Tag Archives: ford
Europe Is Finally Getting The Ford Ranger Raptor
Ford is making the Ranger Raptor available in Europe by 2019. The announcement was made through the Gamescon video game show as the pickup truck will also make its video game debut in Forza Horizon 4.
Just like its Asian market counterpart, the Ranger Raptor will use a twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter diesel four-cylinder engine that can produce 210 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Pairing this engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the turbochargers can operate in a sequential pattern with the smaller unit operating at lower revs and the larger unit taking the higher rpm band.
The transmission is programmed in such a way that the driver can override the system anytime via the paddle shifters. The chassis, in particular, has been tuned for off-road performance and it also features Fox shocks with Positive Sensitive Damping.
For better handling, the Ford Ranger Raptor is finished with BF Goodrich all-terrain tires on 17-inch wheels. These come standard with a front skid plate made of high-strength steel. There are six modes that the Ranger Raptor can be driven such as Normal, Sport, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Sand, Rock, and Baja for high-speed off-road driving.
Inside, the Ranger Raptor will feature Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 8.0-inch touchscreen. The seats are now Raptor-specific sports seats that come upholstered in a suede-like material and leather with blue stitching.
The things that distinguish the Ranger Raptor from a regular Ranger are its unique front grille, flared composite front fenders that can accommodate longer suspension travel and oversized tires, side step boards that also prevent rock spray, and air curtains on the front fender for better air flow.
Sadly, we won’t see the Ranger Raptor on the US soil. This model was made specifically for other markets where the F-150 isn’t sold and diesel is more popular.
3 Things That Explain The Hype Behind The Ford Baby Bronco
In March 2018, Ford revealed its two-year plan to release new models, a majority of which would be SUV crossovers. One of the biggest news is the hybrid version of the F-150 and the revival of the iconic Bronco. But that’s not all because we are hearing reports that there would be a smaller sibling to the Bronco II or the “Baby Bronco.”
Exterior
The rendering of the Baby Bronco showed that it will compete with the Jeep, particularly the Renegade. The first thing that will catch your eye is the boxy shape—from the front fascia down to the rear fascia (though that one isn’t clear yet). There’s a wide grille that runs between the headlamps and the big “Ford” lettering could clearly be seen.
Speaking of headlamps, the units are round and simple but features LED technology. The bumper looks very basic with a simple grille and possibly LED foglamps on each side. Thick cladding can also be seen on the fenders. Other features would be its tall ride height and the rack on the roof.
Interior
It’s difficult to say how the Baby Bronco will look in the inside since Ford plans to reveal it in 2021. That’s a lot of time for the company to introduce a new design language. That being said, the Baby Bronco should be able to give the Renegade a run for its money.
There should be ample seating for five adults. The Renegade has good legroom and headroom rating for the rear-seat passengers at 40.5 inches and 35.1 inches, respectively, so Ford should try to top that off. The company should also match the 45.3 cubic feet trunk of the Renegade.
Drivetrain
The Baby Bronco might have the same engine options as the Escape as it is slated just above the EcoSport. In the US, the Escape is being offered in three four-cylinder gasoline engines that can produce somewhere between 168 horsepower (for the base model) and 245 horsepower (for the top-of-the-line model).
What To Expect From Steeda’s Ford Mustang Bullitt
The tuner Steeda is known for its affection for the Ford Mustang, and it has become famous when it comes to creating limited and special edition of the car for many clients. For the Mustang Bullitt, the company partnered with Galpin Auto Sports and McQueen Racing to deliver the most amazing version of the auto to date.
Exterior
The stock Ford Mustang Bullitt is cool enough in terms of looks, but the Steeda package adds another level of prestige factor. The Steeda-built Bullitt gets an all-new aerodynamic package that includes a deeper front splitter, side skirts, and rear diffuser. To make it look more exciting, Steeda adds another inch to the tuner’s signature wheels and finished all the additional pieces in Highland Green.
Interior
Moving past the exterior features, the Steeda’s Bullitt is fitted with a multitude of McQueen plaques, Alcantara steering wheel, and leather-covered surfaces all over. Steeda did not give any details about the other changes they did to the Mustang Bullitt, but we’re excited to see more.
