Bosch Iridium Edition RTR Mustang Build

2010 Formula Drift champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. has teamed up with Bosch to build a one of a kind RTR Mustang that will eventually be given away to a lucky winner in a Bosch sweepstakes. Vaughn has used Bosch components in his Formula Drift Mustang  so naturally he was chosen to help promote the company’s new Iridium Spark Plug by building an Iridium Edition RTR Mustang. Bosch will be publishing four videos to follow the build and development of the car.

Two videos of the Iridium Mustang build have been published so far. The first video discusses the initial ideas for the car and the second video about creating the Mustang. Gittin takes a visit to Classic Design Concepts in Novi, MI to begin working on the car. CDC worked with Vaughn to create the RTR Mustang, so it’s only natural that the pair are involved with the Iridium Edition version. The Iridium Mustang makes its appearance for the first time, black on black Premium GT with Brembo package and it is revealed that the car will feature several carbon fiber body components as well as custom HRE P40S wheels.

If you’re interested in entering the sweepstakes for the Iridium RTR Mustang check out Bosch’s Facebook Page.

I will repost this along with the new video’s as they are published by Bosch.

Part 1

Part 2

Mustang ClIQ Facebook page up and running

I’ve been playing with the idea for the last month or so and finally decided to go ahead to give Mustang ClIQ a Facebook page. Hopefully this will bring help the community together for sharing posts, videos, as well as your own feedback and suggestions.

Check out the Mustang ClIQ Facebook page

2012 Roush Mustang Hyper Series

ROUSH PERFORMANCE PRESS RELEASE

Lively. Tireless. Active. Fierce. Excited. The vehicle design team at ROUSH Performance continues to build on their theme of DETROIT MUSCLE | REDEFINED by launching a limited quantity of ROUSH Stage 3 (RS3) Mustangs aptly defined as the Hyper-Series.

The 2012 ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang is powered by a 50-state legal TVS 2.3L ROUSHcharger® system that delivers over 540HP and 465 ft/lbs of torque. The powertrain works in concert with the ROUSH-calibrated suspension that lowers the Mustang by almost an inch, and enables the vehicle to pull over 1G of lateral force on a dry skid pad. The ROUSH-tuned performance exhaust delivers a throaty growl that let’s everyone know that you’re piloting some Detroit Muscle.

The Hyper-Series builds on the ROUSH Stage 3’s horsepower and handling by offering a set of four limited edition appearance packages. “The 2012 RS3 Mustang has been a big hit with our customers and enthusiasts. Not just because of the RS3’s power and handling performance, but also because of the 288 graphics and paint color combinations that can be selected,” says Gary Jurick, VP and General Manager of ROUSH Performance. “The Hyper-Series introduces four spectacular and unique graphics and interior colors that provide a customized appearance to the RS3.”

Each 2012 RS3 Hyper-Series Mustang comes standard with black body paint as the base. The Hyper-Series palette includes these four color options: “Mat It Mango”, “Gas It Green”, “Punch It Purple”, and “Launch It Lemon”. For the 2012 model year, ROUSH Performance will only build twenty-five vehicles of each color. Vehicles will be serialized as ROUSH certified builds, and will be numbered as per their production spot for each Hyper-Series color (ie: “Vehicle #12 of 25 – Mat It Mango”).

“The materials used in the Hyper-Series graphics really allow these unique colors to pop and dance in the changing sunlight,” continues Gary Jurick. “The primary graphic color is hyper black, to compliment the hyper black wheels, and then the graphics accent stripe appears in the selected Hyper-Series color.” This color is then applied to the exterior graphics, badges, and rear faux gas cap. The dynamic accent color also carries through the interior on the suede door panels, leather seating, and the shift boot stitching.

Each 2012 RS3 Hyper-Series Mustang comes with two shifter balls that are easily swapped out depending on the mood of the driver. “The Hyper-Series shifter ball color really ‘pops’ as you view the interior of one of these Hyper-Series RS3’s!” says Jurick. “We decided to include a second shifter ball that’s a bit more conservative, if preferred.”

The 2012 RS3 Hyper-Series includes a suede-wrapped steering wheel to add a comfortable feel while driving a performance car. Finally, each new RS3 Hyper-Series owner will receive a unique accessories package including ROUSH apparel and display items to commemorate their serialized Hyper-Series vehicle.

The Hyper-Series RS3 is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty and is currently available with a 6-speed manual transmission only.

