Ford Unveils All-New Mustang Family - Ecoboost, Multiple V-8s, and Racers
It has been 6 generations over the course of 58-plus years for the Ford Mustang. This car has come a long way from a cut-down, 2-door, version of the Ford Falcon that few at Ford thought would be a sales winner. Decades have come and gone of wild sales popularity, near cancellation, monster V-8s, and barely enough power to get out of its own way.
It has been 6 generations over the course of 58-plus years for the Ford Mustang. This car has come a long way from a cut-down, 2-door, version of the Ford Falcon that few at Ford thought would be a sales winner. Decades have come and gone of wild sales popularity, near cancellation, monster V-8s, and barely enough power to get out of its own way.
As we enter a new era of electrification, it is fair to assume that cars like the current Mustang will be short lived. GM is expected to replace their Camaro with an electric model. Dodge has announced the end of the Challenger while also showing an electric ‘muscle car’. Speculation has been rampant that Ford would potentially hedge their gas-fueled bets with a hybrid version of the new Mustang on their way to an all-electric pony car in the future.
But, Ford defied expectations with a lineup of Mustangs that not only do not include any hint at electrification, but is one of the most full-featured lineups of hydrocarbon swilling examples the car has ever seen, at least at launch. That, however, may itself be an indication of how long this kind of Mustang has before being put out to pasture.
Ford pulled out all the stops for the new Mustang’s unveiling. In conjunction with the 2022 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Ford organized an event called the Stampede where enthusiasts from all over could converge on downtown Detroit’s Hart Plaza (next door to the Huntington Place conference center where the traditional Detroit show takes place). Those fans, Ford employees, and the media came together to see Mustang fandom and witness the announcements.
Ford didn’t disappoint. In addition to the expected replacements for the Ecoboost and Coyote V-8 powered coupe and convertible…Ford also surprised with a bespoke performance model in the vein of Mach 1, Boss 302, and Bullitts of olde.
This time, they coined a brand new performance nameplate, Dark Horse. The new top model brings a mix of performance parts to the V-8 Mustang that would be at home on any of those other storied names with a dash of parts normally reserved for the Shelby trims. For instance, this is the first non-Shelby to be offered with carbon fibre wheels, but does not have a version of the prior GT350’s flat-plane crank V-8. The Dark Horse’s Coyote also has beefed-up internals borrowed from the current Shelby GT500, likely to allow a solid base for increasing power while maintaining reliability on the track. All Ford will promise is that this version of the 5.0 V8 with have power in the 500hp range. We expect that they are being conservative.
This Dark Horse will also spawn a pair of track focused monsters, the Dark Horse S and Dark Horse R which appear to be planned as almost street legal race cars. The S is targeted at weekend racers with full FIA-certified safety cage, safety nets, race seat with safety belts, a race steering wheel with quick disconnect, as well as electrical disconnects and a fire suppression system. A passenger seat is optional for racers that want/need to take a second person along for the fun.
The R is aimed at dedicated race teams with all the S’ components plus strategic seam welding, a fuel cell for increased range, and Ford Performance Parts wheels. Both come with adjustable rear wings, a hood held down with quick-release pins, and a bespoke exhaust system that is certainly not EPA approved.
In addition to the Dark Horse track variants, Ford announced a series of other race series the new Mustang will run in soon. IMSA’s GT3 and GT4 classes, These will be powered by 5.4l versions of the Coyote and will be seen in starting at the 2024 Daytona 24-hours. The GT4 will also be compliant with SRO and FIA GT racing classes.
As if all of this isn’t enough, Ford announced that they are going back to Le Mans. Not with a new GT as they did last, but with the GT3 version of the new Mustang. GT3 replaces the Le Mans GTE class in 2024, allowing Ford to go head-to-head with many of the same brands they race against in the other IMSA GT3 races worldwide.
It seems that Ford is rushing years worth of Mustang announcements into this 7th generation car. This likely points to a future where Ford will move the car into an electric future, but are willing and able to go out with a bang with the best Mustang yet.
Biden Administration Announces 34 States and Puerto Rico to get money for Charging Stations
It isn’t often you get surprised on a media trip by a visit from the leader of the free world. It just doesn’t happen during Rocky Mountain Auto Press events in Colorado.
