Ford is thinking about bringing back the F-100 name to a new mid-size truck that will be built on a more modified version of the F-150 platform. It will be close to 9/10th the size of the regular F-150 and will be built using aluminum in order to shave off even more weight. The F-100 – which actually share many of the same parts as the F-150 and will even be built on the same assembly line.

It is obvious that Ford is using this as a way to change with the new CAFÉ standards that state that light duty trucks must have a fleet average of 28.6 mpg by the year 2015. The fact that the new F-100 could be powered with a naturally aspirated V6 and V8, an EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, or even a fiesel is something that could help.

Now the question Ford has to ask them is what they will do with the Ranger when they have released the F-100. That might depend on how well it is selling at the time.

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When you compare the Ford Focus that is being sold in the U.S. and the Focus ST in the UK it makes you wonder what they did to get so lucky. The Focus ST has a brilliant design and comes equipped with all of the essentials a Ford consumer looks for in a car.

The standard engine for the ST has been replaced with a turbocharged 2.5 liter that can push out 223 horsepower. Its six-speed stick allows the ST to accelerate from 0-62 in only 6.8 seconds. As if that wasn’t good to hear Ford went on to brag that the ST was also able to lap the Nordschleife in only 8:35.

The exterior of the vehicle is equipped with 18” wheels, is available in racing stripes, and comes with the standard body kit. The interior of the vehicle has been given a psh-button starter (for a fast getaway) and Recaro seating. There are three trim levels available and each one delivers a level of comfort.

It is sad to think that the U.S. Focus may never get the looks or options that the Brits are getting to enjoy.

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The new Mustang will be based on the current S197 platform and will not be completely redesigned from the ground up. A complete redesign would prove too costly, so Ford intends to make any necessary improvements with the current platform to compete with the Camaro and Challenger.

When it comes to appearance, the 2009 Mustang will not disappoint. While, the wheelbase and overall dimensions of the car probably won’t change much, the 2009 Mustang will be more aggressive and audacious in its styling. With modern body lines, more pronounced front and rear flanks and a proportionally smaller glass area, the 2009 Mustang will have a sleek, yet aggressive appearance. It’s expected that retro styling will continue to dominate the theme of the car, but there are certainly going to be some modern details included, such as projector beam headlights in its newly designed front facia.

The heart of 2009 Mustang GT will most likely beat through Fords new 3-valve 4.6L V8, although there has been some speculation that it could see either the 4-valve 4.6L V-8 or the 3-valve 5.4L V-8. Whichever engine Ford decides to plant under the hood of the 2009 Mustang, one thing is for sure, displacement on demand (DOD) technology will be used.

This feature allows the engine to shut off four of the 8 cylinders to improve fuel economy when the engine is lightly loaded. By using the DOD technology, a more aggressive engine tune may be possible which could give the Mustang a potent 325-340hp. All this power will likely be harnessed through a 5 speed gearbox, unless the competition forces Ford to do drop a six-speed in.

Although it’s expected that the 2009 Mustang will ride on a refined version of the “DEW-lite” chassis which is currently used in the S197 Mustang, one possible change could be an independent rear suspension in place of the solid rear axle. The Camaro and Challenger are both expected to sport an IRS, so Ford may be forced to follow suit.

The interior of the 2009 Mustang will likely be just as bold as the exterior. Look for improvements such as a new steering wheel, instrument cluster and door panels which will continue to give the Mustang a retro look, yet modern feel. One feature that will surely be dropped from the 2009 Mustang is the “My-Color” instruments, which allows the color of the instrument panel to be changed to suit the drivers styling needs. This option has proven costly for Ford and removing it should help keep production costs down.

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The engine is a 6.8 liter internal combustion hydrogen engine. ”We really believe this technology is ready to be evaluated at the consumer level,” John Lapetz, the company’s program manager for the buses, told reporters on Tuesday at an event staged to tout Ford’s future vehicles.

About 30 E-450 Hydrogen shuttle buses are working across the U.S. and Canada, and Ford engineers are monitoring them electronically in real time, Lapetz said. The vehicles, powered by a modified gasoline engine, have near zero emissions and get up to 13% better fuel economy than their gasoline counterparts, he said. Nearly every automaker is testing hydrogen-powered vehicles across the world, touting them as a renewable alternative to gasoline.

Lapetz said Ford has the ability to bring internal combustion hydrogen technology to market in cars within five years. But that’s only if fuel storage limitations can be solved, public fear of hydrogen can be allayed, filling stations set up and gas prices stay high. “The technology is there at a sufficient level, in the three-to-five year window, if all things were perfect, we could reasonably think this is a solution we could draw on,” Lapetz said. “We’re not really talking about invention, that’s the thing. We know how to manufacture this kind of technology in high volumes.”

