Ford Focus Next Generation – Detroit 2010

Sleek, stylish and sporty, both the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles of the next-generation Focus are previewed prior to their production start for Europe and North America late in 2010 and market launch early in 2011.

The new Focus will be nearly identical in all markets, with 80 percent parts commonality around the world.
“The new Ford Focus is a clear demonstration that our ONE Ford strategy is providing global consumers with great products that harness the best of Ford Motor Company,” said Alan Mulally, Ford’s president and CEO.

“The efficiencies generated by our new global C-car platform will enable us to provide Ford Focus customers with an affordable product offering quality, fuel efficiency, safety and technology beyond their expectations,” he added.

Simultaneous launch in Europe and North America
Production of the next-generation Ford Focus will begin simultaneously in Europe and North America in late 2010, with individual market launches starting early in 2011. Launches in Asia, Africa and South America will follow. Initial production will be concentrated at the Saarlouis (Germany), Michigan (United States) and Chongqing (China) Assembly Plants.

The new Focus will be one of up to 10 unique models to be built from Ford’s new C-car platform, which is expected to generate total sales in all regions of 2 million units annually by 2012. The first of these will be the new Ford C-MAX and Ford Grand C-MAX – unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show – for launch in Europe in the second half of 2010.

“Global customers increasingly want smaller cars with outstanding fuel economy, but without sacrificing any of the style, technology, connectivity and driving quality they demand from larger vehicles,” explained Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development.

“Our next generation of C-cars – led by the exciting new Focus – will clearly show that Ford is ready to meet that challenge,” said Kuzak.

Engineered without compromise
The new Ford Focus has been developed by a global team, led from Ford’s European small and medium vehicle center of excellence in Merkenich, near Cologne, Germany, with powertrain development led by a similar team at Ford’s technical center in Dunton, England. The vehicle has been engineered without compromise to meet all customer and legislative requirements of the major worldwide markets.

In developing the vehicle for global markets, the product team in Europe was able to call on the experience acquired from recent programs like the much-acclaimed new Ford Fiesta, and was supported by the expertise of vehicle and powertrain technology specialists located in Ford’s engineering center in Dearborn, Mich.

Ford’s global development and sourcing strategy made it possible to provide a level of performance and feature content that is unrivaled for this vehicle segment and surprising even to drivers of larger, more premium vehicles.

Taking kinetic design to the next level
The no-compromise approach to the new Ford Focus is immediately evident from the striking exterior design of the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback models that take center stage at the 2010 NAIAS.

“The all-new Focus is at the center of convergence for automotive trends,” said J Mays, Ford group vice president of Design and chief creative officer. “We’ve designed it with an acute understanding of global customers, yet it’s tailored for each individual region. Focus combines the best from Europe, North America and Asia to deliver a level of emotional driving enjoyment never before experienced in a car this size.”

The two models share a sporty and dynamic character, marking the next evolution of Ford’s acclaimed kinetic design form language, which has contributed to the growing popularity of the company’s latest small and medium cars.

The kinetic design approach uses bold vehicle designs to capture the feeling of energy in motion, so that cars look like they are moving – even when they are standing still.

With its striking front end, sleek profile, dramatic rising beltline and athletic stance, the new Focus clearly telegraphs the rewarding driving experience that awaits customers when they take to the road.

This dynamic quality is reinforced by the distinctive design of the interior. The new Focus has an extremely modern, cockpit-style interior, with the stylish center console wrapped around the driver and providing outstanding access to the vehicle’s major controls and display panels.

A key element of the interior is the quality of craftsmanship. The cabin’s bold and contemporary graphics, the sculptured shape of the soft-touch instrument panel and the choice of superior trim materials all help to give occupants the feeling that they are traveling in a premium-class car.

via http://zetcars.com

Ford Mustang 2010

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The 2010 Mustang GT is better than ever because it had to be. But competition for the V-6 Stang is also intensifying, so we set out to determine if the V-6 similarly leads the herd.

Entry-level Mustangs start at $21,845, which undercuts the V-6 rear-drive coupes from Chevrolet, Dodge, and Hyundai, as well as comparable front-drive two-doors such as the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima. But we upgraded to the V-6 Premium steed, which adds $3000 to the sticker and 17-inch wheels, leather seating and steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and upgraded audio to the options sheet. Mix in $300 for the Red Candy metallic paint and $395 for the Security package — wheel locks and an alarm — and our Mustang V-6 rang up at $25,540.

