet buyers tend to expect warehouse store pricing, they’re obviously not great for the bottom line, either. But one automaker seems more than happy to sell to fleets: Ford.
Bloomberg reports that a larger percentage of Ford’s overall sales are going to fleets, rising from 22 percent of in 2006 to 27 percent in 2011. Of those vehicles, 41 percent reportedly went to the likes of Hertz and Enterprise. That leaves the rest of the sales at the local, state and federal level, plus a smattering of commercial buyers. In other words, needy customers with cash in hand. And those buyers tend to want high-margin rides like trucks, crossovers and SUVs; vehicles Ford make money on.
Ford fleet director Kevin Koswick tells Bloomberg that the automaker knows what it’s doing, adding “I don’t see it as an issue as long as you manage your fleet and you’re balanced in what you do.”
For some, the horsepower wars being waged by auto manufacturers over the past few years are getting a bit out of hand. A ? A ? Ridiculous. But if you count massive amounts of gas-guzzling horsepower and torque a crime (we don’t), then the worst of all offenders is perhaps Shelby. Last year at the , the company unveiled its most powerful creation to date: the , with up to 800 horsepower. And while 800 hp is just bonkers, Shelby’s next trick is even more insane.
Today, Shelby American has revealed the 2012 Shelby 1000. The name of, course, is taken from the car’s horsepower figure, which is around 950 in street trim and around 1,100 in the S/C track version. To harness the extra power, Shelby has installed a beefier suspension, larger brakes, a single-piece driveshaft and a nine-inch rear end, but we’re guessing it will still be quite a handful on the street.
Only a limited number of 2012 Shelby 1000 models will be produced, with the post-title package (not including the base GT500 donor car) starting at $149,995. That means the total cost will ring in at right around $200,000. Shelby says that it will start taking orders once the car is officially unveiled at the New York Auto Show next week. for the official press release.