Performance
Steeda integrates the Bullitt with a 2.9-liter Whipple supercharger, which leads to the modifications on the rear suspension and axles plus a carbon driveshaft. It also offers optional extras that include four-point roll cage and rear seat delete, Ford performance severe duty IRS half-shaft upgrade, and McQueen racing brake calipers painted in dark charcoal with McQueen accents in green.
You can opt for the stock Bullitt, but if you want the ultimate experience, you can shell out some serious cash on the Steeda-tuned Bullitt. The options for the power output are quite extensive—a 500-horsepower beast or an 800-horsepower Hellcat killer.
The Ford Mustang Bullitt sells for $46,595. The Steeda package costs an additional $20,995. The price is steep but the Steeda package can power the Bullitt by 800 horsepower, so you can compete against the meanest muscle cars on the road.
2019 Ford Ranger Pickup Starts At $25,395
Following a configuration tool leak last week, Ford officially announced pricing for its 2019 Ford Ranger. The base price is priced a little higher at $25,395 compared to the leak, but it’s just a $300 difference so that should not cause a problem.
The official report from Ford revealed that there would be no regular-cab model available, which may disappoint some customers who are fans of simple trucks. Then again, the Chevy Colorado, the GMC Canyon, the Nissan Frontier, and the Toyota Tacoma are not available with a regular cab either. This decision should not come as a surprise for Ford fans.
The $25,395 price tag was for the entry-level XL with an extended cab and two-wheel drive. The old price is still available, but you will have to get the chassis cab version of the XL SuperCab, which no regular customer would be looking for. The higher trim levels, of course, are priced higher but you’ll get a lot more gorgeous specs and tech features.
Here are all the prices of the trim levels, including the destination charge: $25,395 (XL SuperCab 2WD), $29,555 (XL SuperCab 4WD), $27,615 (XL SuperCrew 2WD), $31,775 (XL SuperCrew 4WD), $29,035 (XLT SuperCab 2WD), $33,035 (XLT SuperCab 4WD), $31,210 (XLT SuperCrew 2WD), $35,210 (XLT SuperCrew 4WD), $33,305 (Lariat SuperCab 2WD), $37,305 (Lariat SuperCab 4WD), $35,480 (Lariat SuperCrew 2WD), and $39,480 (Lariat SuperCrew 4WD).
Among the current crop of small pickup trucks, the Ranger has the highest base price. The Nissan Frontier starts at $19,965, the Colorado at $21,590, the Canyon at $22,095, and the Tacoma at $24,740. All of these come with naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines. The Ranger’s base model comes with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder, which is the same one in the EcoBoost Mustang and the Focus RS.
For the V6 models, the Ranger is only beaten by the Colorado at $25,345. The Frontier starts at $26,195, the Canyon at $27,630, and the Tacoma at $31,365.
Everything We Know About The 2019 Ford Territory That’s Made For China
Ford is finding it difficult to infiltrate the Chinese market, and for an automaker, that’s bad news. China has become the biggest market for automakers, and without a clear presence there, the business could suffer. For this year, Ford has prepared a grand plan to capture the Chinese market. They will introduce 50 new models until 2025, starting off with an affordable crossover SUV since we can’t seem to get enough of them.
Called Ford Territory, this is no way the same as the one in Australia with the same name. While that one is based on the Ford Falcon, the Chinese-market crossover SUV is very different and will be developed with Chinese automaker JMC.
No mechanical details have been revealed yet, except that it will be offered with three engine options: a conventional gas-powered engine, a Miller-cycle-style engine with a 48V mild-hybrid assist, and a plug-in hybrid.
Don’t worry if this will be manufactured with a Chinese automaker partner. It would still very much look like a Ford since it will still be the one responsible for the Territory’s overall design, engineering, and testing. JMC will provide advice and feedback on what sells in the Chinese market. The car will also be built in a JMC factory.
Other reports from China, however, noted that the Territory may be similar to one of JMC’s brands, the Yusheng. The S330 model, however, features a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that can make 163 horsepower.
From initial reports, the Territory looks handsome enough to have a shot at the Asian market. It may not be outstanding, but its exterior and interior are both aimed at functionality and at appealing to other Asian cities.
