Ford
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com December 14, 2012 The next-generation Ford F-150 could be aiming for the best-in-class fuel economy. A source tells Reuters that the 2015 F-150, due out in late 2014, is aiming for a 15-20% improvement in fuel economy. The 2015 Ford F-150 "will be a game-changer that will alter the dynamics of the truck segment. They're shooting for best-in-class fuel economy," the source told Reuters. When asked about this, Ford spokesman Mike Levine said, "Ford is committed to offering our customers leading fuel economy (but) it's premature to talk about future products," Ford increasing the fuel economy of the next F-150 is due to t…
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Ford and Redwood Materials have teamed up on a closed-loop system that allows both companies to achieve their goals to make electric vehicles more sustainable, drive down the cost of batteries and ultimately make electric vehicles accessible and affordable for more Americans. Ford and Redwood are collaborating to achieve the following: Ford Motor Company and Redwood Materials, a leading battery materials company, are collaborating to make electric vehicles more sustainable and affordable for Americans by localizing the complex supply chain network, creating recycling options for end-of-life vehicles, ramping lithium-ion recycling and increasing U.S. battery p…
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It has been long rumored, but it has been finally confirmed. Today, Ford revealed the 2016 Focus RS - the third Focus iteration to wear the famed RS name. As has been rumored, the third-generation Focus RS uses the 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder found under the Mustang to produce 'well in excess of 315 horsepower'. For the Focus RS, the 2.3 has been given a number of changes such as a new low-inertia twin-scroll turbocharger, larger compressor and intercooler; less-restrictive intake, large-bore dual-pipe exhaust with an electronically controlled valve, and upgraded internal components. A six-speed manual and new all-wheel drive system with a pair of electronically control…
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There's a new Ford F-Series Super Duty coming and it's taking some ideas from the smaller F-150. The big news for the Super Duty is that the body is made out of aluminum, helping drop 350 pounds. The frame is a fully-boxed and consists of more than 95-percent high-strength steel which Ford claims 24 times stiffer than the previous frame. This allows for more towing and hauling capacity. In terms of design, think F-150 that went to the gym every single day. The front end boasts large headlights and grille slats. The cab is similar to the smaller F-150. For the interior, Ford uses the same layout from the current model, but there is a new reconfigurable gauge cl…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com December 28, 2011 Left Lane News posted spyshots of a couple Ford S-Max prototypes running around in Dearborn yesterday. The vehicles in the shots are the Ford Grand C-Max. However, an extended wheelbase and and a larger rear cargo area state this is an S-Max in drag. Left Lane News speculates the next generation S-Max could making it’s way to our shores. Their reasoning; Ford nixed the idea offering the C-Max as a seven passenger model due to it not being a true seven seater (5+2 layout) and it not suiting to American tastes. The S-Max is a true seven seater and would suit American tastes. At first, this seems a bit…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 22, 2013 A new report from Mustangs Daily states that Ford will be building 1,000 next-generation Mustangs with the designation of 2014 ½ to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the model. The 50th anniversary models will come with their own special VIN and build number. Those hoping for added performance will be sad since the report says the anniversary model won't see any upgrades to the standard 2015 Mustang. Source: Mustangs Daily William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article
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Last month, Ford held a meeting with their dealers in Las Vegas to give them an update of where the company is heading and what to expect in the near future. According to a report from the Mustang6g.com forum, Ford shared vague plans for a four-door variant that would feature a turbo V8 and compete against the likes of the Audi A7 and Porsche Panamera. No timeframe was mention as to when this model could debut. Let's try to take this rumor apart. The poster who originally brought this to light appears to have joined the forum earlier in October. This either means this is completely made up or there is some truth to this, considering the poster got this info from…
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There could be a hotter Ford Fiesta in the wings. Autocar spoke with Tyrone Johnson, manager of Ford Performance (group that brings together RS and SVT). Johnson revealed that work was being done on a higher-performance Fiesta that would use the current chassis and will likely go on sale within the next couple of years. “There’s more to come from the current Fiesta,” said Johnson. Now Johnson didn't say if this new model would wear a ST or an RS badge. Autocar also asked Johnson about producing something akin to the Focus RS for the Fiesta. “If there’s a business case and if it’s technically feasible.” When pressed if a case could be made, he said “Theoretically, ye…
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The Ford Focus RS is already a potent hot hatch with 350 rampaging horses coming from a turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder and can hit 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. But Ford believes they can go faster. Australian outlet Motor reports that Ford is considering building an even quicker Focus RS. Sources at the blue oval say a hardcore version of the RS is being looked. Now, the 2.3L is operating close to its maximum output. So how does Ford plan on making the RS quicker? By adding lightness with stripping the interior down to the essentials, removing sound deading, and using lighter materials - polycarbonate windows, carbonfiber-reinforced plastic bodywork, and aluminum suspensio…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com June 4, 2012 The thought of the hyper-performance Focus has been under consideration for awhile, but there are murmurs of another car taking the Focus' place. Autocar reports that Ford could be considering building an RS version of the Fiesta instead of the Focus. Ford has already decided that there will be another RS model, the debate now is which one. Both vehicles make a good case as to why they should be the lone RS model. The Fiesta is a global car and is the vehicle that is used in the World Rally Championship. The Focus is also a global car, has been sold as an RS before, and can bring in higher profit margin…
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Even though Ford has just announced the new F-150 back in January, the automaker is already working on improvements that will be coming down the line. The Truth About Cars reports that Ford is working on a 3.0L V6 diesel engine, codenamed “Lion”. The new engine is in response to Ram's diesel engine for the 1500. Ford was reportedly working on a diesel engine for the F-150 in the mid-2000s, but it was canned due to financial meltdown. This new engine is expected to arrive in 2018. TTAC has also found out that the new 2.7L EcoBoost will produce somewhere in the range of 290 to 300 horsepower. Torque numbers are still a mystery. That's not all Ford has up its sleeve. TTAC…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com February 9, 2013 For almost two years, we've been reporting on the rumors of the next generation Ford Focus RS. The model is reportedly coming with a 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder that will be shared with the next-generation Mustang, producing close to 330 horsepower. The new Focus RS would stick with its front-wheel drive layout and use the RevoKnuckle front suspension. Now, the Focus RS might have gotten a date. According to Autocar, the plans for the Focus RS were axed due Ford focusing more on raising sales volumes and cut costs by working on their mass-market models.But with profits on the rise, the economy in …
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The past few years have seen a number of rumors about the next-generation Ford Focus RS and if it will come to the U.S. or not. A new report from Road & Track says the Focus RS is coming, with a big change for the U.S. According to a source, Ford is planning to send a limited number of the next Focus RS to the U.S. The next RS will come equipped with a 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder. The source says power figures are still be determined, but Road & Track speculates that the RS could be packing 310 to 350 horsepower. As for what wheels all of that power will go to, another source says that it will utilize a new all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring to improve …
