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Jalopnik (feeds.gawker.com) has great Ford Focus news, photos, videos and more
Friday, Nov 20
M-Sport Unveils Ford Fiesta S2000 For Global Rally Efforts [Ford Fiesta S2000 Rally Car]
The Fiesta S2000 is the latest in a long line of rally cars produced as a result of the successful partnership between M-Sport and Ford, starting with the Escort Cosworth in the 1990s and moving on to the record breaking Ford Focus RS WRC and Ford Fiesta ST.
Monday, Nov 9
2010 Subaru Legacy Now Slightly Cheaper To Crash [Car Crashes]
The Legacy is only the fifth car the Institute has tested to earn an acceptable rating for its bumpers. The others are the Ford Focus, Mazda 6, Scion xB, and Smart Fortwo. No car has yet earned a good rating. The Legacy is the first car the Institute has tested to limit damage to the bumper system i...
Monday, Nov 2
Ford Posts $997 Million Profit, Still Down $1.3 Billion This Year [Carpocalypse]
Ford's North American operations posted a pre-tax operating profit of $357 million, its first quarterly profit since the first quarter of 2005. Ford South America, Ford Europe and Ford Asia Pacific Africa also posted pre-tax operating profits in the third quarter.
Friday, Oct 30
Everyone Rush Down To Elder Ford To Buy A Focus RS [Ad Watch]
In what might be one of the most appealing, and therefore misleading, advertisements in recent memory we have a local Ford dealership promoting both a Ford Focus RS and a Ford Raptor. Can someone please go to Elder Ford and tell us how many of those are on the lot? Also, inside, you can meet the...
Friday, Oct 16
Ford Introduces 1.6L Duratec Race Engine, Restarts Kent Production [Racing News]
New Duratec 1600cc, 110 PS engine The highly robust and efficient 1.6 litre Duratec engine, as used in the Ford Focus and Ford Fiesta road cars, has proven a very successful race engine in Formula Ford championships around the world. Source: Ford]
Wednesday, Oct 7
All 400+ Cars Of Forza Motorsport 3 [Video Games]
2009 Ford Fiesta Zetec S 2009 Ford Focus RS 2006 Ford Focus ST 2003 Ford Focus SVT 2008 Ford Fusion Stock Car 2005 Ford Ford GT 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 2000 Ford Mustang Cobra R 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R 2002 Toyota MR-S 1999 Honda Civic Si Coupe 2005 Ford Mustang GT
Saturday, Sep 19
VIDEO: Drew Barrymore In Jay Leno's Reasonably-Priced Electric Ford Focus "Race Car" [Ad Watch]
Jay Leno, in a bout of what we've gotta believe is advertiser capitulation, described the prototype electric Ford Focus to his first celeb-driver, Drew Barrymore, as an "electric Ford Focus race car." On what planet is this a race car?
Thursday, Sep 17
Jay Leno's Reasonably Priced Electric Car A Euro-Spec Ford Focus [I Feel Gassy]
Thanks in part to the battery placement, the race-ready Ford Focus BEV has a nearly ideal 50/50 weight distribution for improved racetrack handling. The front springs and dampers come from the performance-minded Ford Focus RS, a popular, high-performance European production model. T...
Ford C-Max: Not-So-US-Bound [Frankfurt Motor Show]
The initial Ford EcoBoost four-cylinder lineup will comprise 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter engines. The engines will be available globally, with versions launching in Europe and North America in 2010, and the first rear-wheel-drive application in the Ford Falcon in Australia in 2011. By 2013...
Tuesday, Sep 15
What Are Your Top Five Hot Hatches? [Question Of The Day]
The spiritual heir to all hot hatches, the new Focus RS looks like a serious race car and can keep pace with some of the best sports cars out today. The prospect of nearly 300 HP/lb-ft of torque in a compact package has tempted more than one of us to consider opening up Jalopnik's European offic...
Ford Grand C-Max: Return Of The Truly Mini Van [Frankfurt Motor Show]
Bold exterior and interior designs have been created using the latest evolution of Ford's "kinetic design" form language, building on the themes established in recent product introductions like the hugely successful European-developed Fiesta, Kuga and Mondeo ranges.
Wednesday, Sep 9
Jay Leno's "Star In A Reasonably-Priced Green Car" To Use Ford's Battery Electric Focus Concept [Ad Watch]
A specially-built battery electric Ford Focus will be driven through Jay Leno's (pictured above with two Jalopnik readers) new show, premiering Sept. 14 on NBC, by celebrity guests who are competing in the "Green Car Challenge" for best track times.
