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Ford Focus ST-R racer will cost you $100,000

Sean@EBC — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 19:22:14 +0000

If you have a thousand Benjamins burning a hole in your pocket, may we recommend heading to your local Ford dealership? Ford has unveiled the track-prepped sibling to itsFocus ST sports compact, the ST-R, with a price tag just under a hundred grand.

The stripped-down commuter car comes kitted out with FIA regulation roll cage, uprated brakes and suspension components, and a more powerful 2.0 liter, four cylinder Ecoboost engine. The car itself is only the start of Ford’s plans with the ST-R, which should be the beginning of a global motorsports and trackday campaign. Ford will first send out the ST-R to North American racing teams for competition in Grand-Am ST, World Challenge TC and the Canadian Touring Car Series. For once, Ford is starting its enthusiast fare in North America, and then moving across the Atlantic, taking the ST-R to racetracks across Europe, not least of which being the ever-growing 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

Rather than restricting this high-speed PR machine to top-flight racing events, Ford will sell the Focus ST-R to “seasoned hardcore professional drivers, amateur racers and track day enthusiasts” on order from Ford dealerships. If Ford’s international motorsports strategy means that the dealer down the street can sell me a full-on track racer, then let me give three cheers for globalization!

http://jalopnik.com/5840660/this-ford-focus-racer-will-cost-you-100000

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Ford calls 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine a “hero”

Sean@EBC — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 03:51:32 +0000

Ford says its 1.6-liter EcoBoost delivers the best of both worlds – “performance combined with lower emissions.” We won’t argue against that. No doubt, the 1.6-liter gasser is an impressive mill. Apparently, Ford is so thrilled with the versatility of its tiny four banger that it says 1.3 million of these engines will power at least six of its vehicles within the next three years.

Demand for the 1.6-liter EcoBoost is soaring, according to Ford. That’s why the automaker has announced that its Bridgen Engine Plant in the UK is working at full tilt to pump out the four-cylinder mill.

Despite its relatively small capacity, the 1.6-liter EcoBoost powers the Ford Focus from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.9 seconds, while returning near best-in-class fuel efficiency. The 1.6-liter’s impressive performance, combined with its fuel-sipping status, has led Ford to tag the engine a “hero” for the automaker.

http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/09/ford-calls-1-6-liter-ecoboost-engine-a-hero/

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2012 Formula Ford brings EcoBoost to open-wheel racing

Sean@EBC — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 03:01:25 +0000

We’re officially grabbing our helmets and ready to go racing. Ford has pulled what must have been an unusually creased sheet off of its 2012 Formula Ford racecar, and while the shape is similar to Formula F racers from years past, it somehow appears altogether modern thanks to angular items like angular air inlets and funky lightweight wheels.

The 2012-spec Formula Ford will power its way into Great Britain’s 2012 Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship with 1.6-liter EcoBoost motivation and a sequential six-speed gearbox at the driver’s command. While 158 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque from the production-based engine might not sound like much, the lightweight steel-tube single-seater should have no problem providing thrills for both racer and spectator alike in the many feeder series it will eventually race in. Check it out in our gallery below and learn more about the car in the official press release reprised after the jump.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/14/2012-formula-ford-frankfurt/

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Ford Fiesta ST Concept is tiny-tough hotness

Sean@EBC — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 02:55:10 +0000

Meet the Fiesta ST concept – it’s all the goodness of the newly introduced Focus ST, just in a smaller package. It looks just about ready to hit the streets, and that’s a good thing, since
Ford says that it is “seriously looking” at bringing this hot little number to production.

The beating heart under the Fiesta ST’s bonnet is a 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder, producing somewhere between 175 and 180 horsepower. The concept car uses a six-speed manual transmission and sends power exclusively to the front wheels, and Ford claims that the Fiesta ST is capable of running to 62 miles per hour in under seven seconds.

The big reason why we’re hoping the Fiesta ST gets the go-ahead? Ford says that the car will be a global model, meaning we’ll have two new Ford performance products to sink our teeth into in the United States. We’ve seen plenty of spy shots of the hotted-up Fiesta, so we’re fairly confident that this little darling will see the light of day sometime after the Focus ST goes on sale. The question is, will we get the three-door configuration, or will it spawn a set of rear doors?

