For the 2009 calendar year, the Chevrolet Camaro nearly surpassed sales of the Ford Mustang. However, the Chevy had not been on sale in the first couple months of the year. What people want to know is the effect that the release of the Camaro has had on the Corvette.

According to Ward’s Auto, the Camaro sold more than 60,000 units in its first calendar year in 2009. But then, you’d have to consider that this is the Corvette’s worst sales year since 1961. It’s safe to assume that very few who are interested in the 304hp V-6 Camaro would opt instead for the 430hp V-8 Corvette with a nearly $50,000 starting price. On the other hand, the Camaro SS is full of options but it is a lot cheaper than a Corvette, but it boasts of delivering 426hp from its 6.2-liter V-8, and it has four-piston Brembo brakes.

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Tags:2010 camaro, 2010 camaro mustang sales, camaro outsells mustang, car news, Chevrolet, chevrolet camaro
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NASCAR’s official pace car at the Food Land 500 at Bristol International Speedway is the 2011 Ford Mustang. But instead of the reincarnated 5.0-liter V8 (which was used at the 2010 Daytona 500 in February), it will be the revised V-6 car that will lead the pack.

Daytona was the first time that the new 2011 GT was used to pace the cars, and Food Land is its second time. In a press release, Fritz Wilke, Mustang’s brand manager, said that this Mustang is able to provide the power and fuel efficiency that customers desire. He claimed that this new Mustang can achieve 305hp and offer 31 miles per gallon – which is unheard of in a production vehicle. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:2011 mustang bristol pace car, 2011 mustang v6 Bristol Motor Speedway Pace Car, Ford, Mustang
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As a special treat for all its U.S. racing fans, Ford has kicked off the “Mustang 5.0 fever” Sweepstakes. Ford’s customer service decision says that this competition gives enthusiasts and customers the chance to win a 2011 Ford Mustang GT.

Before anyone gets any bad ideas, Ford would like to emphasize that no payment is required to be able to participate in it. All they need to do is go to the track and register or they can enter online, through Ford’s parts website. Entries will be accepted only until Nov. 23 and the draw will be held in December. The future owner of the Mustang GT will be randomly selected. The Mustang GT that will be given away is equipped with the new 5.0 liter V8 unit that produces 412 HP, 390 lb-ft of torque and returns a highway fuel consumption figure of 25 mpg. There are additional prizes in store. A bonus prize will be given away each time one of the carmaker’s Funny Cars takes a win in the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Prizes will be valued at $75 each and will include autographed merchandise, apparel packages and others. Winners of the bonus prizes will be randomly selected from all sweepstakes entries received to date. Photo gallery after the jump!

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Tags:2011 ford mustang gt, car news, Ford, mustang 5.0 fever
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Ford Motor Co. is investing $155 million into Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1, which will soon build the upgraded V6 engine for the 2011 Mustang.

This move leads to the creation of 60 jobs at this plant. Ford said that including this investment, a total of $1.8 billion has been spent in powertrain engineering and facility upgrades to support 2011 vehicle launches. Ford said however, that it anticipates that this figure will increase. No amounts were specified though. Meanwhile, pricing for the 2011 Mustang has been revealed. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:car news, Ford, ford v6 engine plant
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Production begins this summer for the 2010 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak. Notably, this is the second time that Dodge has created a limited-edition Challenger that cannot be used on city roads.

Dodge has removed features that would slow the car down and these include airbags, power windows and an audio system. Dodge removed car parts that total to about 1,000 pounds. The only place that the Challenger could be used is on the drag strip. The car is equipped with a 6.1-liter Hemi V-8 and a choice of a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:2010 dodge challenger drag pak, car news, challenger drag pak, Dodge, Mopar
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To increase the efficiency of the AutoAlliance Mustang plant in Flat Rock, Mich., Ford Motor Co. will drop one shift and 900 workers in July, according to Ford spokeswoman Marcey Evans.

Most of the workers that will be cut will have the chance to move to a different plant. Evans said in the next few months, there will be talks with employees about the opportunities. She said however, that it is still too early to state how many will stay. The plant, which employs almost 2,300 and is jointly owned with Mazda Motor Corp., also produces the Mazda6 sedan. The Flat Rock factory had a significant amount of downtime last year. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:car news, Ford, ford mustang plant drop shift
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Like many other carmakers before it, Chrysler has turned to looking to offer its retro-styled muscle cars in various “special edition” models. To attract interest, Chrysler has gone through its old lineup of eye-catching exterior colors.

Very recently, Chrysler has launched the Dodge “Furious Fuchsia” Challenger in Chicago. The hue is patterned after a “High Impact” color offered in 1970 called “Panther Pink” (or “Moulin Rouge” on Plymouth models). This new color isn’t actually as pink as the original but it serves the purpose of grabbing your attention, especially when highlighted with the R/T Classic’s white stripes. Furious Fuchsia is available on both R/T Classic (priced from $35,140) and SRT8 (priced from $45,150) variants of the Challenger. Dealers begin taking orders next month. There will be a wait since these hot pink Challengers won’t be built until May. Photo gallery after the jump!

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Tags:2010 challenger furious fuschia, 2010 chicago auto show, 2010 dodge challenger furious fuschia, Chicago Auto Show, Dodge
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Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) revealed today the new 2011 Ford Shelby GT500, the newest version of the legendary muscle car featuring an all-new aluminum-block engine, even better driving dynamics and handling as well as improved fuel economy and more horsepower than ever.

As we said the new car carries an all aluminum-block 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine delivering 550 horsepower and 510 ft.-lb. of torque (a 10 hp incrase comparing it to the 2010 model). And this is not all, as the engine is 102 pounds lighter than its predecessor, delivers a better power-to-weight ratio, handling and steering precision, acceleration and an impressive fuel economy. Continued after the jump!

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Tags:2011 ford mustang shelby gt500, 2011 shelby gt500, car news, Ford
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Dodge chose to celebrate the 40th birthday of the Challenger with the release of two special editions of the iconic muscle car — the 2010 Dodge Challenger Furious Fuchsia and Challenger SRT8 Furious Fuchsia.

In a release, CEO Ralph Gilles said that the new R/T Classic and SRT8 Furious Fuchsia editions commemorate 40 years of Challenger performance, further saying that they “modernize one of the most memorable hues from 1970 to create a modern muscle-car that exudes more performance, passion and even more nostalgia.” Continued after the jump!

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Tags:2010 challenger furious fuschia, 2010 dodge challenger furious fuschia, car news, Dodge, dodge challenger 40th anniversary
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Chrysler Group is hoping that humor sells as it launches the first leg of an ad promoting its muscle car, the Dodge Charger, with a trio of male-oriented 30-second spots.

The ads, which were created by Dodge’s new agency, Wieden & Kennedy, each have in them a gleaming black Charger posed atop a parking deck and the sun beating off the windows. The ads are voiced by Michael C. Hall, the star of Showtime’s hit series “Dexter” who then proceeds to be poetic about manly things. Just this past weekend, the funniest of the three ads, dubbed “Man Bag,” broke during the NFC Championship game broadcast. In the ad, Hall recounts all the things the Dodge Charger isn’t: “man sandals,” an “exfoliant with added moisturizer” or a “yoga class.” Expect to see more of these teaser spots that culminate at the Super Bowl on Feb. 7, when Chrysler, the only domestic car advertiser in the game, will show a new 60-second spot.

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Tags:car news, chrysler, Dodge, dodge charger ad campaign
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