By Rex Roy May 28th, 2009



If you know where to look, Ford Motor Company has told the world plenty about the upcoming 2011 Ford Focus. According to Ford, the Focus we'll get is based on the model currently sold in Europe. Auto journalists over there like it plenty.




Enlarge Photo
The current 2009 Ford Focus — really quite a good small car — will go on mostly unchanged through the 2010 model year. Midway through next year, the new 2011 model will come on line. There will be two body styles:

A four-door sedan
A five-door hatchback (shown in fresh spy photos available at link below)
Unfortunately, unlike Europe, we don't get the two-door hatch, or the hot RS version that comes as a two-door over there. Ford is taking a more conservative path with our new Focus.

Power for the 2011 Focus will include a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, likely to displace 1.6 liters. There will also be an EcoBoost version that features direct fuel injection and turbocharging. The EcoBoost 1.6-liter is expected to put out approximately 180 horsepower. In Europe, Ford does produce smaller gasoline engines that are in the same engine family as the 1.6-liter, and these displace 1.4- and 1.25-liters. It is conceivable that one of these smaller displacement in-line fours may be the 2011 Focus's standard engine.

An auto-stop feature could be introduced on this engine. When a vehicle comes to a stop, the electronic control unit immediately synchronizes the engine’s systems for restart. Once the brake pedal is released or the gas pedal is engaged, a short starter engagement triggers the direct fuel injection system to fill the cylinders with fuel, initiate combustion and start the engine, producing the no-hesitation vehicle launch. An advanced battery management system converts braking energy into electricity and stores it to keep electrical systems operating while the engine is not running.

It is unlikely that a diesel will be available at the start of production, but an all-electric version may be. Focus battery-electric vehicle, which is being developed in partnership with Magna International, features a high-voltage electric motor powered by a high capacity Lithium Ion battery pack and charged by plugging in to a 110-volt or 220-volt outlet.


Based on what we're seeing in other Ford vehicles, we'd expect gearboxes to include six-speed automatic and manual transmissions. However, there is a chance the 2011 Focus could get Ford’s dual-clutch PowerShift six-speed transmission (already fitted to some European Volvo models including the C30), which delivers the efficiency of a manual with the ease of operation of a premium automatic transmission. It's essentially a dual-clutch gearbox like those offered by Audi and Porsche. Due to cost, Ford may not use the gearbox on the Focus, but save it for more uplevel vehicles, but so far, things are looking good.

As we are able to gather together more information the 2011 Ford Focus, we'll keep you posted. Tune in to our colleagues at Motor Authority for spy shots of the 2011 Ford Focus.

[Motor Authority]

You're in - News: Auto Express News
Auto Express Car ReviewsText: Sam Hardy May 2009

The Capri is back – as a hatch! These are the best pictures yet of the compact family car that looks set to be the must-have model of 2010 – it’s a new three- door version of the Ford Focus.

Just as Volkswagen has done with the stunning Scirocco, Ford is seeking to reinvent one of its most famous sports cars. And it’s this dramatic evolution of the next Focus that will do it.

Boasting a stylish but practical body, it will target the Scirocco and the Renault Mégane Coupé, providing a glamorous sister car to the standard five-door hatch – revealed in Issue 1,057. Appealing to young, style-conscious buyers, the new Coupé should be a big hit.

As you can see from our exclusive pictures, it takes some inspiration from the Iosis Max concept, revealed at March’s Geneva Motor Show.

That car debuted the new family ‘face’ of not only the new Focus, but the next-generation C-MAX, too. However, the three-door model evolves this with sleeker, sportier LED headlights and a deeper, more aggressive set of lower air intakes.

The key design cues, though, are the rakish windscreen, low roofline and high waistline, which meet to give a heavily chopped appearance at the back. It’s reminiscent of the Scirocco, but is arguably more daring and head-turning. A neat diffuser-style lower bumper, roof spoiler and gorgeous LED tail-lights complete the rear. Add in short overhangs and large alloy wheels, and the model looks every inch the
chic compact sports car.

And because that roofline doesn’t slope down too steeply, the Coupé will be practical, too, with plenty of headroom for rear passengers and a decent sized boot. Options such as a panoramic glass roof, to further increase the feeling of light and space inside, are anticipated.

