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Ford's headquarters, known as M-sport in Lake District with an area of 5575 square feet will be used for designing, building, and servicing Focus rally cars. The team will complete its build process of the two cars that will start round one for the 2005 World Rally Championship, the Monte Carlo Rally, on January 21, 2005.

Focus RS manufactured by Ford offers a spectacular 280bhp, four-wheel drive which aims to align its specification and road behavior more closely with the World Rally Championship Focus, to better capitalize on the publicity it gains. Further, the Team RS is finding a way to build the car at the company's Saarlouis plant with minimum disruption to mainstream Focus production, and with limited costly reworking of the car.

The top-secret internal document at Ford is discussed. The confidential details about the next Mondeo, Focus, Galaxy, Land Rover Freelander and three new Volvos are presented. This secret document breaks the ice on the Mondeo project and reveals that it will be part of a new family of big Fords that includes the next Galaxy and other spin-offs.

Ford is developing the StreetKa convertible. The car will cost around 12,495 pounds sterling when it launches in May 2003.

Ford has redesigned the Mustang, which will go on sale in 2004. The new coupe has styling elements from past models.

This article covers the location and conditions where and which Ford engineers are placed to test drive the models. Ford engineers are taken to the snowy banks of Oslo, where they drive the cars over snowy grounds which is meant to improve the engineers' intuition so that they can analyze the models more closely.

Ford Motor Co. plans to launch the RalleyeConcept Fiesta in 2004. The vehicle, which features a 200 bhp turbo 1.6-litre engine, will compete in the 2004 Super1600 Rally championship. An upgraded version could follow depending on public demand.

Ford's convertible StreetKa will go on sale in the United Kingdom in March 2003, priced at an estimated 13,995 pounds sterling. The engine will accelerate 0-60 mph in 11.8 seconds.

The Ford Focus RS will go on sale in the United Kingdom in October 2002, priced around 19,700 pounds sterling. The RS uses a 2.0-liter in-line Duratec four, 212 brake horsepower engine, with a top speed of 145 mph.

Ford is developing a Cosworth version Focus with a 2.0-liter 300-brake horsepower turbocharged engine. Top speed could run about 160 mph. The Cosworth will go on sale in 2005, priced under 30,000 pounds sterling.

Ford's new Fiesta supermini will be available in the UK by Mar 2002. It will initially be sold as a five-door model, but a mini off-roader, a StreetKa roadster and a three-door hatch are all due to be released before spring 2003.

Issues concerning Ford's new design Mk9 Lincoln V12 coupe are discussed. Ford's new design is set to challenge the dominance of Mercedes and Lexus, in the luxury car market. The car is being designed in the UK, headed by Gerry McGovern, designer of the Land Rover Freelander.

The new Ford Focus Cosworth, due for release in late 2001, is expected to provide stiff competition to the Lancer Evo VII. The hot hatch is set to be priced at 30,000 pounds sterling.

Ford is developing a new Range Rover which is expected to be launched in early 2002, priced at 100,000 pounds sterling.

Ford is planning to launch the new Mondeo at the Paris Motor Show in September 2000. The new model, which will be available in the UK from November, features a longer and wider platform, and Control Blade double-wishbone rear suspension. The series will include direct injection petrol and diesel versions, along with a spacious estate model. The new Mondeo will not be sold in the US.

Automobile manufacturers Ford Motor Co., Fiat S.p.A. and Vauxhall are developing new superminis in a highly competitive marketplace. Ford's new supermini model Fiesta will be available in 2001. Vauxhall's all-new model Punto will feature extra storage capacity, a customized steering facility and electric front windows. Fiat's 16-valve engine Punto will feature 136 break horse power.

Ford is to release the new Fiesta in January 1996. The Fiesta is expected to offer better handling than the Volkswagen Polo, with improved suspension, steering, and geometry. There have been few changes in styling, although a rounded rear hatch glass has been included, along with new front grille and headlights. The car is expected to cost between 6,995 and 11,000 pounds sterling.

