Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Automotive Addicts

Automotive Addicts

Ford Confirms Next Generation Focus RS, But Don’t Expect It Here

Posted: 08 Aug 2011 07:39 AM PDT


The 2010 Ford Focus RS Mountune. Image: Ford Motor Company

First the good news: Gunnar Herrmann, Ford's global head of small cars, has confirmed that the much-revered Ford Focus RS will be back for a third generation, and it may produce as much as 350 horsepower from its 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine. Now the bad news: if you want to get your hands on one, you'd best live somewhere other than the United States, which will probably have to make due with the upcoming Ford Focus ST. The Focus RS, we're told, is "too expensive" and "too narrowly targeted" to appeal to U.S. buyers.

Hermann also shot down rumors that the next generation Focus RS would switch to all-wheel-drive instead of the front-wheel-drive used on previous versions. Ford's "Revoknuckle" suspension does an admirable job of limiting torque steer, and Focus RS models also include a torque-biasing Quaife limited-slip differential to get the power to the ground. While AWD would improve traction, it would also increase the car's weight, complexity and cost.

There's no word on when the lucky bastards in the rest of the world will see the new Focus RS, but my guess is in 2013 as a 2014 model. In the meantime, those of us on this side of the pond are counting down the days until Ford launches the 250-horsepower Focus ST in the United States. The automaker hasn't given us specifics, but I'd be willing to bet that the 2012 Ford Focus ST will be launched at next year's Detroit Auto Show.

Editor’s Note: We incorrectly attributed the origination of this story to Left Lane News, instead of Drive.com.au, who first published it. Our apologies to the Drive.com staff, and we promise to buy a round in reparation next time we’re in Sydney.

Source: Drive.com.au via Left Lane News

NHTSA Investigates 2011-12 Ford Mustangs

Posted: 08 Aug 2011 07:34 AM PDT


The 2011 Ford Mustang GT scrubs its tires. Image: Ford Motor Company

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating 2011 and 2012 Ford Mustangs equipped with a manual transmission, as the agency has received 32 complaints about the cars not going into gear. The investigation covers both the 5.0-liter V-8 Mustang GT and the base 3.7-liter V-6 cars, but is specific to manual transmission versions only. In some cases, the cars failed to go into gear while merging onto a highway (and joining high-speed traffic), while other instances occurred turning left across oncoming traffic. While no accidents or injuries have occurred to date, the defect does pose an inherent safety risk.

Mustang forums have documented the transmission problems well over the past year, and there's even a Facebook page dedicated to "2011 Mustang MT-82 manual transmission problems." While the NHTSA may have only 32 complaints, there are many more owners who've experienced problems in manual gearbox Mustangs, and to date Ford has not addressed the issue with any kind of TSB. The automaker has stated it will "fully cooperate" with the NHTSA's investigation, so there may be good news on the horizon for owners of 2011 and 2012 Mustangs with balky transmissions.

Source: NHTSA
Posted by Didik Rg at 6:14 AM

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