Monday, Sep 7
Eight Real Excuses Given To Rental Car Companies [Rental Car Reach Around]
What Happened: Parking garages are typically symmetrical and filled with the same mix of cars (Civic, Corolla, Civic, Accord), but losing a car in there? After a few hours it turned out the woman lost it because she was looking for the wrong car.
Thursday, Sep 3
Ford C-MAX: Focus-Based Mini-Minivan May Come Stateside [Frankfurt Motor Show]
Departing from usual MAV thinking by using Ford's 'kinetic design' styling language to adopt a more dynamic passenger-car look, the new model features a coupé-like, sweeping roofline while still retaining the established Ford C-MAX hallmarks of comfort, space, and practicality.
Tuesday, Aug 25
It's Over: Ten Most Traded-In, Purchased Cash For Clunkers Cars [Cash For Clunkers]
The biggest winner was Toyota, with 19.4% of the toal share, followed by GM with 17.6% and Ford with 14.4%. Chrysler did a dismal 6.6% of the overall sales. All of the ten most traded-in vehicles are American, though, so there's something. 1. Toyota Corolla 4. Ford Focus 7. Toyota Prius 9. Honda Fit
Monday, Aug 24
2010 Mazdaspeed3: First Drive [Jalopnik Reviews]
All the upgrades make the new model slightly more expensive than the old one at $23,195 before destination and delivery, but the thoroughness of the changes more than compensates for the thousand extra bucks or so. The 2010 Mazdaspeed3 is faster, more agile and more fun to drive than befor...
Ten Most Traded-In And Purchased Cash For Clunkers Cars (Almost Over!) [Cash For Clunkers]
Top 10 Trade-In Vehicles 1. Ford Explorer 4WD 2. Ford F150 Pickup 2WD 3. Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD 4. Jeep Cherokee 4WD 5. Ford Explorer 2WD 6. Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD 7. Chevrolet Blazer 4WD 8. Ford F150 Pickup 4WD 9. Chevrolet C1500 Pickup 2WD 10. Ford Windstar FWD Van
Friday, Aug 21
Ten Most Traded-In And Purchased Cash For Clunkers Cars (Updated, Again!) [Carpocalypse]
The most traded-in vehicle is still the Ford Explorer 4WD and the most purchased vehicle is now the Toyota Corolla, replacing the Ford Focus. For the list of the most popular trade-in vehicles click on the Explorer, for the list of purchased vehicles click on the Corolla.
Friday, Aug 7
Save The Clunkers! [Save The Clunkers]
This Dodge Ram Vanamino, a classic example of vangenieering, is being sacrificed at Galpin Ford in Los Angeles. For what? A Ford Focus? We must let people know of the horrors. If you see a great vehicle being sacrificed take a picture and post it here. We must bear witness to the atrocity. Post th...
Cash For Clunkers Program Actually Benefiting Truck, Crossover Sales [Cash For Clunkers]
1. Toyota Corolla 2. Ford Focus FWD 3. Honda Civic 4. Toyota Prius 5. Toyota Camry 6. Hyundai Elantra 7. Ford Escape FWD 8. Dodge Caliber 9. Honda Fit 10. Chevrolet Cobalt 1. Ford Escape 2. Ford Focus 3. Jeep Patriot 4. Dodge Caliber 5. Ford F-150 6. Honda Civic 8. Chevrolet Cobalt 9. Toyota Corolla 10. Ford Fusion
Thursday, Aug 6
Ford Focus RS Hits Nurburgring For 8:26 Lap Time [Ring Runs]
The car got a good solid flogging at the hands of the chief editor of Germany's Sport-Auto, Horst von Saurma-Jeltsch, who pressed the car through the 13 mile course in a very respectable 8:26. We continue to be very green with envy. [via Carscoop]
Wednesday, Aug 5
Ten Most Traded-In And Purchased Cash For Clunkers Cars (Updated) [Cash For Clunkers]
In our daily tally of the most traded-in clunkers under the Cash For Clunkers program we find the Toyota Corolla has knocked the Ford Focus off the mountain still made up primarily of old Ford Explorers. 1. Toyota Corolla 2. Ford Focus FWD 3. Honda Civic 4. Toyota Prius 5. Toyota Camry 9. Honda Fit
Monday, Aug 3
Ten Most Traded-In And Purchased Cash For Clunkers Vehicles [Carpocalypse]
1. Ford Focus (27-28 mpg) 2. Honda Civic (24-42 mpg) 3. Toyota Corolla (25-30 mpg) 4. Toyota Prius (46 mpg) 5. Ford Escape (20-32 mpg) 6. Toyota Camry (23-34 mpg) 7. Dodge Caliber (22-27 mpg) 8. Hyundai Elantra (26-28 mpg) 9. Honda Fit (29-31 mpg) 10. Chevy Cobalt (25-30 mpg
Ford July Sales Up 2.3%, First Increase Since 2007 [Carpocalypse]
Big winners in the FoMoCo fleet included the Ford Focus, Ford Ranger and the Ford Fusion. Ford Focus sales totaled 21,830, up 44 percent versus a year ago. Ford Ranger sales totaled 7,695, up 65 percent versus a year ago. Ford Fusion sales totaled 17,610, up 66 percent versus a year ago.
