Welcome to reviewmirchi.com

Review: 2010 Ford Mustang

Autor Reviews | 01.04.2009 | Category Ford Cars

Many years ago, it became quite fashionable to refer to The Clash as “the only band that ever really mattered.” Chevrolet borrowed this evocative line for the introduction of the soft-top C5 Corvette, calling it “the only convertible that ever really mattered” in a two-page color-rag spread. Truth be told, though, those are both pretty tough cases to make. And you don’t have to be a Beatles-obsessed Boxster owner (as I am) to argue the contrary. It’s far easier to apply the phrase to the Mustang: the only ponycar that ever mattered. Consider the competition. Camaro, Challenger, Javelin… hell, Celica and 200SX. Some shone, some sucked, none have gone the forty-five-year distance. The Mustang was the first ponycar on the scene, the best ponycar available for much of its history, and the only one to not disappoint its fans with periodic disappearances. And now we have a new “new Mustang,” arriving just in time to spoil the Camaro’s tardy coming-out party.

Ford Mustang

Autor Reviews | 19.02.2009 | Category Ford Cars

The Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the Ford Falcon, a compact car. Production began in Dearborn, Michigan on 9 March, 1964 and the car was introduced to the public on 17 April 1964 at the New York World’s Fair. It is Ford’s oldest nameplate currently in production, although the F-Series has undergone major nameplate changes over the years (most recently to F-150).

Mustangs grew larger and heavier with each model year until, in response to the 1971-1973 models, fans of the original 1964 design wrote to Ford urging a return to its size and concept. Although some other pony cars have seen a revival, the Mustang is the only original pony car that has remained in production without interruption after four decades of development and revision.

The Mustang remains one of the most widely recognized, respected, and desired nameplates in the automobile business. It may be retro inspired, but the Mustang is a thoroughly modern car. Redesigned from a clean sheet of paper for 2005, today’s Mustang is faster and more agile than ever. It delivers the bold styling, rear-drive performance and affordability that have been Mustang hallmarks for decades.

The Mustang comes in two body styles: coupe and convertible. Each is available with a V6 or a V8. A five-speed manual transmission is standard; a five-speed automatic optional. With your choice between 2 body-styles, 4 trims, 2 engines, 2 transmissions and an array of available packages and optional features, the Mustang has something for everyone.

In addition to its compelling iconic design, the 2009 Mustang features a “Warriors in Pink” edition and low-profile Bullitt trim. AutoWeek adds, “The 2009 Mustang will get a snazzy new badge, a galloping pony set in a horseshoe with a 45th anniversary logo, to mark the car’s milestone.” The new badge, however, won’t adorn the Bullitt or Shelby. Continue with our full Mustang Exterior Review to learn what’s so special about the Bullitt trim’s 18-inch wheels, or go to the 2009 Mustang Photo Gallery to browse pictures of this American street machine.

Despite its classic style and large cargo hold, reviewers criticize the Mustang’s interior because of its inferior materials and cramped backseat. According to Automotive.com, “The back seat…isn’t much more accommodating than in the old fastback 2+2 variant of 1965-68. It’s not a place adults will want to spend any time.” Continue with our full Mustang Interior Review to read about its color-changing illumination display system, or see the 2009 Mustang Photo Gallery for pictures of its retro design. continue

Ford Fusion

Autor Reviews | 19.02.2009 | Category Ford Cars

The design of the Fusion was inspired by the Ford 427 concept, a runaway hit with recent auto show crowds.

Fusion takes several design cues from the 427, especially its bold three-bar grille and multi-element projector-beam headlamps. The concept car also inspired Fusion’s optional charcoal-black leather interior with contrasting oatmeal-colored seat stitching.

The new Fusion takes a central position between the award-winning Focus and the flagship Five Hundred sedan. As J Mays, group vice president of Design and chief creative officer, puts it, ‘Even standing still, the Fusion looks like it’s ready to burst out of the blocks. The strong, muscular three-bar chrome grille sets the tone for a bold new look that will change the mid-size sedan segment.’

Inside, Fusion challenges the class leaders in roominess, including front shoulder room, rear seat legroom and trunk space.

A choice of three distinct interior themes allows customers to personalize their driving environment.

On all models, a variety of high-end features are available, including tilt-and-telescope steering wheel, heated front seats and a six-disc in-dash CD player that also reads MP3-encoded audio discs.