The Territory will go on sale in China early next year, but it won’t probably be available in the US because it wasn’t manufactured to meet North America’s safety and emission standards.
3 Reasons Why The 2019 Ford Mustang Hennessey Heritage Edition Is Special
It was in 1991 that John Hennessey began modifying and tuning cars to maximize their potential way and beyond what automakers were able or willing to. To celebrate the 10,000th car that Hennessey tuned, the company comes up with the Hennessey Heritage Edition of the 2019 Ford Mustang.
1. There Will Only Be 19 Units Available
This is a proper special edition car. Many tuning companies are quite too liberal in using the phrase “special edition” that we really cannot separate the cars anymore. Hennessey will only be producing 19 units of the car, so you better get your cash ready if you want to own one of these.
2. It Is Based On The 2018 Ford Mustang Heritage Edition
It is important to understand that the 2019 Ford Mustang Hennessey Heritage Edition is based on another special edition model—the 2018 Ford Mustang Heritage Edition. The most prominent addition to the 2019 model is the carbon fiber body parts, followed by a stainless steel exhaust system, a set of 20-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, and a livery package similar to what Ford used on its Heritage Edition Mustangs.
The interior gets a lot of upgrades, too, though you will first notice the individually numbered dashboard plaques that denote the model number of the 19 units that Hennessey will produce. There’s also a letter of authenticity and a personal letter of gratitude that comes from John Hennessey himself.
3. The Car has 808 Horsepower
But it’s not the changes on the exterior and the interior that highlights the Hennessey Heritage Edition. It’s what you find under the hood—a modified version of Ford’s 5.0-liter V-8 engine that can now produce 808 hp and 677 lb-ft of torque. With the new figures, this special edition car can now sprint from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.3 seconds. It also has a top speed of 200 mph.
John Cena and Ford Settle a Lawsuit Over Breach of Contract
WWE superstar John Cena and Ford have finally settled their lawsuit. The wrestler was ordered to pay an undisclosed amount of money to the automaker.
According to Motor1, Ford filed a lawsuit against Cena for selling his Ford GT before the 24-month required ownership was over. The American car maker agreed that the money received from Cena for the lawsuit will be donated to charity.
Cena pointed out that he loves the Ford GT and apologized to the American automaker. In a statement, he encouraged everyone who owns the same car to honor the stipulations in the contract saying that they could not sell the auto for 24 months after they received it. The wrestler also said he was pleased that the two camps were able to settle the matter outside the court, and that a “worthy charity” will benefit “from one of the most iconic cars in the world.”
The Ford GT only had an initial run of about 500 units. Ford individually selected applications to own the Ford GT. One of the approved buyers was Cena. The American car company received about 6,506 applications for the initial run of the car. But part of the contract clearly stipulated that the owners have to keep their Ford GTs for 24 months as a way to limit the access to the car in the secondhand market.
The wrestler paid $460,000 for his GT, which included $5,200 worth of options such as the Liquid Blue exterior paint and leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Ford filed the lawsuit back in November and requested $500,000 for breach of contract. Cena’s lawyers asked for the suit to be thrown out because the 24-month stipulation was not on all the contracts their client signed. The lawyers argued that the clause was part of the order confirmation but it was not present in the final purchase order.
The contentions of Cena’s lawyers did not hold and the wrestler was ordered to pay up. It’s not clear whether the settlement included the whole amount requested by Ford.
The wrestler already owns a 2006 GT, so it’s not clear why he decided to sell his new sports car over the old one.
Smoother Design Shown By 2020 Ford Escape Spy Shots
The new generation Ford Escape or Kuga (if you’re from Europe) is in the early stages of testing as shown from the prototype that was spotted for the first time. The prototype shows a smoother, more fluid-like design for the latest Focus.
The test mule has a lengthened tail section and wider hood (which some may see as Ford’s way to hide the mechanicals), which probably indicated that the new Escape will be longer and wider than the previous generation.
This decision for an increased size makes sense since Ford has recently introduced the subcompact Ecosport and a new mini off-roader. The longer Escape will also make it a good competition with the Nissan Rogue and Volkswagen Tiguan.
Recently, Ford introduced a new platform for compact cars. This debuted in the new Focus and would probably be the same platform that would be used on the new generation Escape.
