The new Ford Focus RS. What do you think?

The current hot-hatch brigade better run for cover because Ford is about to let loose its insane new Focus RS. While their last attempt was a bit disappointing, Ford’s engineers have promised that the lumo-green version you see here will be almost revolutionary. With a rumored 280bhp (about 205kW) and 410 Nm charging through the front wheels, it should be a recipe for chronic torque-steer – but those on the inside say it isn’t. Apparently the secret lies in something called “RevoKnuckle,” which is geek-speak for a front suspension system that helps put the power down in a civilised manner. Factor in the Quaife limited-slip differential and we should get a tar-ripper that’s as smooth and composed as the current Focus ST.

The interior gets colour-coded Recaro seats, an intuitive switchgear layout and a centre-mounted gauge pack that includes things like boost pressure. Exterior highlights include massive 19-inch alloys, wider wheel arches, bonnet louvres and a WRC-inspired rear spoiler. Coated in special metallic green paint, the Focus RS looks like it’ll be the meanest hatch of the Noughties.

Article from: http://blogs.thetimes.co.za/wheeldeal/2008/08/12/rabid-ford-focus-rs/

First Drive: 2009 Ford Fiesta

As the first examples of the 2009 Ford Fiesta roll down the assembly line in Cologne, Germany, a recorded video from Alan Mulally, president and CEO of Ford Motor Company, notes for all of us, "The all-new Fiesta is an outstanding symbol for our One Ford vision of a single global company designing and building cars for customers around the world." Later, Marin Eurela, Ford's executive director of small cars, tells us that the new Fiesta is the "most significant global vehicle project since the Ford Model T."

After years of resistance from Ford's various divisions around the world — especially the U.S. — Mother Ford has finally decided that the most profitable way to build cars is to create one really good one and sell it to everybody. After all, look what it did for the Model T, which celebrates its centenary this year.

And Ford is betting it all on the 2009 Ford Fiesta, a small car meant to make the best of these troubled times. It's supposed to be the Model T, Volkswagen Beetle and Honda Civic all rolled into one.

Like we say, no pressure.

Landing on the Beaches of Britain
Some 1,900 Ford Fiestas and Fusions will roll off the retooled Cologne assembly plant in Germany every day, and soon they will come ashore in Britain. The Fiesta's home has always been in Europe, where it's been a phenomenal success story, with more than 2 million examples sold since the badge was introduced with Ford's first front-wheel-drive world car in 1976. For Brits looking for a small car, the Fiesta remains the default choice, so it's no surprise that they will hit the U.K first.

The previous-generation Fiesta was a good car that drove beautifully, but its insipid appearance both inside and out always counted against it. The trendy young thrusters that Uncle Henry craves as his audience have instead spent the last six years saving for a Mini instead. For a young audience easily seduced by pure style, the Fiesta needed an injection of flair. Step forward Kinetic Design, a new design vocabulary for Ford.

The Fiesta's style can be traced to the Verve Concept Car that was shown at the Frankfurt auto show last September. The extravagant cheese-grater grille is gone and a license plate now dissects the gaping mouth, but the visual drama remains. This is the first small car to be designed under the direction of Ford of Europe's design director Martin Smith.

And it's a fine effort, as there can be no denying that the new 2009 Ford Fiesta looks far more exciting than its dowdy predecessor. With the angular, oversized headlights, a pert rump and prominent shoulder line, the Fiesta genuinely looks more youthful than its most obvious European rivals, the Opel Corsa and Volkswagen Polo. Whether this is enough to tempt the trendies away from the Mini or the new Fiat 500 remains to be seen though, of course, and the sedan version of the Fiesta that's heading for the U.S. is unlikely to have as much visual appeal.

Europeans call the Fiesta a "supermini," but over the past couple of decades Ford's baby has grown so big that the company had to introduce the smaller Ka to satiate demands for a city car. The length of the new Fiesta has grown by 1.3 inches to 155.5 inches overall. To put this into context, a U.S.-spec Focus sedan measures 175.0 inches overall, while the VW Rabbit is 165.8 inches long. As the western world continues to downsize, this global Fiesta starts to make sense.

