USA - The Limited Edition Focus RS is limited to 1500 units for the USA and Canada only.

• Ford followed Focus RS enthusiast conversations on blogs, forums and Facebook groups, which helped inspire the new 2018 limited-edition Focus RS
• Limited-edition Focus RS to deliver enhanced driving experience with new standard mechanical limited-slip differential to improve performance, unique interior and exterior styling, and new color combinations
• 1,500 Focus RS vehicles for United States and Canada offer customers last chance to get their hands on this generation of Ford’s critically acclaimed performance hatchback

Ford Performance fans talking to each other and posting comments online about the Ford Focus RS hot hatch performance car have led to a special 1,500 unit limited-edition celebrating the end of run of this generation hot hatch. 

Passion from the enthusiast community led Ford to introduce an exclusive new version of its critically acclaimed Focus RS for North America. Ford was listening.The new 2018 Focus RS limited-edition hot hatch adds a few commonly requested features that unique interior and exterior styling, and a new mechanical limited-slip differential.

Available in new Race Red or signature Nitrous Blue body color – both featuring striking new gloss black roof and mirror caps. The rear roof spoiler also features gloss black finish, with blue RS logos on the side wings. Now standard are 19-inch premium painted forged alloy wheels with blue RS center caps.

From the cockpit, the door handles, handbrake lever and turbo boost gauge surround are wrapped in carbon fiber skin, while equipment from the RS2 Package is standard, offering black leather-trimmed RECARO® seats with Miko-Dinamica eco-friendly suede microfiber inserts and RS logo, heated front seats with eight-way power driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, heated exterior mirrors and voice-activated navigation system.

To really excite driving enthusiasts, the global Ford Performance team developed a standard mechanical Quaife® limited-slip differential for the front axle that further improves Focus RS performance. This limited-edition Focus RS will more easily carry speed through a corner on the track, and allow for maximum acceleration on the way out.

“To satisfy strong demand for the ever-popular Focus RS, I’m very excited that we’re bringing this limited-edition vehicle to North America,” said Henry Ford, Ford Performance marketing manager. “We have spent a great deal of time listening to our customers, speaking to owners’ club members, reading comments and suggestions on enthusiast websites, and even studying various forum Photoshop renderings.”

A tight grip on performance

By controlling the torque delivered to each front wheel, the Quaife limited-slip differential enables 2018 Focus RS drivers to fully tap the 2.3-liter EcoBoost® engine’s 350 horsepower. The limited-slip differential limits engine torque delivered to a particular front wheel that has reduced traction on the road surface, redistributing torque to the wheel with more traction to reduce differences in wheel spin that can hamper acceleration and stability.

“Our new limited-edition Focus RS represents accessible performance at its finest,” said Jamal Hameedi, Ford Performance chief engineer. “Improving on the thrilling driving dynamics of the Focus RS is no small task – but our Ford Performance engineers have delivered a drivetrain capable of wringing every drop of performance from the engine.”

The new system seamlessly integrates with standard Focus RS driving technologies, including:

• Ford Performance All-Wheel Drive, which varies front-to-rear torque distribution to suit a given driving situation – monitoring inputs from vehicle sensors 100 times per second and sending an average of 70 percent of drive torque to the rear axle
• Dynamic Torque Vectoring, which uses electronically controlled clutch packs on the rear axle to send 100 percent of an average 70 percent available torque to either rear wheel, and can switch drive from one side to the other in as little as 0.06 second – or about the time it takes a humming bird to flap its wings 4 times.
• Torque Vectoring Control, which automatically applies small amounts of brake force to limit wheel spin at the front axle, further enhancing the tractive force available
• Focus RS Drive Modes, which include Ford-first drift mode for controlled oversteer drifts under circuit conditions, and launch control for ultimate performance off the start line and 4.7-second 0‑62 mph acceleration

Coming to a track near you

Only one thousand limited-edition 2018 Focus RS performance cars will be available in the United States and 500 in Canada, with deliveries beginning in late 2017, marking the last opportunity to order the current generation Focus RS in North America.

