2012 Ford Focus ST

One of Alan Mulally’s objectives since becoming CEO at Ford in 2006 has been to develop products on a worldwide basis. This sounds familiar, if only because another Ford CEO, Alex Trotman, did the same thing back in the 1990s. This approach resulted in products such as the Contour (not a rip-roaring success) and the original Focus (which was).

In between the Focus going on sale in the U.S. as a 2000 model and Mulally  taking over, product development in Europe and North America took off in different directions. Hence, Europe was rewarded with a heavily reworked second-generation Focus in 2004. The next year, North America got a warmed-over version of the first-gen Focus sedan and hatchback.

Starting in early 2011, the Focus in both North America and Europe will be the same vehicle. This is to be applauded because there was a big gap between the European Focus and the machine sold here. The European car improved on the basic goodness of the original, with better interior quality and driving dynamics. The U.S. car essentially stayed put: The original Focus was good enough to be a C/D 10Best winner, but the competition moved on, leaving the current version dead last in a recent small-car comparo.

The 2012 Focus certainly looks terrific, especially in five-door form. The engineers and designers felt able to make the Focus sportier (by lowering its seating position and overall height) due to the upcoming C-Max—a tall-roof, five- or seven-seat derivative off this platform—that fulfills the family-car mission. Compared with the current U.S. Focus, the new car is 0.5 inch lower (at 58.1 inches tall) and 3.0 inches long­er (178.0 inches overall), and it has a 1.3-inch-longer wheelbase (104.2 inches). The 2012 model’s dimensions are close to the current Euro car’s, save for a wider track and lower stance.

2011 Ford Edge

The 2011 Ford Edge ranks 7 out of 23 Affordable Midsize SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 63 published reviews and test drives of the Ford Edge, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The refreshed Ford Edge has sharp new styling, a higher quality cabin and powerful engine options. Best of all, the Edge offers revolutionary touch controls for the stereo and entertainment systems.

Like its Lincoln MKX platform-mate, the 2011 Edge gets a mid-cycle refresh that makes it one of the most high-tech SUVs on the market. It gets new exterior styling, upgraded interior materials and more powerful engines. But the most exciting new feature is the optional MyFord Touch interface, which replaces the traditional button controls with touchscreens and a five-way controller. It even includes touch-sensitive sliders for the stereo volume and fan speed.

The 2011 Edge is more comfortable and quieter than ever. It continues to feature a roomy, easy-to-fold rear seat. However, aside from the MyFord Touch option, the Ford Edgedoesn’t stand out in its class.

Pricing is expected to be similar to the 2010 model, which means the base price will start at just under $28,000. That price puts the Edge in the middle of the midsize SUV pack, but it can quickly skyrocket to the top of the class if you choose one of the upper trims and add options. The Sport model, for instance, starts at nearly $34,000. The EPA has not yet rated the 2011 Edge. However, the previous model’s base 18/25 mpg city/highway rating is still surpassed by several more affordable competitors.
Other SUVs to Consider

You can save money by considering one of the Edge’s more affordable and efficient competitors. The Toyota Highlander starts at about $1,500 less than the Edge and boasts a higher 20/27 mpg base fuel economy rating. It also offers an optional third row, though that third row is cramped for anyone but children. A drawback is the Highlander’s ho-hum SUV styling, which can’t compete with the Edge’s sleeker looks.

For an even more affordable option, consider the Mazda CX-7. It saves almost $6,000 as compared to the Edge’s base price, and it increases fuel economy even more with a 20/28 mpg base rating. Best of all, it comes with much sportier performance and sleek styling.
Details: Ford Edge

If you're interested in the Edge, also consider buying a 2010 model. You could get a big discount simply because the new and improved 2011 Edge is sitting right next to it on the dealer lot. However, you won’t get all the bells and whistles that come with the 2011 Edge.

2011 Ford Focus

Ford Focus - What the Auto Press Says

The 2012 Ford Focus ranks 5 out of 33 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 24 published reviews and test drives of the Ford Focus, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The Ford Focus is completely redesigned for the 2012 model year, and reviewers love the updates. Not only are the Focus’s exterior and interior changes impressive, but it’s also more fun to drive than the previous generation.

The Ford Focus was popular and well-liked when it debuted in 2000, but over time the competition improved, and the Focus lost its appeal.