But, this year the President made the trip to Detroit to announce the spending of a lot of money on electric car charging infrastructure across 34 states and Puerto Rico. This is part of the spending bill passed in November 2021 that allocated close to $1.2 trillion for infrastructure.
It isn’t often you get surprised on a media trip by a visit from the leader of the free world. It just doesn’t happen during Rocky Mountain Auto Press events in Colorado.
But, this year the President made the trip to Detroit to announce the spending of a lot of money on electric car charging infrastructure across 34 states and Puerto Rico. This is part of the spending bill passed in November 2021 that allocated close to $1.2 trillion for infrastructure.. This announcement is for $900 million of those funds in grants to the states to start building chargers across the country. The ultimate goal of the $5 billion that Congress approved to be used over the span of 5 years is to have 500,000 additional chargers across the country.
This dovetails nicely with money recently approved by Congress as part of the Inflation Reduction Act for electric vehicle tax credits. Encouraging charging infrastructure as well as making electric cars more affordable are both part of a push in Washington to reach a 50% electric car (as sales) by 2030.
The way this money was allocated (and why only 34 states and Puerto Rico are getting money so far) was by calling for states to submit plans for how they will implement the charging infrastructure. Additionally, it set rules for key ways these charging points would be distributed. For instance, the plan calls for charging to be focused along major travel corridors with a secondary focus on making sure rural areas have chargers in place (to allow for not only local buyers, but also for drivers that pass through these rural areas to find charging opportunities (vs encouraging traffic to bypass these areas of the country). This is a double-whammy of creating jobs for building the stations and also to encourage economic activity in these rural areas.
The reason fewer than 50 states are seeing money as part of this announcement is because some states either have not submitted a plan or their plan isn’t approved yet. As the remaining state plans are reviewed and approved, they will see part of the funds as well.
Below you can see which states are getting money in this first round.
States with approved plans (as of September 14, 2022) to get federal funding for charging infrastructure improvements.
As we head at full speed toward an electric future, it is good to see work being done to make sure that those cars will be at least as useful as the current gas-fueled fleet.
Jeep Announces 30th Anniversary Grand Cherokee and Willys 4xe
Jeep has a 2030 sales goal of 50% zero emissions sales in the US, and 100% in Europe. To get to there, witness the announcements from last week’s ‘4xe Day’ where they showed an all electric Wagoneer (final name to be determined), a Recon sibling to the Wrangler, and a compact crossover. Another all-electric Jeep is still something we anticipate but is all but official (since Jeep says they will have 4 all-electric offerings by 2025). We expect an electric Wrangler.
Jeep has a 2030 sales goal of 50% zero emissions sales in the US, and 100% in Europe. To get to there, witness the announcements from last week’s ‘4xe Day’ where they showed an all electric Wagoneer (final name to be determined), a Recon sibling to the Wrangler, and a compact crossover. Another all-electric Jeep is still something we anticipate but is all but official (since Jeep says they will have 4 all-electric offerings by 2025). We expect an electric Wrangler.
The electrification push involves adding batteries and motors to the gas powered models as well. Last week included plans for all models to have a 4xe offering by 2025. So, it should come as no surprise anytime Jeep expands the number of hybrid models or trims in the lineup.
For instance, at the 2022 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Jeep followed up with a couple special editions built on the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee 4xe.
First up was the Grand Cherokee 30th Anniversary edition. Celebrating the original Grand Cherokee that also debuted in Detroit as a 1993 model with one of Chrysler’s famous debuts where it was driven through a window into the lobby of Cobo Hall (now called Huntington Place) - the new Grand Cherokee debut involved a lot more computer generated flash before driving the new model on Jeep’s indoor test track to the stage. Besides 30th anniversary badging, the special edition bring unique blacked-out wheels, interior accents and a few unique features (for instance, ventilated seats that normally require stepping up to the Trailhawk or Overland trim) for it’s $4700 option price.
Orders for the Grand Cherokee 30th Anniversary open later this year.
Coming soon is a 4xe variant of the Wranger Willys. This joins the Sahara, High Altitude, and Rubicon-based 4xe models and takes its place as the least expensive way to get into a plug-in hybrid Wrangler. Starting price for the Willys 4xe is $53995 plus a pretty epic $1595 destination charge. This represents close to a $1300 savings over the 2023 Sahara but only a $600 savings over the 2022 models.
