2013 Ford Taurus

The New York Auto Show will welcome the world premiere of Ford’s updated for the 2013 model year, Taurus. For those of you that want the short story, Ford’s chubby-looking mid-size model receives a minor exterior makeover, a redesigned dashboard and improved materials inside, plus changes to the engine lineup that include the introduction of a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four banger.

In more detail, the 2013 Taurus gains a new face that’s distinguished by an inverted trapezoid grille along with a redesigned front bumper and re-sculptured hood. At the back, Ford’s designers raised the rear quarter panels and added larger LED tail lamps, while the new alloy wheel designs round off the changes.

The range-topping Taurus SHO, boast the same updates as the rest of the range adding a black mesh grille and matching mirrors, 19-inch alloys in 255/45 ZR19 tires plus a unique decklid-mounted spoiler.

Inside, the new model year brings a redesigned dashboard with an all-new instrument panel, steering wheel and center console, and according to Ford, higher quality materials. Updated technology features include the company’s MyFord Touch technology, which replaces numerous buttons, knobs and gauges with touch screens and steering wheel-mounted toggle controls.

The most important news, however, is the addition of Ford’s 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbo engine to the range. The force-fed 4-cylinder is expected to deliver an estimated 237HP and 250 lb.-ft. of torque while returning a fuel economy of at least 31 mpg on the highway.

In addition, Ford improved the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, which now delivers 255 lb.-ft. of torque and 290 horsepower, up from 263 horsepower in the current model. According to Ford, the revised 3.5-liter EcoBoost is anticipated to deliver around 3 percent better highway fuel economy.

There are no changes to the SHO’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost, which continues with 365HP and 350 lb.-ft. of torque for the 2013MY.

All engines are linked to a six-speed automatic transmission.

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Ford Focus RS

If you didn’t manage to purchase one of limited edition Ford Focus RS500 before production ran out, you may want to take a look at Anderson Germany’s Ford Focus RS “Black Racing Edition”. The tuner-prepped Focus RS features a matte black paint scheme similar to the one featured on the RS500 adding contrasting red elements like the RS badges, the edges of the rims and theFord logo.
Anderson Germany's iteration of the RS uses the same bodykit from the production model spiced up with a different set of alloy wheels, painted black with a red edge. The interior of the car continues the red and black theme but it is more heavily customized than the standard Focus RS.
It sports a pair of black leather bucket seats with matching red stitching, carbon fiber trim on the center console, steering wheel, gearshift and handbrake levers, plus alcantara lining on the door panels and the central tunnel.
The dashboard is also covered in leather with red stitching and, interestingly, the Ford badge has been replaced all over the car with a similar one that reads “Beka”.
The tuner’s most impressive upgrade lies under the hood as the 2.5-liter 5-cylinder unit has been modified to deliver a mouth watering 420 horsepower, 115HP more than the stock Focus RS and 70HP more than the RS500. However, potential buyers should keep in mind that all those ponies are transferred to the front wheels alone….
The German tuning house has not yet released any acceleration figures.

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Ford Crafts 2011

Continuing a tradition that dates back to the 1970’s with the creation of the GT40-based Supervan 1, Ford has lifted the wraps off the next evolution of its SportVan bloodline, the one-off Transit SuperSportVan (SSV). Revealed on Tuesday at the Commercial Vehicle Show at Birmingham’s NEC in the UK, the SSV combines the smallest body available in the Transit lineup with the biggest diesel in the range.
Ford’s flagship 3.2-litre inline-five turbo diesel engine was shoehorned into a short wheelbase Transit, for maximum power-to-weight ratio. The 3.2 TDCi unit, normally found in bigger Transit models like the 4.25 tonnes Transit Jumbo, delivers 200-horsepower and a maximum torque of 470Nm (346.7 lb-ft) at 1700-2500 rpm. The inline-five is hooked up to a six-speed gearbox.
In comparison, the standard Transit SportVan is based on the popular 260, short wheelbase model with front wheel drive, a 140HP 2.2-litre TDCi diesel engine and a six-speed transmission.
Aside from the powertrain changes, the Transit SSV features several exterior upgrades such as the Le Mans-style bonnet stripes, twin exhausts, deep-dish white alloy wheels wrapped around low profile 235/45 tires, front and rear lower spoilers, side skirts and extended wheel arches.
Steve Clary, commercial vehicles director, Ford of Britain, had this to say about the SSV: "[The] Transit has a strong reputation for its robustness and practicality. We wanted to add some contemporary fun and also showcase our engineers’ skill and enthusiasm. SuperSportVan demonstrates just how far you can go with a white Transit van by mixing and matching regular technology in a different way."
Ford was quick to point out that the Transit SSV is a one-off study and that is has no plans to present a production version.

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Ford Focus Race Car Concept 2011

Whoever believed that the new Ford Focus was just a boring sedan for everyday use was wrong. And Ford has proof of that statement in the form of the new Focus race car arriving today at the Los Angeles Auto Show. This new concept demonstrates the car’s potential in road and touring car championships with teams around the world, at least that is what Ford is saying. We don’t know if we buy that statement just yet.

The concept car is powered by a 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost I-4 engine and features performance coil-over adjustable dampers, Ford Racing upgraded sway bars with adjustable end links, front brakes with 320-millimeter two-piece rotors, and race pads. The concept sits on Anthracite 18-inch wheels and Hoosier race tires.

The interior also got the racing treatment with an FIA Super 2000 regulations roll cage, Recaro racing seats, an AIM MXL Pista data system, and an AIM Smarty Cam. Added safety features include a Ford Racing fire suppression system and Ford Racing six-point safety harness.

We’re still not entirely convinced that the Focus race car will make Ford proud out on the track, but this is just a concept as of yet and should serve as a decent base for the production model. Ford is production will be ready by 2012, leaving them plenty of time to build on a good thing.

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