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Forza Motorsport 6 shows off the Ford GT's active rear spoiler

We knew that among the many technical treats provided by the Ford GT is an active rear wing, and we knew that the domestic exotic is going to grace the cover of Forza Motorsport 6. What we didn't know is how that rear wing looked when deployed, and thanks to Forza, now we do. If the driving game is being its usual model of accuracy, then the GT wing is no joke - everyone will know when you mean business. We've seen this kind of setup on the Bugatti Veyron and, more subtly, on the McLaren P1. Like those two examples, the GT flap automatically changes its angle in different conditions, such as under braking. When Ford gave us a tour of the GT interior we noticed a lot of buttons, now we're wondering if any of them allow the driver to deploy the wing at will. There is a button marked "aero," but no associated graphic to explain what it's for. The AR12 Gaming host of the video above isn't there for the GT, though - he's responding to audience requests for 60-frames-per-second gameplay footage in Forza, and to see how the tire smoke looks while drifting. But his stop-and-go drifting efforts give us plenty of footage of the wing in action, so check it out.

Ford cranks up '32 Ford body production

If you're going to build your own hot rod, you'll want to start with a '32 Ford 5-Window Coupe. Favored by American servicemen returning from World War II, the '32 Ford remains the very icon of the hot rod to this day. The trouble is there were only so many of them made in the first place, and finding one today can be a challenge. That's where reproduction models come in.
The aftermarket is replete with companies that will sell you a fiberglass body in the form of a '32 Ford coupe, but quality can be hit or miss. So to help meet demand among hot rod builders and enthusiasts, Ford has teamed up with United Pacific Industries to offer officially licensed body shells.
Announced at the SEMA show in November, the '32 Ford 5-Window Coupe body is made from stamped steel according to original specifications from original machinery where possible or reproduced machinery built to the same original specifications where necessary. The bodies are ready to accept vintage powertrains or crate motors from the Ford Racing catalog, and join the 9,000 other parts offered in the Ford Component Sales catalog - including similar reproduction bodies available for the 1965-70 Mustang and 1940 Ford Coupe. From there, the proverbial sky's the limit.

Ford reveals automated Fusion Hybrid

Autonomous cars may still be in their infancy, but more and more big names in the auto industry are diving in head first. Nissan is already making strides with a semi-autonomous Leaf EV and General Motors is planning to offer semi-autonomous tech by 2020. And then there's Google, doing its thing with a fleet of Toyota Prius. Now, Ford is showing off its latest automated effort, a driverless Fusion Hybrid.
Partnering with the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) and State Farm Insurance, the project is part of Ford's Blueprint for Mobility, the company's plan for transportation beyond 2025. "The Ford Fusion Hybrid automated vehicle represents a vital step toward our vision for the future of mobility," Chairman Bill Ford said. "We see a future of connected cars that communicate with each other and the world around them to make driving safer, ease traffic congestion and sustain the environment."
The automated Fusion features four LiDAR infrared sensors that scan the road 2.5 million times every second, using a principle similar to the echolocation used by dolphins or bats. Using the infrared light emitted by the LiDAR, the car can draw a picture of everything within 200 feet to create a map of its surroundings. According to Ford, the sensors are able to tell the difference between a paper bag and a small animal from a football field away.