‘The Fusion’s steering is responsive and agile,’ explains Brian Vought, Fusion chief engineer. ‘We spent a lot of time to get just the right steering feel.’

Four-wheel power disc brakes are standard on Fusion, and a 4-sensor, 3-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) is optional.

The soul of any driver’s car is its engine, and Fusion offers a choice of Ford’s 2.3-liter Duratec 23 I-4 or 3.0-liter Duratec 30 V-6. Both feature all-aluminum construction, dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, intake Variable Cam Timing (i-VCT) and electronic throttle control to deliver smooth, spirited performance, along with good fuel economy and emissions ratings.

The four-cylinder engine delivers 160 horsepower, and can be paired with a five-speed manual or automatic transaxle. Also good news for the environment, the Duratec 23 I-4 will be rated as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) in California. It will be the Ford brand’s third PZEV application, after the Escape Hybrid and Focus PZEV.

For even more power, there’s the 210-horsepower 3.0-liter V-6, which is paired with an advanced six-speed automatic transaxle.

Fusion benefits from some of the latest safety technologies available – from cutting-edge metallurgy to air bags. For example, the Fusion is designed to meet stringent new side-impact tests.

Fusion’s B-pillars are made by welding two blanks of steel end-to-end – resulting in a stronger top of the vehicle and more flexible bottom. This facilitates energy absorption during a crash below the level of the occupants. The strong steel structure at the torso level and above helps prevent intrusion into the passenger compartment.

Inside, Fusion has a long list of advanced safety technologies to protect occupants. They include Ford’s Personal Safety System™ with dual deployment front air bags, energy-absorbing safety belts and load-limiting retractors.

Ford GT

Autor Reviews | 19.02.2009 | Category Ford Cars

The Ford GT is Ford’s mid-engine two-seat sports car that Ford describes as the “Pace Car For An Entire Company.” Powered by a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 that produces 500 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque, the design is inspired by the legendary Ford GT race cars of the 1960s that swept the top three positions at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966.

The Ford GT is a mid-engined sports car and is the world’s 11th fastest production car. It was built by Ford Motor Company from 2003 to 2006. It began as a concept car designed in anticipation of Ford’s centennial year and as part of its drive to showcase and revive its “heritage” names such as Mustang and Thunderbird. Camilo Pardo, the head of Ford’s “Living Legends” studio, is credited as the chief designer of the GT and worked under the guidance of J Mays. The designers drew inspiration from Ford’s classic GT40 race cars of the 1960s and the GT is sometimes mistaken for its 1960s counterpart.

The GT is similar to the original Ford GT40 cars, but bigger, wider, and three inches (76 mm) taller than the original 40 inches (1.02 m)—as a result of which, a potential name for the car was the GT43. Three production prototype cars were shown in 2003 as part of Ford’s centenary, and delivery of the production Ford GT began in the fall of 2004.

The Ford GT features many new and unique technologies, including super-plastic-formed aluminum body panels, roll-bonded floor panels, a friction-stir welded center tunnel, a “ship-in-a-bottle” gas tank, a capless fuel filler system, one-piece door panels and an aluminum engine cover with a one-piece carbon-fiber inner panel.

Brakes are four-piston aluminum Brembo calipers with cross-drilled and vented rotors at all four corners. When the rear canopy is opened, the rear suspension components and engine are visible.

The 5.4L Modular V8 powerplant is all-aluminum and fed by a Lysholm twin screw-type supercharger. It features a forged rotating assembly housed in an aluminum block designed specifically for the GT program. A dry sump oiling system is employed, allowing the engine to sit very low in the frame. The DOHC 4-valve heads are a revision of the 2000 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R cylinder heads (with slightly increased wall casting thickness in the exhaust port) and the design is essentially shared with the Ford Shelby GT500. The camshafts have unique specifications, with more lift and duration than those found in the Shelby GT500 or 2003–2004 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra. Power output is 550 horsepower (410 kW) and 500 foot-pounds force (680 N·m) of torque. A Ricardo six-speed manual transmission is fitted featuring a helical limited-slip differential.

This legendary Ford GT made its epic return to racing in 2008 at the GT2 class of the American Le Mans Series at the hands of Robertson Racing. The production on this car has been developed into a race car and a wider track, new suspension gemometry, and a more aerodynamic body with two additional new items, fender flares and additional front and rear spoilers.

