Ford Retires, Replaces Crown Victoria Police Car
Ford Motor Co. has announced that it will replace its legendary Crown Victoria, a.k.a. “Crown Vic,” with a new Police Interceptor based on its front-wheel drive Taurus. Production of the Crown Victoria will end in late 2011, which is when production of the new Ford Police Interceptor will begin.
The Ford Police Interceptor will be available with two powertrains: the 3.5-liter V-6 with an estimated 263 hp and the EcoBoost 365 hp twin-turbocharged, direct injection 3.5-liter V-6. The 365 hp engine model will be equipped with all-wheel drive.
Orange County to Sue Toyota Over Runaway Cars
Orange Country (CA) District Attorney Tony Rackauckas has partnered with Newport Beach law firm Calcagnie & Robinson to sue Toyota Motor Sales USA for allegedly selling defective vehicles and for deceptive business practices. This is in response to the growing number of reports of cars with runaway acceleration and of claims by insiders of a company cover-up.
Calcagnie & Robinson is best known as the firm behind the 1978 lawsuit against Ford Motor Co. for the “exploding fuel tanks” on its Pinto sub-compact.
Nissan Introduces New Commercial Van Concept
Flat-sided commercial vans may not be the sexiest vehicles on the road, but Nissan is hoping to break Detroit’s dominance of this lucrative market with the introduction of its new Nissan NV2500. Nissan believes it can compete against its American counterparts by offering features that include:
- Pre-drilled shelving holes so buyers can install and secure utility shelving without drilling into the vehicle's metal and risking corrosion.
- Spill-resistant seat fabrics.
- A center console for personal storage needs.
- A tall roofline designed to allow operators up to 6 feet 2 inches tall to walk through the vehicle without ducking their heads.
- Double-reinforced driver and passenger seats on the exit side to compensate for occupants climbing in and out of their trucks all day.
Jaguar: The E-Type Returns!
Jaguar has announced that it will resume production of its legendary E-Type two-seater sports car to compete with the Porsche 911 and Aston Martin V8. The E-Type has not been produced since the 1960s.
Designed to a whole new generation of sports car enthusiasts, the 21st century E-Type —the formal name has yet to be chosen — will be powered by Jaguar’s V8 engine in sizes ranging from 4.2 to 5.0 liters. All motors will be hooked up to Jaguar’s six-speed automatic gearbox, and come complete with steering wheel-mounted paddleshifters, while the suspension will feature special Audi-style magnetic dampers.
Enjoy a Career in Automotive Technology
If you enjoy working under the hood, consider automotive technology training from WyoTech, one of America’s leading institutions preparing students for work in the automotive, motorcycle, collision/refinishing and marine industries. For information on training programs, as well as financial aid opportunities for those who qualify, contact WyoTech today!
Co-host of Spike TV's "Xtreme 4X4"
"At WyoTech, I received the skill set necessary to take me as far as my imagination will lead me."
Jessi Combs' motto, "It's not how big you are in the fight; it's how big the fight is in you," has taken her a long way...