2011 Jaguar XKR 75 To Debut at Goodwood

Jaguar is to unveil the limited edition Jaguar XKR 75 at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 2 in celebration of Jaguar’s 75th anniversary! Jaguar Cars Ltd.

Jaguar engineers increased the power and torque of the acclaimed 5.0-litre supercharged engine to 530PS and 655Nm respectively for the XKR 75, to deliver truly outstanding performance. While the limited edition model’s top speed is electronically limited to 174mph (280km/h), the XKR 75’s 0—60mph (100km/h) acceleration time is reduced from 4.6 to 4.4 seconds compared to the standard 510 PS XKR.

The Jaguar XKR 75 features revised suspension and handling for increased precision and agility in addition to the performance enhancements. To ensure the XKR 75 remains stable at high speeds, a revised aerodynamic body pack with a front splitter, side sills extensions, a rear diffuser and larger rear spoiler provide increased balance and a reduction in lift. The XKR’s computerised Active Differential Control also adjusts to reduce steering sensitivity at very high speeds, further improving stability and driver control.

In October, Jaguar will begin delivering cars to customers in the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Press Release

JAGUAR XKR 75 MAKES DEBUT AT GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED

• XKR 75 to celebrate Jaguar's 75thanniversary
• Only 75 will be produced making it one of the most exclusive and exciting XKR's
• Higher performance than standard XKR - 0-60 seconds time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 174mph
• Power and torque increased to 530PS and 655Nm respectively
• Upgraded handling and suspension package for increased precision and agility
• Sports exhaust with improved acoustics to match performance

An exclusive XKR - the XKR 75 - will make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 2.

Jaguar Land Rover's new CEO, Dr Ralf Speth, initiated the challenge to the Jaguar engineering team to construct an XKR to celebrate Jaguar's 75th anniversary, which would deliver a combination of enhanced performance, superb chassis and steering control and grip levels to inspire the driving enthusiast to explore the true potential of the XKR's capabilities.

Mike O'Driscoll, managing director, Jaguar Cars, said: "The XKR 75 will provide owners with exclusivity, excitement and a hint of Jaguar's great heritage. This is a fitting way to celebrate the sporting credentials of the XK marque in the 75th year of the Jaguar name," he continued.

Jaguar engineers increased the power and torque of the acclaimed 5.0-litre supercharged engine to 530PS and 655Nm respectively for the XKR 75, to deliver truly outstanding performance. While the limited edition model's top speed is electronically limited to 174mph (280km/h), the XKR 75's 0-60mph (100km/h) acceleration time is reduced from 4.6 to 4.4 seconds compared to the standard 510 PS XKR.

Using the rigid lightweight aluminium architecture of the XK as a solid foundation, theincreased power of the XKR 75 is matched by an agile, dynamic chassis that handles supremely, rides exceptionally well and stops with surefooted reassurance time after time.

The Jaguar XKR 75 features revised suspension and handling for increased precision and agility in addition to the performance enhancements. To ensure the XKR 75 remains stable at high speeds, a revised aerodynamic body pack with a front splitter, side sills extensions, a rear diffuser and larger rear spoiler provide increased balance and a reduction in lift.The XKR's computerised Active Differential Control also adjusts to reduce steering sensitivity at very high speeds, further improving stability and driver control.

And with an improved acoustics package for the semi-active sports exhaust, the XKR 75 produces a pulse-racing growl to match its performance.

The car's driver-focussed character, however, has not been achieved at the expense of the Jaguar traditional values of refinement and comfort.

"We conceived the XR 75 as a sports car with a duality of character that makes it perfectly suited to driving across Europe to the Nurburgring, completing some very fast laps, and then driving home again, added Mike Cross, Chief Engineer Vehicle Integrity.

The XKR 75 features a new Stratus Grey finish. Red brake callipers contrast the eye-catching 20-inch gloss Vortex forged lightweight alloys with a dark technical finish and diamond turn. Customers will have the option to apply a unique body graphic that runs from the front bumper to the rear haunches.

