Cincinnati Ford Dealer » Damon Lavrinc

Video: AutoExpress pits Ford Focus RS against Porsche Boxster

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:01:00 +0000

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Videos, Hatchback, Ford, Porsche

Ford Focus RS vs. Porsche Boxster - Click above to view the video after the jump

When it comes to a German-American face-off, you could do a lot worse than pitting the BMW M3 against Ford's 5.0-liter V8 powered Mustang. How much worse? How about a comparison test between a base Porsche Boxster and Ford's turbocharged, torque-steering Focus RS.

Granted, the rationale for the shoot-out came down to cost. Across the pond both the Boxster and the Focus sticker for about the same amount. But that's about where the similarities end. Almost.

While the Focus channels over 300 horsepower to the front wheels, it also tips the scales 3,200 pounds. Compared to the 2,900-pound, 255-hp, rear-driven Boxster, Ford's hottest hatch comes off as rather portly, although both manage to run to 60 mph in under six seconds.

But beyond the stats and the all-too-important lap time, the real question is how best to spend your sports car money and which vehicle is the most entertaining to drive. For that, you've got to jump.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Continue reading Video: AutoExpress pits Ford Focus RS against Porsche Boxster

Video: AutoExpress pits Ford Focus RS against Porsche Boxster originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: The Ford Focus ST is dead, long live the Focus ST

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 20:58:00 +0000

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Ford

Ford Focus ST - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Euro 5 emissions standards have struck again, contributing to the (timely) death of the current generation Ford Focus ST.

The ST is yet another high-powered Euro-only offering to meet its end at the hands of the upgraded emissions regs, joining the ranks of the recently axed Honda Civic Type-R, Mazda RX-8, V6-powered Alfa Brera and the 5.0-liter V10 turbodiesel fitted to the Volkswagen Touareg and a handful of other VAG products.

While the turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder found in the Ford is being retired for duty, fear not. An all-new ST is rumored to debut at the Paris Motor Show this October, likely packing a turbo'd 2.0-liter four mated to a dual-clutch gearbox and sending 200 horsepower to the front wheels. We can't wait.

Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Ford Focus ST

[Source: Autocar]

Report: The Ford Focus ST is dead, long live the Focus ST originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

BREAKING: Ford officially sells Volvo to Geely for $1.8b

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:46:00 +0000

Filed under: Etc., Ford, Volvo, Geely

2011 Volvo S60 - Click above for high-res image gallery

After months of protracted negotiations, Ford has officially sold Volvo to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Company Limited - aka Geely - for $1.8 billion.

The Chinese automaker originally included a $200 million note and the balance in cash, and today, it paid the remaining $1.3 billion to wrap up the sale, although the final sale price won't be released until later this year and could put more cash in the pockets of FoMoCo.

Under the terms of the sale, Ford will continue to supply Volvo with everything from powertrains to stamping systems and other vehicle components for differing periods of time. Additionally, Ford and Geely have come to an agreement on intellectual property usage, with Volvo allowed to grant sub-licenses to specific systems to third parties, including Geely.

Stefan Jacoby - formerly of Volkswagen - will take the helm as the new President and Chief Executive of Volvo Cars, and under the new ownership, the automaker will continue to keep it headquarters and manufacturing centers in Sweden and Belgium.

Full details in the dueling press releases after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Volvo S60

[Source: Ford, Geely]

Continue reading BREAKING: Ford officially sells Volvo to Geely for $1.8b

BREAKING: Ford officially sells Volvo to Geely for $1.8b originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 07:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Vaughn Gittin Jr. RTR package available for 2011 Ford Mustang [w/video]

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:58:00 +0000

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Ford

2011 Ford Mustang GT RTR by Vaughn Gittin Jr. - Click above for high-res image gallery

Vaughn Gittin Jr. is intimately familiar with extracting every last bit of performance from the Ford Mustang, so it's no surprise the FoMoCo has tapped the Formula Drifting ace to create a limited edition 'Stang for the 2011 model year.

