Yes friends, Ford is BACK with a 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6 SHO, and the Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and MKT are getting them too. The redesigned 2010 Taurus SHO power plant is a twin-turbo, direct-inject engine, which Ford claims can deliver “V8 power with V6 economy.” SHO’s EcoBoost produces 365 horse power and 350 lb-ft. of torque. This bad boy is already available for pre-order at some Ford dealers.

Inside and out, the 2010 Taurus SHO is a classic sleeper. The vehicles design is as basic as a rebranded Ford 500 series can be – with the added ‘SHO’ badge and a slightly up-angled rear spoiler. Leather interior and a flashy dash, including on board nav-screen and slap-stick shifter, compliment this high performance 4-door. We’re excited to see just how well SHO does in the coming years.

Source: Autoblog / RSportsCars

The car has been transformed into a fastback with a bodykit designed by Michael Leone, giving it a nostalgic look. In order to maintain a relatively low cost and an all important warranty, the car is upgraded with a shopping cart full of Ford Racing parts including a a cold-air intake, handling package, and optional supercharger and brake kit. Oh, and there will be a load of “I” logos and plaques.

LEE IACOCCA UNVEILS LIMITED EDITION MUSTANG -

Car Celebrates 45 Years of Muscle and Magic

Forty-five years after he introduced the original Ford Mustang, launched at a dramatic press conference at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, auto industry visionary Lee Iacocca today announced a new version of the famous muscle car – the Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang – a breathtaking vehicle that utilizes the latest in Ford performance technology with a style and panache that screams, Mustang fastback. Only 45 “2009½” Iacocca Silver Edition Mustangs – all painted a special “Iacocca” chosen silver hue – will be built.

Nearly two years in the making, the Iacocca Silver Edition Mustang is a collaborative effort by Iacocca, designer Michael Leone, and Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters, the world-class coachbuilding and Design Company in Fountain Valley, Calif. The new business venture is called I Legacy, and it will be in concert with Galpin Ford, the exclusive Ford dealership to offer these Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustangs to the public.

In a word, the new Iacocca Silver Edition Mustang is stunning. The lines flow organically from front to rear. The hand-crafted piece of rolling art, with its innovations and impact of the fastback design is truly exceptional in every way. With its sunken headlights, slanted grill and low stance, the car gives you “street attitude.”

“Once in a while a car comes along that changes everything, and that was the original Mustang,” said Iacocca.

The Silver Edition Mustang perpetuates the Iacocca mystique.

The car begins life on a 2009 Mustang platform, which is then uniquely modified and coachbuilt. While the exterior fastback design of the Iacocca Silver Mustang is compelling, the mechanical underpinnings are true American muscle. Two power plant options will be offered, a normally-aspirated 4.6-liter Ford V8 rated at 320 horsepower and an optional supercharged version that delivers a head-snapping 400‑horsepower. Both engines are covered by a factory Ford warranty. Drivers will harness the power through a quick-shifting 5-speed manual transmission.

The car’s suspension has been upgraded to keep pace with the power delivery. A Ford Racing Handling Package adds firmer springs and re-valved shock absorbers. A 14-inch Ford Racing Braking Package is optional. All suspension components will be covered under a factory Ford warranty, as well.

Inside the Iacocca Silver Mustang, the interior is resplendent with luxurious touches that highlight the car’s special heritage, including Iacocca Diamond Design leather seats with embroidery stitching, an Iacocca signature dash plaque with serial number, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with “I” badge, and Iacocca-badged aluminum door sill plates.

The cars will initially be revealed and then available at a reception in late July, at Southern California’s Galpin Ford dealership, the world’s largest volume Ford dealer for 19 years, as well as an innovator in the promotion and retail of specialty automobiles. The price is yet to be announced.

The “Father of the Mustang” returns to the legend that started it all.

Thanks to Jalopnik for the tip

The X-1 features a three-valve Ford Racing heads inside the 4.6 liter engine, which brings it up to 500 horse power. Gull-wing doors swing upward to give it more of a “jet-like feel.”