The XKR 75's interior completes the driver-focussed performance environment finished in Charcoal with ivory stitch, piano black finish to facia and centre console and a Jet suedecloth headlining.

THE XKR 75 AT A GLANCE

The unique features of the exclusive new XKR 75 include:

• Increased performance through detailed engine and transmission recalibration
  • Power increased to 530PS (compared to 510 PS on XKR)
  • Torque increased to 655Nm (compared to 625Nm on XKR)
  • Upgraded torque converter to handle the increased torque

• Upgraded suspension systems for increased precision and agility
  • Increased spring and damper rates (front springs 28 per cent stiffer, rear springs 32 per cent stiffer)
  • New fully-machined aluminium front and revised rear suspension upright for increased camber stiffness (increased by 25 per cent)
  • Re-tuned Adaptive Dynamics damper control software
  • Reduced ride height (15mm front and 10mm rear)

• Aerodynamic body pack with body coloured finish to front splitter, side sills extensions and rear diffuser, and body coloured larger rear spoiler and rear trunk lid finisher

• Sports exhaust with improved performance and acoustics - system has new crossover pipe and larger exhaust outlets
• New Stratus Grey exterior paint with optional graphics pack
• Red brake callipers and 20" Vortex forged lightweight alloy wheels, diamond turned with dark grey finish
• XKR performance interior in Charcoal and Ivory stitch leather, with Jet suedecloth headlining and XKR 75 tread plate
• Active front lighting
• Final calibration was done in partnership with the RSR engineering team which has been collaborating with Jaguar on the 2010 motorsport programme.

Production of the XKR 75 will be limited to just 75 vehicles, which will be available to order from July 2010 in the UK priced from £85,500 OTR. Customer deliveries will commence during October.

Ford Mustang V6 aims for 1,000 laps of Bristol track on one tank of fuel

How many laps of Bristol Motor Speedway will a V6-powered Ford Mustang run on one tank of fuel? Ford is about to find out as part of a marketing effort for the car, which got new V6 and V8 powertrains for the 2011 model year.



The 2011 Ford Mustang with its 305-hp 3.7L V6 engine set a new record by averaging 48.5 mpg on a track while completing 1,457 laps at an average speed of 43.9 mph.



The 2011 Mustang V6 has spent about 12 hours going 1000 laps on ¾ of a tank of gas and that would suggest that the Mustang has roughly 3-4 hours left and if they maintain an average of 43mph (they are shooting for 45, but there are stops and such), they are on a pace to run 129-172 more miles, or 242 to 322 laps - finishing up somewhere between 11pm and midnight.



Of course that 48.5 mpg record has been achieved by driving consistently on a track with average speed of 43.9 mph. The real life economy of the V6 Mustang is 31 mpg which is still very impressive considering that it delivers 305 hp. We’d just like to say well done to Ford and all those drivers who tolerated hours hours of mind-numbingly boring consistent economy driving to set this record!



So anyone who placed their bets on whether or not the Mustang had it in him, either start collecting or start paying. The Mustang proves to be a killer muscle car that wipes the floor with the 29mpg highway of the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro and the 26mpg of the 2010 Dodge Charger.













Press Release



MUSTANG V-6 AVERAGES 48.5 MPG; RUNS 1,457 LAPS AT BRISTOL ON A SINGLE TANK OF GAS

• The 2011 Ford Mustang V-6 sets a new record by averaging 48.5 mpg on a track while completing 1,457 laps with an average speed of 43.9 mph
• Mustang is powered by a new 3.7-liter V-6 engine that uses advanced engineering and technology to deliver great performance and fuel economy
• More than 51,000 entries were received for the Mustang 1,000 Lap Challenge with 22 entries guessing the winning number of laps
• A team of five drivers, including four Ford Mustang engineers and Ford NASCAR star David Ragan, drove the Mustang during its record run

Mustang 1,000 Lap Challenge



BRISTOL, TN., June 24, 2010 – The 2011 Ford Mustang, which made history when it became the first car ever to deliver more than 30 mpg and 305 horsepower, has set a new record by running 1,457 laps at Bristol Motor Speedway while averaging 48.5 mpg.



