UK Car Release Dates

It is an extraordinary feat for an American automotive company to corner a good chunk of the European market, particularly in the UK where it is considered to be the melting pot for the global automotive industry. Vehicles of all makes, brands and models is a common sight in the country which is why its surprising to see the Ford Mondeo fitting in nicely with dominant European brands such as BMW and Audi, even if the bulk of this particular model’s sales revenue come from the fleet industry.

One of Ford’s secret to success is catering to the tastes of the UK market and then building a solid line of products using quality materials and revolutionary engines. The Ford Mondeo is no exception and testament to this is its ability to establish a stronghold in the rental fleet business through the years and eventually trickling down to individual sales. Taking things a step further, the Mondeo has been redesigned for 2012 using Ford’s Kinetic Design and ECOnetic technologies, both resulting in improved fuel efficiency and matching good looks.

The 2012 Ford Mondeo is now available for sale in the UK as a stylish 5-door hatchback or estate. There are five models available namely the Edge, Zetec, Titanium, Titanium X and the Titanium X Sport. Prices start for as low as £17,795 for the base Edge model up to £26,845 for the top of the line Titanium X Sport version. Included among the standard features (depending on model tier) are the following: radio/CD with USB connectivity and voice control system, leather steering wheel, CFC-free air conditioning, keyless start with start/stop button, courtesy and entry lights, power windows, power folding mirrors, heated windscreen and rear window, auto start/stop system, anti-theft system, remote alarm with central lock system, airbags for safety, stability control system with ABS, and alloy wheels, to name just a few.

The five model trims available for the Mondeo are also equipped with different diesel and petrol engine configurations which have auto start-stop system to reduce emissions. The engine displacements can be had in the turbocharged 1.6L and 2.0L EcoBoost petrol powerplants producing 160 and 240 horsepower respectively; and the 1.6L (115hp) and 2.0L (163hp) Duratorq TDCi turbocharged diesel engines.

Although a 5-speed manual is standard, there is also an available new powertrain called the Ford PowerShift which uses an advanced 6-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission that selects the next proper gear for your driving speed at the right moment giving better fuel efficiency and mileage. To top it all, buyers will also get the chance to use Ford’s configurator tool which basically gives them the option to tweak their desired Mondeo model according to their own specification.

Ford Mondeo, hatchback, estate

There was a time when small cars were passed up for saloons and SUVs for bigger engines, more cabin space and amenities. Snubbed for their cramped space, weak engines and overall size that makes it dangerous to drive on the freeway, these “econoboxes” were left to rot in dealers' lots, or if it ever gets there at all. But times have changed in favor of fuel efficiency, savings, and green ratings that these subcompacts have been flying out of dealers’ lots faster than one can say “There’s another one!”. 

Yes, zippy little cars are back upon us with a vengeance and car companies have been upping the ante by producing safer subcompacts with different models and engine specifications to entice buyers with frugality and practicality in mind. One such little car is the 2012 Ford Fiesta which has been getting warm reviews for a few years now, not just for its preppy but fuel efficient engines and delightful handling but for its overall build quality as well. In countries such as the UK where heavy vehicular traffic and narrow city streets are as common as Elton John look-alikes and parking space is as rare as a UFO sighting, the subcompact Ford Fiesta is definitely most at home.

Now available for sale in the UK, the 2012 Fiesta starts at a reasonably priced £9,495 for the basic Fiesta Studio model up to £15,845 for the high-end Titanium ECOnetic model. Unlike in the US where there is only one powertrain available, the Euro-spec Fiesta will be powered by any of two diesel or three petrol engines which are all designed to be very fuel efficient and tuned for sporty aggression when need be. The diesels will be offered in 1.4 litre or 1.6 litre TDCi Duratorq spec while the petrol ones will come in 1.25L, 1.4L and 1.6 litre 4-cylinder 16-valve specifications.

Standard equipment and amenities for all models include 12V power socket, radio/CD player with auxiliary inputs, A/C, electric power assisted steering, electronic stability with ABS, and the usual airbags for safety. Extras are also added as you move up on each model tier such as Bluetooth connectivity, chrome and leather trimmings, auto temperature control, sports seats and a lot more. All 2012 Fiesta models will have the standard 5-speed transmission with an optional 4-speed automatic transmission only made available for models powered with the 1.4 litre petrol engine. Buyers will also have the choice of using Ford’s configurator tool to build their desired Ford Fiesta model.

There will also be ten different Fiesta trims available, giving buyers enough to choose from of which are as follows: Studio, Style, Edge, Edge ECOnetic, Zetec, Zetec S, Zetec ECOnetic, Titanium, Titanium ECOnetic, and the new Metal. There’s even a limited edition 2012 Ford Fiesta S1600 134PS of which is a sport performance version derived from the Zetec S trim. So, regardless of which model one ends up driving off the dealer’s lot, the Fiesta will undoubtedly turn heads wherever it goes.

Ford Fiesta, hatchback, subcompact

The UK’s best-selling car to date happens to be a hot hatch wearing an American badge and it is by no means a pushover. Ford’s hottest selling model, the redesigned 2012 Ford Focus, is now available in the UK as a five door hatchback or estate with a variety of trim levels and engines plus a long list of goodies that will rival your local candy shop. The Focus is also reasonably priced and with good reason, Ford Motors has targeted the European market in its global mission to bring forth a Ford in every driveway and make the Ford Focus a global car. 

