| | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2012 Ford Focus ST
 
After a very long wait, Ford has finally unveiled the production version of the dramatic new Focus ST at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and they’ve also announced that, next to the standard five-door model, Europeans will also be getting a station wagon version. The Focus ST is Ford’s first truly global performance car and Ford promises it will combine power with fuel efficiency and an impressive handling characteristic. For the new model, Ford has tuned the 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost engine with a redesigned intake and a new exhaust system with a unique engine calibration for a total output of 250 HP. The engine was combined with a 6-speed manual transmission which has also been specially revised for the ST. Ford has also announced that many of the design elements seen in the Focus ST will also be used in all the future ST models. These elements include the aggressively enhanced front and rear bumpers and the addition of a rear spoiler and sideskirts, plus a unique signature color. UPDATE 05/01/2012: All hatchback performance enthusiasts are monitoring the upcoming release of the new Ford Focus ST salivating like a pack of dogs surrounding a meaty T-bone steak. There is good reason for this excitement, as this 2.0-liter turbocharged Focus pumps out a stout 247 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, which is an astonishing 45 percent more horsepower and 83 percent more torque than the final model year of the Focus SVT (2004). Well, the Ford Focus ST ordering books are now open and prices have been revealed. Let’s start with the base model Focus ST, which it is set at $23,700. The Ford Focus ST2 (group 201A) has a base MSRP of $26,205 minus a $120 discount and the ST3 (group 202A) has a base MSRP of $28,540 minus a $405 discount. Granted, this is all barring dealerships doing the ultimate screw-the-customer move and slapping a “Market-Based Markup” on the sticker price. Hit the jump for more pricing details! Hit the jump to read more about the Ford Focus ST. Full story 2012 Ford Mustang Brenspeed 650R Roush Supercharger Package
Back in 2010, Roush unveiled a pretty impressive upgrade package for the 2011 Mustang GT 5.0 that increased the total output from the standard 412 HP to a monstrous 550 HP with more than 470 lb.-ft. of torque. It was a pretty amazing update, but the Indiana-based Brenspeed tuner decided it could get even better. The best part is that this update can also be applied to the 2013 Mustang models. Roush’s new performance package based on the Roush TVS supercharger system develops a total output of an even more impressive 650 HP and 585 lb-f torque. In order to obtain this increase, the Brenspeed package includes a high-flow fuel rail with 47-lb fuel injectors, a twin 60mm throttle body, an air-to-water intercooler system, a low restriction air induction system, fuel system upgrade, colder spark plugs, and more. Hit the jump for a full list of updates offered in the Ford Mustang Brenspeed 650R Roush Supercharger. Full story
2013 Ford Shelby GT500 officially rated at 662 HP
 When Ford unveiled the 2013 GT500 at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, they announced that the car’s new 5.8-liter supercharged V8 engine would deliver about 650 HP, an impressive increase over the previous 550 HP. Well, hold on to your coffee, folks, because the news just got even better. Ford has confirmed that the GT500 has been officially SAE-certified as the most powerful series production V8 in the world with peak output of 662 HP and 631 lb-ft of torque. Take that, Chevrolet and your baby 550 HP ZL1! This new V8 engine is backed by a chassis that has also been tuned to absorb the road imperfections that can cause instability at high speeds. These changes assist the GT500 in achieving speeds of 200 mph and beyond. The 2013 GT500 also offers an improved fuel consumption with an EPA-estimated 15 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined with no gas guzzler tax. As an extra bonus, we have a series of "spy shots" for you showing the car in action at the Nurburgring. Enjoy!
Video: Mustang Club of Brazil Shows off their Rides
A little while ago, we informed you that the Mustang will likely be heading overseas officially. That’s not to say that the Mustang hasn’t made it anywhere outside of the U.S., as savvy importers have always found ways to get these muscle cars into their countries. Last year, The Mustang Club of Poland made a sweet video about their collection of `Stangs, proving that these muscle cars do make it to other countries and thrive. Now Brazil has gotten into the video fun by releasing a video of its own, commemorating the 11th anniversary of The Mustang Club of Paranà’s founding. Kind of a strange anniversary to celebrate, but so be it. The video is pretty awesome, featuring Mustangs from multiple eras. The most shocking of the bunch was to see two, yes TWO, Mustang IIs in the film. It’s funny though, as all of the other `Stangs are burning up pavement, doing donuts, and burning the rear tires to a molten pile of rubber, the Mustang Pintos, err, `Stang IIs sit on the sidelines or drive leisurely down the road. We’ve gotta give them some credit for not being afraid to include the deuces in the film. In all honesty this video was cool, but the Polish video was far more kick ass. Yeah, the Polish club’s video started off slowly, but severe tire roasting commenced about three minutes in and never stopped. Add in the fact that the Polish video was better edited and had cooler shots, it beats out the Brazilians. Enough with the comparisons, you can judge for yourself. The Brazilian club’s video is above and you can see the Polish club’s video here.