Funkmaster Fiesta
The interior of the old Fiesta looked as if it had been styled by a bored octogenarian, but this is much better. Ford tells us that the center console has been inspired by cell phone design, although perhaps this explains why it's fiddly to use. Nevertheless, the level of apparent quality is high.

We'll see if all these trinkets — not to mention the high standard of apparent quality — survive the voyage to North America when production of this car begins at the Cuautitlan plant in Mexico. (The Fiesta will also be built in China, Spain and Thailand.) In the U.K., our test car costs about $24,000 at today's exchange rates. Given that a U.S.-spec Focus can be yours for $14,395, Ford will need to apply some serious cost-cutting if its global dream can be fulfilled. The excellent Ford Mondeo, for example, is not sold in the U.S. because it would simply be too expensive.

For all this, those who do take the plunge into ownership will enjoy decent cabin space. It's possible for 6-footers to ride shotgun in reasonable comfort, and the trunk is a good size at 9.9 cubic feet. European small cars have grown significantly in recent years to the point where they may well be able to accommodate beefy Americans.

Euro-Theme Driving
Over the past 15 years or so, Ford of Europe has developed an enviable reputation for developing cars that are great to drive. Even in its most basic trim, the old Fiesta was a hoot. The 2009 Ford Fiesta seeks to build on this, but it does have a significant disadvantage. In the interests of fuel economy, the Fiesta has electrically assisted power steering, and like so many of the early versions of this system, the Fiesta's iteration offers none of the crisp certainty of the hydraulic helm fitted to the old car.

But let's not get too carried away. Compared to its rivals, the Fiesta is still a fine drive and its ride quality has been much improved. The suspension is familiar, combining MacPherson struts in front with a torsion-beam solid axle in the rear, but Ford has been fine-tuning such setups for years and it shows.

As a result, the Fiesta has the taut, well-damped feel that has become characteristic of European Fords. You can feel the presence of the Ford DNA through the controls and the driver seat. In fact, this car feels more like a larger Focus than a traditional city car. No excuses need to be made for the Fiesta, as this car will be as happy on the Jersey Turnpike as it will be in Greenwich Village.

Ford has expressed its intention to retune the cars for different markets. There's a stiffer, thicker-diameter torsion beam for Europe, for example. Let's hope that the blue oval doesn't detune the driving experience too much for the U.S., because we suspect that this European setup would work well on this side of the pond.

More Power, Less Fuel
For the past decade, Europe's small cars have been getting progressively heavier as they've grown in size and been weighed down with safety kit. But the new Fiesta bucks that trend with a reduction of 110 pounds compared with the former model. This helps fuel consumption, exhaust emissions and performance.

We drove the 2009 Ford Fiesta 1.6 TDCi, the flagship model, which features a 1.6-liter inline-4 turbocharged diesel that offers 89 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. This familiar engine features a Bosch common-rail injection operating at 1,600 bar, and it's been refined for this new application in the Fiesta. It is impressively smooth and although the 0-60-mph sprint of 11.9 seconds is no better than adequate, the in-gear acceleration is impressive. Ford claims acceleration from 50 km/h to 100 km/h (31-62 mph) in 9.9 seconds, notably faster than the 10.8-second performance of the Fiesta's gasoline-fueled 1.6-liter inline-4.

This turbodiesel engine's primary appeal lies in its economy. It manages 67.3 mpg as a European average, compared with 65.7 mpg for a Toyota Prius . Its carbon dioxide emissions are excellent, too (110 g/km versus 104 for the Toyota) and there's an Econetic version on its way that emits under 100 g/km.

