In the last episode of Drive’s "Chris Harris on cars," Chris Harris had the opportunity to test-drive the upcoming Porsche 918 Spyder. In the newest episode, he decided to go for something a little more timid and got behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta ST.
Ever since the Fiesta ST was announced, there was a great dispute on which one was the better subcompact pocket rocket: the ST or the Renault Clio RS? So, Harris tries to help you find an answer to this question, as he tested the car on the road and track, and ended up being quite impressed by the petite ST. Of course, the car could use some improvements here and there, but overall, he thinks the ST performs quite well.
The Fiesta ST is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with an output of 197 Horsepower and 214 pound-feet of torque; all rather impressive stats for a subcompact hatch that tips the scales at only 2,720 pounds and sets you back only about 21k.
After the VelociRaptor APV concept announced back in 2010, Hennessey finally decided to come with a production version. The new package will be applied to the Ford F-150 Raptor SVT and will be limited to only 30 units per year. Customers interested will have to pay a total of $149,500.
The tuner transformed the Raptor pickup into an SUV, so it now offers seating capacity for up to eight people, making it the ideal car for a big family.
In standard form, the VelociRaptor is powered by the Raptor’s standard 6.2-liter V-8 engine delivering a total of 411 horsepower, but you know as well as we o that Hennessey wouldn’t stop there. For an additional cost, the tuner will install a 600 Supercharged upgrade, which will increase the SUV’s output to 600 horsepower. If you have a few more dollars in your pocket, Hennessey also offers a Brembo front brake upgrade, larger wheels and tires, LED lighting upgrades, bespoke interior and electronic upgrades, and new security and armoring systems.
With all these updates, the VelociRaptor’s weight will be increased by about 600 pounds. With this added weight, the base version will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.5 seconds and the 600-horsepower version does the same sprint in just 5.9 seconds.
Click past the jump to read more about the standard Ford F-150 Raptor SVT.
If our love affair with the Ford Raptor isn’t quite clear, please allow us to let you know that we think it is one of the most bad-ass trucks ever built. It not only has a 6.2-liter V-8 engine with a mean 411 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque that gets it to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, but it is also built to handle some of the meanest terrain you could imagine driving a street-legal truck on.
Well, we apparently aren’t the only ones that fell in love with it, as a one was displayed at the Cipate Police Equipment Exhibition in Beijing, China. And this is no normal Raptor, as Haiqiao Industry removed the bed and put a massive RV-like cab on the backside.
So, why would a police vehicle need a cab? Well, this particular model is designed for long-distance border patrol in China. Inside this massive cab is a bed, so the officer can take a much-needed break after a long shift; a cooking set, so the patrolling officer is properly fed; and a set of red seats for taking a load of comfortably.
This Raptor isn’t all comfort either, as it comes with the standard police equipment, including: search lights, a light bar and a speaker.
What makes this even more interesting is that the Raptor isn’t even available in China. Nope, Haiqiao gets them shipped in on the “grey market” from California and dresses them up for the government. It seems odd for a Government to purchase grey market vehicles, but so be it.
This particular model runs 1.3 million Chinese Yuan ($211,500) and only the Chinese government can purchase them for now, but the company is debating opening up to the civilian market.
Click past the jump to read about the 2013 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
Shinola might not be known for being a quality timepiece maker, having made its name as a manufacturer of bikes, leather goods and other luxury items. But the company has expanded into building watches and one of the first limited-edition models on its portfolio pays homage to a fellow Detroit-based company.
In commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Ford Mustang, Shinola is building a special-edition timepiece bearing the automaker’s exclusive 50 Years logo. Measuring 46 mm (1.81 inches) across and carrying the Mustang 50 Years logo on its face, the watch is, for a lack of a better word, impressive. It comes with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal face, a screw-down crown, a black leather band and waterproof capabilities of up to 5 atmospheres (roughly 170 feet, dependent on water temperature).
Only 1,000 units of this special edition watch will be built. No word yet on how much it’ll cost, but for the expected sum, you can be one of the few owners in the world of an officially licensed, special-edition watch that bears the automaker’s unique-in-its-own Mustang 50 Years logo.
Let’s face it, short of the ST model, the Ford Fiesta isn’t much of a car. It is the epitome of a point-A-to-point-B car with just enough features to keep entry-level buyers occupied.
The latest project that Ford is working on in cooperation with Schaeffler demonstrates than even cars like the Fiesta can become even more agile and somewhat fun to drive.
Their Fiesta-based eWheelDrive car project drops the conventional gasoline engine in favor of two electric motors placed in each of the rear wheels. This compact system may lead to four-door sedans of the future having a footprint similar to that of current two-person cars today. Additionally, it will offer the possibility to move sideways into parking spaces, so all of you folks that stink at parallel parking may finally enjoy parking in the city.
What really makes this system is its surprising amount of power. Sure, the system maxes out at only 80 kW (110 horsepower) but that’s not all that comes into play here. The two electric motors twist out a stump-ripping 700 Nm (516 pound-feet) of torque from the second you push the accelerator pedal.
So, while this system may only allow the eWheelDrive project to hit about 100 mph, its 0-to-30 mph and 0-to-60 mph times are bound to be pure awesomeness. It really depends on how the drive system is geared, but the potential is definitely there.
