Ford
404 topics in this forum
-
- 0 replies
- 105 views
This morning, Ford announced that current CEO Mark Fields will be stepping down as CEO. Taking his place is Jim Hackett, former CEO of Steelcase (an office furniture manufacturer) and chairman of Ford's self-driving unit. “Mark Fields has been an outstanding leader and deserves a lot of credit for all he has accomplished in his many roles around the globe at Ford. His strong leadership was critical to our North American restructuring, our turnaround at the end of the last decade, and our record profits in the past two years," said Bill Ford in a statement. The news was first broke by Forbes last night and later corroborated by the New York Times last night. Accord…
Last reply by William Maley, -
-
- 0 replies
- 102 views
A day after reports saying Ford was planning a significant layoff of its global workforce, the company has cleared the air on the cuts. In a statement issued today, Ford announced that it would be cutting 10 percent of its salaried employees in North America and Asia - roughly 1,400 employees. Ford says the cuts are needed to reduce costs as the company readies for a slowdown in sales and investing more into new technologies. "We remain focused on the three strategic priorities that will create value and drive profitable growth, which include fortifying the profit pillars in our core business, transforming traditionally underperforming areas of our core business…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 71 views
Ford isn't doing so well at the moment as profits and stock prices are tumbling downward. To try and reverse this trend, the blue oval is considering cutting 10 percent of its global workforce. Both the Wall Street Journal and Reuters have learned from their respective sources the cuts are part of a previously announced plan to slash costs by $3 billion. The cuts will mostly affect salaried employees, with Reuters reporting Ford will offer generous early retirement incentives. To give you an idea of how jobs are on the chopping block, Ford currently 200,000 employees. A cut of 10 percent means 20,000 people are out of a job. "Reducing costs and becoming as lean …
Last reply by William Maley, -
Ford has introduced another member of their police interceptor fleet with the Police Responder Hybrid Sedan (catchy name). The automaker claims this is pursuit-rated hybrid police car. Based on the Fusion Hybrid sedan, Ford has done a bit of work to make it ready for the various hardships that police vehicles go through - prolong periods of idling, stop-and-go driving, traveling at high speed over long distances, and driving over obstacles. Under the hood is an Atkinson-cycle, 2.0L four-cylinder paired with an electric motor and lithium-ion battery. The powertrain has been calibrated to allow the vehicle to run in battery-only mode up to 60 mph and provide maximu…
Last reply by William Maley, -
Ford is looking to make big strides in autonomous vehicles. Last year, CEO Mark Fields said that by 2021, the automaker would have a Level 4 self-driving vehicle (minus the steering wheel and pedals for the gas and brake) for ride sharing services. Then Fields said the Blue Oval would offer self-driving vehicles to consumers by around 2025. However, Ford's vice president of research and advanced engineering has put the brakes on this slightly, saying it might be closer to ten years after that first fleet implementation. “It’s really hard to guess and predict the pace of the technology. Our current view is the adoption rates will be relatively gradual,” said Ken Washi…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 65 views
It is unlikely that the Focus RS will be the only Ford model sporting the RS badge, although which models will follow have been up for debate. The chief of Ford Performance has hinted that the brand's crossovers could go under the RS treatment. "I think customers love performance. I think the definition of what that means for an SUV might be different than what it means for a Focus or for a Fiesta. But I think that we’ve seen, even in the US and globally, that people like aggressive-looking cars, they like sporty, they want the power and pick-up and engine improvement, so I think the answer is yes. SUV customers would appreciate performance, for sure," said Dave Peri…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 70 views
A group of Shelby GT350 owners are not happy with Ford. Yesterday, a lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida claiming that the track-ready GT350 isn't. According to filling, owners complain that the vehicle overheats in as little as 15 minutes due faulty transmissions and rear differentials when driven on a track. When the vehicle does overheat, it goes into a limp mode that reduces power to protect the powertrain. The filing goes on to say that Ford fixed this issue in the 2017 model, but told owners of the 2016 model to make the fixes themselves - a possible breach of the car's warranty. “When Ford marketed and sold th…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 93 views
Ford has teased the next-generation Fiesta ST before its official debut later this week. In a video posted to Ford's Instagram, a pre-production model is seen driving through a factory. From what we can see, it looks like the ST will look similar to the standard Fiesta ST-Line shown back in November. We're expecting some other design changes to make the ST stand out from other Fiesta models. No word on the powertrain, though some suspect it will a 1.5L EcoBoost three-cylinder four-cylinder. Source: Ford Europe's Instagram View full article
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 130 views
The current Ford Focus has been with us since 2012 and it is getting somewhat long in the tooth when compared with the likes of the Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Civic, and refreshed Mazda3. But Ford is on the case as we have gotten our first look at the next-generation Focus caught by a spy photographer. It looks like Ford is planning to do some evolutionary changes in terms of the Focus' exterior to keep it in line with other Ford models. The interior looks to be taking some ideas from the new Fiesta and refreshed EcoSport with a similar center stack design. Reports say Ford will go with an all turbocharged engine lineup with the 1.0L three-cylinder EcoBoost being the bas…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 82 views
"SUVs are the top-selling segment in the U.S. That is why we are introducing five new SUVs in the U.S. by 2020," for the Ford brand, said Mark LaNeve, Ford vice president of U.S. marketing, sales and service in a statement this week. We already know three of the five models: EcoSport in 2018, the electric compact crossover in 2019, and the Bronco in 2020. But what about the other two? Reuters has learned from supplier sources that the models in question will be based on Ford's next-generation Focus and Fiesta. Meanwhile, Lincoln will be getting an additional model to their crossover/utility lineup. Sources say it will be a midsize model sharing the underpinning…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 69 views
Has it really been two years since Ford introduced the GT? *Looks at calendar* Yep, it has been two years. Since that time, we have been wondering about how much power the twin-turbo 3.5L EcoBoost V6 would produce. Ford has finally revealed the numbers earlier this morning. The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 will produce 647 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque. Ford hasn't revealed the 0-60 mph time, but does say the GT has a top speed of 216 mph - making the fastest production vehicle done by the blue oval. Dry weight (meaning no fluids) comes in at 3,054 lbs. Ford also published lap times of the GT against a Ferrari 458 Speciale and McLaren 675LT done at Calabogie Motorsp…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 83 views
Earlier this month, Ford CEO Mark Fields dropped some big bombshells concerning the company. One of those was a hybrid version of the F-150 for 2020. A spy photographer has given us our first look at what Ford has in mind for this. The F-150 mule caught in pictures only has the front covered up. But it appears the truck is a plug-hybrid. This conclusion is due to flaps that aren't hidden so well. One of these likely has the door hiding the socket to plug in the truck. The photographer who took the photos reports the mule had a slightly narrow front track and sounded like it had a four-cylinder under the hood. Motor1 isn't sure about this considering Mark Fields said …
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 66 views
Ford has revealed the updated 2018 Mustang which appears to amp up the competition between it and the Chevrolet Camaro. The exterior comes with a new front fascia with a larger grille, reshaped headlights, and lowered hoodline. Around back are a revised design for the taillights and quad-exhausts for the GT. The interior boasts higher quality materials and the option of a 12.3-inch digital cluster that can be customized to provide performance data. The big changes though lie under the skin. For starters, the base 3.7L V6 has been dropped. The 2.3L EcoBoost will now take its place as the base engine. Ford says the 2.3 will see a bump in torque, though the blue oval…