In the front, a similar cabin to the five-door is expected, with a new centre console offering an improved version of Ford’s Human Machine Interface system. The finish will have a premium feel, with options including a reversing camera.

To match its storming looks, the car will be fitted with a class-leading chassis. And this promises even more agility and grip than the five-door, without sacrificing ride comfort or refinement.

There’ll be even more reason to smile when buyers see the engine range. New turbocharged EcoBoost powerplants will be available, with most cars getting a 1.6-litre petrol, producing 148bhp or 178bhp.

A new 1.6 TDCi diesel will also debut, giving up to 128bhp, alongside a flagship 2.0-litre with 168bhp or 197bhp. All these units will combine pace with superb fuel economy and low CO2 emissions. And helping the Focus Coupé to be even more efficient will be the option of a Powershift twin-clutch gearbox. This will be offered in addition to a standard-fit manual transmission. Stop-start technology is also expected to be rolled out across the line-up.

Of course, there will be a high-performance range-topper, but it’s unlikely to be powered by the much-loved 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo engine from the Focus ST and RS. This is deemed too thirsty, and will be replaced by a 2.0-litre, 200bhp EcoBoost four-cylinder turbo.

The new Focus range debuts alongside the C-MAX MPV at a major motor show next year.

Return of the 5.0: Ford Exec confirms 400 hp 'Coyote' V8 coming in 2010
by Damon Lavrinc May 18th, 2009 at 3:27PM




When the 2010 Ford Mustang debuted, there was a collective groan among the pony car faithful that Ford didn't update the aging 4.6-liter V8 along with the 'Stang's new sheetmetal. So when a few spy shots surfaced in January showing a new aluminum engine nestled under the hood of a Mustang mule, we knew the Blue Oval had something else up its sleeve – and now we have confirmation.

According to Ford Australia's product development director, Russell Christophers, FoMoCo's U.S. team is working on an all-new, aluminum double-overhead cam 5.0-liter V8 – codenamed "Coyote" – with output expected to crest 400 hp and around 400 lb-ft of torque. Christophers told Australia's Drive, "I have seen the performance curves and it is a pretty good engine."

The new 32-valve, 5.0-liter V8 is expected to be fitted to the Mustang and F-150 sometime in 2010, replacing the current 4.6- and 5.4-liter mills. And with the inevitable option of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 making its way under the Mustang's hood, Ford looks to be bringing the fight to the new Chevrolet Camaro.

Future Ford SYNC upgrade could include Pandora streaming
by Damon Lavrinc May 18th, 2009 at 7:27PM



http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/18/futu ... streaming/

Click above to view a video of the new SYNC system after the jump


At the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Ford announced that three new features would be included on the next iteration of the SYNC system: traffic data, GPS-guided directions and the ability to snag information from the web through the user's data/GPS/Bluetooth-enabled smartphone to display or read weather conditions, sports scores and other information through the stereo.

On May 26th, the upgrade will be made available to all current 2010 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury owners (you download the update to your PC, then transfer it to the SYNC system through a thumb drive) and all new 2010 models will be equipped with the upgrade from the factory. But as Ford CEO Alan Mulally promised, there's more on the way.

Ford and Microsoft plan to continually update SYNC, and according to Charlotte Fisher from Ford's Design and Technology team, "every six to eight to twelve months we'll be delivering new services." One of the possible features Ford could include on future iterations of SYNC is streaming internet radio, and Fisher confirmed that Ford is currently "talking with Pandora." Can you say XM-killer? Hit the jump to watch a video of the new system in action.

by Chris Shunk on May 21st 2009 at 10:28AM


The 2010 Ford Mustang is quicker and more refined than the model it replaces, and it has also been upgraded in ways you can't see or feel – unless you're in an accident. The new 'Stang has received a five-star rating for front and side collisions by National Highway Traffic Safety Association, as well as five-stars for roll-over performance. The Blue Oval says that these top scores adds to the company's industry leading amount of five-star rated vehicles.

Ford achieved the top U.S. government top safety scores in part because of the new Mustang's stiffer chassis. The 2010 model's body structure is 31% stiffer than the 2009 model, and Ford engineers augmented the more rigid platform with improved high strength sheetmetal to protect occupants in a side impact.