Mustang X-1 contains one seat, like a jet plane, pedals on either side of the center console, with flight stick in the middle, replacing a steering wheel. Three “advanced instrumentation panels” take up a lot of space, and monitors on the panels show night/thermal-vision! Let’s hope this baby will be available for the general public to check out.

In comparison to other utility autos the 2010 Transit Connect is a small wonder – measuring only 167 inches you wouldn’t think the an would be a great pick for commuter transport or delivery service. But Ford is staking a big claim on their Transit, with hopes that The Big Apple can be a solid testing ground for the vehicle, as it is up to use as construction automobiles as well as taxi cabs.

Transit Connect isn’t the most powerful thing on four wheels, nor the fastest. With a 136 horse power engine with 128 ft-lb of torque you won’t win any late night drag races out on Long Island. But you don’t need speed when it comes to a work van – or do you? Breakaway speed is sometimes essential while tooling around Midtown during rush hour. Transit Connect does feature solid steering, brakes (a must have) and a decent turning radius of 39 ft.

Ford’s Fiesta, the other great European Ford coming stateside, won’t be on sale until sometime next year – but FoMoCo is going ahead with sales of 2010′s Transit Connect this summer. You’ll be set back $21,475, but you can probably write it off as a business expense if you’re going to strap ladders and repair equipment in the rear. As for the NYC Cab connect we can’t wait to see if the Transit Connect makes a hit as a possible future Yellow Cab for New York City.

Pictures Courtesy of Ford & Jalopnik

Ford fans in the UK are lucky enough to actually drive a 2009 Ford Focus RS. US fans will just have to watch and drool. Europe’s Focus RS features a 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbocharged engine. This power plant can produce 296 cubic horse power, allowing the RS to reach 0-62 in 5.9 seconds. Top speed will be limited to 155 mph; however, according to World Car Fans, if the limiter was removed the car could easily surpass 160 mph. Not that Fordpedia recommends or condones such an act. Ford added a limited-slip differential, along with tuned sports suspension which limits torque steer, reduced the ride height, and equipped RS with bigger brakes. Ford’s RS features a sporty exterior that includes a black grille, hood vents, a rear spoiler, rear diffuser, dual exhaust, and 19-inch wheels. Ford had over 1,500 orders as of January, with a starting UK price of £25,000.

Thanks to Wojtek for the pics and World Car Fans for video.

This pickup also gives fans a sneak peek as future F-150 designs. The four-door 2010 Ford F-150 Harley Davidson Edition comes with 22″ alloy wheels, special chrome plated tailpipes/exhaust, special Harley Davidson badges and maroon & black interior leather. Under its hood there’s a 5.4-liter 320 horse power engine with 390 ft lbs of torque. Gives off a top speed of 115 miles per hour, without two bikes strapped to the rear of course. Check out more in the official Ford Press Release below.

New 2010 Ford Harley-Davidson™ F-150: tough truck with cool attitude; new details, inside and out

* 2010 Ford Harley-Davidson™ F-150 edition features a new, bold front fascia and grille along with a premium interior and model-specific ornamentation
* Sport suspension and standard 22-inch polished, forged aluminum wheels and tires – the largest available on F-Series – complement refined ride of the new Harley-Davidson F-150 edition

CHICAGO, Feb. 10, 2009 – The 2010 Ford Harley-Davidson™ F-150 delivers a new standard of “custom cool,” combining the smooth handling and legendary durability of America’s best-selling truck with the authentic styling of Harley-Davidson, the industry leader in motorcycles.

This marks the 14th Harley-Davidson edition of an F-Series truck and latest in a line of Ford Harley-Davidson F-Series models dating back to 2000, which aim to appeal to customers who appreciate quality and unique details only this kind of collaboration can bring.

“Our successful co-branding, unmatched in the industry, offers customers true specialized truck luxury,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development. “Just like with our other associations, we’ve linked with an industry leader to offer the best
of the best.”