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The Good News: The Truth About Cars is reporting that the Ford Focus RS will be coming to our shores by 2016. The new RS will use the 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder and feature all-wheel drive. Expect pricing to be above the $30,000 mark. The Bad News: Ford will likely be importing the RS from Europe. Sources tell TTAC that the Michigan Assembly Plant where the North American Focus is built can't fit the RS into its production line. So that means the RS destined for America will be coming from Europe, and in limited numbers as well. Source: The Truth About Cars William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 8, 2012 The rumors of the next-generation of the Focus RS have been like a roller-coaster ride. There has been rumors dealing with the Focus RS being put on the back burner for a Fiesta RS, the Focus RS sharing its engine with the next generation Mustang, and what could be the possible engine specs.Now, we have some more track to add. Auto Express is reporting that the next-generation Focus RS will utilize a new 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder that could be producing as much as 350 HP. This engine could also be used in the next-gen Mustang. Transmission-wise, the Focus RS will utilize a six-speed manual. There are …
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There have been spy shots floating around for past few months showing a hotted-up version of the Focus RS, leading many to believe that Ford is working on a new RS500. But a report from Autocar says Ford hasn't made a final decision on it. According to a source, the RS500 is “not genuinely green-lighted, but the desire exists to have a star in the RS and ST range”. The stumbling blocks are whether or not a financial case can be made and if the factory line in Cologne, Germany. Autocar speculates that the new RS500 will have a similar performance bump to the previous model. The last-generation RS500 featured 345 horsepower, an increase of 15 percent over the stan…
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Autonomous vehicles could be getting a large boost thanks to a new alliance between Ford and Google to build self-driving vehicles. Yahoo Autos has learned from three sources that the two companies will be announcing a partnership at the Consumer Electronics Show next month. Details of this new partnership are scarce, but it is understood that the partnership would be legally separate from Ford to shield it from concerns about liability. The deal is also non-exclusive as Google has been talking to other automakers about using its self-driving technology. Automotive News adds that both companies have been working on a contract manufacturing deal “for a long time” a…
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"SUVs are the top-selling segment in the U.S. That is why we are introducing five new SUVs in the U.S. by 2020," for the Ford brand, said Mark LaNeve, Ford vice president of U.S. marketing, sales and service in a statement this week. We already know three of the five models: EcoSport in 2018, the electric compact crossover in 2019, and the Bronco in 2020. But what about the other two? Reuters has learned from supplier sources that the models in question will be based on Ford's next-generation Focus and Fiesta. Meanwhile, Lincoln will be getting an additional model to their crossover/utility lineup. Sources say it will be a midsize model sharing the underpinning…
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Ever since Ford ended production of the Ranger in the U.S. in 2011, many have been clamoring for the blue oval to bring the Ranger sold elsewhere to the U.S. But Ford has said no since the current Ranger since the new model is close in size to the F-150, and would be very close in terms of pricing. But the blue oval could be changing that. The Detroit News has learned from sources that Ford wants to resurrect the Ranger pickup and build it at the Michigan Assembly Plant. Sources explained that Ford and the UAW are currently in contract talks, with one of the items being bringing the Ranger to the U.S. for the production. Now this will need to be agreed by the UAW and …
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It is no secret that Ford is working on new Bronco that will go into production at Ford's Michigan Assembly alongside the Ranger in the coming years. But it seems that Ford's American branch will not be doing a majority of the engineering work. Motoring has learned from sources that Ford's Asia-Pacific Product Development team based in Victoria will be handing the development of the Bronco. This is because the Bronco will be using an updated version of the Ranger's T6 ladder platform - a platform that the Asia-Pacific Product Development team designed and developed. The Bronco is expected to use a shortened version of the T6 platform and share the running gear f…
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The excitement over the return of the Ford Bronco has been somewhat staggering. This has meant a fair amount of rumor, speculation, and renderings of the new models have been popping up before the official introduction. The latest rumors come from an unnamed Ford employee speaking with Gear Patrol. According to the engineer, Ford has been struggling with the design of the new Bronco, reportedly sending it back twice. The last one was scrapped due to it looking "too much like a Wrangler.” The current design being worked on is said to be a four-door variant of the Brazilian Troller T4. What about a two-door? The engineer said, “there’s just no market for it.” It will f…
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While Ford is getting the Focus RS ready for production, rumors are now beginning to fly about an even hotter version to take on the likes of the Mercedes-AMG A45 and Audi RS3. Autocar has learned from some sources that a hardcore version of the Focus is currently under consideration. Now this hardcore version will not getting any more power as the 2.3L EboBoost is currently at its limit and there isn't enough space to add any more cooling. So instead Ford will focus on using lightweight components for this version. Such items up for consideration includes carbon fiber-reinforced bodywork, aluminum suspension bits, carbon fiber brakes, and stripping out the interior. …
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Ford truck lineup will be growing by one with the introduction of the Ranger early next year. But a new report from Automobile says there's another truck in the cards, one that is smaller than the Ranger. Ford is working on a replacement for the Brazilian market Courier subcompact pickup truck, last sold in the 2013 model year. The model is expected to move from an old Fiesta platform to the platform underpinning the new Focus. This has caught the eye of Ford's product planners in the U.S. and there are plans to possibly bring it here by 2022. Production is expected to take place in Ford's Cuautitlan, Mexico plant. Currently home to the Fiesta, the plant will s…
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Along with the Ford Ranger, the blue oval is considering resurrecting another nameplate. Bloomberg has learned from sources that the company is considering bringing back the Bronco nameplate for a vehicle to be built at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, MI. “It’s a good move. Gen Y has discovered the original Bronco. Ford has seen what the Mustang can do for them, and they are bringing back their iconic names,” said John Wolkonowicz, a Boston-based independent analyst. The Bronco would give Ford a vehicle to compete with the likes of Toyota and General Motors. It would also allow Ford to capitalize on the growing popularity of the Bronco by Gen Y, especially …
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Ford isn't doing so well at the moment as profits and stock prices are tumbling downward. To try and reverse this trend, the blue oval is considering cutting 10 percent of its global workforce. Both the Wall Street Journal and Reuters have learned from their respective sources the cuts are part of a previously announced plan to slash costs by $3 billion. The cuts will mostly affect salaried employees, with Reuters reporting Ford will offer generous early retirement incentives. To give you an idea of how jobs are on the chopping block, Ford currently 200,000 employees. A cut of 10 percent means 20,000 people are out of a job. "Reducing costs and becoming as lean …