Last reply by William Maley, -
It was an exciting day when Ford announced that the Ranger and Bronco would be coming back. But then disappointment arrived as an alleged Ford employee said on Reddit that the Bronco would be a slightly re-worked Everest SUV (cue sad trombone). A Ford executive has cleared the air somewhat on the Bronco, and it is good news. Ford's Chief Technical Officer Raj Nair told Autoline in an interview that while the Bronco would be based on the Ranger/Everest platform, it would be its own vehicle. “No, it’s a separate vehicle. It will be an incremental vehicle from the Everest. The Everest kind of serves a lot of off-road capability; maybe the space of the Explorer serv…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 116 views
Possibly one of the biggest stories to come out from the Detroit Auto Show was Ford's announcement that the Bronco and Ranger are coming back. There weren't many details aside from release timeframes (2019 for Ranger, 2020 for Bronco), along with the Bronco being based on the bones of the Ranger. Now, an anonymous Ford employee has spilled some more details on the two models. A poster who claims to be a designer at Ford's Development Center in Dearborn (and has been verified by the moderators of the Ford Ranger Reddit) says the Ranger that will be arriving in 2019 will be the same model sold around the world. There will be alterations to the exterior and interior. Co…
Last reply by William Maley, -
Ford dropped a few bombshells this morning at a press conference in Flat Rock, MI. The big one was the American automaker dropping plans to build $1.6 billion assembly plant in Mexico (which was in the early stage of construction). Instead, Ford will invest $700 million into their Flat Rock that will add 700 jobs to the plant. “We look at all factors and in our view, we see a more positive U.S. manufacturing environment under President-elect Trump and the pro-growth policies and proposals that he’s talking about. So this is a vote of confidence for President-elect Trump and some of the policies he may be pursuing,” said Ford CEO Mark Fields during the press conference…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 92 views
If you want to one up your friend who will be getting their hands on a new Ford GT, then why not put a bid on the first functional prototype of the last-generation GT. Going up for auction next month at Russo and Steele Arizona sale in Scottsdale, AZ, the GT Confirmation Prototype 1 (CP-1) is the first fully functional prototype. It was the fourth GT model ever built - wears the VIN 004 - and the first to come with a full interior. Being a prototype, the GT CP-1 has some special parts such as a "sniffer pipe" for emissions testing, quick-release fuel tank, and a carbon-fiber clamshell. The prototype also features signatures of 13 members of the original Ford GT design…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 94 views
Ford will be idling the Kansas City assembly plant for a week next month to cut down on truck and van inventory. Automotive News reports the downtime will take place from January 2nd to 9th. A spokeswoman said the downtime would be used to performance plant maintenance. At the moment, Ford has an 85-day inventory of F-Series trucks and 108-day inventory of Transit vans. Ford had recently idled Kansas City back in October for a week. It was one of four plants that saw extended downtime this year. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 80 views
As more consumers head over to crossovers and SUVs, automakers find themselves making changes to their lineup. Case in point is Ford which is considering dropping some of their nameplates because of the change in demand. “Over time, there should be some pruning of the portfolio to support growth in other areas. Clearly we’re going to invest in growing the SUV portfolio. We certainly intend to have a strong car base as well; we don’t know where the market’s going to go. But there will be some pruning over time as there should be in a nameplate and portfolio,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president of the Americas. Ford's car sales are down 14 percent through November …
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 87 views
When Ford introduced the next-generation Fiesta earlier this week, there was one model missing; the hot ST. This caused a number of people to wonder if there would be a new Fiesta ST. Good news, there will be Fiesta ST coming. But it will be awhile before we see it. Dutch publication AutoRAI spoke with Tyrone Johnson, development boss of Ford ST and RS models. Johnson revealed that the Fiesta ST would debut in late 2017, with production beginning a year later. Details about the next Fiesta ST are scarce, but Johnson did hint that the next ST would not see a major increase in power. Instead, the focus will be on improving the fun-factor. We wouldn't be surprised if a …
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 76 views
Ford had a special event in Cologne, Germany tonight where it introduced the next-generation Fiesta. It is clear that Ford didn't want to mess with the Fiesta's exterior design much. The basic shape is the same as the current one, but it appears some of the lines have been softened somewhat. It also looks like slightly larger, but Ford hasn't provided any dimensions to confirm this. Ford has unveiled four versions that will appear in Europe: Titanium: Stylish ST-Line: Sporty looks Vignale: Luxury Active: Crossover-esq Interior-wise, the Fiesta follows suit with the recently-anno…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 144 views
The Mustang is expected to get a refresh in 2018 and there is a possibility that the V6 engine will be dropped. This information comes to us from the Mustang6G.com's forums where a dealership employee posted the order guide for the 2018 Mustang. The guide revealed that the V6 engine order code was marked as “invalid.” Dropping the V6 would make the 2.3L EcoBoost the new base engine, which is close in terms of horsepower to the V6 (310 vs. 300). The order guide also reveals that the 2018 Mustang will get a 10-speed automatic and a set of MagneRide adaptive dampers as options. Source: Mustang6G.com View full article
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 72 views
It is no secret that Ford is working on new Bronco that will go into production at Ford's Michigan Assembly alongside the Ranger in the coming years. But it seems that Ford's American branch will not be doing a majority of the engineering work. Motoring has learned from sources that Ford's Asia-Pacific Product Development team based in Victoria will be handing the development of the Bronco. This is because the Bronco will be using an updated version of the Ranger's T6 ladder platform - a platform that the Asia-Pacific Product Development team designed and developed. The Bronco is expected to use a shortened version of the T6 platform and share the running gear f…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 73 views
The 'One Ford' policy, introduced by former CEO Alan Mulally is partly credited for helping pull the company out of its financial quagmire and making it much leaner. The policy is simple, one model is developed for different markets with minor changes being made. But this policy “has peaked” and changes are in store. Ford's global design chief Moray Callum tells Autocar that Ford isn't abandoning this policy, but new models will be “more tailored to each region”. Take for example the next Focus which is expected to debut within the next two years. Callum said the model would diverge from this policy slightly. "It’s an entry-level model in the US, but not in Euro…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 75 views
The Ford Flex, a boxy crossover will be no more come 2020. This information comes after Ford and Candian union Unifor reached a tentative deal last night. The deal will see Ford make investments totaling $700 million with the majority going towards their two engine plants in Windsor. The remainder will go towards Ford's Oakville assembly plant - home to the Ford Edge and Flex, and Lincoln MKT and MKX production. Speaking with the Windsor Star, Bob Scott, vice-chair of the master bargaining committee for Unifor revealed that the Flex would cease production in 2020. The fate of the sister model MKT is still a mystery. Ford spokesperson Kerri Stoakley declined to commen…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 75 views
There might not be a Focus RS500 as a final swan song for the current Focus. Autocar has learned from sources at the blue oval that the chances of the RS500 entering production stands at about 30 percent at the moment. This is because the business case for the model is becoming very weak. Part of the issue lies with where the Focus RS500 would sit in Ford's performance lineup. Sources say the model "could be treading on other cars’ toes," such as the Mustang GT and Shelby GT350. This isn't an issue in Europe where Ford's European office sees a market for both models. The U.S. is another story as some see the RS500 stealing sales away from Mustang - especially when th…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 80 views