The limited-edition Focus RS joins Ford’s iconic Ford Performance vehicle range in North America, alongside the recently launched Ford GT supercar, F-150 Raptor, and much-loved Shelby GT350 Mustang, Focus ST and Fiesta ST.

Note: Vehicle horsepower ratings achieved with 93-octane fuel.

USA - Ram Truck today announced both a new and a returning option package to bring in the buyers from December.

• Ram 1500 Rebel Mojave Sand introduces new color, debuts new all-black interior
• Rebel Mojave Sand package priced at $595
• Ram 1500 Ignition Orange Sport returns, loaded with custom exterior and interior details
• Limited-edition Ignition Orange package priced at $1,595

Ram Truck today announced both a new and a returning option package that will have truck enthusiasts knocking at their dealers’ doors.

The first is a new 2017 limited-edition Ram 1500 Rebel Mojave Sand package. This is the first time Mojave Sand exterior paint has been available on a Ram truck model and is exclusive to the limited production Rebel. 

In addition to the new body color, the new Rebel package includes a black-decaled performance hood and a new, unique fully black interior.

The new black Rebel interior features black anodized bezels on the doors, center console, instrument panel and gauge cluster trim rings. All-black seats with black embroidery replace Radar Red seat backs and embroidery. Light Slate Gray accent stitching traces the instrument panel, center console lid, doors and seats. Deep rubber floor mats are embossed with gray Ram’s head logos.

The Ram 1500 Rebel Mojave Sand limited edition is available in Rebel configurations and options. The Ram 1500 Rebel Mojave Sand starting MSRP is $45,590 plus $1,320 destination. Mojave Sand production is limited to 1,500 units, which will start arriving in dealerships in December 2016.

Ram will also reintroduce a limited run of Ram 1500 Ignition Orange Sport models.

In addition to their vivid monochromatic exterior hue with body-color grille, 2017 Ram 1500 Ignition Orange models feature a Sport performance hood with black decals, black Ram’s head grille badge, black tailgate badge and black body-side badges.

Interior treatments for the Ignition Orange Sport include “Copperhead” accent stitching throughout the cabin, Sport embroidery on the seats, accent-color Ram’s head embroidery on the headrests and colored-accent sport mesh on the seat inserts. Anodized Orange-painted spears and trim rings complete the interior.

Only 1,500 units of the bright-orange 2017 Ram 1500 Sports will be produced.

The Ram 1500 Ignition Orange Sport package is limited to Crew Cab V-8 models with a starting MSRP of $43,740 plus $1,320 destination. The trucks are arriving in dealerships now.

Subaru of America launched a Crosstrek limited Edition, The Pure Red, with only 1500 they will go quickly.

• Limited edition model of 1,500 units
• Pure Red exterior color
• Unique red interior
• Debuting at the Chicago Auto Show

Subaru of America, Inc. today announced the introduction of the 2016 Crosstrek Special Edition. The Special Edition, in Pure Red, will be a limited production of 1,500 and will debut at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show.   

The versatile, fun-to-drive Crosstrek combines bold five-door design, a highly capable chassis and in-demand multimedia features. Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, high ground clearance (8.7 inches), 17-inch alloy wheels and ample room for passengers and cargo make the Subaru Crosstrek a high-capability crossover. 

It is one of the most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive crossover utility vehicles in America, delivering 34-mpg EPA-estimated highway fuel economy. The Crosstrek small SUV has been a strong seller since its introduction in 2012 and is now Subaru’s third best selling model.

Based on the 2.0i Premium, the Special Edition features Subaru “Pure Red” exterior color and matching foldable mirrors with integrated turn signals.  Red stitching accents the leather-wrapped shift lever handle, steering wheel and door panels. Unique to this model is interior dash trim with a red inlay.  

Also, interior lighting casts a soft red glow onto the front floor area and storage space below the climate control.  The SE Crosstrek will begin arriving into retailers in late spring 2016.

The Special Edition includes the All-Weather Package (heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors and windshield wiper de-icer), Power Moonroof, Instrument Panel with color LCD, Keyless Access with Push-Button Start, and Blind Spot Detection / Rear Cross Traffic Alert System (which includes Lane Change Assist).  

