Ford auto news

Rendered Speculation: Ford Fiesta to get racy coupe variant?

Auto Express wondered the same thing, and the UK publication commissioned an artist to craft a two-door rendering of the popular Fiesta. AE's imaginary Fiesta coupe looks very much like the car presently in production, with a trapezoid grille, unique headlamps that stretch all the way to the front wheel wells, and the Kinetic-design surface treatments that make the Fiesta look wider than it really is. In the land of make-believe, the coupe gets rectangular fog lights that lend it a fancier look than the plain-Jane round lights on the existing Fiesta.

Out back, the theoretical Fiesta coupe adds some visual flair with a swoopy roofline that stretches all the way to the Fiesta's rear hatch. Chrome trim arounf the side glass that stretches from the A pillar to the C pillar looks a bit like that of the good-looking Mondeo. We'd love to see a slick Fiesta coupe here in the States, and would be more than OK if it looked just like the Auto Express rendering. Throw an EcoBoost 1.6 under the hood, give us the keys and get out of our way, because this little whip's a looker. Now, if only it were real....

Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Fiesta (Euro-Spec)

New Ford models cut automaker's lineup age by 2.4 years?

Ford is launching ten new or redesigned vehicles this year, bringing its line-up age down to a scant 2.4 years, according to a Merrill Lynch report. Product Chief Derrick Kuzak told the Free Press that the goal is to keep the product lineup fresh, and the Blue Oval is getting the job done with fewer models and vehicle platforms.

Back in 2004, Ford had 92 vehicles in its product lineup, and that number was dropped to 59 by 2008. Ford also cut platforms from 27 to 16 during that time frame, slicing engineering costs by a whopping 60% as a result.

Ford intends to keep up the accelerated pace of vehicle launches in 2010 with the introduction of the new Fiesta, a global Focus, the Transit Connect electric, a heavily updated Super Duty pickup lineup, and an all-new unibody Explorer. Autoconomy analyst Erich Merkle reportedly told the Free Press that the Blue Oval has "a tidal wave of new product" planned for the next 18 months.

Citibank analyst Itay Michaeli is reportedly questioning whether Ford can keep up this frenetic pace of vehicle launches as the automaker continues to lose money. Analysts were expecting Ford to lose about 53 cents per share in the second quarter, after burning through $3.7 billion in cash in Q1, but the company surprised many by losing only 21 cents per share on continuing operations. Ford CEO Alan Mulally says the company has the money to execute it's plan.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus

Does Ford's new 2.0-liter EcoBoost four = MazdaSpeed3 four? Not really

After Ford VP Barb Samardzich officially announced the 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine for next year, a correspondent for the Examiner.com postulated that this engine was in fact nothing more than a re-badged, smaller version of the 2.3-liter engine from the MazdaSpeed3. Certainly there are similarities in the specs: four cylinders, direct fuel injection, turbocharging, etc. and there has been plenty of collaboration between the two companies. The Mazda CX-9 even uses a version of Ford's 3.7-liter V6.

We checked with Ford and while they have not released many details about the new engine, they did provide some explanation. The EcoBoost, like other recent DuraTec-badged Ford fours, shares a block design with Mazda's similar displacement units. In fact, the EcoBoost block is the same as the Mazda L3T used in the MazdaSpeed3. However, the entire top end of the engine has been redesigned. Like the V6 EcoBoost, the four uses a new direct injection system that is presumably less expensive, allowing Ford to use these engines much more widely than Mazda does.

The Mazda engine also does not have variable valve timing and requires premium fuel. All of the EcoBoost engines are designed to run on regular, although they will get a bit more power with extra octane. The EcoBoost also gets independent variable timing for each of the intake and exhaust cams.

So the two engines are built on the same foundations, but they are not the same engine.

Update: I mis-read the spec table on the MS3 engine and it does indeed have variable valve timing. However, the Ford engine exclusively uses the cam torque actuated system introduced on the revised 3.0-liter V6 last year.