Website: www.roushperformance.com

Vaughn Gittin Jr: Drifting in the KSA

Back in July, Vaughn Gittin Jr. made a trip to the KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) as part of a demo guest for Ford Middle East during the Action Ha race weekend at the Al Reem circuit. Vaughn soon found out just how much the Middle East loves racing and the drift scene. The local hospitality of the locals allowed Vaughn complete access to for drifting the entire complex including parking lots, surrounding roads, and the complete Al Reem circuit.

From Vaughn Gittin Jr.

“Earlier this year, I had the pleasure to visit Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a guest of Ford Middle East to perform in a demo as part of the Action Ha race weekend at of Al Reem Circuit. I didn’t know exactly what to expect heading to the Middle East, but I’m always down for new experiences and adventures. Once I arrived I was completely blown away by the love of motorsports, and even more specifically, the love for drifting by the locals. Everyone I met, from Princes, to other professional drivers, to swarms of fans, treated me with amazing hospitality and kindness. It was an incredible experience that I will never forget and I look forward to coming back to the K.S.A!

“After the event I stayed a couple days extra to film ‘Drifting in the K.S.A’. Thanks to the kindness of the entire Al Reem Circuit team, they let me get crazy throughout the entire motorsports complex. Nothing was off-limits and I had a blast linking one track to the next through the parking lots and garages and into storage areas basically doing whatever came to mind that would be fun and challenging. Aside from drifting the entire complex, one of my most memorable parts of the whole trip was after we finished shooting and we were hot, dusty, and dead-tired, we ended up putting on a impromptu drift-day with some of the locals that came to spectate the shoot. I was teaching them how to drift, change tires, different driving techniques, and they were so pumped up. While there were no pro’s to show us the ropes back in the day, it reminded me of when I first started; that smile that stays when you link your first drift and the genuine passion to get better and conquer the challenges. I had a blast hanging out and enjoying what drifting is all about!”

Formula Drift season highlights so far with Vaughn Gittin Jr.

Check out these highlights from this years Formula Drift season where Vaughn Gittin Jr races the Monster Energy Drink Mustang. If you don’t know what drifting is and you have no idea who Vaughn Gittin Jr. is then you will definitely want to check this out. Holy drift Batman.

Monster Drift: Las Vegas.
Round 6 – Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Monster Drift: Seattle.
Round 5 – Evergreen Speedway

Monster Drift: The Wall.
Round 4 – Wall Speedway

Monster Drift: Battle by the Beach.
Round 3 – Palm Beach International Raceway

Monster Drift: Back on the Pony.
Round 2 – Road Atlanta

Monster Drift: Defending the Throne.
Round 1 – Long Beach GP street course

Be sure to check out Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s Youtube channel at www.youtube.com/user/vgittin.

2011 Woodward Dream Cruise – Mustang Alley

2011 Woodward Dream Cruise – Mustang Alley

The highlight event of late summer in south-east Michigan is an event that any car enthusiast or motor head dreams of. If you’ve never heard of the Woodward Dream Cruise, imagine a rush hour traffic jam along a four lane wide road with traffic lights every mile. Sounds horrible doesn’t it? Okay, now replace all of those cars with badass muscle cars, classic cars, rare exotics, modern super cars, and the craziest things that can you imagine with wheels and a steering wheel. Oh, and also imagine them doing random burnouts and exhaust sound offs while spectators gaze on from the side of the street. This is the type of event that can only be expected from the Motor City that is Detroit. This is more than just your average American car show and cruise-in. The Dream cruise is so vast and infamous that it attracts people from all over the United States and Canada as approximately one million people attend each year to spectate and cruise. All of this is done in the interest of honoring the automobile and where people can showoff their rides and cruise the infamous Woodward Avenue along a route stretching from Pontiac to near downtown Detroit.

Along the route is the city of Ferndale, where every year Ford hosts an event simply known as Mustang Alley along 9 mile road.  I’ve been to the Dream Cruise many times before, but never Mustang Alley. Essentially Mustang Alley is a massive meet up of Mustangs in the heart of downtown Ferndale along with Ford sponsored exhibits, music, raffles and fun for enthusiasts. The event is free for spectators and $20 for those wanting to park their Mustang diagonally on both sides of the street. By simply logging on to www.mustangalley.net and pre-registering your name and Mustang you were reserved a parking spot and were free to come and go as you pleased for whenever you felt like going cruising. After visiting Mustang Alley I can definitely say that if you’re a Mustang enthusiast this is an event you don’t want to miss.

Ford billboards along Woodward Avenue advertising the Mustang.

