Ford Displays Customized 2011 Fiestas at Los Angeles Auto Show

Together with the standard variants of the new 2011 Fiesta, Ford also reveled four ticked-out versions of its North American-spec subcompact car aimed at customization enthusiasts at the Los Angeles International Auto Show today. The modded Fiestas featured an array of styling goodies such as body-side tattoo graphics, body kits and alloy wheels.

"We expect the Fiesta will be wildly popular among people who like to personalize their vehicles because of its affordability, great driving dynamics and award-winning design," said Ford Designer Melvin Betancourt. "We'll offer these customers a variety of appearance and performance accessories to choose from so they really can make their Fiesta their own."

From Ford Press Release:

2011 Ford Fiesta by Ford Racing and Steeda Autosports

There's nothing like a solid performance team to get results. Ford Racing teamed up with Steeda Autosports to transform this 2011 Ford Fiesta. Steeda's cold air intake improves airflow, while the Borla/Ford Racing Performance cat-back system keeps the 1.6-liter Ti-VCT (Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing) I-4 breathing easy.

To keep it all firmly planted, Steeda/Ford Racing upgraded the factory suspension to give the customer track-inspired ride and handling. Behind the Ford Racing multi-spoke Euro wheels lurk one-off Brembo front and rear brakes that keep the driver in full control.

2011 Ford Fiesta by H&R Special Springs

Experts at dialing in the perfect ride height for every application, H&R Special Springs puts its own brand of "Special" into this 2011 Fiesta five-door. Fiesta's natural good looks get the Euro treatment, with Sticky Jewell custom graphics, custom Euro hood vents, stealthy blacked-out headlamps and a Ford Custom Accessories upper rear hatch spoiler.

The H&R Street Performance monotube coil-over kit features height-adjustable shocks to set wheel arches the perfect distance from the big, 18-inch OZ SuperTurismo GT wheels. When it comes to personalizing Fiesta, this is one suspension-and-wheels approach that most do-it-yourself buyers can adopt to set themselves firmly above the rest of the sport compact crowd.

2011 Ford Fiesta by Ford Custom Accessories

Here's one show car that's set to become available to anyone with the creativity and desire to personalize their own 2011 Ford Fiesta. When the car rolls into showrooms in 2010, nearly every styling component displayed on this white-hot Fiesta will be available from Ford Custom Accessories, Ford Licensed Accessories and Ford Racing Performance Parts. Put together a ride that's as unique as you and the crowd you run with. When you meet up, they'll see you coming in your personalized Fiesta.

2011 Ford Fiesta by 3dCarbon and FSWerks

Making a bold styling statement is just half the fun of building a sport compact. That's why the 3dCarbon/FSWerks 2011 Fiesta uses the built-in energy of Ford's European styling and the rock-solid foundation of its powertrain to springboard to the next level of street authority.

The combination of the FSWerks Stage 2 intercooled turbo kit and free-breathing 2.25-inch exhaust provides capability to match the zoomy looks of the 3dCarbon body kit. Out on the road, the aggressive front air dam, aerodynamic side skirts and rear lower accent trim issue a bold challenge to contenders. At the track, FSWerks components readily back it all up when the talk stops and the pedal goes down.

LA Show Debut for Scorching Hot 2010 Mustang Steeda Q550 Streetfighter Edition

Just as the dust settled from the 2009 SEMA show, long-time Ford tuning specialist Steeda Autosports, went ahead and unveiled another member of its Q Series Mustang family at this week's Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2010 Q550 Streetfighter Edition. Designed as a high-performance pony car that can be used as a daily driver (at least in theory) as well as a weekend warrior on the racetrack or drag strip, the Q550 packs a supercharged V8 engine.

Along with a series of other upgrades, the supercharged powerplant delivers an output of 550-horsepower with Steeda claiming a 0 to 60 sprint time of under 4,0 seconds and quarter-mile time of around 11 seconds.

