Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords - Feature the MRT TKO

If you have not already purchased your May issue of Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords make sure you grab one. Featured on the front cover is the MRT TKO. The MRT TKO received the 2011 Outstanding SEMA Design Achievement Award this past November. We have had many of our cars featured in magazines but this is the first one that has been on the cover. Pretty special for the team here! After reading the article you will understand why this car is such a hit. Watch out GT’s this V6 can move!

The TKO is heading to Palm Beach Florida April 5-7, to attend Barrett Jackson as part of the Ford display. If you think the pictures are amazing wait until you see her in person! If you can’t make it to Barrett not to worry the TKO will be making her way around!

Now, MRT is proud to make this world class interior package available for your 2010-2012 Mustang. An elegant diamond stitch pattern completed in rough-grain “Fury” black leather creates a look that is simultaneously high end and mysterious. The MRT Predator Interior Kit includes Front and Rear Seat Covers in custom black leather, door inserts, and a center console lid. Diamond pattern is stitched in subtle black thread, while all other seams use a white thread. A matching Adjustable Headrest Pair is available as an option. Not only will this headrest match the grain and stitching of your interior, it will tilt to ensure your comfort while driving.

For further information on the MRT Predator Interior Click here

For further information on the MRT Tilting Headrests Click here

Eco-Flow designed for the Ford Flex

MRT Performance manufactures our Eco-Flow Axle-Back Exhaust from the highest grade 304 Stainless Steel. This premium material is light-weight, supremely durable and won’t rust. Installation of the exhaust is simple and drill-free. The MRT Eco-Flow Axle-Back clamps-on directly in place of the factory axle-back. 3.5 inch polished Stainless Steel exhaust tips come pre-welded to the axle-back and are included with purchase. As always, MRT Exhausts are made in America, by MRT Performance.

It has been reported (by independent testing) that the Eco-Flow Axle Back increases Horsepower, Torque and Fuel Economy over the stock system.

Product Features

Pleasing Performance Sound (does not sound ricey)
Improved Exhaust Flow
Highest Grade 304 Stainless Steel
Easy, direct bolt-on installation
Improved Performance
Improved Fuel Economy
Lightweight
CNC Mandrel Bent Tube
3.5 inch Polished Stainless Steel Tips
Made in America, by MRT Performance
The Best Quality, Best Value System in the Market

Product Fit
Vehicle: Ford Flex
Models: EcoBoost
Years: 2010, 2011, 2012

To be taken to the Eco-Flow page Click Here.

With the plant’s reopening, nearly 150 jobs—both hourly and salaried—will return to the City of Detroit, according to a press release. The Conner facility was idled when production of the Dodge Viper ended in July 2010.

“The next generation Viper will make its return to the product lineup in late 2012 as a 2013 model,” said Ralph Gilles, president and chief executive officer – SRT brand and motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC. “We’re extremely excited that our ultimate American sports car will continue to live on and be produced exclusively here in the Motor City.”

Current Chrysler Group hourly employees who previously worked at Conner were first offered the opportunity to return to their home plant. The balance of the positions will be filled by hourly employees volunteering to transfer to the Conner Avenue plant, the release stated.

Conner Avenue will begin building the new Viper in late 2012, but employees began reporting for training and orientation months ago.

In preparation for the reopening, the Conner facility will begin its transformation by implementing World Class Manufacturing (WCM), a system that is focused on reducing waste and making continuous improvements throughout the assembly process to improve quality and productivity, the release noted.

Viper production first began in May 1992 at the New Mack Assembly Plant, then moved to the Conner Avenue site in October 1995. All Vipers that rolled off the line were hand-built in a low-volume, modular process. Over the course of 15 years, Conner Avenue employees built about 12 vehicles a day for a total of 22,070 Vipers.

-Performance Business

Cars without CD players will become the norm in the next five years, according to Automotive News.

Around 331,000 cars will be sold without CD players by the end of this year, said to John Canali, an analyst for the research company Stratacom. Canali expects that number to jump to 12.1 million vehicles by 2018.