Based on the new 5.0-liter V8 Mustang GT, the RTR package boasts a comprehensive list of upgrades, including new springs and shocks that drop the Mustang 1.5 inches over specially designed 19-inch RTR wheels each wrapped in Falken FK452 high-performance rubber. A larger rear sway bar aids rotation and cross-drilled and slotted rotors should keep things cool when hauling the massive coupe to a halt. Under the hood, the only major modification is a K&N high-flow air filter, but combined with a Ford Racing ECU tune and a set of new mufflers, the breathing mods are good for an extra nine horsepower, netting a total of 421 ponies.

On the outside, the RTR benefits from a front splitter, aluminum spoiler and a graphics package, while the interior gets a smatter of badges on the doors, shifter and floormats. The whole package will set you back $7,895 and Ford plans to offer a V6 version later this year. Head over to MustangRTR.com for more details, and make the jump for a video and the complete press release.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Mustang GT RTR

Continue reading Vaughn Gittin Jr. RTR package available for 2011 Ford Mustang [w/video]

Vaughn Gittin Jr. RTR package available for 2011 Ford Mustang [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Is this the 2012 Ford Explorer? *UPDATE

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 16:26:00 +0000

Filed under: Crossover, Ford

We're going to go out on a limb and say... maybe. Judging by the recent teasers and previous spy shots, this single image of the 2012 Ford Explorer appears to be the real deal. And we like what we see.

Although the futuristic lines of the Explorer America Concept have been considerably toned down, the new crossover is notably more svelte than its predecessors. The exterior styling is more an amalgamation of current FoMoCo design cues, specifically the Edge-like headlamps and de-chromed tri-bar grille. The contouring on the front bumper is an interesting touch and the darkened A-pillars do their best wrap-around windshield impression.

If all goes according to plan, the all-new Explorer should arrive early next year, riding on a Flex/Taurus-based unibody platform with EcoBoost power being sent to either the front or all four wheels.

UPDATE: As some of you have pointed out in the comments, the Explorer rendering above looks remarkably similar to one of the spy shots in our gallery below. A little bit of digging returned this rendering on CarAdvice.com.au by artist Joshua Byrnes. Mystery solved.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Ford Explorer

[Source: TheMustangSource]

Is this the 2012 Ford Explorer? *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: Mercury’s demise coming at 3 PM EST *UPDATE

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 17:51:00 +0000

Filed under: Ford, Mercury

We're a few minutes away from hopping onto Ford's monthly sales call, but according to the Detroit News, the Blue Oval has called a press conference at 3 PM EST that could announce the demise of the Mercury division. Full report to come as soon as we hear more...

FULL DETAILS HERE

[Source: Detroit News]

Report: Mercury's demise coming at 3 PM EST *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 12:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ford custom vinyl graphics now available for F-150, Mustang

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 05:01:00 +0000

Filed under: Aftermarket, Ford

Ford Custom Vinyl Graphics - Click above for high-res image gallery

With the launch of the 2011 Fiesta, Ford's put an emphasis on customization, primarily in the form of interior amenities and infotainment. But as we learned during our First Drive, the range of modifications won't be limited to the inside - Ford's making exterior graphics packages available for its new B-segment player, and the Fiesta won't be the only model from the Blue Oval to don custom vinyl.

Ford's added the Mustang and F-150 to the range of vehicles you can coat in a custom wrap, with over 50 available designs ranging from the predictable flames and matte black racing stripes to the decidedly more feminine flowers and bubbles.

If you click on over to FordCustomGraphics.com you can start creating your own 3M Scotchprint wraps, and within the next few months the entire Ford line-up can be had with multi-colored vinyl to suit every available taste. So if your black-on-white Flex isn't standing out from the crowd at the soccer field, you can add a smattering of camo and a dash of "faux diamond plate aluminum look" to spruce things up. All of it will be available at a fraction of the cost of a custom paint job and will carry a three-year/36,000-mile warranty when it's installed by a certified Ford dealership. Hit the jump for the details and check out the gallery below for a few designs.

Gallery: Ford Custom Vinyl Graphics

Continue reading Ford custom vinyl graphics now available for F-150, Mustang

Ford custom vinyl graphics now available for F-150, Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Spy Shots: 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost V6

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 21 May 2010 18:31:00 +0000

Filed under: Spy Photos, Truck, Ford

The 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost is one of the worst kept secrets out of Dearborn, and the crew at PickupTrucks.com have managed to snag some of the first shots of a SuperCab FX4 model undergoing testing.