These kind of figures require suspension and brake modifications, which is why Steeda has outfitted the 2010 Mustang with numerous performance parts including a Watt's Link Suspension system, new shocks and struts, an adjustable 3rd-link trailing arm kit, new front and rear swaybars, plus a 6-piston brake package with 15-in. crossed drilled and slotted rotors.

Over the top of the discs are some pretty sexy 20-inch HRE Monoblock P40 alloy wheels that are wrapped in Nitto NT05 High Performance tires (275/35 at the front, 315/35 at the back).

Steeda also did a wonderful job with the Q550 Streetfighter's exterior which shares the same aerodynamic body kit with the Q350. Additional upgrades include a rear spoiler, a new vented hood and a rear diffuser.

As for the interior, there's a pair of leather covered bucket seats with a carbon fiber back and a 6-Point safety harness, a thick steering wheel wrapped in alcantara, a steel roll bar with cross bracing that's dressed in leather and a Safecraft fire extinguisher system.

The Steeda Q550 Streetfighter Edition will be available in the 1st quarter of 2010 from select Steeda Autosports authorized dealers. Look for additional updates in the near future regarding pricing and availability of this limited edition performance vehicle.

Prices are expected to be announced closer to the car's launch sometime during the first quarter of 2010.

Source: Steeda

DUB Magazine Tricks out 2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 for Hip-Hop Artist Nelly [with Video]

As part of its never-ending marketing efforts, Ford has announced that a widebody conversion of the 2011 Ford Mustang GT will make its hip-hop debut alongside Grammy Award-winning rapper Nelly as part of the artist's upcoming album's artwork. The album, which is set for a release this spring, will feature a tricked-out 2011 Mustang GT modified by DUB Magazine.

"I'm itching to get behind the wheel of my Mustang and really take it out on the streets," said Nelly. "This vehicle being a part of my album artwork is just a reflection of the direction and feel that the album has. To be able to partner with Ford again on another vehicle that is going to change the automotive game is exciting," he added.

Nelly's blacked out "5.0" gets a custom gloss black paint job with flat black racing stripes and a Street Scenes wide body kit complete with custom 22- and 24-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli tires. Other features include a billet grille, hood scoop, tinted taillights, angel eyes headlights and a Borla exhaust.

The Mustang GT's interior has also been upgraded comes with a complete suede and leather design as well as a custom JL Audio system that includes two 12-inch subwoofers, amps and speakers.

There are no changes under the hood with Nelly's GT retaining the stock model's new 5.0-liter V8 engine with 412 horsepower and 390 ft.-lb. of torque.

"Nelly is a true car guy, there's no denying that. When Nelly expressed interest in wanting to partner with Ford on the all-new 2011 Ford Mustang GT, we knew it was a perfect fit," said Crystal Worthem, Ford's Multicultural Marketing communications manager.

We say that Ford's marketing team always manages to discover "car guys and gals" in all but the most obvious places...

2011 Mustang GT to Pace Daytona 500, Ford to Build Limited Run Edition for the Public

In a first for the Mustang and the first time for Ford since 1970 when a Torino GT Convertible did the honors at the Daytona 500, a Blue Oval model will be pacing the field for the NASCAR season-opening race on February 14 at the Daytona International Speedway.

The car of choice is none other than the refreshed 2011 Mustang GT that's powered by Ford's new 412 horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine linked to a 6-speed transmission. Interestingly, Ford said that the actual pace car will be auctioned off for charity before the race at this week's Barrett-Jackson.

But fear not because Ford also announced that it is planning to build another 50 examples of the 2011 Mustang GT Daytona 500 Pace Car to sell to the public.

Each example of the limited run series will feature a special Daytona 500 paint scheme, Ford Racing suspension, strut tower brace and mufflers, unique painted wheels, and special interior treatment, including specially branded lit sill plates.

AMI Live: Ford's KITTed-out Focus RS500 Makes its Public Debut

Ford pulled the wraps of it latest RS bruiser in Leipzig at the AMI show. The limited-edition Focus RS500, dressed in matte black, packs a 350-pony package in that tight wrap. Power comes from 5-in-line, a turbocharger, and some fine-tuning.