In Europe there is also a 67-hp 1.4-liter turbodiesel as well as a range of gasoline engines that includes a 59-hp 1.3-liter, an 80-hp 1.3-liter turbo and a 95-hp 1.4 liter. The premium gasoline engine is the all-new 118-hp 1.6 Ti-VCT that features variable valve timing for both the intake and exhaust cams. More powerful versions are likely to follow, although there hasn't been a high-performance Fiesta since the RS Turbo of 1992.

One World, One Fiesta
The 2009 Ford Fiesta should soon be a staple of motoring life in the U.K., just as before. And given Ford's intentions to focus on this efficient little car in every market across the globe, it will be making a big effort to introduce the car to the U.S. for the 2010 model year.

As consumers look to downsize without compromise, well-engineered, well-built and desirable small cars such as the Fiesta stand to profit. The Fiesta might not be as good to drive as the Focus, but it's a better all-around car for the times we live in.

Article From: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=131096

FORD FUEL CELL FLEET EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS.

Ford Motor Company’s fleet of 30 fuel cell vehicles has exceeded expectations of the company’s hydrogen research engineers by accumulating more than 865,000 real world miles without significant maintenance issues since the fleet’s launch three years ago. The Ford Focus Fuel Cell test vehicles also have earned accolades from the company’s global fleet partners for outstanding durability, reliability and capability.

Encouraged by the program’s success, Ford recently reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy to extend its three-year-old hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle program for up to 24 months, until the next generation system is ready for deployment in the 2010 timeframe.

Ford was one of the first automakers to launch a fleet of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles in 2005, after unveiling a prototype in late 2003. Its Focus Fuel Cell fleet partners include a variety of government agencies in California, Florida, Michigan, Canada, Germany and Iceland, where cold climate testing is expected to result in significant performance improvements on the next generation.

Additional Ford hydrogen projects have included a fleet of 20 H2ICE (hydrogen internal combustion engine) buses, the Fusion Hydrogen 999 that set a land speed record in 2007, a Fuel Cell Explorer and a Plug-in Hybrid Edge that uses a fuel cell-powered HySeries DriveTM.

An H2 fuel cell vehicle produces electricity through an electro-chemical process in the fuel cell stack. There are zero tailpipe emissions when using this technology, with only drops of water coming from the tailpipe. Experts maintain that widespread use of H2-fueled vehicles could help eliminate CO2 emissions that contribute to global climate change.

“It’s important for Ford to remain active in hydrogen and fuel cell development as a long-term renewable fuel solution,” said Roland Krueger, Ford of Europe hydrogen and fuel cell technologies team leader.

According to Ford’s global fuel cell team, the first generation Focus Fuel Cell vehicles have lasted three times longer and worked much better than originally expected with virtually no degradation in performance. In light of that success, the U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE), which shares the program’s operating cost with Ford, agreed to extend the program.

“We’ve had a lot of great experience with these cars and they’re running quite well,” said Scott Staley, Ford hybrid and fuel cell development chief engineer in North America. “We expected the fuel cells to be much more problematic under real world conditions, but it’s a credit to our development process that the vehicles have been very robust.”

Ford supports its fuel cell fleet partners with local project managers and technicians who conduct regular service checks, and collect mileage and performance data for analysis at Ford’s Fuel Cell Center in Dearborn, Mich. The vehicles have proven highly reliable, averaging 96 percent “up” time. Customer surveys indicate that Ford’s fuel cell vehicles have outperformed those of other automakers in areas of acceleration, comfort (primarily air conditioning performance), durability, reliability and mileage.

“We’re very satisfied with the Ford’s performance, range and overall reliability, and we’re encouraged that the DOE is extending the program, because much more work needs to be done to advance this technology to commercialization,” said Gerhard Achtelik, manager of the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Section of California’s Air Resources Board. “Having zero-emission vehicles like the Ford in our fleet ensures that we continue to promote clean transportation.”

Ford researchers agree that much more work needs to be done before fuel cell vehicles can be commercialized. The biggest challenge according to Rob Riley, Ford fleet manager in California, is building a viable H2 infrastructure with fueling stations across the country. Currently, there are 70 hydrogen fueling stations and most of them are not accessible to the public. California is leading the way having recently opened its 24th station.

