Ford started unveiling the Shelby GT500 based on the 2011 model year Mustang and will be available as a coupe, convertible, with the glass roof option. The all-new aluminum-block 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine cranks out 550 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of peak torque, or 10HP more and the same torque as the previous GT500.

The new engine is 102 pounds or 46.2 kg lighter than its predecessor, providing  a better power-to-weight ratio and improved fuel economy. The new engine uses a unique spray coating process that replaces cast-iron liners resulting in weight savings of 8.5 pounds compared to a typical steel-sleeved aluminum block.

The addition of EPAS (Electric Power Assist Steering) and detailed aerodynamic changes to the underside of the vehicle, the 2011 GT500 will be the first modern Shelby without the gas guzzler tax as it returns an EPA-projected 23 mpg highway and 15 mpg city, up from 22 mpg highway and 14 mpg city for the 2010 model.

The Shelby GT500 benefits from noise, vibration and harshness improvements, enhanced structural rigidity, with lateral stiffness improved by 12 percent versus the 2010 model and a larger 2.75-inch exhaust that produces a throatier sound.

Ford says that the 2011 coupe with the SVT Performance Package is 3.0 seconds faster per lap than the 2010 Shelby GT500 on a 2.3-mile test track.

All 2011 GT500s benefit from different new convenience features such as HID (high-intensity discharge) headlamps, programmable vehicle key, Integrated spotter mirror and fold-down rear headrests.

The new Shelby GT500 is expected to go on sale in the States by the end of Spring.

 

The all new Ford Focus has recently been unveiled to the public at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. Some of the main competitors of the next-generation Ford Focus are considered to be such vehicles as the Chevy Cruze, Honda Civic, VW Golf / Jetta and Toyota Corolla.

The car manufacturer has revealed the five-door hatchback and four-door sedan versions of Focus with the same styling at Detroit show. Ford has combined the design and the features of the new Fiesta and the European Mondeo.

“The new Ford Focus is a clear demonstration that our ONE Ford strategy is providing global consumers with great products that harness the best of Ford Motor Company,” said Alan Mulally, Ford’s president and CEO. “The efficiencies generated by our new global C-car platform will enable us to provide Ford Focus customers with an affordable product offering quality, fuel efficiency, safety and technology beyond their expectations.”

According to Ford the 2011 Focus comes with front-wheel drive and a new line of engines. The 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter Ecoboost turbocharged petrol engines as well as improved Duratorq TDCi common-rail diesels offering reductions in fuel consumption between 10 and 20 per cent over the outgoing models will be available for European consumers. The North American buyers will be able to get the vehicle with a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) and direct injection (DI) delivering an estimated output of 155-horsepower and 145 ft.-lb. of torque.

“We believe the new Ford Focus will provide consumers with an unmatched driving experience, together with an unrivaled ownership experience,” said Jim Farley, Ford group vice president, Global Marketing. “The Focus brand always has been very special to Ford, and this new global model shows our commitment to developing another generation of exciting and appealing cars.”

Some of the most significant features of Ford Focus include a new generation SYNC package, Bluetooth connectivity, an 8-inch touch screen, a rear camera and a semi-automatic parking assist system.

The production of the Focus will start late 2010 in Europe and North America. The production in Asia, Africa and South America will start later, while the vehicle will be available for sale in 2011.

Ford has officially revealed the 2011 Mustang GT, which will be first presented to the public at Detroit auto show, which will take place next month.

The 2011 model year Mustang GT comes with a new 5.0-liter V8 engine uses 32-valves and Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT). Due to these features the engine has an output of 412 horsepower and 390 ft.-lb. of torque. The current model of Mustang GT has a 4.6-liter V8 engine, which delivers 315HP and 325 lb-ft. According to the car manufacturer the weight of the V8 engine is 430 pounds (195 kg).

Ford has also replaced the 2011 Ford Mustang GT’s five-speed transmissions, so now the new 5.0-liter Mustang will come either with the 6R80 six-speed automatic transmission or the MT82 six-speed manual gearbox.

Ford claims that the fuel economy of the vehicle will be an estimated 17 city / 25 highway (up from 17 city / 23 highway) for models with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the fuel economy for the six-speed manual will remain unchanged at 16 city / 24 mpg highway.

Some of the new features of the Ford Mustang GT include a specially tuned Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS), 11.5-inch front and 11.8-inch rear vented disc brakes, and an enhanced suspension featuring an improved rear lower control arm and stiffened rear stabilizer bushings. Other updates include a revised instrument cluster, three new exterior colors (Yellow Blaze Tri-Coat, Race Red and Ingot Silver), and improved standard equipment.

The Brembo brake package which features unique 19-inch alloy wheels, summer performance tires, and 14-inch vented front discs from the Mustang GT500 are also available as an option.