A Comfortable Cruiser and Quiet, Too
If you're not driving a Mustang GT, odds are you aren't driving a Mustang for all-out fun. Whereas last year's Bullitt suspension and tuning forms the basis for the 2010 GT, V-6 Mustangs carry on with a more relaxed setup. It's ideal for freeway slogs, where the cushy ride keeps occupants isolated from most road imperfections, although abrupt bumps punch through the soft springs and deliver a solid jolt to the structure. As an added bonus, the high-frequency resonance emitted by the GT's V-8 at highway speeds is absent with the V-6, making for more serene cruising.

Although 210 hp isn't much, neither is the V-6 Mustang's 3421-pound curb weight. Acceleration is decent, at 6.6 seconds to 60 mph and the quarter-mile in 15.3 at 93 mph, but in a recent comparison test of the V-6 Hyundai Genesis and Chevrolet Camaro, both beat the Mustang through the quarter by about a second. And the Genesis's base turbocharged inline-four matches the horsepower number of the Mustang's six.

Around town, the Mustang's tall gearing minimizes shifting, which is good because the five-speed manual is as satisfying as a lukewarm pile of Kraft Easy Mac. If you're buying a V-6 Mustang, get the auto. At even 30 mph, anything higher than third lugs the engine. We'd guess the reason is fuel economy — the EPA rates it at 18 city/26 highway, and our observed 19 mpg matches our comparo Camaro and trails the Genesis by 1 mpg.

No Steeplechaser
Venture onto your favorite back road, though, and the V-6 Mustang is as disappointing as Hootie and the Blowfish's sophomore album. It feels as though the suspension bushings are made from the stuff inside Stretch Armstrong, and a heavy foot on the brake pedal induces extreme dive, which might be useful in the winter if drivers hope to employ their Mustang's front valance as a snow plow. Stops of 182 feet from 70 mph trail not only the Camaro and Genesis but also all four competitors in our recent mid-size hybrid-sedan comparo.

Although the steering is quick and direct, feedback through the wheel is a solid zilch. Still, even with the Deadliest Catch-grade rolling and pitching, the car is surprisingly balanced, with the slightest understeer on turn-in. The six lacks the gusto for power-on oversteer, but the throttle can dial the initial understeer into neutrality, and we herded the Ford around the skidpad for 0.85 g. That trails the stick we got out of the V-6 Camaro and Genesis by a marginal amount (0.02 g and 0.03 g, respectively), but the difference in feel is vastly more pronounced. The Mustang just doesn't raise the pulse.

That's the problem with Ford's pony car. There are a lot of reasons people buy cars, but when it comes to coupes, there are really only two — style and fun — and both are emotional. The Camaro looks worlds better in our opinion, and it and the Genesis are more fun to drive. But rumor has the 2011 Mustang getting a vastly more powerful version of one of Ford's newer V-6s, and that — mixed with a little more body control — would put the six-pot Mustang right on par with all threats, foreign and domestic.

Performance Data

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 6.6 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 17.7 sec
Street start, 5-60 mph: 7.3 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 15.3 sec @ 93 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 114 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 182 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.85 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 18/26 mpg
C/D observed: 19 mpg

2010 Ford Shelby GT500

Building on standing but unspoken tradition, Ford is to unveil the most powerful Ford SVT-tuned performance Mustang ever in Detroit. The 2010 Shelby GT500 has had its power hiked to 540hp / 402kW and some 510 foot-pounds of torque.

"We're proud of the many enhancements that were developed jointly by the Ford and Shelby Automobiles team last year that we've now incorporated into the new 2010 Shelby GT500," said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby Automobiles. "Building on what we learned to create the Shelby GT500KR, this new car offers a great combination of power, handling and braking. It is truly a special car that is a great deal of fun to drive."

The GT500 uses a 5.4-litre V8 engine with a supercharger to make its 540hp while redline is pegged at 6,250 rpm. That power dome on the hood is not only for bragging rights but serves to scoop up cool air to keep the engine at its best peak performance level. A manual transmission was upgraded and fitted, and it makes use of a twin-disc clutch. Engineers spend a lot of time making sure the car's exhaust note was audible, yet not overpowering, so you still know you are driving something special but without excessive interior intrusion.

Inside it features lots of "GT500" and "SHELBY" logos, leather fittings, voice-activated satellite navigation and custom interior lighting fitments.

