American Cars from Europe

Ken Block’s Hoonicorn vs. The World. Round 1: McLaren Senna

2020-11-19T12:05:00.001-06:00

K.B.'s Fox Bodied Terror

2020-05-07T21:49:00.001-05:00

We don't talk much about Stangs on this sight but cumulatively, this team has owned 7 including Easy's SVO, and a Ghia Mustang II as well as other Fox chassied units like the Mercury Capri (my actual first car), and a few Fairmonts such as Shaman's wagon turned custom Ranchero via a heavy amount of cutting and welding. We are not strangers to Stangs and from the renderings, Kenny B. Is in the process of making what will likely be my favorite so far...

Ken Block Grid Poland 2019

2019-09-20T18:10:00.001-05:00

Because of the huge contingent of gear-heads in Poland, I wanted to add this to the list. Go Poland!!!

The New Bronco is Already Out, So to Speak...

2019-08-06T09:37:00.000-05:00

So, is this unit, which is sold under the moniker 'Everest' (also called the 'RoadWalker' in China), basically a more aerodynamic version of the soon coming 4-door Bronco?...

Same Ladder frame as the Ranger and obviously the same front sheet metal, It would be easy for Ford to make this chassis much boxier and call it a 'Bronco'. The trick will be in cutting out 18" to 36" to make the 2 door.

I hope that Ford is not literal with the term used '2-door' and that it hopefully will come with something like the small suicide doors that come on the Super Cab F-150. I don't think anyone wants to go back to the days of folding seats forward and falling into the back seat anymore. Now that I think of it, Toyota stopped production (in the U.S.) of the FJ Cruiser in 2014 which had a similar layout. Having driven many of those units, I am sure that with the wider track of the Everest, the new Bronco will be more stable and feel much more planted in comparison to what I would call an ungainly feel in the FJ.

Either way, I think it will do well for a couple of years despite the fact that the "Retro" style has effectively run its course.

We will find out in about a year or so...

Electric F-150 now

2019-08-03T17:44:00.000-05:00

This may be irrelevant in a year or so but it is interesting to know that a company called EcoTuned of Québec, Canada is putting out an electric drivetrain for the F-150 now. They also specialize in retrofitting and selling units that are over their drivetrain warranty. They swap out the fossil fueled drivetrain with a very sophisticated looking electric drivetrain. Find out more at http://ecotuned.com

The Taurus is Leaving us but it, and other models, may live on elsewhere...

2019-07-10T19:03:00.001-05:00

China, with their craving for luxury and boasting of who has the biggest back seat, has a new Taurus.

Just as we are having all of our Ford cars taken away, China is producing this unit along with a few other models, that we are never likely to see.

There is another unit, internally referred to as the 'Escort', that Ford China has either named the 'Forus', 'Fortune', 'Forex', or 'Fu Ruisi', (they have literally named it 4 different things on different pages of their website).

They are also producing something called the 'Collar' or Territory, which looks an awful lot like the Range Rover Evoque, (which was built on the Focus / Escape platform). That turned out not to be the case, as we later found that it is, in fact, based on an existing model produced by Ford's Chinese partner, Jiangling, called the Yusheng S330.

They also have the RoadWalker (Australia also gets these as the 'Everest')and here is where it gets weird: It obviously has the front end of the new Ranger but it is an SUV, likely with a full ladder frame underneath. SURELY there is no way that we would get any of these, as it was the last ladder frame SUV that, (with a little help from Firestone), caused the huge roll-over controversy in 2000 and a major switch from american automakers to unitized bodied SUVs. I mean they wouldn't even think of trying that formula again, right!?!?

Oh, wait! The new Bronco coming out was said to be based on the Ranger and would have 2 & 4 door options. So this is basically a more aerodynamic version of the soon coming 4-door Bronco...

I know that it will probably sell fine but I also feel like we are going backwards a little. It seems like we always do this to some extent before we can move forward. The Mustang for instance, in its latest iteration, is a long way from its very retro, 2005 predecessor.

It is still a small world and even though Ford will not be offering me the exact vehicle that I want because I live in the U.S., it's nice to know that somewhere in the world, they are offering it to someone who can then sell me that vehicle or the parts to build it.

We're back. Here's why...

2019-07-10T13:40:00.001-05:00

For a couple of years now, Ford had delighted us by bringing almost all of their overseas goodies to our shores. After much complaining and begging, we finally received the RS Focus. Even better, (thanks to what I assume was a lot of hard negotiations from Ken Block), it had AWD! We got a boat load of turbo'ed engines, which had been so popular in every other part of the world but here! We even received what would become the Mondeo in G.B., before G.B. got it. This was all too fantastic! Well, we have been slapped awake by the hand of status quo. All the cool stuff you were enjoying???Yah, um, we decided against cool stuff and enjoyment... But hey, more boring shit is on the way.

Here is some of the cool stuff you WON'T BE GETTING in the states!

These are the models Europe will no longer be getting:

Technically, there are a few models like the Taurus, (also getting nixed here in the states), the F-150 / F-250 / F-350 that the rest of the world has not had the joy of driving. and Europe never saw the Explorer or Flex either, when other manufacturers were sending units like the Chrysler 300 Estate (the result of a Dodge Magnum rear-ending a Chrysler 300 at high velocity), overseas.

That being said, we finally get the Ranger from Australia and Europe will get the regular and Raptorized versions of that unit.

China will get all of these (except the Flex) plus a new Taurus, and... Well, there is a lot going on for Ford in China right now, so I will address all of those different China Domestic Market only units in another issue.

Anyway, it is just sad to see some very exciting units no longer on show room floors. Ford is just giving the people what they want and they understand that the sheep just want plain old hay.

