As we prepare to wave goodbye to the current Fiesta, Ford has released a special edition ST to keep interest in its hot-hatch alive. A hard job indeed, with the stunning looks of the Verve concept being carried through to the next-gen car.

It hasn't stopped Ford trying hard though and, following in the footsteps of the Focus ST500 that was released in 2008, all Fiesta ST 500 models come in metallic black with a U-shaped stripe on the front. According to Ford, the new scheme is designed to echo the livery of the classic Escort RS2000 of the ‘70s. Alongside the 'U' come matching stripes down the ST500's flanks.

Performance will be identical to the standard ST’s. So that’s 7.9sec to 60mph and a top speed of 129mph thanks to the 2.0-litre 148bhp engine. Other new editions to the ST500 are a 17-inch, 11-spoke black alloys, red brake calipers and a carbonfibre pattern interior with heated leather seats. It's all yours for £15,000, a £1000 premium over the standard car. See you in Southend on Saturday night.

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These leaked, blinding lime-green photos of the new Ford Focus RS have surfaced on the internet today – nearly a month ahead of the planned unveiling of Ford's new hot hatch.

However, "Babes Fast Cars" has learned that they are computer-generated images of the Focus RS and do not reveal the finished item, which will be launched at the 2008 London motor show in July.

The three shots were used in an internal presentation in 2007 and insiders claim the finished car is considerably different. Come back to Babes Fast Cars Online on 4 July 2008 to find out exactly how different it is...

Ford's latest hot hatch will use the front-wheel drive chassis and powertrain of the regular Focus ST, but beefed up considerably by the boys in the RS division. That means a power output of nearer 300bhp – all put through the front axle and a clever Quaife diff.

What about the design? We reckon this shocking green hatch is a close guide to the finished thing; it's all butch bodywork and contrasting black trim on the grille. Compare it with the official teaser sketch issued in December 2007.

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InsideLine brought together two of the coolest cars America makes right now, the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 and the 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt. The Challenger marks the re-birth of a great classic American muscle car, while the Bullitt is seen by many as the best edition of the 2005 Ford Mustang (and trust us, we’ve seen a few). So, which one is the coolest? Check out the video.

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Avro’s 720 Mirage Ford GT is the supercar for when one limited edition just isn’t enough. Just ten of these Roush-tuned Fords will be made, and yes, the 720 signifies the horsepower output.

In 2007 Avro and Roush unleashed the 600bhp 600RE Ford GT. Just ten were made (and we’ve already seen one wrecked example) but Roush realised there was more to come from the engine. At the request of Brooklands-based Avro Motor Cars a further 120bhp has been found over and above the 600RE. And that’s 170bhp more than this Ford GT had when it left the factory.

The increase to 720bhp and 601lb ft comes mainly thanks to a larger Whipple supercharger. To make sure the 720 Mirage stays on the road the tracks are 5mm wider front and rear, there is adjustable KW suspension - that mean the car sits 25mm lower - and AP Racing brakes.

Perhaps the best feature though is the removal of the car’s American-spec rear bumper. Avro says it saves weight, but is also gives the Ford GT a clean, uncluttered look. And if you want the car to stand out, there’s the orange paint and black wheels. Yours for £179,400.

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Muscle cars seem to be the ‘in’ thing these days. Adding to the frenzy now is the first official licensed version of ’Eleanor’ based on the 1967 Mustang as seen in the remake of Gone in 60 Seconds. Halicki Films Company, producers of the movie, picked Classic Recreations to be the exclusive, officially-licensed custom fabricator to build the iconic “Eleanor” Mustang.

The Eleanor Mustang is available in two different variants including a 535 horsepower FI model, which does 0-60 in 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 172mph, and a 770 horsepower FIS model with a modified rear suspension.

The car comes equipped with a Tremec TKO Manual or Automatic Transmission, Posi Traction, Concept One serpentine drive belt system, braided stainless fuel lines and five-point Simpson harnesses. Buyers can add upgrades including a leather interior, and custom in-dash DVD and satellite navigation and entertainment systems.

