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If you’re wondering about the future of Ford powertrains, the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show and the 2013 Ford Escape should provide all the clues you need. The entry-level crossover features a pair of EcoBoost four-cylinder engines and exactly zero V6 options.

The smallest EcoBoost displaces only 1.6 liters, and promises terrific fuel economy and performance. That engine is the thriftiest engine in the Escape, but what if it were to reside under the hood of something much smaller? That’s where the Fiesta ST Concept comes into play. The performance-oriented Fiesta is on display at the Ford exhibit in LA, and though it’s a showcar for now, this B-segment hatch looks production ready.

Ford claims that in this application, the 1.6-liter EcoBoost delivers 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque – a whopping 60 more ponies than the naturally aspirated 1.6 featured in the garden-variety production Fiesta. Given that the base Fiesta is only 2,600 pounds, we’re guessing 180 horsepower is more than enough punch to turn the Fiesta into one heck of a fun ride.

The Fiesta ST concept certainly looks the part of a high-performance hatch, with a gaping, aggressive black mesh grille, attractive body-colored moldings and chunky five-spoke 17-inch wheels. Hit the jump to read over the Ford press release, and feel free to click on the gallery above for our high-resolution photos.

Continue reading Ford Fiesta ST Concept is a five-door street tough

Ford Fiesta ST Concept is a five-door street tough originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This Land Cruiser comes from the factory with not only the ability to ford deep water, but the intent, as well.

There are many reasons to love Australia. Beautiful beaches, fantastic surfing, miles of unspoiled countryside and balmy winters all do much to stoke our appreciation of the country. We can now add the bare-bones Toyota Land Cruiser GX to that list. Toyota says that it created this particular vehicle for those customers who “tend to abuse, not just drive” their vehicles. That certainly sounds like our kind of people.

The Land Cruiser GX features vinyl floor mats, vertically-hinged rear barn doors, 17-inch steel wheels and, best of all, a snorkel. Yes, this Land Cruiser comes from the factory with not only the ability to ford deep water, but the intent, as well.

In addition to the aquatic equipment, the Land Cruiser GX is packed with an auxiliary fuel tank for traversing the open wastes, plenty of under-body protection and an honest-to-goodness metal key. A 4.5-liter twin-turbo V8 diesel engine sits at the heart of this beast of burden coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission with full-time four-wheel drive courtesy of a Torsen differential. We’re in love. Follow the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Toyota releases extra tough Land Cruiser GX for Australia

Toyota releases extra tough Land Cruiser GX for Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top Gear showed us just how sturdy the Toyota Hilux pickup truck can be. The plucky Brit trio put one poor truck through a series of increasingly harder challenges until they finally strapped it to the roof of a building destined to be demolished. After pulling it off the pile of rubble that used to be an apartment building, the Hilux was eventually started up, and later driven into the Top Gear studio. Needless to say, this is one tough truck we’re talking about here.

Toyota knows its latest Hilux is tough, too, and the automaker has decided to play up this angle for a new series of commercial spots running in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Seeking to show just how unbreakable and manly its pickup is, the machine is put through its paces over hill and dale, from the desert to the top of snow-capped mountains… and it meets some strange blokes along the way.

It’s also so manly that it even makes dainty women into something barely removed from… well, her husband. Click past the jump to see for yourself.

Continue reading 2012 Toyota Hilux proves it’s as tough and unbreakable as ever

2012 Toyota Hilux proves it’s as tough and unbreakable as ever originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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