There are no details yet about the powertrains, but we can expect the new Escape’s standard powertrain to be a turbocharged inline-4 paired to an 8-speed automatic and front-wheel drive for the US market. All-wheel drive systems will also be available.
If you’re on the lookout for the Escape Hybrid, you may be in luck because it might be making a return. This time, we’re hoping it would have a plug-in hybrid powertrain option. Ford has plans to launch 24 hybrid and plug-in hybrids over the next five years. That includes the F-150 and Mustang hybrids.
The new-generation Escape is expected to be launched later this year, which would make it a 2020 model. The current Escape is being manufactured in Ford’s plant in Louisville, Kentucky. This would be the same location where the new generation Escape is going to be produced.
The only other compact model from Ford would be the Focus Active soft-roader.
Photos
Check out the spy shots of the 2020 Ford Escape from Car and Driver in the gallery below:
5 Things You Need To Know About The All-New Ford Focus
The new Ford Focus is taking over everything in Europe. It’s new. It’s a fan favorite. Everyone’s clamoring for a piece of the hot action. It’s set to be Britain’s best-selling cars, which is a lot to say considering the massive options that the British have.
1. C2 Platform Made Everything Possible
Ford’s global divisions got together and discussed what they expect from the new Ford Focus. From there, the designers and engineers worked to come up with the C2 platform. It is roomier and stronger than the old one, but it is notably a lot lighter.
2. There Is More Space
Thanks to the stretched wheelbase, there is more rear legroom and a space under the floor of the boot to store the internal roller-blind. Essentially, the front seats have been redesigned to give rear dwellers more space for their feet. They can also see better outside the windows because these have been stretched rearward into the pillar. The new Ford Focus is just 18mm longer despite all this new-found space.
3. New Dashboard And Better Specs
The new dashboard has a cleaner and more streamlined look. It was moved forward to give better space for the driver and the passenger, though it is still easily reachable and accessible. The touchscreen, all of its eight inches, is mounted high and runs Ford’s Sync 3 system. If that’s not your cup of tea, you can mirror your phone through CarPlay. There’s a B&O Play music system and a wireless charging option, too.
4. It Has An Embedded SIM
Like the Astra, the new Focus has an embedded SIM card, which allows it to receive high-definition live traffic updates. It can run several navigation and shopping apps, making it easier for you to arrive at your destination. This same data connection can also act as a hotspot. From your phone, you can manage the car and do several things like lock and unlock.
5. New Petrol Engines
The new Ford Focus will likely have a 1.0-liter Ecoboost, which will come in options of 85, 100, and 125bhp. It will have just 108g/km CO2 even in the strict new WLTP test. The bigger petrol engine, a 1.5-liter, will have either a 150 or 182bhp. For economic use, the three-cylinder machine can shut down one of their cylinders to eliminate the losses of pumping air.
Photos
All-New Ford Focus Reveals Details In Teaser
The date is April 10. Mark that on your calendar. The event? Ford is revealing the next-generation Ford Focus, and the details are quite stunning. Ahead of the April 10 reveal, Ford started releasing teaser videos about what to expect on the all-new Focus.
The first teaser video details the intricate designs on the car such as the jewel headlights and sculpted body panels. There might also be a ST-Line appearance package, based on the sporty wheels that are equipped with Michelin rubber.
The video reveals a hatchback, but we do know that Ford is also releasing a sedan and wagon variants of the next-generation Focus. As you well know, prototypes for all three variants were spotted in different instances last year. In February, the undisguised hatch version was also photographed during what looked like the official photoshoot for the model.
This model represents the fourth generation under the Focus name. Expectations are it will be on sale starting this fall as a 2019 model, so the April 10 reveal is just about right. Unlike other times, though, this fourth-generation Focus will be sourced from a plant in China. These are the models that are going to be sold in the United States.
The interior will be roomier than the present-generation Focus and it would have sharper dynamics, too, according to reports. It’s not clear yet what drivetrains Ford plans for the new Focus but all units will most likely be using a turbocharged engine. There will be an automatic and manual transmission, and a plug-in hybrid will also be available. We’re not sure yet if there will be a Focus Electric like before.
There would be a Focus ST hatch that will be offered with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 that produces 250 horsepower.
Focus is currently competing with the Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Golf.