The Ford Focus RS is already a potent vehicle with 350 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque from a turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder. This rockets the RS to 60 mph in less than five seconds. But there are those who want more oomph and Ford has some good news for you. Autoblog reports that Ford Performance is working on an ECU upgrade for the RS. Details such how much power, when it will go on sale, and the pricetag isn't being talked about at this time. But what we do know is that this upgrade will be backed by a Ford warranty. Autoblog speculates the ECU upgrade could be similar to one that Mountune offers for Focus RS in Europe. The upgrade adds 25 more horse…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 73 views
The Ford Mustang has been riding a wave of sales success, beating the Camaro in the total sales for the year - 87,258 vs. 54,535. But this past month, the Mustang saw a steep decline in sales (32 percent) and was beaten by the Camaro. Because of this, Ford has put Mustang production on idle for a week. The Detroit News reports that Ford has idled their Flat Rock, MI plant for a week. Ford Spokeswoman Kelli Felker said this was to match production with demand. At the end of September, the supply of Mustangs stood at 89 days. Analysts say a 60 day supply is a healthy target - something the Mustang is somewhat close to. But why did the Mustang see a steep drop in s…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 85 views
Today was a sad day for the Australian automotive industry as the final Ford Falcon rolled down the assembly line at Ford's Broadmeadows plant in Broadmeadows, Victoria. The final vehicle was a Falcon XR6 finished in blue and being number 4,356,628 to roll off the assembly since Broadmeadows opened back in August 1959. The vehicle will join alongside a Falcon Ute (which ended production earlier this year) and Territory SUV in Ford's ownership. Ford held a private ceremony with its 600 workers at the plant to mark the occasion. "Today is an emotional day for all of us at Ford. We are saying goodbye to some of our proud and committed manufacturing employees and m…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 60 views
Before we go into this rumorpile report, we should note that we're taking a fair amount of salt on this story. You'll see what we mean momentarily. Road & Track reports that the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 will be getting a dual-clutch transmission in the next few years. The six-speed manual would still be offered. This information comes from Mustang6G.com, a forum site which has gotten leaked information that has been proven to be correct. The site showed evidence to Road & Track about the dual-clutch and they believe it to be accurate. The problem is neither Road & Track or Mustang6G say what the evidence is - hence why we're taking a handful of salt on …
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 70 views
The current Ford Fiesta ST uses a 1.6L EcoBoost four-cylinder. But the next-generation Fiesta ST could be using a turbocharged three-cylinder. “We’re seeing more and more of what we can do with the 1.0-litre engine in development and the signs are promising. It’s a great engine – it sounds brilliant and there’s loads of torque when the turbo comes on boost, so we’re looking into things for the next ST,” said Darren Palmer, Ford's head of small cars to Auto Express. Currently, the most powerful version of the 1.0L EcoBoost three-cylinder produces 138 horsepower. But Ford has been experimenting with the engine to see how much power can be extracted. At the …
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 133 views
While Ford is introducing an updated 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and ten-speed automatic for the 2017 F-150, the 2018 F-150 is more interesting to us. This is because Ford will be giving their full-size truck a facelift and a diesel engine. Thanks to Car and Driver, we're able to get a closer look via a set of spy shots. We'll begin with the facelift. Ford has done a decent job with the camouflage, but we can pick out a new grille design that seems to mimic the F-Series super duty. Expect new headlights, along with new taillights and wheel choices. We have reported previously on the venturi exhaust and a video with the noises of a diesel engine . Now we have more proof of …
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 151 views
Ford has finally confirmed that it will be moving small car production in the U.S. to Mexico in the next two to three years. This information isn't new as we knew about it a year ago thanks to a new contract with the UAW. We learned that in 2018, the Ranger would be taking up residence at the Michigan Assembly plant, home currently home to the Focus and C-Max. Why is Ford moving small car production to Mexico? It comes down to costs. With low gas prices, consumers are buying up crossovers and trucks at a rapid rate. This means small cars are sitting on dealer lots, costing automakers money. “Every global manufacturer has to determine how it can best create reven…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 97 views
When Ford announced they would be building only 500 GTs over the course of two years, we thought they would they would likely build more due to high demand. Sure enough, with over 6,000 applications received, Ford is adding two more years of production for the GT. The third year of production will only be for those who are on the waiting list for the GT, and the fourth year will be open to everyone. What isn't known is how many additional GTs will be built. “While we can’t build enough Ford GTs for everyone who has applied, we are going to produce additional vehicles in an effort to satisfy more of our most loyal Ford ambassadors.We want to keep Ford GT exclusive…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 49 views
Ford is making a big push in autonomous vehicles by announcing plans to put a fully autonomous car into production by 2021. But you will not be able to buy one. Instead, Ford will be building these vehicles for ride-sharing services. “The next decade will be defined by automation of the automobile, and we see autonomous vehicles as having as significant an impact on society as Ford’s moving assembly line did 100 years ago. We’re dedicated to putting on the road an autonomous vehicle that can improve safety and solve social and environmental challenges for millions of people – not just those who can afford luxury vehicles," said Mark Fields, Ford president and CEO in a…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 87 views
There have been spy shots floating around for past few months showing a hotted-up version of the Focus RS, leading many to believe that Ford is working on a new RS500. But a report from Autocar says Ford hasn't made a final decision on it. According to a source, the RS500 is “not genuinely green-lighted, but the desire exists to have a star in the RS and ST range”. The stumbling blocks are whether or not a financial case can be made and if the factory line in Cologne, Germany. Autocar speculates that the new RS500 will have a similar performance bump to the previous model. The last-generation RS500 featured 345 horsepower, an increase of 15 percent over the stan…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 71 views
The heavy-duty truck wars continue as Ford has announced the capabilities of the upcoming 2017 F-Series Super Duty and a number of them are class leading. We'll begin with power figures. The F-Series Super Duty is available with either a 6.2L V8 gas engine or a 6.7L PowerStroke V8 diesel. Both engines have best-in-class torque figures. 6.2L V8: 385 horsepower, 430 pound-feet of torque (Beats Ram's 6.4L V8 by one pound-foot) 6.7L PowerStroke V8 Diesel: 440 horsepower and 925 pound-feet of torque (Beats Ram's 6.7L Cummins inline-six by 25 pound-feet) Both engines come equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. As for capability, Ford says the F-450 can…
Last reply by William Maley, -
We find ourselves wondering if Ford is sandbagging their power figures on various engines. We saw this with the Focus RS and Fusion Sport. Now its the F-150's turn. Back in May, Ford announced the 2017 F-150 would be getting the next-generation 3.5L EcoBoost V6. Horsepower would remain at 365, while torque would be bumped up from 420 to 450. Today, Ford announced the final power figures for the second-generation EcoBoost and they are somewhat higher. The new power figures are 375 horsepower (up 10) and 470 pound-feet of torque (up 50). Ford says the engine's torque beats competitors gas and diesel engines - even GM's 6.2L V8 which held title with 460. This eng…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 69 views