Hit the jump to check out the Ford press release and watch two videos of the 2010 Ford Mustang being crash tested.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/21/2010 ... ty-rating/

PRESS RELEASE:

* The 2010 Ford Mustang coupe has earned the U.S. government's top 5-star safety ratings, which includes
5-stars for driver and passenger in front and side crash tests, as well as for rollover performance
* Ford has more U.S. government 5-star ratings than any other automotive brand
* Mustang remains the number one selling sports car by a wide margin, with nearly a 40 percent share of the
segment in April; May sales ahead of projections

CONTEXT / BACKGROUND:
The 2010 Ford Mustang coupe has earned the U.S. government's top 5-star crash-test rating, adding to widespread acclaim for the new car's unmistakable design and upgraded performance that builds on the formula that's made it America's favorite pony car for 45 years. Ford has more U.S. government 5-star-rated vehicles than any other brand and more Top Safety Pick ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety than any other automaker.

DETAILS:
The new Mustang uses high strength steel in its body structure and uses ultra high strength steel in the door intrusion beams for additional side impact protection.

The Mustang's considerable body stiffness contributes to the coupe and convertible's driving performance and has a parallel benefit in accident protection. While the coupe's body structure is approximately 31 percent stiffer than the previous Mustang platform, the convertible's is more than twice as stiff – creating a structure that helps protect the cabin from deformation and intrusion during an impact.

The front structure's crush zones are computer-designed to absorb energy in a controlled manner and help dissipate it before it can reach the passenger compartment. Ford engineers have run thousands of design iterations of the Mustang's front rails to arrive at an octagonal shape that helps spread crash forces evenly to help protect occupants.

State-of-the-art technology adds to the convenience and safety of the 2010 Mustang, from the availability of the latest version of Ford SYNC®, with new features 911 Assist™ and Vehicle Health Report, to standard AdvanceTrac® Electronic Stability Control, which complements the all-speed traction control and standard anti-lock braking system (ABS).

Additional standard safety equipment includes Beltminder® and the Personal Safety System™ – a system that includes dual-stage driver and front passenger air bags, safety belt pretensioners and Beltminder.

Sales Leader
Mustang remains the number one selling sports car by a wide margin, with the new 2010 model driving showroom traffic. In April, Mustang had nearly a 40 percent share of the retail sports car segment

Only 140 came to Canada
Greg Williams, Canwest News Service - Published: Tuesday, May 05, 2009
This is one Mustang that doesn't run with the rest of the herd. In fact, it runs well ahead of the pack.
With a 540 horsepower supercharged V-8 under the hood, the 2009 Shelby GT500KR King of the Road is all muscle.

And with the current uncertainty of the stock market, and the 2010 Shelby Cobra GT500 filling the niche of the KR, this is one pony car that might prove a wise investment.
"It's a special car," says 30-year old Tim Tubman of Advantage Ford in Calgary. "And it will be a collectible car - the kind you buy and hang on to for years, and pass on to an heir."
Ford and Shelby Automobiles celebrated the 40th anniversary of the first Shelby GT500KR King of the Road Mustang last year. In 1968 a special package put together by Carroll Shelby debuted on a Mus-tang, and it was dubbed the King of the Road. Only 1,571 King of the Road Mustangs were assembled between 1968 and 1969.
Bringing the Mustang up to date, in 2008 Ford and Shelby put together 1,000 King of the Road Mustangs based on its already potent Shelby GT500 platform.
All of those cars stayed in the U. S., and for 2009 another 571 cars were built -- matching the 1,571 produced between 1968 and '69. There were, however, an extra 175 King of the Road cars built, and Canada got 140 of them.
What makes the car so special?
Essentially, the King of the Road package adds horsepower, suspension upgrades, and styling changes to the Shelby GT500 Mustang. In the King of the Road car, the 5.4-litre V-8 engine is supercharged, as it is in the Shelby GT500, but horsepower goes from 500 to 540 thanks to a Ford Racing power upgrade pack.
That power upgrade pack makes changes to the ignition timing and throttle calibration and adds a new cold air intake system. A special exhaust system is also incorporated.

