Winter might be just around the corner, but that isn’t stopping Ford from testing its all-new 2015 Mustang Convertible.�

Our spies managed to nab the topless version of Ford’s ponycar while it was testing not far from the automaker’s operations in Michigan. Like the 2015 Mustang coupe, which has been spied numerous times before, the convertible will have an all-new look inspired by the automaker’s Evos concept car.

Our spy shots reveal a neat soft top, not the folding metal hardtop that had once been rumored (such a feature would be expensive and heavy, and given the relatively low sales volume of the Mustang convertible, it simply doesn’t make much sense.�

We can’t see in this Mustang’s interior, but a recent round of spy photos of the coupe gave us a very clear look – so clear, in fact, that we could see that Ford engineers prefer listening to SiriusXM’s Patriot conservative talk radio station. Check out those photos here.

The new Mustang convertible will eschew the current model’s retro style for a more forward-looking design. Underneath, it is likely to retain the current car’s 3.7-liter V6 and 5.0-liter V8 offerings, but a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder boasting a mountain of torque and better fuel economy than the V6 is also likely to be offered. 

Initially, both six-speed manual and six-speed automatic gearboxes will be on offer, but a 10-speed automatic co-developed with General Motors – of all automakers – will eventually join the Mustang’s spec sheet. 

Notably, all versions of the Mustang including the convertible will finally ditch the current car’s robust but archaic solid rear axle for a fully independent setup. Although the solid axle is a favorite of drag racers, its handling limitations are lower than those of a fully independent setup. 

In addition, a recent filing suggests that Ford may bring back the Mach 1 nameplate. <![CDATA[
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Nissan’s European operations made a splash on Thursday by unveiling a water-going version of its latest Note hatchback. Cleverly named the Note Boat, Nissan is using the vessel as a way to promote the European launch of the Note, which is sold on these shore as the Versa Note.

Nissan launched the Note Boat at Dorney Lake near the village of Dorney, Buckinghamshire in England. Dorney Lake was a venue during the 2012 Olympic games.

Continuing that Olympic theme, the Note Boat was “driven” by three Olympic rowers – Helen Glover, Sophie Hosking and Polly Swann.

Similar to its production counterpart, the Note Boat features a sliding rear seat, although it’s a single stroke seat for a rower in this particular application. However, no modifications were needed for the Note’s rear doors, which open to an oar-friendly 90 degrees.

In order to help with navigation, the Note Boat retains the road-going car’s Around View Monitor.

Helen Glover said: “I wish I could have a camera system like this in some of my races – it certainly would make seeing where my rivals a bit easier!”

Nissan has received 3,860 orders for the Note since it went on sale in Europe on October 1.

The Note Boat is just the latest car-turned-boat. Earlier this year both MINI and Fiat unveiled sea-worthy versions of their regular production cars.

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Audi has released official pricing information for its upcoming 2015 A3 sedan, which will list from $30,795 (including destination).

 
That’s almost identical to the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250’s $30,825 starting price – in fact, both carry a $29,900 MSRP before destination. Coincidence? We think not.

 

The two German compacts are entries in the growing entry-luxury segment, which automakers are increasingly focusing on as a means to attract younger buyers, crank up volume and achieve greater economies of scale.

 

The 2015 A3 will come standard with niceties like leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, LED running lights and taillights, Bluetooth connectivity, rain sensing wipers and Audi’s pre sense basic safety system, which tightens the seatbelts and closes the windows and sunroof in the event of a potential collision. The options list will include Bang & Olufsen audio, an MMI infotainment system, Audi drive select and 4G LTE connectivity.

 

In entry-level form, the new A3 will be powered by a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 170 horsepower, while a 150-horsespower 2.0-liter turbodiesel four will be optional.

 

A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder will also be available in the A3 (in low-output form) and standard in the S3 (in high-output trim), with the latter expected to produce 296 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque – sufficient thrust for a quoted zero-to-60 mph sprint of 4.7 seconds.