Ford Mustang GT

Leaked images of new muscle car reveal a host of changes.

A new pony car has bolted into view! This is the 2010-model year Ford Mustang. Due to make its worldwide debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show this week, images leaked onto the internet ahead of its official launch.

It boasts a raft of updates, not least of which is its sleeker and more muscular body, which evolves the classic shape of the Sixties original with more modern, sharper lines. Inside, the new Mustang has made some bigger leaps forward.

Heavily criticised for its poor quality plastics, Ford has brought in upgraded materials. All the plastic surfaces on the dashboard are now soft to the touch and the central strip is aluminium rather than a metallic-finished plastic.

Performance gets a boost too with larger wheels and retuned suspension with many of the improvements made on the Mustang Bullitt special editon being carried across to the new car. Under the bonnet of the range-topping GT lies a 4.6-liter V-8 with power increased to 315bhp.

In future, Ford's direct-injection, turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engines will power entry-level models. Ford has no plans to bring the new Mustang to the UK, but the car will be available from specialist importers towards the end of the year.

Ford Raptor set to devour desert

After so many spy photos that we feel we already knew the truck pretty well anyway, Ford finally unveiled the F-150 Raptor way out in the Nevada desert the day before the SEMA show opened.

"This is a high-speed off-road performance truck," said Hermann Salenbach, director of SVT, hitting every truck category hot button possible in a single sentence. "It has the DNA of a Baja pre-runner," he then said, adding one more.
The Raptor is based on the F-150, of course, and will debut next summer with a 320-hp, 340-lb-ft 5.4-liter V8 driving all four wheels.

The following winter a 400-hp, 400-lb-ft 6.2-liter will become available.
The truck comes in SuperCab configuration only, with wheel travel bumped up to 11.2 inches front and 13.1 inches rear as well as seven more inches in track. Wider fenders front and rear accommodate the big BFG Goodrich 315/70R17s. Most impressive were the internal bypass shocks engineered by Fox for better control over sustained off-highway driving. Ford engineers gleefully flung Raptors about the desert with members of the press strapped into the passenger seats, rattling off shock calibration stories while the scribes held on for dear life. The trucks were capable of soaking up plenty of rut wallop with a surprisingly smooth ride inside the cab.

But that was just in the production Raptor. In a couple weeks, a Raptor R will start the Baja 1000 in Class 8 with a 500-hp 6.2-liter engine powering all four wheels. The goal of that truck is just to finish.

So why go the off-road route in its specialty truck instead of following the paved route of the last SVT Lightning?

"Most of the major manufacturers have focused (on) on-road performance, so when we looked at what was available in off-road truck performance, it was somewhat limited,” said Mark Grueber, Ford product marketing manager for pickups and large SUVs. “This was the perfect opportunity for Ford to further differentiate the F-150 from other trucks on the market.”



It certainly does that.

Prices will be announced closer to the truck's summer debut.

2010 Mustang Performance, Interior & Exterior Details Leaked

It was only a matter of time before someone leaked information about the 2010 Mustang and it seems like TMSBrad over at TheMustangSource has got his hands on some performance, interior and exterior details for the refreshed 2010 Mustang.

According to TMSBrad the 2010 Mustang’s 4.6L 3V V8 will get a boost in horsepower which is not new but has now been confirmed. Also the reason for the cowl hood in all the spy shots is due to a beefier strut tower brace. Other performance details include two performance packages being offered including an Acceleration Package and Heritage Performance Package.

Exterior details other than the new body panels, headlights, badging and side mirrors include 19″ wheels standard on GT models. Also a four pedestal spoiler will adorn the Mustang along with sequential turn signals being standard equipment.

The biggest news for the interior is it’s getting some color with all Grabber Blue cars having an optional interior package that includes Grabber Blue seat stitching and Grabber Blue inserts. There will also be a Dark Brown leather option similar to the King Ranch edition seats. Also an Orange colored interior will be optional, similar in color to the porno red leather but more Orange like.

Also on the interior we have learned the premium interior trim includes a chrome pony on inside door panel, Ambient lighting includes door handles, “Mustang” on door sill plates will use Ambient lighting. Also the MyColor will now include a color ring to contrast the gauges (ring around tach and speedo). Other interior features include a center console that hides cupholders with a flip open cover. In this interior teaser photo you can clearly see a cover hiding something.