Customer surveys suggest purchase consideration also will be dictated by affordability, reliability and useful life of the vehicle, as well as availability of fueling stations. In addition, parts availability and an adequate number of trained technicians will be essential to ensure convenient customer service of the vehicles.

A chief concern among fleet partners is limited driving range. Ford is addressing that need by doubling fuel storage pressure on select fleet vehicles allowing twice the fuel to be stored in the same volume.

“With continued advancement and rigorous testing of this technology, automakers will be in able to produce fuel cell vehicles that compete very effectively with internal combustion engines, without compromise to performance, safety, cost or reliability,” Riley said.

Fuel storage capacity and other improvements on the current generation of vehicles have put Ford in a favorable position for the implementation of the next generation, according to Chris Gearhart, Ford fuel cell technical specialist. The team is expecting significantly increased fuel cell life, better mileage, more efficient use of platinum (a key catalyst), more power from a smaller fuel cell stack, improved reliability, and the ability to start under frozen conditions.

“We’re so much farther ahead than we were on the first generation,” Gearhart said. “We have better development processes and robust disciplines in the way we’re doing things.”

Staley concurred, adding: “Our fuel cell customers are very interested to know what’s next, and we’re looking forward to demonstrating it.”

H2-fueled vehicles account for just one type of Ford’s alternative fuel technology research and development portfolio. Ford has outlined a near, mid and long term strategy to implement technology to increase fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 from the widespread application of EcoBoost engine technology across the line up in the near term, to the introduction of plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the longer term.

Article From: http://blogs.musclemustangfastfords.com/6272623/miscellaneous/fuel-cell-fun/index.html

Ford unveil two new F-series models

Ford Motor Co. USA has officially unveiled two new limited edition F-series trucks. They are, respectfully, the Cabela FX4 & (in a first for the F-450 series) the Harley Davidson F-450. More info after the jump - along with some changes to the 2009 Ford F-series line-up…

The Cabela edition emerged after Ford had found that over 75% of F-series buyers fish &/or hunt. If you didn’t already know, Cabela is an outdoor recreation retailer - the driving force behind the new limited edition. Mostly a few badges & paint are the differences for the Cabela FX4. Buyers are treated to five different colour schemes; Ebony, Oxford White, Forest Green Metallic, Royal Red Metallic, Silver Metallic - all with Sterling Grey Metallic lower accents along the rocker panels, running boards and wheel arch moldings.

For the twelth incarnation of the Harley Davidson Edition (though this is the first time this pack has been offered on the F-450), Ford will put blue-flames along the length of the vehicle and on the black leather seats. Also included are large chromed vents just aft of the front wheels. Expect a few Harley Davidson logos all over the truck, though any photos have yet to appear.

As well as these two new models, the Super Duty trucks now receive an optional spray-in bedliner from the factory, dubbed “Tough Bed”, an integrated trailer brake controller, the new Ford Work Solutions suite, Voice-Activated Navigation System with SIRIUS Travel Link and the heavy duty trucks first application of SYNC.

Article from: http://fordnewsblog.wordpress.com/2008/08/26/ford-unveil-two-new-f-series-models/

The Ford Flex Woody

DETROIT - The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) won't like this, but I've never been a big fan of aftermarket accessories. At least, not on my own cars. I find them highly amusing on other people's rides, though. Chrysler 300 with Bentley grille, landau vinyl roof, and wide whites? Funny stuff. Monster truck suspension on a Toyota Tacoma? Highly amusing. Cadillac CTS with a diamond in the back, sunroof top, diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean? Great eye candy.

So it's with this appreciation of the aftermarket-accessory designer who thinks he can do better than the highly trained, highly paid automobile stylist that I bring you the latest road monstrosity, this one from a Metro Detroit Ford dealer: the Flex Woody. Not since the K-Car Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country convertible has a pile of lumberlike plastic transformed a new car as much as this.

