Prior to the introduction of the new-for-2004 Mustang, Ford sold about 70-percent of its pony cars with V6s, while the remaining 30-percent came with V8s. That figure shifted when the retro coupe went on sale in late ’03 and Ford was forced to bump up the output of its V8-equipped models to keep up with demand.

Over the last few years, 52-percent of ‘Stangs came with the 4.6-liter V8, but rising fuel prices and the fact that enthusiasts bought early has brought that number back down to 45-percent, so Ford will be reducing the number of 2008 Mustangs it builds with a V8.

We’re sure the excessive amount of special edition models helped fuel the initial fire for the V8, and we expect the eight cylinder engine to comprise over 50-percent of sales once again when a refreshened Mustang hits the market before the end of the decade. That said, we recall that Ford’s newish 3.5L V6 is suited to rear-wheel-drive, and expect that engine or a version of it, coupled with a six-speed automatic, to land in the Mustang’s engine bay eventually. After all, Ford promised that the 3.5L V6 would power 1 in 5 of its models by 2010.

[Source: AutoBlog]

Despite the lack of a formal announcement (nor any real surprise), the Detroit News has the inside scoop on Ford’s plan to close its Ontario plant after production of the Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car ceases, likely by the end of 2010.

The 2.6-million square foot facility currently employs over 2,400 workers and has built a number of models, ranging from the Pinto to the Escort.

Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) president, Buzz Hargrove, admitted to the News that, “There’s nothing we can do to save St. Thomas,” but we think there is. Convince Ford that the livery market is still dependent on the Panther-platform stalwart, despite New York City’s vow to make all of its taxis hybrids in the next few years, and revamp the current car to be all things to all cops by fitting a new V8, a custom, police-friendly interior and anything else the boys (and gals) in blue could want.

[Source: AutoBlog]

We got our first look at the Ford Kuga in concept form at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show and it looks like the production model won’t be straying very far, stylewise. The Kuga should land in European Ford dealerships in spring 2008 powered by a variety of engines, including Ford’s latest 2.0L turbodiesel. With the Escape bearing much more of a resemblance to Ford’s truck lineup, if the team in Dearborn really wants the Mercury Mariner to be more upscale they would bring this design over as its replacement. Hell, just make this the new Escape and forget about Mercury. The Kuga will probably debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March alongside the Fiesta/Verve.

[Source: The Hollywood Extra]

Over the past two years, the Ford Escape Hybrid has demonstrated its robustness as a taxi in New York City and other major metropolitan areas. Meanwhile, hybrids like the Toyota Prius have become increasingly popular among limousine services catering to companies that want to demonstrate their green credentials. Now Ford wants a piece of that action too, and it’s using the Escape Hybrid’s stablemate, the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, to get it. Ford is now offering a hybrid livery package on the Mariner Hybrid that it hopes will make the green conscious CUV more appealing to care-for-hire services. Curiously, however, the press release after the jump makes no mention of what differentiates a Mariner Hybrid with the hybrid livery package from the standard vehicle. The only difference between the two appears to be the buyer.

It definitely seems like Ford is trying to get taxi services to replace their Crown Vics with the Escape Hybrid and limo/car-for-hire services to replace their Lincoln Town Cars with the slightly more luxurious Mercury Mariner Hybrid. More power to ‘em we suppose, but in both cases the person being chauffeured is giving up a lot of legroom. Nevertheless, the Mariner should be a popular choice in the car-for-hire business thanks to its larger passenger and cargo volume compared to the Toyota Prius.

[Source: AutoBlog]

Yesterday’s Focus ST500 special edition is cool and all, but what most Focus fans overseas are looking forward to is the next ST. Well, the wait’s over thanks to the UK’s Auto Express. The mag has pulled the cover off of the updated hot hatch, which incorporates all the latest Ford of Europe design cues. The headlights are very Mondeo, and that gaping lower intake shows us that the maw on the Verve concept was not some show car exaggeration. It’s a styling element that’s now officially been used on a production vehicle. Around back, the hatch is updated and the rear bumper has a diffuser insert.

As before, 3- and 5-door models will be offered, and the new car’s powertrain also remains unchanged. It packs the same 2.5L 222-horsepower turbo five-cylinder underhood as the outgoing car, and it even keeps the same pricing scheme. The three-door ranges from £17,995 for the ST to £19,995 for the loaded-up ST-3. Five-door versions add another £600 to the bottom line. The updated Focus ST goes on sale in March 2008. While our pals across the pond get this toy to play with, we’re stuck with the new car whose front end looks like it’s made of Duplo blocks. But it has Sync, so rejoice.

[Source: Auto Express]

The Detroit News is reporting that Mercury will debut a new a upper-level trim line called VOGA today at the South Florida International Auto Show. Debuting on the 2008 Mercury Mariner, the VOGA trim will have its own color scheme, an embroidered leather interior (we wonder how it compares to Cadillac’s “Cut and Sew” leather interiors), new five-spoke wheels with “VOGA” center caps and other design cues that take inspiration from the fashion industry.

Last year Mercury unveiled the Milan VOGA Concept at the South Florida International Auto Show. That car was designed by Camilo Pardo, who also designed the Ford GT. It featured a stainless steel roof, tasteful body kit, 20-inch wheels and a gorgeous stainless blue metallic paint job. At the time we remarked that these additions would make a terrific trim package for the Milan, and while Mercury appears to agree, the actual VOGA trim debuting on the Mariner sounds as if it will be much more subdued, which is a shame.

The VOGA trim will be available on the 2008 Mercury Mariner early next year according to The Detroit News. We’ll bring you more info and official pics from Ford as soon as they’re released, but for now we wonder if you think the VOGA trim is a sign of health for Mercury or a quick and inexpensive way for Ford to capitalize on Mercury’s success this year.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Ford has already told us that its main focus at this year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas will be the new Focus. Nevertheless, the Blue Oval knows that the F-150 pays the bills and there’s no faster growing segment than CUVs right now. As such, Ford will have a whole contingent of customized pickups and CUVs in Sin City at the end of month. On hand will be the Project 2008 F-150 FX-2 V2 sporting many items you can pick out from the Ford Racing parts catalogue, as well as set of nice looking 22-inch GT500-style wheels. There’s also the 1951 F-Series pickup we told you about a while back that was completed by the Make-A-Wish foundation for cancer patient Justin Lilley. Then there’s the standard SEMA fare, including a low-riding F-150 and one that’s jacked high up off the ground, an Urban Rider Expedition and Onyx black Navigator, and customized versions of the Edge, Escape and Lincoln MKX.

Check them all out in the gallery below, along with Ford’s own descriptions of what each has to offer the discerning tuner.

[Source: AutoBlog]