2010 Ford Mustang Teaser Shot No9: The Headlight

Taking a break from our Paris Show reports, Ford just released the ninth consecutive teaser shot of the 2010 Mustang that's set to be revealed in November at the LA Auto Show. So what else is new? Well, this time FoMoCo decided to add a few blurbs giving us a short description of the changes featured in the Mustang’s front-end design. These include the slimmer headlamps with the integrated turn indicators that are incorporated in a larger grille and the large twin fog lamps fog lamps on the GT model which also features dark headlamp bezels and grille surrounds. Also on the GT, the revised pony badge is finished in dark chrome. -Continued

“We want people to unequivocally know this is a Mustang when they see it,” said Douglas Gaffka, Chief Designer, 2010 Mustang. “The stronger, more-muscular front end of the 2010 Mustang does just that.”

“The 2010 Mustang has a sculpted, crafted look,” said George Saridakis, Design Manager, 2010 Mustang. “The flowing lines are in keeping with Mustang’s heritage and DNA. It conveys the sense and attitude of power and performance.”

Ford Kuga 2.5 Turbo Individual to Premiere in Paris

While Ford’s people here in the U.S. are fooling around with the all-important big-hog daddy F-450, their German counterparts are getting ready to present a new model in the Kuga range equipped with a 200HP 2.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine matted to either a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. In addition to the new powertrain options, the Paris Show Kuga 2.5 Turbo will also mark the debut Ford of Europe’s Individual vehicle customization program combining a new exterior body kit and 20-inch alloy wheels with new interior treatment options. -Continued

The rather aggressive, but quite tasteful aero kit was inspired from the styling of the iosis X Concept and Kuga preview show cars. The package consists of body colored wheel arch extensions, lower rocker claddings, and new bumpers which have been extended some 50 mm lower than the original design along with new chromed front grilles.

Other components include front and rear skid plates as well as door claddings, all painted in a contrasting silver color, and a new rear spoiler that has been lengthened by around 100 mm. The exterior styling is complemented by massive 20-inch wheels fitted with 255/35 ZR 20 tires. All of these body kit features are due to be made available to Kuga customers as production items in the first half of 2009.

The Paris Show Kuga 2.5 Turbo’s interior that also serves as a preview of what will be available to customers early next year, is fitted with dark leather seats that combine two different sets of materials - a softer Ebony colored Nappa leather for the seat bolsters and seatbacks and a more a more heavily grained 'Bond' leather for the rest of the seat. Both leathers are distinguished from each other by the use of a contrasting light grey piping.

Additionally, the Paris preview vehicle also features interior trim parts such as the center console cladding, center stack surfaces and the door-pull handles finished in a high-gloss 'Piano White' finish that supposedly matches the crossover's exterior color and seat-stitching. Our opinion is that we could have done without the glossy white accesories, but overall, the Kuga 2.5 Turbo Individual definetely looks the part. Too bad we won’t be getting to see it any time soon here in the States.

2009 Ford F450 Harley Davidson Edition

The U.S. economy isn’t at its best, unstable fuel prices are driving people farther away from large SUVs and Pickup trucks and Ford, well Ford decides to spend its resources and time to team-up once again with Harley Davidson to develop a special edition version of the F-450 which it describes as the “Big Hog Daddy” of the road… -Continued

As with the still available F-250/350 SRW models, each individually numbered F-450 Harley-Davidson gets a…discreet blue-flame paint scheme that is carried through to the interior gauges in the instrument panel. Other mods include the custom perforated black leather wrapped seats, door panels and center console cover along with the necessary Harley-Davidson logos.

2009 Ford Ka Begins Production

While we’re waiting to see the 2009 Ka up close at the Paris Motor Show, the first volume production example of Ford’s new minicar rolled off the production line at a special ceremony today in Fiat’s Tychy plant in Poland. The new Ka was jointly developed with Fiat, but while it shares most of its underpinning with the Fiat 500 that is also built along with the Panda in the Tychy plant, the two minicars don’t share any sheetmetal or any major interior components. -Continued

"It was three years ago that we reached agreement with Fiat to produce the new Ka here in Tychy," explained Ian Slater, vice-president communications and public affairs, Ford of Europe. "One of the strengths of this co-operation has been that both parties wanted to produce vehicles which would be very different in looks and character. I'm satisfied that in doing so, we've set up a 'win-win' opportunity for both companies."

Ford’s investment in the 500-Ka project amounted to 210 million Euros and it resulted to the addition of another 1,000 jobs in the plant and more among locally-based suppliers. Annual production of Ford Ka will be 120,000 units a year.

