2008 F250 4x4 Diesel Crew Cab on 2040-cars

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Ford says C-Max mpg reduction has hurt sales

The Ford C-Max is having a rough time. Sales for the five-door hybrid hatchback were down 39.1 percent in March to 2,295 cars, and sales from January through March were down 42.5 percent to 5,566 units. In an interview with The Detroit News, Ford Americas boss Joe Hinrichs places the blame on lowering the model's fuel economy rating.
"We're definitely seeing consideration on C-Max decline over time. We need to reinvest in the product because it's a great car," said Hinrichs to The Detroit News.
The company was hit with bad publicity over the C-Max when owners in multiple states filed class action lawsuits that alleged the cars weren't able to meet the stated fuel economy. Ford eventually re-rated the model from 47 miles per gallon city, highway and combined to 40 mpg city, 45 mpg highway and 43 mpg combined. To soften the blow of the change, the automaker sent checks to the owners to make up some of the difference. Initially, Ford claimed that demand remained strong for the hybrid. However, the latest sales figures and Hinrichs' statement seem to show the opposite.

2016 Ford F-150 gets new Limited model

The average price paid for a full-size pickup this year is $42,429. Ram is right at that mark, with an average price of $42,256, the Chevrolet Silverado is below it, at $38,384, and the Ford F-150 is above, at $46,573. That average transaction price is thirty percent higher than it was six years ago, and that F-150 price is eight percent higher than one year ago. We can thank that escalation for the arrival of the new F-150 Limited, a truck that Ford says responds to the "growing needs of discerning truck customers interested in exclusivity, capability and craftsmanship." Reuters went further, saying customers want "trucks that could substitute for a higher end German sedan." Billed as "the most advanced, luxurious F-150 ever," everything has been thrown at the standard features list. Buyers will get the luxury modifiers we expect from Europeans, like Mojave leather throughout, climate-controlled, massaging front seats, heated rear seats, and fiddleback eucalyptus wood. Driver assistance systems are legion, including a 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control, active park assist, a remote tailgate release, and SYNC3. Ford's new Pro Trailer Backup Assist will be an option. As if that won't be enough to tell it from the less luxurious models, the Limited sits on unique 22-inch wheels, the word "Limited" is written on the hood, the VIN is laser engraved in a plaque in the armrest, and the grille, tailgate, and door handles get a satin chrome finish among other changes. Only four exterior colors make the palette: Shadow Black, Magnetic, Blue Jeans and White Platinum Metallic tri-coat. The sole engine offered is the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with 365 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. We've been talking about luxury trucks for years now, and Ford's competition is in the game, too - Chevy has its Silverado High Country, Ram its Laramie Limited. This new F-150 Limited, however, raises all bets. It will go on sale this winter at an as-yet-unknown price, but since the current top-of-the-line Platinum starts at $51,585, we have a feeling that getting a Limited out the door under $60K will be near impossible. Admire the new seduction in the images above, the press release below has more.

Ken Block is at it again in Gymkhana 6

If there's one thing we'll say about Ken Block and his latest installment in the Gymkhana family, it's that it's far more structured than previous videos, but that doesn't mean it skimps on the entertainment. Block is on a purpose-built course which was touted as "The... Ultimate... Gymkhana... Grid... Course" in last week's preview. Unlike Gymkhana 5, which took placed on closed streets in San Francisco, this course seems much more compact.
Block has an entire array of challenges to tackle in his 650-horsepower Ford Fiesta ST, and none of them look particularly easy. In fact, we'd argue that Gymkhana 6's grid course requires much more precise driving that previous titles. There are Segways, Lamborghinis and massive pieces of construction equipment that all must be dealt with.
We've got the entire 6:28 of Gymkhana madness for you down below. Scroll down for the video and then hit Comments and let us know how this installment compares to previous Block works.