Torque measures in at 510 ft.-lbs., and all of that power is transferred to the rear wheels through a Tremec TR6060 six-speed gearbox. A special King of the Road short throw shifter should allow a driver to make cleaner shifts.
Braking is upgraded at the front with Brembo 14-inch rotors and calipers. Handling is improved through numerous suspension changes such as specially designed dampers and sway bars.
Changes to the exterior include a carbon composite hood with a bulbous scoop, and a lowered front air dam. Special King of the Road graphics, including side stripes that are almost identical to those found on the 1968 and '69 series, and a set of centre stripes further differentiates the car.
"The car's an animal," Tubman says of the driving experience. "There's so much acceleration it's almost surreal - just gobs and gobs of power and it just wants to go and go. It's really responsive, almost Porsche or Corvette-like.
"And it's a visceral experience. You hear the supercharger whining, the roar of the exhaust. It's like a classic muscle car with all of the features of a brand new car."
Tubman also says the ride is not spine-jarringly harsh.
"You could take the KR on a round trip anywhere, it's got a good-sized trunk, it handles well and it's comfortable to ride in."
.

Copyright by Avarvarii / Next Generation Ford Capri
by Thami Masemola
April 28, 2009 11:16 AM



Volkswagen may be riding the crest of the wave with the Scirocco but Ford also wants in on the act. As it was previously reported there is a rumour suggesting that Ford is planning a 2+2 coupe in the mould of the old Capris of the 1960s and 1970s. It would be a performance car with good enough credentials to upset one or two segment competitors.

This rendering presented here was created by artist Andrei Avarvarii. His impression combines the styling of a coupe with the size and practicality of a hatchback. The front end keeps a close styling kinship with recent Ford concept cars. The sporty wheel-design combines five rectangular shapes with five triangles.

The car would probably keep to the FWD layout of the old Mercury Capri cars which were built in Australia in the early 1990s, while an RS model would feature the Focus RS's Revoknucle front suspension which limits torque steer despite the RS being a 300bhp (224kW) FWD hatch. Ford of course might choose to stick to the original RWD system used by the original Ford Capris of the 1960s and 1970s.

Should Ford go ahead and build the Capri, production would start in 2012. Speculation is that a concept version will appear at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show this September.

* Edited to reflect a more accurate position on the drive layout.

by Sam Abuelsamid on May 10th 2009 at 3:29PM

Natural Heath magazine has decided to honor Ford Motor Company with its Green Choice award. The magazine cited the automaker for its efforts to produce more environmentally friendly vehicles like the new Fusion and Milan hybrids in addition to the existing Escape and Mariner hybrids. Ford was also called out for cutting one third of its global energy use over the past nine years.

In addition to powertrain developments like the hybrids and upcoming electric vehicles, Ford engineers and researchers have been cutting energy use by developing the recycled seat fabric used in several vehicles as well as soy foam for the seat cushions.

Ed Begley Jr. presented the awards to Ford and nine other companies in New York last week.

Apr 20, 2009



Ford Motor Company has surpassed Honda and has statistically tied with Toyota in initial vehicle quality, according to the 2009 U.S. Global Quality Research System.

“This is truly a significant accomplishment for us,” said Bennie Fowler, Ford group vice president of global quality. “Honda and Toyota have claimed bragging rights for years, but now we are seeing our hard work pay off. It’s evident in study after study.”

The latest survey measured 2009 model year initial vehicle quality in the categories of the number of “things gone wrong,” and customer satisfaction in the first three months of ownership.

In the first quarter of 2009, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles dropped five per cent in things gone wrong.The survey also showed that Ford’s brands improved two percentage points in customer satisfaction with quality, to 79 per cent, which puts its domestic brands in a tie with Toyota and Honda for industry leadership.


The following models led their respective segments in the survey:
-- Ford Mustang - initial quality and customer satisfaction for sports cars
-- Ford Taurus - initial quality for large cars
-- Ford Taurus X - initial quality for crossover utilities
-- Mercury Milan - initial quality for midsize cars

-- Ford Ranger - initial quality for compact pickups

The new 2009 Ford F-150 recorded quality levels that equate to less than one problem per vehicle, as did the Taurus, Taurus X, Fusion, Milan, and Edge.


"We are energized by the continuous improvement we are seeing on both initial vehicle quality and customer satisfaction," said Fowler. "This survey validates the hard work and dedication to quality from Ford employees, suppliers and dealers. We will keep the momentum going as we strive to become the clear global quality leader."