Ford hopes to have two new drivable vehicles by 2015. Stay tuned for more info.
Click past the jump to read more about the standard Ford Fiesta.
The 2013 Ford Taurus SHO is a sneaky-powerful car. It doesn’t carry much publicity as one because it’s overshadowed the Mustang. But as far as power, the Taurus SHO packs quite a punch.
Recently, U.S. tuner Hennessey took possession of a Ford Taurus SHO and at the behest of its owner, proceeded to give it a performance program that’s worthy of applause.
Thanks to the installation of a stainless-steel cat-back exhaust system and a dual cold-air induction system to go with an ECU remap, Hennessey was able to increase the high-powered sedan’s output to a stout 445 horsepower. With that improvement, the Taurus SHO is now capable of hitting 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds, and sprint the quarter-mile in only 12.8 seconds at 109 mph. No details were given on the top speed but we won’t be surprised the least bit if this Taurus SHO can peak at around 160 mph.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering if the modifications ended there, they don’t. That’s because Hennessey also gifted the Taurus SHO with a serialized dash, engine plaques, "445 Boost" and "Hennessey" badges, and embroidered headrests.
Hennessey didn’t say how much the program cost, but it did say that the kit comes with a one-year/12,000-mile limited warranty.
Click past the jump to read more about the Ford Taurus SHO
So, Ken Block’s now a globe-trotter. Surprise, surprise.
Of course, he’s not actually doing it in real time, but this partnership between Block and GoPro has yielded some impressive results.
First, they went to the frozen woods of Russia to film a Gymkhana-like video that called for Block to smash GoPro cameras along the way. Now, Block and GoPro are back on U.S. soil, specifically in a technical forested rally course in Potosi, Missouri.
As is always the case with a guy like Ken Block, you better expect and prepare for some nutty things to happen in this video. You have to have a new level of appreciation for Block’s navigator who somehow manages to keep his wits together through all those bumps to give out instructions from that notebook of his.
And in case you missed out on Block’s Russian exploits, click past the jump to check it out.
Ford is looking to re-launch the classic Escort nameplate for the Chinese market. The new Ford Escort Concept debuted at the Shanghai Motor Show and will be a compact four door sedan in its reincarnation.
The Escort name brings back memories of the 60’s and 70’s cars that were popular rally racing cars or the popular selling cars from the 80’s and 90’s. The nameplate is still very big in China where older cars command a premium.
The concept has styling much like that of other recent Fords, such as the Focus and Fusion. The front features a large angular grille that sets the styling tone for the vehicle. It also features bold lines that flow smoothly from front to back.
The car looks to help Ford gather more sales in the emerging Chinese market, as the American automaker is tries to gain foothold in the Asian market. The hope is that the Escort will give them a leg up.
Hit the jump to read more details about the Ford Escort Concept.
When Steve Saleen officially regained his namesake brand, you knew it would only be a matter of time before his company would debut its first project car. That time, apparently, was at the LA Auto Show when Saleen introduced its return to the auto industry with the Saleen 351 Mustang.
“Since regaining the Saleen brand, I really want to bring it all together with the heritage that Saleen is known for,” Saleen said. “With the current Saleen [302] Mustang model it provides all the right features to bring back and update the S351 model.”
Based on the 2013 Ford Mustang, the car’s name comes from the engine used under the hood, which is a 351-cubic-inch V-8 engine that delivers a total of 700 horsepower and 655 pound-feet of torque when paired with the Saleen 296 supercharger system.
On the exterior, the 351 Mustang is slated to receive an aerodynamic kit entirely made from carbon fiber, including front and side splitters and a new rear diffuser that houses the F1-style taillight. The car will also be equipped with Saleen’s famous Butterfly Center Ram Air Induction system, which includes a Red Butterfly hood that allows cold air to flow through the butterfly scoop design as they open under throttle.
The car will sit on a set of 20-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels wrapped with high performance tires. You can order it in any existing Saleen color and can be updated with a complete treatment of Saleen 351 badging and graphics.
Updated 04/22/2013: After months of silence, Saleen has unveiled a first 351 prototype this weekend at the Fabulous Fords at Knott’s Berry Farm in California. The model should be ready for the 2014 model year, so if you plan to order one, you will have to wait a little bit more. The prototype revealed in California was painted Orange County Orange - a color specially developed for the car by Saleen. (MustangsDaily)
Ken Block is one of the most famous racing personalities in the world and anytime fans have a chance to ride shotgun with Block in the driver’s seat, it’s a treat not a lot of people will say “no” to.
Recently, Block took his hooning skills to Budapest to treat some fans to a ride of a lifetime; that is if you consider driving the Ford Fiesta ST around an ice rink as a “ride of a lifetime.”
Considering the difficulty of driving around an ice rinkion a Fiesta ST, it’s safe to say that Block wouldn’t be able to execute the kind of Gymkhana-like stunts that he’s come to be known for. Nevertheless, having this man behind the wheel of a car with nothing but pure, unadulterated fun fueling him is still the stuff of awesomeness.
Check out the video above and be sure to click past the jump to know more about the Ford Fiesta ST.
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