USA - The new Mustang, puts on weight, and becomes a right porker.....

The 2015 Ford Mustang, which goes on sale this fall, comes with a new design, updated technology, and a fuel-efficient EcoBoost engine option. 

But in a world where weight is everything, especially among sports cars, buyers may be in for a surprise when they find out the new Mustang is significantly heavier than the outgoing model. With its steel-intensive underbody and host of new technologies, we would expect the Mustang to gain a little weight. 

But Steeda Autosports, which is creating performance parts for the new Mustang, reported this weight gain is as high as 200 or 300 pounds. If this is true, the V-8 Mustang GT may tip the scales at almost 4,000 pounds. Ford has not confirmed this report nor has it released official specifications for the new model, but Steeda said it was able to obtain CAD information directly from Ford to use as a baseline for its own product development efforts. 

For 2015, Steeda will create suspension system enhancements, chassis stiffening components, and engine upgrades to boost performance. The parts will be available right when the 2015 Mustang goes on sale. The 2015 Ford Mustang comes with a 3.7-liter V-6, a powerful 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder with upwards of 305 horsepower, and a 5.0-liter V-8 engine with 420 horsepower. 

It will come with new intelligent push-button start, Sync with MyFord Touch, a cross traffic alert system, and a host of other features.

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USA - Ford Fiesta débuts EcoBoost 1.0 litre engine.

• 2014 Ford Fiesta with new 1.0-liter EcoBoost® engine achieves fuel efficiency rating of 32 mpg city, 45 mpg highway and 37 mpg combined
• Fiesta is only vehicle in subcompact class to return 45 mpg highway and produce 120-plus horsepower
• 1.0-liter EcoBoost makes U.S. debut in 2014 Ford Fiesta

The new Ford Fiesta equipped with the award-winning 1.0-liter EcoBoost® engine will be America’s most fuel-efficient non-hybrid, gasoline-powered car with a certified 45 mpg rating on the highway, topping Honda Fit by 12 mpg and Toyota Yaris by 8 mpg on the highway.  

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has certified the 2014 EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta, arriving at dealers later this year, at 45 mpg highway.

The fuel economy rating not only establishes the Fiesta 1.0-liter EcoBoost as best-in-class, but it also outperforms some competitors’ diesels and hybrids on the highway driving cycle. The 2014 Honda Insight achieves 44 mpg highway, while the 2014 Volkswagen Golf diesel with a manual transmission delivers 42 mpg highway.

This also makes the Fiesta the only car in its class that produces more than 120 horsepower and achieves 45 mpg on the highway. Plus, while the 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine is officially SAE-certified at 123 horsepower and 125 lb.-ft. of torque, it features an overboost function that allows it to make more than 145 lb.-ft. for up to 15 seconds.

“With the new Fiesta 1.0-liter EcoBoost we’re pushing into fuel economy numbers only seen on hybrids and diesels,” said Joe Hinrichs, executive vice president and president of the Americas for Ford. “Coupled with the new Fiesta ST, Fiesta covers the performance-efficiency continuum in the subcompact segment better than any other nameplate in the market.”

Fuel economy is often cited as the No. 1 purchase consideration in the subcompact class, according to Ford research.

The EPA rating is for both the four- and five-door five-speed manual-equipped 2014 Ford Fiesta with SE Manual EcoBoost Package, which is also certified at 32 mpg city and 37 mpg combined.

Automotive journalists named the 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine in the 2014 Ford Fiesta International Engine of the Year in 2012 and 2013. The smallest engine in the growing EcoBoost family is increasingly the choice of Ford customers in Europe, where it is now available on five nameplates, accounting for 32 percent of Focus sales and 26 percent of Fiesta sales this year. Robust demand for the 1.0-liter in Europe prompted Ford to double production capacity at its state-of-the-art Cologne, Germany, plant to more than 1,000 engines a day.

EcoBoost technology combines smaller-displacement engines with turbocharging, direct injection, variable valve timing and proprietary Ford software to bring customers outstanding performance and fuel economy. Ford EcoBoost engines deliver up to 20 percent better fuel economy than larger-displacement gasoline engines.

