Archive for the ‘Ford’ Category

Focus RS Club and hybrid RS

 

Nothing else to add to “Focus RS Club”. No adjective can properly describe this  hatch. It would take a whole 1000-something-word essay to cover all the good things about Ford’s goodie.

Moreover, Ford is on the verge of launching an even hotter version of RS, namely RS Clubsport, as well as an all new RS model based on the next generation Ford Focus that was unveiled in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show. (more…)

2010 Shelby Mustang GT500: leaked info

Hottest and freshest info about hot and fresh 2010 Shelby Mustang has been revealed by a rattle dealer employee. The order guide gives us plenty of data, like the iron block that will be traded in for an aluminum one. Also,  HID lamps will be standard, the glass roof option will become available on coupes, the convertible gets equipped with the same 19-inch wheels as the hardtop, and there’s an optional SVT Performance Package. It adds a 3:73 rear axle ratio (3:55 is standard), package-specific shocks and springs, what sounds like a different stripe package, upgraded wheels and tires (19-inchers in front and 20-inchers in back), and a rear spoiler with Gurney flap.

Nothing but good news about the legendary muscle car, but we’ll have to wait a little longer, as it won’t be present neither at Chicago nor New York auto shows. However, it’s gonna worth every second of waiting. Stay tuned for further info.

Volvo will learn Chinese

Seems the cash situation at Ford is so bad, that they have to sell Volvo to the Chinese…for $1.8b. I personally don’t know which is the worst part: having it sold for a sum almost 6 times smaller than the one for which it has been purchased in 1999 or the fact that the Swedish brand will go into the hands of  LCD-wireless-tech-addicted Chinese. Don’t get me wrong, these things are good on a car, but what will come of Volvo when the bikes riders will fill it with cheap plastics and cloth made on ships by low-cost hands. WHAT? (more…)

Mustang goes global

Ford began to make some arrangements in its garage like moving the Falcon Ute to a Taurus platform and even taking mighty Mustang to another level: future platform that will go global.

The initial plan was to create a new global RWD platform but because Ford invested big money preparing Euro models for the US, they had to cancel the plan.

Instead, they have other options: add some fuel-efficient, Euro engines to the current car (like the Ecoboost 4 and 6-cylinders); create a new  smaller platform propelled by a modified 3.5L Ecoboost turbocharger V6 or an AWD Evo Rival.

Following the tendencies, I expect the first option to actually make it to production. However, there is a good part, namely an almost certain  independent rear suspension.

$40K for Shelby’s 40th Anniversary

‘Stang Shelby celebrated its 4 decades’ anniversary, but it  didn’t have the classy birthday cake, friends with pointy hats or a legendary drink-your-brains-out party as (U.S.) VIPs have got us used with. Instead, he dressed up some party clothes, named himself  2011 GT350 and now winks at us from behind a $40K price tag.

Many cavilers would make faces hearing the price for a not-so-special edition that includes a new body kit, a supercharger, Baer brakes and some suspension bits, but…it’s a Shelby, people. It’s a legend, it’s a special edition, it’s on the 40th anniversary and it’s upgraded.

Devotees and admirers will surely nod their heads with approval and pet old Shelby on its “shoulder” for solace.

Galaxy and S-Max (un)tweaked

Ford unveiled its most important revised MVPs at 2010 Brussels Auto Show. Changes for Galaxy and sporty S-Max are rather insignifiant, but the two people-movers keep the fresh look and the Blue Oval’s desing trend.

Standard package includes LED daytime running lights and taillamps, and there are a host of new interior trim options, complete with a new panoramic sunroof. Under the hood, Ford placed the new 2.0-liter, 200HP, direct injection four-cylinder EcoBoost gasoline engine in addition to Duratorq diesels with 115 or 163 hp.

I’m no fan of either of the cars, so the facelifts haven’t touched a string here. Not to mention I find them stale compared to what Ford is offering right now. Have a look for yourself.

Photos after the jump. (more…)

Pony car returns to Daytona 500 after 40 years

Remember the Torino GT convertible that guided the pack back in 1970? Well, for 40 years, Chevrolet’s Camaro SS has served as the iconic Indianapolis 500 pace car. This year,  2011 Ford Mustang GT is used to lead the grid around the oval on February 14th. The 412 HP 21st century 5.0 will be the first Ford to serve as the pace car for NASCAR’s biggest race since that Torino. (more…)

Ford’s Bobcat: Ups and Downs

Ford has got the idea to create an engine that could match a diesel’s power and torque figures for less money for over a year. The “Bobcat” is a 5.0-liter V8 that features turbocharging and two independent fuel injection systems. The primary system utilizes traditional port injection to deliver gasoline to the cylinders, while the secondary system injects E85 directly into the combustion chambers.  E85 is an alcohol fuel mixture that typically contains a mixture of up to 85% denatured fuel ethanol and gasoline or other hydrocarbon (HC) by volume. On an undenatured basis, the ethanol component ranges from 70% to 83%. There are questions about the use of biofuels like E85, ostensibly to reduce carbon emissions, when they may have a large carbon footprint according to one study.

Now that Ford has officially revealed the new 5.0-liter V8 for the 2011 Mustang GT, (more…)

Ford Focus: Comeback Story

Remember when Focus first debuted? It was a breath of fresh air, changing your idea of what American hatchbacks may mean. It was light on its feet with a brilliant chassis, a zippy and frugal Zetec engine, a crisp manual transmission and enough personality and quality inside and out the cars sold by the boatload. Then things started to go downhill. Materials quality was reduced, cost cutting removed sound deadening and the car began to feel chintzy. The 2005 refresh turned an interesting car into an ugly one and then in 2008 Ford really stabbed enthusiasts in the heart. While the European Focus was winning nearly every award on the continent, they shoveled a hideous, cheap feeling, coarse, terrible driving vehicle wearing the Focus name. The car boasted fantastic new technology unprecedented in the segment, but it was a disappointment to say the least.