The GQRS study is conducted on a quarterly basis with scores assessed from survey responses collected from owners of vehicles purchased within specific short-term time frames.


New vehicle owners are asked to report any defects or issues as well as rate their satisfaction with vehicle quality on a scale of 1 to 10 across an array of vehicle systems and features


[Source: PR-USA.net]

The next-generation Ford Focus is as stunning as it is radical. With a remarkable combination of attractive external appearance, driver charm and totally advanced technology, it is the most coveted car yet.

Scheduled to hit markets next year, the Focus is the third-generation of the family car that has brought the Ford’s brand values to a whole new level. Its stunning appearance is complemented by highly advanced small-capacity turbocharged powerplants. Hints at the appearance of the car were provided by the Iosis Max Concept which Ford showcased at the Geneva Motor Show last month. The Ford focus got its styling inspiration from this car. The new front section of the hatch gets a smooth design together with a large lower grill and elongated headlamps. Aggressive design lines flow naturally from the edges of the grill reaching back to the A-pillars. At the rear section, more Iosis MAX inspiration can be observed such as high tail, more angular C-pillars and quite attractive rear lights. Continued after the jump!





The appearance is rounded off by large wheel arches and short overhangs giving the new model a more muscular posture. There are intimations that it will come with a glass roof. In the interior, it is expected to come with a milder version of the stunning cabin of the concept with a new central console equipped with an enhanced variant of the company’s Human Machine Interface control system. A camera for reversing will be included as one of the options. In the underbelly of the car is a newly developed chassis, implying that the new hatch will unlikely be larger in size. The focus of the hatch will be on ride and enhancement without compromising sharp steering and driver charm which are well-known elements with the Ford Focus. Engine lineup will mainly be new turbocharged EcoBoost units.

For the entry-level models, the source of power will be a 1.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo engine that produces 89bhp or 108bhp with majority of the versions receiving a new 1.6-liter turbo coming with 148bhp or 178bhp power yields. These engines will offer a combination of power, economy and low CO2 emissions. Diesel units will also be offered such as the 1.6 TDCi which can produce up to 128bhp and a flagship 2.0-liter producing 168bhp or 197bhp. All these powerplants are coupled with the standard manual gearbox, although Ford will also make available its Powershift twin-clutch transmission. The famous start-stop technology will be going out across the range also. Reports received point to 2010 as the simultaneous release of the Ford Focus and C-MAX compact MPV. Both cars have been developed simultaneously and could be offered in all Ford makets around the globe. The Ford Focus will be produced in Saarlouis, Germany, while the C-MAX, which is to be offered as a seven-seater for the first time, will be assembled at Valencia in Spain. Both vehicles will be keeping in step with the Fiesta model which will hit Chinese markets this year and the US next year.


[via autoexpress]

by Chris Shunk on Mar 4th 2009 at 6:41PM





The U.S. edition of the Ford Ranger has gotten by with little more than cosmetic changes and minor mechanical upgrades since its last redesign in 1993. In Europe, there is another Ford Ranger all together with four full-sized doors, a choice of 2.5L or 3.0L Duratorq diesel engines and styling that comes from the 21st century. We caught a glimpse of the Winning Blue Ranger four-door at the Geneva Motor Show, and we're guessing this mid-size pickup would look much better in a Ford showroom than what we have today. Fortunately, Ford is looking to introduce an all-new U.S. market Ford Ranger in 2011 and the Euro model could be an indicator of things to come.

By MARK VAUGHN
A picture of 2010 Shelby GT500
2010 Shelby GT5002010 Shelby Mustang GT500




A critical point in the development of the new, all-conquering Shelby GT500 came when the development team realized that their monstrous-huge air intake had to be positioned on the right side of the grille. This meant that the Cobra snake emblem, which had been riding on the left side before, would need to slide over a bit. Such a radical change would require approval from the original snake charmer himself. This is how SVT’s very German director, Hermann Salenbach, remembers it.

“Vee said, ‘Carroll, vee vant to moof zee snake.”

Shelby asked if it would mean more power. They told him yes. So he said, “Well, OK.”

More power means that it now matches the 540-hp output of the Shelby GT500KR.