2010 Ford Mustang Teaser Shot No 8

Attempting to use the news-hungry blogosphere to its advantage, Ford continues the slow striptease of its forthcoming 2010 Mustang with the release of the eighth teaser shot. This time we get to see the new Mustang’s front seats. And no, we’re not going to play Ford’s game by creating a whole article dedicated to the seats’ perforated leather and white stitching…

2008 IAA: Ford Fiesta Panel Van

To the delight of many European salesmen, Ford unwrapped the latest iteration of its Fiesta Panel Van at the IAA Commercial Vehicles show in Hanover that opened its doors today to the members of the press. Using the new generation Fiesta hatchback as a base, Ford’s engineers ripped out anything coming in-between the front passengers’ seats and the car’s tailgate, including of course the rear-sear bench and the side windows which have been replace by a metallic cover. -Continued

Moreover there’s a solid half-height bulkhead to keep unruly goods off the drivers back while the separation between cabin and cargo is completed with a mesh upper section. The Fiesta Panel Van’s load space is around 1 cubic meter. Sales of the bread van Fiesta are expected to start in early 2009.

Photos: UP / Carscoop

New Ford F-150 SFE Promises Higher MPG over Standard Models

Forget about which model has the highest output or the largest truck bed; today’s pickup market is -believe it or not- all about fuel economy. And now, just as the F-150 is getting ready to arrive at showrooms across the States, Ford announced the introduction of the new F-150 SFE, where SFE stands for ‘Superior Fuel Efficiency’.

Ford promises that thanks to a series of upgrades that include a new fuel-efficient 6-speed automatic transmission, a 3.15:1 rear axle and 18-inch alloy wheels with low rolling resistance P265/60R18 all-season tires, the F-150 SFE pickup will get 21 mpg on the highway and 15 mpg in the city, a 6% to 8% increase over the standard models while still providing 7,500 pounds of towing capability. -Continued

The new SFE package will be available on F-150 SuperCrew XL and XLT 4X2 vehicles with 4.6-liter, 3-valve V-8 engines and 5.5-foot beds. According to Ford, the SFE package will be a no-cost option on XLT SuperCrew pickups with the chrome package and will cost $1,095 when ordered on XL SuperCrew pickups with the decor package.

Ford Releases 2010 Mustang Dashboard Photo

Continuing its striptease tactic, Ford has revealed an official photo of the 2010 Mustang’s dashboard. The picture comes just a week after the release of five teaser shots depicting details of the allegedly heavily revised 2010 ‘Stang that will make its world debut at the forthcoming Los Angeles Auto Show in mid-November. You can check out the rest of the teaser shots along with a promo film for the 2010 Mustang by following the jump. -Continued

Via: Jalopnik , Source: Ford

Ford Releases Focus ST Mountune with 260 HP

Since we’re still a few months ahead of the market launch of the almighty 300HP Focus RS, Ford’s UK division decided to offer an optional performance package for the Focus ST. Developed by Mountune Performance in association with Ford Team RS, the performance package consists of a larger intercooler, a high-flow air filter and revised engine calibration. Together, this lifts power output from the ST’s 2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder engine from 225 HP to 260 HP at 5,500rpm and maximum torque from 320Nm to 400Nm at 2,500rpm. -Continued

According to Ford’s preliminary specs, the performance upgrades reduce the Focus ST’s 0-60mph (96 km/h) sprint by 0.6sec to 5.9sec, and the 0-100mph (160 km/h) time by 1.9sec to 14.1sec.

The optional performance pack will only be available at selected Ford dealers around the UK from Sept 2008 with retail prices set at £1,120 or $2,000 / €1,400 but you’ll have to pay extra for fitting. The upgrades carry a minimum of 12 months/12,000-mile dealer warranty up to a maximum of three years/36,000 miles and as expected, the upgrade kit does not affect the vehicle warranty in any way.

Ford Releases 2010 Mustang Teaser Shots

And the show goes on; after releasing a video (click here) and a set of photos (click here) of a heavily camouflaged prototype of its forthcoming 2010 Mustang, Ford decided that it’s time for the teaser shots. The new cryptic photos reveal a few details on the next generation ‘Stang including the GT logo, the alloy wheels and the side of the convertible version. Anything to create a bit of hype right? Anyway, the official debut of the new Mustang is scheduled for this November’s Los Angeles Show. Check out the pics right after the jump. -Continued

Source: Ford , Via: Worldcarfans