Ford will launch the Ecostar electric vehicle in the year 2000, the company's first battery-powered, all-electric passenger automobile. Ford has invested 150 million pounds sterling to develop the Ecostar. The Ecostar is aimed at exploiting the anticipated new market for environmentally friendly city cars, with Europe expected to introduce legislation to outlaw traditional cars from cities by the year 2010. A prototype of the Ecostar Escort van is being used by the Hampshire police force. The external and internal appearance of the car is practically the same as the conventional model.

Ford is planning to launch a new city car by the end of 1996, with a target price of less than 6,000 pounds sterling. The car will likely challenge Rover's new Mini replacement which is not expected until 1999. The car, dubbed BE146, is expected to resemble the Ka concept car demonstrated at the Geneva motor show in 1994. The 135 million pound sterling investment has been awarded to Ford's Valencia plant in Spain, for production of the BE146.

The Ford VW people carrier Galaxy Sharam V6 is expected to be priced between 17,000 and 23,000 pounds sterling when it goes on sale in summer 1995. The car is claimed to offer a top speed of 124mph, with 0-62 mph in 11.8 seconds. The jointly developed vehicle features three rows of seats, front drive, high roof styling and four wide-opening conventional doors. The vehicle is constructed from steel.

Ford is to release the Ford Profile as a successor to the Sierra Cosworth. The car, first shown at the Detroit motor show, is four-wheel drive with a 2.5 litre V6 engine. The Profile can achieve a top speed of 150 miles per hour (mph), and 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds. The car is expected to reach the UK by 1996. Despite the extra 180 kg held by the development car, its handling, chassis and steering offer great capabilities.

Ford is to replace the XR2i and XR3i with respective Si models. The Fiesta replacement has a smaller engine, offering 0-60 miles per hour (mph) in 10.4 seconds, and a maximum speed of 110 mph, compared to the XR2i's 116 mph. The changes have been made to reduce the insurance rating, which ranked the XR2i alongside the BMW 325i. The new cars fail to offer a satisfactory successor to the XR series, however, both are expected to excel in the showroom.

Ford believes the sub-compact car it is developing, currently known as the Ka, will help the company's European operations return to profit when the car is launched in 1996. Ford plans to extensively remodel its product range, including Escorts, Granadas and Fiestas. The new baby car, a sub-B class model, will head this new image for the company. Ford will also launch an all-new MPV and further models in the Mondeo range. The company believes that sub-B cars will be very popular in the future, following on the success of the Fiat Cinquecento and the Renault Twingo.

The Ford Focus is a brilliant car to drive and has radical styling. Taru Lahti has designed the fluid exterior which surrounds the Escort RS Cosworth platform. The car drives extremely well with perfect steering and a rigid feel to the carbon-fibre body. The cockpit is designed in natural materials with an F1 feel and can be protected with a soft top more like a sunshade or a steel roof which folds behind the front seats.

The Ford Probe is a fast refined sports coupe which is designed to compete in the coupe market worldwide. Based in the Mazda MX-6, the Probe is expected to beat its rivals, with deceptive performance from its quiet engine. Wide Goodyear tyres make impressive handling although the steering lacks response. The body is more sculpted than its predecessor and it is a little roomier in the cabin although it is still not designed for four adults. It will appear on the market in 1994.

The radical design of the new Ford concept car shows the optimistic mood of the company. The car's designer, Taru Lahti describes it as an organic form with no straight edges or visible front and rear. Designed for the 1992 Turin show, the car is built on a shortened Escort RS Cosworth platform with an exterior which defies definition as the form changes at each viewpoint. There are interesting details such as 14 small round rear indicator and stop lights, and an interior in all natural finishes. If the car goes into production Ford could build 1-5,000 a year.

Ford is developing the five-seat midi-MPV, Focus C-Max. The car will launch in September 2003, priced around 12,500 pounds sterling. Two diesels and a petroleum engine will be available.

The beautifully designed Ford '49 automobile harks back to the large, low-slung cars of the 1950 but benefits from modern day technology.

