FORD MUSTANG GT/BOSS 302

FORD MUSTANG GT/BOSS 302

The Lord loves a juvenile delinquent.

Tip o' the hat to the freshened-for-2013 Ford Mustang in this, its third consecutive 10Best posting. Which is funny, because this 48-year-old malefactor's stingy rear seats would enrage the Amish. Its cabin materials still recollect Little House on the Prairie. The rigid rear axle is older than Moses. And on commutes in rain or snow, this loudmouth is only marginally more useful than your Schwinn. Said Jens Meiners, our European voter, "Wasteful, crude, unsophisticated—an automotive caricature of America." That's why, when the polls open, the Mustang sucks up to a constituency comprising Bruce Springsteen, Joe Biden, and all the rest of us hormonally imbalanced American boys whose primitive predilections got us kicked out of study hall. Well, too bad. At least we know our math:
420-HP MUSTANG GT: 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, quarter-mile in 13.0 seconds at 111 mph, top speed of 147 mph, 0.89 g of cornering grip, base price of $31,095.
444-HP MUSTANG BOSS 302 LAGUNA SECA: 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, quarter-mile in 12.7 seconds at 114 mph, top speed of 161 mph, 0.96 g of cornering grip, base price of $42,995 (Boss) or $49,990 (Laguna Seca). For now, we're still warming to the 305-hp Mustang V-6 and the 662-hp Shelby GT500. In the end, it's the GT/Boss twofer that shines as the quintessential Motown emblems of power, performance, and practicality—each a white-hot line drive of  blue-collar satisfaction for red-blooded Yanks. Did we go over the top there?

SPECIFICATIONS

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2- or 4-passenger, 2-door coupe
BASE PRICE: $31,095–$42,995
ENGINES: DOHC 32-valve 5.0-liter V-8, 420 hp, 390 lb-ft; DOHC 32-valve 5.0-liter V-8, 444 hp, 380 lb-ft
TRANSMISSIONS: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
WHEELBASE: 107.1 in
LENGTH: 188.1–188.5 in
WIDTH: 73.9 in HEIGHT: 55.1–55.8 in
CURB WEIGHT: 3650–3700 lb

FORD FOCUS/FOCUS ST

FORD FOCUS/FOCUS ST

Long on value, short on fluff, this is America's supercompact.

Never confuse cheapness with value. A cheap car endlessly reminds you of its inferiority. But value is doubly rewarding; it means paying the least amount possible for something of superior grade. And value perfectly describes the Ford Focus and Focus ST. A Focus might cost slightly more than other cars in its compact class, but for a few bucks extra, it's profoundly better. From the basic 160-hp Focus to the new 252-hp hot hatch, the entire lineup transcends the compact caste. It's as if Ford built the Focus's structure to compete with Mercedes-Benz, the steering with Porsche, and the suspension with Lotus. Ford might not have hit every mark—the automatic is still a dullard, for instance—but the reach upward lifts the Focus away from its competition. Even the electric version (deemed too pricey for a 10Best award) boasts the same blend of refinement and handling. Note that we did, however, add the ST to the list this year. It's like a younger, louder, and hungrier GTI, and we fell hard for it. But even the lowliest Focus is suffused with character and quality far above its price.

SPECIFICATIONS

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan or 5-door wagon
BASE PRICE: $16,995–$24,495
ENGINES: DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 160 hp, 146 lb-ft; turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 252 hp, 270 lb-ft
TRANSMISSIONS: 5- or 6-speed manual, 6-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode
WHEELBASE: 104.3 in
LENGTH: 171.6–178.5 in
WIDTH: 71.8 in HEIGHT: 57.7–58.4 in
CURB WEIGHT: 2950–3250 lb

2012 Ford Focus ST, Next Level

2012 Ford Focus ST - Here is an article that review about 2012 Ford Focus ST. In this article will discuss spesifications, the ins and outs of 2012 Ford Focus ST. For more details, please read this article. 2012 Ford Focus ST is represents an ultimate expression of Focus driving quality and performance and we are confident that the new model will strengthen the reputation of Ford's ST heritage among enthusiast drivers and attract new fans as well.

One common 2012 Ford Focus ST model is being developed for all global markets, with the vehicle targeted for launch during 2012. This will be the first time that Ford has produced one of its highly regarded high-performance models for a global audience. The new 2012 Ford Focus ST will be our first true global performance vehicle and we are excited about the chance to give many customers worldwide their first taste of Ford's acclaimed ST heritage.

