Electric Cars

Ford is making a substantial commitment to the realm of vehicle personalization by significantly bolstering its factory and aftermarket parts, accessories, and performance modification divisions. This strategic move aims to cater to a growing segment of consumers eager to customize their rides. The initiative encompasses a wide range of options, from subtle enhancements to comprehensive performance upgrades, all supported by integrated financing solutions through Ford Credit. This approach not only streamlines the customization process for enthusiasts but also ensures that many modifications maintain the original factory warranty, a crucial factor for many buyers.

Ford Drives Innovation in Vehicle Customization, Offers Performance Models and Flexible Financing

In a bold strategic move, the renowned automaker Ford is intensifying its investment in its customization programs, focusing on genuine parts, accessories, and high-performance modifications. This initiative is designed to offer vehicle owners an unparalleled opportunity to personalize their cars and trucks, ensuring that a vast majority of these upgrades are fully integrated and warrantied. Ford's commitment is evident in its comprehensive approach, which now allows customers to finance these enhancements directly through Ford Credit, making high-performance modifications more accessible than ever before.

This expanded customization platform consolidates Genuine Ford Accessories, Ford Racing Parts, and the Ford Custom Garage into a single, cohesive ecosystem. This integration simplifies the experience for enthusiasts, whether they prefer minor cosmetic tweaks or significant power boosts. For instance, a notable example of this commitment is the availability of a Whipple supercharger kit that can elevate the Mustang GT's 5.0-liter V-8 engine from its standard 480 horsepower to an impressive 800 horsepower, or even 810 horsepower with an active exhaust system. These performance parts are meticulously engineered and tested alongside the vehicles themselves, circumventing the typical delays associated with aftermarket reverse engineering.

The program also extends to ready-to-drive, performance-tuned models. Enthusiasts can now acquire showroom-ready vehicles like the Ford Maverick 300T, the Mustang GT FP800s, and the F-150 FP700. These models arrive from the factory equipped with high-performance components, including advanced turbochargers, enhanced cooling systems, specialized software tunes, and upgraded wheel and tire packages. A prime example is the Maverick 300T, a concept vehicle built on the AWD XL and XLT trims, featuring an upgraded turbocharger that boosts the 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine to 300 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. This model also incorporates larger intercoolers, a specific software tune, and 20-inch Mustang Mach-E GT wheels shod with 245-series Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, offering significantly improved handling and responsiveness.

A critical aspect of this initiative is the preservation of the factory warranty. Ford has confirmed that many performance upgrades, such as the Torque Boost software calibration for the Bronco or Ranger Raptor when installed by a dealer, or the supercharger installation for a Mustang or F-150, will not void the three-year, 36,000-mile powertrain warranty. This assurance provides peace of mind for customers who wish to enhance their vehicles without compromising their investment.

Ford's research indicates that a substantial portion of its customer base, particularly those under 30 years old, actively seeks vehicle customization. This demographic not only engages in personalization at a higher rate but also tends to favor more extensive and impactful modifications. By providing a comprehensive, integrated, and financially accessible customization program, Ford aims to capture a significant share of this burgeoning multi-billion-dollar aftermarket segment, fostering a stronger connection with its enthusiast community.

Ford's renewed focus on vehicle customization represents a dynamic response to evolving consumer preferences. By seamlessly integrating factory-engineered performance parts with flexible financing options and maintaining warranty coverage, the automaker is empowering a new generation of drivers to truly make their vehicles their own. This strategy not only enhances the driving experience but also builds a stronger, more engaged community of Ford enthusiasts, proving that performance and personalization can go hand-in-hand.

Mercedes-AMG is preparing to launch a new, intensely powerful coupe, the CLE-based Mythos, which recently underwent private testing at the Nürburgring. This highly anticipated vehicle is set to join Mercedes' ultra-exclusive Mythos series and is speculated to deliver more than 600 horsepower. With a production run expected to be limited to just 30 units globally, this model emphasizes extreme performance and luxurious exclusivity. Its development on the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife indicates advanced stages of refinement, positioning it as a significant, albeit rare, offering in the high-performance automotive market.

The C63 V8, a beloved powerhouse, is not slated for an immediate return, but Mercedes is poised to unveil a new eight-cylinder coupe, the CLE-based Mythos. This vehicle is destined to become the second entry in the esteemed Mythos lineage, following the SL-based PureSpeed. The private testing session at the Nürburgring, as captured by Carspotter Jeroen, highlights the rigorous development process. Having exclusive access to the Nordschleife for testing suggests that the vehicle is nearing its official global unveiling. This level of private track time is crucial for fine-tuning such high-performance machines, ensuring optimal dynamics and speed.

While it remains uncertain if Mercedes aimed for a lap record during the Nürburgring test, the AMG One still holds the title for production cars with an impressive time of 6 minutes and 29.09 seconds. The CLE Mythos is unlikely to challenge this record directly, as Mercedes would probably prefer not to overshadow the AMG One's achievements. The camouflaged prototype showcases a range of aggressive upgrades, including distinctive stacked exhaust tips, a substantial rear wing, and a prominent hood scoop, all pointing to a car built for extreme performance. These features are designed to enhance aerodynamics and engine cooling, supporting a rumored new flat-plane-crank V8 engine. This engine is expected to generate an astounding 646 horsepower.

Reports from dealers who attended a private event in Sindelfingen, Germany, suggest that Mercedes plans to build only 30 units of the CLE Mythos globally. This limited production run underscores the model's exclusivity. There's also speculation about a more widely available, albeit still potent, CLE 63 Black Series variant, which would offer a slightly less extreme package and a more accessible price point. Regardless, the CLE is confirmed to receive a V8 engine, maintaining Mercedes-AMG's commitment to powerful internal combustion engines in an era of tightening emissions regulations. This ensures that the spirit of high-performance V8s continues, at least for a privileged few, with deliveries anticipated to commence in 2027.

This new Mythos model promises to deliver AMG's peak performance, deliberately bypassing smaller engines and electrification in favor of a robust V8. The CLE has clearly undergone significant modifications to enhance its power and reduce its weight, echoing BMW's approach with the M4 CSL. Furthermore, the vehicle incorporates sophisticated aerodynamic enhancements that extend beyond its striking rear wing. While its price point remains undisclosed, it is expected to be exceptionally high, placing it far above the standard CLE 53 and catering exclusively to Mercedes-Benz's most affluent clientele. This ultra-exclusive coupe represents a bold statement in the face of increasingly stringent global emissions standards.