#1- You are the reason I never let my customers drive without me riding along. Don't waste a salesman's time if you're not really interested. We make our living from SELLING cars, not showing them. Have some respect for other people's property (OPP?).

Do you really need 3 side-view mirrors? WTF is up with the extra mirror on the driver's fender? Maybe there is a reason for it, parking in japan's tight spaces or something? Seriously, just because you have a part in the bin doesn't mean you must put it on the car.

I do like the seats though- for some reason, the red tags set it off!

did anyone think that maybe this is a track-car? i mean it's street legal, sure, but I'm sure many of the customers will be using the car mostly for track days, the street legal part enables easier marketing to people who would otherwise not have the inclination to go through all the paperwork/time of buying a non-street legal car. It's a big plus to be able to walk in and just buy it. I sell Acuras, and about 50% of our NSX sales were impulse buys. (yes, i know the NSX pales in comparison, but im just making the point that people do buy exotic cars on impulse)

It looks like everybody is starting to brush up against the limits of power for FWD vehicles- much more than 250 hp or torque, and you start to run into serious torque steer, traction, and suspension problems.
Consumers still want more power, so we'll be seeing more and more AWD vehicles (A Good Thing), and the price of those drop (A Really Good Thing) as makers realize that in order to get over 260-290 hp to the ground comfortably, you must go AWD. Hope so.
Anyways, good job Ford, next they shoud try coming up with some new naturally aspirated technology- last real innovation was VTEC in 1991 and variable valve timing. Much more practical than all this hydrogen/zero emissions stuff in the near future- the big 3 might not have a distant future if they dont turn out some good product fast.

Dont forget Honda/Acura- they made their mark with big (relatively) power, small displacement, naturally aspirated engines- remember, the way almost all these new engines make the numbers is variable valve timing/lift and sophisticated engine management, both invented by Honda/Acura- they were making 75hp/liter way back in 1991 with the nsx, and in a reasonably priced car just two years later- 1993 civic ex and integra ls. Probably earlier, but im too tired to look it up.

Acura takes it to the next level with engines like the TL in 2005 it was rated 270, in 2006 the number was revised with the new sae standards and made 258- and thats only a 3.2. 91 octane- yea i know.

The new RL is AWD, but the engine is mounted transverse, like any FWD car, and the natural torque bias is 70% front, so in all reality its a FWD motor- just with an AWD tranny, and it could easily be in a FWD car- thats what we're talking about here, essentially. The ford engine will be seen in many different models, most FWD, but it could have RWD or AWD applications, too. Anyways- the transverse mounted, (basically FWD) RL motor makes 300hp 2005, 290(??) sae revised for 2006.
Just wanted to see Acura mentioned when we're talking about small displacement, high-output motors- they are the champs- they use nearly every piece of technology available for naturally aspirated motors, and they are rock f**kin' solid, too- they can be driven hard and put away wet for 200,000+ miles with very low maintenance costs. Try doin that with a ford.

Anyways- glad to see a nice high-tech, sensible, high output, economical engine come out of America- even if its not the best or the strongest, its still a good effort, and its nice to see that Ford isnt too far behind the japanese.

BTW- yeah, i sell Acuras.

did anyone check out the last one? i.Tech Clip M Bluetooth headset??? this thing is a wireless bluetooth headset, but with wires!!!! Brilliant- I'll throw away my wired earpiece, and my bluetooth headset, i can buy this and have it all- frequent charging intervals, higher price, AND wires! Now your pocket protector has more than just pens to protect. Thanks, i.Tech (innovative name, btw.)

Come on! I'd expect better from autoblog readers- what does some politician in New York know about brushguards and how they affect the car's safety? Half of the politicians voting on this law probably could not even tell you what a brushguard looks like.

There are much more dangerous modifications out there, not to mention plain old ancient cars on the roads that dont even have shoulder belts or airbags. Or what about the people in Texas with cow horns on the hood of their caddy?
In Virginia, we have yearly vehicle safety inspections, and if your car is deemed unsafe, you cannot drive it- if the seatbelts are frayed and cut, headlights broken, tires worn smooth, all are just as dangerous as brushguards. Leave it to the experts (or at least DOT or NHTSA!!!) Don't you think that the lawmakers should at least study the issue before issuing yet another knee-jerk, reactionary law?

XM is on it's way to providing other valuable content as well as radio programming- I use the Nav/Traffic service on my commute every day- Right now its a little spotty, but when the infrastructure (sp?) catches up with the technology, it will become the norm. Instead of listening to (maybe) hear why the road your on is blocked, you can be on an alternate route. This is the kind of diversification that is really going to pay of for XM in the long run- those satellites arent limited to simply sending out music- they can send just about any type of data as well. Look forward to more great ideas like that in the future. O&A are great too. Ramone.