Tuesday, Jul 21
IIHS Crash Tests Five Budget Coupes: Ford, Volvo Earn Top Safety Picks [Crash Tests]
Emphasizing vehicles for family use, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety normally crash tests four-door vehicles. However, to evaluate the extent automakers are extending new crashworthiness improvements to two-door vehicles — you know, for kids — they've recently conduct...
Wednesday, Jul 1
Five Ways To Get Screwed By Cash For Clunkers [Cash For Clunkers]
If you own a truck or SUV you can use your voucher to trade it in for a car and, likely, get a larger voucher. Many dealerships will want to put you into a new truck because they're more expensive than most cars, but if you don't need a truck you can trade your old one in and find an inexpensive car wi...
Wednesday, Jun 17
A Dive Off A 300-Foot Cliff From The Driver's Point Of View [Car Crash]
Want to see what it looks like when you drive off a 300-foot cliff? Here's Jari-Matti Latvala's cliff-dive from the Rally de Portuga earlier this year. It's a surprisingly violent tumble that left his Ford Focus WRC in twisted shambles.
Friday, Jun 12
Fifth Gear Pits EVO X Against Focus RS In Epic Turbocharged Soccer Battle [Fifth Gear]
Fifth Gear's Tiff Needell and Jason Plato have taken it upon themselves to pit the rally-bred AWD Mitsubishi Evo X against the brand-spanking-new, touring car-inspired FWD Ford Focus RS in an epic turbocharged game of soccer.
Friday, May 29
2010 Ford Transit Connect: First Drive [Jalopnik Reviews]
In and around Manhattan's crowded streets, the Transit Connect drives as easy as a comparable front-wheel drive hatch. Sure, in comparison to the European Focus on which this Transit is based, the ride is firmer and you can feel the height in a smidge of bodyroll, but it's still a more capab...
Thursday, Apr 9
2010 Opel Astra, GTC Get Much-Needed Facelift [Frankfurt Auto Show]
Also, pictured in sketch form is the high-performance 2010 Opel Astra GTC, which is poised to take on the new Ford Focus RS and VW GTI. Power will likely come from a version of the turbocharged, direct-injection 2.0L Ecotec featured in the Cobalt SS Turbo. The new GTC will trump the previous mo...
2010 Kia Forte Koup: You Stay Klassy, Kia [New York Auto Show]
Like the Forte sedan, two transmission options are available for both 2010 Forte Koup models: a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission (EX models). The SX model features a standard six-speed manual trans...
Tuesday, Mar 31
Horbury Returning To Volvo, Callum Takes Over At Ford Design [Industry News]
Horbury then led the Americas design team in applying the new design philosophy to most of the production Lincoln product range, including the 2009 Lincoln MKS, the 2010 Lincoln MKZ and the all-new 2010 Lincoln MKT. During his five years leading Ford's America's Design, Horbury led the d...
Ford Advantage Plan To Kick Hyundai's Guarantee In The Assurance [Carpocalypse]
The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan are America's most fuel-efficient mid-size sedans, and the Fusion has a higher residual value than the Toyota Camry after three years of ownership, according to the Automotive Leasing Guide (ALG).
Sunday, Feb 8
2010 Ford Transit Connect Officially First Ford Electric Vehicle [2010 Ford Transit Connect]
The idea of an electric Transit Connect is interesting, but it's only a part of Ford's electric and hybrid strategy going forward. They've also announced an electric small car for 2011, the Ford version of the next-generation hybrid in 2012 and a plug-in hybrid for 2012. This seemingly agg...