The successful collaboration between these two icons of the open road has produced eight F-150 models, as well as six Super Duty F-250, F-350, and in 2009, the first Harley-Davidson F-450 edition truck. The 2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 is the first Harley-Davidson edition vehicle built off the award-winning new 2009 Ford F-150.

“This truck builds on the legacy of toughness that’s been the hallmark of the Ford F-Series brand,” said Matt O’Leary, chief engineer. “Now we’re giving customers more of everything they love with the best F-150 and the boldest Harley-Davidson F-150 ever – featuring a fully differentiated design, all-wheel-drive capability, 22-inch wheels and a knock-out interior.”

The exterior of the 2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 offers a bold front fascia and six-bar shaped billet style grille and boasts specialized forged aluminum and Harley-Davidson® chrome badging. The truck will have a lowered appearance because of a fully integrated deployment running board.

Also standard are 22-inch low-profile performance tires – the largest in the F-Series lineup – and Euroflange forged wheels with a polished and painted center wheel cap. The paint selection is classic Harley-Davidson – Tuxedo Black and the first Ford application of Lava, a deep maroon with three-color metal flake. The interior is customized to appeal to the truck buyer who appreciates the attention to detail for which both Ford and Harley-Davidson are renowned.

“There’s a real tie-in between the truck’s interior and exterior designs,” said Patrick Schiavone, Design director. “It’s very much like how some customized Harley-Davidson motorcycles have a prominent theme that runs through them. That’s how we tie it in with custom bikes.”

Also impressive are the seats and console lid, which features hand-made cloisonné badges; the console has a limited-edition serialization plate.

“These handmade badges continue our theme of premium Harley-Davidson offerings,” said Schiavone. “Probably the only place that most people have seen hand-made cloisonné is on premium Harley-Davidson motorcycles. It’s really high craftsmanship, and people will recognize it as another connection between the two brands.” Linkage is apparent even in the smallest details, such as adornments on the seats.

“The theme of the seat was designed to resemble a Harley® biker jacket,” Schiavone said. “We even used authentic materials you’d find on Harley-Davidson MotorClothes® brand apparel.”

The seat backs feature ribbed leather treatments, engraved Harley-Davidson button snaps and even zippered map pockets featuring zippers from Harley jackets. It is important to the Ford Design team that the truck remain genuine to enthusiasts of Harley-Davidson, customers who traditionally are as loyal to their motorcycles as F-150 owners are to their trucks.

That’s why the team meets regularly with Harley-Davidson designers and travels to motorcycle events throughout the year – including Daytona Bike Week, Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and Harley-Davidson dealer meetings – to talk to current and potential customers. The team wants to be sure that when Harley-Davidson owners or enthusiasts need a truck, this is the truck they choose.

“We talk to everyone we can; we find out what the customer values,” O’Leary said. “We look at what they like, what they want, and what they wish they had, and we go from there.”

“No one understands their customers better than Harley-Davidson and Ford,” said Joanne Bischmann, vice president – Licensing, Harley-Davidson Motor Company. “We’re proud to share the spirit of Harley-Davidson authenticity in a unique interpretation of America’s favorite truck, the F-Series.”

About the F-150
On the new F-150, there’s a wealth of content complementing its unique appearance. The 2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 is equipped with a 5.4-liter three-valve engine, which is rated up to 320 horsepower and 390 ft.-lbs. of torque and mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with a sport-tuned exhaust and a top speed of 115 mph.

The truck is available with 4×2 or an optional all-wheel drive, which features settings of 4×2, AWD and 4×4 high, unique to the Harley-Davidson edition on the F-150 platform. All 2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 models will be SuperCrews. The F-150 is new inside and out. The Ford truck team adopted a holistic, 360-degree approach to revamping the vehicle – from its segment-first features to the tough new exterior, a more spacious, flexible and refined interior and an unparalleled choice of cab styles and trim levels.

1966 Shelby Cobra

Ford’s Shelby Cobra was a hit during its heyday in the 60′s, and continues with success from car kits fans can purchase and build themselves at home.

Shelby has toyed with the idea of a new Cobra concept, hopefully one that won’t diminish the legendary reputation of the original.

