2014 Ford F150 on 2040-cars

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2014 Ford Fiesta gets fuel economy bump to 41 mpg

The 2014 Ford Fiesta is in showrooms now with refreshed styling and new performance ST model, but it's what isn't yet available that should help the Fiesta stand out from the growing crowd of subcompacts. Aside from the new 1.0-liter EcoBoost model coming later this year, Ford recently told us that a new Fiesta SFE trim level is on the way that should put the updated Fiesta at the top of its class for fuel economy.
The new Fiesta SFE will hit an estimated 41 miles per gallon on the highway when equipped with the six-speed automatic transmission. The current listing on fueleconomy.gov shows the 2014 Fiesta getting up to 29 mpg city and 39 highway, but the SFE will get minor aero tuning and a recalibrated engine controller to help bump the highway figure past rivals like the Chevrolet Sonic and Nissan Versa - both of which top out at 40-mpg highway. There's still no word as to when the small 1.0-liter EcoBoost will show in the US, but Ford has indicated that engine's fuel economy isn't expected to be released until October.

Ford Focus RS configurator hits the Internet

Ford made waves yesterday when it drooped the performance and pricing details on the new Focus RS. Perhaps keen to keep the momentum going, the Blue Oval has launched the configurator for its new fire-breathing hot hatchback. As configurators go, this is a lot like the Ford's other build-your-own tools, only it's even more limited. The total list of options on the new Focus RS is quite light. You can pick from one of four colors, including the stylish Nitro Blue shown above, while there are just two interior upholstery schemes – partial black leather and full black leather for the standard Recaro seats. Your decision there will ultimately inform just how pricey your Focus RS will get. Opt for the full leather interior and you'll be stuck with the so-called RS2 package, which adds heated, powered front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated mirrors, and navigation to the standard SYNC3 infotainment system. Oh, and it'll also drive the price up by $2,785. Other options include a handsome set of 19-inch wheels, with the option of ultra sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. The wheels alone are a $1,395 option while adding the tires runs the price up $595, which is a bargain considering how pricey 19-inch PS Cup 2s are. The final option is a simple sunroof, priced at just $895. As you can see above, we've built our ideal Focus RS, finished in Nitro Blue with the 19-inch wheels, RS2 package (we live in Michigan, after all) and standard Michelin rubber. Yep, we passed on the more aggressive tire, with blame going to replacement costs. The total price comes to $41,480. Head on over to Ford's website and build your very own Focus RS, and then head back here and let us know how you optioned it, down in Comments. Related Video:

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

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.