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

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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

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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."

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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.

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Ford's Lighter and More Efficient All-New 2015 F-150 Officially Revealed [w/Video]

Having had its look previewed by the Atlas concept, it was the technical side, the interior and other production model details that we were waiting for from Ford’s presence at the North American International Auto Show 2014, where they will soon reveal the all-new F-150 pickup truck. They call it “the toughest, smartest and most capable F-150 ever.”

Weighing up to 700 lbs (~320 kg) less than the outgoing model, it rides on an all-new steel frame on top of which sits the high-strength aluminum-alloy body.

There’s also a new 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine on offer that “features a lightweight, compact design to deliver the same power as some mid-range V8s.” It comes with Auto Start-Stop as standard and completes the range comprised of the 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6, the EcoBoost 3.5-liter V6 and the 5.0-liter V8 – turbocharged models get active grille shutters that maximize either cooling or aerodynamic efficiency.

New tech is also on offer: 360-degree camera view, integrated loading ramps, LED headlights and tail lamps, trailer hitch assist, smart trailer tow module, in-cab high-wattage power outlets (400W, 110V) and a next-gen tailgate step “which is now fully integrated inside the tailgate and virtually invisible when not in use.”

The passenger compartment has been updated too, with a new modern design complimented by modern touches such as the 8-inch “productivity screen” located in the instrument panel – it can be customized to show a variety of relevant parameters and/or grant access to frequently used functions/apps too. SYNC with MyFord Touch, hill start assist, MyKey, rear view camera, reverse sensing, trailer brake controller and extendable tailgate step complete the list of tech features.

Safety is another area where the new F-150 is more advanced than its predecessor. It has second-row inflatable seatbelts, Curve Control (helps in high-speed cornering), radar-guided adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.

By Andrei Nedelea

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