I arrived just after 8am and joined a traffic jam of Mustangs slowly pouring into downtown Ferndale. After finally parking I met up with a few friends from TMS (www.themustangsource.com) and walked up the street to check out the events. I really liked how the Mustang’s of different years were mixed together and it definitely made the walking much more interesting. At the center of the event was a massive Ford stand that included a selection of cars on display including a 2012 Boss 302 Laguna Seca in Grabber Blue, 2012 Cobra Jet, Boss race car, and a 2011 FRPP/Whipple supercharged Mustang 5.0 which would make runs on a dyno every half hour or so. There was also a Ford Racing tent where you could order certain parts such as axleback exhaust and you could even choose to have it installed by a Ford Racing team on a lift under an adjacent tent. Ford also had a small stand in the middle of the alley next to Woodward Avenue to show off the new Focus ST concept.

Towards the end of the day Ford raffled off a selection of prizes, most notable including a set of 19″ SVT GT500 wheels that came with struts, shocks and also front brakes, Boss 302 wheels and tires, and a very cool 2012 Boss 302 office chair. Around 5pm we left Mustang Alley and finally headed out for a cruise, unfortunately shortly after a severe thunderstorm rolled through and washed the cruise out for the rest of the afternoon and so we called it a  day.  Overall it was an awesome day and I highly recommend any car enthusiast make a trip to the Woodward Dream Cruise and Mustang Alley in Ferndale.

Photo’s I took at Mustang Alley 2011.

Website: www.woodwarddreamcruise.com

Website: www.mustangalley.net

Remembering 9/11

It’s hard to believe it’s already been ten years since the day that changed the world and our lives forever. I wasn’t planning on making a post Mustang related, but this is too cool to pass up.

If you were to ask someone anywhere in the world to create a list of things that represent American pride, surely the muscle car or Ford Mustang will be on there.

An Ebay seller (nyyankee) in New York has been selling magnetic rear blackout panels for the rear of 2010+ Mustangs. I bought one from him about a year ago, but recently leading up to the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks he has come up with a very special magnetic rear panel.

The magnetic rear panel features a graphic tribute ‘Never Forget 9-11-2001’. Some may argue that’s it’s over the top and gawdy, but personally I think it’s a great tribute of remembrance to that day as well as those lost.  It’s not something to keep on the car year round obviously, but certainly something you could put on your car on the anniversary of 9/11. Interest in these panels was understandably high and the rear panels quickly sold out, but I’m sure these will be offered again in the future. Here are some photo’s various members of the Mustang community.

Hennessey Boss 302 Mustang Upgrade Packages

Hennessey Performance has gotten their tuning minds and hands on the 2012 Boss 302 Mustang’s and is now offering a line of upgrade packages. The packages range from naturally aspirated application to two supercharged applications. Starters can choose the HPE490 Upgrade, which in summary offers a cold air intake and full exhaust system consisting of long tube headers, mid pipe with high flow catalytic converters. The package is then calibrated and dyno tuned to produce 492 bhp @ 7,400 rpm. Hennessey exterior badges and interior mats and serial numbered plaques finish up the HPE490 package.

HPE 490 Boss 302 Mustang

Power: 492 bhp @ 7,400 rpm

HPE490 Upgrade Includes:

• HPE Cold Air Induction System
• Stainless Steel Long Tube Headers
• High Flow Catalytic Converters
• Stainless Steel Mid Pipes
• All Necessary Gaskets & Fluids
• Professional Installation
• HPE Engine Management Cailibration
• Dyno Tuning & Road Testing
• Hennessey HPE490 Exterior Badging
• Serial-Numbered Dash & Engine Plaques
• Hennessey Carbon Fiber Door Sills
• Hennessey Premium Floor Mats
• 1 Year / 12,000 Mile Limited Warranty

Hennessey HPE650 Supercharged Boss 302 Mustang

For those craving even more horsepower than the HPE490 offers, Hennessey is offering a supercharged package called the HPE650 package. Roush TVS2300 supercharger kit named the HPE650 package. The upgrade also includes a High Flow Throttle Body, Upgraded Fuel Injectors, and opened up side exhaust plates. The HPE650 Supercharged pumps out 650 bph @ 7,000 rpm. Enough to rocket the Boss 302 to sixty miles per hour in just 3.9 seconds, and a 1/4 mile time of 11.9 seconds on the factory tires.

