Ford Cars news and reviews

Ford Focus RS500 vs Renault Clio RS Cup

It might seem a bit tough to challenge the Renault Clio RS Cup with the Ford Focus RS500 given the difference in performance specs of these two cars. The Clio has a 2.0-litre 16V engine with 203 hp and 215 Nm of torque, while the Focus’ 2.5 Turbo has 350 hp and 460 Nm of torque. Top speeds are also different with 265 km/hr against the 224 of the Clio, and the Focus RS500 is faster in the sprint to 100 km/hr at 5.6 seconds (compared to the Clio RS Cup’s 6.9 seconds).

You might be wondering at this stage what [...]

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe vs Audi RS5, BMW M3 and Shelby GT500

The Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is ready to hit showrooms next month to take on two of its closes German rivals and one domestic rival. The folks at Motor Trend and Road&Track decided to run a test between all of the sports coupes for what turns out to be a very interesting rivalry. Among the CTS-V Coupe competitors in the test include the Audi RS5, BMW M3 and the Ford Shelby GT500.

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe: Power comes from the same supercharged 6.2L V8 that sits in the CTS-V sedan – putting out 556-hp and a peak torque of 551 lb-ft. [...]

2011 Camaro-Based Pontiac Firebreather Meets the Shelby GT500

The folks from 'The Smoking Tire' decided to bid farewell to the 2011 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Convertible they had for this year's Bullrun by bringing on Classic Design Concepts' Pontiac Firebreather for a brief tet-a-tet.

For those unfamiliar with the Firebreather, the Pontiac Firebird-ized 2011 Camaro was originally created by Classic Design Concepts as a one off movie car for Exxodus Pictures' new sci-fi film, Jinn, but the company took the decision to build a limited series for sale to the public.

The Firebreather packs a supercharged version of the Camaro's 6.2-liter V8 pushing out 600-horsepower, and as you can see [...]

2011 Ford Explorer Prototype Testing

Ford has dropped some new teaser footage of a camouflaged 2011 Explorer, with the vehicle's Program Manager, Julie Levine, describing how the new SUV is being put to the test in various on and off-road tests. The new unibody Explorer will be unwrapped in July and go on sale in the States later this year.

It will be offered with the company's new 2.0-liter Ecoboost turbocharged four-pot and a 3.5-liter V6 engine in both naturally aspirated and twin-turbocharged versions.

Tech highlights include a Land Rover-like terrain-management system and a new Curve Control safety feature built on top of the existing roll stability [...]

Hennessey VelociRaptor 600 and 800 based on Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2

Texas-based tuners Hennessey Performance has finished development on the Hennessey VelociRaptor 600 Twin Turbo and VelociRaptor 800 Twin Turbo trucks, based on the recently-released Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. Both special vehicles use a 6.2-liter V8 engine, just like the base model, but with a host of upgrades.

Getting the VelociRaptor 600 to produce 605 horsepower (451 kW / 613 PS) and up to 622 ft-lb (842 Nm) of torque was no easy feat. The company installed twin ball bearing turbochargers, dual intercoolers, improved fuel injection system, and a new stainless steel exhaust. Aside from modifying the engine's control [...]

2011 Shelby GT500 is a loud red mist

Recently you got to see the Virginia International Raceway lap where the 2011 Shelby GT500 bested the lap time of the 2010 GT500 by nine seconds – but you didn't really get to hear it. That has been corrected with this video, which should have just enough growling, whining and screeching to tide you over until Ford raises the portcullis on more multimedia, which we're hoping is very, very soon. Yes, they did this kind of testing before, but this time it's sunny... and can you really get enough of that noise? Follow the jump to listen.
[flash http://www.youtube.com/v/xBK0PORlyBc [...]

2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 Ti-VCT V8 Promo

Ford has released a promotional video for the 5.0-liter V8 in the 2011 Mustang GT.

Featuring slick CGI action, the video details the advanced technology in the 412 hp (307 kW / 418 PS) engine. Goodies include Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT), Roller Finger Followers (RFF), and piston cooling jets.

While the clip doesn't mention fuel efficiency, the Mustang GT is rated at 16 mpg city / 24 mpg highway (manual) and 17 mpg city / 25 mpg highway (automatic).