Tuesday, Jan 20
Ford PowerShift Dual-Clutch Six-Speed Automatic Transmission: A Tranny For The Little Ones [Transmissions]
DETROIT, Jan. 21, 2009 – Ford Motor Company announced today it will introduce an advanced dual-clutch PowerShift six-speed transmission in North America in 2010 for the small-car segment. In Europe, Ford currently offers a PowerShift transmission in the Ford Focus. This PowerShift use...
Saturday, Jan 10
Ford Unveils Plan For Four Electric Cars By 2012 [Detroit Auto Show]
To start, Ford will introduce in North America: The four-cylinder Ford Fusion S is now certified at 34 mpg highway and 23 mpg in the city, topping the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord This year, Ford also will introduce its EcoBoost engines on the Ford Flex crossover and Lincoln MKS sedan.
Wednesday, Jan 7
Opinion: CES: Ford Upgrades Sync With Turn-By-Turn Navigation [Sync]
Since the introduction of SYNC in the 2008 Ford Focus, Ford quickly has integrated the technology. By summer 2009, Ford’s entire North American lineup will offer this must-have technology, demonstrating its rapid, consumer-driven adoption. Ford expects to have 1 million SYNC-equipp...
Monday, Dec 29
Ford Active Park Assist: "Better-Than-Lexus" Push-Button Parallel Parking To Debut In Lincoln MKT, MKS [Detroit Auto Show]
• Available in mid-2009 on Lincoln MKS sedan and all-new Lincoln MKT crossover • Electric Power Assisted Steering also improves fuel economy up to 5 percent, while reducing CO2 emissions and enhancing performance, compared with traditional steering Source: Ford]
Monday, Dec 15
New Ford Focus RS Priced From $38,000
For that dough Ford will serve up a turbocharged 2.5 liter five cylinder with 300 HP and 324 lb-ft of torque mated to a six-speed transmission, all good for a 0-62 mph under six seconds with a top speed of over 160 MPH. Want. PRICES ANNOUNCED FOR 2009 FORD FOCUS RS Source: Ford]
Friday, Nov 7
Ford Announces $129M In Third Quarter Losses, Forecasts Job Cuts [Industry News]
Launched the new Ford Fiesta small car in Europe, the first of Ford’s new global small cars. Production began in Cologne, Germany, and the car is now going on sale in Europe. Fiesta also is beginning to now go on sale in Asia and will be introduced in North America in early 2010.
Friday, Oct 31
SEMA Getting Hit With Tsunami Of Custom Fords [Sema]
LINCOLN MKS, FORD FOCUS STAND OUT AT SEMA 2009 Lincoln MKS by 3dCarbon 2009 Lincoln MKS by Godfather Customs 2009 Lincoln MKS by RKSport 2009 Ford Focus Coupe by 3dCarbon 2009 Ford Focus Coupe by FSWerks 2008 Lincoln MKX by Street Concepts Source: Ford]
Thursday, Jul 24
BREAKING! Ford Reports $8.7 Billion Net Loss For Second Quarter 2008, Bringing Six European Small Vehicles Stateside
2009 Ford Focus, with highway fuel economy of up to 35 mpg - better than the smaller 2008 Honda Fit and 2009 Nissan Versa SL and a key reason Focus retail sales are up 50 percent 2009 Escape, with a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed transmission delivering best-in-class high...
Friday, Jul 11
2009 Ford Fiesta Engine Specs Announced, Top-Of-The-Line Duratec Hits 118 HP
Welcome to Fiesta - the new Ford. All-New Ford Fiesta - Introduction An all-new Fiesta Zetec S model will be available at launch, with a new, 120 PS 1.6-litre Duratec Ti-VCT petrol engine bringing performance to the heart of the Fiesta range Source: Ford]
Friday, Jun 20
2009 Ford F-150 Release Postponed Two Months, Truck Production Cut
In addition to hatchback and sedan versions of the European-engineered Ford Fiesta small car that goes on sale in North America in early 2010, Ford is announcing today that four- and five-door versions of the next-generation European Ford Focus small car will be produced in North Ameri...
Tuesday, Feb 5
2008 Ford Focus Coupe-Cabriolet Revealed Before Geneva Motor Show
Kinetic Design' Styling A fine range of Duratec petrol and Duratorq diesel engines was chosen for the Focus Coupé-Cabriolet: While the 1.6-litre 100 PS/74 kW Duratec petrol is the entry level into the Focus 'wind-in-the-hair' experience, the well acclaimed 2.0-litre 145 PS/107 kW Dura...
