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Martini Mustang is a 'what if moment' gone right

Feast your eyes on a masterpiece. This is Steve Strope's Ford Mustang in the classic fastback bodystyle, and as you'll notice, it sports the signature colors of Martini Racing, a livery that's as legendary as any Gulf Racing-styled car. But the red, white and blues of the Martini stripe down this Mustang's middle tell only a very small part of the story, in the latest video from Petrolicious.
What would you guess is under the hood? A 289-cubic-inch V8? Maybe a 302, or some absurd Ford crate engine? Maybe Strope went all Tokyo Drift - he's actually responsible for the "Hammer" Plymouth Satellite driven by Vin Diesel at the end of the movie - and found an RB26DETT to drop into the pony car? You'd be wrong on all counts.
This mad, mad man somehow finagled a Ford-Lotus engine from a 1966 Indianapolis 500 car into the Mustang's engine bay. Yes, a Mustang with an engine designed for a 160-mile-per-hour, open-wheel racecar. That's like someone in 40 years dropping McLaren's 2.4-liter V8 from the MP4-28 into a Scion FR-S. It'd just make a monster.

FCA UConnect fiasco could set over-the-air updates back years

Since cars have become more software dependent, most major automakers have been inching toward enabling over-the-air updates to keep vehicle electronics, ranging from infotainment systems to safety features, current. But there are only two car companies — Fiat Chrysler and Ford —± currently doing OTA updates, and on a limited basis. GM CEO Mary Barra announced last summer that the automaker will launch a new EV architecture and infotainment system capable of over-the-air updates "before 2020." The one exception, per usual, is Tesla. Since the release of the Model S almost six years ago, the maverick EV automaker has made routine OTA software updates a core part of its vehicle platforms and value proposition, and has sent out updates for everything from adjusting ride height to enabling Autopilot, largely without incident. When I've asked automakers why they can't do the same thing, I've heard reasons ranging from running afoul of their dealers (and archiac regulation) to security concerns. Automakers like Ford and General Motors say they want to act like tech companies, which routinely send out OTA updates for a wide range of devices, but overall the car industry still moves at a very cautious snail's pace. And when automakers do try to move faster and take more risks — unlike with a smartphone update, which people bitch about but live with — the consequences can be significant when things go wrong. That's the case with Fiat Chrysler America and its recent public-relations nightmare when an OTA update went awry. The update went out at the end of last week for the Uconnect system in late-model vehicles, and it made head units go into a near continuous reboot, which caused owners to not only lose access to entertainment features, but also critical functions like emergency assistance. Almost immediately, owners took to Twitter to express outrage, and FCA was caught flatfooted. A tweet went out on Monday on the UconnectCares Twitter account that read, "Certain 2017 & 2018 Uconnect systems may experience a reboot every 45-60 seconds. Our Engineering teams are investigating the cause and working towards a resolution.

2015 Hennessey VelociRaptor 600 fills an F-150 Raptor-sized void

Ford is rumored to possibly debut a new F-150 Raptor at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show in January, but whether that's the case or not, Hennessey Performance is ready to fill the muscle truck niche now with its latest VelociRaptor 600 Supercharged based on the 2015 F-150. The fantastically named VelociRaptor package has been available on the regular Raptor for the past few years, taking power up to 600 horsepower or more, depending on what the buyer desired. With the latest one, the performance truck is now based on the aluminum-bodied F-150, specifically the FX4 Super Crew model with the 5.0-liter V8. "Having Ford's world-class new truck design, with a weight savings of nearly 700 pounds, our VelociRaptor 600 Supercharged will have an even greater level of performance and driving excitement," said founder John Hennessey in the company's release. The heart of VelociRaptor is the Roots-type supercharger running at 8 psi on the V8. With help from upgraded fuel injectors, a proprietary engine management system and stainless steel exhaust, it boosts grunt from a stock 385 horsepower to over 600 hp. To make sure that power gets to the road, the package also includes 33-inch BFGoodrich mounted on 17-inch Hennessey wheels. For buyers in need of more, the company offers optional parts including an off-road coilover suspension, different front and rear bumpers, a winch, LED light bar and Brembo brakes. Speaking to Autoblog, Hennessey said he feels confident that the latest VelociRaptor could do high-four-second sprints to 60 miles per hour, compared to the outgoing model in the low-five-second range. Prices for the VelociRaptor start at $73,500, which includes the donor F-150, and orders are open now. Actual deliveries should start by March at the latest, according to Hennessey. The company also plans to offer a similar package for EcoBoost F-150s later. Scroll down to read the full announcement about this muscle truck. Introducing the 2015 Hennessey VelociRaptor 600 Supercharged Texas tuner adds power and improved off-road capabilities to Ford's all-new aluminum bodied pick-up trucks December 16, 2014-For immediate release Sealy, Texas-For the past five years, Ford F-150 truck enthusiasts have had the special opportunity to own the SVT Raptor. With 411 hp and baja pre-runner capabilities, the Ford Raptor was one of the most capable 4x4's ever built. Sadly, Ford Raptor production has ended, leaving a void in the market for 2015.