1969 - Ford Mustang on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Ford Apollo edition Mustang nets $230K for charity

Ford's Apollo Edition Mustang won't be going to the moon anytime soon, but the specially modified pony car will be helping young people learn to fly thanks to the $230,000 raised from its charity auction during AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI. All of the funds go to the Experimental Aircraft Association's Youth Aviation Programs that assist kids in becoming pilots. Eight specially modified Mustangs are responsible for raising about $3 million for the charity to date. With inspiration from the Apollo Program and a 2015 Mustang GT as a canvas, Ford Design manager Melvin Betancourt needed to create a road-going rocket ship dedicated to this massive engineering accomplishment. He definitely succeeded. The car is ready to takeoff with its supercharged 5.0-liter V8 pumping out 627 horsepower and 540 pound-feet of torque. The orange LEDs underneath make it look ready to blast into orbit, too. The exterior mixes patriotic imagery with lightweight carbon fiber performance parts, and on the interior, additional embroidery pays homage to the whole project of reaching the moon. Each year Ford returns to AirVenture with a new, customized 'Stang. In 2014, the car took inspiration from the F-35 Lightning II. The US Air Force Thunderbirds tribute car in 2013 and the Navy Blue Angels version in 2011 both raised $400,000 for the EAA charity. The SR-71-inspired example from 2010 went for another $375,000. Related Video: Ford Apollo Edition Mustang Celebrating the Apollo Missions Raises $230,000 to Support EAA Youth Aviation Programs • U.S. Apollo spaceflight program inspired one-of-a-kind 2015 Ford Apollo Edition Mustang sold at charity auction July 23 at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin • 100 percent of proceeds benefit EAA youth aviation education programs, including Young Eagles • Unique Ford vehicles have raised approximately $3 million for EAA youth aviation programs, including Young Eagles DEARBORN, Mich., July 30, 2015 – The one-of-a-kind Apollo Edition Ford Mustang, developed by Ford Motor Company, raised $230,000 at the Gathering of Eagles charity event July 23. Proceeds from the auction – held during the Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture Oshkosh 2015, the World's Greatest Aviation Celebration – benefit youth aviation education programs, including the Young Eagles. The Young Eagles has provided free introductory flights to more than 1.9 million young people since 1992, helping to grow the next generation of aviators.

Recharge Wrap-up: Ford's "snowtonomous" Fusion Hybrid, Porsche eyes battery makers

Bosch and Panasonic are vying to be the battery supplier for Porsche's electric sports car based on the Mission E concept. While Bosch's costs may be higher, its solution would offer simpler logistics. Panasonic is already well established as a battery maker, providing the packs for the Porsche car's rival, Tesla. "We're in the final stage of making a decision," says Porsche CEO Oliver Blume, declining to comment on specific manufacturers. Neither Bosch nor Panasonic provided comment. Read more from Automotive News. Renault will supply a fleet of 150 Renault Zoe EVs for a smart solar charging project in Utrecht, Netherlands. The project involves the installation of 1,000 EV chargers powered by 10,000 photovoltaic panels. The Renault Zoes would be used as part of a carsharing program powered by the solar chargers. Renault and its partners will also implement a vehicle-to-grid system to provide energy during peak demand from the solar chargers and connected EVs. Read more in the press release from Renault. Ford has been testing an autonomous Fusion Hybrid prototype that is capable of driving itself in snowy conditions. Ford uses 3D mapping to scan the drive route. Its LiDAR laser mapping can even detect single falling snowflakes. It collects and processes up to 600 gigabytes of data per hour, comparing its environment to saved maps, a process that helps establish location more precisely than GPS. In addition to the LiDAR systems, the car is also equipped with cameras and radar to help it navigate. Eventually, the car could even be able to clean off its sensors when it detects loss of performance from ice and dirt. Read more in the press release below. FROM AUTONOMY TO SNOWTONOMY: HOW FORD FUSION HYBRID AUTONOMOUS RESEARCH VEHICLE CAN NAVIGATE IN WINTER DEARBORN, Mich., March 10, 2016 – Driving in snow can be a slippery challenge, with the potential for one blizzardy gust to white-out your field of view – a situation faced by the majority of people in the United States. So if self-driving cars are to become a reality – and they almost certainly will – they must be able to navigate snow-covered roads. In its quest to bring self-driving vehicles to millions of people around the world, Ford reveals six facts about its technology that allows for a car to drive itself in snow. 1. Mapping the way: Ford first creates high-resolution 3D maps using LiDAR technology to scan the area its autonomous vehicle will later drive in the snow.

Ford Transit customs ready to work for SEMA

Ford's booth at the SEMA Show this year looks to have two, big themes. The Blue Oval is bringing over a dozen takes on the 2015 Mustang to the event, and it's now also announcing five customized versions on the 2015 Transit to join the modded pony cars. Each of the vans shows off a different use for the spacious commercial vehicle, from plush luxury to offroad ruggedness.
You probably don't think of the Transit as hitting the trails, but that's just what the take on the design from the Vegas Off-Road Experience (pictured above) is for. The company gives people the opportunity to drive a desert race truck, and this custom is meant to drive them to events. It should be able to take on the terrain a little better with off-road wheels and tires and fender flares, but inside passengers get serious luxury thanks to a 60-inch LED TV and video game systems.
Alternatively the blazing red Designed Travel Transit (right) is all about long road trips. The interior features four captain's chairs with heating, cooling and massage functions, and there's a 4K 50-inch TV to watch. For a touch of added class, the floor is made from hickory.