Given Ford’s recent sales numbers, it comes as no surprise that the automaker has vowed to reallocate much of its spending from cars to trucks and SUVs. Ford will also shift investment in vehicles with internal combustion engines toward EVs, the company announced in an investor presentation this week.
Ford will reallocate $7 billion from cars to trucks and SUVs including the upcoming Ranger. The automaker says shifting production of the next North American-market Focus to China should help save money.
In the first three quarters of the year, Ford’s car sales have declined 17.3 percent from the same time period a year ago. The Fiesta, Focus, C-Max, Fusion, Taurus, and Mustang are all down for the year. Now, Ford’s product shift calls for more trucks and SUVs and fewer cars, the company says.
To streamline its vehicles and reduce costs, Ford will increase the use of common parts across its range, decrease the order-able combinations of many vehicles, and build fewer prototypes. At the same time, Ford will be able to reduce the time it takes to develop new vehicles by 20 percent over the next five years. In total, Ford wants to save $10 billion in material costs and $4 billion in engineering costs through these efforts.
There isn’t just one path to a great engine. Different companies have different approaches to evoking emotion and performance from their heavily engineered powerplants. These are the 10 engines that captured the hearts and minds of car nuts everywhere.
10.) Honda K20
This is the point where VTEC kicks in and its very yo
200(ish) HP, 8000+ RPM redline, and smooth up and down the rev range. The lack of low-end torque is more than made up for by the way it begs to be redlined, and loves every minute of it. Easy to make more power with simple bolt-ons and reprogramming, with Honda reliability to boot.
9.) Toyota 1LR-GUE V10
Developed by Yamaha just like the Volvo V8 that powers the Noble M600, this 72-degree 4.8-liter V10 is so rev-happy that you need digital instruments to follow its moves. It also sounds like a well lubricated dream.
The Lexus LFA is worth every penny for this engine alone.
8.) AMC 4.0
The first incarnation of AMC’s 4.0 straight-six dates back to 1964. I know. But hear me out!
The 4.0 liter version came out in 1986, but was reworked and redesigned all through the 1990s and into the mid 2000s. The one in the picture is full of names because it’s the 5 millionth 4.0 engine built produced on the Greenlee Block Line.
A friend had a Comanche with the 4.0. It was a damn beast.
I had a Cherokee with the 4.0. What a engine. Goobs of power. It would run with zero fluids in it. I think mine ended up with 200k miles on it. The only thing I ever replaced was belts and plugs.
Dear god yes. I knew five people in college with Cherokees powered by these beasts. The rest of the trucks usually fell apart, but these things never. Fucking. Quit.
One even went 23,000 miles, driven hard, with a leaking seal somewhere, without an oil change. Sold it and the new owner rebuilt it, after driving it home 400 miles through a New England winter storm. Incredible.
A legend in its spare time.
7.) Alfa Romeo V6 24V
I’m bending the rules again slightly since the quattrovalvole version of the glorious Alfa V6 is 22-years old now, but I agree with Chris. It has to be on the list.
It’s one of the most beautiful engines ever made, it sounds fantastic and got power too. You don’t need more.
6.) Toyota 2JZ-GTE
The 2JZ-GTE with VVT-i was created to fight Nissan’s brilliant engines in the world of boost and variable valve-timing. The basic engine debuted in 1991, but its variable-timing version came out in 1997, so it’s good after all.
Put a 2JZ-GTE into literally anything, and you’ll be good too.
5.) Buick V6 Series 2 3800
One of GM’s big shots. :
Lots of horsepower (for its day), torque, smoothness, durability, and reliability. Back in the day, full-size cars like the LeSabre were rated at 30mpg highway with it.
I’ve said for some time that if GM could build an entire car as well as they can build an engine, they would rule the world.
4.) Volkswagen TFSI
It’s supercharged for low-end torque, it’s turbocharged for high-end torque and fuel economy, it’s compact, light and extremely versatile.
This engine is in everything from the GTI, A3 to the boring Audi Q5, and Tiguan to the iconic Golf R and it can be tuned to insanely high horsepower and return 30mpg in the right hands.
3.) Ford Ecoboost V6
I am prepared for the backlash, but I firmly believe it: Ford’s EcoBoost V6.
It has, for the first time in history, given the top truck line a V6 that outperforms the V8s in both horsepower, torque, and MPG. While there may be engines out there that crank out more power than the EcoBoost, none have come close to changing the half ton pick up truck landscape like this motor has. And this is VERY important to meeting CAFE regulations.
I’m supportive.
2.) BMW S54
We all want one, right? So that pretty much settles it.
1.) GM LS Series
It just works.
Horsepower, torque, simplicity, compact V8 format, inexpensive relative to complex OHC engines, and capable of providing respectable fuel economy.
THE 2016 Ford Explorer is now available in left-hand drive markets in Sub-Saharan Africa, bringing more smart technologies, improved performance and Continue Reading »
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It’s vital to have your sight checked regularly as this will show up any underlying eye problems such as glaucoma that may affect your night vision. Never wear dark or tinted lenses for night driving.
The Institute of Advanced Motorists advises turning your headlights on before sunset and keeping them on for an hour after sunrise so it’s easier for other drivers to see you in twilight. Make sure all your exterior lights are clean and working properly and keep your interior lights turned off. And although it’s always important to make sure you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear, after dark this is especially the case.
On rural roads, drive on full beam whenever possible but dip your lights when faced with another road user to avoid dazzling them. “And if you’re dazzled by an oncoming car then avoid looking at the headlights,’ urges driving instructor Colin Baker. “Keep your attention on the left-hand kerb and try to keep your speed steady. Avoid driving along at 50mph, dropping to 40mph when there’s oncoming traffic and then speeding up again. It makes it very confusing for drivers travelling behind you. It’s better to aim for a speed you can maintain such as 45mph and sticking to it, even if there are times you could go faster.”
Make sure your car windows are clean, inside and out. Dirty windows will increase glare from other vehicles and are more prone to steaming up.
Read the road ahead for signs of oncoming drivers – glimmers of light at the top of hills and at bends could be the headlights of other vehicles, giving you prior warning. And watch out for pedestrians and cyclists – after dark they can be more difficult to spot, especially if they’re not wearing reflective clothing.
It’s always advisable to take regular breaks when driving long distances, but this is even more vital when you’re driving overnight. Stop for a rest at least every two hours and drink strong coffee to keep yourself alert.
If you don’t feel confident driving at night, booking a lesson with a driving instructor who can give you some tips would be an excellent idea.
Learning to drive is a bit like a marriage, the real work starts once the honeymoon period is over. You’re now about to unleash yourself on roads, alone. There’s no longer any guidance. Below are Continue Reading »
