DEARBORN, Mich., - This year, Ford Motor Company is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the car credited with “putting the world on wheels,” the Model T. Henry Ford’s iconic vehicle, which officially brought the world into the age of the “horseless carriage,” also is responsible for hundreds of innovations that jumpstarted the automotive industry as we know it. This list focuses on the 10 most important influences of the Model T and how the world was forever changed by them.

1. King of the assembly line - The Model T brought mobility and prosperity on an undreamed of scale through manufacturing efficiencies at a price that anyone could afford. The mass production process perfected the moving assembly line, creating and defining the industrial age and enabling Ford to steadily decrease the price of the Model T. In 1908, the first Model Ts sold for $825. By 1925, it sold for only $260.
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There is a lot of hype surrounding the new Nissan GT-R. Is the GT-R an M3 killer or will it fall into a cult status like the Acura NSX?

Limited production, 480 hp, twin-turbo with a 6-speed dual clutch transmission, and can set record lap times at Nürburgring. $70k for a super sportscar seems like one heckuva deal to me. Honey, where’s my checkbook? (Editor)

Nashville, Tenn.

2009 Nissan GT-R Supercar Deliveries Set

70 Percent of First-Year Allocation Already Sold

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Maserati has facelifted the Quattroporte for 2009

Styling changes include a new front fascia with vertical slots à la the GranTurismo, new front and rear lights, new side mirrors and a revised interior with a new navigation system.

The Quattroporte has Maserati’s familiar 400-hp, 4.2-liter V8, while the S uses the new 4.7-liter, 425-hp V8 recently introduced on the GranTurismo S. A six-speed ZF automatic is standard with either engine.

The ‘09 Quattroporte goes on sale late this year.

Below is the official press release from Maserati
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Dodge’s remake of the classic 1970s muscle coupe, the Challenger, will start below $22,000 when the 2009 model arrives in showrooms this fall.

The automaker announced pricing for the three-car 2009 Challenger lineup on Monday. The base SE starts at $21,995, the R/T is $29,995, and the SRT8 is $39,995. Prices include a $675 destination charge.

The Challenger SE comes with a 3.5-liter V6, which makes 250 hp and is paired with a four-speed automatic. Other standard equipment includes 17-inch aluminum wheels, four-wheel-disc brakes and keyless entry.

The R/T upgrades to the 5.7-liter Hemi V8, which makes 370 hp–30 more than it makes in the Dodge Charger and the Chrysler 300, which ride on a similar chassis. The Challenger R/T also comes with dual chrome exhaust, P225/60HR-18 all-season touring tires and a rear spoiler.

Hotrodder’s who have no apprehensions of getting speeding tickets will want to pay another $995 for the “track pak,” which includes the Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual with a pistol-grip shifter. The stick-and-Hemi combination boosts output to 375 hp.

The SRT8 comes with the 6.1-liter Hemi V8 that pumps out 425 hp. Five-speed automatic and six-speed manual transmissions are available. Standard equipment includes 20-inch forged aluminum wheels and functional hood scoops. The race-inspired interior has reconfigurable displays that show 0-to-60-mph and lap times.

Dodge launched the Challenger this year as an ‘08 with limited availability–only 6400 were available, outfitted as SRT8s. High gas prices won’t sway the muscle car enthusiasts and we expect the SRT8 to leave the showroom faster than Speedy Gonzalez with a caffeine overdose. Would you believe Dodge got more than 11,000 requests to buy the car? (Editor)

Official press announcement from Dodge is below.
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The German tuning firm, Gemballa, is offering a new kit for both the GT2 and the Porsche Turbo, in the form of the Avalanche 600 EVO. As the name implies, Gemballa has coaxed 600 hp (not to mention 619 lb.-ft. of torque) from Porsche’s turbocharged flat-six through the use of a new intercooler, race exhaust and a retuned ECU. The race to 60 mph is accomplished within a few heartbeats or 3.5 seconds. The top speed has been increased to 199 mph.

The body kit consists of the Avalanche body kit, a GT hood, Avalanche front skirt with additional cooling openings, GT2 front spoiler lip, GTR EVO tailgate skirt with diffuser and hot air outlets and GT2 EVO rear spoiler.

Of course power is nothing without control dynamics, thus Gemballa also fits a variable ride height coilover suspension and a performance brake system with 380/350 mm or 405/380 discs. Inside you will find plenty of aluminum details, sports steering wheel (F1 shift paddles optional) and a leather interior overhaul if your donor vehicle didn’t have it already.

Click on the Avalanche 600 photos below to view the full size image.
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Volvo has always been synonymous with car safety and they come out with some good advice for keeping the family outings a happy experience. Sometimes we can’t control the overly-energetic kids in the back, but we can take some action for keeping everyone safe before hitting the road. Let us know what steps you take to make your trip to the store or annual vacation spot a safe experience. (Editor)

Volvo Cars of North America offers eight tips for keeping summer road trip passengers and drivers safe

IRVINE, Calif.(May 28, 2008) ­­– ‘Tis the season for families to pack up their cars and hit the road on trips both short and long. Volvo Cars of North America, a leader in safety innovation, is offering parents tips to pass along to their most precious cargo: their kids. While often overlooked in the safe driving world, kids can present parents with dangerous distractions while driving. Simple, preventative measures can keep both young passengers and adult drivers out of harm’s way.

“A distracted driver is far more likely to end up in or cause an accident,” said Bruno DiGennaro, Volvo senior safety expert. “Oftentimes driver distractions come from young, backseat passengers. Talk with your kids about safe riding practices before hitting the roads this summer. You’ll help keep everyone on your road trip out of harm’s way.”

In addition to putting small children and infants in car seats properly, there are other things parents can do to keep children safe in the car. Volvo offers these tips for riding safely: Read the rest of this entry »

Advanced MR Offers More Technology than Traditional Entry-Level GSR Model

CYPRESS, CA, May 21, 2008 –

On the heels of the successful introduction of the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR, Mitsubishi Motors announces the availability of the more technologically-advanced 2008 Lancer Evolution MR, the newest and most sophisticated version of the model series that began 16 years ago.

Shown coming off the production line in Japan, the Lancer Evolution MR arrives at showrooms in the U.S. in June and is available for a suggested retail price of $38,290. The MR features more user technology and a broader market appeal than the entry level GSR, including an advanced 6-speed Twin Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission. Read the rest of this entry »

PURCHASE VOLKSWAGEN’S ALL-NEW ROUTAN AND HELP FUND YOUR CHILD’S COLLEGE TUITION

Volkswagen partners with Upromise® to provide customers $1,500 when they buy or lease a Routan

Not a bad deal if you are considering a new minivan. You can get a new car, use it to haul the kids around town, apply some funds to their college education, and then use the Routan to move their stuff from home to their dorm room when they go to college. Functional, economical, and parentally-responsible. Did I miss anything? (Editor)

HERNDON, VA.—Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today a partnership with Upromise, the country’s largest private source of college funding contributions, to provide $1,500 to customers who purchase or lease a new 2009 Routan for their child’s future education savings. Read the rest of this entry »