But being as cool as Nicholas Cage doesn’t come at a low price. The 535 horsepower FI model will start at $139,900 while the 770 horsepower FIS model will run you $189,900.

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You’re looking at Ford’s new Fiesta. The new supermini shares around half its parts with the Mazda 2 – which means the newcomer is the same size as today’s Fiesta but slightly lighter. Its diet will pay dividends in sensible things like emissions and fuel economy, but should also make it fun to drive.

After months of speculation, we can finally see how closely the Fiesta has followed the Verve concept car, shown at numerous international motor shows. As expected there’s a little less show-off frippery and glitzy jewellery, but the end result is a distinctive mini that’s light years ahead of the current Fiesta design dullard.

Today Ford has released photos of the three-door supermini only, but there will be a five-door too. These will be the bedrock of the European range, but there are plenty of other models to look forward to. The Fiesta will be the first B-segment small car to go on sale in the US, in the guise of the Verve saloon. And we’ll also the B-Max mini-MPV in 2009, followed by a Kangoo-rivalling van in 2010.

Each will be wrapped in the smallest application yet of Ford’s ‘kinetic design’. It’s styling boss Martin Smith’s mantra for the latest Ford look – think of it as a mini Mondeo with dominant double grille, angular lights, a rising beltline and exaggerated wheelarches. Oh, and the name for the toothpaste green of the model pictured is ‘squeeze’, apparently.

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The new four-seater Ford Focus Coupe-Cabriolet will have its public debut at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. The new model joins the three-door, four-door, five-door, wagon and sporty ST models, extending the comprehensive new Focus range and offering the greatest variety of bodystyles for a single vehicle line within the Ford of Europe portfolio. As a final addition to the exciting and fully comprehensive Focus range, the all-new Ford Focus RS high performance model will be launched in 2009.

The newly designed Focus Coupe-Cabriolet with its retractable hardtop will once again be manufactured at the Bairo plant of Pininfarina, Ford’s partner in designing, engineering and building the Focus Coupe-Cabriolet. This stylish vehicle is a true four-seater that combines a high emotional appeal with “must have” means for everyday use: With the roof closed, new Focus Coupe-Cabriolet offers a best-in-class luggage capacity of 534 litres. Even with the retractable hardtop stowed in the boot, the new Ford provides a voluminous 248 litres of luggage space under the folded roof.

“As with the generic new Ford Focus, with the Focus Coupe-Cabriolet we also felt the importance of aligning this charismatic vehicle with our ‘kinetic design’ language as soon as possible,” said Stephen Odell, Vice President Marketing, Sales and Service at Ford of Europe.

These features include:

• Available ‘Ford Power’ button for keyless start, plus keyless entry system
• Standard emergency hazard warning light activation system (Info: except Finland and Sweden)
• New optional Tyre Deflation Detection System (DDS)
• New audio connectivity module for external devices and new levels of Bluetooth ® and USB connectivity, voice control and navigation systems
• New navigation systems include an affordable navigation option with ‘SD’ card slot as well as a DVD based system with 7″ color touchscreen
• Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) tuner on Sony radio system available
  

Powertrains and Series

A fine range of Duratec petrol and Duratorq diesel engines was chosen for the Focus Coupe-Cabriolet: While the 1.6-litre 100 PS/74 kW Duratec petrol is the entry level into the Focus ‘wind-in-the-hair’ experience, the well acclaimed 2.0-litre 145 PS/107 kW Duratec HE engine is available with a choice of a sporty 5-speed manual transmission or the very comfortable FN automatic transmission for relaxed cruising joy.

The 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine has 136 PS (100 kW) and a maximum torque of 320 Nm. To make driving with the 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi engine even more refined and comfortable, specific improvements have been made to its Sound quality and vibration behavior. This engine – along with all other Ford Focus petrol and diesel engines – benefits from a new insulated, weight reduced cowl panel, for optimum acoustics and a new carpet with a modified heavy duty coating for further sound deadening.

