Ford has started production of it’s Focus RS in it’s Saarlouis plant in Germany – along side the regular three-door, five-door & wagon hatch, along with the ST (XR5 Turbo) model. Ford has even hired a ’special unit’ for the production of the RS, to specifically install a number of unique mechanical, exterior and interior design details.
Archive for January, 2009
PowerShift for NA Fords in 2010…
January 22, 2009The dual clutch gearbox installed in the Lincoln Concept C and Volvo S60 Concept that debuted at the Detroit Auto Show is now officially coming to Ford’s lineup. The Getrag-supplied PowerShift gearbox was hinted at on the Fiesta micro-site that Ford recently launched and will be available in the new sub-compact when it launches at the end of the year.
[Another] REPORT: ‘Coyote’ V8 And EcoBoost V6 Engines On Horizon For F-150 (& Mustang), Sunset for 4.6L and 5.4L V8s…
January 21, 2009Source: PickUpTrucks.com
According to PickupTrucks.com sources, Ford is planning big changes to the F-150’s powertrain lineup in 2010 for the 2011 model year, focused on giving buyers more power and greater efficiency.
The current F-150 offers a choice of either a base two-valve or an advanced three-valve 4.6 litre V8, or a top-of-the-line three-valve 5.4 litre V8. The old entry-level 4.2 litre V6 was dropped for 2009.
REPORT: Ford Police Interceptor to go FWD or AWD?
January 21, 2009It’s hard to turn away as loyal customer base as Ford has for its Police Interceptors, but the writing is on the wall for the Ford Crown Victoria, and has been for some time. The full-size sedan is based on Jurassic-era technology, and as of last year, it was taken off the consumer market and is available essentially only by fleet purchase for police, taxis and such.
ANOTHER new Mustang???
January 21, 2009More from Autoblog
Before this auto show season is over, we’ll probably see another Ford Mustang variant unveiled. That’s the juicy takeaway from a Detroit Auto Show conversation we had with Ford’s vice-president of Powertrain Engineering, Barb Samardzich. In the course of discussing the 2010 GT500 and the new Mustang in general, this author made the offhand remark that, after sitting in the 2010, perhaps picking up a used ‘06 GT just over a year ago was a bit premature. In response, Samardzich gave a knowing look and said, “You want to wait a little longer.” That was all we were able to get, but given her position, it seemed noteworthy. After all, she’d know.
Next-gen Focus to achieve 40mpg???
January 21, 2009Source: Automotive News via Autoblog
Even if the Lincoln Concept C from the Detroit Auto Show never makes it to production, its powertrain could find its way into FoMoCo’s small cars. While the first application of Ford’s new EcoBoost series of engines will be a 3.5L V6 in the 2009 Ford Flex, the technology might make the most sense in a much smaller and more efficient package.
For instance, in the Lincoln Concept C, the 1.6-liter turbocharged, direct injected four-cylinder offers up 180 hp and an equal amount of torque while returning a (theoreticall) 43 mpg on the highway. This powerplant could be mated with Ford’s PowerShift dual clutch gearbox in an uplevel version of the next-gen Focus subcompact that’s expected to debut in 2010, offering a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency over the outgoing 2.0L four.
Current Mondeo platform for next-gen Fusion…
January 21, 2009Source: Automotive News via Autoblog
Since taking the reigns at FoMoCo, Alan Mulally has made it clear that
one of the keys to Ford’s resurgence is to leverage its assets abroad.
Specifically, he wants to utilize the automaker’s platform development
in Europe to maximize engineering and manufacturing efficiency,
creating several global models.
2010 Taurus SHO uncovered!!!
January 20, 2009Thanks to our friends at BringBackTheSHO.com, we now have more evidence than ever that the SHO will rise again. These spy shots show a pair of serious looking Taurus sedans snapped along the I-75 corridor in Florida. These two sedans are different from the Limited and SES models we saw at the Detroit Auto Show last week, wearing new wheels (at least 19 or 20 inches in diameter), a decklid spoiler, different tail-lights and a new rear bumper that extends lower over a pair of dual tail-pipes.
2010 Taurus SHO to be unveiled at Chicago?
January 20, 2009Ford has launched its mini-site for the 2010 Taurus, and in addition to including images of its new flagship sedan in all available colors (see updated gallery below), a clue has been discovered that may shed some light on the rumored return of the much loved SHO model.
Image credits: Autoblog
Volvo S60 Concept debuted 4cyl. Eco Boost engine…
January 14, 2009Remember the Volvo S60 concept that was unveiled at this years NAIAS? Well apparently it debuted Ford new 1.6 litre EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine – which is a pretty impresive engine.
