1997 Ford E-250 Econoline Base Standard Cargo Van 2-door 4.2l on 2040-cars

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Inside Ford's high-tech climate chamber

There are two ways an automaker can test its vehicles in extreme climates: it can send said vehicle around the world – from Death Valley to the Arctic Circle – in search of the harshest weather, or it can recreate those conditions in an enclosed environment. We're sure that many automakers undertake some combination of both, but in this latest video clip, Ford shows us around inside it's state-of-the-art climate chamber. At its Driveability Test Facility in Allen Park, MI – inaugurated in 2010 just across the street from the Roush Technology Center – Ford can simulate all sorts of extreme conditions. It can drop the temperature down to -40 degrees Fahrenheit or raise it up to 130, and take it up to a simulated 12,000 feet above sea level or drop it down to 280 feet below. blast it with 150-mile-per-hour winds. It can control the level of humidity, approximate the intensity of the sun and even blast the test vehicle with artificial snow, just like your favorite ski resort. The facility strikes us as an engineering feat as impressive as some of the vehicles it's used to test, but don't take our word for it – scope it out for yourself in this brief two-minute video clip, which even includes some helpful tips for winter driving this holiday season and beyond. News Source: Ford via YouTube Plants/Manufacturing Ford Videos Michigan winter

You'll have to apply to purchase a Ford GT

With the 2017 Ford GT rumored to cost around $400,000, an anonymous insider says that the company is taking a very exclusive approach in deciding who gets to own these supercars. The Blue Oval isn't forgetting its roots, though, and some current customers might get the first crack at the coupe's extremely limited production numbers. Reddit user 3031983 claims to work at a dealer and have access to an internal Ford website, which is where this info comes from. The ordering process for the latest GT begins in early 2016, and any interested buyers need to file an application with Ford first. Anyone can submit the request, but Ford is giving top priority to current GT owners. Once selected, customers will be walked through the personalization process and will eventually complete the purchase through a dealer certified to sell the GT. Autoblog reached out to Ford, and the company confirmed that all of the user's details are accurate. The concierge-style service certainly isn't uncommon with other high-end vehicles, though. It's also understandable that the Blue Oval would want to work closely with wealthy, enthusiast buyers, rather than just shipping its supercar off for dealers to sell. The user also reports that Ford is limiting global production of the GT to just 250 units a year, which the company confirms. That makes the Blue Oval's supercar truly exclusive for its early life. For comparison, Ferrari only built 499 LaFerraris, and there were 918 Porsche 918 Spyders. Related Video:

Focus ST diesel variant coming, just don't look for it here

A few years back, Volkswagen made some waves when it announced the Golf GTD - a diesel-powered car that, aside from its ultra-efficient, ultra-torquey engine, was identical to the gas-powered GTI. That meant cosseting sport seats, larger wheels, sportier suspension, larger brakes and a body kit that made the GTD indistinguishable from the GTI, except for the three little letters on the back and in the grille.
Now, Ford is looking to replicate VW's success, with a diesel version of the Focus ST. According to Motor Trend, the diesel-powered ST will use a 2.0-liter, 182-horsepower four-cylinder. With an unspecified amount of torque on offer (we'd guess around 280 pound-feet), the diesel hot hatch should hit 62 miles per hour in about eight seconds.
The report, which originally comes from Auto Express, claims the ST Diesel was confirmed by Ford Chief Marketing Officer Mark Fields during this week's Geneva Motor Show. Not surprisingly, it doesn't appear there are any plans to bring a diesel-powered Focus of any kind to the US, let alone one that uses the suspension, steering and other items from the ST. Of course, if there's an official confirmation from Ford, we'll be sure to report on it.