Thanks to that and numerous other engineering upgrades--many if not most of which Shelby himself approved--zee snake now moofs down zee quarter-mile in the low 12s at about 112 mph. We saw it trip those numbers at Infineon Raceway on the second day of the intro program. Estimated 0-to-60-mph times should be around 4.3 seconds, Ford said, half a second quicker than the 2009 Shelby GT500.

The 2010 Shelby GT500 incorporates many things learned from the KR model and adds some unique styling features of its own. Think of the 2010 Shelby GT500 as a KR for less money. The 2010 Shelby GT500 will start at $46,275 when it arrives in showrooms this spring.

The new car will get many of the same powertrain upgrades found in the KR, including intake and exhaust improvements and engine programming, that boost horsepower in the four-valve supercharged 5.4-liter V8 from a mere 500 hp in the previous Shelby GT500 to the same 540-hp output found in the KR.

The short-throw shifter operating the six-speed manual transmission is improved in the 2010 Shelby GT500 and the final drive ratio is now 3.55:1. While that helps drag-race launches, it doesn’t mean bad gas mileage, since taller fifth and sixth gears counter it out at the top end. The Shelby GT500 is rated at 14 mpg city/22 mpg highway.

We spent a day driving the 2010 Shelby GT500 around winding Northern California roads, some of which were not clogged with Bay Area commuters and German tourists. The first impression is that this is one tied-down Mustang. The front springs are tightened up by 13 percent and the rears by 7 percent. Shocks are tuned specifically for this ride, too, with more damping. Engineers took out compliance in the steering for improved turn-in response and on-center feel. A specific Goodyear tire delivers more grip than the previous generation tire and also is quieter. The coupes get 19-inch by 9.5-inch forged fully machined rims with 255/40Z-19s front and 285/35Z-19s rear. The convertibles get 18-inchers with 255/45s and 285/40s.

On most of the roads we traversed, which weren’t all that crumbly, we found the ride mighty harsh, if not bone-rattling, on jounce. However, the force is absorbed in the springs and shocks and then damped out very nicely by the time rebound hits, so there is no residual shock wave rattling through the body.

On smooth roads, the stiff setup keeps roll, dive and squat to a minimum. But this car still sits pretty high up, 54.5 inches high, with a fairly high center of gravity, which takes it out of sports-car territory.

It feels heavy, too. At 3,942 pounds for the coupe--58 percent of which sits on the front axle--and 4,014 pounds for the convertible--57 percent of which is up front--it’s still a muscle car first and last, but a better-handling muscle car by far. So after our first day behind the wheel, we’d have to say it’s the best-handling Mustang ever.

On day two of our Mustang introduction we went to Infineon Raceway, a smooth surface if ever there was one. The 2010 Shelby GT500 felt at home drifting over Infineon’s blind rises and slotting through the esses of turns eight, nine and 10. The Shelby is stable and safely predictable around the track. As on the streets, steering response was quick and relatively precise. Not much understeer at high speeds. At the same time, we never felt any danger of oversteer anywhere on the track. You can balance it fairly easily using the throttle going around fast corners, a lot easier than around slow corners, where a little understeer reminded you of the car’s roots. It doesn’t rotate too easily nor does it yaw back and forth. It generally keeps going in the direction you’ve pointed it. It still feels tall for a track car and heavy, but the control of that mass is tight. You don’t turn the wheel and wait for it to lean over before it changes direction; you turn the wheel and the car turns pretty soon after, almost immediately.

Then it was off to the drags (Infineon has everything). The key to success there was to launch at 2,500 rpm with an even clutch take-up. So they said. Clutch take-up and engagement also is surprisingly smooth for a 540-hp muscle car. Pedal effort is easily manageable and engagement is smooth, once you try it out several times. If you really hammer it, you have to be deft with the pedal uptake or the car will do the axle tramp at launch in first gear. Do it too slowly at launch and the Valeo friction plates spin, followed by smoke and cursing. If you’re too quick on the 1-2 shift, it’ll lurch forward and bog on engagement.

However, by the time it was our turn on the drag strip, each car had suffered multiple hard launches and the clutches and 1-2 gear synchros were fried. The best we could get was low 13s in the quarter-mile at about 106 mph. Those who had fresher cars (and more talent) were in the 12s easily.