We’ll have a slew of live images direct from the Frankfurt Messe in short order. For now, hit the jump to read over Ford’s official press release.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/13/ford-fiesta-st-concept-is-tiny-tough-hotness/

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Ford Focus ST-R is ready for touring car battle

Sean@EBC — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 02:51:48 +0000

Ford sure is packing a hot hatch punch here at the Frankfurt Motor Show. First came the production-ready Focus ST five-door and Europe-only ST wagon, then came the pint-sized Fiesta ST concept, and finally, the automaker unveiled the Focus ST-R – a turn-key racecar available to order through the Ford Racing catalog.

That’s right – you can order the full Focus ST-R package from the Ford Racing catalog, word that should come as welcome news to weekend racers around the world. Ford has prepped its new Focus for touring car racing, adding things like a FIA-spec rollcage and a full host of track car enhancements.

It may not be something you can drive day-in and day-out, but then again, that’s what the forthcoming street-legal ST is for.

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Ford reveals production 2012 Focus ST at 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show

Sean@EBC — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 02:37:06 +0000

Hot hatch fans have been waiting patiently for Ford to officially reveal its new Focus ST. Well, stop waiting and start securing your deposit, because the Blue Oval brand has finally pulled back the sheet and peeled off the camouflage. The 2012 Ford Focus ST will makes its global debut at this week’s 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, and we’ve got all the details on the hi-po hatchback for you right here.

The Focus ST features a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder under its hood, rated at 247 horsepower and an impressive 265 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission should pair nicely with the torque-loving engine, which Ford says was painstakingly tuned to produce exquisite engine and exhaust notes by its sound engineers.

All of that go-fast energy is routed to the front wheels, and Ford says it has worked hard to alleviate torque-steer concerns with its electronic power assisted steering and torque steer compensation system. Both systems work together to minimize or eliminate the wheel-tugging effects often associated with higher horsepower front-wheel drivers.

The great news surrounding the 2012 Ford Focus ST is that it will be a global vehicle, sold in 40 markets. Even better news for European long roof fans is that Ford will produce a Focus ST wagon. American wagon fans… maybe you can rent one overseas someday.

For image galleries and full article please visit Autoblog.

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Ford 1.0L EcoBoost three-cylinder finds a home in the Euro-spec Focus

Sean@EBC — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 03:08:13 +0000

Ford’s EcoBoost offerings may have started off big and powerful, but the Blue Oval is quickly moving towards small and thrifty. Ford will soon offer its smallest turbocharged offering yet, as a new 1.0-liter, three-cylinder has been announced in advance of the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The new EcoBoost engine will be available in the Ford Focus, C-Max and B-Max, and it will be available in 99 horsepower and 118 hp variants. A respectable 125 pound-feet of torque is available from a scant 1,300 rpm thanks to a turbocharger that can spool up to 250,000 revolutions per minute. Ford was able to extract so much power out of such a small, boosted engine thanks to improved twin variable camshaft design and an exhaust manifold cast that is cast into the cylinder head. And get this: While other EcoBoost offerings start with an aluminum block, the 1.0-liter includes an iron engine block, which isn’t only cheaper, it reduces engine warmup time by 50 percent.

The key benefits sought from engine downsizing, of course, are improved fuel economy and lowered emissions. In this scenario, Ford promises 120 g/km C02, which works out to right around 45.5 miles per gallon (U.S.) on the European cycle. That 120 g/km figure, in case you’re wondering, is identical to the much smaller Scion iQ, which gets a 36 city / 37 highway EPA rating. The diminutive engine will be fitted with five-speed and six-speed manual transmissions.

