The 2008 Ford Harley-Davidson™ F-150 – the most powerful factory F-Series truck ever – races onto streets this fall to help the famed motorcycle maker and automaker kick off their 105 th anniversary celebrations. The new, limited-edition truck is the third supercharged Ford Harley-Davidson™ F-150, following the best-selling 2002 and 2003 models that were part of more than 60,000 of the specialty trucks sold since 1999.

“Ford Harley-Davidson™ trucks have turned a shared passion for open roads into one of the most successful alliances in the industry,” says Todd Eckert, Ford Truck and SUV communications manager. “The new 2008 Ford Harley-Davidson ™ F-150 perfectly blends the flexibility and capability of F-Series trucks with the free spirit and raw power of Harley-Davidson ® motorcycles – the principles that continue to drive both companies after 105 years.”

This anniversary edition F-150 honors the humble beginnings of two American icons in 1903. The truck is available as SuperCrew 4×2 or all-wheel-drive models and features a choice of Black monochromatic exterior with custom stripe running along the beltline or an available Black and Vintage Copper two-tone exterior paint.

The purposeful exteriors are complemented by other features that signal the truck’s connection to Harley-Davidson ® motorcycles. They include:

-Unique chrome billet grille and lower front valance.
-Body color bumper, mirror caps, ground effects, door and tailgate handles.
-Blacked-out headlamps with black bulb shield and dark tinted, smoked-out taillamps.
-Windshield with Bar & Shield logo dot pattern and Alliance logo.
-New 22-inch polished forged-aluminum wheels with the Bar & Shield logo on center caps.
-Forged aluminum “105 th Anniversary Harley-Davidson F-150” Medallions on the fenders and tailgate.
-Chrome dual exhaust tips and tie-down hooks.
-Rubber bed mat with HARLEY-DAVIDSON Bar & Shield logo.

The Vintage Copper and Black color scheme is carried onto the interior that features Black/Dusted Copper leather-trimmed front captain’s chairs and rear bench seat with die-cast Bar & Shield logos embedded in the leather.

Other interior features are: Two-tone leather shifter, console lid and steering wheel. High-gloss piano black floor console and center stack with the Bar & Shield logos, as well as chrome vent rings and unique instrument cluster. Serialized nickel plate displaying the production VIN and number. Brushed stainless steel pedals. The center stack, matching door-trim panels and lower part of the windshield feature numerous miniature Bar & Shield logos. In fact, the center stack panel was inspired by similar panels found on certain Harley-Davidson ® motorcycles.

Powertrain options include a standard 300 horsepower 5.4-liter Triton ™ V-8 or an available SALEEN intercooled, supercharged, V-8 that pumps out an impressive 450 horsepower and 500 lbs.-ft. of torque. Along with the engine upgrades, the SALEEN performance package, available on the 4×2 only, includes an available gauge pod with boost and air-charge temperature gauges.

The 2008 Ford Harley-Davidson â„¢ F-150 truck is the tenth model to emerge from a Ford Harley-Davidson Alliance that began in 1999. The co-branding of the two storied companies has proven to be a successful formula with sales of Ford Harley-Davidson â„¢ F-Series trucks totaling more than 60,000 units.

Source : Automotive Blog Updates

Ford F-Series, America’s truck leader for 30 consecutive years, sets the standard for strength and toughness – with more trucks on the road with over 250,000 miles than any other brand. Ford continues to raise the bar to give truck customers more of what they’re looking for. The 2008 Ford F-150 introduces new models, features and options that take “Built Ford Tough” to a new level. Here’s a look at just a few of the ways the F-150 continues to lead full-size pickups:

Bolted Ford Tough: With 1,000 pounds more payload than the nearest competitor and a class-leading 11,000-pound towing capacity, the Ford F-150’s capability leadership can be measured down to the bolts. Ford has the largest, strongest bed and key suspension bolts in the segment to hold up to the abuse of customers who move these extreme loads. While its 300-horsepower, 5.4-liter V-8 engine, fully boxed frame and robust suspension get most of the credit, the bolts hold it all together over the long haul.

Check out the video at to see how the Ford F-150 handles grueling rough roads versus the competition.

One tough customer: The Ford F-150’s fully boxed frame is the strongest in the segment, providing the foundation for improved durability, driving dynamics, ride refinement and quietness. The result is increased stiffness and stronger attachment points for the brackets that attach the body and suspension to the frame – and minimal shake and shudder on rough roads. With a driving feel that is designed to be plush yet connected to the road, F-150 has a front suspension system that readily absorbs bumps but stands strong against steering forces. The frame also contributes to the F-150’s leading payload and towing capability.

