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Ford recently launched a Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition coupe that will have a production run of 1,964 units as a tribute to the iconic muscle car's birth year.

That, however, doesn't include the one-off Ford Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition convertible that will soon enter a raffle, with all proceeds from ticket sales to be donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The tickets cost $20 apiece and can be purchased at www.ford4ms.com or by calling 1-800-243-5767. Canadians can participate, as well.

This unique Ford Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition convertible will wear a badge on the instrument panel, engraved with the signature of Ford chairman Bill Ford and the serial number 0001 of 0001. It will also feature a 420-horsepower V8, Brembo brakes, 19'' wheels, and Pirelli P Zero tires.

The winner will be announced on August 16th at the 2014 Woodward Dream Cruise. He or she will have the choice between a manual or automatic transmission.

Source : ford4ms.com

Photo: Ford

Twenty-six-year-old Pierre Casiraghi, son of Caroline, Princess of Hanover and Hereditary Princess of Monaco, celebrated his debut in a real racing car in the Scirocco R-Cup in Hockenheim this past weekend.

He developed a love of sport and fast cars at a young age - after all, Casiraghi could watch the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monaco live on his doorstep each year.

The idea of inviting him to make his debut on the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup came from racing legend and Volkswagen ambassador Jacky Ickx.

Pierre Casiraghi. (Photo: VW Motorsport)

“I have known his mother, Princess Caroline, for years. His late father Stefano was also a good friend,” said Ickx.

“Pierre is very ambitious when it comes to sport. He competes in sailing races and is a keen parachutist. And on top of all that, he is a really nice guy. So I said to him: Pierre, the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup would be the perfect opportunity for you to discover the world of motorsport. No sooner said than done!”

Pierre Casiraghi owns several cars: “They are almost all old though, as I am a big fan of vintage and classic cars. They are mainly Italian, including an old Fiat 500. My only modern car is an Audi RS6.”

Pierre Casiraghi and Jacky Ickx. (Photo: VW Motorsport)

The rookie finished the first race in 22nd place and claimed 20th place in Race 2.

“I am so happy. That was a fantastic weekend. My first outing in the cockpit of a racing car was amazing fun, but also very tiring,”said Casiraghi.

“I am obviously pleased to have made it through the two races without any major incidents - minor contact and scratches aside. On Saturday I thanked Jacky Ickx and Stéphane Ortelli, who helped me a lot during preparations and here at the circuit. However, I would also like to say a big thank you to the drivers, mechanics and the entire Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup team for making a rookie like me feel so welcome.”

Nissan executive vice president Andy Palmer told Automotive News that the next-generation LEAF will offer much better range than the current 160 kilometres.

Palmer did not provide any specific number, but he said that EV batteries must deliver up to 300 kilometres for the cars to present an everyday alternative to the fuel-cell vehicles other automakers are developing.

In related news, Nissan's luxury division, Infiniti, is expected to launch its first all-electric sedan in 2017. It will feature wireless inductive charging.

Source : autonews.com

From Albatec

Davy Jeanney will fill the second Albatec Racing Peugeot 208 seat left vacant by Jacques Villeneuve at Lydden Hill's round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship.

With Jacques Villeneuve away contesting the Indy 500 that weekend, Jeanney will join Albatec Racing Team Principal Andy Scott at the Dumfries-based team's home event, the Autosport World RX of Great Britain, held over the weekend of May 24-25, aboard Villeneuve' No. 25 600bhp 2-litre, 16v Supercar.

During testing last year, the 2010 French Rallycross Champion greatly impressed the Albatec team, which considers the signing him.

Consistency is key in rallycross, not just outright speed, and the 28 year-old proved consistently to be among the favourites for race wins. 

He will join Albatec for its home event at the Kent track, a circuit he knows well and on which he's had considerable success, looking for a first outright win on the world stage.

From GMM

Mercedes is preparing to show off a louder engine note during post-race Spanish grand prix tests.

Early this week, team chief Toto Wolff revealed that one proposed solution to the turbo V6 sound 'problem' is a sort of "megaphone" addition to the exhaust.

Along with Ferrari and Renault, F1's three engine makers have been considering how to spice up the sound of F1 2014, after some spectators and promoters were shocked at the difference compared to the screaming V8s of 2013.

"The solutions range from very complex solutions within the exhaust system down to a simple megaphone at the back," Wolff is quoted by Kolner Express newspaper.

"The 'megaphone' is a parallel exhaust that simply opens up at the end, with all the problems that brings with it," the Austrian added.

Exhaust of the Mercedes W05. (Photo: WRi2)

Insiders say Wolff is concerned that the solution will interrupt the thermal and aerodynamic integration between the 'power unit' and the current exhaust layout.

Nonetheless, he said that sound solutions will be tried on the W05 car at the post-race Barcelona test next week.

The news has been confirmed Thursday by Autosport magazine.

Ford Motor said it will repurchase $1.8 billion of its shares to reduce dilution from recent stock grants to executives and to offset shares that may be issued to holders of convertible debt.

The saying, and#8220;You just can't leave well enough alone,and#8221; certainly applies to this beauty.

Federal safety regulators have refused a request from two senators to encourage owners of cars affected by General Motors' ignition switch recall to ground their cars until they can be repaired.

The University of Michigan's Mobility Transformation Center, along with key partners from a variety of industries, will begin construction of a $6.

Gannett, one of the newspaper owners of Cars.com, is exploring a bid for all of the auto sales website. It has discussed teaming up with private equity firms in a deal that could reach $3 billion, people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

We put Zenvo and its ST1 in a category with other hopeful supercar-makers like Mazzanti and Falcon.

Oh, Honda. The Accord is swell, but what we really want are your home-market offerings -- the

Magna Steyr said it had now assembled 1,000,000 BMW and Mini vehicles under contract to the BMW Group in Graz, Austria, since 2003.

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Nissan wants its next-generation Leaf electric vehicle to get more mainstream styling and a new battery that more than doubles its range. And Infiniti's delayed electric car will debut with the improved battery by early 2017.

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