The Mustang 1,000 Lap Challenge was designed to demonstrate that a stock production Mustang V-6 could run 1,000 laps and 533 miles on a single of tank of fuel. With the aid of fuel efficient driving techniques by Ford engineers, the Mustang far surpassed its goal of 1,000 laps.



"To see a Mustang post average fuel economy of 48.5 mpg while running at Bristol is impressive," said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer. "The new V-6 engine along with the advanced six-speed transmission in the car is a key element in delivering both fuel economy and performance for Mustang."



Ford is committed to being a fuel economy leader in every segment it competes in and Mustang's leads in its class along with other Ford fuel economy leaders like the Ford Fiesta, Fusion Hybrid and new Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, America's most fuel efficient luxury sedan.



The Challenge team, which included NASCAR star David Ragan and four Ford Mustang engineers, completed the challenge in 17 hours and 40 minutes, showing off the 2011 Mustang V-6's class-leading fuel economy by averaging 48.5 mpg over the course of the 776.5 miles logged during the Challenge. That distance is more than the two complete NASCAR Sprint Cup events that take place in Bristol every year.



Ragan pushed the Mustang past the 1,000-lap mark at 7:26 p.m., 12 hours and 26 minutes into the Challenge, but the car wasn't close to being out of fuel. Mustang engineer Seong Park was behind the wheel when it finally came to a halt (on the backstretch) of the famed NASCAR track at 12:41 a.m. local time.



Other Mustang Challenge team drivers included Tom Barnes, Jonathan Mehl and Carl Ek, who along with Park, rotated through one-hour driving stints during the event, which took place at the world's fastest half-mile track.



"When we hit 1,000 laps we still had a quarter of a tank of gas left," said David Ragan, driver of the No. 6 UPS Ford Fusion for Roush Fenway Racing, and the man who drove the 2011 V-6 Mustang past the 1,000 lap mark. "The last driving stint before I passed 1,000 laps I was averaging 43.7 miles a gallon and that is unbelievable. These guys have run the distance of more than two Sprint Cup races at Bristol and they still have fuel left. Congratulations to everyone behind the Mustang and to everyone at Ford, because this 2011 Mustang V-6 is really something special."



A team of Ford engineers prepared for the challenge by implementing fuel efficient driving tips like minimizing the use of air conditioning, steady and consistent driving, avoiding sudden stops/starts and by keeping the RPMs low. The engine in the Mustang is powered by a lightweight, all-aluminum 3.7-liter dual-overhead-cam (DOHC) V-6 engine that uses advanced engineering to deliver its combination of power and economy. Twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) adjusts the valve train in microseconds depending on driver inputs, further contributing to the engine's overall efficiency. The Mustang used in the challenge is a stock production vehicle that can be purchased through a Ford dealer.



"This is beyond our wildest dreams," said Tom Barnes, the lead engineer for the Ford Mustang 1,000 Lap Challenge. "There have been a lot of people who have done a lot of things in preparing this 2011 Mustang V-6 to run the Mustang 1,000 Lap Challenge and have the success we have had today. It was great when we went past the 1,000 lap mark with David, but nobody could ever imagine that we still had five hours ahead of us. This is a fantastic feeling and it shows again what a great car the 2011 Mustang V-6 is."



More than 51,000 consumers registered their guesses for the event at www.mustang1000lapchallenge.com. One lucky consumer that correctly guessed 1,457 laps will be randomly drawn from all correct entries and will win their own 2011 Mustang V-6.