Ford’s global EcoBoost engine family now includes the 1.0-liter three-cylinder; 1.5-liter, 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines; and the powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine. EcoBoost technology is available in every region Ford serves worldwide, and will be offered on approximately 80 percent of the company’s global nameplates by the end of this year.

Beyond the efficient new EcoBoost powerplant, Fiesta’s aerodynamic design also helps save fuel. Along with cruise control, the Fiesta SE Manual EcoBoost Package package adds a rear spoiler, side air deflectors, underbody shields, lower grille blockers and low-rolling-resistance tires that, together, decrease the amount of fuel needed to push the car through the air at speed.

In addition to the new leadership claim for highway fuel efficiency, the new Fiesta boasts a best-in-class suite of technologies and features that gives drivers an ideal blend of a connected world and an untethered driving experience.

A new MyFord Touch® system with 6.5-inch touch screen featuring enhanced voice control is now available, providing drivers more options than ever for navigation, communication and entertainment functions. SYNC® AppLink™ capabilities pioneered on the first Fiesta continue to allow access and control of Ford-approved smartphone apps through voice commands and other controls for drivers on the go, helping them keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Turn-by-turn navigation remains part of SYNC Services.

Ford MyKey® is a new feature for Fiesta. MyKey enables parents in particular to encourage safer driving and limit their teenagers’ exposure to risk at the wheel. The system allows owners to configure maximum speed and audio volume limits. It mutes audio until safety belts are fastened and ensures driver aids, safety systems and more vigorous alerts cannot be deactivated when used.

Ford outpaces all competition in the US

• Strong demand on the coasts lifts Ford’s U.S. market share nearly a full percentage point to 16.2 percent through May, outpacing all competitors
• Ford’s overall growth spans the full vehicle lineup; through May, U.S. overall car sales are up 12 percent, utility vehicle sales are up 18 percent, and truck sales are up 11 percent
• In addition to design and fuel economy, premium features such as SYNC® and MyFord Touch® are helping to attract new customers across the lineup with take rates double that of Honda and Toyota

“Our gains for the Ford brand in the U.S. are driven by our new products,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president of The Americas. “We are absolutely committed to continuing the aggressive introduction of new products throughout our showroom.”

Since the introduction of the new Fiesta three years ago, the Ford brand has achieved the fastest retail share growth of any automotive brand on the west and east coasts combined – up almost 2.5 percentage points compared with 2008 – based on Polk retail registration data. This year, the growth is largely based on share gains for the Ford Escape small utility vehicle and Ford Fusion midsize sedan.

The share gains demonstrate the success of Ford’s push to win over customers by investing more in small cars, midsize sedans and small utilities – in what Ford has dubbed the “super segment.” Particularly on the west coast, Ford vehicles’ standout design and leading fuel efficiency in this segment are helping the company to close the market share gap with Japanese rivals. Based on Ford analysis of Polk retail registration data, Ford’s east and west coast retail market share is 1 percentage point away from Honda.

“What’s so encouraging is the quality of our share gains,” said Jim Farley, executive vice president, Global Marketing, Sales and Service and Lincoln. “Customers are increasingly choosing highly equipped vehicles such as our Titanium models. We also see this in customers asking for our in-vehicle connectivity SYNC® and MyFord Touch® systems, which are now in 79 percent of vehicles across the Ford brand – more than double the rate of Toyota and Honda infotainment systems.”

Throughout the U.S., sales growth remains strong across Ford’s product portfolio. Sales of Ford’s F-Series, the best-selling pickup in the United States for 36 years, rose 22 percent through May, topping 70,000 units last month for the first time since March 2007.

Ford also is now on track to be the best-selling utility vehicle brand in the United States for the third straight year. Utility sales, led by the new Ford Escape and Explorer, are up 18 percent through May, with Escape sales on pace to surpass 150,000 vehicles in the first six months of 2013.

