FORD WINS THE MOST AUTOMOTIVE EXCELLENCE AWARDS IN HISTORY FROM POPULAR MECHANICS MAGAZINE: Ford sets a precedent in the Popular Mechanics 2010 Automotive Excellence Awards, winning more categories by a single brand than any other automaker in the history of the awards Ford vehicles winning this year’s awards are the 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 in the Performance category, 2010 Ford Transit Connect in the Workhorse category and the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor in the Off-Road Ability category. The awards recognize the best in automotive design, execution and technology for 2010 model year vehicles in 10 categories. 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 – Performance Category Winner The editors of Popular Mechanics describe the Mustang Shelby GT500 as a new superpower to contend with in the 21st-century muscle car wars. The Mustang Shelby GT500 – with its incredibly potent 5.4-liter V-8 engine – certainly impressed us,” said Stewart. “But it was Ford Special Vehicle Team’s (SVT) refinement of the chassis that made our staff declare the GT500 the best Mustang in the model’s long 45-year history.” 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor – Off-Road Ability Category Winner The most extreme high-speed 4x4 pickup ever produced,” is the way editors of Popular Mechanics describe Ford’s F-150 SVT Raptor. We spent time riding along with Ford SVT engineers at near race speeds and had a chance to climb behind the wheel of the truck ourselves,” said Stewart. “For the avid off-roader, the Raptor is the truck we’ve all been waiting for. Stewart says he was particularly impressed with the tuning of Raptor’s long-travel suspension. It soaks up high-speed desert terrain better than any production pickup truck we’ve driven, he said. 2010 Ford Transit Connect – Workhorse Category Winner Popular Mechanics editors praise the Ford Transit Connect as a fresh alternative to a full-size van that is packaged to address the pressures of the economy, urban congestion and fluctuating gas prices. It was the brilliant combination of the Transit Connect’s efficient use of space – and fuel – that won over our team,” said Stewart. “This vehicle proves that small vehicles can handle big jobs, and it comes at an ideal time when contractors and other business owners are looking to downsize and save on fuel. Pretty cool stuff. I also read that that their new V6 Ecoboost has 125 patents. The bootcamp artical was really something to read as well. I saw a new 2010 Austrailia Ford Falcon which is a rear wheel drive, with a 4cyl Ecoboost. That tells me that Ford is definately shooting towards that goal of offering the Ecoboost in 90% of the North American line-up. All wheel, rear wheel etc...
I've seen pics of the Raptor and the front end is too round, but still a cool lookin' truck. From what I hear it's supposed to give the Hummer some real off-road competition.