2010 Ford Mustang Gear Shift Revealed

10-15-08: This week’s glimpse of the new 2010 Mustang shows off the genuine solid aluminum gear shifter. It looks pretty cool but it is actually very hot - particularly in the summer time. Yep, there is nothing like wrapping your bare palm around a hot piece of solid metal when your car has been parked on a 100 degree summer day. We hope Ford has given those of us who live in the southern states an option here, because we have to put a sock over metal knobs to keep from getting burned when we drive. We will have to get our friends over at SteedShop.com to start offering a leather shift knob bootie for 2010 Mustang owners to keep them from suffering second degree burns when driving their new cars.

Ford Focus ST Mountune

Rating:

WHEN Ford revealed the Focus RS hot hatch at the British Motor Show in July, it soon had a queue of eager customers ready to place a deposit. Indeed, the firm has confirmed that 1,000 orders have already been taken for the newcomer, even though the RS won’t arrive in showrooms until early next year.

However, if you can’t wait for the 296bhp flagship to arrive, Ford could have a solution for you. The company has hired the services of Essex-based firm Mountune to provide a power upgrade for the current hot Focus, the ST. What’s more, the tweaks don’t affect the three-year manufacturer warranty.

The revisions include a new proAlloy intercooler and free-breathing K&N air filter, while the car’s on-board computer has been remapped to improve throttle response. As a result, the power increases from 222bhp to a healthy 256bhp, while torque rises from 320Nm to a whopping 400Nm from as low as 2,500rpm.

This extra thrust means that the benchmark 0-60mph sprint is covered in 5.9 seconds, an improvement of six-tenths of a second, while the 0-100mph time drops by nearly two seconds to 14.1.

On the road, the changes to the ST are obvious as soon as you floor the throttle. The car’s distinctive five-cylinder warble is now accompanied by a turbo whistle, while the Focus’s in-gear acceleration is simply astonishing as the engine races to its 6,500rpm red line.

Mountune is currently working on a stiffer suspension package for the ST, but the stock set-up copes well with the extra power. The standard car’s sharp turn-in and pliant ride remain intact, and the Focus is as docile as ever when you’re taking it easy.

The upgrades are priced at £1,120, excluding fitting. Added to the £18,545 price of the entry-level ST, it results in a car that offers RS-rivalling performance at a fraction of the price.

2010 Ford Mustang Interior Stays True

We have seen shots of the upcoming 2010 Ford Mustang and it's basially the same ole', same ole'.

First off, that is not a bad thing. The Mustang could not have become such an icon if it wasn't something people wanted, so who can blame Ford for wanting to adhere to its tried and true formula.

Consisting of reasonable price, good performance, and handsome looks, he car has been a stalwart model in Ford's product lineup. Though the price and performance have yet to be confirmed (expect modest increases in both like all new introductions) a sneak peak of the looks have been released by Ford.

Though detailing seems similar, there look is new. The dash once again is styled with a twin cowling type design, though it looks more like a modern interpretation of an old style as opposed to retro. The exterior seems to have followed a similar train of though, the detailing is crisper, cleaner, and more aggressive. The forward slant of the grill area harkens back to the late 60's Larry Shinoda penned Mustangs. Again seemingly more a modern interpretation than truly retro.

Our take? It seems Ford have shifted more towards a Camaro like interpretation of a retro themed pony car to ensure the continued success of the Mustang.




via eGMCarTech

Ford Immersive Virtual Review Lab: Playing with Auto Designs

If you are designing something for the real world, why not test it out in the virtual world first?

That’s the premise behind the Ford Immersive Virtual Review Lab. Thanks to computer technology, designers at Ford can play with their design concepts as though they are real when it reality they exist because of software and are stored in some kind of computer database.

The automaker claims that the technology assists in making the interiors of its cars more comfortable and helps to bring them to consumers some eight to 14 months faster than in the recent past.

Test vehicles are real in cyber space and as a person sits in a chair wearing special virtual reality glasses they actually experience being in a car traveling on a road of a city. Then designers can play with interior designs to see how they would effect the driver. Previously clay models or even larger mock ups were constructed. Virtual reality allows the company to forego all of that.

via AutoWeek

Harley-Davidson, Cabela FX4 join 2009 Ford F-Series Super Duty Lineup

DALLAS, Texas, Sept., 2008 – The 2009 F-Series Super Duty line of trucks, the industry's most capable full-size heavy-duty work trucks, come equipped with even more capability, thanks to new standard features and offers even more choice with two new packages – a Cabela's FX4 for the outdoor enthusiast and for the first time, a Harley-Davidson™ F-450 pickup.