Why the change? Consumers are using their CD players less often and are instead opting to use their smartphones to play music. In turn, automakers want to get rid of optical drives because they’re expensive and mainly appeal to older motorists, Canali says.

The 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS is a prime example of the trend. It’s the first model to get Chevrolet’s MyLink touch-screen stereo. The MyLink system in the Sonic lacks an optical drive; instead, buyers will need to use the Sonic’s touch-screen to access features like Pandora internet radio to play music. To access Pandora or other online services, a smartphone must be paired.

The youth-oriented Sonic RS is a good car to start the trend because CD players are most often used by baby boomers, according to Canali. Of course, if you don’t want to go through the trouble of pairing your phone, you can always use the auxiliary or USB input to access music from a portable music player — including a portable CD player, if you still have one.

Thanks to Colin Bird, Cars.com for the story.

What: 41st Annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction
When: January 15-22, 2012
Where: Westworld of Scottsdale/Scottsdale, Ariz. at 16601 N. Pima Road (north of Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard).

If your a Shelby fan, then I don’t have to tell you that Shelby American is celebrating 50 magnificent years. There will be many extraordinary Shelby’s crossing the Auction Block including 5 original models.

You can also watch the event live on the SPEED Channel. Coverage begins on Tuesday January 17th, and runs through Sunday, January 22nd.

If you meet the TKO while you are there, send pictures!! Pictures can be sent to Jessica @ jgubachy@mrt-direct.com. Since I will not be attending the show I am counting on you sending me pictures!

For further information on the Barrett Jackson Auction Click Here.

For further information on the MRT TKO Click Here.

For further information on the 50th Anniversary of Shelby American Click Here.

To honor its 50th Anniversary, Shelby American™, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc., is unleashing a new line of Anniversary Edition Shelby GTS, GT350® and Super Snake® Vehicles. Only 50 white and 50 black of each post title Shelby model will be manufactured, making it an instant collectors item and an iconic piece of automotive history.

“Few thought that Shelby American would make it in the car business for 50 years,” said Carroll Shelby. “We built the first Cobra in a rented garage and then GT350′s in an old hanger. But our company is still here, manufacturing the best cars that I’ve ever made. The next 50 years will be even better for Shelby American”.

The Shelby American name is synonymous with high performance worldwide. Over the past five decades, the company has relentlessly pushed the envelope with a string of superior vehicles and parts.

“Our Golden Anniversary is a remarkable milestone worthy of this limited edition line of Shelby Vehicles,” said John Luft, president of Shelby American. “On the heels of the unprecedented sellout of our 50th Anniversary Edition Cobra 289, we expect demand for these new Shelby’s to be strong.”

Only 50 white and 50 black 50th Anniversary Edition cars are available; each will boast gold stripes to signify the golden anniversary. In addition, each Shelby comes with commemorative 50th anniversary badging, custom interiors, special wheels, 6 piston front brakes, car cover and a unique VIN number that will be entered into the official registry. A special museum delivery ceremony at the Shelby factory in Las Vegas is also included in the package, as well as exclusive collector merchandise.

The most powerful Shelby built yet, the GT500 Super Snake is available in 650, 750 or 800 horsepower configuration as a coupe or convertible. Based on the Ford Shelby GT500, the car is enhanced at the Shelby American facility with more powerful brakes, better handling and updated styling cues to match the higher horsepower motor. The 50 white and 50 black anniversary edition cars will carry gold stripes, a first and one year only option for the Shelby. The anniversary package begins at $59,995, not including base car.

In 2010, Shelby American returned the storied GT350 name plate to the road. Based on the Ford Mustang 5.0 GT, the car is turned into a high performance muscle car by the Shelby American team. From the LeMans style racing stripes to the 430, 525 or 624 horsepower engine, big brakes and razor sharp suspension, this Shelby is a worthy descendent of the pony car that cemented the Shelby legend. The car is available as a coupe or convertible with the supercharged engine only with a manual transmission, while an automatic is available with the normally aspirated 430 horsepower engine. Previously only offered in red, white or blue, the black version with gold stripes is a one-year anniversary exclusive option. The post title package begins at $59,995, not including the base Ford 5.0 Mustang GT.