In terms of the series availability, the new Focus Coupé-Cabriolet is once again available with a well equipped entry ‘Trend’ specification, which can also be ordered in conjunction with a special ‘Sport’ pack, covering a sport suspension and specially designed 17″-alloy wheels. Black tinted headlamp housings on the exterior emphasis the sporty appearance of this series.
The top-of-the-range ‘Titanium’ series also features exterior details like specially designed 17″-alloys and the black headlamp housings, but also classy interior items like the standard partial leather seats. As an option, full leather seats in three different designs are available.

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Ford announced the run-out ST500 special edition of the old Focus, today it's shown the new one.

Now the Blue Oval has released the first details of the new ST, with a refreshed look to emphasis its sporty position at the top of the Focus tree. There's a new bumper, much shallower grille and more rectangular, swept-back headlamps at the front, giving a more technical look. The rear has been refreshed, too, but the changes are less noticeable.

This is a cosmetic nip 'n' tuck only, so the five-cylinder 2.5 turbo is unchanged. That means a 222bhp large-capacity engine in a compact hatch body, for lazy performance and a rally-inspired, Volvo-esque warble.

Performance is unchanged, with 0-66mph in 6.6sec and top speed around the 150mph mark. The Focus has been one of our favorite hot hatches in recent years, vying with the Golf GTI and Civic Type-R for class honors.

Prices of the ST are a couple of hundred less than before, now starting at £17,995 for a basic three-door - but it's still more than the Honda and several grand less than the VW. Ford has kept the ST, ST2 and ST3 trim levels, priced accordingly and topping out at £20,595 for the top-spec five-door.
The facelifted Focus range lands in dealerships in January 2008, priced from £11,945. That's £250 more than the previous incarnation, but ESP is now standard fit across the range (previously it cost, you guessed it, £250). Buyers can pick from Studio, Style, Zetec, Titanium and ST trim ranges.

Although the facelift is mainly cosmetic, there's a new twin-clutch automated manual gearbox. It seems that the Volkswagen group really set the cat among the pigeons with its DSG transmission, and manufacturers are now falling over themselves to offer rival systems. Ford's new box is called PowerShift, and it was developed with Getrag.

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Mustang car is about to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Bullitt and the best car chase of all time. Ford will reveal the new Mustang Bullitt at the forthcoming LA Motor Show, and will sell only 7700 at a reasonable $31,075, from January. You can have it in the original Highland green (unique to this model), or black. Either way the cabin leather is a black as a villain’s heart.

Just as McQueen frequently used to demand fewer, rather than more lines, chief designer for Mustang Doug Gaffka and his team stripped this car down to essentials. He says: 'It’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing'. We'd have to agree, it looks pretty good.

Like the original, it sheds the pony from its mesh grille. The only badge is a roundels on the trunk. The 18in wheels mimic the original Torq Thrusts, and the turned aluminum dash seeks to evoke the era. The gear lever is a stubby, short-shifter like the one on the soundtrack.

The real Bullitt car was a modified GT, its 6.4-litre V8 delivering 325bhp, while the previous-model 2001 Mustang Bullitt managed only 265bhp. The 2008 car will churn out 315bhp at 6000rpm and 325lb ft at 4250rpm from its 4.6 V8.
The film car was hopped up by racing driver/builder Max Balchowski. This one has been tweaked using upgrades from Ford Racing Performance Parts plus revised cam timing and a unique air cleaner.

Doug Gaffka reckons this car is all about handling rather than straight-line performance. It borrows the Shelby GT500’s limited-slip rear axle with a 3:73:1 ratio for improved off-the-line acceleration; the ride height has been lowered and it has sport-tuned suspension.

Stunt driver, Bud Ekins, who made Bullitt’s Mustang fly over the humps in San Francisco, passed away on 6 October 2007 of natural causes. He and Steve McQueen became buddies when the bike-mad star wandered into his California Triumph dealership. He started a new career doing all the stunts McQueen was prevented from doing by producers and insurance. In Bullitt he also comes off a motorbike ahead of McQueen in the Mustang. His most famous stunt was jumping the wire for The Great Escape.

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Ford is a past master of doing limited editions, and there have been any number of Fiesta, Escort and Mondeo specials over the years. Now it's the turn of the soon-to-be-refreshed Focus hatchback - and specifically the ST hot hatch.