Many of us are excited that Ford is finally bringing the Ranger to the U.S. towards the end of the decade. But the long wait for it is driving a number of folks crazy. Well, we're probably not going to help with this as the folks at M-Sport (who heads up Ford's World Rally Championship team) have introduced a special edition of the Ranger that can be described as a Raptor mini. This is the M-Sport Ranger and it looks quite mean. It begins with a Ranger 4x4 double cab that gets a new grill with integrated lights, 18-inch wheels fitted with off-road tires, and certain body parts getting a matte black finish. Underneath is a Pedders suspension sport pack that improves th…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 74 views
When Ford provided the details of the 2017 Fusion lineup earlier this year, the one model that caused our eyes to widen was the Fusion Sport. Packing a twin-turbo 2.7L EcoBoost V6, the Sport would have 325 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. Well, Ford has announced the final power figures for the Sport and our eyes are even wider. The Sport will still have 325 horsepower coming from the V6. But torque has been increased to 380 pound-feet. No, that isn't a misprint. Not only does the Sport blow everyone out of the midsize sedan class in terms of power, it also gives the likes of the BMW 340i a run for its money (320 horsepower, 330 pound-feet of torque). This is …
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 66 views
The first spy shots of the next-generation Ford Fiesta have made their way onto the internet. The most apparent thing that the photos reveal is that the Fiesta will grow in size. According to Automotive News, the redesign will fix one of the major complaints of the current Fiesta - a cramped interior. It looks like certain elements of current Fiesta, such as the wide grille, will be retained. Sources tell Automotive News that the next Fiesta (along with the 2018 Focus) will drop the Powershift dual-clutch transmission that has proven to be problematic. Expect three and four-cylinder engines to be on offer. The 2018 Ford Fiesta is expected to arrive sometime in the…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 91 views
The Ford Focus RS is already a potent hot hatch with 350 rampaging horses coming from a turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder and can hit 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. But Ford believes they can go faster. Australian outlet Motor reports that Ford is considering building an even quicker Focus RS. Sources at the blue oval say a hardcore version of the RS is being looked. Now, the 2.3L is operating close to its maximum output. So how does Ford plan on making the RS quicker? By adding lightness with stripping the interior down to the essentials, removing sound deading, and using lighter materials - polycarbonate windows, carbonfiber-reinforced plastic bodywork, and aluminum suspensio…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 98 views
So you didn't get a Ford GT, but there is a chance you can experience the GT's EcoBoost engine. Dave Pericak. director of Ford Performance told Autocar since the engine has proven itself on the racetrack and there is the possibility of this engine ending up in some low-volume production sports cars. “The engine won at the [2014] 12 Hours of Sebring in the Ford EcoBoost race car, and it’s shown promise in the GT race car already. It shows how capable the engine is,” said Pericak. When asked if the engine could end up in other race cars, Pericak said this was a possibility. He went on to say there was no reason this engine could end up in some low-volume sports …
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 83 views
This sounds to good to be true, but a Ford dealer in Ohio is selling 727 horsepower Mustang GT with a Roush Phase 2 Supercharger for $39,995 out the door. How?! Here is what we figured out when doing the math. 2016 Ford Mustang GT: $32,395 (base) Roush Phase 2 Supercharger: $7,549.99 Total: $39,944.99* *Doesn't include labor to install the supercharger Now if we had a possible guess as to the labor cost, we could be looking at a price tag above $40,000. The Drive decided to investigate this to see if this was smoke and mirrors. Speaking with Charlie Watson, the Roush Parts Manager for Lebanon Ford explained this is for real. The reason the dealer is chargi…
Last reply by William Maley, -
2017 will be an important year for the Ford F-150 as the blue oval will be introducing the second-generation of the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and a ten-speed automatic transmission. The second-generation 3.5L EcoBoost is completely all-new with the block, heads, turbochargers, and other components changed. A key item Ford points out with the 3.5 engine is that it features direct injection and port fuel injection - basically two injectors for each cylinder. In low-load situations, the engine uses only the port fuel injection as it is said to be more efficient. During heavy-load situations, both injection systems are used to provide maximum power. Horsepower still stands at …
Last reply by William Maley, -
We were perplexed a few weeks ago when we reported that Ford increased the range of the Focus EV to 100 miles and not to something like 200. At the time, Ford's director of electrification said the range would cover the average commute for the driver. But Automotive News reports that Ford is working on something to directly compete with the Chevrolet Bolt and Tesla Model 3. During Ford's first-quarter earnings conference call, CEO Mark Fields said the company wants to be “among the leaders or in a leadership position” when it comes EVs. This was in response to someone asking if Ford was planning to offer a 200 mile electric vehicle. “Clearly that’s something we’re…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 72 views
Ram has some competition with offering a pickup truck for law enforcement duties. Ford revealed today the F-150 Special Service Vehicle (SSV). “Many officers need the extra space F-150 Special Service Vehicle offers. They can load the cargo box with equipment and still fit five people inside. Its utility is unmatched,” said Stephen Tyler, Ford police marketing manager. The SSV comes in the base XL trim and is available in the SuperCab or SuperCrew cab configurations. Power can either come from a 5.0L V8 with 385 horsepower or a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 with 365 horsepower, along with the choice of two-wheel or four-wheel drive. Ford has also fitted 240-amp alternator to p…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 161 views
One of the key problems with most electric vehicles is the limited range on offer with many offering a max range of around 100 to 120 miles. Many believe that for electric vehicles to be in the mainstream, they need to offer a minimum of 200 Miles. But not Ford. Speaking with Automotive News, Ford's director of electrification programs and engineering Kevin Layden says the updated 2017 Focus EV with a range of 100 miles will cover the average commute for a driver. "I think right now with the launch of the Focus Electric at 100 miles, it is going to satisfy a big chunk of the population. It's going to be really affordable and a step up from where we are now," said …
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 75 views
If you had your heart set on a Ford GT after seeing it at the Detroit Auto Show, then you should rush over to your nearest computer as Ford has opened up the application process for the chance to get their newest supercar. As we first reported back in February, Ford will be conducting an extensive vetting process for possible buyers. Some of the questions that will be asked to possible buyers include how many Ford vehicles have they own and how many miles they plan on driving the GT. This is to help weed out people who will just mothball the vehicle so they can sell it for a large sum of money. Also, if you have bought and kept your Ford GT, you get first dibs. “T…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 53 views
We know that Ford is hard at work on diesel option for the 2017 F-150, along with Hybrid model that is due out in 2020. Now there is a possible third powertrain that Ford is working on. Automobile and AutoGuide got their hands on new spy shots showing off an F-150 mule with the front fenders and hood covered. On the passenger side fender, there appears to be a door for a possible charging port (the video below gives a better view of it). The spy photographer also noted the engine would turn off at various points and the humming noise of an electric motor taking its place. Automobile speculates that along with the electric motor, there is likely the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 and …
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 132 views