Honda CR Z USA Price Announced

Honda officially announced that the 2011 CR-Z Hybrid Sportscar will go on sale in America from August, starting from Just 19,200 USD. The Honda CR-Z will be made available in three trim levels, base, EX and EX with Navi, and with a choice between two transmissions, a 6-speed manual and the company's CVT gearbox. The fuel consumption of the Honda CR-Z equipped with the manual gearbox is rated at 31 mpg in the city, 37 mpg on the highway and 34 mpg in the combined cycle. The CVT version of the Honda CR-Z is rated at 35 mpg in the city, 39 mpg on the open roads and 37 mpg in the combined cycle.

Upgrading to the CR-Z EX requires $21,510 and adds fog lights, aluminum pedals, Bluetooth connectivity, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an upgraded sound system with a subwoofer. The top-spec EX with navigation trim is $23,310 and, as the name suggests, adds a nav system, with voice recognition, to the EX’s equipment list.

The base model comes standard with AM/FM/CD/USB audio system with six speakers, automatic climate control, power windows and door locks, remote entry, cruise control, and more. The 2011 CR-Z EX adds a  360-watt AM/FM/CD high-power audio system with 7 speakers, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, leather-wrapped steering wheel and more. Optional on the CR-Z EX is the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice Recognition.

All CR-Zs feature a hybridized 1.5-liter petrol engine with 122 hp (91 kW / 124 PS) and 128 lb-ft (174 Nm) of torque.




Press Release

The all-new 2011 Honda CR-Z sport hybrid coupe is set to debut at dealers on August 24, 2010, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at $19,200, plus a destination and handling charge(1) of $750, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.

Developed as a stylish, driver-focused vehicle with an emphasis on efficient performance, the all-new 2011 Honda CR-Z introduces a sleek two-passenger coupe design with quick, sporty handling to the gasoline-electric hybrid segment. A 1.5-liter iVTEC 4-cylinder engine works with Honda's unique, compact and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system to supply both power and efficiency to the CR-Z. A sport-focused, six-speed manual transmission is a first for any mass-produced hybrid. An automatic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is available and includes steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters for manual-like gear-ratio control.

A new, exclusive 3-mode drive system allows the driver to configure the vehicle's responsiveness for Sport, Normal or Econ (Economy) driving modes. Driver efficiency tools include Eco Assist(TM) and Eco Scoring, which together can help drivers find improvements to efficient driving styles, while also comparing economy achievements to previous trips as well as the life of the vehicle.

The CR-Z is available in two equipment grades - the well-equipped CR-Z (base) and the feature-rich CR-Z EX. Standard features on the CR-Z include an AM/FM/CD/USB audio system with six speakers, automatic climate control, power windows and door locks, remote entry, cruise control, and more.

The CR-Z EX adds a 360-watt AM/FM/CD high-power audio system with seven speakers - including a subwoofer - Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, leather-wrapped steering wheel and more. The CR-Z EX is available with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System(TM) with Voice Recognition(2).

The CR-Z demonstrates the Honda commitment to safety in the vehicle's design and construction. The Advanced Compatibility Engineering(TM) (ACE(TM)) body structure is designed to help protect vehicle occupants in a frontal collision. Additional safety technologies include Vehicle Stability Assist(TM) (VSA®); standard dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; standard front-side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); side-curtain airbags; active head restraints; an anti-lock braking system; a tire pressure monitoring system; and a pedestrian injury mitigation design in the front of the vehicle.

Model	Transmission	MSRP	EPA** City/Hwy/ Combined
CR-Z	MT	$19,200	31/37/34
CR-Z	CVT	$19,850	35/39/37
CR-Z EX	MT	$20,760	31/37/34
CR-Z EX	CVT	$21,410	35/39/37
CR-Z EX with Navigation	MT	$22,560	31/37/34
CR-Z EX with Navigation	CVT	$23,210	35/39/37

Additional media information, including detailed pricing features and high-resolution photography of the 2011 Honda CR-Z, is available at www.hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at automobiles.honda.com.

(1) MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $750.00 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.

(2) The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System(TM) is available on the CR-Z EX model in the United States, except Alaska. Please see the navigation system manual for details.