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General Motors isn't the only one considering putting vehicles on the chopping block. The Detroit News has learned from three sources that Ford is considering ending production on three models for the U.S. - the Fiesta, C-Max Hybrid, and Taurus. Sources say the Taurus would be first to go in late 2018. The Fiesta would follow suit either in late 2018 or 2019. The C-Max would be the last model to end production in early 2019. Ford said they would make an announcement concerning the C-Max at a later date. The company declined to comment on the other vehicles. The Taurus has been long rumored to be cut from Ford's lineup due to poor sales. This was further bolstere…
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Usually the rule with vehicles is that the older they get, the heavier and bigger they become. The Ford Taurus mostly follows this rule. Outside the car is big and heavy, while the interior isn't. It can be best described as a rolling sensory deprivation tank. However a new report from Edmunds says the next-generation Taurus plans to rectify that. A source tells Edmunds that Ford plans a major weight-loss plan for the Taurus. It begins with a modified Fusion platform that will be extended and widened for the Taurus. "The problem with today's Taurus is that it is overweight and even the high performance SHO is not really competitive. With all the power from the (365-hor…
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The Truth About Cars has learned that Ford is working on a new rear-drive vehicle, but it isn't a sedan. Sources tell TTAC that it happens to be crossover that Ford and Lincoln will get. Ford's version will wear the Explorer name, while Lincoln's version is currently un-named. So why a crossover and not sedan? The Truth About Cars says that the full-size market is shrinking, due to the popularity of crossovers. Also, the next Ford Taurus is reportedly canned for the U.S., thus making the case for a rear-drive sedan is out of the question for the moment. Adding more fuel to this fire is police car sales. Year-to-date, the Police Interceptor Utility are 52 percent while t…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 17, 2012 You would think with rumors of the Ford debating whether would do a Fiesta or Focus RS, that would cause the rumor well for the possible next generation Focus RS to dry up. Nope, in fact the rumors are intensifying. Auto Express had the chance to speak with chief program engineer for the Focus ST and other global performance cars, Matthias Ton. Ton said the 2.0L EcoBoost used in the Focus ST is close to its power limit without significantly upgrading the fuel system and turbocharger. Ton went onto say that if a Focus RS is given the green light, that it would a new 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder that's curren…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 14, 2012 The Ford Focus RS and Mustang. One is a high horsepower FWD hot hatch, the other is a RWD muscle. Not much in common besides coming from the same company. But if a new report from Top Gear is believed, they’re could be more in common with the two. According to Top Gear’s report, engineers working at Ford’s RS team know what they want in the next generation Focus RS; a 320 HP 2.3L turbocharged inline-four engine. There’s one problem though, Ford hasn’t signed off on the project. Ford Global Performance Vehicle chief Jost Capito said back in 2010 on the return of the Focus RS, “depends on a lot of fact…
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There might not be a Focus RS500 as a final swan song for the current Focus. Autocar has learned from sources at the blue oval that the chances of the RS500 entering production stands at about 30 percent at the moment. This is because the business case for the model is becoming very weak. Part of the issue lies with where the Focus RS500 would sit in Ford's performance lineup. Sources say the model "could be treading on other cars’ toes," such as the Mustang GT and Shelby GT350. This isn't an issue in Europe where Ford's European office sees a market for both models. The U.S. is another story as some see the RS500 stealing sales away from Mustang - especially when th…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com December 29, 2011 Ford wowed crowds at November's LA Auto Show with their 650 HP Shelby GT500 coupe. Now, Ford could be readying a second act with the Shelby GT500. Topspeed reports Ford could show a Shelby GT500 Convertible at next month's Detroit Auto Show. The convertible will use the 5.8L supercharged V8 found in the coupe producing 650 HP. The convertible will not hit the same 200 MPH top speed as the coupe. We'll see if this pans out. Source: TopSpeed View full article
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 18, 2013 From the hmm section of the rumorpile, Reuters is reporting that Ford has invited a small number of journalists to get a sneak peek of the 2015 next week. Sources say the group will include a number of European journalists which is perfect since previous rumors have said the next Mustang has been designed to appeal to people outside the U.S. Sources have also said the new Mustang will have a modern design, and more efficient engines and transmissions. From previous reports we expect the new Mustang to take some elements of the Evos concept car, dropping the solid-axle setup for an independent rear suspen…
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Before the start of this year's Detroit Auto Show, Ford held a press conference revealing new models such as the new Bullitt Mustang and Ranger. But they also teased a new electric crossover wearing an iconic name - Mach 1. The only details provided by Ford is that it would provide a range of 300 miles and launch in 2020. A new report from Autocar has some possible new details on the vehicle. The Mach 1 crossover currently has the codename of CX430 and will likely have some design cues inspired by the Mustang. Underpinning the model will be Ford's C2 platform. Currently, this platform is being used for the next-generation Focus and Escape crossover. The Mach 1 i…
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A new report from Reuters says the Ford is working on a dedicated hybrid model that will take on the Toyota Prius and Chevrolet Volt. Two sources tell the news service that the new model, codenamed C240, will use Ford's new C2 platform. This new platform will also underpin the next-generation Focus and Escape. C240 will also be more efficient than the blue oval's current hybrids thanks to improved battery technology and and the use of lightweight materials such as aluminum. The new model is expected to go into production in 2018, with global sales starting a year after. Source: Reuters William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at willia…
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Ford is planning a dramatic change to their European lineup. Autocar reported yesterday that the automaker will be replacing the Mondeo (Fusion to us), Galaxy, and S-Max with a new "single crossover-style estate model" - think Subaru Outback. Not many details are known about this new model. It is expected to use Ford's C2 platform which underpins the new Fiesta and Focus. A range of gas and diesel engines will be available, along with 48V mild-hybrid system. The new wagon is expected to arrive in early 2021 in Europe. Autocar notes that this model is expected to be sold in other markets such as North America. While this model is quite different from three it wil…
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A new report from Automotive News says that Ford is planning to end North American production of the Fusion sedan at the end of this decade. According to sources, the automaker has begun to notify suppliers that it will not produce the next-generation Fusion at their Hermosillo, Mexico plant. Suppliers have also been told that Ford will stop producing the Mondeo (Fusion in other markets) at their Valencia, Spain plant. This is further complicated by a report from Reuters saying the company is consolidating production to a plant in China. Ford has since denied this report. “We have no plans to export the next-generation Fusion/Mondeo from China to North America a…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 25, 2013 Reuters is reporting that when the next F-150 is launched, Ford will build the current F-150 alongside it for six months. Sources say the move allows Ford to keep up with the growing demand for trucks and give them a safegard if any problems arise with the new model. "In order to ramp up, you have to retool...and that means you have to take capacity offline. To do that, at a period of time when demand is so strong, makes it a bit challenging," said IHS Automotive analyst Mike Jackson. Now building the new and old model concurrently isn't new at all. When GM began building the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and G…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 21, 2012 Volkswagen's MQB modular platform strategy is has gained attention from VW's competitors. We reported yesterday that Jaguar-Land Rover is looking to MQB as a guide to cut down their platforms. Now another automaker looks to be taking some cues from VW. Inside Line is reporting that Ford is developing a new three-prong platform family. The platform family will underpin the next-generation Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, and other models in this group. The platform family is similar in idea to VW's MQB except for one key thing. A source Ford explains that while MQB can used from small to large vehicles, small veh…