Shelby Mustang GT350 and GT500

You can’t talk Shelby without mentioning the famous Ford Mustang. Old-school GT350′s and GT500′s still own the classic car shows. An original GT500 costarred with Nick Cage as “Eleanore” in 2000′s Gone in 60 Seconds remake.

But do not cast out the new Mustang Cobra’s so soon – a GT500 can be seen weekly on TV as KITT on NBC’s Knight Rider.

None of this stardom could have been achieve without Carroll Shelby and his engine. His foresight and ingenuity made owning your own personal piece of automotive history easy.

Shelby Engines, Motorcycles & Ford GR-1 Super Cars

Mustangs are only a chip off the old enhancement block. Other enticing Shelby products include the GR-1 Super Cars (introduced at 2005′s International Auto Show) along with a Shelby Motorcycle.

The motorcycle is powered by a X-Wedge 128 C.I.D. engine, with the capability to give it’s rider 150 bhp.

 There may be more surprises in store for the Shelby Cooperation and Ford down the road. Car lovers and race fans from around the world will continue to check out and drive off in whatever Carroll has to offer.

Knight Rider Pros

Obviously, we love all the Ford vehicles featured in the new Knight Rider series. The star is a Ford Mustang GT500 KR (King of the Road, not Knight Rider) which transforms into a technologically advanced Super-stang, as well as a Ford F-150 FX4 Pickup. All of these vehicles (though one is bordering on ugly as sin) are voiced by the talented Val Kilmer. Kilmer brings a dry, intelligent and witty side to the Knight Industries Three Thousand.

The series also prominently features many Ford vehicles – both as the rides of heroes and villains. Ford’s Flex and other concepts have been used in both the TV movie and in the series pilot.

One positive we can all agree on about Knight Rider – even those non-Ford fans (savages!) – is the abundance of half nude cast members. Men and women can enjoy the guaranteed topless and underwear clad male and female, straight and bisexual characters on each episode.

Knight Rider Cons

As we said – we love the fact that KITT, in all their forms, always looks beefed up with both top of the line computer graphics and the latest in military and automotive technology. The down side – it looks like NBC has used all their budget for each episode on KITT. This leave human cast members secluded to one-shot takes and badly lit, poorly designed sets. In the first five minutes of Knight Rider’s one hour premier episode, Mike can be seen running down a white, non-descript hallway while talking to KITT (which looks like he is talking to himself). The entire scene looks as if it was set up and executed by the high school audio video club.

Budgeting not only harms the look of a series, it can bring down the story. If you can’t afford good writing or script editing, your show may be on the fast track to cancellation. Already in the second episode we find Mike and KITT trying to go undercover in a prison to help break someone out, or find someone for information, or…well to be honest we are really not sure what’s going on in this episode.

And sadly, even series executive producers have commented on the over-abundance of Ford vehicles in the series. Fords are great, but not every car on the planet is produced by the motor company. Suspension of disbelief is needed when you watch a scifi action series, but you have to give the audience some credit. We haven’t seen product placement this hardcore since all the Chrysler/Dodge vehicles on Viper.

As the season continues and the budget (hopefully) grows, fans will see an improvement of Knight Rider, and the new Ford Mustang GT KITT will keep on cruising, keep on fighting…because one man can (if given enough cash) make a difference.

For those who love driving, there’s no mistaking the bold look of the Mustang with its bright colors and bold lines, it’s a classic head-turner. What a lot of people don’t realize, however, is this power driven sports car has the soul of a luxury car, and the interior proves it. With a technologically driven navigation system, you’ll never have to even think about slowing down on the open roads.

For the music fanatic, the Mustang comes with a 1000-watt Shaker audio system that includes four subwoofers, ten Audiophile speakers, and a six disk CD changer with MP3 player capability. And if that’s not enough music for you, the Mustang also comes with SIRIUS satellite radio with over 130 channels of commercial free music.

So, even if you’re not in the market for a new car this year, test drive the new 2008 Ford Mustang because, hey, you know you’ve always wanted to.