Details? Can't say how much for the after-treatment -- there was no add-on sticker to accompany the Monroney. Truth is, I was a bit worried about what kind of salesman might come outside and try to sell me this thing as I studied the sticker. This much is evident: It's a base-model Ford Flex, with rather snazzy houndstooth cloth seats. MSRP was $29,050, a real stripper save for the fake bark, which I'm sure pushes the crossover into the lower $30s. What with dealers desperate for car sales, you can probably get the sales manager to throw in the "wood" for free. The dealer, Huntington Ford, advertises itself as a "Ford Factory Outlet," which could apply to any domestic dealer in this area. Most people in these parts walk into local dealers with a predetermined discount, because they work for Ford, GM, or Chrysler or know someone who does, and there's no need for haggling.

Anyway, photo credit goes to Frank Markus, who had his camera with him when I spotted this homage to the Golden Age of Country Squiring.

So the questions of the day are, what's your favorite aftermarket treatment? And what kind of SEMA treatment would you like to see on a new model?

Article from: http://blogs.motortrend.com/6289707/aftermarket/sounds-kinda-dirty-the-ford-flex-woody/index.html

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Ford Flex isn't cheap, but a good alternative to a minivan or SUV

The 2009 Ford Flex is a very good vehicle and a brave experiment by Ford Motor Co.

Appealing, unique looks, good fuel economy for its class, roomy, comfortable interior and excellent ride and handling make the crossover wagon one of the most intriguing and satisfying new vehicles to hit the market this year.

With a price range that can take the family hauler above $40,000, the Flex is also a test case to see if Ford can move customers who routinely paid big bucks for its trucks and SUVs into equally pricey and profitable cars.

The 300,000-plus people who used to buy Ford Explorer SUVs every year are the group who will decide whether the Flex experiment pays off. If 80,000 to 120,000 of them year plunk down $35K or more for the Flex, Ford's future immediately starts to look brighter.

It should. Except for the handful of drivers who routinely tow trailers of manure through muddy pastures, the car-based Flex is an improvement from the truck-based Explorer. It's roomier, more comfortable, more fun to drive and easier to park.

The six- or seven-passenger Flex comes in either front- or all-wheel drive trim. A good 262-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and smooth six-speed automatic transmission are standard on all models.

Prices for the 2009 Flex start at $28,295 for the SE model, which is only available with front-wheel drive. A front-drive SEL costs $32,070. The least-expensive all-wheel drive model is the $33,920 SEL. The top-of-the line Flex Limited starts at $34,705 for front-drive and $36,555 for AWD.

I tested a six-passenger Flex Limited AWD that stickered at $43,175. All prices exclude destination charges.

The Flex's great looks, excellent road manners, unique features and comfort are best in its class, but shortcomings including minor fit and finish flaws and its high price reduce the big new Ford's appeal.

The Flex competes in the increasingly crowded market for three-row crossovers -- vehicles that offer much of the interior room and usability of a minivan with more style and a sporty or luxurious personality.

The Flex's base price stacks up neatly against those vehicles, but up-level models edge into the territory of premium models like the three-row Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and two-row Lexus RX350.

It offers a spacious and attractive interior, a comfortable ride and surprisingly nimble handling for a big vehicle. It also has a number of features no other automaker offers, including a capless fuel filler, touchpad entry and a actual compressor-driven refrigerator.

The Flex's appeal begins with its brave and polarizing exterior design.

The optional two-tone paint with a light-colored roof is a must to get the full benefit of the Flex's appeal. At 201.8 inches long, the Flex is about 11 inches longer than the 2009 Honda Pilot, but it appears considerably more compact than the SUV-like Pilot. At 68 inches tall, the Flex has a kid-friendly low step-in height and a low roofline that contributes to its car-like profile. The Traverse, Pilot and Highlander are more than 4 inches taller than the Flex.