More Performance - and More Economy - from Ford EcoBoost Power, at the heart of the appeal of the next-generation Focus ST is a high-output 250 PS derivative of the efficient and advanced new 2.0-litre Ford EcoBoost four-cylinder petrol engine. Compared to the 2.0-litre Ford EcoBoost engine used in other Ford vehicles, the 250 PS unit features re-designed intake and exhaust systems and a unique engine calibration to deliver the desired level of power and responsiveness. The engine retains the strong torque delivery which is a feature of Ford EcoBoost designs, with a broad, flat torque curve offering a maximum output of 360 Nm.

One of a completely new generation of downsized, high-efficiency, low-CO2 petrol engines from Ford, the 2.0-litre Ford EcoBoost is a lightweight, all-aluminium design which combines three technologies - high-pressure direct injection, low-inertia turbocharging and twin independent variable cam timing - to create an advanced combustion system which brings new levels of performance and fuel efficiency to petrol engines in this power range.

Ford Team RS performance vehicle specialists have a mission: to ensure that the new Ford Focus ST delivers the pure performance and handling everyone expects from a genuine Ford ST model. Compared to the standard Focus, the ST model will feature a comprehensive range of enhancements including a chassis lowered by 10mm, a substantially different variable ratio steering system, high performance brakes and unique suspension tuning, that will enable the vehicle to deliver the acclaimed ST handling agility and poise.

Ford Focus ST drivers will also be able to take advantage of the unprecedented level of smart new technologies incorporated in Ford's latest global C-car platform, including advanced new driver assistance, powertrain, chassis and active safety features. Many of these features, such as the advanced new Torque Vectoring Control system - which acts like a torque vectoring differential to enhance cornering stability and agility - have a direct impact on improving driving quality to an even higher level.

The new Focus ST features a highly distinctive sports exterior, providing significant functional and aerodynamic benefits and clearly differentiating the ST derivative from other models in the new Focus family.

The performance theme from the exterior is echoed inside the car, with a very bold high-contrast sports cockpit featuring Recaro seats, unique instrumentation and modern, highly technical finishes. Dramatically-bolstered and rally-inspired Recaro leather and fabric front seats provide an ideal balance between sporting support and long-distance comfort, and form the centrepiece of the cabin.

The seats are finished in high-quality Charcoal Black leather, offset by bold orange gold panels in a neoprene fabric and vibrant yellow-gold contrast stitching. The central Charcoal Black fabric seat panels feature a rugged embossed design in the style of a performance tyre tread pattern. The rear Recaro seats are finished in the same distinctive style.

2012 Ford Focus ST-R, Real Racing

2012 Ford Focus ST-R - Here is an article that review about 2012 Ford Focus ST-R. In this article will discuss spesifications, the ins and outs of 2012 Ford Focus ST-R. For more details, please read this article. 2012 Ford Focus ST-R is is purpose-built for the track by Ford Racing in North America as a fully-prepared competition car. It features a powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine, FIA regulation roll cage, uprated brakes and track-tuned suspension. 2012 Ford Focus ST-R will be available to teams soon, starting in North America, to race in a variety of series.

The all-new 2012 Ford Focus ST-R has been crafted by engineers at Ford Racing - with technical support from Ford's Global Performance Vehicles group - to allow it to compete in a huge variety of series, including Grand-Am ST, World Challenge TC and Canadian Touring Car Series. Ford also hopes teams will race the car in key European motorsport series and major national events such as the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. Its linkage to the new Focus ST road car is no accident.

Initially homologated for American and Canadian touring car racing, Ford Focus ST-R will be available to order from Ford dealers in North America by seasoned hardcore professional drivers, amateur racers and track day enthusiasts as well. Ford's vision is to broaden availability to additional regions in the future.

Because the Focus ST-R is a production-based road race car, it features stock body panels and production parts where possible," added Allison. "People who buy one will get will get a fully prepared race car that will only need communications equipment and the customer's decals to go racing. We've already had significant interest in this vehicle from numerous established race teams

Development work on the Ford Focus ST-R will also result in a range of Ford Racing parts to be made available to racers and enthusiasts around the world.

The Frankfurt debut of the Ford Focus ST-R is part of an aggressive motorsport presence for Ford, as its strategy to support motorsport development across its core global vehicle platforms gains traction. Ford is applying engineering and development expertise for vehicles like Focus ST-R to spur success in competition similar to that being enjoyed by the Fiesta in RallyCross and the X Games.

The global Focus race car development - a major plank in Ford's new global motorsport strategy - is based on international S2000 regulations. Focus ST-R adds momentum to the new Focus motorsport story launched by Team Aon in the British Touring Car Championship.

Both the Team Aon Focus BTCC car and the new Ford Focus ST-R are evidence of a Ford strategy with global ambitions to help privateers to be competitive on all levels.

Ford launched its global motorsport development program last year. At its core is technical support for privateers who chose to compete with global Ford vehicles with access to affordable, globally competitive hardware.