Safety in numbers: The Ford F-150 is one of the only half-ton pickups to have earned NHTSA’s five-star crash rating for both driver and front passenger thanks to a solid structure and rigorous “Built Ford Tough” testing. The structure includes strong hydroformed front frame rails that are built with computer-designed front horns to help manage crash forces. In an impact, these areas of the frame are designed to collapse in an accordion fashion, dissipating energy before it reaches the passenger compartment.

Fuel-saving innovations: The Ford F-150 features the segment’s only 4×4 system with integrated wheel ends that automatically disconnect when the truck is shifted into 4×2 and re-connect when it is shifted into four-wheel mode. The system reduces fuel consumption by up to a half gallon per mile in 4×2 driving conditions compared to more traditional systems used by competitive trucks. Combined with fuel-saving engine technologies such as the 5.4-liter 3-valve V-8’s variable cam timing, the F-150 gets comparable real-world fuel economy while still delivering class-leading capability.

Eyes in the back of your bed: The 2008 Ford F-150’s new rearview video camera parking aid system enhances visibility at the rear of the box through an innovative video feed customers can conveniently see on the rearview mirror. The Rearview Camera System is mounted in the tailgate handle bezel and is activated when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, giving the driver a clear view behind the vehicle. The video image is displayed in the self-dimming rearview mirror, a natural place for the driver to look while in reverse. This system gives truckers who tow the visibility they need to back up to their trailer and line up precisely to hook up the hitch. The industry’s only other truck application requires drivers to look down at the navigation screen as they’re reversing.

Six-door truck? Retail and fleet truck customers can choose an innovative Mid-box feature – a customizable box between the cab and bed – that provides lockable storage for tools and other valuable items. The rugged, steel construction features double-paneled doors that are accessible from both sides of the vehicle and lock and unlock with the same key that operates the driver’s door. Latches feature double-bitted keys and lock tumblers designed to provide additional security. Dent-resistant exterior door panels wear factory Ford door handles for a well integrated look and feature commercial grade sealing delivering a weather- and dust-resistant interior compartment. The Mid-box option is available on Regular Cab and Super Cab models.

The ultimate tool box: The 2008 Ford F-150 works even harder and smarter with a factory-installed feature that offers an easy-to-use solution for secure storage of all types of cargo. The base Cargo Management System comes with two side rails and four cleats. Additional options include a pair of bins, a pair of crossbars and a header bar. Extra bins and crossbars are easily added when extra capability and flexibility is needed. In the “Built Ford Tough” spirit, Ford engineered the system to handle more load and last longer than competitive systems. For example, the easily adjustable, cast-aluminum cleats can hold more than 600 pounds. Side-mounted, blow-molded plastic tool bins can hold up to 60 pounds and feature double wall construction, providing a watertight, thermal barrier that keeps beverages cold when used as a cooler.

Power play: The supercharged, 450-horsepower 2008 Ford Harley-Davidson™ F-150 is the most powerful F-Series truck ever and races onto streets this fall to help the famed motorcycle maker and automaker kick off their 105 th anniversary celebrations. The new limited-edition truck is the third supercharged Ford Harley-Davidson™ F-150, following the best-selling 2002 and 2003 models that were among the more than 60,000 specialty trucks sold since 1999. This supercharged beast is available on both monochromatic and two-toned 4×2 models.

More choice: The Ford F-150 offers the industry’s widest variety of body configurations, including three cab choices, three box lengths, two box styles and five unique series. Ford further expands the leading lineup of more than 60 unique models and configurations with the addition of the 2008 Ford F-150 Lariat Limited and XL Super Crew. The Lariat Limited takes Ford’s “Tough Luxury” to a new level with a stunning White Sand Metallic monochromatic paint scheme and massive 22-inch wheels. The XL Super Crew offers the hottest truck model – four-door crew cabs – in a more affordable package. Why so many choices? Ford customers need different tools for different jobs. The competition only offers half as many combinations as the Ford F-150.

Paint by quality numbers: The Ford F-150’s frame is painted with a high-tech e-coat paint process that was perfected by Mazda and reduces paint waste. The unique paint job reduces the environmental impact by allowing a more uniform and consistent quality coating of paint to be applied to parts. This paint process uses electric energy to attract paint particles to a part, minimizing waste and overspray.

Two new hybrid electric trucks developed for the U.S. Army are being tested for operational service and this is according to UQM Technologies, Inc. The said hybrid trucks were developed by Armor Holdings using UQM’s electric propulsion technology. The tests are being conducted at Ft. Lewis in Washington.

Before the two hybrids underwent the Military Utility Assessment Testing, they have already been tested at the U.S. Army’s Aberdeen Proving Grounds first. The hybrid trucks performed well in the nearly 3,000 miles of testing and therefore all of them passed for the MUA tests.

