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The British boutique sports car industry is fascinating when you think about it. For such a relatively small country known for its wet weather for much of the year, consider all of the open-top Caterham, Ariel, Morgan products, not to mention many other small brands pumping out cars. The latest company hoping to fill the need a street-legal, track day racer is called Elemental Cars, and its first creation is the featherweight RP-1.

To stand apart in the crowded market, you have to do something special. The RP-1’s trick is its planned weight of just 450 kilograms (992 pounds) in a carbon fibre tub with under-car aerodynamic aids to create downforce. Propulsion comes from a mid-mounted, tuned, 2.0-litre Ford EcoBoost engine producing 280 horsepower, mated to a six-speed sequential gearbox. With so little weight to push around, the small, turbocharged engine should be plenty powerful.

Beyond just the claims of power and light weight, Elemental says that the RP-1 will be road legal in the UK, and inside the two-seater there will be a racing-inspired, feet-up driving position with an adjustable seat and pedals to fit drivers even over six-feet tall. It will have a few amenities for occupants, too, like a heated footwell and traction control, plus data logging and an on-board camera for the track.

It’s generally best to take a wait-and-see approach for the launch on any new sports car, especially one from an unproven company. However, the delay for more info on the RP-1 won’t be long. The company will unveil the car at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed from June 26-29. Elemental Cars’ Finance Director Jeremy Curnow told Autoblog via email that it will release more information and images then. According to its website, production will begin in the UK in 2015. Scroll down for the full details on this lithe, little roadster.

Elemental RP-1 may be world’s lightest sports car, weighs under 1,000 pounds

Elemental RP-1 may be world’s lightest sports car, weighs under 1,000 pounds originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Mon, 09 Jun 2014 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Within the next year, Ford will offer a brand-new adaptive steering system (unimaginatively dubbed “Ford Adaptive Steering”), and this week, the automaker invited us out to its proving grounds in Dearborn, MI to get a taste for how its new setup works. In function, Ford’s system doesn’t greatly differ from the majority of other adaptive steering units already on the market from companies like Audi or BMW, but consider this: Ford will be the first non-luxury automaker to offer this technology, and uniquely, the whole system fits inside the car’s steering wheel.

Ford’s engineers have worked hard to create a system that can be tacked on to the company’s full lineup of cars, trucks and utility vehicles, and says that the adaptive steering will be uniquely tuned for each specific vehicle. The automaker will not confirm exactly which vehicle will launch with this technology, but for the purpose of our preview, we tested the technology in a 2014 Fusion – a vehicle with already-good behind-the-wheel feel, one that the company says best demonstrates its current steering efforts.

Ford bringing adaptive steering to the masses [w/video]

Ford bringing adaptive steering to the masses [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sun, 08 Jun 2014 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Automakers getting clever about disguising development vehicles isn’t anything new. Between mules wearing the sheetmetal of other cars and prototypes decked out in as much camouflage as is practical, automakers know how to make it very difficult for the general public to get an exact idea of what kind of vehicle is in development. Ford, though, is rapidly becoming the master.

We knew that the Blue Oval originally tested the durability of the aluminum construction being used for the 2015 F-150 by building an all-aluminum 2014 truck and entering it in the Baja 1000 off-road race. That’s no longer a secret. What we didn’t know, though, is that the aluminum development dates back to before even that, and that some of the people in question had no idea what it was they were working with.

Ford says this is the first time prototypes have ever been handed over to the public.

See, way back in 2011, Ford built six examples of the then-current F-150 generation, using aluminum for the most-abused part of the truck, the cargo box. Those trucks were then delivered to three outfits across the country – Barrick Mining in Nevada, Walsh Construction in Pennsylvania and Alabama and a utility provider in North Carolina. The catch was, not a single group knew they were testing a vehicle with such intensive aluminum work. While this strikes us as a slightly risky move, it seems to have paid off for Ford.

