At the Beijing 2008 show, Ford has taken the opportunity of the “first” new Chinese Fiesta to present a world preview of a concept car very similar to the series. The Ford Fiesta S is in fact a clear example of the coming ST.

In addition to some modifications to front details, the side “miniskirts”, the rear spoiler and newly designed wheels, what really strikes is the choice of the five door body. The decision can be explained by the fact that Ford still hasn’t revealed anything of the Fiesta ST and prefers to play and hide behind an apparently “insignificant” concept, which includes an interior the same as the new Fiesta.

In reality the message is loud and clear: the Fiesta ST will be made, and will likely be very similar to the sporty look - but not extreme, such as that of the RS - to this prototype, apart from three doors instead of five. The 2009 debut should show off the strong points of the ST, including the 1.6 turbo engine at 175 hp, and the lowered and reinforced base.

Beijing 2008: Ford Fiesta S Concept

Continue reading: Beijing 2008: Ford Fiesta S Concept

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Ford could be bringing back the Capri name for a coupè that would provide competition for the new Volkswagon Scirocco. The battle in the coupè sector could be back after nearly 30 years, when both brands’ original versions offered sports cars at affordable prices. A concept 2+2 could debut at the Frankfurt show in 2009, anticipating the version expected for 2012.

The most logical mechanical base would be the Focus but there are those who are hoping for a rear-wheel drive: it all remains to be seen, as the only rendering available appearing in the Auto Bild magazine, seems a little too imaginative and not very useful in including the technical aspects.

With thanks to HIDRO

Via | Worldcarfans.com

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Its destiny was uncertain and information continuing to disappear: after all we’re talking about the heir to the Escort RS Cogsworth, a car with a strong heart and heavy feet. After having officially confermed its presence with a teaser Ford has begun to unleash onto the road the first models of the Ford RS, waited upon by fans as the first spring sun.

The two-colour duco and especially the air vents of the bonnet don’t deserve criticism for their gaudiness as in place is a 280hp with five cylinder turbo from Volvo origins. The only shame, according to rumours, is the presence of rear wheel drive, though it does have electronic differential. The debut, as already anticipated, should be in 2009.

Via | AutoExpress

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After the ufficial teaser, the Top Gear site has some realistic images and developments on the new Focus RS that, suprisingly, will be presented under the “concept” category at the London show, and will not be a reality until 2009.

The five cylinder turbo will have between 280 and 300 hp but the latest rumors conferm the use of only rear-wheel drive and not all-wheel, which would be necessary to compete with other rally cars such as the Subaru Impreza STi and the Mitsubishi EVO X. The RS however should be equipped with semi-active limited-slip differential. At this point we ask ourselves if releasing it in 2009 will be too late for such a special version, which will probably be on the heels of the career-end of its previous model.

Continue reading: Ford Focus RS: only a concept in 2008

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The engines of the new Ford Ka are heating up in preparation for its Paris debut. Cologne’s citycar, which will be made in Tychy together with its cousin the Fiat 500, will encounter a competitve sector, where various choices (including that of Turin) expanding throughout Europe will be giving it a run for its money.

Either for the cold or to avoid curious photographers stealing important first details, the new Ka continues to go around all wrapped up, leaving a difficult job to the imagination. The stylistic direction will follow that of the new Ford Fiesta which we saw in Geneva (and which left us with a good impression): Kinetic Design had a spy as seen by photos published almost exactly a week ago.

And under the wrap? Many aspects will be shared with the 500, including the Euro 5 1.4 petrol engine, 100 bhp and 1.3 Multijet bhp. But that’s not all: given the clamour provoked by the Abarth 500, it looks as if Ford could be taking seriously the idea of a sporty range, composed of Ka ST and Ka RS, which would give a new expression to “Abarth” of “Abarth esseesse”.

Continue reading: New Ford Ka: cold spy photos

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After the new Fiesta, Ford will be showing in Geneva another incarnation of its “Kinetic Design” style, the Ford Kuga.

The Kuga, Ford’s mid-size SUV/Crossover, was first shown as a concept car in Frankfurt last year (the Kuga concept (itself derived from the Iosis X Concept).

The Ford Kuga, based on the Ford Focus’ platform, will be equipped with the 2.0 TDCi common rail Duratorq engine with power output of 136 ps and torque of 320 Nm at 2,000 rpm (a transient overboost to 340 Nm is possible).

The Kuga will be available both with front-wheel drive (”Trend” equipment level, 6.2 l/100 km average fuel consumption) and 4-wheel drive (”Titanium” equipment level, 6.4 l/100 km, 169 g/km CO2). ESP, Anti-Rollover Mitigation, ABS and EBD (electronic brake distribution all come as standard). The Kuga can seat five person and has a luggage compartment with a capacity of 360 liters (1,355 with the rear seat folded).

Continue reading: Geneva 2008 - the Ford Kuga

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Ford Fiesta 2009

Ford has released the first official images of the new Ford Fiesta. The small hatchback, derived from the Ford Verve concept, will be shown next month in Geneva for the first time.

The platform of the new Ford Fiesta will be shared with the Mazda 2. The engine range will comprise 5 different 4-cylinder engines, both petrol and diesel fueled, starting with the 1.4 68 PS Duratorq TDCi diesel up to the new Duratec 1.6-litre Ti-VCT petrol engine (115 PS). The Fiesta will also be available as an ECOnetic model with low CO2 emissions (less than 100g/km).

The Fiesta will be built starting from the autumn of 2008 in Germany (Cologne) and later in Spain and China. Below the fold you can find more photos and the Ford press release.

Continue reading: Geneva 2008 - the Ford Fiesta 2009

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The next Ford Ka has a hard work to face: it must try not to be cannibalized by the charming Fiat 500, which provides the technical basis for the small german citycar.

The only way to gain popularity and face adequately the italian rival, is impressing a peculiar styling to the body, and it seems that Ford Europe will take the right decision: the 2009 Ford Ka will keep very close to the Ford Verve concept’s lines (headlights, air intake, belt line).

We are sure it is a necessary choice for keeping the distance between the two citycars, all the more so since the Fiat 500 won the “Car of the Year 2008″ award.

Continue reading: Ford Ka 2009 spied

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Ford has released the first official images of the new Focus ST, still without updating their press site or revealing any new details. We still know only what was revealed yesterday about the new ST.

Continue reading: Ford Focus ST: official image gallery

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These are the first pictures of the Ford Focus ST facelift. With the freshened up car the brand wants to keep fighting german hot-hatches such as VW Golf GTI and Opel Astra OPC. Under the hood we still find the 2,5-liter five cylinder turbocharged unit that outputs 225 bhp, coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox.

The sprint from 0-100 km/h still takes 6.5 seconds, CO2 emissions are 224 g/km and the weight is 1,392 kg for the three-door and 1,437 for the five-door version.

A spokesman from Ford communicated that the engineers have changed little in the new model: “The old Ford Focus ST was still one of the most fun to drive in its class, so there was no reason for changing the steering, or the suspensions.”

Continue reading: New Ford Focus ST

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