Ford F-150 beefed up for municipal use

The Ford F-150 joins the likes of the Taurus and the Explorer in offering a package aimed specifically at those who protect and serve. While the Police Interceptor versions of the Explorer and the Taurus are being marketed strictly to law-enforcement agencies, the F-150 Special Service Vehicle is available to all government, municipal and commercial fleet customers. The SSV Package will be available as a no-cost option on both extended-cab and crew-cab F-150s sold to fleets.

Ford Fiesta Zetec S Red and Black Edition revealed – price from £15,995

The Fiesta Black and Red Editions arrive with a 138bhp 1.0 litre EcoBoost Everyone loves a sporty Fiesta – still a cracking little car in any guise – but it looks like Ford has spotted a gap in the market between the Zetec S with the 1.0 litre EcoBoost and the Fiesta ST. So we get the Ford Fiesta Zetec S Red and Black Editions to fill the gap we didn’t actually know was there. Ford has managed to squeeze even more power from their little 1.0 litre, 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine to give the Fiesta Red and Black Editions 138bhp, enough to crack 62mph in just 9.0 seconds.

2013 Australian Motor Show axed

This year’s Australian Motor Show in Melbourne has been cancelled by its organizers three months before its planned opening. Falling attendance figures played a big part in taking the decision, as did what is seen as a lack of manufacturer support. The Australian International Motor Show Joint Venture's event director Russ Tyrie said the decision was taken "based on a consensus view of the automotive industry to focus limited marketing budgets in 2013 on firm-specific activities, rather than an industry-based motor show." The Volkswagen Group's decision not to attend may well have acted as the final nail in the coffin along with Hyundai's hesitancy despite initial support.