Prices will start at £15,800 and for that amount one might expect a bare-bones vehicle. But surprisingly, consumers will get more standard equipments than what the Ford Focus’ closest rival could offer. The entry-level Focus Edge model comes with a well-designed interior and quality materials are used all over. There’s a standard voice-controlled digital radio with Bluetooth and USB connection, aircon, power door locks/mirrors/ front windows, stability and torque control systems, anti-lock brakes, and front/side/curtain airbags for safety. An upgrade to the sporty Focus Zetec trim will include keyless entry, automatic headlights, rear spoiler for the hatchback, 16” alloy wheels and a sportier suspension setting. The top spec trim, the Titanium X, would set you back around £25,250 and for that price you get all standard amenities plus leather trims and heated seats, MyFord Touch technology, xenon headlights, LED park lights, one-touch folding side mirrors, 17” alloy wheels, and parking assist sensors among others. 

The 2012 Ford Focus will be powered by three different types of engines, all with frugality in mind. Buyers get to choose from two types of turbo diesels: first is a 1.6L TDCi with 115hp while the other is a 2.0TDCi with a smooth 150 hp under the bonnet. Then there’s the 1.6 litre, 4-cylinder 150 horsepower EcoBoost petrol engine that sips fuel at a rate of 40mpg. All power generated by these engines is thrown to the front wheels through a standard 5-speed manual gearbox, with a 6-speed automatic transmission listed as optional. 

Also included for the 2012 Ford Focus is a host of options and packages for upgrades such as Super Economy Fuel Package, Convenience Package, Sport Package plus the newly developed pop-out Door Edge Protector, a cushion strip that helps prevent car park-related property damages and will come in handy for those who have kids with them in the car.

There are also two new Ford Focus models worth waiting for to go on sale in the UK early in 2012. The first is the Ford Focus ECOnetic which uses a more frugal engine that is rated to consume 80 mpg and the second one is the all-new zero emission Focus Electric. Although actual prices and launch dates are still to be determined as of press time, these models are sure worth the wait if you are in the market for a new car.

Ford Focus, hatchback

Previous versions of the Kuga, which is Fords main crossover vehicle have had very good comfort and control when on the road and the 2011 model is no different. With the way fuel prices are at the moment it should come as no surprise that Ford are offering some new diesel engines in the 2011 Kuga.

The new Kuga will have an all new 2 liter turbo diesel Duratorq TDCi engine which will have 2 models, a meaty 161bhp or a slightly lesser engine with 138bhp.

The 138bhp engine has managed a 6% reduction in CO2 emissions over what was the old 134bhp diesel, which is a decent improvement. 

The new 161bhp engine can get from 0-60mph in just over 9.5 seconds, but this increase in performance doesnt mean a reduce in fuel economy as the new engine actually averages 47.1 mpg, which is more than the old 134bhp engine.

The 4WD Kugas have the option od having Ford’s PowerShift dual-clutch 6-speed automatic transmission, which is a very good option. You can also accessorise your Kuga with Fords new individual pack which offers a  Front Grille,19inch Alloy Wheels ,Roof Rails, Body Coloured Side Skirts,Privacy Glass, Premium Ebony Leather, Floor Mats, Scuff Plates  Aluminium Pedals and High Gloss Black trim. These add ons give the Kuga an added sense of attraction and are probably worth the extra cost if you want to stand out from the crowd. If you want to buy individual Ford Kuga Accessories visit autostylinguk.co.uk.

Overall new new Ford Kuga is an excellent offering if you are looking for a fairly economic crossover but it wont blow you away with its on road performance.

Ford Ford Kuga, 4x4

The 2011 Ford Ranger has completely redesigned, the most noticeably change on the exterior is on the front with completely new fascia, and it has been updated with new bigger headlights, grille and bumper giving it a more sporty appearance. On the interior many changes have taken place as well. A more stylish design, new features, well thought ergonomics for the driver’s comfort and ease in accessing controls. With all these new changes Ford included a fresh palette of colours. With different choices of engines, transmissions and cab configurations, any combination can be put together to customize the Ford ranger to the buyers needs and likes, from a working truck to a family vehicle.

The Ford Ranger is available in four models and three cab configurations; regular cab, double cab and super cab; two engines to choose from the 2.5Lt Duratorq TDCi diesel engine with a maximum output of 143PS/330Nm of torque and the 3.0Lt Duratorq TDCi diesel engine at 156PS/450Nm of torque, both available with a 5-speed manual or automatic transmission and either 4x2 or 4x4 configuration. The 2011 Ford Ranger line-up includes the XL with a starting OTR of £14,661, the XLT at £18,476, the Thunder starting at £19,901 and the Wildtrak at £23,101.

 Among the new features that are standard on the 2011 Ford Ranger we can find the immobiliser and perimeter alarm, remote central locking, integrated CD/AM/FM/MP3 audio system, new fabric trim, heated rear window, electrically-operated windows and heated mirrors, driver and passenger air bags, 4-wheel ABS, these are just some of the standard features that are now included. Going higher on the model scale we’ll find options as the 16” to 18” alloy wheels, air conditioning, leather seats and steering wheel, front fog lights, and what Ford calls the Off-Road Instrumentation Centre which includes a compass, climb/descent and inclination angles indicator and ambient temperature gauges.   

For more information on ford ranger accessories visit the ford website.

Ford Ford Ranger, 4x4