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Ken Block seems like one hell of a nice guy. I ran into him at CES this past January, and he dropped the video games he was playing to chat with me for a while. His crew also recently gave our Steve Ewing a tour of the offices you’re about to see on this video. Good guy to know.

As it turns out, they’re some fairly cool new digs. Dubbed ‘Hoonigan Racing Division HQ,’ the office is open to Ford Focus ST and Fiesta ST owners who attend the driving program offered out at Miller Motorsports Park. The very same program that Ewing reported on just recently.

Or, if you’ve no plans to buy an ST or travel to Utah any time soon, you can let Block show you around himself in this MTV Cribs-style video. With interior decorating that relies heavily on shipping containers and luxurious amenities like a ping pong table, 10 refrigerators and a bear(?), there’s no lack of eye-candy in the driverly HQ. (Judging by Block’s outfit, you’ll probably not go thirsty if you’re a Monster drinker, either.) Take the tour along with the Gymkhana master, below.

Ken Block walks you through his new ‘Hoonigan Racing’ HQ

Ken Block walks you through his new ‘Hoonigan Racing’ HQ originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 24 Jun 2014 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Edge will be the first Ford-badged product to come standard with EcoBoost power.

Ford officially unveiled the all-new, third-generation Edge today at its Dearborn home, announcing that the latest version of the popular crossover will ride on the same CD4 architecture that underpins the Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ. The Edge will also be the first Ford-badged product to come standard with EcoBoost power.

The most noticeable thing about the 2015 Edge is, of course, its all-new sheetmetal. The exterior shows a rather substantial change from the second-generation CUV, sporting something new from each visible angle. The back of the vehicle offers the most dramatic departure, with a steep rake to the rear window and a body-spanning taillight array that’s not unlike what we’ve seen on the Lincoln MKC (though in fairness the design appears to borrow more heavily from the Fusion). This aggressive rear is most apparent in the car’s profile, although our first impression wasn’t positive from every angle. The front end looks somewhat questionable to our eyes, lacking the drama of the rear while appearing narrower, taller and less athletic. The new hexagonal grille is slatted as per Edge convention, but this time around, it’s framed by lights that can seem a bit large.

Inside, the changes are far less dramatic. The cabin will be largely familiar fare to owners of the current-generation model. The instrument cluster retains the same dual displays of the current model, while the centre stack has been given a light redo. Gone are the controversial touch-capacitive switchgear that were found on high-end versions of the second-gen Edge. Overall, changes in the cabin focus on material quality, and it strikes us as healthy improvements over the current vehicle.

2015 Ford Edge debuts with fresh tech inside and out

2015 Ford Edge debuts with fresh tech inside and out originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 24 Jun 2014 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The recall of faulty airbag inflators supplied by Takata has exploded again today, growing to now include seven major automakers. In most cases, only models in certain high-humidity regions were affected because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found in its investigation that moisture played a roll in determining whether there would be a problem.

However, some companies opted for national campaigns. The exact number of affected models for these campaigns isn’t yet known at this time… READ FULL STORY

Huge airbag recall widens to include BMW, Chrysler, Ford and Toyota

Huge airbag recall widens to include BMW, Chrysler, Ford and Toyota originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 24 Jun 2014 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Perhaps it’s fitting that the band Pantera is known for its heavy metal music, because the DeTomaso Pantera is the automotive equivalent of a metal album. It’s short, aggressive and makes a mean sound. It doesn’t mess around either, with a Ford 351-cubic-inch (5.75-litre) V8 sending mountains of torque to the rear wheels. This week, Jay Leno takes us on a detailed tour of his ’71 to show why it rocks.

There’s a regular format to Jay Leno’s Garage. It starts with Jay and maybe a guest taking a look at the car and talking about its history, and then they take it out on the open road. However, this video is practically a Pantera buyer’s guide. Jay is adamant from the start that the last thing anyone should own is a stock example. To remedy this, he and his guest, the editor of the Pantera Club magazine, take viewers to school about some of the ways to turn them into even better performance machines.

No matter what you do to it, though, the Pantera requires that the driver adapt to it, not the other way around. For example, Jay isn’t a big guy by most standards, but he has to cram himself into the cockpit with his shoes off and shirt partially unbuttoned just to go for a drive. Still, once out on the road, it all makes sense with that rumbling V8 and those Italian supercar looks. Scroll down to watch and learn a lot more about this uncompromising ’70s performance car.