The three-liter EcoBoost will start off as a Europe-only affair, arriving early in 2012. Ford hasn’t announced any availability of this engine in the U.S., though presumably consistently high fuel prices could change that over time. Hit the jump to read over the Ford press release.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/12/ford-1-0l-ecoboost-three-cylinder-finds-a-home-in-the-euro-spec/

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Ford Fiesta-based CUV spied again, this time tackling the Monster’s peak

Sean@EBC — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 03:11:35 +0000

Our spy photographers have caught Ford testing its Fiesta-based crossover before. This time, however, the air is a bit thinner and the camo-clad vehicle is sitting up a little bit higher. The vehicle that appears to be the future Ford Fiesta CUV was spotted chugging into the Monster’s den that is Pike’s Peak.

While it’s still a quite heavy on the camouflage, we can predict that this compact soft-roader will utilize the same powertrains found under the bodywork of the Fiesta. Hopefully there’s a punched-up optional engine available as well, to cope with a potential four-wheel-drive variant. Can you say Fiesta EcoBoost crossover? We sure can, and we hope Ford does as well.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/08/ford-fiesta-based-cuv-spied-again-this-time-tackling-the-monste/

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Ford F-150 EcoBoost Challenge winner averages 28.3 mpg

Sean@EBC — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 13:18:47 +0000

The week-long Ford F-150 EcoBoost Challenge is over and Carlee Mallard of Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina has emerged victorious. Mallard achieved a rather impressive 28.3 miles per gallon (not as spectacular as the 32.281 mpg that CleanMPG averaged back in May) during her week behind the wheel of the F-150. Additionally, Mallard rounded up 56 volunteers for her community service event, which included collecting donations for the Raleigh YWCA for distribution to families affected by Hurricane Irene.

For Mallard’s efforts, she’ll receive a year’s supply of free Shell gasoline (oh, the irony) and two Shell stations in Raleigh-Durham will celebrate Mallard’s win by offering free regular-grade gas (up to 15 gallons per vehicle) at two stations on September 9 for two hours and 22 minutes. That’s in recognition of the F-150 EcoBoost’s 2 2-mpg rating.

The F-150 EcoBoost Challenge had eight Ford truck fans put the F-150 to the test in their own communities in an attempt to average the highest mpg while driving at least 25 miles a day. Additionally, participants created, managed and executed their own community service event. The winning driver was selected through a score that blends average mpg, votes on Ford’s F-150 EcoBoost Challenge Facebook page and how many volunteers participated in their community project.

http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/08/ford-f-150-ecoboost-challenge-winner-averages-28-3-mpg/

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GM marketing boss concerned with Ford EcoBoost success

Sean@EBC — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 03:16:29 +0000

Commanding over 40 percent of the 2011 F-150 pickup’s sales, Ford is making huge waves on both the sales floor and in the garages of the truck-buying and trailer-towing masses with its EcoBoost-powered models. Having driven several examples of the turbocharged and direct-injected V6, it’s easy to see why – excellent performance and good fuel economy go hand-in-hand with refinement and a price that’s rather easy to swallow.

So, is General Motors worried that it doesn’t have a competing technology in its full-size pickups? Not according to Chris Perry, Vice President of Global Marketing for Chevrolet. In a new Ward’s Auto article, Perry claims that GM can beat the F-150′s fuel mileage performance with the suite of technologies in The General’s arsenal when the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra are given their next major redesigns.

“(Ford has) done a good job of marketing the EcoBoost, and that’s a challenge on our side to make sure that consumers understand you can get similar mpg out of a V8 Silverado without sacrifice,” Perry says. “Without sacrifice” isn’t really a sentiment we can agree with, however. In point of fact, the V8 engine GM offers that posts fuel mileage figures close to the EcoBoost’s is the 5.3-liter V8, and that engine’s power levels (315 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque) pale in comparison to the 365 horsepower and 420 lb-ft delivered by the Ford.

In any case, we look forward to 2013, which is when GM is expected to roll out its next-generation full-size trucks. We fully expect to see advancements in both fuel efficiency and power, with turbocharged engines, eight-speed transmissions and even hybrids on the menu. Of course, we don’t exactly expect Ford to sit on its britches ’till then, either…

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/07/gm-marketing-boss-not-concerned-with-ford-ecoboost-success/

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