The popularity of small hatchbacks has encouraged european car makers to invest in the development of soft-top small hatchbacks, such as Ford's Focus model, which has been produced in concept form for the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1999. The limited size of hatchbacks mean roof folding mechanisms must be small enough to avoid reducing the luggage space. Volkswagen is planning on launching a soft-top version of the Beetle while Vauxhall plan a cabriolet version of the Astra.

Mileage 16,700 Last seen 13.2.13 The Focus's 1.0 Ecoboost powertrain seems to have finally stopped getting sweeter and more frugal. We reckoned the running-in process would be over by 3000 [...]

Ford has begun testing revised versions of the Focus and C-Max. Both were spied testing in northern Sweden last week, with camouflage hiding Aston Martin-style grilles like those already seen [...]

Development of the CE-14 Ford Escort project began in summer 1986. After examining various models from a number of studios, a cut-and-paste policy was adopted taking the roof from one studio's design, the front end from another design, and the side from yet another design. The project was given the green-light in September October. Details of how the new-look Escort was developed are given.

Last year, besides our domestic Explorer, Scenic, Vespa and irritable -- but cute -- little cinquecento, I drove the following cars: Ferrari Modena, Lexus IS200, Hertz Opel Astra Diesel (twice), [...]

Ford is launching the new SportKa in June 2003, priced around 10,000 pounds sterling. The minicar's 1.6-liter, 94 brake horsepower engine, accelerates 0-62 mph in 9.7 seconds.

The Ford StreetKa, Smart Roadster, Citroen Pluriel and Nissan Micra C+C are mini roadsters launching in 2003 and 2004.

The Smart Roadster and Ford StreetKa are two bargain sports cars debuting in the United Kingdom in 2003. The Smart Roadster, priced around 11,000 pounds sterling, will have a 0.7-liter turbo engine. The Ford StreetKa, priced around 13,995 pounds sterling, will have a 1.6-liter engine.

Ford is developing the Focus MPV five-seater which will go on sale in autumn 2003. The vehicle will have a tweaked 1.8 TDCi with 150 brake horsepower.

Ford is developing the 14,000 pounds sterling Fiesta ST150. The 2.0-liter, 130 mph performance hatch will be unveiled by fall 2002.

Ford's Fusion concept car, unveiled at the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show, is a five-door hatchback based on the sixth-generation Fiesta. It is hoped that the Fusion's 4x4 style will attract young, fashionable purchasers.

The challenges involved in designing the interior of the new Ford Fiesta are discussed. Interior design must play a role in distinguishing between four model levels, and must also appeal to a wide age range of potential customers.

Ford's new Focus ST is due to be launched in Britain in autumn 2001 at a cost of 17,000 pounds sterling. Ford hopes that it will be one of the top hatchbacks.

The new Ford Mondeo is expected to be on show in autumn 2000, with sales commencing in early 2001. The new car, dubbed CD132, is expected to challenge the Audi A4, Peugeot 406 and the Mercedes C-Class. An estate version is also expected to be released. The new Mondeo features an extended wheel-base, improved New Edge styling, and direct-injection petrol engines.

Ford Motor Co. will launch four new sporting models during the two years from 1999. The first, due on the market in May 1999, will be the Mondeo ST2000. This model is based on the 2.5-litre V6 ST24 but its modifications give improved power and torque. Its top speed should exceed 142 mph. The second model, due on the market in 2000, is the Focus Cosworth. This car's 2.0-litre turbo engine will be based on that used in Ford's rally car. The final two sporting road cars will be the Puma ST160, and a Cougar with more power than the current model.

Ford Motors plan to launch a turbocharged concept Focus during the middle of 1999, using a Cosworth engine unusually used to power a rally car. The 25,000 pounds sterling Ford Focus Cosworth is expected to incorporate the latest racing technology packed for road use. The three-door Focus Cosworth is expected to combine a four-wheel-drive combination, with lowered suspension for added appeal.