But now say “Hello!” to this sexy stylish 2010 Focus!

The new Focus has a packed with high technology and handsome shapes, grippy seats, excellent door coverings and with plenty of room all around. It’s got the Sync system of course but also the new MyFord system and Sony audio, passive keyless entry, rain sensing wipers, a park assist system, and rear camera. The car rides on an all-new chassis made of high-strength steel and designed with Ford’s Trinity crash structure. They’re targeting award-winning ride and handling and doing it with electric power steering, dynamic cornering control and a torque vectoring differential. You’ll be able to get a huge set of 235/40R19 tires, that’s plenty of grip.

Under the hood there’s a direct injection 2.0-liter four-cylinder with twin independent variable cam timing producing “better than 150 HP.” It’s paired with a manual six speed or the Powershift dual clutch automatic.

It makes you grin ear to ear, doesn’t it?

Photos after the jump

(more…)

Camaro vs. Mustang

Two American red-blooded jittery beasts. But which one makes your palms sweat  and your hands chafe just by seeing its locks wave in the breeze, when doing 150 on the highway? And I’m not talking about power here, ’cause it takes more than a peppery engine to label a car. I’m talking about looks, comfort, interior materials and finish. (more…)

Five “Ohs!” for the Ford Mustang Five-Point-Oh!

Ladies and gentlemen, let me hear you “OH!” for the Ford Mustang GT full 5.0L V8! Indulge yourselves with all 412 Mustangpower horsepower galloping in as spring 2010. Five “Ohs” for the full 5.0L engine, for the exhaust manifolds, whose conjoined design evens out exhaust flow in a compact header, for the unusual-on-a-naturally-aspirated-car redesigned oil sump, baffled for reliable oil supply to the pickup, and oil squirters under each piston to keep internal temperatures down, for the all aluminum heads, with four valves per cylinder operated by four overhead camshafts – perhaps the improvements to the valvetrain that will make the biggest difference and last but not least, for the new engine which is around 5% more fuel-efficient than the old one, meaning this indecently powerful fox will still get somewhere near 25mpg on the highway.

(more…)

The most overpriced Mustang ever:Shelby Mustang GT500KR

Ford Shelby Mustang GT500KR was presented at the NY Auto Show in 2007 and we thought it can reach a max.price of $55.000.

The Mustang GT500KR will go on sale this mounth and it will cost aprox.$80.000.Wow,who has ever thought that a Mustang will be more expensive than many automotive delights.(BMW M3:$55.875 , Lexux IS F:$56.675 , Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG:$57.225 , Nissan GT-R:$70.426 , Chevrolet Corvette Z06 :$72.125 , Porsche 911 Carerra:$74.160 and others)

The Mustang GT500KR will be the most powerful Mustang ever made:540bhp-supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 engine.

Take a jump for the Ford Shelby Mustang GT500KR gallery

(more…)

2009 FORD F-150 first look

For the upcoming 2009 F-Series model,Ford will make some changes .The most important updates are : an improved box frame (that will increase the torsional rigidity with 10 percent) resulting a more stable ride and increased towing and hauling capabilities.Also the SRSC (Standard Roll Stability Control) will be improved,minimizing rollover risks.The new Trailer Sway Control will reduce the risk of accidents while towing.A larger bed will make it easier to carry oversized loads.

Ford adds several additional versions of the F-Series for 2009, moving further away from the old one-size-fits-all approach to pickups.

Ford to reopen Canadian engine plant

DETROIT — Ford Motor Co. plans to reopen an engine plant in Windsor, Ontario, that has been closed since November, the automaker said today.

The reopening of the Essex engine plant will allow 300 employees to return to work, Ford spokeswoman Angie Kozleski said. The Canadian Auto Workers and Ford negotiated a “competitive operating agreement” for the plant in February.

Ford declined to identify what kind of engine will be produced at the plant — or for what vehicles,but it is known that the plant will assemble a new generation of fuel-efficient V-8 engines.

Ford has employees in the plant retooling machinery but declined to comment on when production will start.

Ford announces agreement to sell Jaguar Land Rover to TATA MOTORS


Ford Motor Company has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Jaguar Land Rover operations to Tata Motors.

The sale is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2008.Tata Motors will pay approximately US$2.3 billion.At closing, Ford will then contribute up to approximately US $600 million to the Jaguar Land Rover pension plans.

Alan Mulally, president and CEO, Ford Motor Company. “We are confident that they are leaving our fold with the products, plan and team to continue to thrive under Tata’s stewardship. Now, it is time for Ford to concentrate on integrating the Ford brand globally, as we implement our plan to create a strong Ford Motor Company that delivers profitable growth for all.”

Lewis Booth, executive vice president, Ford Motor Company : “I am confident that, under its new owner, Jaguar Land Rover will continue to build upon the significant improvements and product successes it has achieved in recent years.”

Blog Directory - OnToplist.com MV Blogs Directory Business Directory for Miami, Florida Yellow Pages for USA and Canada  Top Blogs  Blog Directory TopOfBlogs BlogMeeting.com Blog Ratings Web Hosting This site is listed under Vehicles Directory  Dr.5z5 Open Feed Directory BLOGbal Top Blogs - Increase SEO of Your Blog, Blogging Resources Automobile Blogs  Webfeed (RSS/ATOM/RDF) submitted to http://www.feeds4all.nl