Power: 650 bph @ 7,000 rpm

HPE 650 Supercharged Upgrade Includes:

• TVS2300 Supercharger System
• Air to Water Intercooler
• High Flow Air Induction
• High Flow Throttle Body Upgrade
• High Flow Fuel Injector Upgrade
• Hennessey Strut Tower Brace
• Side Exhaust Bypass Opened
• All necessary Gaskets & Fluids
• Professional Installation
• HPE Engine Management Calibration
• Dyno Tuning & Road Testing
• Hennessey HPE650 Exterior Badging
• Serial-Numbered Dash & Engine Plaques
• Hennessey Carbon Fiber Door Sills
• Hennessey Premium Floor Mats
• 3 Year / 36,000 mile limited warranty

Hennessey HPE700 Supercharged Boss 302 Mustang

If you’re even more insane, Hennessey is offering an HPE700 package with, you guessed it, 700 bhp @ 7,000 rpm.  The TVS2300 supercharger gets a pulley upgrade and a Boost-A-Pump Fuel System Upgrade.

Power: 700 bhp @ 7,000 rpm

HPE 700 Supercharged Upgrade Includes:

• TVS2300 Supercharger System
• Supercharger Pulley Upgrade
• Air to Water Intercooler
• High Flow Air Induction
• High Flow Throttle Body Upgrade
• High Flow Fuel Injector Upgrade
• Boost-A-Pump Fuel System Upgrade
• Hennessey Strut Tower Brace
• Side Exhaust Bypass Opened
• All Necessary Gaskets & Fluids
• Professional Installation
• HPE Engine Management Calibration
• Dyno Tuning & Road Testing
• Hennessey HPE700 Exterior Badging
• Serial-Numbered Dash & Engine Plaques
• Hennessey Carbon Fiber Door Sills
• Hennessey Premium Floor Mats
• 3 Year / 36,000 mile limited warranty

Hennessey Performance
Website: www.hennesseyperformance.com
Contact: sales@hennesseyperformance.com
Telephone: 979-885-1300

Exhaust Guides updated

I’ve put a lot of time and effort this afternoon and evening updating the Exhaust Guides with new video’s of various exhaust brands and setups. With each Exhaust Guide l’ve noted at the top of the page which particular brands have been updated. I recommend using either high quality headphones or computer speaker system to provide the most realistic impression of sound.

New Outlaw axleback exhaust from Flowmaster

New Outlaw axleback exhaust from Flowmaster

2005-2010 Ford Mustang GT/GT500 Outlaw Axleback 

For the Mustang enthusiast who wants to be heard, Flowmaster introduces the part number 817511 Outlaw Axle-back exhaust system. This Outlaw Axle-back system is our most aggressive sounding system for the 2005-2010 Mustang GT and GT500 to date. Featuring our race-proven Outlaw mufflers, this bolt-on system gives your 4.6L or 5.4L Mustang a deep aggressive exterior sound with an aggressive interior tone as well. Manufactured in the USA from 16-gauge 409S stainless steel, this exhaust system comes complete with detailed step-by-step installation instructions and Flowmaster’s limited lifetime warranty.

2011-2012 Ford Mustang GT Outlaw Axleback

For the 2011-2012 Mustang GT and GT500 enthusiast, being noticed on the street is as important as how the car performs at the track. Fortunately, being heard just got much easier with the introduction of Flowmaster’s Outlaw Axle-back exhaust system, part number 817516. Featuring the race-developed and track-proven Outlaw mufflers finished with polished T304 stainless steel, embossed 4.00″ diameter tips, this easy-to-install system gives both the 5.0L and supercharged 5.4L a very aggressive tone inside and out, with moderate interior sound at 1800-2000 RPM. Manufactured in the USA from heavy-gauge 409S stainless steel, this bolt-on system comes with a limited lifetime warranty, as well as detailed step-by-step instructions for both the do-it-yourselfer and professional installer.

Features and Benefits

• 409S Stainless Steel for maximum durability
• Race proven Outlaw Muffler Technology
• Utilizes factory hanger mounts/locations
• True bolt-on installation
• Most aggressive Flowmaster Axle-Back
• Backed by Flowmaster’s Limited Lifetime Warranty

Website: www.flowmastermufflers.com

Adjwok Design announces retractable hardtop for 2010+ Mustang Convertible’s

PRESS RELEASE – August 22, 2011

Adjwok Design Announces Limited Production of Ford Mustang Retractable Hardtop Convertible for 2012 Model Year

• First series production Mustang Retractable Hardtop Convertible
• Serialized limited production of 300 units for 2012 model year
• First 12 pilot production units available now for sale to current 2010-2011 Mustang Convertible owners
• Seeking capital investment to ramp up production

Adjwok Design Ltd. announces the introduction of the first series production Mustang Retractable Hardtop Convertible. This exclusive Mustang RHT Convertible is a post-title program based on the late model Mustang Convertible. A serialized limited production for 2012 model year will be built in collaboration with manufacturing and distribution partners inDetroit.