Jay Leno is far beyond driven in his 1971 Pantera

Jay Leno is far beyond driven in his 1971 Pantera originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 24 Jun 2014 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford has quite a party ready for the Goodwood Festival of Speed starting on June 27. Not only is the 2015 Mustang going to be driving in front of the European public for the first time, the Blue Oval is also unveiling its 2015 refresh for the Focus ST.

Official details about the latest Focus hot hatch are practically nonexistent at this point. Ford’s teaser image shows narrower headlights, and the company says that the ST also benefits from the technical and quality improvements from the refreshed standard model, which likely means an even more Aston-Martin-like grille. However, any improvements for the power or handling are a mystery for now.

Ford will even give visitors to the festival the chance to drive the new ST – at least virtually. Gran Turismo 6 kiosks will be on hand with the hot hatch loaded up to race the Goodwood Hill Climb. There will also be real-time races between former Stig Ben Collins in the real ST challenging a player up the hill in the game.

There will be at least two, new Mustangs there as well for the British crowds to check out. A 5.0-litre coupe will challenge the Goodwood Hill, and a convertible will also be on display. Scroll down to watch a brief, teaser video of the 2015 Focus ST testing and read the full release about Ford’s plans for the fest.

2015 Ford Focus ST zooming toward Goodwood reveal [w/video]

2015 Ford Focus ST zooming toward Goodwood reveal [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Tue, 24 Jun 2014 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Off-Road, Celebrities, Classics, Ford, Concept Cars, SUV

Beyond O.J. And A.C.

Some have suggested that the Bronco’s demise was hastened by the fallout from the O.J. trial.

Twenty years ago today, ex-NFL linebacker Al “A.C.” Cowlings drove his friend and onetime running back Orenthal James “O.J.” Simpson on a parade lap of the Los Angeles highway system and onto an ignoble page of the history books. If you’re in your late 20s or older, or a fastidious young student of 1990s American history, you’re absolutely aware that Al and O.J.’s steed for the ‘chase’ was a white Ford Bronco. The white Ford Bronco, even.

The 1993 model-year SUV was only three years removed from the end of a 30-year run for the nameplate, one that’s been embossed onto pop culture from June 17, 1994 forward. I remember it sourly, as one of the basketball fans that was forced to watch the NBA finals in a tiny box in the corner of a 27-inch set while NBC ‘s Tom Brokaw followed some 20 police cars, following the Bronco, at about 35 miles per hour (56 kilometres per hour). Oh, and in standard definition no less… the ’90s were terrible.

The history and future of the Ford Bronco

The history and future of the Ford Bronco originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sun, 22 Jun 2014 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’re use to forbidden fruit teasing us in Europe. Hatchbacks and diesels from Renault, Citroën, Peugeot, Skoda, SEAT and Alfa Romeo have been a regular torment that we’ve grown accustomed to over the years. This vehicle, though, is one piece of forbidden fruit we aren’t entirely sure we can get over. We need it.

It’s called the Ford Troller T4, and if you accidentally read that as either “reborn Ford Bronco” or “Americanized Land Rover Defender,” we wouldn’t be rushing to correct you. It’s a basic, badass SUV, and is the first new vehicle to come from Troller since Ford gobbled it up in 2007. For those with longer memories, you’ll recognize this vehicle from the concept that preceded it, the Ford T-R Concept. The production model remains remarkably true to the T-R, as well as past Trollers, but it’s a slightly more modern look overall, with LED taillights, contrasting colors

You’ll have to bear with us on the details, as we’ve been forced to rely on the notoriously literal Google Translate to convert the original Portuguese into English, which means some of the details were lost along the way.

Under that long, square hood sits a 3.2-litre diesel engine that’s paired with a six-speed manual (are you listening Jeep?). There’s no mention of power figures, although we’re still so darn enamored with this brute’s looks, we don’t much care how fast or slow it is. Although it isn’t explicitly stated, four-wheel drive is likely to feature heavily in the Troller. A high-mounted intake will aid its off-road abilities even further, while “adjustable crossbars,” which we think is a swaybar disconnect, are also fitted. We can’t see it from the trio of images provided, but the Troller will now also offer a new “sky-roof” system, which is basically a two-pane glass roof that brightens up the off-roaders cabin.

As of right now, the Troller is a purely Brazilian product. That said, a simple badge swap would make this an awesome successor to the oft-missed Bronco and would give Ford a legitimate competitor to the Jeep Wrangler. Here’s hoping someone in Dearborn decides that this is a good idea. Take a look below for the full translated press release.