Ford's European branch has had a tough time with three years of losses and making some drastic changes, including closing three factories back in 2013. But 2015 saw the branch make a $259 million profit. The blue oval wants to continue that with a new restructure strategy. The strategy includes a "voluntary separation" program that will allow workers to leave Ford at their own behest. Ford says this will save around $200 million per year in reduced staffing costs. Ford will also be eliminating less profitable models” from its product lineup. What models those might be are unknown at this time. It should be noted this elimination will not affect plans to launch sev…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 48 views
With 250 Ford GTs up for grabs at the end of this year, Ford is going to make sure they go those buyers who have the passion and will drive them. The Detroit News reports that when Ford launches their site to apply to purchase the GT, there will be an extensive vetting process. To start, buyers will need to sign a document stating they will own the vehicle for a certain time - this to prevent an owner to quickly flip their GT for a nice profit. Then comes the application process which will take a bit of time and include questions such as how many Ford models they have owned, how active they are on social media, and how much they plan to drive it. “There’s a loyal …
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 57 views
Rumors have been flying around for few years of a Ford Fiesta RS. The model would sit above the ST and use the same turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder. The difference is the RS would use an uprated turbo. Other changes included a more aggressive body kit and retuned suspension. But Tyrone Johnson, Ford Performance’s chief engineer and head of vehicles says there isn't a Fiesta RS in the pipeline. “In terms of Fiesta RS, I have seen some comments from senior Ford people that it’s definitely not in the plan. Typically we don’t talk about future products but in that particular one there has been some comments that it’s definitely not in the plan,” Johnson said to CarAd…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 61 views
Last month, we reported that Ford is currently testing a diesel engine for the F-150. Pictures at the time showed a unique exhaust tip (a Venturi exhaust tip that serves a cooler for after treatment systems) and the photographer mentioned hearing the distinctive clatter of a diesel engine. But pictures can only tell so much. Wouldn't it be nice if we had audio or video evidence? Guess what? AutoGuide got a video from a spy photographer who was following an F-150 mule out on the public. The video provides audible evidence that a diesel engine is under the hood. As we reported last month, the engine in question is a turbocharged 3.0L V6 that is under the hood of the Range…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 100 views
Ford will be pulling out of the Indonesian and Japanese markets as they cannot make any headway in terms of market share. Reuters got their hands on an email from Ford's Asia Pacific President Dave Schoch who told employees today that the company would exit all areas of the car business, including dealerships and the importing of Ford and Lincoln vehicles. "Unfortunately, this also means that our team members based in Japan and Indonesia will no longer work for Ford Japan or Ford Indonesia following the closures," Schoch said in the email. Ford began selling vehicles in Japan in 1974 and has 52 dealers in the country. Sales last year totaled around 5,000 vehic…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 78 views
We're sure Ford would like to have kept their 2017 Fusion refresh a secret till next Monday where it debut at the Detroit Auto Show. But two different spy photographers have caught the 2017 Fusion with no camouflage. The front gets a new oval-ish grille shape with a mesh insert and reshaped headlights. There is also a more aggressive air intake in the center of the bumper. Around back is are a set of reshaped taillights. Sadly, we don't have any shots of what the interior will look like, but we expect Ford's SYNC 3 to play a big role. One item that is still up the air is whether or not there will be a performance oriented Fusion ST that we first saw back in Septem…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 81 views
Autonomous vehicles could be getting a large boost thanks to a new alliance between Ford and Google to build self-driving vehicles. Yahoo Autos has learned from three sources that the two companies will be announcing a partnership at the Consumer Electronics Show next month. Details of this new partnership are scarce, but it is understood that the partnership would be legally separate from Ford to shield it from concerns about liability. The deal is also non-exclusive as Google has been talking to other automakers about using its self-driving technology. Automotive News adds that both companies have been working on a contract manufacturing deal “for a long time” a…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 69 views
Ford is looking to cover a number of bases when it comes to F-150. They have their EcoBoost engines and we know a hybrid is coming in 2020. But there could be a diesel engine as well. New spy shots show a mostly standard F-150 with a camouflaged bed and an interesting exhaust tip. The spy photographer also noticed the distinct sound of a diesel engine, thus leading to the conclusion that Ford is considering a diesel option. But what engine? Your first guess might be the 3.2 PowerStoke five-cylinder diesel engine, but according Left Lane News, it's a 3.0L turbodiesel V6 codenamed Lion. This engine is actually the same one you'll find under the hood of the upcoming …
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 71 views
A hybrid full-size pickup is on the horizon and will be wearing a blue oval badge. In an interview with NPR's All Things Considered, Ford CEO Mark Fields confirmed that a hybrid F-150 is coming. "Well, we do have plans to have a rear-wheel drive hybrid truck but the end of the decade. So yes, we're working on electrified F-series, and it's really around a conventional hybrid," said Fields. This follows comments made by Ford's development chief, Raj Nair last year when he said a rear-drive hybrid truck would come out in 2020. Nair also mentioned that hybrid SUVs are also on the way. Before you think this is the result of Ford and Toyota's partnership to do …
Last reply by William Maley, -
Ford announced yesterday a massive investment for electric and hybrid vehicles. Mark Fields, CEO of Ford says the company plans on spending $4.5 billion by 2020 to bring out 13 electric and hybrid models, increasing the current percentage of electric and hybrid models from 13 to 40 percent. Now this announcement comes at an interesting time as sales of electric and hybrid vehicles are dropping due to low gas prices. According to Autodata Corp, sales of Ford's hybrids through November dropped 25 percent to 59,301 vehicles. The Nissan Leaf saw sales drop 41 percent through November. “Certainly, the gas prices that we’re seeing right now don’t help the electric-vehic…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 106 views
While Ford is getting the Focus RS ready for production, rumors are now beginning to fly about an even hotter version to take on the likes of the Mercedes-AMG A45 and Audi RS3. Autocar has learned from some sources that a hardcore version of the Focus is currently under consideration. Now this hardcore version will not getting any more power as the 2.3L EboBoost is currently at its limit and there isn't enough space to add any more cooling. So instead Ford will focus on using lightweight components for this version. Such items up for consideration includes carbon fiber-reinforced bodywork, aluminum suspension bits, carbon fiber brakes, and stripping out the interior. …
Last reply by William Maley, -
The UAW leadership has given the ok to the Ford-UAW tentative agreement that was announced on Friday. According to the Detroit Free Press, the UAW leaders for Ford were briefed yesterday by UAW officials where they gave it the green light. Unlike FCA and GM's contacts, we know a little bit more about what will be coming to Ford's UAW workers. To start, UAW workers will get a $10,000 signing bonus ($8,500 bonus plus $1,500 of profit sharing), a plan to eliminate the two-tier wage system, and $9 billion in investments for future products. The future investments are interesting as the Free Press has learned from a source that will include the Ranger and the return of…
Last reply by William Maley, -
The negotiations with the Detroit three seem to be coming to an end as Ford and the UAW announced this afternoon they have reached a tentative contract agreement. “Working with our UAW partners, we have reached a tentative agreement for the next four years for our employees and our business. The agreement, if ratified, will help lead the Ford Motor Company, our employees and our communities into the future,” said John Fleming, Ford executive vice president of global manufacturing and labor affairs. Details of new contract are under wraps as the national council will need to approve. The council will meet next Monday to discuss and give their say on it. According …
Last reply by William Maley, -
