“When we launched the F-150 SVT Raptor, consumers were blown away with the capability of the vehicle,” said Jost Capito, director of global performance vehicles and motorsports business development. “By adding the super-crew , we have expanded the versatility of Raptor, and now even more enthusiasts will be able to experience the no-compromise off-road performance that only Raptor delivers.”

Like the 2010 model, the 2011 F-150 SVT Raptor is 7 inches wider than a base F-150 to make room for the additional suspension components that give Raptor its unparalleled off-road abilities. The wider stance also gives the truck an aggressive appearance. Internal triple-bypass shocks by FOX Racing Shox – the first on a production truck – provide position-sensitive damping and extra suspension travel for extreme off-roading and a smooth ride on the road.

The super-crew’s 145-inch-wheelbase provides the same 5.5-foot box as the super-cab model. The super-crew has its own specific suspension calibration to provide the same off-road capability as before. The 12-inch-longer wheelbase also delivers the benefit of a more comfortable ride, especially in rough off-road situations. The longer version offers a larger 36-gallon fuel tank and a huge 8,000 pound towing capacity.

“We spent a lot of time getting the ride and suspension characteristics of the super-crew similar to that of the super-cab, and we were successful in getting the same character and flavor out of the super-crew ,” said Jamal Hameedi, SVT chief nameplate engineer. “While the super-cab and super-crew both have different strengths, each is worthy of the Raptor nameplate.”

Raptor’s exterior also receives some new touches for 2011, in the form of an additional paint color, Ingot Silver Metallic. A new optional hood graphic adds a personalized and functional touch to F-150 SVT Raptor. Inspired by older off-road racing Ford Broncos, matte black accent graphics, including the F-150 SVT Raptor logo, run along the hood.

Key to helping customers take advantage of all the capability offered by the F-150 SVT Raptor is a standard 4.2-inch LCD (liquid crystal display) productivity screen that is integrated in the center of the new instrument gauges, which have a black face, red pointers and ice blue daytime lighting. Also used on the all-new 2011 Super Duty, the technology was specifically tailored for off-road use with Raptor.

The screen includes a unique welcome animation and offers menu options giving the customer important information related to off-road and towing performance. A truck application screen provides vehicle status information for important off-road parameters such as off-road mode, Hill Descent Control, electronic locking differential settings and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control

An off-road screen informs the customer about steering wheel angle and vehicle angle on a grade during off-road maneuvers. The menu is navigated through a five-way button on the steering wheel and is positioned between the tachometer and speedometer.

“The productivity screen is a great solution for our off-road customers,” said Hameedi. “With one glance, they can tell exactly what settings are enabled on their truck and what the driveline
is doing.”

For the customer who wants more control of transmission gear selection, SelectShift Automatic transmission functionality also is introduced on Raptor. A toggle switch located on the console shift lever engages the mode, where the transmission doesn’t second-guess the driver, giving him or her total control over gear selection and performance feel. Upshifts, for instance, are not commanded at redline, and downshifts are allowed at the lowest gear possible as defined by the engine speed.

A Raptor Plus Package debuts for 2011, offering the rear view camera and trailer brake controller. The Raptor Luxury Package also receives additional features, with folding power exterior mirrors and Remote Start System with integrated key fob added to the list.

New standard technology features for 2011 include:

-Perimeter alarm
-Integrated spotter mirror
-Express up/down driver and passenger front windows
-110 V power inverter in the center console
-Head restraint for second-row middle seat
-Telescoping steering wheel

Dealers will start taking orders for the 2011 F-150 SVT Raptor today, and the trucks will be available in dealerships late this year.

The new 412hp Ford Racing crate engine can be installed in just about any Mustang with a few other kits and components. Hell it would even make a great decoration for your living room. Imagine it mounted under a glass table top and a quartet of bar stools in the shop huh?

Anyhow, there is no purchase necessary to win the engine, just go to their website and sign up. No tickets to buy either. For an engine that has an MSRP of $6999 that is a pretty good opportunity.

The deadline to enter is September 1st so don’t wait to long to enter. The goal of the giveaway of course is to get some attention to the folks at Latemodel Restoration Supply and their long list of parts and products for building up and restoring your Mustang. So go sign up and check them out.

More information: Late Model Restoration Supply

SEMA Show organizers are seeking the nation’s most active and influential automotive enthusiasts to help identify future trends in the market. As part of the SEMA Enthusiast Opinion Leader Research Project, auto enthusiasts can apply to attend the 2010 SEMA Show and participate in a market research project.