That time frame is reasonable, Gurpreet Singh, team leader for engine and emission control technologies with the U.S. Department of Energy, said Tuesday. “You’re taking the base gasoline engine and modifying that. You don’t need to have anything that’s very exotic,” he said. The Energy Department also says hydrogen can be used as safely as other common fuels if handled properly.

Four of Ford’s $250,000 buses currently are in service in Orlando, two at the airport and two with the convention bureau. Ford has incurred the design costs and relies on partners to pay for the buses, in this case the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The buses’ range is limited to 150-200 miles by fuel storage technology, and they cost far more than the roughly $70,000 Ford charges for shuttles powered by gas engines.

The first Orlando bus started shuttling passengers in April and has performed reliably, said Carolyn Fennell, spokeswoman for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. Internal combustion hydrogen could be a bridge toward the ultimate hydrogen vehicles powered by fuel cells, which are as far off as 2015 or beyond, said Scott Staley, chief engineer of Ford’s hydrogen and fuel cell technology department.

Internal combustion hydrogen engines give off a small amount of pollution because they burn lubricants, Lapetz said. Fuel cell vehicles, on the other hand, use hydrogen to produce electricity that fuels an electric motor. They are quieter than gasoline engines and their only waste product is water. Despite the small amount of pollution the internal combustion hydrogen engines have another advantage, and that is a far lower cost than fuel cells, Lapetz said. “It doesn’t have the sizzle of a fuel cell, but it’s got the steak of the meal,” he said.

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This is a vehicle that seeks to change the way that you and I think about Ford by being thoroughly thought out, pleasantly executed and different enough to generate strong opinions, all of which took place on the show floor. The Flex is that it’s a luxury large crossover vehicle (GMC Acadia/Hyundai Veracruz-sized) that is based off the architecture that underpins the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX.

It receives the same Duratec 35 engine and six-speed automatic transmission that powers the ovoid two-row crossovers, and will be available with all-wheel drive. The Flex will beassembled at Crossover Central, otherwise known as Oakville, Ontario, alongside the Edge and MKX. With that out of the way, let’s have a closer look at this interesting new Ford.

The Ford reps chuckled at the thought of whitewall tires, chrome wheel caps and faux wood exterior trim with a surfboard on the top, but you’d better believe that a customizer somewhere has blueprints ready. The most impressive aspect of the Flex is the detailing of the head and tail lamp bezels. Their complexity is at a level some would have never expected to see from a regular Ford production car.

Where the exterior may evoke memories of long-distance travel in thefamily station wagon, the interior is as much a delight for kids as it is for techno-savvy buyers. Immediately, all eyes will fall on the swooping center console that borrows much from Volvo’s S40/V50, especially the slick multimedia navigation system. If the interface and menus are as stylish as they are on this demonstrator, you can easily see Ford’s system becoming a favorite for auto critics and owners alike.

Many of the quality and innovation changes that Ford pledged to make on future carscan be found on the Flex. It’ll have a capless fuel filler system like the Ford GT, eliminating the screw cap on the fuel tank, and a panoramic roof that provides light for all three rows of passengers. The Flex also has a proper refrigerator mounted in the second row between the seats that can chill drinks faster than the fridge in your kitchen.

While the feature content of this crossover is just about unbeatable, the best part about Ford’s new direction is how serious the brand is on improving the ambiance of the interior. Soft mood lighting is great to have in any car, but the ability to change colors is even cooler. Likewise, the ice blue backlighting of the instruments is better than the harsh, eerie green and red of past. Though the Flex wasn’t a fully finished production car, it gave a resoundingly positive impression for the materials used, the tight tolerances and improved fit and finish.

Even as a crossover, the Flex does not have any issues carrying more than five passengers; the third row is usable by people six feet in height. Access to that third row isn’t bad either, thanks to a power tilt and tumble second row, but because of the Flex’s low-ish profile, crouching is necessary. Otherwise, the rearmost row is far from the child-only seating areas of an XC90, a Q7 or an X5; even with the second row bench at its most rearward position, there’s a good amount of knee room and under-seat foot room.

For Ford, its experience with the minivan can probably be likened to the vitality of a doornail, but nevertheless the spirit in comfort and practicality lingers on heavily in the Flex. I don’t know if the Flex is going to redefine what a people-mover should be in the same way that the Dodge Caravan did in the minivan sector, but it will definitely get more people thinking about different ways to move a family around while avoiding a conventional SUV or minivan. Too bad we’ve got to wait until summer of 2008 before getting a chance to slip behind the wheel.