The Willys 4xe brings standard LED headlamps and fog lamps, Alpine 9-speaker audio, all-weather floor mats, rear limited-slip differential, rock rails, black grille, and 17-inch black-painted alloy wheels wearing LT255/75R17C mud-terrain tires. In other words, it is based on the Willys package.
The Willys has a small suspension lift standard that gives this Wrangler 10.1” of ground clearance (over the standard Willys’ 9.7” clearance) and over 30” of water fording.
A special blue-trimmed ‘Willys’ decal is on the hood and a unique ‘Electric 4-Wheel Drive’ decal takes the place of the normal retro decal on the regular Willys.
Like all 4xe Wranglers, the Willys shares the same 375-horsepower, 470-lb.-ft. Wrangler plug-in hybrid powertrain with 21 miles of all-electric range and 49MPGe.
Orders for this model open today with the first deliveries late this year.
Chrysler Announces Special Edition 6.4l Hemi 300C
Opening this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit (the first Detroit show since 2019), was Chrysler’s evening event the day before the official press day.
Held in a large tent just down the street from the Detroit show’s Huntington Place extravaganza (you may remember that as Cobo Hall before it went through a flurry of renaming), Chrysler only hinted before that this would include some nods to the 300.
Opening this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit (the first Detroit show since 2019), was Chrysler’s evening event the day before the official press day.
Held in a large tent just down the street from the Detroit show’s Huntington Place extravaganza (you may remember that as Cobo Hall before it went through a flurry of renaming), Chrysler only hinted before that this would include some nods to the 300.
The 300 was expected to be on its way out much like the Dodge Challenger and Charger which bow out soon after a series of ‘last call’ special editions.
So, it was no surprise when Chrysler dropped a special edition 300C tonight..
Surprising is that it is powered by a 6.4l Hemi V8 with 485hp and 475 lb*ft of torque which pushes the car to 60 in 4.3 seconds. This is a return of the 6.4l version of the Hemi V8 which has not available in the 300 since 2014 the SRT8 variant went out of production.
Slowing down the new car are 4-piston Brembo brakes. Other bespoke parts include an active damping suspension and an active exhaust, making this car somewhat of a re-issue of the aforementioned SRT8 model since that version of the 300 had those as well.
The special edition 300C will be available in just 3 colors (black, white, and red) will be limited to 2200 examples (2000 for the US and 200 for Canada).
The car is available for pre-order today at Reservation.Chrysler.com. MSRP is $55000. Buyers merely pick a color, a dealer, and make a $300 deposit. So, don’t dilly dally if you want one of your own.
This is the end of this generation of 300 and something electric no doubt is on the way to replace it, likely with a variant something like Dodge’s recently previewed Charger Daytona EV to take on performance duties.
Jeep Electrification Plans
Jeep named September 8th ‘4xe Day’ and dropped a video previewing the brand’s electrification plan.
Included in their plan is an announcement to have electrified offerings across their portfolio by the end of 2025. This suggests a 4xe, plug-in hybrid, version of each model. In that same time, Jeep will be offering 4 all-electric models as well. Three were announced in today’s video.
Jeep named September 8th ‘4xe Day’ and dropped a video previewing the brand’s electrification plan.
Included in their plan is an announcement to have electrified offerings across their portfolio by the end of 2025. This suggests a 4xe, plug-in hybrid, version of each model. In that same time, Jeep will be offering 4 all-electric models as well. Three were announced in today’s video.
Jeep 4xe Day announcement video
Jeep Avenger EV - On Sale in Europe in 2023
Starting off the all-electric push is the Europe-only Jeep Avenger compact crossover. It makes sense this model may come to the US to replace the Renegade, perhaps with a plug-in version. Avenger goes on sale in 2023.
In it’s initial form, the Avenger will have a 400km range which would make it competitive with small electrics like the Chevy Bolt and their recently announced Equinox EV.
Jeep Wagoneer S EV - On Sale in 2024 with up to 600hp and 400 miles of range
2024 will be a busy year for Jeep with a 4xe version of the Wagoneer as well as 2 other all-electric models.
