Electric Vehicles and Hybrids – Ford Focus and Fiesta

Focus is set to produce an all-electric plug-in option for Focus, selling for $39,200. Standard features include a liquid-cooled 92 kW electric engine, Ford MyTouch information system, and Eco-friendly seating made of recycled materials. Don’t forget – when you go green, you’ll receive a $7500 Tax Credit from the US Government.

On regular models, the auto maker’s EcoBoost powerplant will be available in all models for 2012 and going forward.

Trucks – The Best-Selling F-150

In 2011, Ford sold 100,000 F-150 pickup trucks. They’ve also cut their own competition by ending a long run for smaller Ford Ranger. In its place, F-150 will offer a more fuel efficient engine (but still with F-150 size). The auto maker will produce a new generation of pickups, continuing its long tradition of Tough Trucks.

Performance and Luxury – The 1000 HP Mustang

So, we’ve got your utility trucks and green cars. But what about performance? Ford has that covered too. At The New York Auto Show, enhancement company Shelby displayed their 1000 HP Mustang GT500.

Several variants of the popular Ford will be available from your local dealer, with even more horsepower and trims coming from Shelby, Ford’s official partner in all things muscle car.

Available in both sedan and hatchback, gasoline or hybrid electric, there are many ways to outfit your 2012 Ford Focus.

As one of the most popular small cars from Ford Motor Company, Focus recently over went a green redo, with all-electric plug-in option ready to go for $39,200 MSRP. Standard features include a liquid-cooled 92 kW electric engine, Ford MyTouch information system, and Eco-friendly seating made of recycled materials. Don’t forget – when you go EV, you’ll receive a $7500 Tax Credit from the US Government.

If you’re opting for a more affordable hatchback or sedan, Ford offers a base gas model for roughly $16,000, or 5-door at $18,000. That’s with a 2.0L I-4 GDI engine and manual transmission. An extra $1095 will upgrade this to 6-spd automatic.

Ford’s website allows you to build up your very own Focus with many options, including various paint schemes and interior colors, MyFord Sync package, and 16″ alloy wheels.

The Ford Build site even lets shopper choose different chrome and color accents for dash and vehicle interior, adding or subtracting stereo tech, even pop on mud flaps. A long list of extras can me tailor made to fit all customer needs. Whether you want a sport package or extra cargo netting for groceries, Focus can accommodate.

Once you’re all done, get an accurate price quote, and schedule a test drive at the closest local Ford dealer, before deciding which Focus model is right for you.

Rather, the 2012 Ford Focus Electric manages to defy many of the current conventions that define the EV segment right now. Long charging time? Not with the new Ford Focus Electric’s optional 240-volt charging station. In fact, it cuts the vehicle’s charging time down to half that of the LEAF. Sacrificed performance? Not this time. The 2012 Ford Focus Electric actually packs more torque than its gasoline-based counterpart!

It goes without saying that both performance junkies and eco-conscious drivers will want a piece of the action, but what about the casual driver? Those who simply want a safe, comfortable, and entertaining ride will be glad to know that the 2012 Ford Focus Electric hasn’t left them out either. For more information, feel free to check out the features below. Trust us when we say, you’ll be glad you did!

2012 Ford Focus Electric At a Glance

- Nine-speaker Sony audio system ensures you’ll never miss a beat

- Sirius Satellite Radio delivers only the best content to your ears

- Voice-controlled navigation to help you stay on track

- Keyless Entry provides ease of access

- Remote Smartphone app gauges battery charge level

Can’t wait to take it for a test drive? Neither can we, so make sure to stay tuned. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all of the information surrounding the 2012 Ford Focus Electric, from now until launch!

Offered in limited numbers (only 300 will be built all together) every 50 cars will alternate colors — 50 black, 50 white and so on, each with gold striping.

All models include special VIN number, recording the anniversary.

Price-and-power-wise, here’s how the 50th Anniversary GT500 Super Snake lines up:

Entry-level options are part of the GTS club, with a supercharged V6, making 305 or 475 hp, or 430, 525, 624 hp with various V8s. This option will run buyers $9,995, on top of a base Mustang price.

GT350 has a 5.0L V8 Coyote engine, in 430 hp, 525 hp, or 624 hp increments. It has 50th anniversary badging and accessories such as badge-stitched seating, floor mats, and “1967-1968 Mustang-style backup lights.” It can be yours naturally aspirated at $26,995 or supercharged at $33,995.

Top trim Super Snake comes standard with supercharged 5.0L V8, producing between 750 and 800 hp, on top of one loud and powerful engine roar. It adds an extra carbon fiber spoiler and 6 piston front brakes. This model starts at $59,995.

Source: Jalopnik

Two models, the Ford Explorer and F-150, reached historic 100,000 sales figures. This was thanks, in part, to new fuel saving engine technology introduced by our favorite American auto maker.

