Ford Focus Race Car Concept 2011

Whoever believed that the new Ford Focus was just a boring sedan for everyday use was wrong. And Ford has proof of that statement in the form of the new Focus race car arriving today at the Los Angeles Auto Show. This new concept demonstrates the car’s potential in road and touring car championships with teams around the world, at least that is what Ford is saying. We don’t know if we buy that statement just yet.

The concept car is powered by a 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost I-4 engine and features performance coil-over adjustable dampers, Ford Racing upgraded sway bars with adjustable end links, front brakes with 320-millimeter two-piece rotors, and race pads. The concept sits on Anthracite 18-inch wheels and Hoosier race tires.

The interior also got the racing treatment with an FIA Super 2000 regulations roll cage, Recaro racing seats, an AIM MXL Pista data system, and an AIM Smarty Cam. Added safety features include a Ford Racing fire suppression system and Ford Racing six-point safety harness.

We’re still not entirely convinced that the Focus race car will make Ford proud out on the track, but this is just a concept as of yet and should serve as a decent base for the production model. Ford is production will be ready by 2012, leaving them plenty of time to build on a good thing.

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Ford Flex Titanium 2011

The Ford Flex is known for its unique styling and its ability to allow someone to stand out in the crowd. At least, that’s what Ford’s research has shown on the full-size crossover. Now, it seems that Ford is using that research to develop a new version of the vehicle to top its 2011 Flex line-up. Move over SE, SEL, and Limited, there’s a new chief in town and its the new Flex Titanium. The Titanium is based on the Limited series and will be offered in three versions: a 3.5L V6 Duratec FWD priced at $40,340; 3.5L V6 Duratec AWD $42,190 and 3.5L EcoBoost V6 AWD priced at $45,185.

The Titanium version will be offered in four exterior colors: Red Candy, White Platinum, Tuxedo Black, and Ingot Silver combined with a new Tuxedo Black two-tone roof. The key features on the exterior are the blacked-out additions. These include the beltline moldings, fog lamp bezels and side-view mirror skull caps. The liftgate appliqué is now black chrome as well. The beautiful and striking exterior is finished off with 20-inch 10-spoke wheels.

The Ford Flex Titanium is also distinguished by charcoal black leather-trimmed seats with gray Alcantara suede inserts, circle check appliqués on instrument panel and doors, painted alloy metallic finish on center stack and door panels, a perforated leather steering wheel and illuminated scuff plates.

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Ford Fiesta Sport 2011

Can you spot the irony in this? While the US won’t be seeing an ST or RS version for the new Ford Fiesta, it has been announced that customers from countries like the UK, Spain, Switzerland and Austria will indeed get their own special edition Fiesta that will add a sportier aura to the small hatchback.

See it? Yeah, Ford will be releasing those sought-after ST and RS versions of the Fiesta in other countries with the exception of its motherland, the USA.

Ironic, don’t you think?

In any event, those who will have these Fiestas in their countries will also have a new Sport+ package available - only for the three-doors version, though - with a choice of 120 hp 1.6-litre Duratec TiVCT petrol engine or 95 hp 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine.

The exterior gets a a specially designed front bumper, sporty side skirts, a large rear spoiler and a rear bumper with integrated diffuser. The car is painted in ’Frozen White’ matched with Performance Blue GT stripes on the roof and bonnet or ’Performance Blue’ finished with white stripes. The sporty package is finished by 17-inch large alloy wheels.

The interior gets sports leather seats with standard side-airbags and a black full-leather steering wheel.

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2011 Ford Fiesta RS WRC

Ford has unveiled today at the Paris Auto Show the new Fiesta RS WRC rally car, that will compete in the 2011 FIA World Rally Championship. Racing debut will be made in Rally Sweden, on 10 - 13 February.

The new Fiesta RS WRC comes with four-wheel drive transmission and a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. This engine has been developed by Ford and M-Sport in close cooperation to highly-respected French tuner Pipo Moteur.

Until now the car has been put to a 3000 kilometers of testing in Britain and France, powered initially by the current WRC engine and more recently by a prototype 1.6-liter Ford EcoBoost turbo unit. The car gets eye-catching appearance and acclaimed ’kinetic design’ styling cues synonymous with Ford’s latest road vehicles. The interior will also be instantly recognizable as a Fiesta RS WRC rally car as it contains a number of production parts.

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