The Flex's appeal only grows stronger when you step inside. Passenger space is excellent in all three rows of seats.

The second-row seats flip forward for easy access to the backseat and have an adjustable track so you can balance the legroom needs of passengers in both seats.

For families looking to carry multiple kids and plenty of vacation gear on a long trip, however, the Flex doesn't match the interior room of GM's larger crossovers, the Traverse, Outlook, Acadia and Enclave.

The tailgate opening is a bit narrow for large loads, and the mechanism for the power tailgate intrudes on cargo space. The cover for the lift mechanism in the Flex I tested was also poorly fitted.

The interior is very quiet, a feat in a car with a boxy profile that seems to invite road noise and a large, open cabin to echo and amplify the noise.

The interior materials are uniformly excellent, from the optional diamond-pattern perforated leather and wood trim to soft materials on the dash and upper surface of the doors. The padded door inners are particularly welcome, since that's where I and many other drivers rest our elbows.

The interior also features Ford's new optional touch-screen navigation system, which gets real-time traffic, construction and weather information from the optional Sirius satellite radio service.

The new useful navigation system also allows you to speak the address of your destination, allowing you to program the system while you're driving.

Standard safety equipment includes antilock brakes and stability control and curtain air bags.

The Flex's handling, like its looks, belies its size. The big wagon tracks smoothly through curves and accelerates confidently in traffic and onto highways.

The EPA rates the front-wheel drive Flex at 17 m.p.g. in the city and 24 m.p.g. on the highway. The AWD Flex comes in at 16 m.p.g. city and 22 m.p.g. highway.

Those figures are all near the top of the Flex's class.

Drivers with the minivan-mom blues and SUV gas-bill gripes may be ready to think outside the box. The boxy and likable 2009 Ford Flex could be just what they're looking for.

Article from: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080821/COL14/808210408/1081

Ford EcoBoost: Small to mighty

"People think environmentally friendly cars are boring," says Ford Americas President Mark Fields. "Watch this."

He punches the accelerator on a Lincoln MKS sedan equipped with a prototype of Ford's new EcoBoost engine. The vineyards of the Old Mission Peninsula become a blur.

"This will put a smile on your face," Fields says. "But you get 20 percent better fuel economy with 15 percent less CO2. I call it the great taste, less filling school of powertrain technology."

Ford Motor Co.'s EcoBoost system combines turbocharging and direct injection to provide better performance and higher gas mileage. The new engines will debut on the MKS next year and spread rapidly to the rest of Ford's lineup. The company plans to make EcoBoost available on 90 percent of its models by 2013 and expects to be selling 500,000 EcoBoost-equipped cars and trucks in North America alone within five years.

General Motors Corp. already has similar engines in limited production, and recently announced plans to expand its offerings. The automaker, which refers to its technology simply as "downsize boosting," plans a more limited roll-out than Ford.

For both companies, it comes down to eking out a few more miles per gallon from gasoline engines while waiting for the cost to drop of other technologies, such as hybrids.

Ford has not announced pricing for EcoBoost, but it is not expected to add more than about $1,000 to the price of a car or truck, significantly less than the premium commanded by hybrids. Perhaps more importantly for the two struggling automakers, these engines do not eat into their profits the way hybrids do.

"The bottom line is that, if you want to be environmentally friendly, you won't have to spend an arm and a leg to do it," Fields told The Detroit News.

A light goes on

Ford began working on EcoBoost more than seven years ago.

The company's engineers had long been intrigued by the promise of direct injection, but thought its benefits were insufficient to justify the expense it added. At the same time, Ford was making big strides with turbo-charging diesels in Europe. Ford had watched German automakers combine these technologies to boost the performance of their high-end powertrains.

"It hit us that the real answer was downsizing," recalled Derrick Kuzack, Ford's global head of product development. "It was sort of a light bulb coming on for us."

Instead of using the technologies to make an already powerful engine more powerful, Ford realized it could use them to make a small engine powerful enough.

