After the Mustang was born, 1967 rolled around and Chevrolet introduced their pony car, the Camaro. Case in point, the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302.
The Boss 302 is a 2012 model year exclusive as the last time the words "Mustang", "Boss" and "302″ were brought together on a factory car was in the early 1970s. The blue oval has repeated history once again to make another, purpose-built racing hero.
Underneath our Race Red Boss test car, the 302 starts out as 2012 GT. Slightly absolved from the standard GT's 5.0, the Boss redlines higher (7,500 rpms compared to 7,000) and thus makes more power. Granted, $42,000 for a Mustang is quite a bit, but not to many vehicles can be raced this hard right off the showroom floor.
Ford engineers were given the go-ahead to throw caution to the wind and make the Boss as raw as possible. The Recaro supplied seats are fantastic; offering support and comfort. The alcantra covered steering wheel offers excellent grip and is placed just right for quick inputs.
The electric-assisted power steering isn't as strange as some from certain German vehicles and allows a driver to select from three different feedback settings. Always ready for a fast sweeper or a 90 degree corner sideways, the Boss 302 is the best handling Mustang we have ever sampled.
With 444 horsepower on tap, the 5.0 in the Boss is oddly "revvy". On race tracks, noise levels are not the biggest concern, and the Boss's follow that philosophy.
Dynamic wise, the Boss 302 is the best dancing Mustang of its generation but it isn't without its negatives.
The interior, albeit comfortable, is rather bare-bones compared to other Mustangs. The 2012 Mustang Boss 302 is, without a doubt, rolling history.
The Boss 302 Mustang is a high performance variant of the Ford Mustang originally produced in 1969 and 1970, but revived in the 2012 model year. It was produced for the Trans Am racing series, while the Mustang Boss 429 which was produced the same years was built around a larger engine.
The Camaro was the largest threat to the lead Ford had in the pony car field, a niche of car manufacturing largely created by Ford with the introduction of the Mustang in mid year 1964. The design was a composite engine using the tunnel port Windsor block and large Cleveland heads.
The Boss 302 Mustang was designed by Larry Shinoda, a former GM employee. He placed the unique reflective c-stripe strips on the car, and eliminated the fake rear fender scoops found on the 1969 Mustang model. In 2007, a pair of restored 1969 Boss Mustangs sold for $530,000.
Starting in early 2011, the Focus in both North America and Europe will be the same vehicle. The U.S. car essentially stayed put: The original Focus was good enough to be a C/D 10Best winner, but the competition moved on, leaving the current version dead last in a recent small-car comparo.
The 2012 Ford Focus ST-R certainly looks terrific, especially in five-door form. Compared with the current U.S. Focus, the new car is 0.5 inch lower (at 58.1 inches tall) and 3.0 inches long¬er (178.0 inches overall), and it has a 1.3-inch-longer wheelbase (104.2 inches). The 2012 model’s dimensions are close to the current Euro car’s, save for a wider track and lower stance.
Torsional rigidity is up by 25 percent over that of the current Focus. Ford says the engine will put out 155 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Jim Hughes, the chief nameplate engineer for the Focus in North America, adds, “We’ll eventually get an EcoBoost [turbocharged DI] engine in the Focus.” Derrick Kuzak, the global product-development chief, says: “There will be no conventional automatic on this car.
will American consumers pay more money for this latest Focus? As the all-new Focus ST road car makes its global production debut, Ford is giving a European welcome at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show to a special motorsport counterpart - the race-tweaked, production-based Ford Focus ST-R.
Despite its close resemblance to the Focus ST road car, the Ford Focus ST-R is purpose-built for the track by Ford Racing in North America as a fully-prepared competition car.
Focus Role in Ford's Global Motorsport Strategy The global Focus race car development - a major plank in Ford's new global motorsport strategy - is based on international S2000 regulations. Both the Team Aon Focus BTCC car and the new Ford Focus ST-R are evidence of a Ford strategy with global ambitions to help privateers to be competitive on all levels. Ford launched its global motorsport development program last year.
The 2013 Ford Focus ST is a really exciting car for Ford," said Jost Capito, director of Global Performance Vehicles.