Available now, prices start at $29,645 (coupe) and $34,645 (convertible).

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MyFord Touch adds Eco-Advisor - calculates most fuel-efficient route

Ford has unveiled its latest fuel saving technology in the form of a navigation system aide which helps drivers find the most fuel-efficient route and drive as economically as possible.

The MyFord Touch system is an integrated navigation and on-board computer function which can calculate routes based on three criteria - fastest, shortest or Eco-Route. The Eco-Route function lays out the most fuel-efficient path to a driver's destination.

The new system also provides sophisticated data feedback on the car's fuel consumption that can "coach" drivers to maximize efficiency by pointing them towards the most economical driving techniques.

"We have learned that when we [...]

New Ford Focus RS500 Shows off its 350HP

This here is a new video of the limited edition version of the Blue Oval's... limited edition Focus RS hot hatch, the RS500 of which only 500 units will be produced for Europe.

Developed in conjunction with Revolve Technologies, the engineering firm behind the Mountune brand that tweaks the Focus and Fiesta STs, the Focus RS500 boasts a 350-horsepower version of the standard model's 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five and some cosmetic touches, including a matte-black film (no paint here).

Ford mentions that preliminary performance figures indicate that the RS500 goes from zero to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds and 0-160km/h in 12.2 seconds. Video [...]

Indian-market Ford Figo ads take on local flavor

Ford aims to take India by storm with its new Figo hatchback, designed to be the leader in its class from the outset. As you might imagine, the first television ads pushing the new ride frame the car as being perfect for Indian drivers. Mehendi ink on the dashboard? No worries! Super-cold A/C? Check. Plus, there's room for your your lucky elephant – small or large. Follow the jump to check out two of the new Indian spots for the Ford Figo.


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2012 Ford Focus Wagon Pre-Geneva Reveal

Ford has released the first images of the 2012 Focus wagon, ahead of its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

Set to account for nearly 33 percent of Focus sales in Europe, the wagon features attractive styling, integrated roof rails, and a self-closing tailgate.

According to Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of Product development, "Our next generation of C-cars shows how Ford is using its global resources to develop at least ten new models or derivatives from the same platform globally. The Focus wagon is the next model to be revealed, and is particularly significant for the European market as [...]

2010 Matech Ford GT1 Unveiled

Do you love the Ford GT? Were you bummed because it was never designed to be a real racer? If so, you might want to check out the 2010 Matech GT1.

While details are limited, the car is based on a prototype that the Swiss racing team ran in 2009. According to test driver Thomas Mutsch, "The car is completely new. Not a single element, be it the engine, the transmission system, the suspension or aerodynamics are the same as those of the Ford GT1 from 2009. The roll-out was very promising, and we are confident with regard the forthcoming season."

While [...]

2011 Ford Focus on Video

We've already shared with you the initial details on Ford's European flavored 2011 Focus that was unwrapped at this week's Detroit automotive gathering, but now we've got three new videos as well as real-life pictures of both the five-door hatchback and four-door sedan variants that you can check out right after the jump. The all-new Focus will be almost identical in all markets and is set to go on sale on both sides of the pond in early 2011.



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Next Generation 2012 Ford Focus and 2011 Lincoln MKX to Debut in Detroit

Ford will introduce the redesigned Focus and updated Lincoln MKX at North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Set to be launched as a 2012 model, the next-generation Focus will have a truly global design as "it will look the same in the United States, Europe and Asia." While details are limited, we can expect European-inspired styling and a vastly improved interior. Reports suggests it will resemble the Focus-based C-Max introduced in Frankfurt.

Engine options will likely include a 1.0-liter with 89 hp to 108 hp, a 1.6-liter with 170 hp, and a 2.0-liter with at least 230 hp. On the diesel [...]

2011 Ford Mustang GT Revving its 5.0 V8 on the Road and the Dyno

Now that you've seen the photos and read the (official) specs on the highly anticipated 2011 Ford Mustang GT, here's some audioluscious video footage of the reborn 5.0. The first clip contains driving and static shots of the pony car while the second video shows a dyno test of its 412-horsepower 5.0-liter 32-valve V8 engine. Watch both clips after the jump.


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