Get a 2015 Mustang Revell Model Kit for Free at Ford's Detroit Auto Show Stand [w/Video]

Visitors of the Detroit Auto Show who can’t afford a real 2015 Ford Mustang won’t go home empty-handed. That’s because toy manufacturer Revell is giving away the first official 2015 Mustang model kit free of charge to those who visit Ford’s booth.

To commemorate 50 years of Mustang, Revell will host a “Make ’n Take” event at the Ford stand during the show. At the event, children of all ages (yes, you too) and enthusiasts will be able to build and take home their own free Auto Show Edition 2015 Ford Mustang model before the real pony car even hits the road.

“For nearly 50 years, kids of all ages have been configuring and building their own personal full-size and small-scale Mustangs, and now they can build a new dream car and take it home,” said Steve Ling, Ford car marketing manager.

Revell’s 2015 Ford Mustang model kit can be easily assembled in minutes.

“I am thrilled Revell has the opportunity to work with Ford this year and provide kids and enthusiasts a chance to make and then take our 2015 Ford Mustang models home with them,” said Lou Aguilera, Revell vice president and general manager.

Revell introduced its first scale model of the Ford Mustang in 1968 and has produced more than 3 million small-scale Mustangs ever since together with sister brand Monogram, in scales ranging from 1/64 to 1/12.

The Detroit Auto Show is open for the public from January 18 to January 26.

By Dan Mihalascu

VIDEO

PHOTO GALLERY

Spy Shots: Ford Focus Hatch and Station Wagon Undergo a Facelift

Ford is applying a makeover to the entire range of its Focus series, which our spies seized in five-door and hatchback forms on separate occasions while undergoing tests in Europe.

The front of the car will take the brunt of the cosmetic touchup, likely adopting Ford's familiar gaping grille that brings to mind Aston Martin models.

The cover-up of the hatchback's other side suggests changes to the rear as well, though, we don't know if they'll be as extensive as the front. Whether Ford will do the same to the tail of the station wagon model remains to be seen, as this prototype did not sport any updates.

Previous spy pictures of the interior indicate a refreshed center console and new buttons on the dashboard.

We've also heard rumors about the return of the high-performance RS model to the range after the presentation of the facelift wearing a tuned version of the 2015 Mustang's 2.3-liter turbocharged engine with somewhere around 350hp.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS

PHOTO GALLERY

New Ford EcoSport Gets Mixed Review from Auto Express

Ford’s take on the small urban SUV, the EcoSport, embodies an obvious contradiction: although it looks like an off-roader (yes, I’m referring especially to the location of the spare wheel), it only comes with front-wheel-drive.

Ford’s decision to place the spare wheel on the tailgate may have been dictated by practical terms (boot volume), but as the Auto Express review points out, it’s neither good-looking nor practical, adding 200mm (7.9in) of length to the car. Furthermore, the large swinging rear door hinders access to the boot, especially in tight spaces.

On the inside, the quality of plastics used on the dashboard and door panels is not as high as what rivals like the Peugeot 2008 and Renault Captur have to offer. It's worth mentioning, however, that the car tested was a pre-production prototype.

There are good things about the EcoSport: it drives well thanks to its Fiesta underpinnings, it has a spacious interior and is quite entertaining when opted with the 123hp 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine.

If you’re curious to find out more about the EcoSport make sure you watch the video review posted below.

By Dan Mihalascu

VIDEO

Chilling Junior WRC Fiesta Crash will Bring NSFW Words Out of You

This video footage from a crash that occurred during the Sigdalsrally in Norway this past weekend is a testament to the safety provided by modern day racing cars. Nonetheless, it has the ingredients to scare the bejesus out of the most professional of drivers…

Junior-WRC pilot Marius Aasen and co-driver Marlene Engan were speeding through the snow during the rally when they hit a bump at "approximately 150km/h" (93mph), which sent their racing Ford Fiesta into a crazy roll over (we counted at least four complete turns in the video) before it landed upside down in a frozen river.

As scary as it looks, the car kept the two young men safe and sound, and they were able to get out and reach the river bank virtually unharmed.

"Here is a video from our really bad crash in Sigdalsrally this weekend!," wrote Aasen on his Facebook page. "Unfortunately, there is nothing left of the car, but I'm glad the safety in the car is good, and we both are ok"

Now the team is looking to get their vehicle back to racing form. "There is not much left of the car, and this is how it looks like at the moment," said Aasen. "We are working hard to get back into a rallycar."

PHOTO GALLERY

VIDEO

Mulally Not Leaving for Microsoft, Will Stay at Ford at Least until the End of 2014

Ford CEO Alan Mulally said he will remain at the helm of the Detroit-based automaker through at least the end of the year, ending speculation about his departure to Microsoft.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Mulally said he wanted to end the Microsoft speculation, “because I have no other plans to do anything other than serve Ford.” When asked whether this means investors should stop worrying about his exit, Mulally said: “You don't have to worry about me leaving.”

However, the executive didn’t say if he had talked with representatives of the tech giant, headquartered in his home state of Washington. Mulally is said to have become tired of repeatedly answering questions about a possible move to Microsoft and wanted to set the record straight.

Since November 2012, Ford has been saying that Mulally planned to remain CEO through at least the end of 2014 and the executive reiterated last month that there was no change in that plan.

However, Mulally's candidacy to succeed Steve Ballmer as CEO of Microsoft attracted a lot of media attention, even overshadowing Ford’s new product launches, such as the all-new Mustang. This supposedly frustrated Ford’s board of directors, hence Mulally’s new reassuring statements.

By Dan Mihalascu

Story References: AP via Reuters

PHOTO GALLERY

2015 Ford Mustang to Make Silver Screen Debut on Need for Speed Movie, See the Video

Like they say in Hollywood, "Lights, camera, promo!". Oh, wait; that should be action, but you get where we're going with this drift…

While the badass looking fifth-generation Mustang Shelby GT500 will take on the star automotive role in DreamWorks Pictures' "Need for Speed" movie, it will be joined by the all-new 2015 Mustang that will make a cameo appearance in the film that hits theaters March 14.

This will mark the new Mustang's big-screen debut before it goes on sale this fall, and possibly kick off more movie and television promotions.

Ford's connection with the Need for Speed franchise extends to the game as well, as players already have access to virtual drives of the 2015 Mustang, which became available as a free in-game download in EA's "Need for Speed Rivals" in December.

VIDEO

All-New 2015 F-150 and Mustang Share the Limelight at Ford's Detroit Motor Show Booth

Ford rolled out the successors to two of the most important nameplates in its portfolio at the Detroit auto show today, the 2015MY F-150 pickup truck and the 2015MY Mustang. The former is the Blue Oval's bestseller in the United States for the past 37 years, and the latter is the brand's most famous car worldwide.

Starting with the F-150, the new model carries over many of the design and tech features seen on last year's Atlas concept. Ford says that while it's bigger and tougher than ever, the new model is also 700lbs (~320 kg) lighter and more fuel efficient thanks to the use of lightweight materials, including a high-strength aluminum-alloy body.

The new Mustang needs no introduction as Ford made sure we knew most things about the sixth generation of its sports car series several weeks before the Detroit event.

Also on display is a very different Ford from another era, yet with a familiar pony emblem positioned on its fenders and front and rear ends, the 1 Concept.

PHOTO GALLERY