Journalist Sue Mead racer Darren Skilton become first U S team to win a class in Dakar Rally

The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is still proving that it can do whatever deed needs done, whenever it needs doing. Sue Mead and Darren Skilton managed to pilot a largely stock version of the desert-raiding pickup through all 12 stages of this year’s Dakar rally. The team survived 16 days of some of the most brutal terrain on the South American continent and covered over 11,800 miles in the process. Their effort was enough to net the Raptor a 40th place finish over all and a first place finish in the OP class.

In fact, from what we hear, Mead and Skilton were the only contestants to even finish in the OP class, even with big names like Robbie Gordon gunning for the win.

That marks the first time that an American crew has ever managed to take a class win in the history of the Dakar Rally. The F-150 SVT Raptor that Mead and Skilton campaigned boasted the same 5.4-liter V8 that it rolled off the production line with, though a larger cooling system was fitted to handle the harsh temperatures of the course. Likewise, the pickup was equipped with a host of other race-capable bits including a new locker system for the differentials, more robust shocks, springs and tires.

Overall, Volkswagen took the top three spots in the 2011 Dakar Rally. BMW filled out the remaining spots in the top five with its entries. Hit the jump for the press release.

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Nissan Juke blows away domestic projections with nearly 11 000 orders in first month

t’s really difficult to pin down whether the Nissan Juke will sell well when it arrives here in the States this fall. The micro-crossover doesn’t have a lot of competition and its affordable anticipated starting price of well under $20,000; both good signs. The big unknown is whether Americans will embrace the Juke’s cartoonish looks, which could turn away potential suitors.

Unique looks and diminutive stature doesn’t appear to be affecting the little Juke in Japan, though, as Nissan says it already has orders for 10,943 little utes. We already knew Nissan was on track to best its estimate of 1,300 orders in the first month due to the fact that the Japanese automaker had already rung up 5,296 ordersin the first week the Juke went on sale.

Among the nearly 11,000 orders cataloged so far, the top color is Radiant Red, with 29 percent of all orders to date. The red interior is a big hit as well, with 59 percent of total orders. And if you’re thinking that a bunch of young kids are picking up these affordable little mini-crossovers, think again. So far, the largest demographic for the Juke is the 50 and older club, with 44 percent of all sales. The 20- to 29-year-old club accounts for 15 percent, and the vast majority of orders come from men. Hit the jump to read Nissan’s brag-tastic press release.

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First Drive 2011 Infiniti G25

Thanks to years of dedicated work and impressive engineering, Infiniti has earned a reputation for being the “Japanese BMW.” Like the German automaker, Infiniti’s U.S. entries are decidedly more performance oriented, but the brand’s decision to install the naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter V6 in its G Sedan had us wondering if things were changing… and not for the better.

Follow the jump to find out if our suspicions have been confirmed.

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Ford Focus top selling vehicle in the world in the first half of 2012

Ford Focus: top-selling vehicle in the world in the first half of 2012. The Ford Focus has become its own right in the worlds best selling vehicle in the first half of this year, surpassing the half-million units. Of these, 153 400 model went to the European market, which lifts him to the top of the models sold globally. The new Focus has plenty of equipment and the most modern, multiple versions, both 4 and 5 door, and best of all, the best engine of the year, the Ecoboost, and for this reason, it becomes the Focus, in the best-selling vehicle in the world in the first half of 2012. Find out ...

More than half a million units ...
The model of the American manufacturer Ford Focus has been the best selling car in the world during the first seven months of the year, with 522,821 units, according to IHS data indicate Automotive.

From the U.S. House have stressed that the automobile over half a million sold worldwide, about 153,400 units were distributed in Europe, allowing you to put Ford ahead of other car manufacturers in Europe, as in the rest of the world.

The American house sold more than 860,000 units of this car in 2011 and has 350 million vehicles produced in the 109 years of company history.

Some features of the best-selling model
The new Focus features with various technological innovations such as the security system Active City Stop, Turns to Parking Assistance, Aid to Maintain Lane, the Lane Departure Warning, the Traffic Sign Recognition or Lo Light Automatic Change , among many other elements.

Moreover, the versions come with five-and four-door and wagon option. This year we launched the sports version of the Focus ST, with an output of 250 hp, while in 2013 it will begin to market the Focus Electric, the manufacturer like Mazda.

Is it because your engine, the Ecoboost?
The Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost will be available in 100 and 125 horsepower offering as discussed below very low fuel consumption without sacrificing good performance. The incorporation of this new engine is the disappearance of known atmospheric 1.6 contained in the catalog of the Focus.

Highlights are the reductions in consumption. The 1.0 Ecoboost 100 hp 4.8-liter says consume combined consumption per 100 km, increasing to 5 liters in DE125 hp version.

As mentioned, this reduction does not mean rejecting consumer benefits, thus the 125-hp Ecoboost has a top speed of 193 km / h and acceleration from 0 to 100km / h in 11.3 seconds, the 100 hp variant is a little more slowly, remaining in the 185 km / h and 12.5 seconds for the 0-100km / h.

For the new Focus consume less have added the latest technology available, incorporating systems such as Start & Stop. Another system is incorporated in charge of opening and closing the grill according to the needs, to improve aerodynamics, and therefore consumption, called Active Grille Shutter. Discover the best selling car so far this year...

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Lamborghini Sesto Elemento was ranked first for vehicle price supercar

Nearly 10 years of Bugatti Veyron Super Sport was ranked first for vehicle price supercar.

Italian brand that VWs engineers work must now be down to position 2 in the presence of Lamborghini Sesto Elemento.price 1.77 billion pounds or 170 thousand pounds more expensive than the Veyron Super Sport.

Lamborghini Elemento Sesto introduced at the Paris motor show in October last year. Chassis is almost entirely made ​​of carbon fiber - Sesto Elemento means "element to the six" which is the atomic number for carbon.

Acceleration 0-100 km / h reached in 2.5 seconds with a top speed of 200 miles per hour. Veyron 16.4 Super Sport have the same capabilities but superior in acceleration in the top speed of 258 miles per hour.

Weight Lamborghini Sesto Elemento less than one ton aka 850 kg lighter than the Veyron Super Sport.

Sesto Elemento engine manifold v 10 5.2 liter capacity that produced 600bhp. Other sophistication is made ​​from material exhaust Pyrosic, mixed glass and ceramics that are resistant to 900 degrees Celsius.

The factory in SantAgata Bolognese vehicle, Italy while the Veyron in Molsheim, Alsace, France.

Only 20 Sesto Elemento which will be produced Lamborghini.

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