Next Ford Mustang GT will channel GT500

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After decades of dominating the pony car sales charts, the Ford Mustang has finally met its match in the latest Chevrolet Camaro. Naturally, this high-profile segment, is one that Ford is loathe to concede. After being infused with completely new engines in 2011, the Mustang will soon receive a visual refreshening that aligns this horse's looks even more with the range-topping Shelby GT500 model.

Our spy photographers have snapped a Mustang GT prototype with just a thin layer of 3M vinyl hiding the changes. Up front, you can clearly see the GT500's influence in this Mustang prototype's protruding grille. Also note that the coupe has dropped the Mustang GT's circular, grille-mounted foglamps, as well as swapped out its galloping horse badge for a new logo that's been moved from the center of the grille to the side. Even the lower air intake is shaped like an open smile, just like on the current GT500. And, is that a splitter we see hanging off the car's chin?

We can also see brand new projector beam headlights up front with some LED tech buried within, and out back, the rear end gets new taillights. That rear wing is also new, and the rear bumper has been slightly redesigned as well.

Ford clearly hopes to imbue the Mustang GT with the GT500's aggressive looks, and these spy shots show they're on-track to do just that. Will it be enough to boost sales above the Camaro? We'll see. The more interesting question is once the Mustang GT looks like the GT500, what will Ford do with its most powerful pony car? With the impending arrival of the 580-horsepower Camaro ZL1, we're sure Ford's got something planned.

Next Ford Mustang GT will channel GT500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Fiesta ST tackles the ‘Ring

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Ford Fiesta ST spy shots
Ford Fiesta ST spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford's tiny-tough Fiesta ST is getting closer to production, and our spies recently captured this revised prototype being put through its paces out on the Nürburgring. This latest tester clearly sports a huge grille opening with a visible intercooler, large wheels and a revised rear exhaust.

The Fiesta ST will be powered by Ford's 1.6-liter EcoBoost inline-four, with an expected 180 horsepower running to those front wheels. We don't doubt that the boosted Fiesta will be a pretty slick little hot hatch, and we'll have the full details when the car makes its official debut later this year. In the meantime, click through our high-res image gallery to see the three-door test mule running 'round the 'Ring.

Ford Fiesta ST tackles the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 May 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Next-gen Ford Mondeo spotted testing

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Spy Shots: Next-Generation Ford Mondeo
Next-gen Ford Mondeo spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford is hard at work on the next generation of its Mondeo mid-size sedan. Spy photographers caught a snow and camo-covered version of the new mid-size sedan as it waits to be shuttled to its next testing location. The car shows hints of adhering to Ford's Kinetic design language, and we expect the front-end to - ahem - focus in on that style.

The next Mondeo will serve as a true global vehicle like its smaller Fiesta and Focus siblings. Lincoln and Ford will use the upcoming Mondeo as the guts beneath both the Fusion and MKZ skin. Rumor has it that this future Mondeo will also be offered as a wagon and four-door fancy-coupe, as well.



[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Next-gen Ford Mondeo spotted testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Ford Fiesta-based crossover headed for the UK

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Spy shots: 2011 Ford Fiesta-based crossover
Spy Shots: Ford Fiesta-based crossover mule - click above for high-res image gallery

Ford is enjoying early success with the Fiesta here in the United States, but in Europe, where the Fiesta has been on sale for years, it's time to start thinking about the future. Our friendly neighborhood snappers at CarPix have scored spy shots of what appears to be a high-riding Fiesta-based crossover designed to slot in below the Kuga crossover in the automaker's European lineup.

A Fiesta crossover might sound a little odd at first take, but when it comes to production, it should be roughly the same size as a Nissan Juke or Mini Countryman. That in mind, don't rule out the possibility of the Fiesta CUV making its way to the U.S. Expect to see a variety of powertrains offered for European customers including some EcoBoost options, and both front- and all-wheel drive configurations should be available. Check out our gallery of high-res pics before to get a closer look at the forthcoming Blue Oval tall boy.



[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Ford Fiesta-based crossover headed for the UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford Explorer teasers continue with headlight peek

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2011 Ford Explorer teaser shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford released a new teaser image of the 2011 Explorer today, adding to the earlier set of almost-visible shots that the automaker debuted on Facebook. This new image of the front headlamp is exactly what we've seen before in barely camouflaged spy shots, and at this point, Ford might as well just take the wraps off of the whole thing - we've pretty much seen all there is to see.

Remember, Ford will be unveiling the 2011 Explorer on its Facebook page, and if enough people show their support, the automaker will consider giving away an all-new Explorer to one lucky fan. The Explorer's in-the-metal debut is expected to happen in Manhattan on July 26. For now, we'll just enjoy the striptease and start putting the pieces together one by one.




[Source: Ford Explorer Facebook]

2011 Ford Explorer teasers continue with headlight peek originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reader Spy: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew spotted naked and unashamed

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Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew - Click above for high-res image gallery

Autoblog reader Geo happened to be cruising on I-275 in Detroit last week when he was passed by a convoy of Ford F-150 pickups. Snugged smack dab in the middle was none other than the upcoming F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew without a stitch of camouflage to cover those two extra doors. Geo did what any good enterprising AB reader would do and clicked a couple of photos as the desert-crushing truck blew by.

The prototype in the photos has ditched the outlandish graphics of its shorter brother, but it still looks just as mean, and it's even slathered in silver paint, a color that isn't currently available. If the badge on the fender is any indication, this particular example packs the same 411-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 mill we were fortunate enough to sample not too long ago, which means it should have no problem jumping over hill and dale. If ever there was a backyard party on four wheels, this is it.


Reader Spy: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew spotted naked and unashamed originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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