1966 Ford Mustang Fastback on 2040-cars

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Volvo to shake off Ford ties with new platforms, engines

It would seem Volvo is finally getting around to throwing all of Ford's things out of the apartment. Automotive News reports the Swedish automaker is preparing to unleash a range of new engines as well as a fresh platform designed entirely in house. The powerplants include an all-new four-cylinder engine set to bow before the end of this year before arriving in the US by 2014. Shortly thereafter, the world should get its first glimpse at the next-generation XC60, which will the company's first model to make use of the Volvo scalable platform architecture (SPA). US buyers can expect to see that machine on their roads by early 2015.
The next V70 and S80 will also use the SPA, though those models will carry V90 and S90 designations when they hit dealer floors. But that doesn't mean Volvo has completely weened itself off of Ford technology. The V40 will continue to ride on Ford bones until the model's next chassis can be co-developed between Volvo and Geely.

Carmakers, NHTSA to unveil auto-emergency braking agreement tomorrow

Happy St. Patrick's Day Eve. Tomorrow, there will be green beer, corned beef and cabbage, and automatic emergency braking for all. Weird combo, we know. But on St. Patty's we can expect an official announcement from a pact of automakers making auto-braking systems standard equipment by 2022. That's per a report from Reuters, which cites three sources familiar with the plans. Originally announced in September 2015 by 10 automakers and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the agreement is expected to be even larger when the details are unveiled tomorrow. According to Reuters, the manufacturers of 99 percent of the US domestic market's vehicles will be represented by the new agreement. It's believed that standard AEB systems could prevent thousands of accidents across the country. Expect more on the official announcement when it's made. Related Video:

Shelby GT350 to be auctioned for charity at Barrett-Jackson in January

If you just have to be the first person in the world to possess the latest Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang, then you need to be bidding during the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ, on January 17. That's because Ford is offering the chance to own the inaugural production example of its latest premiere pony car there. The buyer of the first GT350 gets to choose from any color and all of the available packages for their car. Although, the real highlight is probably being among the first to listen to the 5.2-liter V8 under the hood with its flat-plane crankshaft. Ford promises that the mill makes over 500 horsepower and more than 400 pound-feet of torque. To sweeten the deal even further, all of the proceeds of the sale go to the JDRF, a charity that funds type 1 diabetes research. There's no reserve on the auction for the GT350 but don't expect a bargain. Last year, the first 2015 'Stang raised $300,000 for the JDRF at the Barrett-Jackson sale, and the initial Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 brought in $650,000 for charity. You can read Ford's entire announcement about the event below. FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO SELL NEW SHELBY GT350 MUSTANG AT BARRETT-JACKSON SCOTTSDALE AUCTION TO BENEFIT JDRF First publicly available production unit of the all-new Shelby GT350® Mustang to be auctioned by Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, with all proceeds benefiting JDRF Winning bidder will be able to choose from available colors and packages for Shelby GT350 Ford-sponsored ride-and-drives during the auction will feature a full lineup of 2015 vehicles Ford Motor Company will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the legendary Shelby GT350 Mustang by auctioning the first production unit of the new-generation car available to the public for charity at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona. All proceeds will benefit JDRF, the country's leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research. Live coverage of the auction of the Shelby GT350 will air on Velocity on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015. The winning bidder of lot No. 3008 – selling at No Reserve – will become owner of the coveted first retail production unit of Ford Shelby GT350, and choose from available Shelby GT350 colors and packages. In January 1964, Carroll Shelby and Ford Motor Company forever altered the automotive industry with the introduction of the GT350. It was offered through Ford dealers from 1965 through 1970.