Technology, fuel economy and design drive growth
“Ford vehicle technologies are helping to attract new customers and drive growth,” said Raj Nair, group vice president, Global Product Development. “SYNC and MyFord Touch are also helping to deliver higher customer satisfaction.”

Customers that have vehicles equipped with MyFord Touch are more satisfied with overall vehicle quality for most models than those that do not have the advanced infotainment – showing that customers continue to want these technologies. Customers with Fusions that have MyFord Touch have 7 points higher quality satisfaction than other Fusion models. We also have improved MyFord Touch quality by more than 50 percent since launch and plan another upgrade this summer.

Driven by EcoBoost® and hybrids, Ford’s fuel-efficient lineup also is contributing to the company’s U.S. growth. Ford offers seven vehicles that deliver more than 40 mpg, including the new SFE-package Ford Fiesta with best-in-class 41 mpg highway. With the introduction of the new Ford C-MAX and Fusion Hybrid, Ford has also sold more hybrids in the first five months of 2013 than in any full year ever.

Adding to the fuel economy leadership, the award-winning 1.0-liter EcoBoost will be available on Fiesta later this year. The company also plans to further invest in technologies like Auto Start-Stop and nine- and 10-speed transmissions. These transmissions, to be built in both front- and rear-wheel-drive variants, will be matched with advanced new EcoBoost powertrains to further improve vehicle performance, increase fuel economy and ultimately drive greater levels of customer satisfaction.

“Customers continue to want leading fuel economy in their vehicles, and we’re committed to delivering top fuel economy across our lineup,” Nair said.

Stunning Ford F-150, we need this in the UK

• 2014 Ford F-150 Tremor comes standard with the company’s powerful 3.5-liter EcoBoost® engine, offering V8 performance, V6 fuel economy and a launch-optimized 4.10 rear axle with electronic locking differential
• Short-wheelbase, regular-cab Tremor offers stylish FX Appearance Package and functional features that include a floor shifter, class-exclusive HID headlamps and standard SYNC® with MyFord Touch® connectivity system
• All-new truck’s distinctive looks are complemented by unique boxside Tremor graphics and custom-inspired interior

The 2014 Ford F-150 Tremor is the first-ever EcoBoost®-powered sport truck that addresses the needs of street truck enthusiasts looking for high-performance V8 power with V6 fuel economy.

The short-wheelbase, regular-cab Tremor goes on sale this fall delivering distinctive looks and performance. The all-new truck couples the style of the FX Appearance Package with an EcoBoost engine and a launch-optimized 4.10 rear axle – the shortest final drive ratio offered in an EcoBoost F-150 – helping provide customers with fast acceleration.

Tremor signals its sport truck capabilities with a custom-inspired FX Appearance Package featuring stealthy, flat-black accents that include unique 20-inch flat-black wheels, stylized bodyside graphics and black badges with red lettering.

Tremor is the only regular-cab F-150 offering a flow-through center console and bucket seats. Interior touches include black leather seating surfaces with red piping, brushed-metal accents and a red-stitched steering wheel. Alcantara seat inserts add texture and style as well.

“The new Tremor gives F-150 customers yet another option to drive a highly capable, distinctive performance truck with features typically found only in the aftermarket,” said Brian Bell, F-150 product marketing manager. “Plus, the Built Ford Tough EcoBoost engine is available for the first time in a short-wheelbase F-150.”

F-150 Tremor is powered exclusively by Ford’s groundbreaking 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, which features:

• 365 horsepower at 5,000 rpm on regular fuel
• 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,500 rpm
• Twin independent variable camshaft timing for improved performance and fuel economy
• Up to 90 percent peak torque available from 1,700 rpm to 5,000 rpm
• An electronic locking rear differential that’s standard for both two- and four-wheel-drive versions helps deliver the power to the pavement by improving traction during takeoff.

Connectivity comes standard on F-150 Tremor with MyFord Touch® powered by SYNC®. Designers have optimized the physical interface for MyFord Touch to accommodate truck users who may be wearing work gloves by providing easy access to climate controls and audio presets on the center stack.