Ford

Shock, horror, outrage, grudging acceptance, agreement. This pretty much covers the reaction to the announcement buried within Ford Motor Company’s first-quarter earnings report. The automaker that brought us the Thunderbird, Fairlane, Crown Victoria, LTD, Galaxy, Torino, Pinto, Fairmont, Tempo, Taurus, Fusion, Fiesta, Festiva (sorry), LTD II, Contour, EXP, Custom, Five Hundred, and other car models will relegate its passenger car lineup to just the Mustang and a lightly lifted Focus hatch, now classified as a crossover. Almost anything can be a crossover these days. Be it bold or short-sighted, Ford has at least made its vision of the near-term automotive future crystal clear. And buyers helped form that vision. Consumer preference led Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to make a similar decision two years ago, just without the same resulting ripples of outrage. No one wanted a Dodge Dart or Chrysler 200, so it left the compact and midsize sandbox in the hands of other automakers. … [Read more...] about QOTD: Ford’s Pretty Much Ditching Cars, So What Should GM’s Plan Be?

The all new Ford Focus was recently revealed, and a new report suggests that the next generationST will use the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder and not the 1.5-liter three-banger that powers the new Fiesta ST. According to Autocar, this decision was taken as the smaller unit won’t cope with the extra power in the long run. As a result, the 2.3-liter powertrain, which is related to the mill used in the current Focus RS and entry-level Mustang, will make its way under the hood of the hot hatch with an output of around 250 horses. Ford’s challenger to the likes of the Renault Megane RS and Volkswagen Golf GTI will be lighter, too, shedding close to 90 kg (198 lbs) over the current car. It will also be 20 percent more rigid than its predecessor, something that along with the improved suspension, will make it more agile around corners without sacrificing ride quality. The diesel variant will probably live on, given that oil burners still hold a huge chunk of the market in … [Read more...] about Next Ford Focus ST Allegedly Due Next Year With 250 HP 2.3-Lt EcoBoost Engine

America’s love affair with crossovers is causing an April massacre as Ford has finally confirmed plans to kill all sedans in North America. The announcement was made with little fanfare as it was tucked away in the company’s first quarter financial results. Buried underneath various statistics is a rather blunt statement that the company will “not invest in next generations of traditional Ford sedans for North America.” Instead, models such as the Fusion, Fiesta and Taurus will be phased out over the next few years. The company isn’t abandoning cars altogether as the company will keep the Mustang. Ford also confirmed plans to launch the all-new Focus Active in North America next year. Additional crossover-like vehicles are possible as the company noted it is exploring “white space” vehicles that “combine the best attributes of cars and utilities, such as higher ride height, space and versatility.” In a statement, Ford CEO Jim … [Read more...] about Blue Oval Bloodbath: Ford Killing All Sedans In North America

The fourth generation Ford Focus has sparked the imagination of artists, who already imagined it in different forms. The most exciting by far is the upcoming Focus RS, which is allegedly some three years away from showing its fangs, with approximately 400 HP courtesy of a new, mild hybrid powertrain. However, Kleber Silva let his imagination run loose and came up with what he calls the Ford Focus Coupe EcoBoost. Essentially a smaller version of the Mustang, the two-door is heavily influenced by the muscle car as well as the latest Focus. Also Read: 2019 Ford Focus Visual Comparison: Out With The Old, In With The New Just as its name suggests, it makes use of the turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost gasoline engine, which powers the current compact hot hatch and the entry-level Mustang. In the former, it’s good for 370 HP (375 PS / 276 kW) and 376 lb-ft (510 Nm) of torque, whereas in the latter it’s less powerful, at 310 HP (314 PS / 231 kW) and 350 lb-ft (475 Nm) … [Read more...] about New Ford Focus Doesn’t Really Work As A Mini Mustang Coupe

Ford has already said the upcoming Mustang Hybrid will be “all about delivering V8-like performance with more low-end torque” and now we’re starting to learn how much power the model could actually have. According to Motor Trend, the Mustang Hybrid will likely be equipped with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. This isn’t too surprising but the publication goes on to say an electric motor will be sandwiched in between the engine and the car’s transmission. Speaking of the latter, the model could have a ten-speed automatic gearbox instead of a continuously variable transmission like the Fusion Hybrid. The magazine goes on to suggest the model will be a conventional hybrid instead of a more advanced plug-in hybrid. If this is correct, the car would only be able to travel short distances at low speeds on electricity alone. As for performance specifications, the publication speculates the model could have around 400 hp (298 kW / 405 PS) and “well … [Read more...] about Ford Mustang Hybrid Rumored To Have Around 400 HP

European customers in the market for a sporty take on the Ford Ranger, but not in need of the full-on Raptor performance model, may want to check out the new Wildtrak X. Following the success of the previous Black Edition, Ford rolled out its latest special-edition Ranger at the Commercial Vehicle show in Birgmingham. It offers Performance Blue metallic paint, black trim, and an enhanced interior. To go with that optional paintjob, Dearborn has blacked out the grille, sport bar, roof rails, side steps, and alloy wheels. It also gets special Wildtrak graphics and a black roll-and-lock bed cover. The interior of Europe’s best-selling pickup also gains black leather seats with grey stitching. Almost A Raptor The Ford Ranger Wildtrak X will only come in Double Cab configuration with the 3.2-liter diesel. The engine kicks out 200 ps (197 hp/147 kW) and comes mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. That’s almost as much muscle as the Raptor, but without … [Read more...] about Ford Ranger Wildtrak X Is Like A Declawed Raptor

Looking at a new Fiesta, but want to use it to haul (small) things instead of people? Ford can hook you up with the new Fiesta Van. Unveiled today at the Commercial Vehicle show in Birmingham, England, the new Fiesta Van does away with the rear seats and rear windows. All the better for work duty, without the need for a larger cargo van. Right-Sized For Small Jobs Inside its three-door form, the Fiesta Van can cary about one cubic meter (35 cubic feet) of cargo with a payload capacity of around 500 kilograms (1,102 pounds). It has a nearly 1.3-meter- (4.3-foot-) long load floor covered in rubber with four tie-town hooks, a composite and mesh bulkhead, and durable sidewalls. The Blue Oval will offer the little panel van with a choice of three engines. There’s a 1.1-liter inline-three rated at 85 ps (84 hp/62 kW), a 1.0-liter EcoBoost turbo good for 125 ps (123 hp/92 kW), and a 1.5-liter diesel available with either 85 ps (84 hp/62 kW) or 120 ps (118 hp/88 kW). Buyers can even get … [Read more...] about Ford’s New Fiesta Delivers As A Panel Van