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2015 Ford F-150 shaves 700 pounds, adds 2.7-liter EcoBoost [w/video]

The Ford F-150 is one of the best selling vehicles on the planet. Considering that, one can imagine that when it comes time for a redesign, there are hardly any half measures. For its lucky thirteenth generation, Ford has gone all-in on the single most important vehicle in its portfolio, redesigning it from the ground up.
The big news is the F-150's new, lightweight, Atlas-inspired body. Ninety-three percent of that new body is made from a sort of aluminum alloy not unlike what the US military uses in its M2 Bradley fighting vehicles and Humvees, and it accounts for up to 70 percent of the F-150's 700-pound weight reduction. As a side benefit, the aluminum body should prove more resistant to dents and dings. Built Ford tough, indeed.
If you're wondering where the other 30 percent of that 700-pound weight loss went, 8.5 percent (60 pounds) came from the increased use of high-strength steel (up from 23 percent to 77 percent) in its ladder-box frame. Ford claims this steel is comparable to some of the heavy duty pickups used by its competitors, with a PSI rating of 70,000.

BMW to follow Honda back into F1?

The economic downturn wrought devastating effects on motor racing. Formula One alone lost half its engine suppliers when Honda left at the end of the 2008 season, and both BMW and Toyota followed at the end of 2009. But things are looking up again. Cosworth may have dropped out this season, reducing the engine suppliers to three: Ferrari, Renault and Mercedes, the latter of which admits that it may have left had the engine formula not changed. But Mercedes has stayed and is dominating the championship. Honda is coming back next season. And word around the paddock is it may not be the only one.
According to Giancarlo Minardi - founder of the team now known as Scuderia Toro Rosso - BMW engineers have been conspicuously spotted lately at F1 test sessions and grands prix, lending to speculation that the new engine regulations may entice the Bavarian automaker back into the series. According to Minardi, BMW's marketing division is pushing for the automaker's return to F1, with the board slated to make a decision in May. BMW would be more likely to consider an engine-supply deal rather than taking a team over like it had with Sauber, but with which team or teams it might collaborate remains a big question mark at this point.
As if that's not enough, Ford is said to be considering taking over Cosworth's aborted V6 turbo engine program to take both outfits back into the sport as well. Cosworth supplied F1 engines under the Ford banner for years, but returned under its own name for four seasons from 2010 through 2013 before shuttering its program to develop an engine to meet the new regulations adopted this season.

Ford announces recall of 220,000 units in three different actions

Ford has announced three separate recalls affecting 220,000 vehicles built between model years 2011 and 2015. By far the biggest affects just under 213,000 Ford Explorer and Police Interceptor Utility SUVs from MY2011 through 2013. In these vehicles, a spring in the doorway handle could be come unseated, Ford reports, causing the doors to open in a side-impact accident. The affected vehicles were built over a wide range of dates, starting with February 1, 2011 and November 30, 2012. As usual, the majority of the 212,911 vehicles were sold in the US market – 194,484 vehicles, in fact, while Canada and Mexico split the remainder, with 12,392 and 6,035, respectively. The other two recalls focus on specialty vehicles, with Ford recalling 6,500 F-Series Super Duty ambulances and emergency trucks from model years 2011 to 2015. In the case of the 2014 and 2015 F-Series, only trucks with the 6.7-liter turbodiesel are affected. These trucks may have faulty exhaust gas sensors, which according to Ford, could cause the trucks to think they're in a high-temperature situation. The trucks in questions were built at Ford's Kentucky truck plant between February 22, 2010 and February 1, 2015. Finally, the Blue Oval is recalling 1,725 specialty Lincoln MKT crossovers from MY2013 to 2015. These include limos and hearses built between March 6, 2012 and March 4, 2015. Affected MKTs may have a faulty vacuum pump relay that could cause a fire under the hood. In the case of the Explorers, dealers will inspect all four door handles and repair them as needed. The Super Duty's will get software updates, while the MKTs will have the vacuum pump relays replaced outright. A pair of MKT fires has been the only reported incident caused by the recalled components, while the company is unaware of any injuries or deaths. Scroll down for the official press release from Ford. Related Video: FORD ISSUES THREE SAFETY RECALLS IN NORTH AMERICA DEARBORN, Mich., March 25, 2015 – Ford is issuing three safety recalls in North America. No accidents or injuries are attributed to these conditions. Details are as follows: Ford issues safety recall for certain 2011-2013 Ford Explorer and Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles for interior door handle issue Ford is issuing a safety recall for approximately 213,000 2011-2013 Ford Explorer and Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles in North America (actual 212,911) for an issue with the spring that controls the interior door handles.