One is an electric Wagoneer called, for now, the Wagoneer S that will offer up to 600hp, 400 miles of range, and 0-60 in 3.5 seconds. While the Wagoneer S shares a name with the recently released Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, it is obvious that the electric model is a new platform, sharing no body panels with the gas offerings.
That same year, Jeep expects to debut the Jeep Recon which provides door-off out-door fun with retractible roof and removable doors and windows as well. The overall design comes across somewhat as Wrangler meets Bronco, which leaves Jeep plenty of room to show off a 4th electric Jeep in the future that will almost certainly be the all-electric Wrangler that has been teased in Moab concepts for the last two years.
Jeep’s electric push shows that the company hasn’t been sitting idly by waiting to see if the move to electrification was going to be a fad, given that having products ready to go in 2023 and 2024 means they have been working quietly for years to get these new names/platforms ready to go.
It will be an exciting time be a Jeep fan for the rest of the decade.
Jeep will be holding a press conference on September 14th at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. UOwCars will be there to report on any details that Jeep drops and if that electric Wrangler gets shown or teased.
Jeep Recon EV - open air off-roading in a package with retractable roof and removable doors and windows - but leaving plenty of room for an electric Wrangler
Tales from RMDE 2022 - Nissan Z
One of the most exciting cars at this year's Rocky Mountain Driving Experience was the 2023 Nissan Z that has just started hitting dealerships. Packing a twin-turbo 3.0 V-6 (the first factory turbo since the Z32 300ZX of the 1990's), the new Z is rocking 400hp which makes it the most…
One of the most exciting cars at this year's Rocky Mountain Driving Experience was the 2023 Nissan Z that has just started hitting dealerships. Packing a twin-turbo 3.0 V-6 (the first factory turbo since the Z32 300ZX of the 1990's), the new Z is rocking 400hp which makes it the most powerful car in its segment. The new car brings styling elements heavily cribbed from Nissan's original 240Z combined with rear lights reminiscent of those on the 90's ZX. Door handles are vertical in orientation and hint at those from the 350 and 370Z cars that immediately preceded this model and which the Z shares a platform.
This is the latest Z built on Nissan's FM chassis that has been with us since 2001 with the original Infiniti G35. It is a flexible platform that has been able to be modified to be the basis of every front-engined, rear drive application from Nissan and Infiniti from that G sedan and coupe, the Z cars, the Nissan Skyline/GT-R, and even rear-drive based crossovers. Here we have close to a 3600 lb sports car...but its low center of gravity and turbo power hides it's excess weight (200+ lbs more than the 370Z this car replaces).
Inside, the new Z has a driver focused cockpit featuring a center stack topped with a trio of auxiliary gauges that nod to the original Z as well as practically every Z through the last 50 years (save the aforementioned Z32 with it's very 90's interior treatment). In the new Z, the gauges give the driver insight into the turbo (boost pressure in the leftmost dial and turbine rpm in the center) as well as the charging system status way over on the right.
Below the auxiliary gauges you'll find a contemporary 9" touchscreen display (in the performance trim, 8” in the sport model) with support for wireless Apple CarPlay and (not wireless) Android Auto. At the bottom of the center stack, you'll find manual climate controls.
In front of the driver, there is a 12.3" fully virtual display with modes that are customized to the 3 display modes. Normal displays a speedometer and tachometer with a small center display of navigation or entertainment info. Enhanced reduces the sizes of the gauges and expands the center display. Sport mode, however is where it is at when bombing around your local racetrack with a central tachometer, upshift indicator, as well as performance extra gauges to the side (which can be customized to your preference). Some options for these extra gauges include a g-meter or operating info like oil pressure and temperature.
Note, the manual Z does not have driving modes, per se. The modes in question only alter what shows up on the instrument display. The automatic does have driving modes and this alters transmission behavior.
But, what is it like to actually drive this highly anticipated sports car?
To not put too fine a point on it...it is a delight. Nissan seems to have found a way to make the new car an engaging drive. I am an owner of a 3rd generation Miata. Part of what I love about my daily driver is that it is a perfectly usable car for day-to-day, never hitting you over the head that it is a sports car when you just need to get about your business...but, when you decide to have fun it is totally ready to dash down a canyon road or partake in a track day. So, it is with this glowing opinion of the Miata that I say the new Z reminds me of a Miata with 2.5 times the power. It is FAST, even though it is carrying around easily 25% more that the aforementioned Miata. However it never beats you up or reminds you that it is a sports car when it would be inconvenient.