(3) Based on 2011 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

New Audi Active Safety Systems

The Ingolstadt company has just announces that it has developed three new Audi active safety systems.The Audi Driver Assistance Systems project house and Audi Electronics venture GmbH are presenting three projects from the realm of active safety at the concluding event of the AKTIV research initiative.

3D-imaging sensor system that gathers images of what's in front of the car. A processing unit then analyzes the 3D images and identifies possible hazards in front of the car. Depending on the results, the Audi Safety for Pedestrians and Cyclists system can initiate braking and steering actions to avoid the obstacle.

The new brake function presented at the event reflects Audi’s systematic philosophy of assisting the driver in critical situations, thus helping to avoid accidents or at least mitigate accident severity. The results of the three projects are flowing into ongoing series development of predictive vehicle safety systems and help to further enhance safety on the roads.

Audi's new Driving Safety and Attentiveness project uses a camera-based observation system that monitors the driver's level of attentiveness by monitoring such factors as head orientation and position.

via:zercustoms



Press Release

Audi researching technologies for active safety

• Audi presents three active safety projects
• Subprojects: “Active Emergency Braking,” “Safety for Pedestrians and Cyclists,”

“Driving Safety and Attentiveness”


Employees of the Audi Driver Assistance Systems project house and Audi Electronics Venture GmbH are presenting three projects from the realm of active safety at the concluding event of the AKTIV research initiative.

“The development of predictive systems for vehicle safety is already a focus at Audi today. The information gleaned from this research provides significant value-added for our daily development work and is of vital importance for the next generation of vehicles,” says Dr. Ulrich Widmann, Head of Vehicle Safety Development at AUDI AG.

The engineers of AUDI AG and Audi Electronics Venture GmbH have looked into the future of active safety for three subprojects as part of the AKTIV research initiative. This field of research is focused on systems that intervene actively in the driving process and thus help to defuse critical situations and avoid accidents.

AKTIV is derived from the German for “Adaptive and Cooperative Technologies for Intelligent Traffic.” Over the course of a four-year research period, the project partners developed new driver assistance systems, information technologies and possible solutions for efficient traffic management with the aim of making future traffic safer and more fluid.

“Safety for Pedestrians and Cyclists”
The aim of the “Safety for Pedestrians and Cyclists” subproject is to enhance the safety of all traffic participants. The researchers identified typical accident scenarios, classified the associated injury severity and derived measures for a concept of action.

To simulate the “seeing vehicle,” the engineers built a test vehicle with a forward-looking, 3D-imaging sensor system. A processing unit for the 3D environmental data identifies the respective traffic situation and initiates a concept of action for braking and steering. This will enable potential accident situations involving pedestrians to be defused.

“Active Emergency Braking” and “Driving Safety and Attentiveness”
Audi is working on the next generation of active safety systems in the “Active Emergency Braking” subproject. Going beyond the scope of the systems currently available in production vehicles, these systems also consider additional objects in the vehicle’s surroundings such as other traffic participants and guardrails in addition to the immediate object of the collision. This results in an earlier intervention point for automatically initiated braking to avoid an accident.

The time of braking can also be advanced based on information about the driver. If the driver is distracted, he or she will not recognize the situation in time and react adequately. In these cases, it makes sense to initiate braking even sooner.

The engineers at AEV GmbH use a camera-based observation system to determine the driver’s level of attentiveness. A camera records the position of the head and the orientation of the driver’s head. These data are then used to deduce the attentiveness of the driver.

The new brake function presented at the event reflects Audi’s systematic philosophy of assisting the driver in critical situations, thus helping to avoid accidents or at least mitigate accident severity.

The results of the three projects are flowing into ongoing series development of predictive vehicle safety systems and help to further enhance safety on the roads.

2010 Ford Focus RS Le Mans Classic Editions – five different identities [video]

Ford has just unveiled five different one-off versions of the Ford Focus RS Le Mans Classic special edition. The new special edition are meant to celebrate the French classic that takes place this year between July 9th and 11th. The number 5 was not chosen by chance. Each of the five Ford Focus RS Le Mans special model will celebrate one of the cars that brought the Blue Oval a victory in the 24 Hours classic race.