The SEMA Show is an annual trade show that features thousands of new automotive specialty parts and accessories, as well as a spectacular collection of customized and classic vehicles. Serving as the industry’s premier gathering for parts manufacturers to meet with qualified buyers, the SEMA Show is not open to the general public.

“We’re looking for active enthusiasts to help us learn what truly resonates and what doesn’t,” said Thomas Myroniak, SEMA VP of marketing and member services. “Their input will be incredibly valuable and will undoubtedly aid in shaping future plans.”

SEMA launched the Enthusiast Opinion Leader Research Project at the 2009 SEMA Show, with 527 individuals invited to participate from a pool of thousands of applicants. Participants underwent a rigorous qualification process to ensure they were committed and influential automotive enthusiasts. Their input was used to create a series of market research reports, providing SEMA Show exhibitors and the industry with valuable insight and data.

“The information generated from the program was unlike anything else we’ve ever done before,” said Myroniak. “Exhibitors who reviewed the reports have indicated that they are incredibly valuable and will undoubtedly aid in shaping future plans.”

Organizers are expanding on the success and will increase the number of participants in the 2010 program. The program will take place on Friday, November 5, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Participants will get an exclusive preview of thousands of new products and be asked to share their opinions, as well as encouraged to share photos, videos, comments, etc. through their favorite social media. Interested individuals can register for $35 at http://www.sema.org/?q=node/6156

“We are pleased with the pace of retail orders for the 2011 Shelby GT500,” said Fritz Wilke, Mustang brand manager. “The car continues to be popular with sports car enthusiasts and collectors who are blown away by the increase in horsepower and performance. The limited production of the 2011 should make this year even more desirable.”

A popular new option for 2011 is the glass roof. Ford says that three times more 2011 GT500s have been ordered with the glass roof compared to the base Mustang showing the popularity of this new feature. Interior options have proven immensely popular, with almost 70 percent of the GT500s ordered with the Electronics Package, which includes voice-activated navigation, SIRIUS Travel Link, HD Radio and dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control.

The new SVT Performance Package is also proving to be a popular option with just over 68 percent of coupe orders selecting the enhanced performance delivered through this all-new option. The package was developed to provide track performance. SVT engineers worked directly with Goodyear to develop all-new Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar G: 2 tires that give this already great handling car supercar grip and control levels. The optional package also offers unique styling, staggered lighter wheels with 19-inch fronts and 20-inch rears, a numerically higher rear axle ratio, stiffer springs and dampers, and a lowered ride height. The SVT Performance Package is available on both the coupe and convertible.

The point? Get yours while the getting is good. With only some 2200 units to come, the train is fast leaving the station for 2011 models.

Available in complete sets (#SBH6101) the company boasts that these braided hoses have been vigorously tested, and proved to virtually eliminate typical volumetric brake line expansion. This eliminates a “spongy” feel when applying the brakes when in hard use, providing a firmer, more responsive pedal.

Some race series and track day organizations require stainless steel upgrades over standard rubber hose because of its inherent heat stretching. Steel braided hoses are much more resilient to heat and high pressure over the long term.

The StopFlex Shelby GT-500 hose kits feature factory style brackets for quick, easy installation. They are legal for use in both street and racing applications. StopFlex lines are corrosion resistant, and feature a 5-layer design using 304 stainless braided wire, Teflon hose, and Kevlar braid to produce the strongest brake hoses available.

More Information: www.classictube.com.

The first is their new Billet Shelby GT-500 Engine Cap Set. With a starting suggested retail price of $589.00 they are indeed dear but just look at them. They come in a variety of anodized finishes that really pop. And for an extra $100 you can add genuine carbon fiber trim. They are machined by hand in the USA exclusively for Shelby Performance Parts. Included in the 8-piece set us a bottle opener key-chain that matches the pieces. They do look high end and yes they cost it too. Just be sure to keep an eye on your engine compartment at car shows.

The Engine Cap Set is available in eight dazzling variations and four finishes including red, blue, black and satin. You can get them with the LeMans stripes embedded in the design or carbon fiber inlay.

Complimentary to the new billet Engine Cap Set, is Shelby Performance Part’s new machined aluminum Shelby GT500 Valve Coil Covers. Available in the same matching finishes as the caps, these coil covers replace the standard factory covers with a truly top drawer look. They are available in blue, red or black finish or plain satin. Suggested retail price for the Shelby GT500 Valve Coil Covers is $359.00

More information: Shelby Performance Parts

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The improvements over the 2009 model were so substantial that Ford’s SVT skunk works could have easily sat back for 2-3 years and let it ride. Instead though they have unleashed an all new aluminum block version of the 5.4 liter DOHC supercharged engine, saving over 100lbs. See, they have been listening to the chorus of enthusiasts complaining about wieght.