When Ford revealed to everyone the Focus RS back in February, they said the 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder would produce 'well in excess of 315 horsepower' for the model. Today, the Blue Oval announced the final power figures for the Focus RS and it happens to be 'well in excess'. When the Focus RS hits dealers later this year, it will pack 350 horsepower and the same for torque. More impressive is the engine is producing 152 horsepower per liter, let that sink in for a moment. Ford was able to produce these figures by using a twin-scroll turbo delivering a peak boost of 23.2 psi, along with a larger intercooler and performance exhaust. Along with the announcement of…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 55 views
There's a new Ford F-Series Super Duty coming and it's taking some ideas from the smaller F-150. The big news for the Super Duty is that the body is made out of aluminum, helping drop 350 pounds. The frame is a fully-boxed and consists of more than 95-percent high-strength steel which Ford claims 24 times stiffer than the previous frame. This allows for more towing and hauling capacity. In terms of design, think F-150 that went to the gym every single day. The front end boasts large headlights and grille slats. The cab is similar to the smaller F-150. For the interior, Ford uses the same layout from the current model, but there is a new reconfigurable gauge cl…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 175 views
It appears Ford's performance arm is taking a crack at building a high-performance Fusion. A fresh set of spy shots show off a Fusion mule with some interesting hardware. There is are larger brake discs, bigger wheels and tires, quad exhaust pipes, and some body changes hidden in camo. Automobile reports that the sportier Fusion will pack the 2.7L EcoBoost four-cylinder with 300 horsepower. A six-speed automatic will route all the power to all four wheels. These pictures come at an interesting time for Ford. As we've reported, the fate of the Ford Taurus is unknown for the U.S. By building a sporty Fusion, it gives Ford a sporty sedan to take the place of the Ta…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 89 views
Along with the Ford Ranger, the blue oval is considering resurrecting another nameplate. Bloomberg has learned from sources that the company is considering bringing back the Bronco nameplate for a vehicle to be built at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, MI. “It’s a good move. Gen Y has discovered the original Bronco. Ford has seen what the Mustang can do for them, and they are bringing back their iconic names,” said John Wolkonowicz, a Boston-based independent analyst. The Bronco would give Ford a vehicle to compete with the likes of Toyota and General Motors. It would also allow Ford to capitalize on the growing popularity of the Bronco by Gen Y, especially …
Last reply by William Maley, -
Ever since Ford ended production of the Ranger in the U.S. in 2011, many have been clamoring for the blue oval to bring the Ranger sold elsewhere to the U.S. But Ford has said no since the current Ranger since the new model is close in size to the F-150, and would be very close in terms of pricing. But the blue oval could be changing that. The Detroit News has learned from sources that Ford wants to resurrect the Ranger pickup and build it at the Michigan Assembly Plant. Sources explained that Ford and the UAW are currently in contract talks, with one of the items being bringing the Ranger to the U.S. for the production. Now this will need to be agreed by the UAW and …
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 85 views
The future of the Ford Taurus is uncertain. The once revolutionary sedan in the 80's, was brought back by Ford CEO Alan Mulally for the 2008 model year to replace the Five Hundred full-size sedan has seen its sales slump. Automotive News reports that full-size sedans like the Taurus have seen their sales tank. Through July, full-size sedan sales are down 28 percent. But the Taurus is one of the worst off. The blue oval has sold 29,867 Taurus sedans through July. That puts it on track to 2009, which was the worst year for Taurus sales with 45,617 models sold. Not helping matters is the Ford Fusion, which not only offers more passenger space than the Taurus, it also…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 69 views
The big thing in pickup trucks at the moment is luxury models. Chevrolet has the Silverado High Country while the Denali has been part of GMC for quite awhile. Ram has quite the variety of luxury pickups with the Laramie Longhorn and Limited. Ford also has a range of luxury trucks from the Lariat to the Platinum. But the blue oval decided that wasn't enough and has introduced the 2016 F-150 Limited. Ford bills the F-150 Limited as the "the most advanced, luxurious F-150 ever." Ford has thrown everything and the kitchen sink in terms of standard equipment. All Limited models get heated and cooled Mojave leather front seats with "multicontour massaging," fiddleback euca…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 65 views
After 2018, the Ford Focus and C-Max will not be calling the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, MI home. Automotive News reports that Ford will end production of the two models at the plant in 2018 as a sign the company sees slow demand for small vehicles to continue in the future. The company didn't say what vehicles would take their place or where the Focus and C-Max will be built in the future. "We currently are reviewing several possible options for the Focus and C-Max and will share details once our studies are complete,” said Kristina Adamski, Ford spokeswoman in an email. The news comes on the heels of the layoffs at the plant where the third shift and 700 j…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 97 views
The rumors seemed to be right on the money as Ford announced this morning that it would make a return to Le Mans next year with the GT supercar competing in the LM GTE class. This is one way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ford’s historic 1966 overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. However, the GT will not only compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The blue oval announced a racing program that will compete in both the FIA World Endurance Championship and TUDOR United SportsCar Championship with a two-team, four-car effort. Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates will be handling the program. Drivers for the effort will be announced at a later time. Ford say…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 81 views
Following in the footsteps of Tesla and Toyota, Ford announced last Friday that it would open up its portfolio of electric and hybrid vehicle patents to competitors to help accelerate the development of these vehicles. Now unlike Tesla and Toyota's programs, Ford is charging a licensing fee. “Innovation is our goal. The way to provide the best technology is through constant development and progress. By sharing our research with other companies, we will accelerate the growth of electrified vehicle technology and deliver even better products to customers,” said Kevin Layden, director of Ford electrification programs. Ford says they have filed 650 electric vehicle pa…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 61 views
Car and Driver got their hands on new spy shots showing off an updated Ford Escape that is likely be introduced next year. The Escape looks to getting a new front end that is similar to Edge with a much larger grille and slimmer headlights. The back looks to be also getting some major changes, though Ford has it so well camouflaged we can't tell you much. Car and Driver goes onto say that the Escape will get the Sync3 infotainment system, and no major changes are expected for the powertrain. Source: Car and Driver View full article
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 114 views
While the full production of the Shelby Mustang GT350 and GT350R kicks off next year, Ford announced that it will be doing a limited run of 2015 GT350 and GT350R models for the 2015 model year. Ford will build 100 GT350s with 50 of them being equipped with the Technology package - MagnaRide magnetic dampers, SYNC 3 with navigation, and dual-zone climate control -, while the other 50 will come with the Track package - MagnaRide magnetic dampers, additional cooling for the engine, transmission, and differential; and a front strut-tower brace. Meanwhile, Ford will only build 37 GT350Rs for 2015. Why 37? This is pay homage to Carroll Shelby who planned on building 35 GT350s…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 63 views
Ford announced this week that it will be cutting a shift at its Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, MI - where the Focus and C-Max are built - due to slumping sales. Ford says the cut will affect a total of 700 workers - 673 hourly workers and 27 salaried employees. "Ford will be working to redeploy affected hourly employees and they will be considered first for southeast Michigan opportunities as they become available," Ford said in statement to The Detroit News. Salaried employees will be moved to other Ford facilities. Sales of the Ford Focus dropped 14.5 percent last month, despite a refreshed model and a price cut on the electric model. The C-Max was hit worse with …