The hybrid trucks are powered by electric motors developed by UQM which can produce as much as 120 kW. The development of the vehicles is in connection with the U.S. Army’s Future Tactical Truck System or FTTS. The program aims to create a cutting edge tactical wheeled vehicle which will give the U.S. Army quite an advantage in theaters around the world. The use of hybrid technology is also a response to the administration’s energy independence policy.

Chris Chambers, the Vice President of Programs and Business Development of Armor Holdings’ Tactical Vehicle System Division, has this to say about their partnership with UQM in developing the new hybrid trucks for the U.S. Army: “The MSV design and development exercise has overcome many of the hybrid technology challenges this class of vehicle presents. Our work with UQM puts us at the forefront of this area and we are particularly pleased to have had the opportunity to assist the Army as they scope their potential future tactical vehicle requirements.”

Armor Holdings is the leading producer of military vehicles. Its Tactical Vehicle Systems Division which supplies the U.S. Army with the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles.

UQM, on the other hand, is a leading manufacturer and distributor of high-performance electric motors for the different industries including the auto industry. William G. Rankin, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the company, has this to say about their partnership with Armor Holdings and the hybrid vehicles they have produced: “We are pleased to be a member of the Armor Holding’s team and have their vehicles move to this important next step of testing as part of the US Army’s Future Tactical Truck System program. The 120 kW UQM® electric propulsion systems powering these hybrid vehicles incorporate our latest technology advancements which further improve their performance, power density and efficiency, as well as their reliability, durability and cost. Armor Holdings’ plans to incorporate the lessons learned from conducting this demonstrator phase across their vehicle systems product development area to ensure that the U.S. Army continues to have available the most advanced tactical truck fleet in the world. The advantages of our systems are being recognized in a number of military vehicle applications, which we believe represents an important and growing market for the Company.”

The hybrid vehicles are expected to perform at a level like that of a truck equipped with conventional engine complete with auto gasket and other components. Whether the vehicles will be deployed on the field will be determined by the tests they are currently undergoing.

DaimlerChrysler maker of Mercedes vehicles and quality Mercedes tail light guard will present its fourth generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan in an official North American debut at the upcoming New York International Auto Show which will open to the public starting April 6 to 15, 2007 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. The next-generation 2008 C-Class sedan is slightly bigger than its successful predecessor and was made even more agile, comfortable and safe.

The appearance of the new mid-size C-Class reveals the latest Mercedes design idiom that is characterized by the edgy interplay of taut lines with wide and rounded surfaces. The revised suspension and steering of the new C-Class makes it more agile along with a new slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission for the C300 Sport model.

For the US market the new C-Class will be launched this fall with three V6-powered models namely the C350 Sport, the C300 Luxury, and the C300 Sport. Both the C300 Sport and Luxury models will be available with an all new 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system that is mated to a seven-speed transmission. Standard equipment includes a power sunroof, eight-way power front seats with lumbar support, two-zone automatic climate control, 17-inch wheels, Bluetooth connectivity and a central controller with a seven-inch display screen.

Here is the list of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Preliminary Technical Data:

C300, C300 4MATIC; C350
Vehicle type - Four-door, five passenger sedan
Body - Steel unit body; aluminum front fenders, doors hood and trunk lid
Aerodynamic drag (Cd) - 0.29, 0.30
Frontal area (sq. ft. / m2) - 2.17, 2.18
Engine - 90-degree V6
Material - Aluminum block and cylinder heads; iron cylinder liners
Valve design - Four valves per cylinder
Valvetrain - Double overhead camshaft per cylinder bank;
Duplex chain driven; variable valve timing
Intake System - Two-stage intake manifold, tumble flaps
Fuel System - Sequential multi-point electronic fuel injection
Ignition System - One centrally mounted spark plug
and ignition coil per cylinder
Emission controls - Internal EGR, secondary air injection,
Two three-way catalytic converters with linear oxygen sensors
Displacement (cu. In./cc) - 182.7 / 2996, 213.5 / 3498
Bore (in./mm) - 3.46 / 88.0, 3.66 / 92.9
Stroke (in./mm) - 3.23 / 82.1, 3.39 / 86.0
Compression ratio - 11.1 : 1, 10.7 : 1
Horsepower (SAE @ rpm) - 228 @ 6,000, 268 @ 6,000
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm) - 221 @ 2,700 – 5,000, 258 @ 2,400 – 5,000
Max. engine speed - 6,500, 6,700
Automatic Transmission - Seven-speed, adaptive shift logic and Touch Shift
Manual Transmission - Six-Speed (RWD C300 Sport only)