Ford Australia’s muscle car division, Ford Performance Vehicles has undergone a significant makeover in response to the ongoing lull in sales of FPV’s roided up offering. GoAuto reports that the new boss Rod Barrett has a firm agenda of bringing some new life and variety into the stable.

I’m sure we can expect an FPV Territory to be in the mix given it’s class dominance. One must ponder though, what better way to add some real spice than by adding some horns to the increasingly successful Fiesta XR4 and Focus XR5 Turbo!

Whilst rather firm speculation is available at this stage, owners across the globe have already proven the XR4 and XR5T very capable of building more horses easily through tweaking two very capable hot hatches. We won’t have to wait too long either with two new FPV models being launched during the Australian International Motorshow this October.

Surely one must be tantalised by the thought! What would you like to see as standard in an FPV variant XR4 and XR5T?

[Source: CarAdvice]

Don’t look now but more Ford RS talk is afoot with a development mule running around the Nürburgring last week according to sources from Car. It is expected that the Ford RS all gussied up in it’s new Focus skin will be announced at the Geneva motor show in 2008.

The above pictures show advance electronic load-monitors measuring the car’s handling and ride characteristics. The RS team are working to ensure the volvo sourced AWD platform performs in concert with the upgraded steering, suspension and overhauled engine.

The blown 2.5L 5 cylinder engine sourced from the Ford ST is expected to receive over 300bhp (220kW) and 280lb ft of torque for true pinned to the seat performance. This performance is achieved through a new variable intake and exhaust manifold, uprated turbo with larger intercooler, larger oil cooler and reinforced con-rods.

Many a Ford ST / XR5 admirer have been waiting for some fresh clues that an AWD hero car to challenge the Evo X and Impreza STI was coming, thankfully the wait is over. The Ford RS is expected to be priced around the £28,000 upon it’s release around this time next year.

All join me in praying to the Hot Hatch Heavens that the RS enjoys worldwide distribution ensuring many fans enjoy what will be a performance bargain.

[SOURCE: Car via Autoblog]

The latest episode of Fifth Gear sports a less than impressive attempt at reviewing the latest 7 Hottest of Hatches available across Europe.

A full line up consisting of the *breathe in* Seat Leon Cupra, Mazda 3 MPS, Astra VXR, Golf GTI Edition 30, Civic Type-R, Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R36 (or something similar) and the Ford Focus ST would stir most Hot Hatch admirers.

Unfortunately Tom Ford and Jonny Smith drew some rather quick conclusions and whittled it down to the Golf GTI Edition 30 vs the Ford Focus ST. The good news, Tiff Needell then got busy on the track for a final conclusion.

After 30 years in play, the Fiesta brand is no longer relevant to the arrival of the new super-mini in 2008 according to Ford insiders.

Driven by the departure from the traditional Fiesta mindset, Ford have put the feelers out to the international car titles register investigating the availability of Genesis, Isis and Phoenix as replacements. The Cuga, already registered by Ford is also up for consideration.

Given the long standing credibility the Fiesta has lended to the Ford brand it will be interesting to see if the little fighter can survive another round. Let’s not forget that 1998 saw the lorded Escort make way for the Focus whilst the Mondeo also came close to being replaced on the current model.

[source: Auto Express]

Japan, a meca for high performance cars of all shapes and sizes is receiving a very limited edition run (10) of White Focus STs to celebrate the recent successes in the WRC.

Whilst the White Focus ST may seem rather understated for most markets, it’s a traditional racing colour for Japan and ontop of the fact that the only current Focus STs available in Electric Orange and Performance Blue the opportunity of being one of the lucky 10 owners in all of Japan will ensure this small marketing venture will be a raging success.

Ford Japan will also be introducing the Panther Black Focus ST and Fiesta ST to the market providing more flexibility to what is quickly developing as a very receptive market.

A strong heritage in the World Rally Championship, the Ford Focus ST is proving to be a firm success for the Ford Motor Company in all corners of the world.