Autoblog UK

At motor shows around the world, exhibitors have recently vied with each other to present an image of modesty. Not so in the US gambling mecca of Las Vegas where the biggest names in auto tuning are currently flexing their muscles at the SEMA convention (3rd - 6th November). The American tuning and accessories industry had a turnover of over $30bn last year, a trend that looks set to continue. The abbreviation SEMA stands for Specialty Equipment Market Association. Trade representatives from more than 100 countries are expected to attend the event which is being held on 180,000 square metres of exhibition space.

There are around 2,000 exclusive models on display. This show has the lot, from beefed-up muscle cars and pick-ups to show cars and the full gamut of tuning components. To nobody's surprise, the Mustang once again registers as the most 'pimped' vehicle, with no fewer than eight different versions of the sports car on display. Probably the most interesting of these comes from the Ford Racing Team, who are producing the Mustang Cobra Jet in a limited edition of fifty units. Every single one of the 2010 version has been sold already, so a wistful glance at the gallery below will have to suffice.

Ford's strategy of renewing their whole portfolio of models on a rolling basis is proving to be highly successful. The new range of vans, both large and small, is getting an excellent response from the buying public. And this success story could continue into 2010 with the arrival of the C-MAX and Grand C-MAX, the latter of which is even due for release in the USA. Both are based on the new C-segment (compact) platform which is intended to turn the next generation of the Focus into a genuine contender for the title consistently retained by the VW Golf. Until that happens, though, Ford continue to consolidate their position as the second strongest brand in Europe and deserve all the accolades that are coming their way.

Despite sharing a name with a sister model in Europe, American versions of the same car obey different design rules. Instead of zippy dynamics, the stress on the far side of the Atlantic is on muscle and bulk. US vehicles are characterised by their massive chrome radiator grilles, colossal 'fenders' (bumpers) and what seems to us rather dated styling, referred to by design departments as 'Red, White and Bold'. The term is a play on words, alluding to the colours of the national flag – red, white and blue. 'Bold' is used in the deliberately ambiguous sense of both 'intrepid' and 'garish'.

But when sales are going downhill, it's time for a rethink. Suddenly, the Americans are looking to Europe for their inspiration and adopting the more successful sleeker styling. The design philosophy of Ford Europe has now become a role model for the US market. In future, all new vehicles produced by the parent company will be designed accordingly, thereby superseding the traditional, uniquely American style. The first models to display the new look are the Fiesta and C-Max, both of which were developed in Europe. The latest generation of the Focus will follow suit.

"Is this your car?" said the two policemen that had come up behind me as I filled the boot one night. I nervously remembered the motoring journalist who found himself pinned to the tarmac after unwisely lunging for the glovebox of a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow to show his papers (the police thought he was going for a gun, which may say something about the image of Silver Shadows). However, I need not have worried – the officers wanted to check out the RS and their uniforms meant they could be a little more detailed in the examination than the punter who quizzes you at the petrol station while you fill up with Super Unleaded . Within two minutes, it progressed from "Can we sit in it?" to "Can you give us a ride?" Taking them down the road for a quick demo, they were in heaven. "This would be the perfect car for chases around council estates", which is a road test criterion that had not occurred to me. The highlight of the drive was when I wanted to make an illegal U-Turn – "That is OK, sir – you are on official police business."

In an exclusive briefing, at which Autoblog was the only UK representative, Ford gave a warning that prospects for the whole European industry depended on continuing the scrappage incentive programme in Germany.

There have been independent forecasts that sales in Germany could fall by almost 1 million units a year if the scrappage programme is not extended, and Ford said such a decline would kill off the prospects of recovery for all European manufacturers, as well as bankrupting many German dealers.

Conversely, Ford reckons the economic prospects in the rest of Europe are pretty positive for 2010 and there should be a recovery in most markets – but that will count for nothing if the German market falls off a cliff.

Autoblog's Will Powell reports from the Frankfurt Motor Show

The covers are off the more stylish, all-new Ford C-Max and seven-seat Grande C-Max, launched at today's Frankfurt motor show. Both are based on the same platform that will underpin next year's all-new Ford Focus and - perhaps even more crucially - both usher in Ford's new EcoBoost engines, technology that will finally stand the Blue Oval in good stead against VW and it's small yet powerful TSI motors.

Ford claims its new 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine offers the performance of a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre with the fuel economy and CO2 emissions of a 1.6. It's got direct injection and is turbocharged, with versions of the 1.6 engine varying in states of tune between 150-180bhp yet able to offer a twenty percent improvement in fuel economy compared with the outgoing units. A 2.0-litre EcoBoost will also be launched with power outputs varying between 210-280bhp , while a small capacity 1.2-litre is expected in the future. These new units will roll out first on the latest C-Max before rapidly being made available elsewhere in Ford's line-up.

Both the five- and seven-seat C-Max have been designed be more visually appealing than the previous model, as Ford attempts to broaden the car's appeal. The previous model was bought mainly by older people and Ford is keen to appeal to a younger family customer with this one.

The larger seven-seat Grande C-Max (which sits between the standard five-seater and the S-Max) has also been conceived with a view to conquering the American market. It's got a longer wheelbase than the standard model and electric sliding doors for ease of access, but in the metal it's styling seems a little bland and unconvincing, even if it is neatly packaged. The funkier five-seat C-Max meanwhile looks on first impressions like it could succeed in expanding the model's appeal.

The new engines and both versions of the C-MAX go on sale at the start of next year.

Ford has now published the first pictures of the new C-MAX. This all-new, compact MPV is one of the most interesting launches at this year's International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt. Ford has taken numerous design cues from the sensational 'Iosis MAX' concept car, which was exhibited this spring at the Geneva Motor Show. The mark two version of the Ford C-MAX will be on sale in Europe in the latter part of 2010. It is the first of a number of future models based on the new C-Segment underpinnings planned for use throughout the world, as will be the new Ford Focus, which is to be introduced at the start of 2011.

The Ford design team have dusted themselves off and are stepping out in style. One look at the new Kuga will confirm this. But what is the situation under the bonnet? Workmanship and reliability are OK. They are also up to date on safety features. But the Kuga still shows up Ford's shortcomings. No powerful diesel, no more economical entry-level petrol engine and no automatic transmission for the diesel. The Kuga apparently has more in store. But Ford certainly need to expand the bandwidth of this model if they are hoping to keep up with market leader VW. At least the rejuvenated image is a step in the right direction.

A Ford Fiesta equipped to rallycross specification won the grand finale of the X Games in California. On a circuit in Los Angeles, the 450bhp Fiesta laid on a magnificent performance, not only of speed but also the ability to jump over obstacles, which also counted towards the final score. By participating in such events, Ford hope to popularise their compact car before it makes its market debut next year. This appearance certainly turned out to be a huge success. You can see the Ford Fiesta competing in the X Games in the photo gallery below.

After the Sprint Cup, the Nationwide is regarded as a sort of NASCAR second division. Next year, the organisers are planning to follow up what they have already done in the Sprint Cup by entering a CoT (Car of Tomorrow) for some of the races. In the 2011 season, all Nationwide races will then be contested by this new vehicle. At Dodge, they would like to run their Silhouette under the designation of Challenger, and in Ford's case, their racer would indeed be a Mustang.