“This secret testing almost immediately yielded results and lessons we have rolled into the all-new F-150,” said Denis Kansier, the F-150 prototype lead engineer. “For example, we made the cargo box floor thicker to improve strength, and we made modifications to the tailgate based on lessons we learned through customer usage.”

Meanwhile, the trucks that were loaned out are still in use. The Barrick trucks cover 160 to 483 kilometres (100 to 300 miles) per day and, between the two, have over 240,000 kilometres (150,000 miles) on the clock. The North Carolina trucks cover around 320 kilometres (200 miles) per day, while the Walsh trucks helped put together a hydroelectric dam and a highway interchange.

According to Ford, this is the first time prototype vehicles have ever been handed over to the public. “Our customers demand the highest levels of toughness and productivity – so we wanted to test the truck outside, in the harshest conditions and in the hands of real customers – with no limits,” said Larry Queener, the F-150’s program manager. “But we did not want these customers to know what was different. So, when we gave them the prototype vehicles, we told them to use the trucks like their other hard-working Ford trucks, and we would be back to follow their progress.”

Take a look below for a video and press release on Ford’s testing, and then hop up top for images of the clandestine aluminum-box trucks in action.

How Ford secretly used customers to test its aluminum F-150 [w/video]

How Ford secretly used customers to test its aluminum F-150 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sun, 08 Jun 2014 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s a fairly well known fact that removing weight from a car is essentially a panacea for many of the modern automobiles problems. Does it handle like crap? Remove weight. Underpowered? Don’t add power; trim the fat. Need to improve fuel economy? It’s diet time.

Actually executing a major weight reduction program, though, much like with human beings, is no easy task. Unlike you or I, where motivation is the issue, the prohibitive measure in trimming a car’s waistline is money. Lightweight materials are expensive, with carbon fibre and carbon-fibre reinforced plastic still primarily in the domain of higher end vehicles. Even aluminum construction, pioneered on a mass-produced level by Audi and Jaguar, is only now starting to make its way into the mainstream, thanks to the upcoming Ford F-150.

With this concept, though, Ford is attempting to show that a mass-produced, lightweight vehicle isn’t too far off. This is the Lightweight Concept, and while it may look like a Fusion, it weighs as much as a Fiesta. For reference, the lightest Fusion available to the public is the 1,507-kilogram (3,323-pound), 2.5-litre model with a manual transmission. A manually equipped, 1.6-litre Fiesta, meanwhile, is just 1,151 kilograms (2,537 pounds).

The nearly 25 percent weight reduction is thanks to the intensive use of aluminum, not to mention large dollops of high-strength steel, carbon fiber and chemically laminated glass.The Fiesta’s three-cylinder EcoBoost engine, tiny tires and lightweight wheels round out the package.

We wouldn’t count on picking a 1,150-kilo (2,500-pound) Fusion up from you local dealer in the near future, though.

“Our goal was to investigate how to design and build a mixed-materials, lightweight vehicle that could potentially be produced in high volume, while providing the same level of safety, durability and toughness as our vehicles on the road today,” Matt Zaluzec, Ford’s technical leader for global materials and manufacturing research, said in a statement. “There’s not a one-size-fits-all approach to light-weighting. The Lightweight Concept gives us the platform to continue to explore the right mix of materials and applications for future vehicles.”

Here’s hoping some of these lightweight measures make to market in a wider form sooner rather than later. Maybe one day we’ll even get a lightweight Mustang. Take a look below for the official press release from Ford.

Ford builds Lightweight Concept with Fusion shell [w/video]

Ford builds Lightweight Concept with Fusion shell [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 07 Jun 2014 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The ST school is about more than just handbrake turns, hot laps, and sliding into parking spaces.

I felt like such a rock star. On my second pass around the UrbanCross course (read: fancy autocross) at the Ford ST Octane Academy, I absolutely nailed the exit, sliding the bright-yellow Focus ST sideways into a box the size of a parking space, all four wheels in line.