Now, eleven years later, Ford has completely redesigned the Focus in hopes that it will regain its reputation as a top choice among affordable small cars. With well-rounded competitors like the Chevrolet Cruze, Mazda3 and Honda Fit, Ford has revamped the Focus from the inside out to take on the competition. The interior was one of the first things to change, now featuring more high tech options. "The company is loading the Focus with all manner of optional niceties,” says Edmunds, “such as keyless entry and ignition, a rearview camera, a semi-automatic parallel parking system and the new MyFord ‘driver connect’ technology which reconfigures information and entertainment operation with five-way touchpads on the steering-wheel spokes and, with high-end versions, adds an 8-inch touch screen display."

The 2012 Focus also gets MyKey and MyFord, two features that are available on other models like the Ford Edge. MyFord integrates entertainment, navigation and communication into a touch screen console. MyKey is a safety feature that restricts vehicle speed and stereo volume while your teen drives.

The industry is also excited about the Focus’s standard torque vectoring control – a first for a car in this class. Torque vectoring control increases vehicle stability by adding brake force to wheels on one side during turns, and is a great feature for driving enthusiasts.

The Focus also got a lot of exterior updates, and the industry is very pleased with the changes. The newest Focus looks sportier and more aggressive than older models and falls in line with the Honda Fit and Ford Fiesta.

Reviewers love the changes on the new Ford Focus, but the most important question is if the Focus can survive when the excitement surrounding its redesign fades. Right now, it’s hard to tell. Reviewers think Ford has produced a great car, but there are a lot of other affordable small cars on the market – the Honda Fit, the Chevrolet Cruze and Hyundai Elantra – that are just as good and outshine the 2012 Focus in terms of affordability, utility and available features. If you’re considering the Focus, it’s a good idea check the competition first.

2011 Ford Escape

Ford Look to Australia
By George Skentzos  |  July 21st, 2007
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Ford are considering following General Motor’s example and develop their next rear-wheel drive global platform here in Australia.

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Australian engineers will develop the drivetrains for the new Mustang as well as Fairlane-based long-wheelbase limousine platforms for the Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car which are scheduled to arrive by 2011.

Perhaps most promising of all is that Ford are considering manufacturing these vehicles here in Australia and then exporting them to the Middle-East and parts of Europe. Only a few days ago it seemed Ford Australia were in dire straits, and now their outlook could not be more promising.

Ford Australia boss, Tom Gorman has talked down the proposal, assuring the public that these decisions are still very much in their early stages and nothing is certain.

    “We have a fantastic rear-wheel-drive product. The product development team globally understands how strong our product is. We are actively in discussions about that but it is still very, very early days. There have been no decisions made whatsoever.”

He continues by explaining that the discontinuation of the iconic inline-six will further progress Ford Australia toward becoming a more global brand.

    “It brings us one step closer to better integrating with Ford’s global product development. The longer that we remain an ‘orphan’ in terms of our technologies in Australia, the less likely we are to fully participate in all the activity that’s under way in rear-wheel-drive.”

The new global Ford 3.5-litre V6 which is to replace the inline-six will be introduced on the Falcon in 2010. In base form, the engine produces roughly 196kW of power but a twin-turbo performance version could produce 309kW of power and 542Nm of torque. Ford says the twin-turbo can combine V8 performance with V6 fuel consumption.

The plans also stipulate that the Mustang may be engineered and sold locally which – if approved – will be the fastest car Ford Australia has released, powered by a 309kW twin-turbo V6.

All petty rivalries aside, both Ford and Holden Australia are doing us proud by producing vehicles of global quality as well as increasing global recognition of our capabilities in both manufacturing and engineering.

2011 Ford Fiesta

2011 Ford Fiesta priced from $13,320, special deal for reserving early
December 3rd, 2009 admin
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Filed under: Ford , USA 2011 Ford Fiesta – Click above for high-res image gallery Surprisingly, Ford decided to slip out U.S. pricing for its hotly anticipated and genuinely fuel efficient 2011 Fiesta with no fanfare at all. No major announcements at the LA Auto Show , no wordy press releases… nothing. But, if you head on over to Ford’s official page for the new Fiesta, you’ll see that it starts at $13,320 (plus a $675 destination charge). Even better, the full Build and Price section is available, meaning you can…