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Rumors are once again flying on the Ford Fiesta RS. Auto Express has learned from sources that Ford has a Fiesta RS in the product plans and is trying to work on a business case for one. The proposed Fiesta RS will use a hopped-up version of the turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder that will increase horsepower from 179 to 230. There will also be a number of modifications such as new suspension bits, larger brakes, and limited-slip diff. Outside will feature a wild body kit and a set of new wheels to differentiate the RS from the ST. Now if Ford can make a business case, AE says the Fiesta RS could come out by 2015. Source: Auto Express William Maley is a staff writer for …
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Rumor has it that Ford is working on a V8 powered version of their Ranger Raptor currently sold in overseas markets. Only available in other parts of the world, the current Ranger Raptor is powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder diesel that produces 210 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft of torque, but a report in Wheels magazine says that Ford Australia is working with an external engineering company to swap the 2.0 diesel for a 5.0-liter V8 from the Mustang GT. The odd thing about this is that the Ranger Raptor 5.0 would be still built with the 2.0-liter diesel under the hood and then later converted to V8 gasoline power. Expect power to be about the same as it makes in the Aus…
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G. Noble Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 13th, 2012 Without a shadow of doubt, Ford’s Mustang is a red-blooded, all-American icon. Since the 1960s, the stallion-badged pony car has won the acceptance of a large number of enthusiasts and normal buyers alike, its abundant presence dominating paved surfaces ranging from boulevards to drag strips. Love it or hate it, it was the Mustang that gave us other revered models like Chevrolet’s Camaro and Dodge’s Challenger, and inspired the European Ford Capri and Japan’s Toyota Celica. Facts are facts; the automotive world would certainly be a very dull place without it. However, while it has traveled to countries out…
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Ford is bringing the performance goods to the Detroit Auto Show. Car and Driver, and Road & Track have published separate reports on what the blue oval has planned. Refreshed Fiesta ST: Car and Driver reports that some aesthetic changes are in store. No word on any changes to the drivetrain or suspension. Focus RS: Sources tell Car and Driver that maddest Focus will make its debut at Detroit. This will come equipped with a 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder and possibly all-wheel drive. Road & Track says the RS is more likely to debut in Geneva. Shelby GT350R: Car and Driver, and Road & Track both report that Ford will debut a track-ready version of the new She…
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During a recent fireside chat with Bank of America, Ford teased a new 'Whitespace' product due in the 2021MY. What could that product be? Muscle Cars & Trucks speculates this may be a smaller pickup truck. We've been hearing rumblings about this since 2018 when Automobile Magazine first brought this to light. This truck would be the replacement for the Brazilian market Courier, last sold in 2013. It would be based on the C2 platform that underpinned at the time the new Focus for markets outside of the U.S. Fuel would be added to the fire a year later when Jim Farley, Ford's president of global markets dropped this, Since then, a trademark filing for Maver…
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The Ford Fusion will be going away in due course as part of the company's plan to put more focus on utility vehicles and trucks. But that doesn't mean the Fusion name will heading to the trash bin. Bloomberg has learned from sources that Ford is planning to move the Fusion name to a new wagon that will compete with the Subaru Outback. The new model will also use the same mechanical underpinnings as the current Fusion - leading us to believe that it will be some version of the Mondeo wagon sold in Europe. Ford spokesman Mike Levine declined to comment on the new model, but did say the Fusion name would continue "because of its awareness, positive imagery and value wit…
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Ford released details on the Ford Explorer Hybrid at the Detroit Auto Show this week, but a Plug-in Hybrid wasn't mentioned. Curiously, at the Ford stand, the sign next to the hybrid version of the Explorer mentioned it as a Plug-In. One of the engineers standing nearby told me this was a misprint, but that is a pretty serious misprint to make and then actually put on the show floor. We do know that the Explorer platform is capable of being a plug-in hybrid as its stable mate over at Lincoln, the Lincoln Aviator is getting a plug-in hybrid in its GT form. Is it likely that Ford is holding back on announcing the Ford Explorer Plug-In Hybrid just so that the Li…
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Ford has been hard at work on the next Explorer for the past couple of years as spy shots will attest. We don't know much aside from the model taking an evolutionary approach in terms of design. But a new report claims Ford will be making some drastic changes. The Truth About Cars has learned from sources that the next Explorer will swap from its front-wheel drive underpinnings to rear-wheel drive. This is possible through Ford's new CD6 modular platform which can reportedly accommodate front, rear, and all-wheel drive products. This platform will also be used for a Lincoln variant, possibly wearing the Aviator nameplate. In terms of powertrains, the 2.3L EcoBoo…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com January 4, 2012 With stiffer Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards on their way, Ford is looking at whether to add aluminum body panels on the next generation F-150. According to Ward's Auto, two sources say the company will utlize aluminum body panels, including doors and fenders on the next generation F-150. This comes as a surprise since steel has been the standard for trucks for decades. But this move coincides with a statement made by Ford's Group Vice President of Global Product Development, Derrick Kuzak. Kuzak said the company has a goal by 2019 to drop 700 lbs for each model. Source: Ward's Auto View…
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The current Ford Fiesta ST uses a 1.6L EcoBoost four-cylinder. But the next-generation Fiesta ST could be using a turbocharged three-cylinder. “We’re seeing more and more of what we can do with the 1.0-litre engine in development and the signs are promising. It’s a great engine – it sounds brilliant and there’s loads of torque when the turbo comes on boost, so we’re looking into things for the next ST,” said Darren Palmer, Ford's head of small cars to Auto Express. Currently, the most powerful version of the 1.0L EcoBoost three-cylinder produces 138 horsepower. But Ford has been experimenting with the engine to see how much power can be extracted. At the …