Ford revolutionized its EcoBoost powerplant in 2011 (the model has been out since 2007). They are now able to produce a 365-hp twin-turbo 3.5 liter V6. But Eco is still green – in 2012, Ford will launch an EcoBoost 1.6 and 2.0 liter to provide more mpg.

2011 also saw a resurgence in Mustang production. Can this classic pony remain as mean as its predecessors?

“Rumors swirled for a year about a 600hp + GT-500 with a larger engine. Stories speculated it would have twin turbos or a larger supercharger. EcoBoost? Well in the end Ford made the big announcement that the 2013 Shelby GT-500 would get an increase to 5.8 liters,” according to Mustang news.

Here’s to 2012, what is certain to be another great 365-days for Ford.

Source: MustangNews

Ford has produced a race car version of the Focus hatchback – a 2012 Ford Focus ST-R. The vehicle, constructed to battle it out through Canadian Touring Car events and Nurburgring 24 Hours, is based on the Focus ST street car.

It’s priced at $98,995, according to Car and Driver Magazine. Honestly, for a car that can race foreign competition over 24 hours – that’s not a bad price tag. Expect ST-R to deliver more than the street car version’s 247 horsepower.

Want one of your very own? Get some cash together and head to the nearest Ford dealer – these puppies can be ordered via the auto maker’s racing catalog.

Source – Photo: Motor Authority

Ranger’s nameplate started in 1965 as a much larger F-Series, and shrunk into the compact model in 1982. At one point, it was the nation’s top selling compact pickup, beating out Dakota and Tacoma.

Ford’s decision to cancel Ranger in America (but keep the vehicle going overseas) stems from poor sales of small trucks across the board, at their company as well as other automotive brands in North America. They will concentrate on producing fuel efficient engines for the popular F-150.

Ford sold 348,358 Ranger pickups in 1999, but only 55,000 in 2009. This is the end, beautiful Ranger:

Photo, stats: LeftLaneNews

Plumbers, church groups, and creepy old guys who prowl playgrounds will need to find a new vehicle for their daily use. Ford is axing the E-series Econoline.

The auto maker will replace Econoline with its 2013 European Transit van. These full-size vans will (possibly) debut at 2012′s Chicago Auto Show, and construction is set for Ford’s Kansas City plant.

Ford’s official announcement came in video form, which spoke of the new Transit van that currently serves Europe, Asia, etc. According to Jalopnik: “Ford’s corporate goal is to prove to Americans that the new global van will be tough enough for the kind of abuse U.S. companies throw at their trusty E-Series vans.”

Behold the 2013 Cobra Jet from Ford Mustang. This special edition will come with a supercharged engine (2.9-liter Whipple) or naturally aspirated option, both using a 5.0-liter V8 Coyote engine Mustang GT. Only 50 will become available.

Cobra Jet dates back to the 1968 NHRA Winternationals, with revivals in 2008 (40th anniversary edition) and on through 2011. This new version features the latest in drag-race technology for greater speed.

“The 5.0-liter has all the attributes to make a world-class drag-racing engine and is ideal for the Cobra Jet,” said George Goddu, business manager, Ford Racing Performance Group. “Both the naturally aspirated and supercharged engines will be competitive as delivered.”

Prices start at $86,000 for the naturally aspirated, $93,000 for supercharged vehicle.

Source: Auto Week

Earlier this year, it was reported that Fiesta was outselling Focus: “Customers are buying the Fiesta loaded with options, which goes along with a new car buying trend of people getting an economy class vehicle loaded to the brim with extras. This sets the final MSRP $3,000 to $4,000 above the starting price of $13,995.”

Let’s see how things are looking for 2012.

Starting at a base price of $15,120 for 2012, Fiesta boasts 15 extra features: including knee airbags, keyless entry & push-button start, FordSync, and something called EasyFuel cap-less fueling. Interesting to say the least.

A 1.6-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine powers Fiesta, producing 120 horsepower and 112 lb-feet of torque. The engine also features Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT). It allows smaller displacement for “increased fuel economy without compromising performance.”

Ford is offering the car in either a five-speed manual (rated at 28 city, 37 highway) or the six-speed PowerShift dual-clutch auto (rated at 28 city, 40 highway).

The 2012 Focus also offers a competitive base price slightly higher than 2011′s model – $17,570, as well as class-leading 40 MPG highway (with manual trans). Power for Focus is produced by a 2.0-liter direct-injected four-cylinder, pumping out 155 horsepower and 145 lb-feet of torque. Automatic transmission will get you 28/38-mpg city/hwy.

When it comes down to it, both Focus and Fiesta are amazing vehicles for the money. If you enjoy toned-down design with enough miles per gallon and room to go around, Focus is your best bet. But when you need a little style in a small package, we recommend the 2012 Fiesta. Happy shopping car buyers!

Source: Car & Driver | LeftLaneNews