Horsepower is up by 10 with improvements in tuning and hardware. Intercooler capacity is increased 40% to better manage air-charge temperatures when driving hard. A larger diameter exhaust system now measures a girthy 2.75″ front to rear. Not only do these enhancements make it sound even sweeter but improved fuel economy now means there is no more gas guzzler tax for 2011 models. Under the hood the engine gets a fresh new look with Ford blue valve covers and a silvery aluminum sheen.

SVT says they had mulled building off the new Coyote 5.0 liter engine for the GT-500 but felt that the venerable 5.4 liter engine was a more iconic and exclusive power plant for the Shelby. The latest iteration of the 5.4 V8 is the closest thing to the engine that powered the Ford GT super car ever to be shoehorned into the Mustang. The new aluminum block has an electrically fused iron cylinder coating measuring only microns thick. This increases strength without the weight of sleeves and gives better thermal efficiency as well as a host of other benefits. Six bolt main bearing caps and increased oil passage capacity build on an already bulletproof design going forward.

For 2011 SVT also added the optional Performance Package for the GT-500. And after spending a day driving the car with and without it, we highly recommend you spend the extra $3450 for it. The package includes a larger 19″ front and 20″ rear wheels wrapped with Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar G:2 tires. The wheels save you about 15 lbs of unsprung weight. A 3.73 rear axle ratio gives a better feel in your back accelerating while stiffer spring and damper rates tighten up the ride significantly. Larger diameter anti-roll bars front and rear also net noticeably flatter cornering. SVT also chose to give cars with the Performance Package a unique look with Ford GT inspired striping and fine spoked smoke satin wheels.

With all these new specs to consider, when Ford invited us to Virginia International Raceway to get behind the wheel we took them up on it. They had both 2010 and 2011 GT-500’s on hand for us to compare back to back. Our press cars were also equipped with roll bars and racing harnesses so we would feel plenty confident pushing the envelope and having some fun while getting a true feel for the capabilities of the cars.

The first and most significant difference you notice behind the wheel of the new 2011 Shelby GT-500 is the steering feel. This year the GT-500 and its Mustang brethren traded hydraulic power steering assist for an all new electric power assist steering (EPAS). EPAS allows for the less numbed steering feel of a manual steering rack at speed and offers better assist at low speeds. SVT has done a great job tuning the steering to feel natural and perfectly weighted. At speed on the road course at VIR the 2011 GT-500 felt far more precise transitioning in curves as the system provides little if any assist when you are at full steam. At slow speeds the steering has a lot lighter effort and feels a lot sharper. Because there is no power steering pump, you don’t pull on the engine RPM when you turn ether.

The lighter front axle weight is immediately noticeable turning aggressively into curves. There’s a lot less vagueness and understeer than in the 2010 models. And the 2011 GT-500 was lot easier to drive faster right out of the gate due to its far more confidence inspiring steerng response. Less turn in angle was necessary to change course and knowing that your inputs would be replied to more aggressively made the drive more fun. SVT says they tuned the suspension around the GT-500 exclusive Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar G:2 tires. The result is very predictable behavior right up to and past the limits of adhesion.

So how does it perform? While we did not independently instrument the 2011 Shelby GT-500 during our drive in the countryside of North Carolina and at VIR, Ford stated they have achieved 0-60 in 4.2 seconds in their own testing. The quarter mile comes in at 12.3 seconds at 119mph. Road holding breaks the 1G barrier at 1.02 and you can stop from 60-0 in 107 feet. Ford made it around the VIR  road course 9 seconds faster in the 2011 than in the 2010 as seen in this video.

On the refinement front Ford added a significant amount of structural and sound deadening enhancements to the 2011 GT-500 over the 2010. This includes stiffer bracing for convertible, acoustic foam fill in structural boxed areas, and new wheel aprons. The result is a much more expensive feeling and sounding car that better justifies its $48,645 base price than before. You pick this up in how the car feels, sounds and responds to cruising back roads, driving in traffic, and hammering it on the track.