The SUBARU STARLINK 6.2” multimedia system with a 6.2-in. single-touch gesture display comes standard on the Special Edition.  The system includes AM/FM stereo with HD Radio^®, Radio Data Broadcast System, single-disc CD player, Bluetooth^® hands-free phone connectivity and audio streaming, iPod^®control, a USB port and an auxiliary input jack. 

Smartphone integration features Aha^™ and Pandora^®, along with new SUBARU STARLINK Cloud Applications Stitcher^™, Calendar, Music Player, News, Weather and iHeart^® Radio.  SiriusXM^® All Access Radio is available for a four month free trial starting at delivery and can continue with a paid monthly subscription.  

The 6.2-in. screen also displays the rear vision camera view to provide an additional level of convenience and safety. 

The 2.0-liter Subaru BOXER engine uses aluminum cylinder heads and block and produces 148 hp at 6,200 rpm and 145 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,200 rpm. The long-stroke configuration (84 mm bore and 90 mm stroke) enhances torque across the engine speed range. A dual overhead camshaft (DOHC) configuration features Dual Active Valve Control System (DAVCS) for both intake and exhaust valves for optimizing torque delivery.

Available exclusively with Subaru’s Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), the Special Edition continuously and smoothly adapts to performance demand by keeping the engine in its most efficient operating range. A 6-speed manual mode with steering wheel paddle shifters allows the driver to control the transmission via six pre-set ratios.

Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) combines stability and traction control functions and integrates a rollover sensor. The traction control functions as a second line of defense against wheel slip by augmenting the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive functionality.

A 103.7-in wheelbase yields impressive interior roominess in the Subaru Crosstrek, including 35.4 inches of rear seat legroom. With the standard 60/40 split rear seatbacks folded, this versatile five-door crossover provides a flat load floor and up to 51.9 cubic feet of carrying space.

In 2015, Subaru achieved seven consecutive years of record sales and exceeded 580,000 annual sales – a first in company history.  January marked the 23rd consecutive month of 40,000+ vehicle sales for the company.  Crosstrek, along with Forester and Legacy, achieved its best January ever.

Vauxhall marks remembrance weekend with a photo of its D Type Army Staff car, with the new Corsa.

To mark Remembrance Day, Vauxhall has released commemorative photography of its D-Type Army Staff car, which celebrates its centenary this year, alongside the Luton-based manufacturer’s latest offering, the all-new Corsa.

Vauxhall was one of a handful of manufacturers who supplied vehicles to the war effort during World War One (1914-18).  The Luton company produced more than 1,500 D-Type Staff Cars for military use, which saw action in theatres as diverse as the Western Front, East Africa, Russia and Palestine.

Regarded by many historians as the ‘First Automobile War’, the ’14-18 conflict saw for the first time companies like Vauxhall, Rolls-Royce and Sunbeam work closely with the British Army to mobilise key personnel. King George V was transported to Vimy Ridge in northern France in a Vauxhall, and the Staff Car was also the first vehicle to cross the Rhine following the Armistice in 1918.

The car in the accompanying shots is one of just two D-Type Staff Cars known to survive. ‘IC-0721’ (its military number) appeared in the Steven Spielberg film War Horse, along with Vauxhall Heritage Collection’s ‘Prince Henry’ model. Saved from a London scrap yard in 1946, the car was restored to its original condition and has resided at Vauxhall HQ ever since.

During World War 2, Vauxhall suspended its production to build 5,600 Churchill tanks in Luton as well as 250,000 lorries at its Bedford plant in Dunstable. Vauxhall is also proud to have raised £290,000 for Help for Heroes – money which is used by the charity to help servicemen and women who are wounded, sick or injured in Britain’s current conflicts.

‘We have released this commemorative photography to celebrate the centenary of the D-Type Army Staff car and as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives at war,’ said Tim Tozer, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. ‘Each year we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in both World Wars, which included many Vauxhall and Bedford workers, as well as those who have died in recent conflicts.’

The D-Type is pictured with the latest edition to the Vauxhall range, the all-new Corsa. With new engines, transmissions and engine technology as well as a new interior, the Fourth-Generation Corsa raises the class benchmark for driveability, comfort and practicality in a model which has become a household name for British small-car buyers.