In an attempt to draw the attention of the budget-minded tuning fans, Saleen’s Saleen’s value-performance Racecraft division presented a souped up version of the Ford Focus Coupe that will be available during the first quarter of 2009 with a base price under $20,000. Dubbed the RC2, Saleen Racecraft’s proposal features a bodykit with a new front fascia and mesh grille, side skirts, a boot lid spoiler, a rear skirt and 18-inc alloy wheels wrapped in Bridgestone performance tires. Performance upgrades will include an estimated 15 HP bump over the base 2.0-liter engine’s output of 143 HP. A sport suspension and a more powerful braking system will also be included in the package.

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We’ve been waiting for an official production announcement of the Lincoln MKT since the concept was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January, and according to Automotive News and the Wall Street Journal, that confirmation comes today. The Ford Flex-based crossover will give Lincoln a seven-seat CUV to compete with the Acura MDX and the Audi Q7, while providing customers a more fuel efficient alternative to the Navigator. The production MKT will share none of the Flex’s boxy sheet metal, but the mechanicals will be very similar. The MKT will launch with either the 3.5L V6 from the Flex or the bored-out 3.7L version from the MKS sedan. It’s almost assured the MKT will get Ecoboost soon after launch, but Ford hasn’t announced anything yet. Ford plans to build approximately 25k Lincoln MKTs annually, and production is slated to begin next year.

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Ford has released images and details on the 2009 Mustang that’s pretty much a carry over the 2008 model, which is quite logical as the American carmaker gears up for the new 2010 Mustang that will be unveiled at the LA Auto Show in November. The most important additions for 2009 is the availability of the factory-installed glass roof option on both the V-6 and GT models for $1,995 and the return of the “Warriors in Pink” package designed to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure. As Ford is celebrating the Mustang’s 45th Anniversary this year, all V6 and GT versions will feature special fender badging. The only new package for the 2009 model is the GT Security Package that includes an active anti-theft system and wheel locking kit while another small change is the addition of a new Brilliant Silver clearcoat metallic colour.

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After loosing the number 2 spot in worldwide sales to Toyota in 2003, Ford is on its way to yield the third place to the VW Group. During the first half of 2008, Volkswagen managed to slip into the third position right behind Toyota and GM, leaving Ford in fourth place. The German Group reported sales of 3.27 million vehicles during the first half of the year, a 5.8 percent increase over 2007. Ford on the other hand saw its sales fall 11 percent during the same period to 3.09 million vehicles.

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Saleen’s Aftermarket Division, SpeedLab, has brought back the classic appeal of shaker hood styling. However, this is not just cosmetic. The SuperShaker is a true “cold air” intake that sits above the hood and is sealed off from the hot air in the engine compartment. This is especially beneficial in static situations such as at stop lights or take off during drag racing. Once up to speed, the shaker hood scoop rams fresh cold air into the air box where it is pressurized, allowing greater boost at higher speeds. According to SpeedLab, the SuperShaker kit combined with the Saleen series VI intercooled supercharger will increase total power from 500 - 700HP.

Available for 2005 or newer Ford Mustang GT’s, the complete Supershaker kit which includes the supercharger and all necessary hardware is $6949.99, however, Saleen will install the kit for you for an extra $1450.

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 The Focus we’ve all been waiting for since the launch of the second generation model in 2005 made its first public appearance at this week’s British Motor Show in London. Equipped with a 300Hp 2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder engine, the Focus RS will be able to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 6.0 sec. Even though Ford maintained the front wheel drive setup of the less powerful Focus ST, the company says that the RS is able to target a class-leading balance of traction, handling and performance. Read all the details on the Focus RS here of follow the jump to see live images of Ford’s lime-green monster at the London show

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A one-of-a-kind aviation-themed Ford Mustang dubbed AV8R will be unveiled at the EAA AirVenture air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin at the end of July. Though this is not widely known, Ford’s official line is that the classic pony car was named after the famous World War II P-51 Mustang fighter. The Mustang AVR8 will be auctioned at the show on July 31, with all proceeds benefiting the EAA’s Gathering of Eagles program that provides scholarships for young people interested in aviation careers. Developed by the Ford Racing team, the aviation-inspired Mustang is based on the 2009 Mustang GT with the glass roof. Painted in satin silver matte with black gloss and red accents, the AVR8 features the Air Force star in the glass; special front and rear fascias; integrated spoiler; and Shelby GT500 wheels. Inside the one-off ‘Stang gets “bomber jacket” leather inserts and trim panels along with a “Bullitt” aluminum instrument panel appliqué and shift knob. Continued

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It is by far the most important debut at this month’s London Motor Show and perhaps the most anticipated attainable performance car of the year; Ford’s scorching hot 300Hp Focus RS. Following an earlier leak today, we managed to get our hands on the high resolution image gallery along with the official press release.

You may have noticed that we haven’t mentioned the word concept this time; that’s because neither does Ford as the London Show’s Focus RS is actually the production version that will go on sale in Europe in early 2009. Although the new RS is based on the recently revised Focus ST, Jost Capito, Ford Europe’s Director for Performance Vehicles, and his team, performed many mods to the car, starting with the 2.5-litre 5-cylinder turbocharged engine. Continued

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This morning we were patiently awaiting our daily news regarding a new version of the Mustang, and ROUSH came through by sending us a sneak peak of its new RTC Mustang that will be officially unveiled this weekend at the National Mustang Show in Dublin, OH. There’s no press release available, but from what we can gather it’s a coupe version of the aesthetically-pleasing ROUSH Speedster. Standard equipment includes a special red and black two-tone paint scheme, a 4-piece body kit, upgraded suspension, 20-inch wheels, and more. A supercharger, 14-inch brakes, and a short-throw shifter can also be installed as options. A complete list of features for the RTC package can be found after the jump.

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While some automakers are already promising to have plug-in hyrbids on the road by 2010, the US Department of Energy is now pouring some cash into a slightly less ambitious joint effort with Ford, General Motors, and General Electric, which would see plug-ins capable of driving 40 miles on a single charge roll out by 2014. Under the new effort, General Motors will be tasked with improving lithium-Ion battery packs and charging systems, and integrating them into its own research with a test fleet by 2011, while Ford will be aiming to speed up the mass-production of plug-in hybrids, as well as improve its batteries and build prototype vehicles. Rounding things out, General Electric will be partnering with Chrysler to develop a dual-battery system, which promises to let vehicles travel 40 miles on a charge. All of that is still subject to appropriations by Congress, however, and the aforementioned companies would obviously be pouring in a good chunk of change themselves, as a mere $30 million isn’t exactly quite enough to shake up the auto sector these days.

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