Ford Focus review

When the Ford Focus was launched in 1998, it became the class leader instantly and, in its first two generations, we can count on the fingers of one hand the number of months we haven't considered it as the leader in its segment.

Rivals have come and gone with varying degrees of anonymity and success – Fiat Bravos, Renault Méganes, Honda Civics, Alfa Romeo 147s, Toyota Corollas and Aurises – and nothing, except the Volkswagen Golf, has come close to making the Focus anything other than the most easily recommendable medium-sized family car.Today there are fewer differences than ever between Focuses made for different markets under the global 'One Ford' plan, so this is not just a Euro-centric car.

That said, as is usual for a European Focus, the car is available with myriad engine choices, including Ford’s excellent Ecoboost technology, most notably through a highly-efficient 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit. Trims include the usual names, including popular Edge, Zetec, Titanium and Titanium X levels.

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Ford Mustang Thuderbird Edition 2014

To celebrate 60 years of Air Force Thunderbird flight team USA, Ford Mustang debuted an impressive version of Thunderbird.
This special design will be auctioned and all the proceeds are to be used for charitable purposes. Body painted in the image of a fighter F-16 Falcon Thunderbird flying team, one of the fastest Air Force, the most elite in the world. 001 Mustang VIN bring integrated technologies including supercharged engine, adjustable suspension package and Brembo performance brake

Ford Mustang Thuderbird Edition 2014

In the interior, Thunderbird Edition positioning using separate screen for this version, dashboard-style fighter. To reduce vehicle weight, rear seat no longer exists.
All proceeds from the auction of the car will be used for charitable programs provided EAA Young Eagles flights for more than 1.6 million children since its inception in 1992.
Ford Mustang began production in 1964, 11 years earlier fleet of United States Air Force Thunderbird established on 05/25/1953.

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Ford Mondeo the luxurious and more advanced version Vignale

Compared to the standard version, Ford Mondeo Vignale owns more advanced designs, from outside to inside.

Under the plan, right up to 2015, European customers have the opportunity to buy new Ford Mondeo. In 2013 Frankfurt exhibition upcoming Ford to "tantalizing" old continent consumers with a new concept car called the Mondeo Vignale.

It can be said, new Concept is marked the return of professional brand Vignale bodied fabricated. Similarly, Ghia, Vignale company is specializing in manufacturing hull, place in Turin and Ford corporate payroll.

Now, the name Ghia only known as a feature of Ford vehicles in the European market. Meanwhile, the last time the name is mentioned Vignale 2004. This is the time of launch, Ford Focus Vignale Concept as a preview of the Focus Coupe Cabriolet.

To date, Ford re-use Vignale name for its new concept car. Overall, Ford Mondeo Vignale style luxury property from outside to inside. According to Ford, the vehicle will be branded Vignale "owns advanced design and bring new experiences to customers."

Compared to the standard version, Ford Mondeo Vignale more impressed with the grille, door handles and chrome mirror cover new, pre-weighed and re-designed, LED fog lights the same as the 20 inch wheels unique . In addition, the label Mondeo car has been replaced by Vignale.

The interior space of the Ford Mondeo Vignale also more luxurious seats, paneled doors, dashboard, center console and leather-wrapped steering wheel. Inside the luggage compartment of the Ford Mondeo Vignale appearance of drawer storage and travel bag with luxurious leather. In addition, Ford Mondeo Vignale system also comes Wi-Fi connection handy.
Some more pictures of Ford Mondeo Vignale:

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Ford Fiesta review

The astonishing success of the current generation of Ford Fiesta has been based on two convergent facts: first the sixth generation of Fiesta was good enough to lead the class from the moment of its introduction in 2008; second that introduction coincided with global economic meltdown forcing mass downsizing in the European car market.

Suddenly people who’d never even considered a shopping car found themselves eye to eye with the Fiesta. And perhaps to their surprise, they liked what they saw.

At its launch in 2008, this latest incarnation was as distinctive as the previous version was not. It was a genuinely handsome car, but like most modern Fords, ubiquity softened the impact of its design.

It was given a nose job in 2013 as part of a number of visual tweaks, and new engines were introduced to ensure it continued to cut a dash. But while the success of the huge trapedozial grille treatment has been widely debated, the addition of the three-cylinder 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine has been roundly praised.

Predictably for a car that has become the UK’s top seller, the range is vast, overlapping the smaller Ka at the bottom and the larger Focus at the top.

Aside from the new three-pot Ecoboost engine in two power outputs, powerplants include 1.25, 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrols and 1.4 and 1.6-litre diesels. Trim levels are the familiar Studio, Edge, Zetec and Titanium, all of which are available on the in three and five-door models. There are also the low-CO2 Econetic models to look out for.

Perhaps the Fiesta’s biggest trump card is its big-car feel. At its 2007 launch, no other cooking supermini felt as solid or grown up, and its ride shamed cars from a class or two above. Handling offered a verve that even some hot hatches failed to match.

