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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

NHTSA closes probes on Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey

The Detroit News reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has officially closed its investigations into 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2004-2005 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey models. The separate probes found no issues that pose safety concerns. NHTSA began investigating certain Grand Cherokee SUVs over complaints that power steering hoses could detach during operation, thereby increasing the risk of a vehicle fire. Of the 24 reports of failure, none alleged smoke or fire in the engine bay, and Chrysler has since modified the power steering cooler assembly to reduce the likelihood of the failure.
Meanwhile, certain Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles garnered a government probe after receiving complaints that the models were equipped with faulty scissor jacks. The agency had received six reports of the jacks failing or causing injuries, including one incident that resulted in a fatality. But NHTSA says the jack failure rate is similar to those found in other vehicles. In those six cases, the government agency found the jacks were being used for something other than changing a tire, and investigators could not determine whether the emergency brake was set or the rear tires were properly chocked.

Carmakers, NHTSA to unveil auto-emergency braking agreement tomorrow

Happy St. Patrick's Day Eve. Tomorrow, there will be green beer, corned beef and cabbage, and automatic emergency braking for all. Weird combo, we know. But on St. Patty's we can expect an official announcement from a pact of automakers making auto-braking systems standard equipment by 2022. That's per a report from Reuters, which cites three sources familiar with the plans. Originally announced in September 2015 by 10 automakers and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the agreement is expected to be even larger when the details are unveiled tomorrow. According to Reuters, the manufacturers of 99 percent of the US domestic market's vehicles will be represented by the new agreement. It's believed that standard AEB systems could prevent thousands of accidents across the country. Expect more on the official announcement when it's made. Related Video: