2011 Ford Edge Sport

With over 400,000 units sold its almost safe to say that the Ford Edge, first introduced as a 2007 model, surpassed all sales expectations. Born at the intersection of high gas prices and the end of disposable income the crossover that has launched Ford and its subsidiaries into the badge-engineering game, but for crossovers.

Unveiled in February at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, the 2011 Ford Edge showed the styling path Ford was travelling down with the 3-bar grill and squinty headlights than previous generations. The new generation features a slew of new trim levels: SE, SEL, Limited and Sport but the big story several new engine variations available. Ford’s new EcoBoost range including the 2.0L inline-4, 3.7L direct-injected V6, and the power-house… the 3.5L twin turbo’d V6 with direct-injection. The 3.5L, the one you want, offer’s “V8 performance with V6 fuel economy” so the marketing boffins at Ford would have you to believe. The perfomance isn’t exactly breath taking, a la “V8 performance,” but the economy surely isn’t all that impressive. Up to 25 mpg shows that 355HP can push you around in quite a hurry while still carrying you quite a distance on a gallon of fuel.

Most reviewers were torn on the “love-it or hate” looks with too many curves but found the rounded edges did have one benefit: interior room. One important aspect to many crossover buyers who may be cross-shopping many crossover’s with SUV’s will be surprised to find out that 6-foot adults can sit comfortably in all outboard positions. View the video provided by Ford or the review’s below and read about all the interesting Sony electrics integrated into Ford’s newest generation Sync.

• Autoblog (blog, First Drive)
• Car and Drive (First Drive)
• Automobile Mag (First Drive)
• Inside Line (First Drive)
• Autobytel (First Drive)
• LeftLaneNews (blog, First Drive)

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2L

The Raptor SVT by Ford was originally engineered as a test bed for Ford’s “Hurricane” V8 and was Ford’s first truck built primarily to go off-road (in its 100+ year history no less). While Ford has always celebrated the success of the many other models of F150 no one knew the Raptor SVT would become so popular, garnering over 5000 orders in its first year of production alone quickly surpassing the last SVT truck, the 1999 Lightening SVT. However, the Raptor SVT was released before the Hurricane V8 was available for road use. That is until now.

After much ado, a whirlwind from the Rumor Mill, repeated “spy shots” and to the chagrin of early adopters Ford has finally come to market with the F-150 Raptor SVT 6.2 fuel hog. This (optional) engine pumps out 411 HP and over 430 Ft/Lb’s of torque in SVT trim and shaves almost a second off the truck’s already stellar (for its weight, calm down) 0-60 run. Still only avalble (for the time being at least) in extended-cab form, Ford’s betting the SVT suspension and body work combined with the new engine make a fantastic couple.

• Automobile Mag (Review)
• Car and Driver (First Drive)
• Motor Trend (First Drive)
• Popular Mechanics (Test Drive)
• Four Wheeler (Review)
• Edmunds (First Drive)
• Autoblog (blog, First Drive)

Ford realized it could profit from the love of the original GT40 and in 2003 introduced the Ford GT to showrooms. Promising the same great lines and styling of the original GT40 without the headaches the GT was powered by an SVT tuned version of Fords ubiquitous 5.4L V8 and added modern conveniences like A/C, a Macintosh Stereo, and simple soundproofing. 540 HP, 0-60 MPH in as little as 3.3 seconds and looks to die for sounds good, right? Well its been nearly 4 years since the Ford GT has been out of production but that hasn’t stopped various aftermarket tuners from delivering specialized versions of the car for those who want… more.

Ford created a monster with the 2010 GT500. Not that the 2007-09 GT500 was much of a slouch but the replacement settles nicely between the Mustang GT and the Corvette in terms of acceleration, speed, handling and overall performance. Shelby figured out that people want performance and wanted a more powerful Mustang, even more powerful than the GT500. Enter the Super Snake; a post-title package for any existing GT500 where you send your GT500 to Shelby American to have more performance parts installed upgrading virtually all the “go-fast” parts that Shelby installed upgrading the regular Mustang GT in the first place.

With the “love it or hate it” grabber blue paint scheme, today’s GT500 Super Snake, located in Charlotte, NC, will definitely grab your attention; this is not a subtle car. After just over 3000 break in miles this Shelby was sent for its TLC and breath of new life from Shelby. The parts that were replaced and upgraded include the supercharger replaced with a 2.4l Kenne Bell, a JBA exhaust system, Baer six-pistion brakes, vented roters, Shelby/Alcoa 20″ rims and of course the fantastic triple matte stripes replacing the twins on the original GT500. And the number you’ve been waiting for… 750HP, 200HP more than “stock.” Bidding starts at $124,995.00 so this may be your chance to own the most powerful production Mustang ever produced.