Dealer’s stock shortages of the 5.0 liter 2012 Mustang led to delays of start of production build of the 2012 model. To maintain exclusivity and future collectability we plan to build only a total of 300 units for the 2012 model.

A few current 2010-2011 Mustang Convertible owners have a fantastic opportunity to have their vehicles fitted with the first 12 pilot production units at super discounted prices before distribution begins to our dealership network.  We have negotiated discounted transit costs to customers outside of Metro Detroit.

We are also seeking equity partners to provide additional production start-up capital investment. E-mail us at mail@adjwokdesign.com

The car was introduced for the first time at 2010 SEMA show in Las Vegasby Galpin Auto Sports and its affiliate company Galpin Ford, America’s #1 Ford franchise as a one-off concept designed by Adjwok Design Ltd. http://galpinautosports.com/2010/11/2011-ford-mustang-gt-retractable/ The concept was also exhibited at the Los Angeles Auto show and other various car shows and enthusiasts events in the United States. Following an overwhelming positive response; we decided to offer a limited production build based on the 2012 Mustang Convertible which shall be available soon from participating regional dealer outlets throughout theUnited States. The vehicles will be available in limited base color schemes of Black, Performance White, Kona Blue, Silver and Red Candy Metallic.

Design and Specifications

Our design objectives were to create a high-image Mustang coupe-convertible that stands uniquely distinctive from the existing Mustang coupe and the soft-top convertible models. Enhancing both interior and exterior looks and quality of the car adds more sophistication and couture to the open air driving experience. The result is a unique motorcar that is not necessarily of high performance, but a car that is trendy and suitable for all seasons, long journeys and also for short trips to town, office or shopping and a car that would fit as a wife’s second car.

Starting with a Mustang Convertible base car, the conversion transforms the car into a fully automatic Mercedes SL style RHT Convertible with the following specifications:

• Automatic retractable hardtop roof system
• Interior trimming with luxury accents
• Rear seats for 2+2 configuration (basic). Alternatively, classic roadster configuration rear cargo bench with straps for storing and securing travel bags/briefcases or golf bags (Optional)
• Men/ladies classic designer leather luggage bags/briefcases (optional)
• Coat hangers (optional)
• Custom body paint (optional)

Advantages Over the Soft-top Convertible Include:

• Better sealing and weather protection
• Better interior roof trimming and head lining
• Full automatic roof operation at the push of a button
• Quieter packaging with a formal sporty roof-up profile
• More safety against theft and vandalism due to solid roof
• Superior rearward visibility due to wider rear windshield glass and slim C-pillar
• Improved HVAC temperature performance providing cooler in the Summer and warmer in the Winter

Post-title package estimated retail price starts at $14,995.00 (basic with rear seats configuration) and $16,995.00 (classic roadster package with rear cargo space, a pair of designer luggage bags/briefcases, straps and coat hangers), not including the base car. Interested current owners should contact us at mail@adjwokdesign.com  for discounts and more information.

Adjwok Design Ltd. is an automotive engineering design company providing engineering design services, product development and prototyping services for the automotive industry. Adjwok works with partner companies in the United States and Europe to create unique design solutions for custom luxury cars and exclusive specialty-vehicle programs such as modern convertible roof systems, modern chassis & structural design and development of vehicle functional components.

For more information visit http://adjwokdesign.com.

2011 Roush 5XR photo shoot

Double Laguna Seca

Motor Trend whips the 2012 Boss 302 Laguna Seca around the very track it was named after.

2013 Mule Spotted?

I was out driving last week and spotted a covered up Mustang mule on the freeway near Dearborn. I managed to snap some pictures on my iPhone.

Also as I was leaving the Woodward Dream Cruise on Saturday evening I spotted a covered up Mustang, this time in black and white camo’d stickers. It was thunderstorming hard and I didn’t have a chance to snap any pictures but the rear end shape looked very similar to the rear in these pictures as well.

From what I could see the rear diffusor is partly painted as well, much like the 3Dcarbon rear diffusor is. The rear axleback exhaust also appeared to be the same as off the Boss 302 and SVTPP wheels from the GT500. The hood also appeared to be higher, in line with reports MY13 will get GT500 styling cues.

2012 Roush Stage 3 Mustang in “Hello Pavement”

www.roushperformance.com