This was just one of many bits of hooliganism learned during my day at the Academy – a school offered to any Ford Focus ST or Fiesta ST owner, free of charge. This one-day course, with an optional second day, teaches not only the basics of on-track driving, but lets owners experience all of the hilariously fun bits of hot hatchery built into these little turbocharged wonders.

Did I mention it’s free? All you have to do is get there, with “there” being Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, UT.

As I would come to learn during my time in Tooele (that’s “too-illuh”), the ST school is about more than just handbrake turns, hot laps and heroic slides into parking spaces. Mixed in with all of the antics was a crash course on understanding car control, along with simple tools that’ll help you be a better driver in everyday situations. And man, was it fun.

Ford ST Octane Academy [w/video]

Ford ST Octane Academy [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 04 Jun 2014 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Automakers face competing interests when it comes to developing a new generation of vehicle. On the one hand, companies want to build their cars to be safer and better handling, with more equipment and maybe even larger dimensions over the model it’s replacing. On the other hand, they strive to keep weight down to the benefit of both performance and fuel consumption. Usually something has to give, and in the case of the new 2015 Ford Mustang, those efforts may have resulted in a weight penalty of two or three hundred pounds.

This according to Blue Oval modifier Steeda Autosports, which states that “the 2015 Mustang ended up gaining 200-300 pounds (90-140 kilos) in this remake”. Despite the Mustang not being on the market yet, it would appear the leading Ford aftermarketer has been given early access to the 2015 model to help jumpstart its tuning efforts (a rather common development among trusted tuners). If Steeda’s assertion is accurate, that would make the challenge of getting the new pony car up to speed for both Ford and aftermarket customizers like Steeda that much greater.

We’re waiting for official word from Ford on the veracity of Steeda’s claim, but if true, it’s bound to be a bit of disappointing news for legions of Blue Oval performance enthusiasts. Watch this space for more.

Has the 2015 Ford Mustang gained hundreds of pounds?

Has the 2015 Ford Mustang gained hundreds of pounds? originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 03 Jun 2014 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When Ford announced that its 2015 Mustang would arrive with a 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, three letters came to mind: SVO. While Ford hasn’t said a word regarding the rebirth of a Mustang SVO model, this latest set of spy shots shows us something very, very interesting. Allow us to explain.

The Mustang prototype in these photos looks very similar to the GT500 test cars we’ve spotted before – same bulging hood, aggressive front fascia and air vents aft of the front wheels. What’s different, however, is around back. Have a look at the exhaust, and note that instead of the GT500’s usual quad pipes, two of the exhaust outlets have been capped off.

Our spies point out that these exhaust outlets could be closed for some sort of emissions testing or another engineering reason, but it’s also important to note that the engine and exhaust notes of this car sound completely different from earlier GT500 prototypes. We’ve got a video below that compares the two.

Of course, all of this is high speculation right now, but the exhaust differences and new sound indeed have our interest piqued. Click below to watch (and listen) in the video, and then tell us what you think is going on here, in Comments.

Are you a new Ford Mustang SVO? [w/video]

Are you a new Ford Mustang SVO? [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sun, 01 Jun 2014 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’re pretty sure that any initial concerns Ford had about selling the redesigned Mustang in Europe have been lessened considerably, after the first 500 Euro-spec 2015 Mustangs were been reserved in just 30 seconds. Moreover, 9,300 people attempted to snag one of the coveted orders for the all-new muscle car. Yes, Mustang, you should do quite well across the pond.

The registration event was held during the UEFA (pronounced yu-eh-fa) Champions League Final between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid.

“We knew there was huge excitement building for the new Ford Mustang coming to Europe, but the response during the UCL Final was overwhelming,” said Roelant de Waard, VP of marketing, sales and service for Ford’s European outfit. “It was a truly special way to kick off the Ford Mustang era in Europe.”

Customers who successfully reserved a slot haven’t been notified just yet – that will come in the next few weeks – although we do know that the 500 cars were available to drivers in 20 different European countries. The specs, though, were limited.