Wednesday, Jan 30
Opinion: Microsoft Sync in a 2008 Ford Focus SE Road Test: Part 3
The phone functionality was pretty good, as well. Once you overcome the agony of getting it all set up—and I endured some significant agony—it works well. The option to receive and send (limited) text messages is a definite bonus, compared to other in-car systems. But as I have urged in my two...
Tuesday, Jan 29
Opinion: Microsoft Sync Setup in the 2008 Ford Focus SE: Part 2
Overall, I can't put all of the blame on set-up on the Sync—my cellphone caused some of the problems, because I doesn't support all features available on Sync. Stay tuned for part three in the series where I give the Sync a full-blown road test.
Monday, Jan 28
Opinion: Microsoft Sync Gets Unboxed in the 2008 Ford Focus SE: Part 1 of 3
You've seen the commercials, but really, how easy is the Microsoft Sync in-car entertainment system to use? I decided to give Sync an unboxing, similar to the ones our brethren do. I'll give you a hint how it went: Don't get your hopes up. This is only Part One of a three-part series, in which I'...
Sunday, Jan 13
Detroit Auto Show: Ford Verve North American Version Live
Ford: European Small-Car Know-How Ford maintains small-car leadership in Europe with vehicles set apart by their world-class driving dynamics and dynamic designs. The Ford Fiesta - which is smaller than the Focus - debuted in 1976, and it has sold more than 12 million units in Europe.
Wednesday, Jan 2
Ford SYNC-ed Up With Customers, Selling Twice As Many SYNC Models
SYNC currently is offered on 12 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models. The first SYNC-equipped vehicles, including the redesigned 2008 Ford Focus, began reaching customers in late September. When offered as an option, the system is priced at $395. [Source: FORD]
Monday, Dec 17
Opinion: Ford Europe Confirms High-Performance 2009 Focus RS [New Cars]
Cologne, December 17, 2007 - Ford of Europe is confirming its plan to deliver an exciting all-new, high performance Focus RS model for launch in 2009. A design image released by the company today hints at the exciting direction the new model is taking.
Monday, Dec 3
Ford Sales Up For First Time in 12 Months, Mission Accomplished! [Industry News]
All-new Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX paced Ford, Lincoln and Mercury crossovers to a sales increase of 119 percent; year-to-date crossover sales were up 63 percent. Ford Focus posts 18 percent sales gain and Ford Fusion sales were up 39 percent.
Thursday, Nov 8
Ford Launches Focus Special Edition ST500 in the UK
With sales of over 13,500, the Ford Focus ST is now firmly positioned as the most sought after performance hatchback in the UK, and reflects the motorsport success of the all-conquering Focus RS WRC, which saw Ford take the 2006 WRC manufacturer's title, and which currently heads the 200...
Wednesday, Oct 17
2008 Ford Focus Coupe, Part 2 [Jalopnik Reviews]
Gearbox: **** The five-speed manual in the Focus is a smooth operator, easily sliding through gears. My assumption is a short-shifter will more than likely be the first option a buyer of the manny-tranny Focus will be picking up at their local aftermarket shop.
Tuesday, Oct 16
2008 Ford Focus Coupe, Part 1 [Jalopnik Reviews]
Likewise, there's not much drama in the driving experience. Even with the five-speed manual, the standard 2.0-liter four is about as exciting as a podiatrist's waiting room. I pined for the previous Focus ZX4's 2.3-liter that made a spry 151 hp. But Ford's left that engine behind for the new mo...
Friday, Aug 24
Ford to Launch New Low-CO2 Diesel Initiative in Frankfurt
Class-leading 115g/km CO2 for conventional technology in Ford Focus ECOnetic model New Ford ECOnetic models will join Ford Flexifuel range to increase affordable low CO2 choices for customers Ford Focus ECOnetic: class leading emissions
Tuesday, Apr 3
New York Auto Show: Ford Does The Minivan Muscle Flex Live! [New York Auto Show]
Flex's signature exterior design includes: Flex is powered by Ford's award-winning 3.5-liter V-6 engine and is mated to a fuel-efficient 6-speed transmission. The powertrain is expected to deliver more than 260 horsepower, 245 lb.-ft. of torque and good fuel economy.