All four Super Duty trim levels, XL, XLT, FX4, and Lariat, come with new standard features. The XL, the no frills workhorse version, now comes standard with air conditioning, Securilock, and manual trailer tow mirrors. The XLT, a step up from the XL, now has power heated trailer tow mirrors, privacy glass, integrated trailer brake controller, remote keyless entry and Securilock as standard features.

For 2009 the FX4 adds standard PowerScope™ integrated power-fold, power-telescoping mirrors, power seats, privacy glass, integrated trailer brake controller, captain's chairs, and SIRIUS satellite radio. The most luxurious of the Super Duty line-up is the Lariat. The Lariat adds all of the new FX4 standard content as well as the reverse camera system, a power sliding rear window, heated seats, molded running boards, and SYNC, Ford's industry-exclusive, voice-activated hands-free communications and entertainment system.

New Smart Technolgies

Ford is further expanding its 'smart' features for truck customers by making new technologies that make getting staying connected and getting the job done easier.

* SYNC is Ford's industry-exclusive, voice-activated hands-free communications and entertainment system that fully integrates mobile phones and most media players into the vehicle using Bluetooth technology and USB connectivity.

* Voice-Activated Navigation System with SIRIUS Travel Link™ offers a host of convenient features including more than 150 hours of music storage. Users can browse the music juke box via touch-screen or by using voice recognition. The system also integrates the climate control and SIRIUS satellite radio into one easy-to-use, smudge-resistant, 8-inch touch-screen display.

* Ford Work Solutions, a collection of industry-exclusive technologies for F-Series trucks and commercial E-Series vans will help make business owners more productive and successful. Four industry-exclusive innovations include:

o An in-dash computer developed with Magneti Marelli and powered by Microsoft Auto that provides full high-speed Internet access via the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network and navigation by Garmin. It's the first broadband-capable in-dash computer in production and features available wireless accessories including a mouse and printer. This system allows customers to print invoices and access documents stored on their home or office computer networks – right on the job site.

o Tool Link, a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) asset tracking system developed with DEWALT, the industry leader in professional power tools, and ThingMagic, the industry expert on embedded RFID technology. This enables customers to maintain a detailed real-time inventory of the tools or equipment stored in the vehicle.

o Crew Chief, a fleet telematics and diagnostics system, which allows small fleet owners to efficiently manage their vehicles, quickly dispatch workers to job sites and keep detailed vehicle maintenance records.

o Cable Lock security system developed in partnership with Master Lock®, the industry-leading lock manufacturer, to secure large tools or equipment in the cargo area of E-Series vans and wagons.

All four Ford Work Solutions technologies also will be available this fall on the new 2009 Ford F-150 XL, STX, XLT and FX4 trucks and E-Series vans. Transit Connect vans join the lineup in mid-2009.

Cabela's FX4

Ford is expanding its relationship with Cabela's, the world's largest outdoor outfitter, by offering a new Cabela's FX4 package for 2009. According to customer data, seventy-six percent of F-Series buyers hunt and fish and a key way for Ford to connect with those outdoor enthusiasts is as the official truck of Cabela’s for the last six years with products prominently placed at stores nationwide and featured in Cabela’s publications and TV programming. The Cabela's FX4 package features a unique two-tone paint scheme in five colors: Ebony, Oxford White, Forest Green Metallic, Royal Red Metallic and Silver Metallic with Sterling Grey Metallic lower body accents, running boards and wheel lip moldings. Custom mud flaps and unique Cabela's badging finish off the exterior.

The interior features standard cloth seats with the Cabela's logo or available Aniline leather seats with a unique two-tone embossed grain pattern. The center stack is finished with a dark Paldeo wood appliqué. All weather floor mats also wear the Cabela's logo. And for the avid outdoor enthusiast, additional lockable storage in the front console and underneath the rear seats is perfect for keeping equipment secure and out of sight.

Harley-Davidson™ F-450

Ford and Harley-Davidson team up again for a new Harley-Davidson™ F-450, the "Big Hog Daddy" of the road. As with the still available F-250/350 SRW models, each individually numbered Harley-Davidson™ F-450 features a unique blue-flame paint scheme that starts at the side vents and runs down to the box side of the truck. The flame design scheme is carried through to the interior gauges in the instrument panel. The custom perforated black leather wrapped seats, door panels and center console cover reveal blue leather underneath giving the same blue-flame effect as the exterior. Harley-Davidson™ badges are present on the fenders and tailgate, along with "Harley-Davidson" script located on the box side.