GYMKHANA EIGHT, YA'LL!

2016-03-03T14:17:00.001-06:00

Who am I kidding? You've already seen it. Please to enjoy... again.

PLACE YOUR ORDER FOR THE RS!!!

2015-09-28T21:51:00.001-05:00

Ford dealerships will be taking orders for the 2016 Focus RS starting October 1st. See the gearheads at Zeck Ford to order yours, (I am getting there early).

Not coming to America

2015-04-07T17:17:00.001-05:00

These pics were from the Shanghai Motor Show for 2013 with the "Escort Concept." A name that, for most, stirs up thoughts of basic, affordable transportation rather than great driving dynamics or bold design. As Ford put it, "Customers in China described seeking a vehicle that is stylish – but not one that is arrogant or pretentious." It seems that china prefers a sedan to a hatchback, as it is not offered in hatch or wagon.

The end product did not deviate much from this concept, as you can see

Throw back

2015-02-26T09:43:00.000-06:00

Still my favorite Gymkhana video so far... and it's a 5 door so us Americans can relate...

Please to enjoy, Ken Block's Gymkhana 3... again!

More details on the All-New Ford Focus RS Headed to US

2015-02-11T22:13:00.001-06:00

This suggest that we may start seeing the Focus RS early next year.

All-New Ford Focus RS Headed to US

Gaining access to the Ford Focus RS in the Midwest

2015-02-04T10:26:00.000-06:00

It is widely speculated that gaining access to the new Focus RS will be very limited. With that in mind, we approached Zeck Ford near Kansas City. Zeck Ford is known as being a group of true Ford enthusiast and we knew that if anybody in town was working hard to get their hands on a 2016 Ford Focus RS, it would be them. Sure enough, they have been working their contacts already, well before the national release of this new beast. Stay tuned to find out more...

It's official! The Focus RS will have AWD & 320 HP!

2015-02-03T08:40:00.001-06:00

According to the official Ford release today, the 2016 Focus RS will have an electronicaly enhanced AWD system routed through a 6 speed manual gear-box. It will produce 320HP via the 2.3L turbo unit found in the Mustang. The Euro-domestic market RS of just a few years ago was a legend in its own right, until today...

Don't be late for the debut of the 2016 Focus RS...

2015-02-02T15:32:00.001-06:00

See it unveiled at the link below tomorrow at 7:45AM Eastern!!!

The All New Focus RS

Focus RS reveal set for February 3rd!!!

2015-01-26T12:35:00.001-06:00

Check out this teaser released by Ford that with the message that it would be revealed on February 3rd.

No Focus RS at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, NAISA

2015-01-14T14:30:00.000-06:00

Everyone and their mother said that the 2016 Focus RS would debut at this years NAISA along wit the new GT, the GT350 and the new Raptor. The only one missing was the only one that I would consider purchasing. What bothers me is that no one seems to be talking about the fact that it was missing. Ford promised one so I will continue to save my pennies. If they were trying to create more buzz and a bit of angst before they drop the curtain on it, for me, it is working...

An American Focus RS?!?! Oh let it be SO!!!

2014-10-31T15:18:00.000-05:00

We knew about the new RS due out next year in Europe but it is being said that a limited number will find their way to the US as well. There is still debate about if it will be a FWD or AWD unit and the final number on HP output is still up in the air but the fact that Ford thinks us worthy enough to ponder the thought means that our incessant bitching is paying off. Way to go, everyone with a brain!

This message is to Ford Motor Company, USA:

Ford,

If you make this an AWD car, I will place an order immediately... No I don't really care how much it costs. Where do I sign up?

2016 Focus RS under testing at Nurburgring

2014-10-31T15:14:00.002-05:00

This is one of two test mules seen at the track in the last few months. I am still on the fence as to if this is a diesel or not. The tone is very low and I am not sure how I feel about it...

I'm not saying that this is the case, but how would you feel about a diesel being the only option in the 2016 Focus RS?

Finally, The RS Badge Returns Astride the 2016 Focus RS!

2014-10-03T16:27:00.001-05:00

The rumors are true. The Focus RS received the green light and this time, the US gets a crack at a true contender. Depending on who you ask, it will either have an electrically controlled FWD trans or an all new, state of the art AWD system with torque vectoring to each wheel. The prospects are strong towards the latter of these, according to insiders. It will make somewhere between 305hp & 355hp with likelyhood being more towards the higher end of that range, thanks to a new, twin-scroll turbo bolted to it's 2.3L I4. My belief is that the new RS will be an AWD because it simply must be to qualify it as true lineage to the great rally cars that also wore the badge. The last iteration of the RS was a good car but without all of that power going to all 4 wheels, it was not a great car. It is simple math: tons of HP to 2 wheels VS. tons of HP to 4 wheels... Ford, here is another equation for you. RS + AWD = +Me. RS - AWD = -Me. I'm sure plenty of people would buy a FWD Focus RS, but this being the first impression many North Americans will have of the famed RS, why not make it one they will not soon forget?

Awesome Power Wheels vid

2014-07-31T20:38:00.001-05:00

I ran across this and just had to pass it on. This Is Epic!

Ho Lee She It! The Escort that wants to kill you

2014-07-01T08:46:00.001-05:00

Bringing new meaning to the phrase "Pucker Factor". A 1000 BHP Mk1.

More 100 Acre Wood Rally Jems

2014-06-26T21:49:00.001-05:00

Won the race, now time to party.

2014 100 Acre Wood Rally jems

2014-06-26T21:42:00.001-05:00

Here is some stuff that didn't make the primetime airings.

After the endless parade of Subarus, it was nice to find this...

2014-02-22T07:41:00.001-06:00

This is what we found behind Ken Block's trailer.