Hardtop fans are limited to Race Red, while Convertible drivers will get Magnetic Silver – the 2015 Mustang’s launch colours. Despite the lack of a choice on colour, owners will be able to choose between the Mustang’s two European engines, the 2.3-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder and the brawny, 5.0-litre V8. The initial run of cars will include MyFord Touch with Sync and navigation, black leather seats with heating and ventilation functions, park assist and 19-inch wheels. It’s unclear how much these launch cars will cost European consumers.

Ford, which is the official vehicle supplier for the Champions League, promoted its registration event with a series of videos, depicting the Mustang in front of major landmarks from London, Paris, Berlin and Rome, as well as a final video showing the Mustang inside Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, where the final match was played.

Take a look below for the official press release from Ford, as well as the promotional videos for the Mustang registration, which we’ve embedded for your viewing pleasure.

First 500 European 2015 Ford Mustangs get reserved in 30 seconds [w/video]

First 500 European 2015 Ford Mustangs get reserved in 30 seconds [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Fri, 30 May 2014 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford is taking a bit of the spotlight away from General Motors, announcing a major group of recall campaigns, covering a total of 1.4 million vehicles built between 2006 and 2013.

Let’s start with the big one, which covers the Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner and, according to The Detroit News, Ford-built Mazda Tribute CUVs. 915,216 vehicles are covered, all of which were built in model years 2008 to 2011. 736,000 vehicles are in the US, while Canada then Mexico make up the vast majority of the remainder. The problem is due to an issue with the torque sensor in the steering column, which could lead to sudden power steering failure. Manual steering would still be available, though.

“Dealers will perform one of three service fixes, depending upon what diagnostic codes are shown when the vehicle is taken to the dealer,” Ford spokeswoman Kelli Felker wrote to Autoblog in an email. “They will either update software for the power steering control module and the instrument cluster module; replace the torque sensor; or replace the steering column, which includes upgraded power steering control module software.”

The most recent generation of the Ford Explorer is suffering from a similar malady, thanks to an intermittent electrical connection (we think that means short circuit) in the steering column. Like the Escape and Mariner, manual steering would still be available in the event of a power failure. Ford will recall 195,527 examples of its Explorer, 177,500 of which are in the US. This recall covers model years 2011 to 2013. According to Automotive News, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has stated that Ford will inform owners of affected vehicles by July 25.

Ford is also recalling 200,000 Taurus sedans, over a corrosion issue in the license plate lamp. This particular recall, which covers vehicles from model years 2010 to 2014, is limited to drivers in northern climes. Vehicle owners in southern states are free to pass on the recall.

Finally, 82,576 Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ sedans from 2006 to 2011 are being recalled because of floormats that can interfere with the accelerator pedal. Dealers will replace the offensive floormats with newer examples.

“Ford is committed to providing our customers with top quality vehicles. We are equally committed to addressing potential issues and responding quickly for our customers,” Felker wrote.

As of publication time, there isn’t an official press release official or bulletin on either Ford’s media page or the NHTSA website. We’ll be sure to update this story as soon as that becomes available.

Ford announces four recalls, 1.4M vehicles affected

Ford announces four recalls, 1.4M vehicles affected originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 29 May 2014 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How does one make fast, loud, drifting cars better? Well, you can add more fast, loud, drifting cars or you can add lasers. Either or, really. In this case, Castrol did the right thing and added both, creating a highly stylized commercial for its Edge Titanium motor oil starring South African racer Adrian Zaugg, BMW factory driver Augusto Farfus, Audi DTM and Le Mans staple Mike Rockenfeller and some bloke named Ken Block.

Their cars? No surprise, but Block is in his Ford Fiesta GRC, while Zaugg samples a Lamborghini Aventador and Farfus and Rockenfeller drive along party lines, with a BMW M4 and an Audi R8, respectively. And those cars look good, too, thanks to the creative light and laser work on display.

Take a look below for the video from Castrol.

Ken Block and friends race light in silly-beautiful Castrol commercial

Ken Block and friends race light in silly-beautiful Castrol commercial originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Wed, 28 May 2014 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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