For global customers, Focus ST is powered by the 2.0-litre Ford EcoBoost engine, which offers an uncompromising mix of performance and efficiency. Ford's Global Performance Vehicles group has taken this technology and developed a 250PS high-output derivative of the 2.0-litre Ford EcoBoost engine for Focus ST.
The previous generation Focus ST was acclaimed for its particularly sporty 5-cylinder engine sound. The Focus ST's Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) is also enhanced with Ford's Torque Steer Compensation (TSC) system.
Through the corners, Enhanced Torque Vectoring Control is an essential help for Ford Focus ST drivers, a tuned version of the Torque Vectoring Control found in the base model Focus. The interior of the core Focus model is already designed with a "cockpit" feel, giving any Focus driver a sporty sensation.
No secret is the new Escape's engine range. The 2.0 litre engine will offer fuel consumption figures of around 7.8 l/100km, bettering the Australian-delivered Escape by two litres and delivering an additional 77kW.
A 2.0-liter EcoBoost. Ford uses a similar engine in the 2012 Edge, rated at 240 hp. -- A 2.5-liter normally aspirated engine with variable valve timing. Fans of the Escape hybrid shouldn't despair. Ford says the next-generation hybrid powertrain developed for the C-Max gets 25 percent better fuel economy than the current Escape hybrid.
Its new Door Edge Protector, which debuts in January 2012 on the Ford Focus, activates as the door is opened. The feature defends against more than 90 per cent of variously positioned obstructions to the front doors and 85 per cent at the rear doors.
The new Door Edge Protector extends into its protective position at a door opening gap of less than 150mm and it defends against more than 90% of variously positioned obstructions to the front doors and 85% at the rear doors.
Ford has debuted a new technology that could help prevent scratches and dents caused by opening vehicle doors.
This allows it to absorb the shock should the edge of the vehicle's door hit another object, defending against over 90 percent of obstructions to the front doors and 85 percent at the rear doors.
Lido A.Lee Iacocca Ford Mustang was born on October 25, 1924.(Lido would change his name to Lee after going to work for Ford. Lee�s parents worked hard to provide for their family. Nicola believed in America. Lee was never afraid of work. Lee attributes his work ethic to the example set by his father.
The depression hit his family just as hard as the rest of the country. Lee feels the depression had a direct impact on his life. In grade school Lee came face to face with ethnic intolerance. Lee married Mary McCleary in 1956. Rather than introduce himself as Lee Iacocca Ford Mustang, he stated that his first name was Iacocca, and his family name was Lee. The program was a huge success. His district went from last place in sales to first place. Due to this program it was estimated that an extra 75,000,000 cars were sold. The program was a huge success. His district went from last place in sales to first place. Due to this program it was estimated that an extra 75,000,000 cars were sold.
Another project that Lee Iacocca Ford Mustang undertook was the Fairlane Committee. This committee used research data to decide what type of new car to produce. This project allows us a glimpse of Lee�s business management style. He used good marketing research data, he surrounded himself with good people, and he was willing to listen to them. Lee became known as the Father of the Mustang. After the huge success of the Mustang, Lee was made President of Ford on December 10,1970. This program gave managers 3 years to make their departments profitable or sell them off .
The car was to be developed for fuel economy and price to compete with foreign cars that were already on the market. By the end of 1975 Lee began having trouble at Ford. Most of this seemed to be a personality conflict between Henry Ford II and Lee. It didn�t take long for Lee to figure out that Chrysler was in a state of emergency. Each department seemed to be working in a vacuum. Lee was not able to pull everything together and make it work. By 1983 Lee had Chrysler back on their feet, and on July 13, 1983 Chrysler paid back all their government loans.
Lee Iacocca Ford Mustang made a public statement, "We at Chrysler borrow money the old fashioned way. It didn�t take long for Lee to figure out that Chrysler was in a state of emergency. Lee was not able to pull everything together and make it work. By 1983 Lee had Chrysler back on their feet, and on July 13, 1983 Chrysler paid back all their government loans. Lee made a public statement, "We at Chrysler borrow money the old fashioned way. Lee feels the keys to successful management are the ability to concentrate and use time wisely. Managers need to be decision makers as well as motivators. Businesses don�t have the luxury of slow decision making today.
