SPIED: Jaguar's JaguarDrive Transmission Design

Here is something from Ford Motor Company's British luxury brand.

The spy photographer's at World Car Fans (WCF, www.worldcarfans.com) spotted the image of the "JaguarDrive", which is the latest transmission design interface from Jaguar Cars. According to Jaguar officials, the JaguarDrive will be installed in the new Jaguar C-XF mid-size luxury sedan, but the spies at WCF found this new Jaguar transmission on the XKR test car.

To give you a brief info about the JaguarDrive, the British automaker described this new system as: "Sink into the C-XF driver’s seat and a jewel-like Power button pulses on the centre console – its rhythm representing the heartbeat of the car. Press the button and beneath your hand, concentric aluminum rings spiral downwards to allow the new circular JaguarDrive Selector to nestle directly in your palm."

Meanwhile, check out what the WCF spies said about this JaguarDrive stuff:

"It appears that JaguarDrive - Jaguar’s new transmission interface previewed on the C-XF concept - may be in development for more than just the new Jaguar XF. We spotted this XKR test car, sporting a camouflaged front bumper, which prompted us to take a closer look inside. We were surprised by what we saw, or rather, what we didn’t see. The car’s normally prominent J-gate shifter was notably absent. The transmission tunnel was covered with fabric, so we couldn’t see what resided in place of the J-gate, but whatever it was, it laid flat, with no vertical protrusion to speak of, which pretty much describes the gear selector used in the C-XF concept. Some serious computer diagnostic gear sat in the passenger seat, and a mass of wires fed directly into the transmission tunnel, further suggesting that there is some real engineering work going on here."

Feared on 2007 Ford Harley-Davidson Edition

Ford's heavy-duty pickup trucks get a new turbo diesel engine, redesigned, upgraded interior, and an exterior facelift for next year, considered to be the Ford's cleanest, quietest truck diesel ever.

Specifications:
- Cranks out a maximum 350 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque
- Black-and-copper paint scheme
- Lower rocker panels continue around the rear wheel well to wrap the rear bumper
- Copper-colored seat
-Trim panels dress up the big truck's interior
- Visible badges from every exterior angle
- Center caps of the large black-and-chrome wheels
- Blacked-out grille
-Horizontal chrome strips within the grille frame
-Revised headlamps flank the sides
-New Ford oval is upsized with an extra chrome ring
- Smaller impellers are lighter and able to spool faster (equals more power more quickly and thus better performance)
- Uses Ford Clean Diesel Technology (Diesel Particulate Filter)
- Uses advance fuel injection
- Uses tough, durable transmission
- Rear suspension with 8-inch longer rear leaf springs
- Roll Stability Control
- Entirely spot welded hydro formed front end assembly
- Fully integrated Trailer Brake Controller (TBC)
- Trailer brakes for seamless braking even with the heaviest loads
- Telescoping trailer tow mirrors
- Maximum payload of 6,120 lbs
- Stowable Bed Extender (cargo support)
- Integrated step hidden in the tailgate
- Including a unique flip-up grab bar
- Tailgate liner
- Pin-lock for added stiffness
- Rapid Heat (supplemental heating element)
- Large mirrors extend up to 70 mm
- Heated glass
- Integrated turn signal and clearance lamp

Ford Steps Up Ethanol Plans

These days automakers are not only about the coolest cars. These days, automakers like Ford are also after a cleaner environment too, working to combat the effects of global warming. Ford Motor Company is one of these auto makers that care for the environment.

This year Ford is working to step up ethanol production among a broad range of renewable fuel options for its future vehicles. The Dearborn automaker already has more put than 2 million flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs) in American roads including models from their line up: Ford F-150, Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car. Last year, together with DaimlerChrysler and General Motors, they promised to double annual production of vehicles capable of running on renewable fuels by 2010.

This year, the three automakers renewed their commitment to make half of their annual vehicle production running on alternative fuel by 2012.
On the other hand there is also a need for sufficient allocation system for ethanol or E85, a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Curtis Magleby, director, State and Local Governmental Affairs says that E85 should be at a right price that will not sacrifice the performance of the vehicle. Not to mention that access to it has to be convenient to customers.
In year 2006 Ford entered into a unique E85 partnership with VeraSun Energy Corporation and MFA Oil to create the Midwest Ethanol Corridor. The objective was to offer flexible-fuel vehicle owners the capacity to drive between Chicago and Kansas City, powered by E85 at the same time educating the owners about the advantages using ethanol.

Since America has no alternative fuel option, this serves as a challenge for them to reach great marketability. Actually Bill Honnef, senior vice president, VeraSun estimates that its production in the U.S. will reach a capacity of 14 billion gallons, or roughly one-tenth the annual consumption of gasoline by American motorists (140 billion gallons), within the next five years.
It would be of great advantage if they will take into account what Brazil did, where the government gives incentives to their farmers 10 years ago to grow more sugar canes to produce ethanol. Now they have sold two-thirds of the vehicles that has the ability to run on pure ethanol, known as E100 which result to low dependency on foreign oil.

ROUSH Brings Out Your Worst Nitemare!

I hope that shivering title didn’t scare you to death. Anyway, the Nitemare that I am talking about is the special limited edition Ford F-150 pickup truck model designed by ROUSH. The 2007 ROUSH Nitemare F-150 comes with exclusive features inside and out from the Livonia, Michigan-based automotive tuner.

Unfortunately, only 100 units of this very limited edition model will roll out in ROUSH authorized Ford dealers, so you better hurry and place your orders starting this June 2007. Now that's your nightmare! The 2007 ROUSH Nitemare F-150 truck carries a base manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSR) of $41,750.

Check out what this very limited edition Ford F-150 model has to offer. Standard ROUSH features include:

• ROUSH charger 5.4-liter 3 valve engine pumping out 445 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque
• ROUSH "go fast" components including intake manifolds, intercooler, radiator, and air induction system
• ROUSH Nitemare logo embroidered into the ROUSH custom leather seats and in the black

• ROUSH instrument cluster
• ROUSH Nitemare embroidered floor mats
• ROUSH black dash trim kit
• ROUSH billet aluminum pedals
• Exclusively black exterior color with matte black design stripes
• ROUSH front chin spoiler and black aluminum billet grille
• ROUSH dual rear exit exhaust system
• Ford limited slip 3.73 rear axle

You can also add these available features for the 2007 ROUSH Nitemare F-150, which include:

• A rear wing
• Hood scoop
• Locking lug nuts
• GPS system
• ROUSH sport suspension system lowers the truck 2 inches in the front and 3 in the rear
• ROUSH-engineered front coil springs, rear leaf springs, front sway bar and specially-valved shocks.

Maybe the Nitemare F-150 will scare the hell out of other drivers when it takes the road anytime soon.