Recently some information and images of the facelifted 2010 Ford S-Max and 2010 Ford Galaxy has appeared on the web and now the representatives of Ford has officially confirmed this information. Both of the models will be introduced to the public As previously reported, at the 2010 Brussels Motor Show and will be available with a new EcoBoost turbocharged engine.

“We’ve given both models a fresh new look and more premium appeal, but it is beneath the skin that the major changes have been made,” said Ford Europe chief John Fleming. Fleming here talks about the new engine, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine that benefits from direct-injection, which will replace the previous 2.3-liter unit.

The vehicles will come with the 161-horsepower version of the improved 2.0-liter Duratorq TDCi diesel, which joins the 138hp and 113hp versions. According to the company, the petrol engine will be mated with the PowerShift double wet-clutch transmission.

The petrol unit is rated at 34.8mpg, with extra urban driving leading to 44.1mpg. A 19 percent emissions reduction is seen, taking the figure to 189 grams per kilometer. With a diesel, fuel economy can be increased up to almost 50mpg, with emissions down to 152 g/km, according to the company.

Changes in the interior of the vehicles include new materials, which are more “luxurious and dynamic.” Both vehicles will also feature new front fascia and freshened grille.

The 2010 Ford S-Max and the 2010 Ford Galaxy are scheduled to be released early next year.

Ford has announced pricing for its Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Mustang. One of the hottest pony cars on the market, the hand-built Iacocca Mustang is priced for $89,950. The vehicle is one of the most expensive in its range. It’s about $10,000 more than the GT500KR or is three times more than the base price of a 2010 Mustang GT.

Let us remind that Lee Iacocca unveiled new version of the vehicle in June this year in celebration of forty-five years after the introduction of the original Ford Mustang that took place at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Only 45 units of the special edition vehicle will be produced. Iacocca Mustang will feature a unique Mustang fastback look, a unique “Iacocca” chosen silver hue finishing, 20-inch wheels and blocked-out rear side windows. Other unique elements such as the sunken headlights, slanted grill and low stance are also included.

The interior of the vehicle features Diamond Design leather seats and an Iacocca dash plaque, while an “I”-badged steering wheel provide a custom feel to the cabin.

The Iacocca Mustang come with a standard 4.6-liter V-8 engine with the output of 320 horsepower. The supercharged version that delivers 400 horsepower is also available as an option. Both cars are equipped with a five-speed manual transmission.

Though the special edition Iacocca Mustang is officially priced from $89,950, one of the cars was auctioned off for as much as $125,000. There were several more cars that were sold for more than $100,000.

Today Ford of Europe has released the first official images of its next-generation C-Max tall hatchback, which is scheduled to debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The first thing you will notice about the new C-MAX is that it is based on the next-generation Focus platform and borrows design features from the iosis MAX concept car shown in Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.

Ford has designed and developed two different body styles for the C-MAX, one for the five-seater version and another one for the larger and more practical, seven-seater model.

Accordignt to the first information the vehicle will come with a new 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder direct injection petrol engine. It is most likely that the little I4 will be equipped with turbocharging and direct-injection for better power and fuel efficiency. There is no information about the output figures for the engine, but this information (horsepower and torque numbers) will probably be released later this month.

Some of the features of the new model are a coupé-like, sweeping roofline and Ford C-MAX hallmarks of comfort, space, and practicality. New safety features such as semi-automatic parallel parking and a blind-spot detection system are also available. Blind-spot detection system or the semi-self parking feature are available on the vehicle as an options.

It is believed that Ford will fully unveil the all-new 2010 C-MAX minivan by the end of this week, as the manufacturer aims to get some additional publicity before the world premiere of the model. The new Ford C-MAX is expected to hit the dealerships in the second half of 2010.

Today, forty-five years after he first introduced the original Ford Mustang, the former president of the Ford division Lee Iacocca, announced a new version of the famous muscle car called the 2009 1/2 Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang. Only 45 exemplars of 2009½ Iacocca Silver Edition Mustangs will be produced. All the vehicles will be painted in a special silver hue, which is the choice of Iacocca.

The 2009 1/2 Iacocca 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang features a special body, which is designed by Michael Leone and built by the legendary Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters.

The special edition vehicle model is based on the 2009 Mustang platform and will be offered with two power plant options: a normally-aspirated 4.6-liter Ford V8 with 320 horsepower and an optional supercharged version delivering up to 400 horsepower. Both V8s are linked to a 5-speed manual transmission. S 14-inch front brake system is also available to customers as an option.

The exterior of the vehicle features a reworked front end including sunken headlights and a prominent fastback look with the slope of the roof reaching all the way to the rear of the car.

On the interior the limited production Iacocca’s Mustang gets Diamond Design leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with “I” logos, and Iacocca-badged aluminum door sill plates. The look of the car is finished with 20-inch Iacocca Design wheels wrapped with Goodyear Eagle tires.

The Iacocca 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang will be available to customers exclusively at Galpin Ford dealership in Southern California.