The Shelby GTS post title package can be based on either the V6 or 5.0 Ford Mustang. Staring at only $19,995 for the V6 post-title package ($24,995 for the V8), the Shelby features upgraded brakes, suspension, tune and appearance. Many options are available for the GTS, including superchargers to boost performance.

“From the 800 horsepower Shelby Super Snake to the agile GT350 and nimble GTS, each 50th anniversary Shelby is built to run,” noted Luft. “A fifty-year anniversary only comes around once in life. These limited Shelbys will mark that milestone for a select few who have a chance to own a piece of history.”

Visit www.shelby50th.com or www.shelbyamerican.com for more information about the 50th Anniversary Edition Vehicles and the 2012 Shelby American 50th Anniversary Tour.

Ford Escape, Best Selling Utility Vehicle

“With gasoline prices tracking higher than last year, customers continue to move toward smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, whether they are passenger cars or utilities,” said Erich Merkle, Ford’s sales analysis manager.

Ford’s smallest utility, the Escape, has achieved record sales volumes this year and Ford said it is America’s best-selling utility vehicle.

Overall, Ford brand small cars are on pace to post an increase of more than 20% this year. The automaker said its Ford-brand utilities are tracking to post more than a 30% gain.

In other Ford news, Ford formally discontinued production of its Lincoln Town Car, a hallmark of limousine companies’ fleets. In 2010, however, Lincoln announced they would cease production of the Town Car series, leaving the luxury transportation industry high and dry without a clear successor.

At the 2011 LCT Show in Vegas and the LimoDigest Show in Atlantic City, no vehicle stood out as an obvious replacement for the Lincoln Town Car. Lincoln was pushing its MKT and MKZ models, but top-tier limousine companies weren’t sold yet. The future success of these models in the luxury transportation industry will depend on word-of-mouth from clients. If customers don’t respond favorably to Lincoln’s newest entries, limousine companies will look somewhere else. At the same time, Hyundai has made the Genesis its standard-bearer, and Toyota was presenting the Camry for consideration. Both of these brands, however, will face resistance, because neither is widely considered a “luxury class” automobile. More likely contenders include the Benz E-Class and S-Class or the BMW 5-series.

If the existing field of vehicles doesn’t impress customers, auto manufacturers like Lincoln or Cadillac might respond by introducing a new sedan (hopefully by 2013). The industry represents roughly $7 billion in annual revenue worldwide, and that is not a market share that the auto industry can afford to ignore for long.

By: Restyling News

“We’ve planned a whirl-wind tour across the United States, much like the original Shelby Caravan in the mid-1960s. It will celebrate this incredible 50 year milestone with anniversary merchandise, collectibles, and give the public a first glimpse at our limited edition 50th Anniversary Shelby vehicles,” said John Luft, president of Shelby American.

Here is the 50th Anniversary Tour Schedule

Detroit Auto Show – January 9-22, 2012 – Detroit, MI
Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale – January 16-22, 2012 – Scottsdale, AZ
Boca Raton Concourse D’ Elegance – February 24-26, 2012 – Boca Raton, FL
Shelby American 50th Celebration – March 14-17, 2012 – Las Vegas, NV
New York International Auto Show – April 4-15, 2012 – New York, NY
Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach – April 5-7, 2012 – Palm Beach, FL
Shelby American Automobile Club Nationals #37 (SAAC) – May 27-29, 2012 – Watkins Glen, NY
Team Shelby Northeast Region 50th Celebration – May 30-31, 2012 – TBD
Carlisle Ford Nationals – June 1-2 – Carlisle, PA
Ford/Shelby Mid America – June 13-17, 2012 – Tulsa, OK
Barrett-Jackson, Orange County – June 20-24, 2012 – Costa Mesa, CA
Shelby Cobra Association, Texas (SCAT) – TBD – Dallas, TX
Northern California SAAC Mini Nationals – August 1-5 – Sonoma, CA
Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance – August 15-19, 2012 – Monterey, CA
Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas – September 19-22, 2012 – Las Vegas, NV

For Further Information about the Shelby 50th Celebration Click Here