While the changes to the exterior don't divulge much, the cut in the lower air dam clearly shows an intercooler mounted in front of the radiator.

The direct-injected, turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 is rumored to be rated at around 400 horsepower and more than 400 pound-feet of torque, enough to keep up with the standard 6.2-liter V8's 411 hp and 434 lb.-ft. of twist, while returning fuel economy somewhere in the range of 23 mpg on the highway.

Sales are expected to begin later this year or in early 2011, and it's safe to assume that the EcoBoosted F-150 will carry a slight price premium over its V8-powered counterpart.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Spy Shots: 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 May 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ford’s cloud-computing future starts with students [w/video]

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 04 May 2010 05:01:00 +0000

Filed under: Technology, Ford

Ford's American Journey 2.0 - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you're even marginally interested in mobile technology, you know the future is in the cloud. Remote servers store your data, allowing you to access everything from contacts to music from a range of devices. That technology has largely been limited to mobile phones and PCs, but Ford's pioneering a new system that's set to connect the cloud to your car.

Six teams of students enrolled in Cloud Computing in the Commute at the University of Michigan have partnered with Ford's Research and Advanced Engineering program to develop a handful of applications utilizing real-time vehicle data, GPS and social networking to create a connected in-car experience like no other.

The software, dubbed "Fiestaware" and built atop Windows 7 and Microsoft's Robotics Developer Studio, allowed the teams to create services and software that utilize the vehicle's on-board internet connection to deliver a variety of information to the driver.

Each team created an app they felt would best utilize the available services, and the programs included everything from a real-time fuel consumption tool to traffic alerts and point-of-interest sharing. All the programs were tested and honed by Ford's user interface engineers, and a panel judges from FoMoCo, U-M and Microsoft picked one app as the winner.

Caravan Track (pictured above) allows drivers to set a route on a website, track participating vehicles and send the driver hazard notifications, along with a host of other information. The team that created the program will get to test out their app on the road when they depart from Ann Arbor, MI on May 14th and drive cross-country to the Maker Faire in San Mateo, CA in a kitted-out Fiesta.

Judging by the pace of development and Ford's continued innovations in the infotainment space, expect similar cloud-based services to be included in future Blue Oval products. A data-over-voice system will be available on the 2011 Fiesta and upgrades to the SYNC system are sure to make connectivity even easier going forward. Get all the details on the system, the teams and their creations, along with a video, after the jump.

Continue reading Ford's cloud-computing future starts with students [w/video]

Ford's cloud-computing future starts with students [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 May 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

So it begins, again: Ford reveals DUB Edition 2011 Mustang V6

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 03 May 2010 05:01:00 +0000

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Coupe, Ford, Specialty

2011 Ford Mustang V6 DUB Edition - Click above for high-res image

Limited edition Mustangs were all-too-common with the last generation pony car, and Ford has teamed up with DUB magazine and Roush Industries to get the party restarted with the 2011 model.

Based exclusively on the 305-hp V6 'Stang, the DUB Edition is available in coupe, convertible or glass-roof variants, and comes equipped with a Roush front fascia and splitter, quarter window covers, windshield banner, stripe package and a black interior with the DUB logo embroidered into the headrests.

Fittingly for a Mustang fettled by the lifestyle pub, the DUB edition rolls on 20-inch TIS wheels wrapped in Pirelli rubber, with Roush lowering springs dropping the Mustang for a more aggressive stance. Although the engine remains stock, a 3.31 rear axle is fitted out back to provide, in Ford's words, more "spirited acceleration."

Sales of the DUB Edition will begin this fall, with either an automatic or six-speed manual gearbox, and a choice of four exterior colors: Black, Grabber Blue, Ingot Silver or Race Red. Make the jump for all the details.

Continue reading So it begins, again: Ford reveals DUB Edition 2011 Mustang V6

So it begins, again: Ford reveals DUB Edition 2011 Mustang V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 May 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments