2006 Ford F-350 Super Duty Lariat Extended Cab Pickup 4-door 6.0l on 2040-cars

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Ford Mondeo classes up with premium Vignale trim

Back in the day, Vignale was a carrozzeria of the highest order, alongside the likes of Pininfarina, Bertone and Zagato. But like Giugiaro-ItalDesign and Ghia, it has since been subsumed into a larger auto group. Ford ended up with it under its umbrella when it took over De Tomaso, and has since used the moniker for a number of concept cars. Now the name is back in the form of a new upscale sub-brand for the European market.
The first new model to receive the Vignale treatment is the Mondeo, which Ford unveiled here at the Frankfurt Motor Show in both sedan and wagon forms. Positioned above the Titanium trim, the Vignale model gets such special touches as chrome trim and a quilted leather interior, Vignale badges replacing any mention of the Mondeo on which it's based. It also gains an ownership experience - including free car washes for life! - to befit the upscale positioning.
Under the bright spotlights above the show floor, the Nocciola metallic brown paint might not be the most photogenic, but will likely give the Vignale edition a more premium look when it hits European dealers and roads in 2015. Whether it'll be worth however much Ford asks for it, however, remains to be seen. Scroll down below for the official press release.

Subprime financing on the rise in new car sales, leasing too

We all remember the financial crisis that began several years back. At its core was a splurge of subprime lending for housing loans. The housing bubble burst, triggering a collapse of the mortgage-backed securities market. Apparently, those types of loans still exist in the automotive industry, and the market share for these types of "nonprime, subprime, and deep subprime," loans has grown 13.6 percent compared to the third quarter a year ago.
According to an Automotive News report, high-risk lending expanded to 24.8 percent of total loans in Q3, up from 21.9 percent for this time last year. As this level increased, average credit scores of borrowers dropped to 755, down from 763 a year ago. In that time, the average financing amount increased $90 per vehicle, to $25,963.
At 818, Volvo maintains the highest per-owner credit score, while Mitsubishi has the lowest, at 694. The highest rate of borrowers was at Toyota, with 14 percent of the market, followed by Ford with 13.1 percent and Chevrolet at 11.1.

Ford Raptor or Corvette-powered Defender, which would you choose?

Autoblog may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change. No donation or payment necessary to enter or win this sweepstakes. See official rules on Omaze.  Enter this sweepstakes today and get 150 bonus entries by signing up for the Autoblog Newsletter right here! Going around a track at breakneck speeds is exhilarating, but I much prefer leaving the asphalt behind and hitting the trail, which is why my dream garage is filled with vehicles like Land Cruisers, Broncos, Jeeps, Rams and even a lifted Subaru or two. Not to mention the two vehicles pictured above, the Ford F-150 Raptor and the Land Rover Defender. If either of these are in your dream garage, you’re in luck, because Omaze just happens to be giving away both, right now. All you have to do is enter here for the Raptor and here for the Defender. Win a Ford F-150 Raptor or a Himalaya Land Rover Defender - Enter Here Here is a side-by-side of the specs, according to Omaze: Vehicle: Himalaya Defender 110 Crew Cab / 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor 37 Maximum Seating: Four / Five Engine: 6.2-liter Corvette LS3 / 3.5L V6 EcoBoost Maximum Horsepower: 430 hp / 450 hp Maximum Torque: 425 lb-ft / 510 lb-ft Transmission: 6-speed automatic / 10-speed automatic Drivetrain: 4WD / 4WD Exterior Color: Satin Grey / Lead Foot Grey Interior Color: Jet Black / Rhapsody Blue Approximate Retail Value: $210,000 / $83,525 Defender special features: Black exterior roll bars and trim; Black 18” Sawtooth wheels with 35” tires; Wilwood brakes; 3" lift; Black diamond-stitched leather sport seats; MOMO Millenium steering wheel; front and rear matching consoles; Himalaya gauge cluster; Himalaya front and rear bumpers, bed-mounted tire carrier, and extended fender flares; Puma hood; LED lighting. F-150 Raptor special features: 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, 15 city / 18 highway miles per gallon fuel economy, Extended Range 36 Gallon Fuel Tank, 8,200-lb towing capacity, 17” beadlock-capable forged wheels, 37”x12.50 tires; Twin Panel Moonroof; Recaro Front-Seats; B&O Sound System; Fox Racing Shocks. Exterior Looks - Winner: Himalaya Land Rover Defender ThereÂ’s just something about the Defender. ItÂ’s rugged, yet handsome. ItÂ’s got classic appeal yet feels modern. It also has style while appearing to be as strong as a tank.