Tough Bed

Ford is offering Tough Bed, a unique, military-grade, factory-installed, spray-in bed liner for the first time on the 2009 F-Series Super Duty.

"Tough Bed is a smart solution for Ford Super Duty customers who want to better protect their most important asset – the pickup box," said Tom Aubrey, Ford F-Series Super Duty marketing manager. "Like the entire truck, Tough Bed stands up to the most stringent durability standards including those required by the U.S. Military – that definitely makes it 'Built Ford Tough.'."

According to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), installation of spray-in bedliners grew from 27 percent in 2004 to nearly 34 percent of all pickup trucks in 2006, and will continue to grow at a steady rate to nearly 40 percent in 2008.

Developed in partnership with PPG Industries, Tough Bed exceeds the standards of today's typical aftermarket spray-in bedliner solutions. This military-grade coating has been through the government's toughest blast mitigation testing to determine whether the material can with stand the force of a bomb blast. It has performed equal to or better than other protective coating systems at one-third the thickness.

The polyol-based elastomeric film and isocyanate hardener are applied to the pickup box by a precision, high-pressure, automated sprayer to ensure one smooth, even coat at a very low film thickness unlike the traditional hand-spray application of aftermarket bed liners.

The finer application ensures that the bedliner materials won't run or sag on the inside walls of the box in addition minimizing unnecessary weight. Tough Bed does not compromise Super Duty's class-leading cargo capacity or the installation of aftermarket assets such as tool boxes, tonneau covers and truck caps. The uniformly textured surface also helps minimize load slippage while delivering an exceptionally clean appearance.

The special bedliner material formula is immune to the effects of ultraviolet radiation and will not fade or chalk. It also protects against physical damage to the pickup box such as gouging, scratching, cracking and chipping. It is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile factory limited warranty.

All F-Series Super Duty models are built at Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Ky.

Check out AmericanTrucks.com and their line of Ford Truck Parts


Press release via Ford

Turbocharger and Supercharger, the Difference and Drawbacks

So if you have a newbie fascination with cars, here is a little 101 that might keep you from looking like a complete fool if you open your mouth to join in a conversation.

Turbochargers- Basically it uses wasted exhaust gases to turn a compressor which increases the amount of air that enters the combustion chamber. More air mixing with more fuel equals more power per ignition cycle. The turbo is somewhat more efficient than a supercharger because it uses waste exhaust; it also isn’t running all the time. Essentially it gives your smaller and lighter engine the same muscle as a larger car.

Superchargers- These are being constantly driven by a belt off of the crankshaft so long as the engine is running. This turns the supercharger’s compressor which forces more air into the cylinder. While less efficient because it’s always running, the advantage is the instantaneity of results. Turbochargers can have a lag time as they require a buildup of exhaust gases to rotate the turbine.

Well modern technology has diminished a turbochargers lag time considerably. Twin turbochargers used in Ford’s EcoBoost V6 are tuned to different rpm levels. There are pros and cons to either technology as well as your own personal preference, so research before actually trying to fit one of these in your car. Turbochargers are also expensive because they’re built to be heat resistant.

Ford Executive leaves to head Paper Company

Is "jumping ship" the beginning of a trend due to the outlandish status of the domestic auto industry? Or is it just a one shot deal, so to speak.

David Prystash, the Ford Motor Co. exec that oversees the company’s global cost-cutting efforts, has left the automaker to become chief financial officer of NewPage Corp, a paper company, based in Miamisburg, Ohio.

Our take? With sales of domestic autos in the tank and studies that show things won’t get better any time soon, perhaps we will see more auto industry execs jumping out of the auto industry altogether.

via Detroit News

New Ford Fiesta set to sweep European Market

The strategy that Ford Motor Co. hopes will land it back in black ink is to develop cars that don’t appeal to just regions but to the entire world. In short, it wants to develop cars usable in every nation on the planet, not just for one country(ies).

It has begun to execute this strategy with the introduction in Europe of the Fiesta, with some auto analysts guessing that 400,000 Fiestas will be sold in Western Europe a year by 2009. Already European car magazine editors and pundits like the car and believe it will be a success. But whether it will be a so-called "world car" will be shown in 2010 when it will be introduced into the U.S. market.