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As Ford wraps up European production of the Focus RS next month, rumors are beginning to swirl about the next-generation. Dutch publication Auto International reports the next-generation Focus RS will be packing 400 horsepower via a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The report alleges that the turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder used in the current model will carry over, but will feature a larger starter motor for the hybrid system. Torque will rise to 394 pound-feet. A six-speed manual will be the standard transmission, but Auto International reports a dual-clutch transmission is in the cards for certain markets. There is some credence to this rumor as Ford is planning t…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 27, 2012 The Wall Street Journal reports that Ford is considering using a aluminum body in the next generation F-150 pickup. The move would drop about 700 lbs, a 15% drop in weight from the current F-150. The reason as to why Ford is exploring the aluminum pickup is due to upcoming CAFE regulations that by 2025, the U.S. vehicle fleet has to average 54.5 miles per gallon. Also, the regulations would ramp up fuel economy goals for vehicles of different sizes each year. Analysts aren't too sure if Ford will go the aluminum body route, saying it wouldn't be too practical. "Full-aluminum structured vehicles are much m…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 16, 2012 The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the next Ford Mustang, due out in 2014, will ditch the retro styling and go with the styling seen on the new Fusion. Sources tell the Journal, the new Mustang will keep shark-nosed grill and headlights. Why drop the retro styling? Ford wants to attract younger buyers. The group of people who usually purchase a Mustang is beginning to shrink. Also, Ford wants to take back the sales lead from the Chevrolet Camaro. For the first three months of this year, the Camaro outsold the Mustang by by 1,791 vehicles. Last year, the Camaro outsold the Mustang by 17,811 vehic…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com December 11, 2013 The Ford F-150 is a very important model for the blue oval since it's the top seller and one of the key ways Ford makes a profit. With a new model on the horizon, it has been rumored that Ford would be utilizing aluminum in it as way to improve fuel economy and give the F-150 a unique edge. But that decision seems to be causing more problems. The Truth About Cars has learned from a number of sources that Ford has rejected aluminum from Alcoa and other Tier 2 suppliers since it didn't meet internal forming requirements for the “tooling tryout” phase of pre-production. Because of this, Ford has pushed bac…
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The Mustang is expected to get a refresh in 2018 and there is a possibility that the V6 engine will be dropped. This information comes to us from the Mustang6G.com's forums where a dealership employee posted the order guide for the 2018 Mustang. The guide revealed that the V6 engine order code was marked as “invalid.” Dropping the V6 would make the 2.3L EcoBoost the new base engine, which is close in terms of horsepower to the V6 (310 vs. 300). The order guide also reveals that the 2018 Mustang will get a 10-speed automatic and a set of MagneRide adaptive dampers as options. Source: Mustang6G.com View full article
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There was a number of people who were disappointed at the news that Ford wouldn't be bringing over the Ranger Raptor to the U.S. When you take into consideration that the current-generation model has been sold around the world since 2011, Ford decided it was too late in the lifecycle of the model to design a Raptor variant to meet various regulations. But there is the chance of the next-generation Ranger Raptor coming to the U.S. Road & Track has done some sleuthing into social media profiles for various Ford engineers and has uncovered some interesting information. The current Ranger has an internal project code of P375 and is expected to stick around for a few …
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Possibly one of the biggest stories to come out from the Detroit Auto Show was Ford's announcement that the Bronco and Ranger are coming back. There weren't many details aside from release timeframes (2019 for Ranger, 2020 for Bronco), along with the Bronco being based on the bones of the Ranger. Now, an anonymous Ford employee has spilled some more details on the two models. A poster who claims to be a designer at Ford's Development Center in Dearborn (and has been verified by the moderators of the Ford Ranger Reddit) says the Ranger that will be arriving in 2019 will be the same model sold around the world. There will be alterations to the exterior and interior. Co…
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2016 marks a very important anniversary for Ford. That year marks the 50th anniversary of the blue oval's first of four consecutive wins at Le Mans. To mark this anniversary, Motor Trend and Road & Track report that Ford is working on a successor to GT that will not only be on the race track, but on the road as well. Sources tell Motor Trend that Ford has a skunkworks team working on mid-engine supercar. The powertrain is unknown at this time, but speculation is resting on either a highly tuned version of the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 or a uprated version of the 5.0L Coyote V8. Motor Trend goes on to say that Ford could announce or even show this model at the Detroit Auto Sho…
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Before we go into this rumorpile report, we should note that we're taking a fair amount of salt on this story. You'll see what we mean momentarily. Road & Track reports that the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 will be getting a dual-clutch transmission in the next few years. The six-speed manual would still be offered. This information comes from Mustang6G.com, a forum site which has gotten leaked information that has been proven to be correct. The site showed evidence to Road & Track about the dual-clutch and they believe it to be accurate. The problem is neither Road & Track or Mustang6G say what the evidence is - hence why we're taking a handful of salt on …
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There is a lot of buzz surrounding the new Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport, and it isn't surprising that Ford was possibly considering another family member. But a report from Automotive News says that new member has been iced. According to two sources, Ford canned the idea for a Bronco pickup. Designed to compete against the Gladiator pickup, it was expected to be launch in 2024 and built alongside the Bronco SUV at Ford's Wayne assembly plant. However, Ford notified suppliers over the past few months about the model being cancelled. Not surprisingly, Ford declined to comment. We should note that Ford never confirmed the plans for a Bronco truck. Rumors started to…
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The end of an era appears to be coming very soon. A new report from Bloomberg says Ford CEO Alan Mulally will step down and that Mark Fields, the current Chief Operating Officer will take his place sometime this year. Two sources tell Bloomberg that the move could be announced as early as May 1st. The departure of Mulally closes a chapter in Ford's history where he helped bring the company back from the brink of death and made the company very profitable. At the end of 2013, Ford reported a pretax earnings in North America to a record $8.78 billion. The departure also brings some much needed clarity to Ford's leadership structure. “We take succession planning very seri…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com March 8, 2013 If you have been keeping track on the whole pile of rumors concerning the next-generation Focus RS, you would know that the engine being talked about would possibly be shared with the next-generation Mustang. The engine in question is a turbocharged 2.3L unit that will be based on the Focus ST's 2.0L and produce somewhere in the range of 300+ horsepower. Now for some bad news for those who were hoping for a return of the Mustang SVO in the states. Edmunds is reporting that that the four-cylinder will only be available for European customers when introduced. The reason for this is that the V8 Mustang woul…
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Off-Road.com has obtained a product timeline that reveals Ford's launches for the upcoming year and the big news is that a new F-150 appears to be around the corner. The timeline reveals that the next-generation Ford Explorer will be launched first, most likely at Detroit. We have reported that the new model would be using a new modular rear-wheel drive platform. Next up is the new F-150. We don't know what Ford has in store aside from a hybrid powertrain. But considering both General Motors and Ram introducing redesigned trucks this year, we're expecting Ford to fight back hard. Last, but not least is the Bronco. Off-Road speculates this model will appear in 20…
