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8 cars we're most looking forward to driving in 2015

Now that 2014 is officially in the books, it's time to look ahead. And following our list of the cars we liked best last year, we're now setting our sights at the hot new metal that's coming our way in 2015. Some of these, we've already seen. And some are still set to debut during the 2015 auto show season. But these are the machines that keep us going – the things on the horizon that we're particularly stoked to drive, and drive hard. Jeep Renegade Not the Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Not the Ford Mustang GT350. Not the new John Cooper Works Mini. Nope, I'm looking forward to the adorable, trail-rated Jeep Renegade. And that's because I really, really, really like our long-term Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. I do not, however, care too much for the Cherokee's looks, and I really don't like its $38,059 price tag. The Renegade Trailhawk, meanwhile, promises much of the same rough-and-tumble character as its big brother, but at what we expect will be a more reasonable price (I'm personally wagering on the baby Jeep's off-road model starting at no more than $23,000). With a 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a nine-speed automatic, it should also be a bit easier to fill than the V6-powered Cherokee. Also, I can't help but love the way the Renegade looks. It's like someone took a Wrangler, squished it by 50 percent and then handed it off to George Clinton for a healthy dose of funk. The interior, with its bright, expressive trims and color schemes should also be a really nice place to spend some time. I'll be attending the Renegade's launch later this month, so I'll have a much shorter wait than my colleagues. Here's hoping the baby Jeep lives up to my expectations. – Brandon Turkus Associate Editor Mazda MX-5 Miata Here's an uncomfortable truth: I'd rather spend a day driving a properly sorted Mazda MX-5 Miata of any generation on a winding road than I would nearly any other vehicle, regardless of power, price or prestige. It's not just that I prize top-down driving and enjoy the Miata's small size because it gives me more road to play with. I just find there's more motoring joy to be had with high-fidelity handling and an uncorrupted car-to-driver communication loop than I do with face-distorting power or grip – let alone valet-stand gravitas. But perhaps most of all, I love Miatas because they can deliver that level of feedback and driver reward at modest speeds that won't put the locals on edge or endanger lives – you can use more of the car more of the time.

Ford recalling 433k cars for engines that don't shut off

Ford Motor Company has announced an enormous recall affecting 433,000 vehicles built between April 2014 and June 2015. There's a problem with the body control module in the affected vehicles that can prevent them from turning off, even if the key is removed from the ignition or stop/start button has been pressed. Individual models include the Focus and C-Max, both built at the Michigan Assembly Plant. The defective Foci were built between June 17, 2014 and June 12, 2015, while the C-Maxes were built between April 22, 2014 and June 12, 2015. Also affected are model year 2015 Escape CUVs, built at the Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky, between April 1, 2014 and June 12, 2015. As is usually the case, the overwhelming majority of vehicles – 374,381 – are registered in the United States, while the 52,180 are in Canada and 5,135 are in Mexico. The Blue Oval is not aware of any injuries or accidents due to this defect. Individual consumers, meanwhile, will need to report into dealers to have the body control module's software updated. Scroll down for the brief press release from Ford. Related Video: FORD ISSUES SAFETY COMPLIANCE RECALL IN NORTH AMERICA DEARBORN, Mich., July 2, 2015 – Ford Motor Company is issuing a safety compliance recall for approximately 433,000 vehicles in North America, including certain 2015 Focus, C-MAX and Escape vehicles, for an issue with the body control module. In these vehicles, it could be possible for the engine to continue to run after turning the ignition key to the "off" position and removing the key, or after pressing the Engine Start/Stop button. This is a compliance issue with FMVSS 114 regarding theft protection and rollaway prevention. Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this issue. Affected vehicles include certain 2015 Focus vehicles built at Michigan Assembly Plant from June 17, 2014, through June 12, 2015; certain 2015 C-MAX vehicles built at Michigan Assembly Plant from April 22, 2014, through June 12, 2015; and certain 2015 Escape vehicles built at Louisville Assembly Plant from April 1, 2014, through June 12, 2015. There are 432,096 vehicles in North America, including 374,781 in the United States and federalized territories, 52,180 in Canada and 5,135 in Mexico. Dealers will update the body control module software at no cost to the customer.

MMD by Foose 2015 Mustang GT gets 810 hp and one lucky winner

Modern Muscle Design worked with the one and only Chip Foose to create this, the MMD by Foose 810-horsepower 2015 Ford Mustang GT. Several things will come of the collaboration, the best one for you being that you have a chance to win the coupe this Summer at the AmericanMuscle Mustang show in Pennsylvania. As of right now you can enter at the AmericanMuscle site, and if your name is pulled from the hat then MMD will fly you to the show in August and Foose will personally hand the car over to you. For everyone else, there is still plenty to pay attention to. The 5.0-liter Coyote V8 gets 375 more horsepower courtesy of a modified 2.9-liter, twin-screw Whipple supercharger from Bama Performance. By the time those horses stampede down a carbon fiber driveshaft, MMD says there are 650 of them left to turn the 20-inch Foose wheels. If you want to take your own Mustang in this direction, there will be a selection of parts created for this car coming later this summer under the MMD by Foose banner, including the hood and side scoops, rocker panels, and chin spoiler. The show car also gets a Vogtland Sport Suspension and a Magnaflow Competition cat-back exhaust. Check out the press release below for more information. MODERN MUSCLE DESIGN AND CHIP FOOSE DEBUT 800+ HORSEPOWER MUSTANG IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MMD by Foose 2015 Mustang to be Personally Given Away by Chip Foose at AmericanMuscle's 2015 Mustang Show this Summer MALVERN, Pa. (May 20, 2015) – Modern Muscle Design (MMD), the leader in aftermarket Mustang styling, along with the renowned vehicle designer, Chip Foose, today unveiled a one-off 810-horsepower supercharged MMD by Foose 2015 Mustang GT at Foose Design Inc. headquarters in Huntington Beach, California. Today's reveal comes ahead of the annual AmericanMuscle Mustang Show in Pennsylvania where the custom-built Mustang will be given away. The 2015 AmericanMuscle Mustang Show is the 7th annual charity all-Mustang car show in which 10,000+ spectators and nearly 3,000 Mustangs gather to benefit this year's charity, Make-A-Wish®. At the heart of MMD by Foose is a 5.0 liter V8 engine producing more than 810 horsepower at the crank courtesy of a specially tuned version of Bama Performance's 2.9-liter twin scroll Whipple supercharger. After being routed through the transmission, a custom carbon fiber driveshaft and upgraded axles from The Driveshaft Shop, 650 horsepower reaches the custom 20" Foose Design wheels wrapped in Pirelli tires.