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Inside the 2016 Ford Focus RS at the New York Auto Show

The Ford Focus RS made its US debut Wednesday at the New York Auto Show, offering Americans their first chance to experience the hot hatch live and in the flesh. Naturally, we wanted to know more, especially about what the Focus RS will mean to US buyers. We caught up with John Wicks with Ford Performance program management and Omar Odeh, a Focus product marketing manager, on the show floor of the Javits Center in New York, where they explained the ins- and outs of all-things Focus RS. The car was first revealed in Germany in February, and then traveled to the the Geneva Motor Show in March. It will employ a modified version of the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder used in the 2015 Mustang tuned to make more than 315 horsepower. It also received upgraded brakes, suspension components and aerodynamic pieces compared with more sedate Focus models. Underscoring its sporting credentials, Ken Block helped Ford engineers during the hatch's development, and the Focus RS showcases a new all-wheel-drive system with torque-vectoring. The New York show debuted two colors that will be worn on the production Focus RS: a light, bright shade called Nitrous Blue and a more sinister hue named Stealth Gray. The Focus RS enters production late this year at a factory in Germany. New York Auto Show Ford Hatchback Performance Videos 2015 ny auto show

Ford sticking with manuals for RS models

Traditional stick-shift gearboxes may be losing ground quickly to dual-clutch transmissions, but Ford knows what hot hatch enthusiasts want. That's why it's sticking with manual transmissions on its RS models for the foreseeable future. The Blue Oval automaker caught our attention yesterday when it revealed the new Focus RS, packing an upgraded version of the turbo four from the Mustang, a trick new all-wheel-drive system and an old-school six-speed manual. After speaking to Ford's product chief Raj Nair at the hot hatch's launch, Autocar reports that the six-speed is here to stay. "All our current research says that customers really like these kinds of cars to have a manual gearbox," Nair told the British publication. "We'll keep looking at market trends, and of course we'll give customers what they want, but for now the manual stays." Autocar further suggests that the same principle will apply to any further Rallye Sport models, so if and when a Fiesta RS rolls around, it's likely it will stick with a stick as well. Although the less potent Focus ST is offered in diesel and wagon forms overseas, wherever it's sold and in whatever form, the six-speed stays a constant in that model as well, just as it does in the smaller Fiesta ST. That doesn't mean that other Ford Performance models won't go without a clutch pedal, though. The new GT employs a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and the new F-150 Raptor channels its muscle through a ten-speed automatic. But as far as Ford's hot hatches go, it looks like the manual will remain alive and well. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2016 Ford Focus RS News Source: Autocar Ford Hatchback Performance manual ford fiesta rs

Shelby GT350 Mustang limited to 137 units for 2015 model year

Interest in the 2015 Ford Shelby GT350 and GT350R Mustangs is already at a fever pitch, thanks performance goodies like a flat-plane-crank V8 and MagneRide dampers. Ford is ensuring demand stays stratospheric through at least the first half of the year, too, by keeping production of these muscular coupes very limited. In fact, just 137 of them in total are leaving the factory for the 2015 model year. As a way to commemorate the Shelby Mustang's 50th anniversary as a performance powerhouse, Ford is building just 37 examples of the 2015 GT350R. This is also a way to pay homage to Carroll Shelby. In 1965, the racing genius originally planned to build 35 GT350 production models, plus two prototypes. However, documents indicate only 34 of the ones meant for customers ever left the workshop. Now, he has gotten his wish. There are also 100 examples of the standard 2015 GT350 on the way. Of those, 50 get the Technology Package that includes things like MagneRide, a navigation system with Sync 3, and dual-zone climate control. The other 50 get the Track Package that has added cooling for the engine, transmission and differential, a strut tower brace, and the high-tech, magnetic dampers. Bear in mind, this limited output is only for the 2015 model year, not the calendar year. For the automotive world, 2016 should start in just a few months and allow for even more Shelby Mustangs to hit the streets. Related Video: FORD ANNOUNCES LIMITED RUN FOR 2015 SHELBY GT350; ONLY 37 GT350R MODELS TO BE BUILT Ford to produce limited run of 2015 Shelby® GT350 to commemorate the nameplate's 50th anniversary 2015 Shelby GT350 comes with a unique 2015 VIN – the envy of Shelby enthusiasts everywhere Limited run of 37 Shelby GT350R models to be built in homage to original GT350 competition model of 1965 In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Shelby GT350, Ford will build a limited run of Shelby GT350 and GT350R Mustangs for 2015. The original Shelby GT350, introduced in 1965, established Mustang's performance credentials on racetracks around the world. The all-new Shelby GT350, featuring the most powerful naturally aspirated Ford production engine ever, re-establishes Mustang as a world-class sports car. Only 100 Shelby GT350 models will feature a 2015 model year designation before production switches over to 2016. Of these, 50 will be equipped with the Technology Package and 50 equipped with the Track Package.