2009 Ford Mondeo Tuned By Reiger, Elevated To “Shaggin’ Wagon” Status

German auto tuning haus, Reiger, has released an aftermarket styling package for the 2009 Ford Mondeo, successfully upgrading it from grocery getter to gangster getter [alright, so maybe I'm exaggerating for the sake of alliteration, but it's a cool mod kit regardless]. Updated without being ridiculously over accessorized [here's to looking at you, Honda aftermarket outfitters], the Reiger body kit for the Ford Mondeo features a new front lip, side skirts with custom cut out vents, and a rear diffuser - available in three different variations [depending on the exhaust configuration]. Not visible on the exterior, additional enhancements include a KW tuned coilover suspension and ECU-modifying SKU chip upgrades.

View full gallery after the jump

[Photo Cred: WorldCarFans.com]

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British Study Confirms That Most Motorists Are Indeed Riding Dirty

A study performed by Aston University in Birmingham has concluded that the average automobile contains approximately 283 different types of bacteria per square centimeter, or roughly the equivalent number of pathogenic microorganisms residing in any one roach that has been shared by any one gangster rap posse. Surprisingly, edging out obvious candidates like gas/brake pedals and backseats in general, the largest breeding grounds for the microscopic monsters have proven to be the gear shift and the trunk, playing host to an average 356 and 850 distinct specimens, respectively.

Their pale hands beginning to tremor violently in stark terror, researchers went on to reveal that vehicles which frequently transport children and pets pose the biggest potential health threats to drivers. From beneath 30 inches of protective rubber coating, Aston University director of Biology and Biomedical Science Anthony Hilton explained, “Whilst most of the bacteria we’ve found are unlikely to cause serious health problems, some cars, particularly those which regularly carry children and animals, play host to potentially harmful germs.” More potentially hazardous still are older cars, especially those with neglected air filters which can become a fertile breeding ground for airborne bacteria and fungi.

So, to summarize: you should fear everything including your own flatulence, and your car should be abandoned in a sparsely populated area and detonated by a long range rocket-propelled grenade launcher. Questions?

[News Source: City News, Toronto/Photo Source: Auto Blog]

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Manhattan to get Big Brother style traffic control

The Mayor of New York has definitely begun his war waged on the drivers of the city. Plans are in the making for a new and slightly worrying system, which will block drivers of suspicious vehicles.

It will work like this. Over 3000 car license plate recognition equipped cameras will track vehicles as the drive through the city; any vehicle that the cameras pick up will be automatically checked against the database held by the authorities. We already know that CCTV cameras located around city and in fact almost every major city in the world can do this. But here is the difference. Gates will be placed at key junctions and locations, which will be activated should a vehicle pop up on the screen at the base. These gates will block the vehicle and most likely every other car that is in the vicinity until the New York Police Dept can get there and deal with the vehicle.

The police say that this will be used to combat terrorism, but has this been thought out clearly? What about the traffic? To be more precise, can you imagine being trapped in traffic with a car that is suspected of being involved in some sort of terrorist act?

This is very likely to cause many scenes of public disorder if people believe that there is a vehicle and occupants who might be terrorists or just have not paid their congestion charge. If this system goes ahead and it does look like it will in some form or other, the general public will find themselves being observed and scrutinized more than ever. But in this day and age, when the public is demanding security, what are the authorities to do?

Source [Jalopnik]

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The 2008 market is not necessarily being dazzled by the design of too many ...

Ford is celebrating the return of the Taurus and Mercury Sable nameplates with record-setting scores in government crash safety tests. So now Ford will seek to capitalize on that moniker by marketing the Tauras as the “Safest Car in America.” Am I the only one here who recalls Fords results in making similar claims back in the 1950’s?

In another similarity to the “Safety” aspect of their marketing strategy is the complaints by some that the design of the Ford Taurus/Sable (which replaces in name more than design the Ford Five-Hundred) is too bland and indistinct. Back in the mid to late ’50’s Ford opted for safety and practicality in their cars versus the performance and attitude marketed by Chevy.
The 2008 market is not necessarily being dazzled by the design of too many of either Ford or Chevy’s automobiles, so maybe the Safety aspect will win them back some of the sedan sales they gave up in retiring the Taurus a couple years ago. However, I wouldn’t be expecting a sudden boon in those sales as they face up against the stylish, redesigned Toyota Camry and the ever popular Honda Accord.

Along with the Taurus and Sable release comes the new Taurus X; formerly known as the Freestyle. While some Ford fans may be celebrating the return of these familiar Ford names, and may even be calling for the return of the Ford Galaxy (Henry, help us!), some warning signs should be flashing. When  an automaker has more in common with Sean, P-Diddy,Diddy, SeanJean, Combs than with the rest of the auto industry…  well that can’t be a good thing.

Only the free market will tell us if the return of the Taurus and Sable will make all the difference for Ford in the years to come. Between the lackluster styling, the familiar names and the marketing strategy of Safety, what is old is truly new again for the Ford Motor Company.
For the sake of all those employed by Ford and its subsidiaries, I truly hope there is Safety in the Taurus.

Source[theTorqueReport]
Source[AutoBlog]

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