This is not the first time Ford will be attempting to sell cars in the U.S. that were made in Europe. It tried to market European-made Mondeo in the U.S. as a Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique. It didn’t work because Americans found the cars to be too small. In the 1980s, Ford tried to sell the European-made Escort in the U.S. but that also failed.

So what's different now? Ford believes that things are extremely different today, especially with the price of gasoline and the demand from U.S. buyers for more fuel efficient vehicles.

If the Fiesta does turn out to be successful, then you can be sure that Ford will be playing the same strategy with other cars made by its European division. This could include the C-Max MPV and possibly the Ford Ka, which are being manufactured in Poland under a joint venture with Fiat. The Ka and C-Max MPV may reach the U.S. market by 2011.

Our take? What do you think of Ford's strategy with the Fiesta?

via Detroit News

How Your Credit Scores Affect Buying Your Dream Car

Just as events have overwhelmed Ford, Chrysle,r and General Motors as far as their climb out of debt is concerned, these same conditions have also affected buyers’ ability to purchase a car.

We're talking about the current economic situation which may be causing some to pay bills late or even experience the foreclosure of their home.

All of these affects the FICO credit score of the potential buyer of a car, influencing the kind of deal you can make with such lenders as Ford (Ford Credit), General Motors (GMAC), and Chrysler (Chrysler Financial). Worse, due to the credit situation, more and more banks have tightened things up and are raising their qualifications for a loan.

Unless your credit is outstanding, you can forget about a 0 percent or a low interest loan, experts say. Self-employed and first time buyers are trusted less than in previous times. Interest rates for such buyers can be significantly higher than for a person with outstanding credit, forcing the buyer into a less expensive vehicle.

If you find yourself in this position, find a national or local bank that specializes in bad credit situations like bankruptcy or foreclosure. This way you can get pre-qualified for a loan. Be warned that such loan programs can include a very high interest rate from 14 to 23 percent. Don't be surprised if you may have to make a substantial down payment and show proof of steady employment.

Our take? The bottom line is this: Do some research about the credit market and your own credit standing before you actually visit a dealer. This way you won’t suffer through shell shock when you are in final talks to close a deal.

via The Mustang News

Ford still waiting for Hybrid Interest

Don't expect further hybrid development from Ford Motor Co. any time soon.

Unlike rivals General Motors and even Chrysler, the domestic auto maker feels this way partly because competitors like Toyota were quicker to release such vehicles. Thus, it doesn't see joining the competition now isn’t necessarily worth it. In short, Ford doesn’t want to gamble. Said one exec, “We don’t believe in making cars for hundreds of people or thousands of people. They have to be affordable to our customers and capable of sustaining millions (of vehicles) in sales volume.”

Meanwhile, General Motors and Toyota go on to develop their plug in vehicles. Ford could possibly introduce its own hybrid between 2013 and 2020 said the general manager of hybrid vehicles for Ford.

Our take? It is apparent that Ford wants other auto makers to carry the load when it comes to growing the popularity of hybrid cars. Once there is “mass appeal”, then it will jump on the hybrid bandwagon. Sounds like the German automakers, doesn't it?

via Daily Dispatch

SEC doesn't fine Kerkorian despite misleading stockbuyers

Way back in 2006, Tracinda Corporation, owned by investor Kirk Kerkorian, sold a stake in General Motors. The Security and Exchange Commission later charged Kerkorian for misleading potential stock purchasers about his plans to sell the stock.

Last week, the SEC ruled that Kerkorian had indeed misled and called for his company, Tracinda, to “cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and any future violations.” The federal agency said that when Kerkorian sold his 14 million shares of General Motors stock, he did not disclose that he had plans to sell 28 million shares. Later Kerkorian, through his company, sold another 14 million shares of GM stock, then a few days later sold the rest of his stake in General Motors.

Tracinda had announced at the time of the sale of the first 14 million shares that it might “acquire or dispose of additional shares” while it was in fact out to sell additional shares.

No fine was imposed. However, Tracinda did re-write its agreement governing its current 6.43 percent stake in Ford.

via Detroit News

Ford Fuel Cell Program Gets Additional Two Years

Both pundits and analyst say it will take a while before fuel cell vehicles make their impact on the auto market. Well, companies like Ford continue to push to make these vehicles viable sooner than most expect. The automaker has been working on 30 Ford Focus fuel cell prototype vehicles for about 36 months.