The list of five special Focus RS models will include: a black with silver stripes edition that pays tribute to a Ford Mk II, which was victorious in 1966; a red model with white stripes that is recalling the Mk IV which won in 1967; a white model with a thin blue center stripe surrounded by a red border that pays tribute to the beautiful Ford Mk IIB, entered by Ford France in the 1967 Le Mans 24-hours; a two-tone sky blue and orange edition reference to the modern GT40s which dominated Le Mans in 1968 and 1969 and a two-tone white and blue model representing the livery of the Capri RS 2600 which took the Touring category in 1972.

Each car includes four Recaro seats wrapped in stitched leather and quilted Alcantara, in contrasting colors meant to match the exteriors.  This is replicated at the gearshift, hand brake, and center arm rest.  Front seats also get the advantage of leather seat belts.

The five cars will be seen in action at the 2010 Le Mans Classic in July, and will be joined on the track by the recently released limited-edition Ford Focus RS500, whose exclusive matt black finish will be an equally eye-catching addition to the palette of colors which have fired the imaginations of countless fans of Ford and the greatest endurance race in the world.




Press Release

FORD FOCUS RS LE MANS CLASSIC: A COLLECTION OF 5 UNIQUE EXAMPLES CREATED TO PAY TRIBUTE TO LEGENDARY FORD LE MANS RACERS

Saint-Germain-en-Laye, 21 June 2010 - Ecurie Ford France, one of the partners of the popular Le Mans Classic event which takes place between July 9th and 11th, has prepared a collection of just five Focus RS cars in unique colour schemes, each paying tribute to the Ford cars which made 'blue oval' history at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Each of the five Focus RS Le Mans Classic vehicles will be finished in the colours of one of the Ford cars which made 24 Hours history for Ford. During the event itself, they will even carry the race number of the cars to which they're paying tribute:

• Black with silver stripes: a reference to the Ford Mk II, which was victorious in 1966.
• Red with white stripes: recalling the Mk IV which won in 1967.
• White with a thin blue centre stripe surrounded by a red border: echoing the decoration of the beautiful Ford Mk IIB, entered by Ford France in the 1967 Le Mans 24-hours.
• Two-tone sky blue and orange: A modern take on the GT40s which dominated Le Mans in 1968 and 1969.
• Two-tone white and blue: representing the livery of the Capri RS 2600 which took the Touring category in 1972.

All five exclusive Focus RS vehicles also have customised interiors. The Recaro seats are upholstered in leather and diamond-quilted alcantara, front and back, with stitching that matches the bodywork. The gearshift gaiter, hand brake handle and central arm-rest are upholstered in real leather, and a leather safety belt guide has been added to the front seats.

Each of the five cars will carry a personalised numbered plaque on the dashboard confirming its exclusivity as part of the collection.

The five cars will be seen in action at the 2010 Le Mans Classic in July, and will be driven on a number of laps of the full track at the start of a number of the different 'grid' races reserved for cars of a particular era, with Ford-invited special guests and VIPs at the wheel.

The Focus RS Le Mans Classic units will be joined on the track by the limited edition Ford Focus RS500, whose futuristic matt black livery will be an equally eye-catching addition to the palette of colours which have fired the imaginations of countless fans of Ford and the greatest endurance race in the world.

Only Five For Sale
Once the fifth Le Mans Classic event is over, these five unique Focus RS Le Mans Classic vehicles will be put up for sale, and will be offered with exclusive accessories. Fitted with either RS(1) or RS Technology(2) packs, they will be supplied with a Le Mans Classic watch - a 3-dial automatic chronograph with large date display and sapphire background of which only 600 are to be produced.