VIDEO: On board with Marcus Gronholm's Ford Fiesta at Pikes Peak

As an homage to rallying's legendary Climb Dance video, the blokes at Motor Trend have teamed up with Ford and Marcus Gronholm to concoct a gorgeous new short film chronicling the rally champion's 2009 ascent of Pikes Peak in the Blue Oval's new Fiesta RallyCross. In the interest of clarity, this is not the same car that crashed earlier in practice - that was the #5 car of Andrea Ericksson, this is Gronholm's #3 - a car that looks to have made it to the top just fine, thank you.

Check out the 9+ minute Peak Performance film after the jump, with its breathtaking footage from various in and on-car cameras, it's a high-definition gem with great audio. Just for fun, we've also included its inspiration, the original Climb Dance film of Ari Vatanen's 1988 record-breaking Pikes Peak Hill Climb run in his Peugeot 405. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

Continue reading VIDEO: On board with Marcus Gronholm's Ford Fiesta at Pikes Peak

Ford: Falcon to be first RWD four-cylinder EcoBoost car. Translation? No such Mustang until 2011... if at all

Ford made news this week when it officially announced its four-cylinder EcoBoost engine; an engine that promises V6 performance with four-banger efficiency. The company's twin-turbo technology is expected to infiltrate almost every part of its lineup within the next few years, and it'll be available just about everywhere on earth, including Australia.

To that end, Ford has just announced that it will be adding the 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine to Australia's Falcon lineup. The new engine will give Australian customers a more fuel efficient option in the popular sedan, while also packing nearly the same punch as the V6-powered Holden Commodore. Ford says the Falcon will be the first rear-drive vehicle to receive an EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, which means the Mustang won't receive the 2.0-liter turbo until late 2011 at the earliest (and possibly never).

Ford is investing $230 million overall to improve the efficiency of its Australian lineup, with the EcoBoost 2.0-liter, a 2.7-liter diesel unit for its Territory crossover, and a new LPG engine for its fleet offerings. The Australian government is pitching in, too, as they are giving Ford $42 million as part of the nation's Green Car Innovation Fund. Local Victoria government officials are also pitching in an unspecified amount of money, helping ease costs for the Blue Oval.

Ford has also announced that it will not build the next-generation Focus in Australia, opting instead to import the popular small car from Thailand. Ford Australia was planning to build 45,000 Focuses a year, with 15,000 units destined for export. Ford says no jobs will be affected by the change of plans. Hit the jump to review the company's officla press release.

Gallery: Ford FG Falcon G-Series

Continue reading Ford: Falcon to be first RWD four-cylinder EcoBoost car. Translation? No such Mustang until 2011... if at all

Will the real Saleen please stand up? Saleen Performance Vehicles unveils 2010 435S Mustang

2010 Saleen 435S Mustang - Click above for image gallery

Just days after a lawsuit was filed against it by Steve Saleen for the use of his name, MJ Acquisitions has launched its first Mustang model under the new company Saleen Performance Vehicles. The initial offering seems to be fairly light on visual changes, similar to the Racecraft-branded 420S Mustang that debuted last year, but Mike Shields, the new Saleen's CEO claims they wanted to "deliver a lot at an affordable price." Each 435S Mustang comes with a Saleen Series VI twin-screw supercharger that makes the 4.6-liter V8 good for 435 horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque, driven through a 5-speed manual and 3.73:1 gears. Improved handling is provided by a sport-tuned suspension package and 14-inch brakes up front. Customers can also opt for the Aero Package, which includes a chin spoiler and rear wing to go with the Saleen graphics and 18-inch alloy wheels that look to be a take-off of the Dan Gurney Signature Edition Mustang introduced by Saleen last year. Pricing has yet to be announced, but we expect it to be somewhere in the low $40,000 range. Full details can be found in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Saleen 435S Mustang

Continue reading Will the real Saleen please stand up? Saleen Performance Vehicles unveils 2010 435S Mustang