So what do you get for almost 50 grand? The best, most versatile Mustang ever. Most of these will go to drag racers, or at least to those who measure the value of a car by how quickly it does the quarter-mile. Those guys will be very happy with this beast. Since almost everyone who considers Mustangs is at least a stoplight drag racer and at most a full-fledged NHRA member, this car is already a success.

Rumormill Entry No. 3,256 - North America could get next-gen Ford Focus RS-OOKS LIKE FAST & FURIOUS
by Noah Joseph Apr 6th, 2009 at 1:27PM






Could the North American market finally get the Ford Focus RS? According to the latest reports, it could happen. But not until after the next-generation model debuts in a couple of years. Like the new Fiesta, the next Focus is being developed as a global product, with the North American market in mind as much as those overseas. And with the amalgamation of Ford's performance divisions in the United States and Europe – SVT and Team RS, respectively – an RS version could reach American shores in a few years' time.



According to Automotive News, Ford's global performance guru Hermann Salebauch says the potential for a U.S.-market Focus RS depends entirely on demand. That is, if enough American buyers want an RS, it could happen. So what do you think, should Ford give its home market a smokin' hot hatch based on the next Focus? Leave your thoughts in the comments section because... well... who knows?

by Jonathon Ramsey on Apr 7th 2009 at 2:58PM






The first day of our Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 drive was spent on a variety of public roads, almost all of which the car handled with skill. The next day was spent at Infineon Raceway on three different courses: a low-speed figure-eight, the drag strip, and the track. It was here that the car sealed its credentials, going from capable hi-po steed to "How do you like me now?" The answer: We like you. We like you a lot. Follow the jump to find out why.





Ford knows its audience. The down-and-dirty Mustang guy is taking his car to the track – specifically, the drag strip. Drag strip guys like their solid rear axles and Mustang buyers have made sure to let Ford know the Mustang should stick to that formula. And in the Shelby, that solid axle is an asset when you pass through the raceway gates: you put 540 horsepower down on the ground and the car behaves the way you want it to. It's Heaven. And this is where the GT500 overwhelmingly wins its case.



First up is the second-gear figure-eight. Putting the car in AdvanceTrac's Sport Mode gives you plenty of rope to swing for a good time and not nearly enough rope to hang yourself. Exploring the car's behavior on loop after loop, the only thing you're looking out for is understeer – the car exhibits minimal roll and excellent behavior on the brakes so your job is to keep from getting greedy and plowing into the curve at 80 mph.

But there's a lot of room before massive understeer rears its head, and even when it appears, it doesn't come in suddenly. You can do a decent lap just while getting to know the car, without even trying. Make the tires chirp a bit and you're in for a good lap. Get the tires talking to you the whole way through the curve, stay glued to the cones, and even though you can feel the front end thinking about straying, it holds the line perfectly. Push a little harder and you can even lightly left-foot-brake and bring the nose back into line when needed.



Pass that boundary, however, and the front doesn't want to hear about following the cones anymore – figure-eights became parabolas. Turn the traction control entirely off and it's like dropping a Clydesdale in a Steeplechase – burnouts between the curves, and instant oversteer if you call up too much power before you got the GT500 straight again. But again, this isn't the Mustang's preferred turf. So we were off to the drag strip, where the Shelby made its biggest impression of the day.



The changeable winds made comparing times over the course of the day a challenge, but the constant was we were always driving into a headwind. The first journo to go got into the Grabber Blue car and pulled out a 12.33 -- faster than Ford's officially listed time. Asked to back it up an hour later he did a 12.5. Some drivers were getting their 60-foot times under two seconds. A photographer who had never been on a drag strip before did a 12.8 on his third run.

What we're saying is that, if you don't get greedy, the car is thoughtlessly easy to drag. The controls are great, you don't need to worry about any other dynamic aspect of the car, and the live axle shines. Check out either car taking off and there's barely any squat. Let the revs run past 6,000 before you shift and the car will still be pulling in fourth gear as you pass the finish. The GT500 also comes with an always-on launch control that works optimally at about 3,500 rpm in the Advance TracSport Mode, 2,500 rpm when everything's turned off. It works well, but even going without the assistance you can still put in some rewarding times if you keep your head about you at the start.



