Ford’s worked on creating enthusiasm for its 2011 Fiesta for the last year, but the company’s engineers have been at work on future cars. Here’s what we can expect to see from Ford’s car side in the next few years:

Crown Victoria: The Crown Victoria has soldiered on in taxicab and police fleets for several years after its disappearance from Ford’s main product portfolio.  Production of the stalwart large sedan, however, is set to end by the end of 2011. A reworked Ford Taurus will replace the Crown Vic Police Interceptor, temporarily leaving the Escape Hybrid as Ford’s sole taxi offering until the Transit Connect taxi enters service in 2011.

Fiesta:  The subcompact Fiesta just went on sale in the U.S. as a 2011 model after more than a year of anticipation. Sold as both a four-door sedan and a hatchback, it offers Ford’s first six-speed dual-clutch (PowerShift in Ford lingo) transmission. A hot-hatch variant, likely dubbed the Fiesta SVT, will be offered late in 2011. It’s expected to use Ford’s 1.6-liter turbocharged EcoBoost I-4, and put out somewhere north of 180 horsepower.

Focus: Unveiled earlier this year, the 2012 Focus will finally go on sale in the first quarter of 2011. The car is based on Ford’s global compact platform, and 80 percent of its components will be shared around the world. The base engine in the U.S. will be a normally aspirated, 2.0-liter I-4 producing 155 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Ford’s 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 180 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque may also be offered in North American models. A six-speed dual-clutch transmission comes standard.

There are likely to be two different versions of the eagerly anticipated hot-hatch Focus: an SVT version with around 250 horsepower, and a range-topping RS with closer to the 305 horsepower offered by the current European Focus RS. Both will likely use a version of Ford’s 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4, but the RS might get more power through a hybrid drivetrain. A complete overhaul of the sedan isn’t expected until the 2015 or 2016 model year.

Fusion: As with several other models in Ford’s future portfolio, the next-generation Fusion is set to be downsized. It will be based on Ford’s global mid-size platform that underpins the European Mondeo sedan. A V-6 option may be replaced instead by a four-cylinder EcoBoost engine with similar output.

Mustang: Ford completely overhauled the interior and exterior for the 2010 model year, and updated the powertrain offerings for the 2011 model year. The base engine is now a 305-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 and the GT is powered by a 412-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8. Both engines are offered with either a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission.

The Mustang is set to be completely redone for its golden jubilee during the 2014 model year.

Taurus: Ford’s bread-and-butter sedan was all-new for the 2010 model year and receives minor updates for 2011. Ford added MyKey that allows users to program individual settings on each keyfob and collision warning with brake support. Late next year or early 2012, the Taurus will get mild styling and technology updates, which will likely include MyFord Touch. At the same time, Ford will update the powertrain lineup to include a fuel efficient EcoBoost I-4.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)

Ford has worked on creating enthusiasm for its 2011 Fiesta for the last year, but the company’s engineers have been at work on future cars. Here’s what we can expect to see from Ford’s car side in the next few years:

Crown Victoria: The Crown Victoria has soldiered on in taxicab and police fleets for several years after its disappearance from Ford’s main product portfolio.  Production of the stalwart large sedan, however, is set to end by the end of 2011. A reworked Ford Taurus will replace the Crown Vic Police Interceptor, temporarily leaving the Escape Hybrid as Ford’s sole taxi offering until the Transit Connect taxi enters service in 2011.

Fiesta:  The subcompact Fiesta just went on sale in the U.S. as a 2011 model after more than a year of anticipation. Sold as both a four-door sedan and a hatchback, it offers Ford’s first six-speed dual-clutch (PowerShift in Ford lingo) transmission. A hot-hatch variant, likely dubbed the Fiesta SVT, will be offered late in 2011. It’s expected to use Ford’s 1.6-liter turbocharged EcoBoost I-4, and put out somewhere north of 180 horsepower.

Focus: Unveiled earlier this year, the 2012 Focus will finally go on sale in the first quarter of 2011. The car is based on Ford’s global compact platform, and 80 percent of its components will be shared around the world. The base engine in the U.S. will be a normally aspirated, 2.0-liter I-4 producing 155 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Ford’s 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 180 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque may also be offered in North American models. A six-speed dual-clutch transmission comes standard.

There are likely to be two different versions of the eagerly anticipated hot-hatch Focus: an SVT version with around 250 horsepower, and a range-topping RS with closer to the 305 horsepower offered by the current European Focus RS. Both will likely use a version of Ford’s 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4, but the RS might get more power through a hybrid drivetrain. A complete overhaul of the sedan isn’t expected until the 2015 or 2016 model year.

Fusion: As with several other models in Ford’s future portfolio, the next-generation Fusion is set to be downsized. It will be based on Ford’s global mid-size platform that underpins the European Mondeo sedan. A V-6 option may be replaced instead by a four-cylinder EcoBoost engine with similar output.

Mustang: Ford completely overhauled the interior and exterior for the 2010 model year, and updated the powertrain offerings for the 2011 model year. The base engine is now a 305-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 and the GT is powered by a 412-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8. Both engines are offered with either a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission.

The Mustang is set to be completely redone for its golden jubilee during the 2014 model year.

Taurus: Ford’s bread-and-butter sedan was all-new for the 2010 model year and receives minor updates for 2011. Ford added MyKey that allows users to program individual settings on each keyfob and collision warning with brake support. Late next year or early 2012, the Taurus will get mild styling and technology updates, which will likely include MyFord Touch. At the same time, Ford will update the powertrain lineup to include a fuel efficient EcoBoost I-4.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)