DEARBORN, Mich., - Since its victorious introduction at the NHRA Winternationals in 1968, Ford's Cobra Jet Mustang has created a legacy of power, performance and triumph. That legacy was renewed in 2008 when Ford Racing offered a limited run of the 40th Anniversary Cobra Jet Mustang that quickly sold out. Subsequent 2010 and 2012 model year offerings of the Cobra Jet have proved just as popular.
LOS ANGELES, The all-new Escape might be the most helpful vehicle ever produced by Ford. Using the most hands-free technology ever offered in a Ford, the new Escape helps customers load or unload gear through the rear hatch without fumbling for a key, stay connected, parallel park and avoid a collision in a parking lot.
The Province have published a review of the 2011 Ford Taurus SHO. 'A push-button start brings the SHO's twin-turbo V6 to life with a bit of flair. If you are height challenged, Ford has you in mind with its delightful adjustable pedals to help guard against sitting too close to the steering wheel. Its dashboard delivers critical information the good old-fashioned way -- with a speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge and transmission indicator (just in case you forget you are in Drive). At night, however, with interior lighting that can be changed to suit colour preferences, the dash lights up with style and projects an ambience upscale and confident. The SHO may not look special, but it feels special when the sun is down.'
CNET have published a review of the 2011 Ford Mustang GT. 'The Mustang GT exhibits classic muscle car handling. Its initial turn-in is good, but then the heavy front end starts to understeer. Not a problem, as prodding the gas makes the back end float around. It may not be precision handling, but it is fun to steer the car with torque, and the Mustang GT has plenty to spare. A limited slip differential is standard on the Mustang GT, and Ford even lets you specify the rear axle drive ratio. Default is a ratio of 3.31, but buyers can opt for 3.55 or 3.73. The limited slip differential makes a huge difference in putting the Mustang GT through a tight corner. The suspension also does an excellent job of keeping the car flat. The Mustang GT has a heavy feel, and the load shifts substantially when entering a corner, but body sway is minimal. And Ford did an excellent job of tuning this suspension for everyday driving.'
The Truth About Cars have published a review of the 2012 Ford Focus Titanium. 'Inside the Focus, aesthetic complexity continues, and not quite as successfully as with the exterior. The design struggles to successfully combine both gunmetal and piano black trim, chrome highlights, contrasting stitching on the seats, and a prominent multicolored display. Like the exterior, the interior looks both upscale and aggressively sporty. In the upper trim levels materials and construction are as good as they get in this segment, and far, far ahead of those in the new Honda Civic. But on repetitive commutes or long drives it can help for an interior to be calming. This one is always sharply dressed for a night on the town. It's not a place to kick back and relax.'
Reg Hardware have published a review of the Ford Focus third-generation C-Class hatchback. 'The steering is handled entirely automatically once the ultrasonic detectors have found a space on the left-hand side of the road. Not grabbing the wheel mid-manoeuvre takes some self-discipline - once you touch the wheel the system goes off in a huff and leaves you to sort things out. The Low Speed Safety System has it's uses too. At speeds below 20mph, if the system detects an obstruction ahead - a small brick wall, in my case - it will automatically charge and then if necessary deploy the brakes just before a collision becomes unavoidable. The system keys off the same forward firing radar that lets the cruise control system peg your distance to the car in front. The car-car separation is then keyed to the distance between the two when you hit the switch.'
The Garage Blog have published a review of the Ford Fiesta. 'All Fiestas share the same drivetrain-a 1.6L four, good for 120hp. Buyers have a choice of either a five-speed manual or a six-speed dual clutch automatic. Our test car was equipped with the five-speed manual, which was a cinch to use. The Fiesta is a fun car to drive, and in some ways reminded me of my old MG-not much power, but a kick to scoot around town, and corners on rails. Would I pick a Fiesta for an out of state trip though? Not likely. The pep that you get around town is lost when you need to make a pass on the highway. The Fiesta boasts EPA fuel economy ratings of 28/37 MPG for city and highway, respectively.'
Search Chicago have published a review of the 2011 Ford Explorer. 'Driving the 2011 Ford Explorer on some twisty mountain roads was not as dull as you would think. Ford engineers were able to dial in some of the Taurus' road handling and ride characteristics that vastly out shine the old body-on-frame arrangement. The around-town ride is carlike and quiet. Explorer is available in two- or four-wheel drive. As for off-roading, the Explorer can tackle the dirty stuff, but Ford's research showed that only 17 percent of previous Explorer buyers did so. During the program we put Ford's 4WD terrain management system to the test. This new system eschews a traditional SUV transfer case set up and employs four high, four low and auto settings.'
The Truth About Cars have published a review of the 2011 Ford Explorer XLT AWD. 'The first two generations of Explorers were fundamentally pickup trucks. This one is fundamentally a car, which is to say it's another variant of Ford's much-loved (and much-hated) D3/4 platform. The company makes no secret of this, preferring to point out all the ways in which D3 has been updated for modern duty in general and SUV duty in particular. Although the rocker-panel-covering doors and bizarre QIX-pattern footwells remain, the driver now sits in an entirely new relationship to the rest of the vehicle. Wide is the word here. The Explorer's driver seat feels almost centrally located. There's clear air between the chair and the armrest, with the door itself seemingly a foot and a half thick. The modern tradition of shoulder-height sills is fully respected in this car, as well.'
The Cars Guide have published a review of the 2012 Ford Focus. 'Slated for Australian release in the third quarter, the Focus which was launched in Los Angeles last week is according to its engineer James Hughes a "paradigm shift: night and day" compared with the slow selling but sweet driving South African made model now in run out. Our cars will come from Germany which is apt given the scare it should throw into Volkswagen's Golf. "We looked at all our competitors, Asian, domestic and European and benchmarked the Focus against the Audi A3," Hughes says. "Its dynamics, interior and wind noise are better than the A3."