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A group of Shelby GT350 owners are not happy with Ford. Yesterday, a lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida claiming that the track-ready GT350 isn't. According to filling, owners complain that the vehicle overheats in as little as 15 minutes due faulty transmissions and rear differentials when driven on a track. When the vehicle does overheat, it goes into a limp mode that reduces power to protect the powertrain. The filing goes on to say that Ford fixed this issue in the 2017 model, but told owners of the 2016 model to make the fixes themselves - a possible breach of the car's warranty. “When Ford marketed and sold th…
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The introduction of the 2025 Mustang Mach-e has kept the list of new features small, but Ford believes it has delivered big for what the EV customers want. Added Standard Equipment: The 2025 Mustang Mach-E® adds a heat pump to help optimize energy consumption, especially in colder weather conditions More Personalization: A Sport Appearance Package offers Mustang Mach-E GT design elements on Premium models; new colors and wheels are also available Enhanced BlueCruise: The latest version of hands-free highway driving, adds Automatic Lane Change, automating up to 45% of lane changes on an average drive, based on internal testing …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 12, 2013 The next Ford F-150 has been caught playing around in the rain this week. Judging from the amount of camouflage on this mule, we're guessing Ford has decided on a final design. The overall shape seems similar to the Atlas concept shown at this year's Detroit Auto Show. We can tell the three-bar grille will remain and there is a set of distinctive headlights. Other than that, what we know about the F-150 can be filed under speculation. We hear that the next F-150 could be using more aluminum, have a hybrid powertrain thanks to partnership with Toyota, and a number of other rumors. Source: Motor Trend Will…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 11, 2013 The spy photographers strike once again! This time, photos have been caught of the 2015 Ford Mustang. Now judging from the amount of camouflage on this mule, our guess is this a prototype version of what we'll be seeing on the road sometime next year. The design will take some ideas from the Evos concept and the so-called Kinetic 2.0 design language seen on the new Fusion. The front-end is tapered and rounded, and features a large grille opening. The roofline at the back appears to have a more dramatic curve to it. Like previous times, the new Mustang is expected to come with a independent rear suspension…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com June 7, 2012 At first glance, you might be wondering why pictures of a 2013 Mustang are considered spy shots. It's only when you notice the rear bumper has been trimmed and the bulging fuel cap, you see that this Mustang is hiding something. According to Motor Trend, that something is the 2015 Mustang. The trimmed rear might indicate a different powertrain or underbody structure. The bulging fuel cap most likely foretells a change to the vehicle’s hard points. And the big surprise lies underneath this Mustang. It appears the next-generation Mustang could be dropping the solid rear-axle and going towards independent r…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 20, 2013 Sometimes, you get very lucky when taking spy shots. Case in point, new spy shots came out today revealing the face of the upcoming 2015 Mustang. The shots show the new Mustang sharing almost the same figure as the Ford Evos concept. The front has an athletic stance and features such touches as slimmer headlights and a hexagonal grille. The 2015 Mustang is expected to debut next year Source: Automobile Magazine William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article
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The first spy shots of the next-generation Ford Fiesta have made their way onto the internet. The most apparent thing that the photos reveal is that the Fiesta will grow in size. According to Automotive News, the redesign will fix one of the major complaints of the current Fiesta - a cramped interior. It looks like certain elements of current Fiesta, such as the wide grille, will be retained. Sources tell Automotive News that the next Fiesta (along with the 2018 Focus) will drop the Powershift dual-clutch transmission that has proven to be problematic. Expect three and four-cylinder engines to be on offer. The 2018 Ford Fiesta is expected to arrive sometime in the…
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The current Ford Focus has been with us since 2012 and it is getting somewhat long in the tooth when compared with the likes of the Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Civic, and refreshed Mazda3. But Ford is on the case as we have gotten our first look at the next-generation Focus caught by a spy photographer. It looks like Ford is planning to do some evolutionary changes in terms of the Focus' exterior to keep it in line with other Ford models. The interior looks to be taking some ideas from the new Fiesta and refreshed EcoSport with a similar center stack design. Reports say Ford will go with an all turbocharged engine lineup with the 1.0L three-cylinder EcoBoost being the bas…
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The Escape is an important model for Ford. Last year, the company moved 308,296 Escapes off dealer lots. But with the announcement last week that Ford will be focusing more on trucks and utility models in the coming years, the Escape will be playing a bigger role. Car and Driver obtained the first spy shots of the next-generation Escape, expected sometime next year as 2020 model. Due to the extensive use of camouflage on the mule, we can't tell much about the design. We're guessing the front end might look similar to the EcoSport partly due to the flat shape. The lone shot of the interior reveals an interior layout similar to the EcoSport and Focus with the infotainm…
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Ford isn't being too discrete with the upcoming Police Interceptor Utility as these new set of spy shots reveal. It confirms some of the key details we reported on a couple months back such as the evolutionary design, rear-wheel drive proportions, and a tapered roofline. The picture also brings out some new details such as a new front end with a trapezoidal grille, slightly more squared rear end, and new taillights. We still don't know any concrete details on the hybrid system that will be used on the Police Interceptor Utility aside from it returning a combined figure of 24 mpg. Expect the Police Interceptor Utility and its sister model, the Explorer to d…
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We know that Ford is hard at work on diesel option for the 2017 F-150, along with Hybrid model that is due out in 2020. Now there is a possible third powertrain that Ford is working on. Automobile and AutoGuide got their hands on new spy shots showing off an F-150 mule with the front fenders and hood covered. On the passenger side fender, there appears to be a door for a possible charging port (the video below gives a better view of it). The spy photographer also noted the engine would turn off at various points and the humming noise of an electric motor taking its place. Automobile speculates that along with the electric motor, there is likely the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 and …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 12, 2012 Some peculiar Ford F-150s have made their way onto the web thanks to a spy photographer. The trucks in question features awkward panel fits, shorten cabs, and modified truck beds. What is the deal with these truck. Most likely, the trucks are the mules for the next F-150, due out in 2015. Automobile Magazine also speculates the trucks are also testing aluminum body panels, something we reported back in July. This would allow engineers to gain knowledge about whether its a good idea or not to implement aluminum in the next truck. Rumor has the 2015 F-150 having a aluminum hood and bed, but this is some…
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While Ford is introducing an updated 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and ten-speed automatic for the 2017 F-150, the 2018 F-150 is more interesting to us. This is because Ford will be giving their full-size truck a facelift and a diesel engine. Thanks to Car and Driver, we're able to get a closer look via a set of spy shots. We'll begin with the facelift. Ford has done a decent job with the camouflage, but we can pick out a new grille design that seems to mimic the F-Series super duty. Expect new headlights, along with new taillights and wheel choices. We have reported previously on the venturi exhaust and a video with the noises of a diesel engine . Now we have more proof of …
