2011 Mastretta MXT

Mexico may be known as a hub for automotive production in the Americas, but it isn't typically identified as a hotbed of design or engineering. The folks at Mastretta are out to change that with their new MXT sports car.

 Powered by a Ford-sourced 2.0-liter Duratec I4 engine mounted amidships and plumbed with a turbo for 250 horsepower and 257 pound-feet of torque, the MXT is a simple, lightweight proposition designed to resonate with the Colin Chapmans and Gordon Murrays of this world. 

 The overall shape of the car is perhaps derivative but quite appealing in person, with better-than-expected fit and finish for a small-volume prototype, though the interior still needs some modest refining (even for an elemental track day car). The aluminum semi-monocoque construction features a carbon fiber belly pan and a steel subframe, and suspension is via double wishbones front and rear. The body is comprised of fiberglass reinforced plastic, which should help with both ease of manufacturing and updating.

Thanks to Mexico's low labor costs, the folks at Mastretta (a company that cut its teeth building kit cars and commercial buses) are optimistic that they can sell the 2,050-pound MT for just $50,000-$60,000 for European audiences, with the goal of eventually bringing the car north to the States. That strikes us as an ambitious target for a car with over 1,800 unique pieces and a handful of major carbon fiber components, but with virtually no costly electronics to develop (there's no stability control, ABS, or what have you) and no airbags (at least in this prototype stage), it's possible that they could be on to something. 

Mastretta officials we spoke with are going for UK certification shortly in order to sell the MXT across Europe. Plans for any U.S. sales will require passing a more stringent homologation process, however, so the company will likely need to build sales momentum before it attempts to set a foot in the North American market. Volume targets are modest at present, with initial production plans calling for one car a week, ramping quickly to about 150 units per year, with a longer-term goal being 500 units.

2012 Ford Focus ST

The 2012 Ford Focus ST will be the brand’s first high-performance model developed under the watchful eye of its global performance vehicle team, and while the hatch you see here is being billed as a design study. The new Ford Focus ST will be the centerpiece of the automaker’s display at the upcoming 2010 Paris Auto Show. The Focus ST is slated to go on sale in early 2012, about a year after its stablemates begin to reach dealers in North America and Europe.

Power is provided by an EcoBoost 2.0-liter inline four churning out 247 turbocharged horsepower, and Ford promises that the ST’s handling and aural delights will live up to the marque’s performance heritage. On display in Paris for the first time together are all three body styles of the new Focus — four-door sedan, five-door hatchback and four-door wagon.

Also coming to Paris this year will be the C-MAX and Grand C-MAX and the new Mondeo. Fordalso plans to detail the technology that will drive its upcoming C-Max plug-in hybrid, which will be built in Valencia, Spain.

Ford Explorer 2011

This is the new Ford Explorer has just been shown is ints production state, it won't be the body on frame SUV, but a unibody crossover, this should improve fuel economy, as will as the EcoBoost V6 motor, it should get 19 MPG City, 28 MPG Highway . But it will be still be able to tow up to 5000 pounds . It's expected to be released in the showrooms in this fall .

Shelby-Cobra-GT500

Body style(s) 2-door convertible
2-door coupe
Platform :Ford D2C platform
Engine(s) :5.4L 500 hp V8
5.4L 540 hp V8
Transmission(s) 6-speed manual
Wheelbase : 107.1 in (2720 mm)
Length 2010 : 188.1 in (4778 mm)
Width 2010 : 73.9 in (1877 mm)
Height 2010 :Coupe: 55.6 in (1412 mm) Convertible: 56.1 in (1425 mm)