Years on from the car’s original launch, does the Fiesta still match the best in the supermini class? Read on for the full review to find out.

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Ford Focus Electric first drive review

This electric Focus lives up to the promise of affordable, reliable and enjoyable motoring

What is it?

Ford’s first-ever all-electric, series-production car, a five-door Focushatchback powered solely by a lithum-ion battery pack and AC electric motor. On sale now for delivery towards the end of the year, the Focus Electric seats five and is claimed to have a range of 100 miles and a top speed of 85mph, although not both at the same time.

The 23kWhr liquid–cooled battery is said to be capable of being charged in 10-11 hours from a standard 240volt/10amp UK domestic socket, while a fast charger operating at 32amp can fill-up the empty battery in ‘three to four hours’.

Priced from £33,500, which drops to £28,580 when the government’s plug-in car grant is deducted, the Focus Electric is considerably more expensive than a Renault Fluence ZE, which lists at £21,495, reduced to £17,495 by the grant and a Nissan Leaf, which starts from £16k.

Although drivers of the Renault also have to factor in the cost of leasing the battery, which can add up to £138 a month on a 15k mile/year, 12-month contract, likewise battery rental on the Nissan works out to £113 a month if you do 12k miles a year.

What is it like?

The Focus is one of our favourite hatchbacks and the Electric version packs all the dynamic appeal of the conventionally powered versions, which means beautifully weighted steering and a composed chassis with a fine balance between ride and agility.

The ride is most likely aided by the hefty kerb weight of 1700kg, 415kg more than a 2.0 TDCi, which gives the suspension springs a solid base from which to absorb bumps.

What we couldn’t evaluate was the effect on cornering power and braking stability of much of that weight being concentrated over the rear axle, where the battery pack is located. Although a drive last year suggests that the on-limit characteristics might be a little less predictable than the mainstream Focus.

Like its rivals the Focus Electric’s powerpack is smooth and refined. In fact in conventionally powered cars you’d have to pay north of £100k and step into luxury limo territory to experience cabin serenity like this.

At speed the dominant cabin noise is tyre rumble and a little wind noise from the wing mirrors, but both are limited to an unobtrusive background hum.

At some speeds there’s also a faint but pleasing whistle from the engine bay that, in quality if not volume, is akin to a Cold War jet fighter taxiing.

The powertrain also delivers a surprising turn of speed at lower speeds, broadly comparable to a 2.0-litre diesel, but it runs out of shove around 60mph and starts to feel lethargic in the high speed cruise.

The steering wheel also squirms a little on acceleration, a trait we reported on when we first tasted the Focus Electric about a year ago.

But the undeniable truth about electric cars is that their instantaneous power delivery is fun to experience, even if the limitations of the battery pack curb the opportunity to exploit it often.

The battery of course occupies a significant chunk of the luggage area, which reduces everyday carrying capacity to 237 litres, 126 litres fewer than a conventional Focus, but still a usable volume for everyday use.

Should I buy one?

Thanks to its excellent driving dynamics, the Focus Electric takes its place as the most sophisticated driver’s car in the segment.

But given the rather optimistic pricing, it would be a very, very keen driver who ignored the vastly cheaper opposition, particularly since the role of an EV is urban pottering about.

Ford isn’t too bothered about pricing, because the bulk of deliveries will be absorbed into fleet contracts where the list price is only part of the deal equation.

If you’re lucky enough to get behind the wheel of a Focus Electric as part of one of those deals, then it’s a great new electric car to be enjoyed and savoured.

Ford Focus Electric

Price £33,500; 0-62mph 11.7secs; Top speed 85mph; Kerbweight1700kg; Motor and battery 143bhp AC motor and 23kwh lithium-ion battery pack; Power 143bhp; Torque 184lb ft; Gearbox Reduction box with ratio of 10:1

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2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Super Venom

Improving on the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is difficult but that hasn’t stopped German tuners Anderson from taking the super-quick Ford back to their shop and reworking it. They’ve called it the Super Venom Edition and fitted it with a body kit that takes the car’s already aggressive appearance to a new level and helps the car’s aerodynamics. A new spoiler, additional side scoops and a new exhaust system complete the look.

To match the wide body kit, Anderson has used black paintwork with red strip to mark thisMustang out from others on the road. Red cobra badges have also been added to the GT500 Super Venom in the grille and on the front wings. Having spent some much time and effort on the interior, Anderson had to do the same inside where the same red and black colour scheme continues. The stitching and stripes along the doors and seats are also coloured red and there’s a wide selection of carbon fibre inserts which bring more black to the interior.

Anderson hasn’t changed the car mechanically, so the 5.8 litre V-8 that’s found under the bonnet of all Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 remains in place. It’s good for a 0-62mph time of around 4.0 seconds and produces 662bhp, but the economy figures are less impressive at just 24mpg.

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