This is what we call...
This is what we call a recruitment drive! The US Air Force has teamed up with Galpin Auto Sports, famous for their involvement in the hit MTV series "Pimp my Ride", to create two heavily modofied muscle cars in a bid to attract more youngsters into its ranks.
This is Ford"s new oil-burning...
This is Ford"s new oil-burning Mondeo ST TDCi - but bizarrely, considering its core market, its diesel engine will not comply with Euro IV emissions rules until 2005, leaving company drivers facing a three per cent tax penalty.
"We wanted to get it on the market as soon as possible, because the model also has a large following among private buyers," a Ford spokeswoman said.
From the outside, the ST TDCi is virtually identical to the 3.0-litre V6 petrol ST220 - the only difference being a single rear tailpipe and the badging. Inside, however, the newcomer - also available as a hatch or estate - has its own unique trim, with part-leather sports seats.
At the heart of the car beats an all-new 2.2-litre common-rail turbodiesel engine, which powers the front wheels via a six-speed manual box. Its 155bhp can propel the oil-burner from 0-60mph in 8.7 seconds. And although that is slower than its petrol cousin, the TDCi returns an impressive 43.6mpg and has a CO2 figure of 151g/km.
Prices start from í‚á£21,830, which includes tuned suspension for sharp handling. Buyers looking for comfort might prefer the Ghia X, costing í‚á£22,030.