Ford has revised the Focus lineup in the UK, with the removal of the entry-level Style model, a new trim grade added and small price increases on certain models. The dropping of Style trim, a model often ignored by buyers in favour of better equipped trims, means that the Focus now starts from £20,645 for the Zetec grade – £2,100 more than before. That brings it to a similar pricing point as the new Puma, which is available to order in higher trim grades for the time being. A series of small price rises have also been implemented elsewhere in the range, according to the firm’s latest pricing lists which are in the process of being incorporated into the online configurator. All Zetec, Active and ST-Line grades see a bump up of £250, while estates rise by £100 and petrols rise by £500. Two new variants are now available to order, too. Joining the current two-strong lineup of ruggedly-styled Active models is a flagship Active Vignale, available from £27,045, which brings the extensive kit tally from the standard Vignale model onto the higher-riding car. The tweaks follow a more minor revision of the Focus which regards to one model, quietly implemented earlier this year. The 1.5-litre petrol engine has been switched from the multi-link rear suspension to a cheaper, simpler torsion beam setup, leaving only the 2.0-litre diesel models with the multi-link
Origin: Ford Focus prices increased as entry variant dropped
entry
Ford revises Focus range with entry variant dropped
Ford has revised the Focus lineup in the UK, with the removal of the entry-level Style model, a new trim grade added and small price increases on certain models. The dropping of Style trim, a model often ignored by buyers in favour of better equipped trims, means that the Focus now starts from £20,645 for the Zetec grade – £2,100 more than before. That brings it to a similar pricing point as the new Puma, which is available to order in higher trim grades for the time being. A series of small price rises have also been implemented elsewhere in the range. All Zetec, Active and ST-Line grades see a bump up of £250, while estates rise by £100 and petrols rise by £500. Two new variants are now available to order, too. Joining the current two-strong lineup of ruggedly-styled Active models is a flagship Active Vignale, available from £27,045, which brings the extensive kit tally from the standard Vignale model onto the higher-riding car. The tweaks follow a more minor revision of the Focus which regards to one model, quietly implemented earlier this year. The 1.5-litre petrol engine has been switched from the multi-link rear suspension to a cheaper, simpler torsion beam setup, leaving only the 2.0-litre diesel models with the multi-link
Origin: Ford revises Focus range with entry variant dropped
Lamborghini considers 2021 Le Mans entry
Lamborghini is evaluating an entry in the new Le Mans hypercar category for 2021. If given the go-ahead, it could put Lamborghini head to head with rivals such as Aston Martin and Toyota for outright victory in the famous 24-hour race. Talking at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed, Lamborghini boss Stefano Domenicali – the former team principal of the Ferrari Formula 1 team – confirmed that a study into a potential project is under way and will be completed before the end of the year. “There are discussions and we are looking to understand the regulations to see if it is of interest,” said Domenicali. “There is nothing to say until the evaluation is finished, and at that point the answer could be yes or no. For now, it is possible.” New regulations allow manufacturers to compete using more production-related machinery from 2020, with Aston set to race a version of its Valkyrie hypercar and Toyota developing the Gazoo GR Super Sport Concept for the event. Domenicali hinted that the Lamborghini SC18 – a one-off project car built on behalf of a customer by Lamborghini’s racing division, Squadra Corse – showed the firm’s capabilities for launching a Le Mans racer if it chose to do so. “We don’t have the budget to invest in a totally new project, but the SC18 shows that we have a base for what could be an interesting approach,” he said. “The car shows that we have internal capabilities for such a project.” The SC18 is an Aventador-based and road-legal car but was created primarily for use on the track, where its extreme aerodynamics can be used to full effect. It draws on the same powertrain used by the Aventador SVJ, with the V12 engine delivering 759bhp at 8500rpm and 531lb ft of torque at 6750rpm. Lamborghini has previously hinted that more bespoke projects could be made as it meets the demand for unique creations from wealthy buyers, raising the possibility that a factory Le Mans programme could also be part-financed by customers. QA Stefano Domenicali, CEO, Lamborghini “Our value is connected to exclusivity, so we must be careful. The target is to create a stable situation for sustainable business. The sales figures are good, but now we must consolidate and create more value in what we have. We have expanded the factory, launched Urus, taken on more dealers and more. We must not keep rushing forwards.” Has the Urus exceeded your expectations? “The customer decides and they are certainly very happy. For me, the main pleasure is that 70% of Urus customers are new to Lamborghini.” Are you still evaluating a fourth model line? “The short-term goal is to stabilise what we have. There is a lot of change coming to the industry that could be disruptive, too, especially on powertrain. After that, we can look at it, with a 2+2 GT one possibility.” Is a resurgent, swaggering Aston Martin stealing any of your thunder? “I don’t talk about rivals, but I will say that if you do your job as well as you can on every level, then you don’t have to fear anyone, just respect them. Making the most extreme super-sports cars is what makes Lamborghini aspirational and I believe we hold the halo position for that. We will keep pushing to maintain it.” The Diablo is 30 next year. Will you celebrate it and could you be tempted to do recreation runs like some of your rivals? “We’ll do some events, of course, and the joy today is that with our internal Polo Storico team to restore cars, we are now able to stay in touch with owners. But to do recreations, I am not so sure. I prefer to celebrate the value of every car from its period and to look to the older cars only to inform our new ones.” Will you ever turbocharge an engine? “To say no would be wrong. The time may come when we need smaller-capacity engine options to stay under certain tax thresholds or to even enter certain areas. The customers aren’t asking for it but maybe the regulations will. But we have a couple of years before we must
Origin: Lamborghini considers 2021 Le Mans entry
Delays expected at border as U.S. agents reassigned to Mexican entry points
A FAST card application to speed crossing at the border proved to be a bureaucratic nightmare for one driver. Ian lindsay/PNG Files You may want to add extra time to your itinerary during your next jaunt to America, especially if you’re driving. More than 700 U.S. border agents have been moved from their posts at Canadian crossings to new duties along the southern U.S. border. With the summer travel season about to enter full swing, that could mean longer-than-normal wait times at checkpoints and other points of entry. Earlier this week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said that 731 northern border agents are in the process of being sent south to the U.S.-Mexico border. That number includes CBP workers from land, air and ocean points of entry, meaning delays could be inevitable no matter what type of transportation one takes to the United States. Earlier in the year, it was estimated that about 100 agents would be moved. Predictably, shop owners and other businesses that rely on cross-border traffic during tourist season are concerned. If crossings at heavily travelled checkpoints in places like New Brunswick and Ontario are suddenly backed up thanks to a lack of available agents, some holiday-makers might choose to stay in their own backyard instead of touring to the States. Congress has waded into the fray, with thirteen bipartisan members writing to Homeland Security in an efforts to make their apprehensions known, citing damage to tourism and trade as key concerns. CBP has understandably not specified from which stations officers are being moved but did say they are being taken from over 300 points of entry. What does this mean for the average gearhead who’s driving to the States for leisure or to pick up a piece of memorabilia at Barrett-Jackson? Pack a lunch and plan ahead, essentially. You’ll probably need an extra stash of patience,
Origin: Delays expected at border as U.S. agents reassigned to Mexican entry points
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