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Ford is looking to cover a number of bases when it comes to F-150. They have their EcoBoost engines and we know a hybrid is coming in 2020. But there could be a diesel engine as well. New spy shots show a mostly standard F-150 with a camouflaged bed and an interesting exhaust tip. The spy photographer also noticed the distinct sound of a diesel engine, thus leading to the conclusion that Ford is considering a diesel option. But what engine? Your first guess might be the 3.2 PowerStoke five-cylinder diesel engine, but according Left Lane News, it's a 3.0L turbodiesel V6 codenamed Lion. This engine is actually the same one you'll find under the hood of the upcoming …
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Car and Driver got their hands on new spy shots showing off an updated Ford Escape that is likely be introduced next year. The Escape looks to getting a new front end that is similar to Edge with a much larger grille and slimmer headlights. The back looks to be also getting some major changes, though Ford has it so well camouflaged we can't tell you much. Car and Driver goes onto say that the Escape will get the Sync3 infotainment system, and no major changes are expected for the powertrain. Source: Car and Driver View full article
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Last month, we reported that Ford is currently testing a diesel engine for the F-150. Pictures at the time showed a unique exhaust tip (a Venturi exhaust tip that serves a cooler for after treatment systems) and the photographer mentioned hearing the distinctive clatter of a diesel engine. But pictures can only tell so much. Wouldn't it be nice if we had audio or video evidence? Guess what? AutoGuide got a video from a spy photographer who was following an F-150 mule out on the public. The video provides audible evidence that a diesel engine is under the hood. As we reported last month, the engine in question is a turbocharged 3.0L V6 that is under the hood of the Range…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 11, 2012 The sub-compact market is heating up with vehicles like the Chevrolet Sonic, Kia Rio, and Hyundai Accent providing tough competition. One of the vehicles who kicked off the return of sub-compact vehicles, the Ford Fiesta, is getting a refresh. Car & Driver got their hands on some spy shots of a Ford Fiesta hatchback and sedan undergoing some testing. The Fiesta will take on some Ford's design cues seen on the Taurus and new Fusion. The front end will get an Aston Martin-esk grill layout and new headlights. Around the back, the sedan new taillights and a reshaped trunklid that brings it in line with…
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It seems to be real. The 'it' we are referring to is the Ford Focus RS, which has been long rumored, but now appears to be real. A set of spy shots were released today showing a camouflaged Focus ST that is believed to be an RS mule. Clues that lead to this assumption begin up front with the heavily camouflaged front end that appears to have a larger front grille, possibly hinting at a larger engine. Rumors have a 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder with 300-plus horsepower. Along the side are a unique tire and wheel package: Nineteen-inch wheels wrapped in super-sticky Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. The front also appears to have large brakes, which are rumored to be from Br…
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We're sure Ford would like to have kept their 2017 Fusion refresh a secret till next Monday where it debut at the Detroit Auto Show. But two different spy photographers have caught the 2017 Fusion with no camouflage. The front gets a new oval-ish grille shape with a mesh insert and reshaped headlights. There is also a more aggressive air intake in the center of the bumper. Around back is are a set of reshaped taillights. Sadly, we don't have any shots of what the interior will look like, but we expect Ford's SYNC 3 to play a big role. One item that is still up the air is whether or not there will be a performance oriented Fusion ST that we first saw back in Septem…
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There are times when a spy photographer gets more than they bargained for. Most of the time, it involves an engineer chasing them away from their test mule. But sometimes, they catch something spectacular. Case in point are new shots of the next-generation F-Series Super Duty catching on fire while undergoing hot-weather testing in Death Valley. Before we go any further, it needs to be stated that no one was injured in this fire. The two engineers who were driving the truck were able to get out and find their way to safety. Judging from the pictures, it appears the fire started in the driver-side front wheel well and then spread. The spy photographer who caught the pict…
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Earlier this month, Ford CEO Mark Fields dropped some big bombshells concerning the company. One of those was a hybrid version of the F-150 for 2020. A spy photographer has given us our first look at what Ford has in mind for this. The F-150 mule caught in pictures only has the front covered up. But it appears the truck is a plug-hybrid. This conclusion is due to flaps that aren't hidden so well. One of these likely has the door hiding the socket to plug in the truck. The photographer who took the photos reports the mule had a slightly narrow front track and sounded like it had a four-cylinder under the hood. Motor1 isn't sure about this considering Mark Fields said …
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It appears Ford's performance arm is taking a crack at building a high-performance Fusion. A fresh set of spy shots show off a Fusion mule with some interesting hardware. There is are larger brake discs, bigger wheels and tires, quad exhaust pipes, and some body changes hidden in camo. Automobile reports that the sportier Fusion will pack the 2.7L EcoBoost four-cylinder with 300 horsepower. A six-speed automatic will route all the power to all four wheels. These pictures come at an interesting time for Ford. As we've reported, the fate of the Ford Taurus is unknown for the U.S. By building a sporty Fusion, it gives Ford a sporty sedan to take the place of the Ta…
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The Ford Raptor is a model beloved by many for its ability to drive really quick over the rough stuff. But with the next-generation F-150 switching to aluminum, it seemed the Raptor wouldn't comeback for a repeat performance. But new spy shots that appeared on Autoblog show that the Raptor may be coming back. The spy shots show off a F-150 with Raptor parts on the front and rear, while the center is the upcoming 2015 model. Also, our eyes see some beefy A-arm suspension pieces along with the tall ride height. We're not sure what is powering this mule, whether it's a V8 or one of Ford's EcoBoost engines. Source: Autoblog William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers &…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 9, 2012 The updated Ford Fiesta has been caught once again while doing some testing and it gives us our best look at what to expect. The front end has a vibe of the upcoming 2013 Ford Fusion, with its Aston Martin-esk fascia and similar styling on the headlights. Around the back is a new lip spoiler on the trunk and the taillights getting the Fusion treatment. The current Fiesta's engine; a 1.6L inline-4 making 120 HP and 112 lb-ft of torque will be replaced with a 1.0L turbocharged inline-3, producing around 125 HP and 147 lb-ft of torque. The new Fiesta is expected to come out at this year's LA Auto Show. Sou…
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Ford announced today March 24th, 2023, that their all-new Mega-Campus BlueOval City being built in West Tennessee, is taking shape and with it is the next-gen Ford electric truck, code named Project T3, which will go into production there in 2025 as a 2026 model. This R&D and assembly line campus will be capable of producing 500,000 electric pickups per year. Here are the basic numbers Ford released today on this project: Since the start of this mega-campus park, Ford and partners have already invested $20 million plus dollars into the local communities. Bill Ford, executive chair had the following to say about this project: “BlueOval City is th…