The Z goes exactly where you point it. It allows you to control cornering with the throttle - with a slight lift of the gas causing the line to tighten up just a hair. It is a nice personality trait that gives you confidence that the car is not going to bite you if you push a bit too hard.
Visibility is good for a 2-seater. Space for nicknacks is just what you would hope for (with even a dedicated spot to the left of the shifter for a smart phone to live (it is lovely that you don't have to allocate a cupholder to hold your phone...though a wireless charging feature there would be nice. Room under the hatch is nice and a retractable cargo cover that attaches to the hatch helps makes sure your belongings stay hidden when that's what you prefer.
The manual is back to a 6-speed from the last Z's 7-speed manual. The previous car's optional rev-match feature is now standard though can be turned off if desired. The feature blips the throttle for you during downshifts, helping you match revs and not upset the balance of the car with driveline shocks. The optional 9-speed automatic also has it's own rev-match feature - but any real sports car intender really should try to get the manual transmission unless you are physically unable to drive with both feet and both hands involved. The manual is that good.
This is the first Z with electric power steering, though weight and feel are nicely done...there isn't a ton of communication coming back through the wheel (but our test drive was on public roads with plenty of other drivers around - so pushing hard enough to really notice how much communication you can expect at the limit wasn't on the menu.
Seats are nicely grippy without being too tight. Pedals are nicely positioned with enough room for my size 11's without feeling cramped.
The Z is a fun canyon carver, but that doesn't mean Nissan neglected safety gear. The Z is available with adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking with collision warning and pedestrian detection. Additionally, there is a lane departure warning system as well as blind spot warning. The Z also has ultrasonic sensors that enable a cross-traffic alert that helps you keep from pulling into crossing traffic, which is helpful when you can't see around obstacles. The last active safety feature is a high-beam assist that will deactivate your high-beams when a car is approaching and re-activate them as soon as the road is clear. A full compliment of passive safety gear is present as well with all the airbags you might expect. So, plenty of assistance and safety systems, but don't expect the car to drive for you as we are beginning to see in luxury models these days.
Overall, Nissan should have a winner on their hands. It is so nice to see a company honoring their history and keeping a true sports car in the lineup despite the world moving quickly to all-electric and self-driving offerings.
Rocky Mountain Driving Experience 2022
Time to get back to reviewing cars. I re-joined the Rocky Mountian Automotive Press and today is the annual Rocky Mountain Driving Experience.
A day full of driving and forming opinions of some of the newest cars on the market
Should be fun.
Time to get back to reviewing cars. I re-joined the Rocky Mountian Automotive Press and today is the annual Rocky Mountain Driving Experience.
A day full of driving and forming opinions of some of the newest cars on the market
Should be fun.
2020 Corvette Unveiled...the Good...and the Disappointing
On July 18, Chevrolet took to the stage to unveil the new C8 Corvette.
If you haven't already heard:
Mid-mounted 6.2l small-block V-8
490hp (495 with performance exhaust)
0-60 in under 3 seconds
Larger interior than the C7
Starting price under $60k (though that is almost certainly something like $59999 before destination)…
On July 18, Chevrolet took to the stage to unveil the new C8 Corvette.
If you haven't already heard:
Mid-mounted 6.2l small-block V-8
490hp (495 with performance exhaust)
0-60 in under 3 seconds
Larger interior than the C7
Starting price under $60k (though that is almost certainly something like $59999 before destination) Convertible to be shown later
However, only one thing leaves us thinking the new Corvette is anything other than perfect.
Primarily of concern is the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. That is all that was announced. And, while a dual-clutch with paddle shifters is no-doubt the fastest way around a track, can it truly be a Corvette with no available manual transmission?
It appears that there is room in the new center console for a shift lever to reside, but the designers have decided to put the infotainment jog-wheel in front of that area...meaning a manual transmission would have to lose that part of the interior - which does not feel like a decision they intend to make at this moment. We may have to wait until a mid-cycle interior redesign if enough potential buyers balk at the lack of 3 pedals and the engagement of self-shifting.
So, what do you think? Is the Corvette a non-starter without a proper manual? Should Chevrolet reconsider this decision as soon as they can for that part of the enthusiast community?