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The new FX2 has a dark billet grille, clear headlamps with platinum bezels and a deep front valance. The monochrome exterior paint scheme includes body-color bumper fascias, side mirror caps and door handles. Unique 18-inch wheels and a chrome exhaust tip are also part of the exterior package.

The cabin boasts black captain’s chairs with red stitching in cloth or leather, and a flow-through center console with a floor shifter. The F-series isn’t slated for a major redesign until model-year 2009. Now there are more F-150s than you can imagine. But when you’re the most popular vehicle in America, heck, there’s plenty to go around.

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Based on the 2003 Ford Police Interceptor, which this year receives major ride, steering and handling upgrades for today’s law enforcement officer, the Interceptor concept adds dramatic styling cues and tests new technologies to advance police work in the new millennium. “The Interceptor concept is a true professional law enforcement tool for the future,” says Chris Theodore, vice president, Ford North America Product Development. “It’s designed to look intimidating and perform its duties with unparalleled skill and unwavering bravery.”

The Interceptor concept is no rookie. It is a seasoned veteran building on the success of the police cruiser of choice, the Ford Police Interceptor. Based on its performance, predictability, reliability and durability, the rear-wheel-drive Police Interceptor commands approximately 80 percent of the police cruiser market in the United States and has for several years.

One look in the rearview mirror will leave would-be law-breakers with a feeling of dread as the Interceptor concept moves into view. The front end features a one-of-a-kind push/pursuit beam that extends beyond the normal bumper of a police car. The structural beam is constructed of a reinforced polymer. Mounted to the front beam is a high-strength stainless steel and cast aluminum push bar used for assisting stranded vehicles.

When the bad guys feel confidence in fleeing and pose a risk to public safety, the Interceptor concept’s push/pursuit beam can become an offensive tool in the skilled hands of a well-trained officer. With a properly executed push in the corner of the vehicle, the beam can be used to force a fleeing suspect’s vehicle into a spin. This technique is used to disorient a fleeing suspect and disable their vehicle thus avoiding a high-speed chase scenario.

Mounted to the side are innovative search mirrors, with integrated front-facing halogen searchlights combined with the side view mirrors. The searchlights swivel up, down and from side-to-side freely and are operated remotely from within the cabin. The search mirrors provide officers the full functionality of traditional A-pillar mounted searchlights without the need to bore holes in the car’s A-pillar. The results include a more ergonomic control mechanism inside, better quality and fit, improved vehicle aerodynamics and great looks.

Under the hood is the heart of the Interceptor concept. Its modular 4.6-liter, 4-valve V-8 engine produces 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. “The modular 4.6 is basically the same engine we use in today’s Crown Victoria, Mustang GT and Police Interceptor,” says Theodore. “But the modularity of these engines allowed us to add performance enhancements to match the personality of this extreme law enforcement machine.”

One of the most important benefits of the V-8 for police work is the exceptional launch characteristic it provides at the low end. Of course, the engine performs well at high speeds. However, like personal cars, most police cruisers have speed-limiting electronic governors installed to ensure safety. The V-8 in the Interceptor concept allows it to go from a standstill behind a billboard to the bumper of a speeder in a matter of seconds.

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The recall involves 139,537 2005 model-year Five Hundred and Montego sedans and 2005-2006 model-year Freestar minivans because the side door latches may let in water, NHTSA said on its Web site on Tuesday.

This may cause the latch mechanism to freeze in cold weather and the door could open while the vehicle is moving, the agency said, which could eventually lead to an accident.

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XL and XLT offer a 2-dr regular cab, an extended SuperCab with rear-hinged doors that don’t open independently of the fronts, and a crew cab with four full doors. Top-line Lariat and King Ranch trims are available as SuperCabs and crew cabs. A special Harley-Davidson edition is a crew cab only.

Regular cabs have an 8-ft-long cargo bed; SuperCabs and crew cabs have 6.75-ft or 8-ft beds. F-350s are available with single- or dual-rear wheels. A 300-hp V8 engine is standard on all but the 350 dual-rear wheel crew cab. Standard on that model and optional on others is a 362-hp V10. Also optional on all F-250s and 350s is a 325-hp turbodiesel V8.

For all engines, 6-speed manual transmission is standard, a 5-speed automatic is optional. All except the Harley-Davidson are available with rear-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive that should not be left engaged on dry pavement, but includes low-range gearing. Harley-Davidsons are 4WD only.

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