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 50 views
The Ford F-150 had an impressive showing in the start of the this year with the F-Series lineup up 17 percent. But as reported in February sales numbers, the F-Series dropped 1.2 percent and the Ford brand itself dropped 1.7 percent year-over-year. So what happened? Blame it on the F-150 supply. The Detroit Free Press reports that the F-150 is currently only being made at the Dearborn Truck Plant. The other plant - Kansas City - which will also build the F-150, has finished up retooling and is now working on pre-production models to help train employees. But the Detroit Free Press notes with the change over at both plants, it has lost Ford 90,000 F-150 models not rolling…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 51 views
Since we first set our eyes on the Ford GT, we knew that it was going to be an expensive proposition for a lucky few. Now we have an idea of how expensive the new supercar will be. Speaking at the European introduction of the Ford GT, Raj Nair, Ford's Global Product Development chief said the model would “price wise, we’ll be facing off against cars like the Aventador.” That puts a possible pricetag for the GT around $400,000. As for how many GTs we'll see coming off the production line, Ford says that around 250 models will be built for 'several year'. Now with 250 models being built per year and costing $400,000, you have to wonder how Ford can justify it. “Because t…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 62 views
The Ford Flex is loved by automotive writers, their owners, and Consumer Reports which recommends the model. But with all of this good news, you would think the Flex would be a big seller. Not at all. Ford Flex Sales in December 2014 totaled 1,786 units, a 24.9 percent decrease when compared to December 2013 and well behind Ford's other three-row crossover, the Explorer. Automotive News says that the average Flex sales totaled around eight models. Pair this with no hint of a next-generation Flex anywhere, it seems the model will be heading into the sunset. Possibly not. Automotive News says there are two key reasons for why the Flex is still around. Ford makes a nice p…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 62 views
Another piece in the Ford GT puzzle has been found. Yesterday at the Toronto Auto Show, Ford announced that Multimatic Motorsports - a longstanding partner in Ford's racing programs based in Ontario - will be building the GT. Why Multimatic? Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s president of the Americas said Multimatic has a lot of experience with carbon fiber. This is important considering the GT's passenger cell is made out of carbon fiber. Going with Multimatic has also added anticipation that Ford will be returning to Le Mans to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans next year. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 51 views
It has been long rumored, but it has been finally confirmed. Today, Ford revealed the 2016 Focus RS - the third Focus iteration to wear the famed RS name. As has been rumored, the third-generation Focus RS uses the 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder found under the Mustang to produce 'well in excess of 315 horsepower'. For the Focus RS, the 2.3 has been given a number of changes such as a new low-inertia twin-scroll turbocharger, larger compressor and intercooler; less-restrictive intake, large-bore dual-pipe exhaust with an electronically controlled valve, and upgraded internal components. A six-speed manual and new all-wheel drive system with a pair of electronically control…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 69 views
There could be a hotter Ford Fiesta in the wings. Autocar spoke with Tyrone Johnson, manager of Ford Performance (group that brings together RS and SVT). Johnson revealed that work was being done on a higher-performance Fiesta that would use the current chassis and will likely go on sale within the next couple of years. “There’s more to come from the current Fiesta,” said Johnson. Now Johnson didn't say if this new model would wear a ST or an RS badge. Autocar also asked Johnson about producing something akin to the Focus RS for the Fiesta. “If there’s a business case and if it’s technically feasible.” When pressed if a case could be made, he said “Theoretically, ye…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 73 views
One of the vehicles we were expecting to see at the Detroit Auto Show but didn't show was the Focus RS. Well it appears Ford has something special for that. The company has released a teaser video showing a camouflaged Focus RS doing a bit of sliding around in wet and dry conditions. The video also has a date, February 3rd. This is when Ford will reveal the Focus RS to everyone. Those hoping for Ford to release any technical details will be disappointed to hear that no information was released. Source: Ford View full article
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 128 views
Ford's decision to use aluminum on the F-150 has paid off in big dividends in terms of weight, fuel economy, and performance. Now you would think that Ford would use aluminum in other vehicles. Not so fast says Ford's president of the Americas Joe Hinrichs. At the Automotive News World Congress, Hinrichs says that aluminum will stick with the trucks. “One of the big benefits you get from light-weighting ... you can tow more and haul more. You don’t get those same benefits to a customer on the car side. Truck buyers will pay for more capability, car buyers will pay for better fuel economy, but there’s other ways to get fuel economy in a car without the need to provide mor…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 57 views
Ever since Ford introduced MyFord Touch on the 2011 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX, the infotainment system has received a deluge of complaints ranging from the system lagging, unresponsiveness, and tiny touch points. But a replacement is coming. Ford announced yesterday their next generation of infotainment systems, called Sync 3. The system s simpler to use, more intuitive, and faster than previous versions. “We considered all the modern smartphones and mobile operating systems and created something familiar but unique. Simplicity has value. Reducing the number of things on-screen also makes control easier and is designed to limit the number of times a driver has to glance…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 81 views
Before the Detroit Auto Show, Ford has made some big announcements concering their performance cars. First was the announcement of a new performance division named Ford Performance. The division will unify Ford SVT, Team RS, and Ford Racing to create performance vehicles, parts, accessories and experiences for customers. Leading this new group will be Mustang chief engineer Dave Pericak. "Ford remains committed to innovation through performance. Our new global Ford Performance team ties together racing, performance vehicles and parts. It will allow us to more quickly introduce products and accessories that meet the needs of customers around the world on-road and on the t…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 77 views
Ford is bringing the performance goods to the Detroit Auto Show. Car and Driver, and Road & Track have published separate reports on what the blue oval has planned. Refreshed Fiesta ST: Car and Driver reports that some aesthetic changes are in store. No word on any changes to the drivetrain or suspension. Focus RS: Sources tell Car and Driver that maddest Focus will make its debut at Detroit. This will come equipped with a 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder and possibly all-wheel drive. Road & Track says the RS is more likely to debut in Geneva. Shelby GT350R: Car and Driver, and Road & Track both report that Ford will debut a track-ready version of the new She…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 61 views
Ford has finally spilled the beans on fuel economy for the 2015 F-150 engine lineup for two-wheel and four-wheel drive variations. The fuel-economy numbers do put Ford in a good place for most half-ton gasoline competitors. But the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel still rules the roost in overall fuel economy with 20 City/28 Highway/23 Combined. Still Ford has an argument that the F-150 is the better value. "Equipped with 2.7-liter EcoBoost, the all-new F-150 is a better value than even diesel-powered pickups. For instance, the $495 option on the Ford is significantly less than the $4,470 3.0-liter Ram EcoDiesel option. In addition, with diesel prices currently 76 cents per gallon mo…
Last reply by William Maley, -
-
- Editor-in-Chief
- 0 replies
- 72 views