Ford is building this sweet back-to-basics SUV in Brazil

Ford is building this sweet back-to-basics SUV in Brazil originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sun, 22 Jun 2014 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The 2015 Mustang is one of the most hotly anticipated vehicles of the moment, and Ford continues to leak out interesting little details about its newest pony car. The latest info doesn’t have anything to do with its quarter-mile time or handling, but if any of that goes drastically wrong, the innovative new glovebox-mounted airbag may prevent passengers from knee injuries.

All variants of the 2015 Mustang get the active knee airbag as standard, and it’s the first vehicle in Ford’s lineup to receive the system. The setup is actually quite simple and ingenious. The glovebox is made from a plastic outer panel that is attached to the inner door. Sandwiched between them is this new injection-moulded plastic bladder that folds flat when in use. If the passenger-side airbag deploys, the system springs into action to act as a cushion for your knees. Compared to a traditional knee airbag that has to fully inflate, this arrangement is 65 per cent lighter and can use a 75 per cent smaller inflator. It’s also basically invisible when you look at the glovebox door.

Ford spokesperson Ed Saenz declined to tell Autoblog whether the system will appear in other vehicles in the Blue Oval’s lineup but said, “We’re considering other applications.” Provided it’s effective, the approach seems too simple not to make its way to other products. Scroll down to watch a video showing how the glovebox-mounted knee airbag works.

How the 2015 Ford Mustang will save your knees

How the 2015 Ford Mustang will save your knees originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sun, 22 Jun 2014 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remember when Ford launched the totally new Explorer in late 2010, and people were skeptical about how the now-crossover would fare, after ditching its traditional SUV roots? Well, we’re several years in, and I think we can assuredly say that Ford made the right decision. Sales are better than ever (in fact, May was the current Explorer’s best month yet), and the crossover is finding its way into the hands of a whole host of new Ford buyers.

A wholly refreshed Explorer is still forthcoming, but to keep its strong-selling crossover fresh, Ford is offering a host of improvements for the 2015 model year, including the attractive appearance package available on the XLT trim level, pictured above. Outside, the pack gets you goodies like 20-inch machined aluminum wheels, black bodyside cladding and roof rack rails. Contrasting Magnetic Metallic accents are found on the grille, mirror caps and liftgate appliqué, and there’s an “Explorer” hood badge and body-coloured door handles. Inside, there are new Miko suede inserts in the seats, and the package includes the automaker’s Sync connectivity with MyFord Touch infotainment.

Elsewhere in the Explorer range, the Class III trailer tow pack is now standard on the Sport, base models get new 18-inch aluminum wheels, and there are three new colours on offer: Bronze Fire Metallic and Magnetic Metallic.

2015 Explorer pricing starts at $30,600 for the base model, going as high as USD$42,670 for the 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6-equipped Sport. The appearance package adds USD$1,195 to the price of the USD$32,900 XLT, assuming you’ve also chosen the USD$2,500 Equipment Group 202A. All MSRPs listed do not include USD$895 for destination. *Canadian pricing not yet available.

Have a look below for the full details in Ford’s press blast.

Ford Explorer gets appearance pack for 2015

Ford Explorer gets appearance pack for 2015 originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sun, 22 Jun 2014 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s always best to go out with a bang rather than a whimper, and Ford Performance Vehicles is doing just that in Australia with the Falcon GT F 351. It’s the most powerful road car the Aussie performance brand has ever made with a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 pumping out 471 horsepower (351 kilowatts) and 420 pound-feet of torque. It’s joined by the FPV Pursuit Ute with the same powerplant tuned to 422 hp and 402 lb-ft. Sadly, the last F in this Falcon’s name stands for Final.

The GT F 351 is a monumental way to go out, though. It harkens back to the old days of Aussie muscle Fords, and the 471hp output is meant to reference the classic Falcon GT and its 351-cubic-inch V8. In addition to the massive power, the F has the improved suspension from the R-Spec model and Brembo brake calipers.

FPV is building just 500 GT F sedans for Australia and 50 more for New Zealand, plus 120 Pursuit Utes. They feature a blacked-out hood and black stripes over the hood and sides, plus gloss black accents around the headlights, door handles and mirrors.

To be clear, this isn’t actually the final Falcon; its production ends in Australia in 2016. Instead, it’s the swan song for Ford Performance Vehicles. It was brought in-house by Ford Australia, and the Blue Oval later decided to kill off the Aussie performance brand allegedly to give more room for the Mustang in the market in 2016. Scroll down to watch a melancholic video of FPV’s final creations and to read the car’s official announcement.

Ford Australia launches Falcon GT F 351, last of its line [w/video]

Ford Australia launches Falcon GT F 351, last of its line [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Sat, 21 Jun 2014 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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