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IIHS crash tests second F-150 bodystyle

Sometimes, being the king comes with some extra scrutiny. At the urging of Automotive News, the Ford F-150 is the first truck to have multiple cab configurations crash tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. According to Automotive News, IIHS was preparing to release the crash-test report on the 2015 F-150 after the safety watchdog evaluated the popular, four-door SuperCrew body. However, the agency learned from AN that configuration contained steel bars welded around the front wheels for added protection. Those reinforcements aren't on the other cab variants, and IIHS is now going back to check a SuperCab without the strengthening to check its safety performance, as well. While the added bars might help the SuperCrew score better in the vital but difficult small-overlap front crash test, there's no guarantee that's their sole purpose. As the head of the IIHS crash lab Joe Nolan indicated to Automotive News, if Ford were just trying to beat the system the company could only put the reinforcement on the driver's side where the agency does the small-overlap test. Also, when the National Highway Travel Safety Administration checked the latest F-150, the Feds gave all three cab styles top, five-star overall ratings. Due to the additional testing, IIHS won't have the F-150's scores ready until July, according to Automotive News. Starting next year, the cab variants of other trucks will also starting being crash tested by the agency. Related Video:

Autoblog Minute: VW Emissions Scandal, New Ford Super-Duty

We got our first looks at look at Ford's new Super Duty truck lineup this week but it's Volkswagen that has been dominating the news cycle, as Matthias Muller is named CEO of the embattled automaker. Autoblog's Senior editor Greg Migliore reports on the recap edition of Autoblog Minute. Show full video transcript text [00:00:00] We got our first looks at look at Ford's new Super Duty truck lineup this week but it's Volkswagen that has dominated the news cycle as Matthias Muller is named CEO of the embattled automaker. I'm Senior editor Greg Migliore and this is your Autoblog Minute Weekly Recap. Super Duty is new for 2017. Our first look at these heavy duty trucks showed increased cab space for passengers, and [00:00:30] a lighter aluminum frame. Ford insists these changes will provide customers with increased towing capacity and fuel efficiency. The all-new Super Duty will be built at Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant, and it goes on sale in late 2016. Now, in case you missed it Volkswagen is under fire for gaming EPA emissions testing. A massive government recall is in the works and the world's top-selling automaker is looking at significant losses in both car sales and its stock value. On top of losing billions of dollars, Volkswagen is also facing [00:01:00] legal issues. And this week we saw Martin Winterkorn step down as CEO of Volkswagen Group. These changes mark just the beginning of VW's arduous process of rebuilding consumer trust. Those are the highlights from the week that was. Be sure to check out my full recap this Saturday, plus some added insight on the Buick Cascada and its pricing strategy. For Autoblog, I'm Greg Migliore. Autoblog Minute is a short-form video news series reporting on all things automotive. Each segment offers a quick and clear picture of what's happening in the automotive industry from the perspective of Autoblog's expert editorial staff, auto executives, and industry professionals.

Ford, Toyota clean up in Best Car For The Money Awards

The U.S. News Best Cars for the Money Awards picks winners by looking at the average transaction price, five-year total cost of ownership, the regard a car has from the automotive press, reliability figures from J.D. Power and Associates and safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The result, according to the magazine, is "the best combination of critical acclaim and long-term value."
Ford nabbed six of the 21 categories that received awards this year, the Focus, Fusion, Fusion Hybrid, Taurus, Escape and Edge getting trophies. Toyota and its Lexus and Scion sub-brands took another five, the Tacoma and Tundra owning the two categories given to pickup trucks. The other ten awards were split between Honda with three, Buick with two, and one each for Subaru, BMW, Hyundai, Chevrolet and Mazda.
Follow the link to see all the winners and read about why they were chosen.