Then we had the road course for dessert – a small section of Infineon, with blind turns and serious elevation changes. The car pulled its weight in every way, all the way around the course. With 540 supercharged horses you never worried about acceleration. And this is the third time we're bringing it up, but it deserves mention again: the stoppers and the car's behavior under hard braking are exceptional. Panic stop at 80 mph and there's nothing but linear deceleration. It is a non-event. If they hold up over an entire day like that, there are going to be some happy racers.

At speed, the car is stable all the way. We wrote yesterday that the car is 50% more stable than the previous model. That was incorrect: the car is 50% better than the GT500KR; it is 75% better than the previous GT500. At 120 mph there is only 20 pounds of lift, and because the rear now has 50% less downforce, the car's behavior remains more constant as the speeds rise. And if you want to change the downforce, all you need to do is swap in a different Gurney Flap.



Once you know you can go fast and stop without drama, all you need is to be ability to carry speed through corners. It's our pleasure to report that you can check that one off as well. Turn in is stable and confident. Stiffer than the last model, this GT500's yaw moments don't happen suddenly, and even leaned over in a turn, the Mustang wasn't put out by kerbs. Even the large-ish steering wheel felt completely natural on the track and the specially-developed Goodyears gripped like octopi.

When we adjourned, we were thoroughly satisfied – it was everything you want a track day – and a track car – to be.



The GT500 is, in fact, probably everything a Mustang lover would want it to be. And it should garner respect from anyone who appreciates performance unattached to an astronomical price tag.

Is there a compromise? Yes. There is a compromise, as in single one: it's not a fan of tight twisty bumpy roads with crazy cambers. Since there are hundreds of thousands of roads that don't fit that description, more most people they'll be easy to avoid – and besides, all you need do is take your driving down to Level Eight when you find one. Compromise solved.



But the car is $48,000, has 540 usable horsepower and you can get in and get fast quickly on both the road and the track. The controls are commuter-car friendly and the ride is good when cruising at virtually any speed. The interior is well done, can carry four people, has front and side airbags and Ford's Personal Safety System. There's even a fantastic (optional) navigation interface and a load-lugging trunk. The car is easily tweaked, won't need a government bailout to maintain, and is mean looking enough to make Thomas de Torquemada say: "Maybe we should burn it at the stake, just in case..."



Our complaints number this many: zero. Who cares about a live rear axle when you have this much power and can go this fast on the track and on almost every road for $7,000 less than a Porsche Boxster S... and carry three other people and groceries and luggage while doing it? We don't. The GT500 and its live rear axle can find a home in our garage any day and we will love them both equally.

Updated: Apr 7, 2009

Ford hybrid and all-electric cars are becoming so advanced that consumers could soon get 120 miles per gallon. The motor company has unveiled plans to offer a complete fuel-efficient car strategy by using sustainable mobility technology solutions

Ford Motor Company has unveiled plans to deliver some exciting fuel-efficient strategies for consumers. While there are questions raised about the future of General Motors and Chrysler, Ford has already outlined new all-electric automobile solutions. The automaker plans to move its portfolio to all-electric vehicles.

“In 10 years, 12 years, you are going to see a major portion of our portfolio move to electric vehicles,” Ford CEO Alan Mulally said in a statement.

The company appears to be on track to bring all-electric cars and plug-in hybrid vehicles to market starting next year. The new hybrids are using a next-generation technology of lithium ion batteries which are widely used in consumer electronics. Ford will also begin selling a new commercial Transit Connect van starting next year.

“You’ll see more hybrids, but you will really see a lot more electric vehicles,” Mulally said.

The Ford Transit Connect van will have a range of 100 miles on a single charge. The van will offer top speeds of 70 miles per hour. This is one of the most exciting features for an automobile which is powered by electric energy.

New hybrids and all-electric Ford cars will offer 120 miles per gallon.

Ford will release a new plug-in version of one of its current hybrid vehicles. The car will get 120 miles per gallon for the first 30 miles and then the vehicle will get 40 miles per gallon. This automobile will be perfect for in-town travel, but still offers the traditional hybrid mileage for longer distances.

Pricing the New Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Prices for the electric and plug-in hybrid cars will be in the slight premium range, according to Ford. The new automobile prices will be comparable to what consumers pay for hybrids today. However, prices could even drop further if electric vehicles bring a higher volume of battery manufacturing