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The era of the full-size, body-on-frame SUV is slowly coming to end, with many automakers transitioning towards crossovers. However, there are still those who still want full-size SUVs and automakers like Ford are ready to fill that need. Case in point is the 2015 Expedition which will debut tomorrow at the 2014 DFW Auto Show in Dallas. Following in the footsteps of the 2015 Lincoln Navigator which debuted back in January, the Expedition trades in the 5.4L V8 for the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine. Ford doesn't list any power or fuel economy numbers, saying they'll be released sometime later. A six-speed automatic is the sole transmission choice. Other mechanical changes includ…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com May 23, 2013 Some sad news to report from Australia today. Ford Australia announced that they will be shutting down operations on October 16, 2016. The shut down will close two factories - Broadmeadows and Geelong in Victoria - and cause the loss of 1,200 jobs. During a press conference, Ford Australia President and CEO Bob Graziano explained the company could not keep building vehicles in a country in the country after reporting a loss of $141 million after tax last year, and losses totaling more than $600 million in the past five years. "Our costs are double that of Europe and nearly four times Ford in Asia. The b…
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If you want to one up your friend who will be getting their hands on a new Ford GT, then why not put a bid on the first functional prototype of the last-generation GT. Going up for auction next month at Russo and Steele Arizona sale in Scottsdale, AZ, the GT Confirmation Prototype 1 (CP-1) is the first fully functional prototype. It was the fourth GT model ever built - wears the VIN 004 - and the first to come with a full interior. Being a prototype, the GT CP-1 has some special parts such as a "sniffer pipe" for emissions testing, quick-release fuel tank, and a carbon-fiber clamshell. The prototype also features signatures of 13 members of the original Ford GT design…
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After years of being forbidden fruit offered only in overseas markets, Ford has finally deemed the Ranger Raptor worthy enough to bring to the U.S. The biggest reason for the U.S. not getting the prior version was its standard diesel power and the inability of the platform to take a sizable V6 engine. When Ford redesigned the 2024 Ranger (read more about the 2024 Ford Ranger here), they made sure to alter the engine bay and chassis to accommodate a V6. Powering the Ranger Raptor is a 3.0-liter Ecoboost V6 producing 405 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque using premium fuel. That power flows through a 10-speed automatic transmission to a 2-speed transfer case and out t…
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For some, the announcement made by Ford's Asia Pacific is a dream come true. In a teaser video, a prototype Ranger is seen being put through its paces while undergoing testing in the Australian Outback. Towards the end of the video, the name Ranger Raptor is revealed and will be arriving in Asia Pacific markets next year. There isn't much to go on in terms of concrete details. It appears the Ranger Raptor will only come in the Double Cab configuration and feature a new grille - possibly the same one as seen on the F-150 Raptor. We're expecting some of the ideas from the F-150 Raptor's suspension will be applied for the smaller Ranger. Of course, some are asking …
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com December 16, 2011 This morning, the final Ford Ranger rolled off the Twin Cities assembly line, ending the twenty-nine year life of Ford’s compact truck. The Ranger was introduced back in 1982 as 1983 model and came into the growing market of compact trucks, becoming one the best selling trucks. In 1993, Ford revised the Ranger and got a Mazda counterpart, the B-Series a year later. With both four-cylinder and V6 engines, manual or automatic transmissions, and two or four-wheel drive, the Ranger and B-Series became a formidable force in the sales charts throughout the 90’s. But during the 2000s, the demand for small …
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Those who were hoping for a return performance of the Ford Fiesta ST will be disappointed to hear this news. According to CarBuzz, the director of Ford Performance of Europe, Leo Roeks said there isn't enough interest to bring the new model over. “It’s simply a matter of a lack of interest in the B-segment in America. It doesn’t make sense, nor is it possible financially speaking, to import a single trim level, and a niche one at that,” Roeks said. This news isn't that all surprising. Subcompacts have been seeing their sales drop for the past two years, and 2017 isn't looking much better. The Fiesta was one of the hardest hit models, seeing a decline of 24.3 per…
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The future of the Ford Taurus is uncertain. The once revolutionary sedan in the 80's, was brought back by Ford CEO Alan Mulally for the 2008 model year to replace the Five Hundred full-size sedan has seen its sales slump. Automotive News reports that full-size sedans like the Taurus have seen their sales tank. Through July, full-size sedan sales are down 28 percent. But the Taurus is one of the worst off. The blue oval has sold 29,867 Taurus sedans through July. That puts it on track to 2009, which was the worst year for Taurus sales with 45,617 models sold. Not helping matters is the Ford Fusion, which not only offers more passenger space than the Taurus, it also…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 9, 2012 Last week, Ford released a teaser picture of their new F-Series Super Duty hiding under a bed sheet. Ford didn't say much except there would be another model added to the lineup and it would be revealed on March 9th. Well its March 9th and the internet didn't pull a surprise reveal during the run up. So, ladies and gentlemen, the new 2013 Ford F-Series Super Duty. So aside from the front grill that seems to grow larger every year, what is the big news? Well it isn't with the powertrains. It happens to be the new model, the Platinum. The Platinum will will offer a slew of new standard features including S…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 9, 2012 Today, Ford president and CEO Alan Mulally announced that two key executives will step down from their positions in April. The two executives are Derrick Kuzak, Ford's head of global product development and Lewis Booth, executive vice president and chief financial officer. Kuzak has been in his current role since 2006 and is one of the people instrumental in creating "One Ford", the plan to develop cars on single global platforms with only cosmetic changes to account for local tastes. Kuzak is also responsible for the increase in measured quality. Booth a 34-year veteran of Ford, was tapped in 2008 a…
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The UAW leadership has given the ok to the Ford-UAW tentative agreement that was announced on Friday. According to the Detroit Free Press, the UAW leaders for Ford were briefed yesterday by UAW officials where they gave it the green light. Unlike FCA and GM's contacts, we know a little bit more about what will be coming to Ford's UAW workers. To start, UAW workers will get a $10,000 signing bonus ($8,500 bonus plus $1,500 of profit sharing), a plan to eliminate the two-tier wage system, and $9 billion in investments for future products. The future investments are interesting as the Free Press has learned from a source that will include the Ranger and the return of…
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In the latest round of Trade War rhetoric is a question that has ended up in the courts, when is a passenger van really a cargo van and does this tariff engineering really justify getting around the 25% chicken tax? In response to President Donald Trump's tariff war, automakers are find interesting ways to play the grey area of the legal system. According to BNN Bloomberg and Bloomberg news, trade attorneys are closely watching the Ford Motor Co. legal case play out in federal court. This case deals with the importation of passenger vans that are then stripped down once they clear customs and sold as cargo vans. The difference here is that Ford pays 2.5% import duty …
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 29, 2012 In the first quarter of 2012, Ford saw its market share drop 1.4 points. The reason: not enough inventory. "The market got a little bit ahead of us," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas. “Most of our production actions and capacity increases take place in the second half of this year.” Ford plans on boosting production at several of its vehicle assembly plants to counter what it says were weak dealer inventories during the first quarter of 2012. The plan includes trimming the summer shutdown period for plants and have three shifts running at Hermosillo, Mexico, assembly plant, later this y…
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