Just 500 ST500 models will be made, presumably to shift the outgoing model before the new one arrives this winter. It's based on the top-range ST3 model, with a number of cosmetic tweaks to make it stand out from the crowd. No day-glo orange paintwork here, either - all the special editions will be metallic black with silver stripes over the bonnet and roof, 'to echo the livery of the winning GT40 in the 1-2-3 victory at Le Mans in 1966. Right.

Under the bonnet is the standard ST's 222bhp 2.5 turbo, so performance will be as rapid as in the regular car. That means 6.6sec to 62mph and a top speed of 150mph.

Additions inside are unique scarlet leather Recaro seats and ST500 badging, while the spec includes xenon lights, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and automatic wipers.

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This achingly beautiful Mustang was the most intriguing car on Ford's SEMA show stand. The profile may look 1967 'Stang, but key panels such as the bonnet and rear end are an all-new design. For this car, called the Flashback, is a hybrid mix of '60s and naughties style, and contemporary mechanicals.

It's a fascinating story. Ford has licensed a company called Dynacorn to manufacture replica bodyshells of the 1967 Mustang indeed, a replica '67 GT sat alongside the Flashback on the stand. Customers can then kit out the body with the latest Mustang mechanicals.

So the Flashback runs the 2007 Shelby Cobra Mustang's supercharged 5.4-litre V8, kicking out 600hp. No '60s Mustang could dream of producing such grunt, or channel it to the rear wheels via a six-speed transmission, or have six piston brake callipers clamping the discs behind 18-inch wheels. Modern air conditioning and electronics complete the package.

Can you buy one? Yes, some 30 are in existence already. But this particular spec will set you back $195,000. Not surprising, because the Flashback is totally bespoke, even down to its LED tail-lamps and $10,000 Sherwin Williams Planet Color Pearl Blue paint. The Flashback was pieced together by a Michigan firm called Classic Design Concepts.
The mastermind behind the project was Dennis Mondrach, Ford's restoration licensing and performance parts manager. He did the deal with Dynacorn to produce the replica bodies, one of which you can see in this picture, dangling above the Fastback. Mondrach also licenses tooling to make parts for vintage Fords, basically any cars dating back beyond the year 2000. He's the man who can help people get parts for legends like the Model T and Model A. And his next project could be to bring the '55 Ford Thunderbird back from the dead, by getting suppliers to recreate some pretty rusty tooling.

We think there's a business in this for Ford,

Mondrach told us.

Why buy a rustbucket from a breaker's yard with more holes than Swiss cheese, when you can get a modern car that has the beauty of the original?

The makers of the TV show Miami Vice, who had Crockett and Tubbs cruising the streets in a Corvette-based Ferrari.

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Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) is Ford’s Aussie performance arm, the equivalent of HSV, and the Cobra GT is a special edition saloon.

And it’s not that Cobra you’re thinking of either. The Cobra is the namesake of the legendary XC Falcon Cobra coupe, which stormed Bathurst in 1977 with a now infamous 1-2 orchestrated finish. Three decades later, the FPV GT Cobra sports the same blue-stripes-on-white paint scheme with the Cobra logo emblazoned on the front guards and sewn into the standard leather upholstery.

• So what’s special about the Cobra?

It’s more a special edition than anything else. There are a few tweaks to the engine so now the ‘Boss’ 5.4-litre V8 makes 405bhp and 398lb ft. The 405bhp is equivalent to 302kW, and Ford makes a great deal that 302 is also equivalent to that 1977 Cobra’s engine capacity in cubic inches.
A six-speed manual and a limited-slip diff with a high-torque clutch are standard, while (possibly to the dismay of purists) a German-sourced ZF six-speed auto is optional. The saloon is yours for AU$65,110 (£28,921), while the ute will set you back AU$61,200 (£27,191).

• So can I get one?

Not a chance, according to FPV. Revealed on a parade lap before the Falcon’s 1-2-3 Bathurst victory (headed by UK Team 888’s Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup), Ford Performance Vehicles officially confirmed the GT Cobra sedan and ute. Just 400 sedans and 100 utes have been made and all 500 have already been snapped up by enthusiasts.

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