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 7.23.09

	Review: 2009 Audi TTS is our Orange Crush... but only just a crush We spent a week with the middle sister of the TT range to see if she could keep our eyes from straying with her upgraded engine, brilliant all-wheel drive and flamboyant paint job. Find out if she succeeded in our review.		Spy Shots: Mystery concept caught in Spain A mini-car concept was spied in Barcelona during a photoshoot and we have no idea what it is. Can you help solve the mystery?
	Officially Official: Porsche CEO and CFO quit, leave the building Thirty-five words announced the ends of two careers at Porsche, with Wendelin Wiedeking and CFO Holge Härter leaving the automaker with immediate effect.	Other news of import Toyota NA President Inaba: Hopes for profit in 2011, NUMMI could be dissolved Don't Tell Mom the College Fund's Dead: Audi R8 V10 to start at $146,000 Veritas reportedly planning RSIII coupe and aircraft-engined SUV Subaru hatches hardcore JDM Impreza WRX Spec C Ford posts $2.3B profit for Q2, $424M operating loss

Pics Aplenty: 2010 Ford Mustang AV-X10 "Dearborn Doll"

The AV-X10 "Dearborn Doll" is not another limited-edition Mustang - it's a one-off tribute set to cross the block at this year's Experimental Aircraft Association's Gathering of Eagles charity auction.

The original AV8R netted $500,000 last year, and for 2009, Ford has gone all-out yet again, with a 550-hp Ford Racing Performance Parts supercharger kit, FR500S exhaust, FRPP's Handling Pack and a host of exterior and interior trimmings that make this rolling aircraft-inspired tribute a sight to behold. And now, you can behold it a bit more by checking out our updated high-res image gallery and the making-of video posted below the fold.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Mustang AV-X10 "Dearborn Doll"

Continue reading Pics Aplenty: 2010 Ford Mustang AV-X10 "Dearborn Doll"

Ford posts $2.3B profit for Q2, $424M operating loss

Ford Motor Company is continuing to reverse its fortunes despite the globe's bleak auto markets, as the Dearborn, MI based-automaker surprised analysts with a $2.3 billion profit in the second quarter. Ford isn't dancing in the streets just yet, though, as it is still reporting $424 million in overall operating losses for the quarter. The $2.3 billion profit comes courtesy debt reduction activities taken on during the quarter, as Ford reduced its debt load by $10 billion as part of a debt-for-equity exchange, and a further $1.5 billion was raised in a stock sale. Ford says the $10 billion equity swap alone saved the company $500 million in interest expenses.

While the Blue Oval has a long way to go to get to where it wants to be, comparing numbers from the same quarter last year shows how far the automaker has come. Ford posted an $8.7 billion loss in Q2 2008, while posting a $1.4 billion operations loss.

Analysts were expecting an improvement for 2009, but the target was a 53 cent per share loss, and Ford shattered that with a loss of only 21 cents per share. Importantly, Ford has dramatically improved its cash situation too, as the company burned through only $300 million in cash. That's a huge improvement when compared to the $3.7 billion greenbacks Ford scorched in Q1. Mullaly and Co. now has $21 billion in cash on hand, down from $21.3 billion after Q1.

Ford also had good news on the production front, as its market share increased in a historically bad market. Ford increased share the right way, too, as it managed to do so despite decreasing incentive spend by $250 per vehicle compared to Q1. Ford CEO Alan Mulally sounds pretty optimistic about the company's prospects, with Q2 numbers bolstering its position. Check out the complete press release after the jump.

Continue reading Ford posts $2.3B profit for Q2, $424M operating loss

VIDEO: Ford Fiesta crashes at Pikes Peak

Ford Fiesta crash at Pikes Peak - click above to watch video after the jump

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is not for the faint of heart. The 12.42 mile, 156 turn course has multiple surfaces, a (nearly) 5,000 foot elevation increase, not to mention dozens of unprotected cliffs that await a driver's slip-up.

We reported earlier that the #5 Ford Fiesta succumbed to the mountain during a practice session on Thursday, with Ford later informing us that the crash had been caused by a misfire and that the damage was repairable.

Thanks to the wonders of YouTube, we now have amateur footage of Andrea Eriksson sliding the Fiesta off course. An alert cameraman caught the mishap on tape, and was kind enough to post it online and share it with us all. Most of the video is post-crash, but if you skip ahead to the end of part two, you can actually watch Eriksson and his co-driver drive away in the car after it gets towed back onto the road. Hit the jump to watch both videos.

Gallery: Ford Fiesta Rally Car at Pikes Peak

Continue reading VIDEO: Ford Fiesta crashes at Pikes Peak