The crash test family is growing, in the virtual world that is. Today’s crash test dummies made of rubber and steel will soon be joined by next-generation Human Body Models (HBMs) designed with precise detail, but living only in the world of computer-generated virtual reality. The HBMs were created through the Global Human Body Models Consortium, LLC (GHBMC), established in 2006, by a group of nine automotive manufacturers and two automotive system suppliers.

These next-generation HBMs are intended to help simulate human responses in automobile crashes. The HBMs will help researchers better predict the effect of trauma on the body than they have traditionally been able to do with crash test dummies. The new HBMs will even contain detailed representation of the bones and soft tissues of the human body, with special attention being directed to those parts that are frequently injured in vehicle crashes. Such advanced HBMs will support computer simulations such as virtual crash tests to help better understand human reactions and to improve automotive safety globally.

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This week’s 2010 Mustang teaser photo shows us the hood and fender lines along with a side mirror in the distance.

Ford’s description of the teaser photos: A sportier, more-aggressive front grille and fascia lead the 2010 Mustang down the road. Slimmer headlamps that integrate the turn indicators are incorporated in a larger grille that expresses power and performance. Large twin fog lamps on the GT model further emphasize Mustang’s muscle-car DNA, which takes on a stealthy persona for the GT with dark headlamp bezels and grille surrounds. Also on the GT, the pony badge is finished in dark chrome for the first time. The pony itself received a makeover and is a more chiseled and defined interpretation of the American icon, galloping proudly on the front grille.
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The first volume production example of the new Ford Ka rolled off the production line at a special ceremony today in Tychy, Poland, 12 years after the original Ka was launched to great acclaim.

Polish Deputy Prime Minister Waldemar Pawlak was guest of honour at the ceremony.

With sales due to begin across Europe from early next year, the new Ka will be fully revealed to the public at the Paris Motor Show next week. (more…)

Recent spy photos of a Grabber Blue 2010 Mustang tell us Ford will be bringing back this iconic color for another run.  The Grabber series of colors began in 1970 with just three, Grabber Blue, Grabber Orange and Grabber Green.  In 1971 Grabber Yellow and Grabber Lime were added to the mix, by 1972 Grabber Blue was the only one left and for some reason it’s run ended there and so did the Grabber series. With Grabber Orange already in the mix and Grabber Blue coming back what other Grabber colors do you think Ford has in mind, Lime or Green might be a good choice.  Like everybody else, we will have to wait and see.

Ford Commercial Vehicle dealers across the country will be entering all van test drive customers into a prize draw this month. The prize consists of six tickets to the UEFA Champions League Final in Rome next May.

The winners will spend one night in Milan before being chauffeured to Rome in a top-of-the-range Transit Tourneo. They will watch the final before flying back to the UK the following day. It truly is the ultimate road trip for a van driver and five mates. The draw can be entered between 8 and 30 September. (more…)

Muscle car is a term used to refer to a variety of high performance automobiles.[1][2] The term principally refers to American, Australian and to a lesser extent South African models. It generally describes a 2-door rear wheel drive mid-size car with a large, powerful V8 engine, and at an affordable price. Although opinions vary, it is generally accepted that classic muscle cars were produced in the late 1960s and early 1970s.[3][4][5][6] Muscle cars were built for street use and in some cases racing. They are distinct from sports cars and also from GTs, which are two-seat or 2+2 cars intended for high-speed touring/road racing. These are not generally considered muscle cars owing to their small size, relatively high cost and specialty nature. (The two-seater AMC AMX may or may not be an exception: one source queries whether it qualifies as a true muscle car or pony car,[7] but also lists it among vehicles that fit the general interpretation of both categories.[8] AMC was “never shy” about describing the car as “a genuine sports car”[9] as it was relatively inexpensive).[3] (more…)

Dynolicious utilizes the accelerometer built in to your iPhone or iPod Touch to sense the motion of your vehicle. This data is sampled as many as one hundred times per second, developing a detailed picture of the car’s acceleration. This information is then used to determine the speed of the vehicle and the distance travelled. Due to the unique hardware integrated into the iPhone, this can all be done with no setup, wires, or extra equipment!
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Aug. 6, 2008 - Ford is moving quickly to address driver demands for increased visibility with an industry-first innovation, the Blind Spot Mirror, pulling ahead the feature’s introduction by one year to launch this fall as standard equipment on the 2009 Ford Edge.

“Ford is committed to delivering innovative features that provide a better driving experience for the customer,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “The Blind Spot Mirror is the latest example of our strategy to move fast and to be industry leaders in enhancing the ownership experience.” (more…)

Retainagroup, the car security marking and registration systems specialist, is working with Ford to provide a simple yet effective method of permanently marking catalytic converters to give them a unique identity.

Criminal gangs across the UK are stealing catalytic converters from vehicles at an increasing rate. The precious metal content (usually platinum) fetches around £100 for just a few minutes’ work. Previously there was no way of identifying one converter from another, so thieves ran a low risk of being charged, even if caught. (more…)

With per-gallon prices hovering around $4, customers are sensitive to every penny spent at the pump, and Ford Motor Company is leveraging technologies to help consumers avoid an even further hit to their wallets. Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles, including luxury models like the all-new 2009 Lincoln MKS, run - and run well - on regular unleaded gas, a true competitive advantage given today’s skyrocketing fuel costs.

By developing vehicles that deliver both fuel efficiency and performance using regular unleaded gasoline, customers can save as much as $200 annually at the pump filling up a Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury product rather than using expensive premium unleaded fuel as some other automakers require.

Yet, recent figures from Kelley Blue Book show that the number of vehicles that either recommend or require premium fuel at an average of $0.20 or more per gallon has grown from 166 in 2002 to more than 280 today.  Some luxury models on that list even warn owners they can seriously damage their engines if they consistently fill up with gas below 91 octane. (more…)