Next generation Chrysler 300/Charger to get 8 speed auto

Image by khalid almasoud via FlickrIt's pretty obvious at this point that Cerberus doesn't want to keep Chrysler, and economic realities have scuttled any potential suitors that might have been interested in buying the company. All of this has led to speculation that there may not even be any plans for any future vehicles in Chrysler's future. Product development VP Frank Klegon insists that new Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep models are on their way, and he points to the next 300/Charger as proof.



Klegon told Automotive News at the LA Auto Show that the 2011 redesign of these two large, rear-wheel-drive sedans will beat projected 2011 CAFE standards. That feat will be accomplished with improvements to aerodynamics, axle ratios and upgraded engines. Klegon mentioned that the upcoming Phoenix engines, the development of which has not been cancelled, would motivate the Charger and 300.



The new Phoenix family of V6 engines will have variable valve timing, cylinder deactivation and direct injection among its many efficiency increasing technologies. Automotive News also mentioned that Chrysler may employ an eight-speed automatic transmission to further improve performance and fuel economy. We don't know of any Chrysler transmission projects that are this ambitious, and Daimler currently utilizes only seven cogs in its Mercedes lineup, but suppliers like Aisin and ZF already have 8 speeds on the market.

Ford to unveil 2010 Mustang live on Speed TV

Image by Ford Motor Company via FlickrIf you are unable to make it to the Los Angeles Auto Show to see the official unveiling, have no fear! The Blue Oval and SPEED TV have teamed up to provide live coverage of the 2010 Mustang's unveiling next week. The cameras will be rolling next Tuesday at 11:00 p.m. EST, so either put it on your schedule or set your DVR. Regardless, we'll be bringing you all the pics of the new 'stang along with any other noteworthy items from the show next week.

Tenth and final weekly teaser pic of the 2010 Mustang

What a long, strange trip it's been. For way too many weeks now, we've been tortured with little snippets of the new 2010 Mustang. Now we've reached the grand finale with the tenth and final picture revealing the rear quarter view of the car.



We really like what we see, especially the rear spoiler which now has a ducktail design instead of being raised from the rear decklid. The taillights maintain their classic three-pillar design, although they now have a more tailored look that flows along the line of the rear bumper.



According to Ford, there will also be an option for a rear-view camera, although we don't know exactly where the camera will be placed. We'll bring you all the details and plenty of photos next week from the LA Auto Show, when we will finally get a complete unveiling of the car.

Giugiaro Mustang doing donuts on video

Image via WikipediaThe Giugiaro Mustang concept has been around since the 2006 LA Auto Show, but it's still a great looking car. The upcoming 2010 Mustang has even taken some of it's styling cues, especially on the front end.



It's no secret that the Fabrizio Giugiaro-designed pony car concept has been out on the street being driven since its debut, as Mr.Giugiaro messed up a rim while (poorly) parking his creation in Bulgaria last year.



This video has surfaced from last February showing the Mustang doing some donuts in a parking lot. Even more impressive is the fact that most concept cars don't even run under their own power, let alone do donuts. And the ones that can don't see this kind of tomfoolery because they cost millions of dollars.

Fresh spy shots: 2010 Mustang

Spy shots of the new Mustang are easy to come by nowadays, as Ford has seemingly been tooling around Detroit in them without a care in the world. This time we bring you shots of the '10 GT model, taken in the parking lot of a shopping mall.



The pictures show off most of the goods, including the new front end inspired by the Giuigiaro Mustang Concept that debuted in 2006 at the LA Auto Show.



The 2010 model has a tougher job on it's hands than the '05 model. This time it's a refresh instead of a major design change. Not to mention that the Mustang faces some stiff competition in the form the the Challenger and Camaro.



And no, the cow-like paint scheme will not be a factory option.

2010 Mustang dash revealed

The Paris Auto Show has come and gone, and we're still looking at sneaky pictures of various pieces of the 2010 Mustang. Ford continues to toy with us by revealing the dash of the car in it's entirety this week.



The poorly lit, extreme closeup picture at least reveals the entire dash, unlike a previous photo that showed an angled shot, with a partial look at it.



While GM has just given up on trying to camouflage the new Camaro, Ford presses on and has plans to drop six more weeks of pictures to tease and annoy us.



The new Mustang will be officially unveiled at the Los Angeles auto show on November 19th.

2010 Mustang Dash

This week's exciting revealing picture of the upcoming 2010 Mustang is....the dash.



But in all seriousness, it is indeed a nice looking piece. It appears that the quality of the parts involved is much improved over the previous 'stang.



I must say that the previous generation had a nice looking dash for pictures, but it felt pretty cheap to me. Hopefully all of this has been fixed with the new dash.



The materials involved have a high quality look to them, and are accented by a three spoke steering wheel featuring the new Mustang logo in the center.



The circular air vents at each end and gauge cluster are adorned with chrome bezels, and the seats appear to be finished with some stitching work, as does the steering wheel. A square vent appears above the center stack.



Stay tuned for next weeks revealing photos leading up to the 2010 Mustang's official unveiling.



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Teaser pics of the 2010 Mustang - no camo!

To date, all we've seen have been heavily camouflaged pictures of the '10 Mustang with barely discernable styling cues. But those folks are the internet are a savvy bunch, and more revealing pics are surfacing by the day.



Whether this is all a big game by Ford (likely), it's still generating a lot of interest in the face of stiffer competition from Chevy's Camaro and the Dodge Challenger.



So we swoon over every update that Ford trickles our way, not too concerned that the automaker seems to be playing with our emotions.



The good news is, these newest pictures reveal some enticing styling updates. The new wheel design is a knockout from a car known to sport some pretty wheels. The overall changes are pretty subtle, but effective nonetheless.



For the record, Ford will be releasing a new teaser pic every week until the car is officially unveiled on November 19th at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Ford launches special site, contest for 2009 Mustang

With all of the hype surrounding the 2010 Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro, it's easy to forget that the model year also brings with it an updated version of Ford's venerable Mustang. The new 'stang will make it's official debut at the 2008 Los Angeles auto show on November 19th, and is expected to be on dealer lots by spring 2009.



In an effort to keep interest in the car as high as possible, Ford has created a new promo site for the 2010 Mustang. The site will feature lots of updated information on the car between now and it's launch.



In addition to carrying information on the soon to be released car, Ford is launching a "Mustang Stories" contest on the site beginning on August 27th. If you've got a great story to tell in 250 words or less, you could win a 2010 Mustang and a trip to the Los Angeles auto show.



The Mustang Stories contest will be whittled down to 25 contestents and then the voting will be done by internet visitors.