Ford Fiesta

Autor Reviews | 16.02.2009 | Category Ford Cars

The new Sedan Fiesta by FORD is a combined reflection of Ikon, Mondeo, Endeavour and Fusion. The first thing Fiesta counts plus on other models is that it’s been specifically engineered for Indian market. Fiesta comes with a stylish exterior and it has gone upmarket with posh interiors and lots of standard equipment. The Fiesta project was undeatken by engineers from India , UK , Germany and Australia . Its feature rich and the available colour variants are impressive.

The first Fiesta impressions are marked by sound ergonomics, effective seat and wheel adjustment and an acceptable level of quality.  Fiesta has more spacious interiors than Ikon and has a taller body shape. Head and legroom in front are comfortable and so is the sitting at the back sheets. Additionally, the entry and exit is more convenient in the front.

The independent McPherson struts up front and semi-independent twist beam at the rear have proved good. The cabin noise has considerably reduced when compared to Ikon or even Mondeo. Even then, I think its not as low as in Corolla and Optra.

Ornamental fog lamps, bumper, body coloured mirror, large radiator and bumper grilles make Fiesta very stylish. The 1.6 petrol or the diesel version can get equipped with ABS & electronic brake force distribution for around Rs. 25000. Other safety features are tailored for Indian conditions. Its Empty to destination metre fitted on the dashboard is another unique feature. As the car moves, keeping the burn rate into account, this metre constantly displays how many more kilometres the car can go with the amount of fuel in the tank.

Fiesta is available with two Power trains:

* Duratorq 1.4 litre TDCi diesel (Turbo Direct Common Rail diesel injection technology)
* Duratec petrol 1.6 litre

TDCi is being introduced in any model for the first time in India . And Ford’s patented ‘Dura’ technologies offer advanced combustion technology and surprisingly Duratorq 1.4 TDCi engine weighed mere 98kg. This light wieght powerplant makes the handling superior, and low internal friction makes it better. On fifth gear it moves ahead with full zest and on express highways it can go beyond 150 Kmph in around 12 seconds. In city traffic, steering was convenient and does not require much effort.

Ford Focus

Autor tdomf_2061d | 02.06.2008 | Category Ford Cars

The Ford Focus is available as a coupe or sedan. Both body styles are offered in base S, midlevel SE and top SES trim levels. Base models come with features like air-conditioning, tilt steering wheel and an auxiliary audio jack for the stereo. Cruise control and satellite radio are on the options list.

Step up to the SE and many of those features are still optional. The SE comes with full power accessories, remote keyless entry and other options that are not available on the S. Equipment like Sync, an upgraded stereo with a six-CD changer, heated side mirrors, chrome exterior trim, faux-aluminum interior trim, an upgraded driver seat, customizable interior lighting and a leather-wrapped steering wheel all become available on the SE. Fifteen-inch alloy wheels are standard versus the S model’s steel wheels with wheel covers.

Top-of-the-line SES versions get 16-inch alloy wheels and upgraded tires as standard as well as adding front and rear stabilizer bars for improved handling. There’s no real sport package per se, but the SES is as close as you’ll find. This well-equipped Focus also comes standard with much of the SE’s optional equipment. Other options for the Focus, depending on the trim level, include leather seating, heated front seats and a sunroof.

Within its cabin, the Focus offers a reasonably attractive environment. Still, the Focus’ interior doesn’t quite measure up to those offered by some of its competitors, both in terms of materials quality and design aesthetic. One unique feature sets the car apart: Ford’s Sync system. Developed in conjunction with Microsoft, this system allows one to operate devices such as a cell phone, PDA and MP3 player via voice commands.

Though its handling isn’t as finely honed as that of the segment’s performance leaders, such as the Mazda 3, the Ford Focus offers a reasonably engaging driving experience. Additionally, fuel economy is excellent. Factor in its amenable price, and it becomes clear that the current Focus has much to offer in the area of value, if not refinement.

Just one engine is available in the Ford Focus for 2008. It’s a 2.0-liter inline-4 cylinder good for 140 horsepower. A cleaner version of that engine that earns PZEV tailpipe emissions certification is also available for California-emissions states. That engine makes 130 hp.