"I wasn't convinced until I actually drove the vehicles," Kuzak said. "The EcoBoost engines not only provided comparable performance to the bigger engines they were designed to replace, they were actually more fun to drive because of their abundant low-end torque."

In late 2005, Kuzack began lobbying for EcoBoost in a big way, but it was not an easy sell.

"The first question I got was, 'Do you really think you can convince customers to accept a V-6 instead of a V-8?'" he recalled.

But Kuzack and his team had done the math: hybrid powertrains add thousands of dollars more to the price of a vehicle. EcoBoost's fuel savings are more modest, but so is the initial investment.

By early 2006, Ford had committed to his EcoBoost strategy as part of a broader effort to reinvent itself as a fuel economy leader and champion of sustainability.

"I suspect everybody's looking at it," said analyst Jim Hall of 2953 Analytics LLP in Birmingham. "The question is where they are in deployment. Ford has outlined the most aggressive strategy. But it will be operating costs and reliability that make one better ."

Hall is one of the few people outside Ford who has driven an EcoBoost-equipped vehicle. He was impressed with it, but said it is important to continue to develop hybrids, too.

"The only viable strategy is deploying both strategies where they are needed," Hall said. "The only way you can build a 40-mile-per-gallon mid-sized sedan is with hybrid technology. The only way you can get real performance without sacrificing fuel economy is with something like EcoBoost."

Article from: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008808220329

Ford Ka gets debut in James Bond Film

James Bond has outrun evildoers in a BMW with rocket launchers, a high-performance Mustang and an Aston Martin with an ejector seat.

But now, at a time of record gas prices, is the super-spy ready for a minicar?

Ford said its redesigned Ka city car would debut in the upcoming Bond film "Quantum of Solace," scheduled for release in North America on Nov. 7.

The movie is the 22nd in the long-running franchise based on the books by author Ian Fleming about a secret agent who saves the world from villains, often after a high-speed chase in a gadget-heavy supercar.

Ford struck a three-movie contract with Bond producers, starting with "Die Another Day" in 2002. Financial terms were not disclosed.

In his 2006 debut as 007, British actor Daniel Craig appeared behind the wheel of a Ford Mondeo sedan and was flipped at high-speed in an Aston Martin, a legendary Bond ride and a luxury brand then-owned by Ford.

Bond’s female counterpart is expected to pilot this European Ford Ka in the Quantum of Solace.

Ford begins production of new Fiesta in Germany

Ford Motor Co. said Thursday it has begun production of its new subcompact Fiesta at a plant in Germany.

The vehicle is the first product to come out of Ford's new global development process, which aims to produce global models that are tailored to regional tastes but have the same underpinnings. It's slated to go on sale in stages between now and 2010, starting in Europe.
The Cologne Stamping and Assembly plant is the first Ford assembly facility to build the new car, with production at Ford's Valencia assembly plant in Spain set begin in January.

Asian production is scheduled to begin later this year in China and Thailand, Ford said.
Ford's Cuautitlan assembly plant in Mexico, which previously made F-Series trucks, is being retooled to build hatchback and sedan models of the Fiesta for the North American market beginning in 2010.

The Fiesta is one of six new models Ford plans to bring to North America from Europe in the coming years, as part of efforts to cut costs and boost its North American car lineup.
Last month, Ford announced plans to retool two U.S. truck factories in Michigan and Kentucky to make global vehicles off the European Focus platform.
The automaker said it expects to manufacture 148,000 Fiestas in the Cologne facility this year. When at full capacity, the plant is expected to produce 1,900 Fiesta and Fusion vehicle per day, Ford said.

Since it was first launched in 1976, Ford said it has sold more than 12 million Fiestas.

Ford tops in crash rating

Ford Motor Co.'s 2009 compact sport utility vehicles have earned the government's highest safety rating, with both the regular and hybrid versions of the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner claiming best-in-class crash-test ratings.