Ford revealed a new 7 Seat off-road SUV called the Everest in Bejing; Sorry U.S. driver, you can't have one. The Everest will only be sold in Asia Pacific, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South African markets. The Everest is a body-on-frame SUV and is available in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive arrangements. It sports the latest in off-road technology with active 4WD, active transfer case with torque on demand, a terrain management system, and class-leading ground clearances. While those are great features to have while traversing the outback, coil springs all around aim to provide a comfortable ride when on-road. Under the bonnet, customers will have their choice from…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
-
- 0 replies
- 98 views
The Good News: The Truth About Cars is reporting that the Ford Focus RS will be coming to our shores by 2016. The new RS will use the 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder and feature all-wheel drive. Expect pricing to be above the $30,000 mark. The Bad News: Ford will likely be importing the RS from Europe. Sources tell TTAC that the Michigan Assembly Plant where the North American Focus is built can't fit the RS into its production line. So that means the RS destined for America will be coming from Europe, and in limited numbers as well. Source: The Truth About Cars William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 72 views
The Truth About Cars has learned that Ford is working on a new rear-drive vehicle, but it isn't a sedan. Sources tell TTAC that it happens to be crossover that Ford and Lincoln will get. Ford's version will wear the Explorer name, while Lincoln's version is currently un-named. So why a crossover and not sedan? The Truth About Cars says that the full-size market is shrinking, due to the popularity of crossovers. Also, the next Ford Taurus is reportedly canned for the U.S., thus making the case for a rear-drive sedan is out of the question for the moment. Adding more fuel to this fire is police car sales. Year-to-date, the Police Interceptor Utility are 52 percent while t…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 63 views
2016 marks a very important anniversary for Ford. That year marks the 50th anniversary of the blue oval's first of four consecutive wins at Le Mans. To mark this anniversary, Motor Trend and Road & Track report that Ford is working on a successor to GT that will not only be on the race track, but on the road as well. Sources tell Motor Trend that Ford has a skunkworks team working on mid-engine supercar. The powertrain is unknown at this time, but speculation is resting on either a highly tuned version of the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 or a uprated version of the 5.0L Coyote V8. Motor Trend goes on to say that Ford could announce or even show this model at the Detroit Auto Sho…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 100 views
The past few years have seen a number of rumors about the next-generation Ford Focus RS and if it will come to the U.S. or not. A new report from Road & Track says the Focus RS is coming, with a big change for the U.S. According to a source, Ford is planning to send a limited number of the next Focus RS to the U.S. The next RS will come equipped with a 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder. The source says power figures are still be determined, but Road & Track speculates that the RS could be packing 310 to 350 horsepower. As for what wheels all of that power will go to, another source says that it will utilize a new all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring to improve …
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 57 views
Automotive News got their hands on a letter that was sent to Ford dealers revealed some of the deliver dates for the upcoming 2015 F-150. The letter written by Ford's distribution planning manager Kevin Giacomini and allocation and commodity manager John Bradley said that the 3,000 dealers in the U.S. will be getting stock towards the end of the year. But if you have special ordered a F-150 or are ordering for a fleet, those trucks will not be heading to dealers till February of 2015. “We understand the desire to get the customer units as quickly as possible, but do not want to compromise our commitment to quality for the sake of a few additional weeks of delivery,” the …
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 79 views
A new report from Reuters says the Ford is working on a dedicated hybrid model that will take on the Toyota Prius and Chevrolet Volt. Two sources tell the news service that the new model, codenamed C240, will use Ford's new C2 platform. This new platform will also underpin the next-generation Focus and Escape. C240 will also be more efficient than the blue oval's current hybrids thanks to improved battery technology and and the use of lightweight materials such as aluminum. The new model is expected to go into production in 2018, with global sales starting a year after. Source: Reuters William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at willia…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 69 views
There are times when a spy photographer gets more than they bargained for. Most of the time, it involves an engineer chasing them away from their test mule. But sometimes, they catch something spectacular. Case in point are new shots of the next-generation F-Series Super Duty catching on fire while undergoing hot-weather testing in Death Valley. Before we go any further, it needs to be stated that no one was injured in this fire. The two engineers who were driving the truck were able to get out and find their way to safety. Judging from the pictures, it appears the fire started in the driver-side front wheel well and then spread. The spy photographer who caught the pict…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 66 views
Ford dealers are beginning to take orders for the 2015 F-150 this week and some pricing information has come out. The 2015 model will start at $26,615 with destination for the base XL, only $395 more than the current model. The F-150 XL will come equipped with a 3.5L V6 making 283 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque. Optional will be the 2.7 EcoBoost V6 with 325 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque for only $495, and the 3.5 EcoBoost which costs $1,995. Next up is the F-150 XLT which now starts at $31,925, up $395 from the previous XLT. Then there is the Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum F-150 models. Those models begin at $39,730 for the Lariat, $49,690 for the Ki…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 117 views
Earlier this month, the FBI searched Ford Motor Company's world headquarters after starting an investigation into a former employee who is accused of industrial espionage. The Detroit News got their hands on the court records and search warrants which show on July 11th, the FBI had permission to search the entire building and seize digital and electronic recording devices, emails, and and other records involving Sharon Leech, a former Ford engineer who is at the center of this investigation. Leech, an engineer who worked at Ford for seventeen years, was fired recently after Ford's security team discovered recording devices planted in the automaker’s meeting rooms. Ford's…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 68 views
Has it really been seven months since Ford unveiled the 2015 F-150 at the Detroit Auto Show? Yes it has. Since that time, the blue oval has been keeping its lips shut on the power and towing numbers for the F-150. Well today, Ford has decided to reveal some of those numbers. We'll begin with the new base engine, the 3.5L V6. Not be confused with the 3.5 EcoBoost, the new 3.5 V6 makes 283 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque. Compared to the outgoing 3.7 V6, the 3.5 is down 19 horsepower and 23 pound-feet. That shouldn't be as noticeable you might think as the new F-150 is about 700 pounds lighter than the current model. Towing and payload numbers for the 3.5 4x2 model…
Last reply by William Maley, -
- 0 replies
- 77 views
Ford has refreshed the Focus Hatchback and Sedan for the 2015 model year, and now it's the ST's turn. At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Ford has pulled the cover back on the 2015 Focus ST. Like the standard model, the Focus ST gets a revised front end with blacked-out headlights and a tweaked lower fascia. The back sees slimmed taillights and a revised bumper. A set of eighteen-inch wheels and two new colors round out the exterior changes. Inside, the Focus ST gets a revised center stack that features actual buttons for the MyFordTouch system, along with a flat-bottom steering wheel. The option list sees the addition of a backup camera, eight-way adjustable driver's sea…
Last reply by William Maley,
-
Subscribe to Cheers & Gears
Since 2001 we've brought you real content and honest opinions, not AI-generated stuff with no feeling or opinions influenced by the manufacturers.
Please consider subscribing. Subscriptions can be as little as $1.75 a month, and a paid subscription drops most ads.*
You can view subscription options here.
*a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show
-