Changes are minimal on the 2007 Ford Focus. Optional on SE and SES trim levels is a new interior upgrade package with two-tone leather seats and satin metallic interior trim. We still like the original Focus: It's fun to drive, comfortable for commuting and available as a sedan (ZX4), two-door hatchback (ZX3), four-door hatchback (ZX5) or wagon (ZXW). Additionally, the fit and finish problems that plagued early Focus models persist on later models.
Ford says "smart design and spirited driving" were the guiding forces behind the development of the Focus. Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2007 Ford Focus compact car comes in four body styles: a two-door ZX3 hatchback, a four-door ZX5 hatchback, a ZX4 sedan and a ZXW wagon. Additionally, there's a sport-oriented Focus ST sedan.
Aside from a standard MP3-compatible CD player, base S models are pretty spartan, offering only 15-inch steel wheels, black exterior trim and a height-adjustable driver seat. The uplevel Focus SES includes 16-inch alloy wheels, foglamps, body-color exterior trim, cruise control, tachometer and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Options for the 2007 Ford Focus include a sunroof, an in-dash CD changer and leather upholstery.
Safety Front disc/rear drum brakes are standard on all but the Focus ST sedan, which has 4-wheel discs.
Interior Design and Special Features The 2007 Ford Focus is roomy for its class, offering generous accommodations for its front and rear passengers, even in the ZX3 hatchback. In terms of cargo capacity, the Focus sedan offers 14.8 cubic feet; the hatchbacks offer 18.0 cubes and the wagon offers 35.6 cubes. Regardless of trim, the Focus offers a smooth ride and above-average handling.
2001 Ford Mustang GT models get unique hood and side scoops, so that you can tell 'em apart from V6 models. After a one-year hiatus, the Ford SVT Mustang Cobra returns for 2001.
Now 37 years old, the Mustang is quickly approaching middle age. There are four models: the V6 Coupe, the V6 Convertible, the GT Coupe and the GT Convertible. All V6 models have a 3.8-liter pushrod engine that makes 190 horsepower at 5,250 rpm and 225 foot-pounds of torque at 2,800 rpm. The Ford SVT Mustang Cobra is a high-performance Mustang that has been heavily modified by Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT). The engine produces 320 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 317 ft-lbs. of torque at 4,750 rpm.
All Mustangs offer drivers and passengers supportive, upright front chairs, well-placed controls, clear views out the front and side windows, and acceptable dashboard and seat materials. For 2001, Ford upgraded the center console by adding a larger rear cupholder and repositioning the front cupholder, power point, tissue holder and parking brake boot. The standard, deluxe and premium trim groups offer varying levels of standard and optional equipment, with the premium trim group being the most inclusive.
The 2001 Ford Mustang GT suspension allows the car to be predictable during hard cornering and side-to-side weight transfers are progressive for added stability during high-speed lane changes. Rough pavement can make the ride uncomfortable in base- and GT-model Mustangs, however, as the rear suspension still uses a solid rear axle.
All-speed traction control and antilock brakes are standard on most trim levels. The Mustang is as popular as ever.
There are four models: the V6 Coupe, the V6 Convertible, the GT Coupe and the GT Convertible. The Ford SVT Mustang Cobra is a high-performance Mustang that has been heavily modified by Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT). All-speed traction control and antilock brakes are standard on most trim levels.
Large V8-powered sedans made a comeback in the 21st century, but the Ford Crown Victoria was one of the very few full-size, rear-drive sedans that never left. The Crown Vic's model run continued uninterrupted until 2007, the last year it was available for consumer purchase.
For the car's most recent redesign in 2003, Ford fitted it with an all-new frame, a redesigned front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering, all of which improved the big Vic's crash performance and handling dynamics.
Most Recent Ford Crown VictoriaLast produced for civilian use for the 2007 model year, the Ford Crown Victoria was a full-size, six-passenger sedan available in base and LX trim levels. The LX model had a few extra upscale features and also allowed access to a couple optional packages such as the premium handling and performance package (previously known as the LX Sport trim level).In reviews, we found that the Ford Crown Victoria delivered a forgiving ride quality.
Past Ford Crown Victoria ModelsThe Ford Crown Victoria was dramatically restyled for 1998 by adopting the formal roof line previously used exclusively on its Mercury Grand Marquis twin.