Own a standard RS and feel out-of-the-loop? Don't worry, Mountune offers that Ford-authorized RS500 upgrade kit to get you involved in the party.

Check out the live pics of the RS500 below.

By Phil Alex

Photos: UP

Ford Offers Current and New Focus RS Owners an RS500 Horsepower Upgrade Kit

In a move that shows how lame the whole story of the special edition version of the... special edition Focus RS, a.k.a., the RS500 story is, Ford's European division has announced the availability of a factory-approved performance package developed by the company's tuning partner Mountune Performance for new and existing owners of the standard Focus RS.

And yes, the engine modifications provided by the so-called "MP350" package are similar to those developed for the new limited edition Focus RS500 model that was sold out only a few hours after its reveal.

As with the RS500, the Focus RS performance upgrade increases the 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five's peak power from 305HP to 350HP, while torque rises by 20 Nm to 460 Nm.

Modifications include a larger intercooler, a larger air filter box, a larger diameter exhaust downpipe and an uprated fuel pump, along with an updated software calibration.

Not surprisingly, the MP350 package does not invalidate the standard Ford warranty.

Being only a performance kit, the package doesn't include the RS500's matte black film from 3M, but that shouldn't be a problem for RS owners looking to imitate the hot hatch's looks.

According to FoMoCo, the tuning package is available from Mountune Performance via a selected network of Ford dealers, initially in the UK, with a European roll-out planned to follow.

Ford UK Prices 350HP RS500 Kit for Focus RS at £1,995

Described by FoMoCo's people as the "next best thing" to owning one of the 500 limited edition RS500, the officially-approved Focus RS performance upgrade kit is available for current and future owners of the hot hatch through selected Ford dealers across the UK.

Priced £1,995, including VAT, the MP350 RS upgrade kit has been developed by Ford Team RS, in partnership with Mountune Performance (MP) and offers similar performance to the RS500.

Comprising a larger intercooler and air filter box, larger diameter exhaust downpipe and a higher-capacity fuel pump, along with uprated software calibration, the kit adds an extra 45HP and 20Nm of torque to the 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five pushing output to 350HP and 460Nm.

Mark Simpson, Ford Britain marketing director, said:

"Focus RS500 has raised the Ford performance bar in every way – it's the fastest-selling model in Ford's UK history, with five times more customers than we had cars for. The MP350 kit has been developed to meet some of this additional demand and allow enthusiasts with cars in standard tune to enjoy even greater performance, without endangering their warranty. If you couldn't get an RS500, which sold out within seven days, this is the next best thing."

Rollin on DUBs: Ford Introduces DUB Edition of 2011 Mustang

In order to connect with "a whole new generation of buyers", Ford has teamed up with DUB magazine and Roush to release a special "DUB" edition Mustang.

Based on the 305-horse 3.7 liter V6 model, the DUB package supplies the V6 Stang (coupe, convertible, or glass-roof coupe) with 20-inch TIS rims wrapped in Pirellis, a Roush appearance package, special striping, and the DUB logo embroidered on the headrests.

In an attempt to help the DUB stand out, the appearance package uses Roush's front fascia and splitter, a windshield banner, and rear quarter-window louvers.

In regards to performance: it gets slightly sportier thanks to lowering springs (also from Roush) and a 3.31 axle ratio.

Myles Kovacs, president / co-founder of DUB magazine, said, "Working with Ford and Roush is an honor and has been a dream come true for DUB. The Mustang is such an iconic muscle car and has always been a customizer's favorite. The DUB Edition Mustang stays true to its roots, but I think we've successfully brought a ton of hustle to the muscle."

Available colors for the DUB Mustang are Black, Ingot Silver, Grabber Blue, and Race Red; the interior color is limited to black.

So, how do we feel about yet another special edition Mustang? Pointless or cool?

By Phil Alex