Recently it announced has extended the program for another 24 months. The extension will allow Ford to collect more real world-testing data. The info will then be used to construct the next generation of fuel cell vehicles.

The program is in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy.

Our take? We wonder if Ford's also looking into the supply-side of the equation, i.e., service stations providing hydrogen. If not, then we don't see the research at this time as more useless waste of money.

via Automobile Magazine

Ford Mustang Badge Gets In Shape

Well, it seems that the Ford Mustang is up for another style change

However, unlike prior revamps, it looks like this time the badge -- the racing mustang -- is also up for some refreshening. This marks the fourth revision of the logo since 1962. Changes to the pony car have also occurred in 1974, 1994 and 2005.

So what are some of these changes to the Mustang badge? Well, the new look will be a little more defined, adding a bit more muscle in the pony. It is also said the new badge will be crispier with more defined edges.

Our take? "Crispier with more defined edges?" What are we talking about here? Cooking a roast or something?

via AutoWeek

My First American Car?

Okay. I have a confession to make. Most of my friends know me as a staunch conservative Republican, a meat-eating, suburban average Joe like millions of other 30-ish males across the country. But at the risk of sounding like a hypocrite, I've never owned an American car. One of them was American-built, but a foreign brand.

Ironically, some of the vehicles in my dream garage are American, and have been for some time. I have yearned for a Corvette since I was about 10 years old. It's still on my "wish list." Yet for the readily-attainable, buy-it-tomorrow models, the domestic manufacturers simply haven't gotten it together in terms of combining just the right combination of style, value, quality and performance that I've been looking for. They've come close, but none of them have hit the bullseye.

The first issue, is that up until recently, the Detroit 3 have avoided 5-doors like the plague. That just happens to be my favorite bodystyle for its unmatched practicality. I had high hopes for the Dodge Caliber when it was introduced, but was let down by its plasticky interior and pudgy weight. Ford just recently dropped the 3 and 5-door models of the Focus with its latest re-design, but supposedly will re-introduce them when the Euro-style model debuts for 2011.

Which brings me to the meat of this article. For the first time in quite a while, I think an American car could be a real contender for my automotive dollar. Granted, a lot of my hopes are driven by speculation and rumor, but what I'm seeing looks promising. I think I might just consider buying a new Focus when it's available. However, this is not an unconditional promise to Alan Mulally and friends. There are a few items I want to see on the model.

1) Sync - This has been such a runaway hit with the current Focus, it's a sure bet for the next model. I'll take it.

2) Powerful and Efficient Engine Options - EcoBoost sounds very promising, but a rumor I heard in the last few days about a 1-liter engine for the Focus leaves me yearning for more. Even with 15+ psi of boost crammed down its throat, I don't see a 1-liter engine producing much more than 130 horsepower. I'm sorry, I'm looking for some actual snappy performance with my new car. A 2-liter EcoBoost option on the Focus with between 220-250 horsepower would do nicely. Highway fuel economy of 30+ would be nice, too. I would also strongly consider a turbodiesel option. 150 horsepower and 240 lb./ft. of torque, and 40+ highway mpg sound like a reasonable benchmark.

3) Innovative Transmissions - Okay, this is the enthusiast geek in me coming out. Most consumers could probably care less about transmissions, but they're kind of a big deal for me. I'd like to have the choice of a double-clutch 6-speed, a traditional manual, and maybe a CVT. If it came down to two, the double-clutch and manual would be good options.

4) Premium Features - Okay, this is a rather hackneyed turn of phrase around automakers. Everything from "plush" carpeting to multicolored interior lighting has been called a "premium" feature. But to borrow a phrase from former Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart, "I know it when I see it." For me, premium features include an available in-dash Navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity (in Ford's case, bundled with Sync), optional HID or LED headlamps, and 4-wheel disc brakes. Power, heated or memory seats aren't "must-haves" in my book, especially not in the compact class. Give me the real goods that will make a difference in my daily drive.

5) Value for Money - I don't expect a fully pimped-out Focus to be $15,000. With the right equipment, I would be perfectly happy paying around $25,000 for a well-equipped compact. Mini has proven that you can sell a small car with premium features and make money. It seems the domestics are just now starting to realize this.

So, Alan. Do we have a deal? Should I put my name down now for a 2011 Focus EcoBoost 2.0 dual-clutch 5-door with Sync, Nav, HIDs and performance suspension?