A six-speed dual-clutch automatic will handle shifting duties for all models, and Quattro all-wheel-drive will be fitted as standard on the A3 2.0 and S3.

In a surprise twist, Audi has decided to offer the redesigned A3 Cabriolet in the U.S.; previous iterations of the cab were Europe-only affairs. An A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in hybrid will also make it to states after launch.

 

The 2015 Audi A3 is expected to begin shipping to U.S. dealers in early 2014.<![CDATA[
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Tesla Motors, the maker of the Model S sedan, announced on Thursday that it has hired former Apple executive Doug Field to head up its future vehicle development.

Field began his career as an engineer at Ford, but most recently held the position of Vice President of Mac Hardware Engineering at Apple. In that role Field led the development of Apple’s latest MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and iMac products.

“Doug has demonstrated the leadership and technical talent to develop and deliver outstanding products, including what are widely considered the best computers in the world,” said Elon Musk, Tesla co-founder and CEO. “Tesla’s future depends on engineers who can create the most innovative, technologically advanced vehicles in the world. Doug’s experience in both consumer electronics and traditional automotive makes him an important addition to our leadership team.”

“Until Tesla came along, I had never seriously considered leaving Apple,” said Field. “I started my career with the goal of creating incredible cars, but ultimately left the auto industry in search of fast-paced, exciting engineering challenges elsewhere. As the first high tech auto company in modern history, Tesla is at last an opportunity for me and many others to pursue the dream of building the best cars in the world—while being part of one of the most innovative companies in Silicon Valley.”

Field’s official title at Tesla will be Vice President of Vehicle Programs. Field’s first assignment will presumably be Tesla’s compact car, which could make production as the Model E.

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While the world anxiously awaits for the arrival of the all-new 2015 Mustang, Ford is taking a look back at the hues that have adorned the iconic pony car over the last 50 years.

Over the last five-decades the Mustang has been offered in a wide variety of colors, including Playboy Pink and Gulfstream Aqua, but there has been one constant – red. Since its launch as a 1964 ½ model, 21 percent of all Mustangs have left the factory in some shade of red. Over the last 10 years red has been even more popular, accounting for 22 percent of all Mustangs sold.

Although red has the all-time lead, black is currently the most popular shade for the Mustang. According to Ford, 28 percent of Mustangs are now ordered in black.

Blue has also been a popular color for the Mustang, accounting for as much as 23 percent of Mustang sales in recent years. Blue hit a high of 30 percent in 1968 when six different shades were offered.

During the 1970s and 80s, browns and yellows enjoyed a surge in popularity.

“Our Mustang owners are passionate about their cars, and the exterior paint color they choose invokes an emotional response to the vehicle,” said Melanie Banker, Ford Mustang marketing manager. “Mustang owners buy a vehicle in School Bus Yellow or Grabber Blue because it reflects what they want their Mustang to say to the world about them.”

Of note, white is the most popular vehicle color in the United States, but Mustang buyers apparently don’t buy into color fads. White accounts for just 10 percent of Mustang sales.

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A trademark application has revealed that Ford is planning to revive its ‘Mach 1′ nameplate for the next-generation of its Mustang pony car.

Rumors of a Mach 1 revival first surfaced in June, but there was little in the way of hard evidence to prove Ford’s future plans. However, a recent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office unearthed by fan site Ford Authority seems to have located a smoking gun.

The trademark application covers a number of goods and services category, but the important takeaway is “land motor vehicles”, suggesting Ford has bigger plans for the name than just selling Mach 1 T-shirts.

Ford’s next-generation Mustang will make its word debut in December as a 2015 model year vehicle, but the Mach 1 won’t likely show up until the 2017 model year. It remains unknown where Ford will place the Mach 1 within the Mustang lineup, but it will certainly sit atop the GT.

It’s also possible that Ford could install the Mach 1 as the range-topping Mustang model. Ford will reportedly kill off the Shelby GT500, which could clear room for the Mach 1 as the new Mustang flagship.

We should learn more about the Mustang Mach 1 over the next few months.

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