The 5 cars to which the Ford Focus RS Le Mans Classic is paying tribute:

The Ford Mk II (victorious in 1966): on the 18th of June 1966, Henry Ford II himself gave the starting signal for the 24th Le Mans 24 Hours. He let loose a pack of fifty-five vehicles led out by two of the eight Mk IIs entered by the manufacturer plus six GT40s, including one belonging to Ford France which was driven by Guy Ligier and the American Bob Grossman. The duel with Ferrari was at its peak for this "race of the century". Unbeaten since 1960, the Italian marque was the queen of Le Mans. However, this time it was the Americans who dominated, pulling off a spectacular triple! For the first time ever, the 200km/h average speed barrier was broken at Le Mans.

The Ford Mk IV (winner in 1967): Wanting revenge, Ferrari sent its formidable 330 P4s to challenge the Mk IVs in a face-to-face battle without mercy. However, it was all in vain. The unstoppable red, white-trimmed Mk IV, piloted by Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt, wiped the floor with Lodovico Scarfiotti and Mike Parkes' P4. Unforgettable new pages in the history of motor sport were being written before everyone's eyes. The epic tale of the Mk IIs and Mk IVs concluded with the spectacular distance (5,232.9 km) and average speed (218 km/h!) records set by Ford that year.

The Ford GT40 (victorious in 1968 and 1969): Even though Ford as a manufacturer was not directly involved, John Wyer's JWA team benefitted from Gulf Oil sponsorship and the blessing of Ford Dearborn. For their first outing in 1968, the GT40s faced some keen and challenging competition from Porsche and Alfa Romeo. Driven by Pedro Rodriguez and Lucien Bianchi, the GT40 clearly dominated the field ahead of a Porsche 907 and three Alfa Romeo 33/2s. This third consecutive Ford victory was the first for a genuine GT40.

In 1969, competition was as intense and varied as ever: Porsche was in attendance with its 908s and its new 917s, Matra introduced its 630/650s and Ferrari was back again with its 312 Ps. Nevertheless, once again the GT40 beat them all, sweeping the boards at the end of an epic duel. Jacky Ickx raced across the finish line leaving the German Hans Hermann 120 metres behind and red faced at the wheel of his Porsche. The GT40 drove away with Ford's fourth consecutive victory at Le Mans!

Capri RS 2600 (1st in the Special Touring category in 1972): Tenth overall, the Capri RS 2600, driven by Gerry Birrel and Claude Bourgoignie, dominated its category during the 1972 Le Mans 24 Hours. Manufactured between 1969 and 1986, the Ford Capri enjoyed a great sporting career and was one of the great leaders of the European Touring Car Championships and the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. It also shone in the Production Cars Championship of France and the famous British Touring Car Championship. Many Formula 1 drivers distinguished themselves at the wheel of a Capri, including Jochen Mass, Hans Stuck and the Tyrrell Racing duo of Jackie Stewart and François Cevert during the 6 Hours of Paul Ricard Circuit organised in 1972. The rally version of the Capri also appeared in the colours of Ecurie Ford France with internationally renowned drivers such as Jean-François Piot, Guy Chasseuil, Jean Vinatier and Jean-Claude Gamet at the wheel.

Ford Mk II Ecurie Ford France (1967): Jo Schlesser teamed up with his friend Guy Ligier on only one occasion at Le Mans. That was in 1967, in a magnificent white Ford Mk II powered by a seven litre V8 engine. An early track exit crushed their hopes in the 13th hour. However, driving the same car, they won the last ever 12 Hours of Reims, the other former great French endurance race. Jo Schlesser, a driver with an incredibly eclectic talent, was killed during the 1968 French Grand Prix. He was one of Ecurie Ford France's most emblematic drivers, racing on track circuits, in rallies and in a famous hill climbing race of the time, the Mont-Ventoux.

(1) RS pack: Recaro front and rear seats, parking assist, heat-reflective, heated windshield, keyless entry and starting system.
(2) RS Technology pack: DVD navigation system with touchscreen and reversing camera, 8-speaker CD-MP3 player, bluetooth-2 kit, volume-sensing perimeter alarm and tyre-pressure monitoring system.