Tag: aftermarket

Official: Ford’s official Euro aftermarket partner Mountune coming to US

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Ford

Now that we’re getting a steady stream of Ford’s European offerings, the aftermarket world is finally starting to catch up as well. UK-based aftermarket tuning company, Mountune has just announced that it will be setting up shop in California to provide high-performance and racing parts for Ford vehicles including the Focus ST and Fiesta ST.

Mountune lays claim to being Ford’s “official European tuning partner,” and US buyers will soon have access to these parts through Ford dealerships and with a Ford Racing warranty. Speaking of Ford Racing, Mountune also says that it will be working with Ford’s in-house team to develop future components for both street and track. There are no specifics as of yet for which products will be offered here, but the company plans to launch a US-specific website later this month with more information.

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Ford’s official Euro aftermarket partner Mountune coming to US originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Aug 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lamborghini Aventador gets first aftermarket tune from Oakley Design

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Lamborghini

oakley design lamborghini aventador lp760-2

Oakley Design Lamborghini Aventador LP760-2 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Oakley Design is one automotive aftermarket tuning firm that often gets things very right. Rather than turning to outrageous, over-the-top styling touches, Oakley Design realizes it’s working with something that’s already special and simply turns the knob from 10 to 11. We saw the firms take on the Ferrari 458 Italia, and now we’ve learned that the Lamborghini Aventador is set to be tweaked.

If you read the photo caption closely, you may have thought we incorrectly called the car an Aventador LP760-2. Normally, you’d expect to see that written LP700-4, which means the car is a (nearly) 700-horsepower, all-wheel-drive monster. Not this one. The mad-minds at Oakley Design are pushing out more power, and they want it all being sent to the rear wheels. The goal is 760-horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque, and it will be achieved through an ECU remap, larger airbox and intake setup and a lighter titanium exhaust system.

Besides performance upgrades, Oakley Design is adding subtle exterior updates to the Aventador’s appearance. Signature Oakley Design wheels sit at all four corners (19-inch front/20-inch rear), and are wrapped in the Aventador’s standard Pirelli PZero tires. Oakley design nabbed the rollers thanks to its partnership with HRE Wheels.

This upgraded Lambo also has wider side sills, larger side vents, a deeper rear diffuser and carbon fiber on the side mirrors, roof and engine bay. See it for yourself in our high-res image gallery, and check out the press release after the break.

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Lamborghini Aventador gets first aftermarket tune from Oakley Design originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 May 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OnStar goes aftermarket, coming to Best Buy in spring

Filed under: Aftermarket, CES, Technology, GM

OnStar Mirror

General Motors’ OnStar division has been nothing short of a major success story over its 16 years of operation. But if there’s one major problem that has historically stood in the way of it becoming an automotive technology juggernaut, it’s that OnStar has always been limited to just GM vehicles. Until now.

Coming to a Best Buy near you in the spring of 2011 will be a complete standalone OnStar package housed in one aftermarket mirror. For $299 (plus an estimated $75-$100 for installation and a service plan starting at $18.95 a month or $199 a year), you’ll get the whole suite of features offered by OnStar, including:

  • Automatic Crash Response
  • Link to Emergency Services
  • Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance
  • Turn-by-Turn Navigation
  • Roadside Assistance
  • Hands-Free Calling

This standalone system includes everything needed to get your non-GM (or non-OnStar-equipped older GM) car or truck hooked up to the OnStar network. Installation involves removing the old rear-view mirror, installing the new one and running a power line – which supposedly takes less than an hour and will be handled by trained technicians from Best Buy, though other retail locations seem likely in the future. Full details can be found in the press release after the break.

[Source: OnStar]

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OnStar goes aftermarket, coming to Best Buy in spring originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford: Aftermarket replacement parts can be inferior, possible safety hazards

Filed under: Aftermarket, Safety, Ford

Today’s autos are chock-full of safety equipment that vastly improves your chances of survival in the event of a crash. And if an automaker wants to achieve the best crash test scores, it has to ensure that parts like bumper beams, air bag sensors and radiator supports perform properly during a collision. But while automakers are concerned about their safety record, in some cases, aftermarket parts makers are more concerned with keeping costs down.

USA Today reports that Ford has called out some some aftermarket parts inferior, as the Dearborn, MI-based automaker’s internal testing has shown that some non-OEM parts are made of cheaper materials that may not perform adequately in the event of an accident. Parts marketing manager Mike Warwood says the company was “surprised at the gap between original manufacturer equipment and aftermarket parts,” adding that the gap was larger than anticipated. The easy way to avoid this issue is to demand OEM parts when your vehicle is in the shop for repairs, but unfortunately, some insurance companies insist that cheaper aftermarket replacement parts are used.

It makes sense for Ford push its factory-made parts, as the company makes lots of money selling in excess of 24,000 different replacement components. Ford insists that it is merely looking for aftermarket parts standardization to ensure the safety of its customers, along with stickers warning consumers that non-standard parts are being used. Insurance companies and aftermarket shops likely wouldn’t be too happy if a standardization process is initiated, but it’s hard to argue with oversight in the name of safety. After all, automakers test and build parts like bumpers for optimal safety, and consumers purchase those vehicles in part because of the safety ratings those vehicles earn.

[Source: USA Today]

Ford: Aftermarket replacement parts can be inferior, possible safety hazards originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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