Ford’s Euro-legal 1.0-liter EcoBoost racer is faster around the ‘Ring than a Ferrari Enzo?

By Nick Jaynes March 22, 2013

Ford FF1 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Whoa Nelly! Ford has done it again and built another great car we’ll probably never see in the U.S.

It’s called the FF1. It’s powered by the 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbocharged EcoBoost engine and it’s street legal – well, at least in Europe.

Ford aims to officially unveil this one-seater Ariel Atom rival at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, according to MotorAuthority.

The version Ford will sell the European public will have 123 horsepower. Ford has a 202 horsepower version it’s been testing though. This highly tuned FF1 will round the Nurburgring in seven minutes and 22 seconds. That’s faster than the Pagani Zonda and the Ferrari Enzo.

Try not to get too excited, though. The FF1 doesn’t meet U.S. airbag safety standards, as it has none. So it’s unlikely the little track day car will make it Stateside, unless sold exclusively for the track like the Mustang Cobra Jet.

We’d love to see it in North America, though. Ford says if drivers can keep their foot out of the throttle, the FF1 is capable of 80 miles-per-gallon, which would make it green car by anyone’s standards.

We’re disappointed Ford has no U.S. plans for the little FF1. With the new “One Ford” global mission, we figured the days of European-only performance models were over.

Check back closer to Goodwood’s July kick-off for info on the FF1 and more. Here’s a photo we snapped at Ford’s CES display in January:

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…

Cars

Rivian R2 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5: Should you wait for the Rivian R2?

Rivian R2

Rivian has taken the wraps off of the Rivian R2, an electric SUV that's similar to the much-loved R1S, but smaller and, crucially, cheaper. But the R2 goes up against some serious competition. The likes of Hyundai have been building solid EVs for some time now -- including the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The R2 and the Ioniq 5 each make a compelling case for themselves, and they're likely to end up being similarly priced if the Ioniq 5 doesn't get much cheaper and the R2 does end up being sold at $45,000. To be fair, the cars are pretty different -- the R2 is more of an SUV, while the Ioniq 5 is much more crossover-sized. But because of their similar price, you might be deciding between the two. How do they compare? We put the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 head-to-head.
Design
The differences between the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are perhaps no more apparent than when it comes to design.

Cars

The 6 best remote car starters in 2024

Best car remote starters

While some modern vehicles come standard with remote start features, it's still relatively uncommon. That's a shame because if you live somewhere where cold weather, snow, and ice are frequent concerns, a remote car starter is one of the best auto accessories you can have. If you're not familiar with them, a remote car starter works similarly to a key fob, except it will actually start your car from a distance instead of just unlocking the doors or trunk. That means you can start your car from the warm comfort of your home or office before venturing out. If you live somewhere hot, you can even start your car and let the AC run for a little bit. You'll never enter a freezing cold or scorching hot vehicle again.

The best remote car starters have long ranges, replaceable batteries, and other handy features — but how do you know which is best for you? We’ve compiled a list of the best car starters in a range of prices and features. Keep in mind that while you can install some yourself, some will require a professional.
The best remote car starters in 2024

Cars

The best portable jump starters for cars in 2024

The Clore Jump-N-Carry JNC660 portable jump starter connected to a truck battery.

Any time you hit the road, whether you're taking a short or long trip, it's a good idea to have backups handy. A spare or backup tire, some anti-freeze, windshield wash fluid, a road hazard kit, and, last but not least, one of the best portable tire inflators and a portable jump starter. You never know when cold weather, inadvertently leaving the dome light on, or plain old Father Time can curse you with a dead battery. Ensure you have one of the best portable jump starters that can save you in a jam, kickstarting your car even when there isn't anyone around to jump the battery. Naturally, that's why we’ve rounded up what we feel are the best portable jump starters for 2024.
The best portable jump starters in 2024

Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter overall.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter runner-up.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter and tire inflator combo.
Buy the if you want another name-brand option.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter for cheap.