The takeaway from our road and track testing is that Ford has raised the bar on the 2011 GT-500 almost the same distance as they had from 2009 to 2010. It’s that good and it’s that different. The refinement and precision in the new steering system alone is worth buying the car for. It really makes it a lot more fun to drive. The new Performance Package is a must and at $3495 it isn’t much in the larger scheme of things. You’ll regret it if you pass it up. And if you’re thinking of DIY, you could not replicate all of its line items in the aftermarket for less. And even if you could you wouldn’t have the engineered feel you get straight from SVT. Best of all, if you don’t care for the unique stripes you can check the delete box on the order form.

In closing let there be no doubt that Ford is hell bent on improving their cars in this new era of recapturing the American market. Whether it be refinements, performance increases, and visual wow they aren’t sitting back and resting on their laurels. This may just be the best Mustang ever built, just as was the 2010 GT-500. The only question remains, what will they do next?

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And with all drive events, plenty of new photos of the Raptor in action were taken. The proving grounds at Michigan has a lot of lush muddy places to get photos. There was also a gravel road course set up with cones to demonstrate the agility and maneuverability of the SVT Raptor.

While we did not get the chance to get behind the wheel at this particular event, we can all benefit from the awesome photos. Makes you just want to take the rest of the day off work to go out and play in the dirt.

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The new 300+hp 3.7 liter standard Mustang is in good supply with a reasonably good selection across the dozen dealers we surveyed. Most of the cars are fully optioned and six-speed manuals are of course harder to find.

The 2011 Mustang GT with the rip-snorting 5.0 V8 is still a rare bird on dealer lots as of this week due to pent up demand. Much of the first wave of production has gone to customers who ordered their cars months ago and have been waiting for them to be delivered. In fact only one of the twelve dealerships we surveyed even had one in stock and it was an automatic transmission equipped car.

The top dog 2011 Shelby GT-500 is in plentiful stock too. Five of the twelve dealers we surveyed had one in stock. All of them were equipped with the new SVT Performance package which includes 19″ front and 20″ rear wheels along with a number of other performance and visual upgrades. It would appear that most dealerships are opting for the full loaded GT-500’s.

And don’t look for anything special in the color department as of today. Dealers for the most part only have silver, red and black in stock. The great news is that it does not appear the dealers are gouging on the new 5.0 liter Mustang GT or aluminum block GT-500.

We took a trip into Ebay and saw nearly a dozen 2011 GT-500’s listed for sale with Buy It Now pricing at or just slightly above MSRP. It is nothing like the $10,000 – 30,000 mark ups we saw with the 2007. The economy surely plays a part in the more than fair pricing today. So if you have been waiting for the new 2011 Mustangs, rejoice. Grab your best friend and head out to the dealer tonight and make a date of it. Eat first in case you end up hanging out at the dealer longer than you should. Oh, and bring a copy of your pay stubs just in case.

In their testing, the car with a good deal less weight on the front wheels and equipped with the new SVT Performance Package performed on the test loop an astounding 9 seconds faster than the 2010 Shelby GT-500. Not only is the weight difference contributing to the faster time, but the new suspension, tire and wheel package seals the deal.

The front and rear shocks  in the Performance Package are tuned differently, adding control to work better with the chassis and tire. The front springs are 20.5 percent stiffer than the base, and the rear springs are 9.5 percent stiffer, continuing an SVT performance tuning direction of adding more stiffness in the front and keeping the rear softer to aid acceleration traction. Roll stiffness also helps control cornering while on the track.

Nineteen-inch forged-aluminum wheels in the front, which are 4.7 pounds lighter than the base Shelby GT500’s, complement the all-new wider 265/40R-19 front tires. New 20-inch forged-aluminum wheels at the rear are 2.8 pounds lighter than the standard 19-inch wheel, and the new 3.73 rear axle ratio takes advantage of the new larger rear wheels and tires.

A lowered ride height of 11 millimeters in front and 8 millimeters at the rear improves handling and gives the car an even sportier attitude. High-temperature dry shaft center bearing bushing and shifter bushings – which are also on the base Shelby – ensure that no matter how hot the conditions get, the car will still perform at its best.

Check Out Ford’s Video…..

The 2011 Shelby GT500 is powered by an all-new aluminum-block 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 engine offering a weight savings of 102 pounds off of the outgoing cast-iron block. The weight reduction helps improve fuel economy, acceleration, handling and steering precision.

Advanced engine manufacturing techniques and refined tuning help produce 550 horsepower –10 hp more than the 2010 model – and 510 ft.-lb. of torque. And, through engine improvements and aerodynamic refinements, the 2011 GT500 will be the first GT500 to achieve fuel economy numbers that will allow it to avoid gas guzzler tax.

We’ll be taking our own test drive in the new 2011 GT-500 real soon. So stay tuned for a full review.