Ford Shows off the 1.0-Liter EcoBoost Engine
So it is official, Ford has gone absolutely crazy with the EcoBoost trend, but it’s a good crazy, as the EcoBoost both lowers emissions and sharply increases fuel economy. The latest engine to spool its way into the EcoBoost lineup is the all-new 1.0-liter inline three-cylinder version. When most people think of a 1.0-liter three-banger, they tend to picture the early-1990s Metro with its concrete massaging 49 horsepower zipping it to 60 mph sometime in the next century, while driving downhill. Fortunately, this isn’t your Metro’s three-cylinder engine. This boosted three-banger will pump out a respectable 98 horsepower on the base level and an even more impressive 125 horsepower on the top-level engine, the latter exceeding the current 1.6-liter’s output by 5 horsepower. FEV, the leading developer for this engine, also claims that both versions of the engine will twist out 125 pound-feet of torque, which is 13 more pound-feet than the 1.6-liter engine and it saves 20 pounds worth of weight compared to the 1.6-liter. The press release makes it a little unclear as to whether or not this new EcoBoost will be offered in the U.S., but given the fact that it mentions the 1.6-liter in a Focus, and it being offered in the C-Max and B-Max, we can assume that it will start off in the U.K., as the B-Max and C-Max are U.K. models, and the Focus only comes with the 1.6-liter in the U.K. . Granted, the C-Max is coming to the U.S., but as a hybrid model only. With the power output of this engine, you can expect to see it making its way over here soon. The likely host for it would be the Ford Fiesta, as it is more accepted with a smaller engine. Focus buyers would generally not accept a 1.0-liter-powered model. We will continue to keep an eye on this and let you know if Ford makes mention of it coming to the U.S. or not. Click past the jump to read FEV’s full press release Full story
TopSpeed Rendering: 2015 Ford Mustang
 It has been rumored for quite some time now that the future generation Ford Mustang will drop its usual retro look and will adopt an exterior design that is "more technical, more modern" and inspired by the Ford Evos concept unveiled last fall at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. This decision was made in order to transform the muscle car into a model fit to go global. The future model will still look like a Mustang and will keep its familiar shark-nosed grille and round headlights, but it will be the "most European-friendly version of the coupe ever." A few changes will also be made under the hood. While the 2015 Mustang will keep its usual rear-wheel-drive configuration, it is expected to also get an independent rear suspension. The top version will keep the usual V8 engines, but the base models will get a twin-turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine that will deliver about 300 HP. The sixth generation Ford Mustang will be unveiled in 2014 in order to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Mustang line. Video: Volkswagen Sirocco R vs. Ford Focus RS
Models like the Volkswagen Sirocco R and the Ford Focus RS are hits on the European market, so it’s not surprising to see them get put next to each other on the Nurburgring race track for a little competitive action. The two cars provided quite a show tooas you will see in this video which is about eight minutes long. Take a seat and enjoy! As a reminder, the Volkswagen Scirocco R is powered by a four-cylinder 2.0 liter TSI engine that delivers 265 HP and 258 lbs-ft of torque. On the other side, the Ford Focus RS is powered by a 2.5 liter 20 V DOHC RS engine that delivers 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. The Volkswagen can hit a top speed of 155 mph, while the Ford goes up to 163 mph. 2013 Ford Galaxy
The third generation Ford Galaxy went on sale back in 2006 and after a small facelift in 2009, the MPV is ready to enter its fourth generation. Recently, Ford began working on it and the first mule has been caught testing, wearing a completely new front end attached to the body of the current generation. The next Galaxy will feature a wider track and a completely redesigned front inspired by the company’s Kinetic Design seen in the company’s latest models like the 2012 Focus, 2013 Escape, and the new Mondeo. Under the hood, the future MPV will feature the same engine line-up and gearboxes as the Mondeo, including the latest 2.0-liter Ecoboost with an output of about 240 HP. Also, rumors say that the next Galaxy will be offered with a hybrid powertrain later on. The new generation Ford Galaxy will be launched by the end of 2012 or in early 2013.
2012 Ford Mustang GT4-CS Autobahn Edition by Kenny Brown
Kenny Brown unveiled a very cool Ford Mustang GT-4T "Mango Tango" at the 2011 SEMA Auto Show and now he’s come back with a very cool GT4-CS Autobahn Edition Mustang designed for the track day enthusiast. Each unit will be developed especially for every customer, depending on their experience and driving style. The GT4-CS Mustang’s standard 5.0 liter V8 engine has been tuned to deliver a total of 485 HP thanks to an improved intake and exhaust flow. The engine is mated to a Hurst shifter and a Kenny Brown matrix chassis support system. The tuner is also offering an advanced geometry suspension system and a new set of 19" Forgeline Monoblock wheels combined with Baer 6R Extreme+ front and rear brake calipers. For the exterior, the GT4-CS Autobahn Edition has received a sport front splitter w/fender air dams, side skirt splitters, a carbon fiber sport wing, and an engine hood. The interior gets racing seats and Competition Harness belts. In short, this is the perfect car for a full weekend of racing.
2009 - 2011 Ford “Bronco” Trophy Truck
As automotive journalists, we see a lot of varying racecars and racing trucks, so only a few actually make us do a double take and think “what the…” Well, the 2011 Ford “Bronco” Trophy Truck is one of those vehicles that we just cannot walk away from. This beast was built by Marshall Madruga in honor of the classic road-racing truck, the “Big Oly.” This off-road racing version of the “Big Oly” made its debut in 2009 at the Off-Road Expo in Pomina, CA. It also made a cameo in the Bilstein booth at SEMA, in 2009 and has been in a few magazines, including DirtSports, Off Road, and Bronco Driver. So why is this important to you? Well, the 2011 Ford Bronco Trophy Truck has just popped up for sale on Ebay. To boot, this truck is even registered as street legal in the state of California. So how realistic is it to drive this pickup on the road? Check out the full review to see if this is a feasible mode of transportation, or just eye candy to take to the dunes every now and again. Hit the jump to read the full review. Full story
| featured reviews:Ford cars reviews2015 2014 2013
* prototypes, future cars, modified cars (tuning) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ford cars
|
|