The hybrids' five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are better than the four stars averaged by Toyota Motor Corp.'s Highlander and Prius hybrids. Ford hopes this will give its hybrids an edge with increasingly safety-conscious consumers.

"Safety is a top purchase consideration, second only to fuel efficiency, so Escape's five-star safety ratings and best-in-class highway fuel economy are a winning combination," said David Finnegan, hybrid electric vehicle marketing manager at Ford.

Ford is aiming to double its hybrid sales next year as it doubles its offerings with the launch of hybrid versions of the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans.

Ford also said it was able to improve the safety of its compact SUVs through the selective use of high-strength steel in the body structure.

"We've devoted many hours to analyzing and perfecting the body structure, safety belts and air bags of Escape and Mariner for better performance in front and side impact crashes," said Steve Kozak, Ford's chief engineer for safety systems. "We've taken our compact SUVs to the next level of safety and have achieved better ratings than fierce competitors such as Toyota."

If you have a family, that is very high on your list of priorities when you are searching for a new vehicle," said Erich Merkle of Crowe Chizek and Co., who noted that the Escape in particular is marketed at younger, growing families. "It will certainly work in Ford's favor."

This article came from The Detroit News, Auto's Insider.

Ford vehicles by the numbers

Smaller cars appear to be the future, and Ford is now predicting that they will sell as many cars as trucks and SUVs combined within the next five years.

Today, trucks and SUVs make up approximately 52 percent of Ford's sales, but projections show that by 2013 that number could sink down to 38 percent. Cars will make up 38 percent of sales as well - an increase from the current 30 percent. Crossovers are also predicted to rise to the occasion, rising from 19 percent to 24 percent by 2013.

That being said, the Ford F-Series continues to remain a significant bright spot in the Ford truck lineup. The well-known trucks have been the best-selling nameplate for the past 30 years, but they experienced a significant dip in sales this past May. By July though, things had settled back to normal, with Ford edging 2,698 sales past the Toyota Camry for the first place position.

Bottom Line: The Ford F-Series continues to show its longevity, but Ford is smart to recognize and adapt to high consumer demand for small, fuel-efficient cars.

The legendary Ford Mustang turns 45

As the best-selling sports car in America for the past 22 years, the Ford Mustang has certainly solidified its place in history. As the 45th anniversary of the iconic car rolls into view, Ford will introduce the 2009 model year 45th Anniversary Mustang.

The Anniversary 'Stang comes with more standard equipment than ever, special performance packages, and an optional panoramic glass roof.

"Our new panoramic glass roof will allow owners to enjoy the outdoors year-round from the comfort of their Mustang," said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president for Global Product Development. "It's one more feature that sets Mustang apart from the competition."

According to a Ford press release, 62 percent of sports car buyers are interested in a moonroof or sunroof option. The innovative glass roof allows Mustang owners to experience the sunshine for less than $2,000...almost half the price of moving up from a coupe to a convertible.

Of course, the development team thought ahead to worries of fading and the possibility of needing to use extra energy for air conditioning. The tinted, reflective glass used in the glass roof reduces air conditioning energy use by 20 percent and protects the interior fabric from deteriorating.

Bottom Line: As always, the new Mustang will be sure to impress sports car customers and enthusiasts.

Ford minimizes blind spot risk

It seems simple, but Ford recently announced the launch of blind-spot minimizing side mirrors - an industry first.

Ford's new mirrors address consumer demand for more visibility while parallel parking and changing lanes. The mirrors utilize a secondary convex spotter in the top outer corner. When a vehicle enters the driver's blind spot, the vehicle can still be seen in the spotter.

While a few similar after-market parts are available to help minimize blind spots, this new innovation from Ford offers a more seamless solution. The mirror is one continuous glass surface and has the ability to handle changing elements. Perhaps more importantly, 76 percent of focus group participants said the new mirror increased their confidence while driving.

The new mirrors will be available starting this fall as standard equipment on the 2009 Ford Edge. Currently, Ford also has plans to integrate this feature in future Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles.