Remaining at its rank as the 11th top-selling sedan in America, (it was last year, and remains so for 2017), the 2017 Ford Focus stays with what has worked for it, while we anticipate a redesign for 2018.

Focus is the result of Ford’s focus on compact cars, which began in 1999 for the 2000 model year, as their engineers designed the Ford Focus to replace the Escort (and Mercury Tracer) and Contour (and Mercury Mystique) in the line-up.

Seven years into its third generation (last tweaked for 2015 with a redesigned front end), the front-wheel drive Focus line-up stays quiet for 2017 with the exception of its RS trim amping up with a 350hp engine.

Assembled at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan, with unitized steel body construction, this year’s uptweaks include a new SEL trim package that features 17-inch machined-aluminum wheels with black-painted pockets, fog lamps, black headlight bezels and power moonroof. Focus is available in either sedan or hatchback configurations.

The 2017 Ford Focus has available SYNC® 3 enhanced voice recognition and entertainment system with AppLink™ and 911 Assist®, an 8-inch center LCD touch screen with available navigation, and swiping and pinch-to-zoom capabilities. Two standard smart-charging USB ports are great for families on the go with energy-hungry devices.

A new color available for 2017 is White Gold.

Showing off a sporty architecture not expected from an economical sedan, priced under $20K, Focus looks energetic and hip with a curvy and fluid demeanor. Available in hatchback or sedan, the compact sedan, measures 178.7 inches in length (the hatchback is 5 inches shorter), 71.8 inches in width and 57.8 inches in height on a 104.3-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight just under 3000 lbs.

The SE model I tested was your basic Focus, but featured some cool packages that included a body kit as well as a standard 2.0-liter Ti-VCT engine, the 17-inch machined aluminum wheels in the SEL trim, fog lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, rear disc brakes, rear spoiler and PowerShift® 6-speed automatic.

For power, Focus offers two direct injection power source options, which can be mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission with available SelectShift® functionality. A 1.0-liter 3-cylinder EcoBoost® engine built in Craiova, Romania, is the more economical offering, providing 123 hp and 125 lbs.-ft. of torque. The manual version is EPA rated at 30mpg/city, 42mpg/highway and 35mpg combined, while the six-speed PowerShift automatic with SelectShift is rated at 28mpg/city and 40mpg/highway. My test Focus SE was outfitted with the 2.0-liter Ti-VCT FFV inline-4-cylinder engine built in Dearborn, Michigan. That system provides 160hp and 146 lbs.-ft. of torque and is rated at 26mpg/city, 36mpg/highway with a manual transmission and my six-speed PowerShift automatic was rated at 27mpg/city and 40mpg/highway. My car tests finished with an average of 31.6mpg in mixed-use driving.

We seldom expect much zip from a compact economy sedan, and my Focus SE filled the niche as presumed. My test ride was predictable with a steady zero-to-60mph dash accomplished in 9.2 seconds during 17.1-second quarter-mile. At speed, Focus has enough to pass other vehicles and take on hill grades, and while some understeer was apparent, the response was also predictable and in a solid range.

Inside, Focus features a center console and driver/passenger-friendly capabilities. With seating capacity for five, front head room is 38.3 inches with 38 inches of rear head room; front legroom measures 43.1 inches with a crunched 33.2 inches for rear passengers and shoulder room is 55.6 inches in front and 52.6 inches for rear seat passengers.

Focus was designed to exceed global safety standards for occupant and pedestrian protection. To that end, it includes dual-stage first row airbags with passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation, front-seat side-impact airbags and side-curtain airbags, four-wheel Anti-Lock Brake System, front fog/driving lights, dusk sensing headlamps, stability control, AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control, rearview camera, child safety rear locks, LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children), anti-theft engine immobilizer and tire pressure monitoring.

The Base “S” 2017 Focus sedan starts at $17,650. The SE Sedan adds 16-inch painted wheels, a trip computer and automatic quad-beam LED halogen headlamps and bases at $19,050, and the 4-door hatchback starts at $25,650.

My test SE sedan in Ingot Silver Metallic, and the 2.0-liter engine, upgraded to the 6-speed automatic transmission for $1095, and added the $1995 201A equipment group with 17-inch Black Gloss Aluminum wheels, ambient lighting, black headlamp bezels, fog lamps, overhead console, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, leather-trimmed seats with 8-way power driver seat and power lumbar, LED signature lighting, perimeter alarm, rear center armrest, rear disc brakes, Reverse Sensing System, SelectShift® (when equipped with 6-speed automatic transmission) and SiriusXM Satellite Radio. The Exterior Protection Package added $245 for molded front and rear splash guards and a rear bumper protector. Destination charges added $785 for an MSRP as tested of $23,170, built I really would have liked the Ford Sync3 navi package for an extra $1300 – my test ride was without it. And incentive packages can slash thousands so, check with your local dealer to see what offers are available.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

After a massively successful three-day offering as part of Spring Carlisle earlier in 2017, the Carlisle Auctions team returns to action for its second three-day event of the year; this time at Fall Carlisle. The weekend auction excitement commences September 28 at the Carlisle Expo Center and includes 450+ lots, including rare muscle, elegant classics, a unique motorcycle and more. The auction, while very much a stand alone, must attend event, also runs concurrent with Fall Carlisle (September 27-October 1), taking place at the neighboring Carlisle PA Fairgrounds. All told, nearly 100,000 guests will converge on central Pennsylvania to buy, sell and trade all things automotive!

With so much history available for sale to the highest bidder, the chance to buy and sell with Carlisle Auctions is at an all-time high. Available consignment opportunities have sold out and those looking to bid and buy have pre-registered to do so at a record pace. By the time it all starts on the 28th, an unmatched energy will be felt by all at the expo center.

But…what makes this offering different than its predecessors? Could it be the quality of car/truck available? Yes! How about the varying types of history available too? Yes! How about the fact that the customer first nature of the Carlisle Auctions team makes everyone feel like a member of the family rather than just a bidder number? Also true! The bottom line – people flock to Carlisle Auctions for the live entertainment, the automotive history and the chance to own their first or next classic.

As for the aforementioned consignments, it’s truly impossible to recognize everyone, but a few do stand head and shoulders above the rest. Two of the top options for this year’s auction couldn’t be more different, yet equally desirable. With the new Ford GT coming onto the market very soon, a piece of GT history is available via a low mileage 2006 Ford GT. In addition, available at NO RESERVE, Carlisle Auctions is excited to announce the inclusion of a 2012 Confederate x132 Hellcat Motorcycle. This particular bike is actually prototype #1, making it ultra-rare.

Along with those two, Carlisle Auctions features a variety of high quality consignments, with auctions getting better each time around. Additional consignments include a 2003 Shelby CSX Cobra, 1956 Austin Healy 100-4, 1939 Ford Restomod, 1969 Dodge Charger R/T, 1953 Buick Skylark and more! Plus, ALL NEW for Fall 2017, specialty hours. These hours Chevrolet on Thursday (5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.), Ford on Friday (5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) and all things truck on Saturday (12 p.m. to 1 p.m.) as the auction wraps up!
Combine all that with its success FREE UNLESS SOLD guarantee (for vehicles 25 years or older) and everything is lining up nicely for what promises to be another successful weekend.

Complete details on Carlisle Auctions can be found at www.CarlisleAuctions.com or by calling 717-960-6400. On the web are links and information for becoming a bidder, a link to buy spectator tickets, consigning a vehicle to a future auction and a photo gallery of most of the vehicles that are consigned to the auction.

The Hyundai Elantra, first marketed in Australia as the Lantra, was launched in 1990, and now, its evolution continues with its sixth generation, as an aggressively priced elegant family sedan with European styling, good fuel economy, an indulgent ride and a carload of standard features.

Completely redesigned for 2017, the new Elantra builds on the momentum and success gained as one of Hyundai’s all time best-selling models, with a bold sophisticated design; a longer, wider and more stable architecture; all-new efficient powertrains for enhanced fuel economy; better ride quality and noise insulation; comprehensive safety with class-above features; and an impressive assortment of high tech and infotainment items.

Elantra projects confidence with sculpted body forms complemented by smoothly contoured lines blended with functional aerodynamics. From the front, Elantra is defined by Hyundai’s signature hexagonal grille and modern lighting signatures, including available HID headlights with Dynamic Bending Lights and unique vertical LED daytime running lights. Its sporty lower front fascia integrates functional front wheel air curtains, a component that is derived from the Sonata Hybrid that helps manage air flow from the front of the vehicle and around the wheels to minimize turbulence and wind resistance. And sleek bodyside character lines accentuate a sweeping side window silhouette and striking side profile.

All of the cues fit into a larger package within the same footprint. The 2017 Elantra is 0.8 inches longer this year at 179.9 inches long; the width has gained an inch at 70.9 inches wide and height remains 56.3 inches high on the same 106.3-inch wheelbase, with a minimum ground clearance of 5.3 inches. The vehicle gains road stability, and is about 100 lbs. lighter with a curbweight of 2850 lbs.

In keeping with the exterior evolution, Elantra matures inside as well. The cabin depicts a modern driver-oriented design that is optimized for intuitive control, improved interior roominess, high-quality materials and premium technology features. The contemporary interior design integrates premium soft-touch materials in key touch points and high-tech details to create an inviting and comfortable interior environment for all passengers.

Though larger outside, Elantra is actually tighter inside. Filled with comfort, environmental and infotainment-communication items, the Elantra cabin is refined with intuitive design and lighting, and its standard leather seating surfaces join with cloth-like pillar trim made of fibrous tissue and volcanic rock for a premium look and feel. However, Elantra provides front headroom of only 38.8 inches (1.2 inches tighter than the last generation) and rear headroom is only 37.3 inches. Legroom loses an inch, but is still accommodating at 42.2 inches in front with only 35.7 inches in row two. Shoulder room is generous throughout with 56.2 inches up front and 55.3 inches in the rear.

Powerwise, the new Elantra receives two all-new powertrains designed for improved fuel efficiency and everyday drivability performance. The standard engine available on the base SE and Limited trims is a 2.0-liter Nu MPI Atkinson four-cylinder engine producing a peak 147 horsepower and 132 lb. ft. of torque. The second powertrain is an all-new 1.4-liter Kappa turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine equipped on the Elantra Eco trim. This engine produces 128 hp and 156 lb-ft. of torque. My test Elantra SE’s 2.0-liter engine was mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission for an EPA estimated at 29mpg in city driving and 38mpg on the highway. My week of mixed-use testing yielded an average of 33.2mpg.

The Elantra ride is worthy of higher-segment comfort and quietness. Rack-and-pinion type, power assisted Motor Driven Power Steering was responsive on the autocross and took S-curves with confidence. Uphill grades were conquered with ease and acceleration was acceptable in mid ranges. Acting more like the family sedan it is, than a track star, my track tests were completed in a 9.6-second sprint from zero to 60mph and a 17.2-second quarter-mile.

Also fitting the family sedan niche, the independent MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs, hydraulic twin-tube gas-filled shock absorbers, and 22mm stabilizer bar matched well with a coupled torsion beam axle rear, gas-filled, hydraulic monotube shock absorbers and coil springs for enhanced steering stability and ride smoothness.

A top safety pick, Elantra is built with strong unibody construction, front and rear crumple zones and internal dual beams in its rear doors. Additional safety features in addition to those mentioned above include hill-start assist control, seatbelt pretensioners, tire pressure monitoring system and driver’s blind spot mirror.

The 2017 Hyundai Elantra in Base SE trim with a manual transmission starts at $17,150 – automatic is $1000 extra; the Elantra Eco starts at $20,650 and the Elantra Limited starts at $22,350 (and that includes an automatic transmission). Automatic transmission within the AE A/T Tech Package added $1300 and came with LED Daytime Running Lights, Blind Spot Detection w/ Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, 3.5-inch TFT monochromatic cluster display, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, dual automatic temperature control with auto defogger, proximity key with push button start, immobilizer and hand-free smart trunk, door handle approach light, heated front seats and more. An Auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink® and Blue Link® added $295; carpeted floor mats were $125 and freight charges added $885, for a sticker-as-tested of $19,755.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

11 events down, one to go – that’s all that remains for Carlisle Events as part of wildly successful 2017 season. The team from Carlisle, Pennsylvania is heading south to the Sunshine State to wrap it all up with Fall Florida AutoFest, November 10-12 at the SUN ‘n FUN campus in Lakeland. The three-day festivities include family fun, a car show, swap meet, car corral, collector car auction and more!

It all gets underway on Thursday, November 9 with vendor and auction load-in. Once in position, this will anchor the fun which commences at 8 a.m. on Friday, November 10. Carlisle Auctions brings 400+ classic and collectible rides, plus merchandise and collectibles to the auction block, while Carlisle Events offers hundreds of vending spaces and hundreds more vendors selling all things automotive. New to the hobby or seasoned veteran, this event is perfect for everyone!

Another great feature of the show is the car corral. While cars are for sale as they are within the auction, the car corral offers vehicles that are for sale by owner vs. to the highest bidder. This allows for negotiation, tire kicking and an overall once over that can’t always be accomplished within the fast-paced nature of an auction.

Family fun is also a key element to the show. Offering a nod to SUN ‘n FUN’s aeronautical roots, Fall AutoFest offers helicopter and airplane rides, a morning fly over as part of the national anthem, air stunt show and appearances by Patty Wagstaff, World Aerobatic Champion, Gene McNeely, AeroShell Aerobatic Team member, Paul Schulten, Orville Eagle and more. Wagstaff will also sign autographs and pose for photos free of charge at the event. Additional family fun includes a wild life show with Bwana Jim and the chance to check out the air museum too.

Finally, what AutoFest event would be complete without the always expanding car show and Air & Coach Concours. These two show features welcome show cars, motor coaches, airplanes and more. The car show portion hosts hundreds of classics from around central Florida, while the Air & Coach display is an upscale, VIP gathering of motor coaches and their enthusiasts.

For those that can’t make Lakeland in November, Carlisle Events returns in February for Winter AutoFest. That show runs February 23-25, 2018. Tickets for both Florida events as well details on every show promoted by Carlisle Events can be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.

Dodge entered the American “Muscle Car” Wars with the 1970 Challenger, debuting in fall 1969 with a Chrysler “E-body” short-deck, long-hood platform it shared with the Plymouth Barracuda. With powertrain choices that ranged from a 145-hp 225-cubic-inch I-6, to a 426-ci HEMI V-8 that thundered out 425 horses (there was also a larger 440-ci V-8 that produced 390 horsepower), Challenger’s first run ended in 1974.

Back as a retro-luxury-musclecar in 2008, Challenger recreated its 1970 look as an old-school muscle street machine with a long nose, front end skirt and hood scoop, in a sedan package. Following a re-design in 2015 that built on the 1970s architecture, Challenger added a few trim and wheel options last year, and this year, with its 707-hp HELLCAT and other trims that stampede out from 305 to 485 horses, the Challenger is being marketed by Dodge as “the most powerful muscle car ever,” and “The Strongest Muscle in America.”

New for this year are all-new Dodge Challenger T/A and Challenger T/A 392 models; heritage-inspired cosmetic styling advances to several HEMI-powered trims; wider, 20 x 9-inch and 20 x 9.5-inch wheels with high-performance Goodyear and Pirelli tires; increased stopping power with ultra-high performance Brembo brakes; Satin Black exterior graphics; sport seats; a new directed cold-air hood system; a cold-air induction system, and “Air Catcher” headlights inspired by the Challenger SRT Hellcat.

Also new are performance bolstered seats and Dodge performance steering wheel with available die-cast paddle shifters; standard Active Exhaust; FCA’s fourth-generation Uconnect infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration; standard Houndstooth cloth upholstery, and a new 8.4-inch touchscreen with navigation offers multi-touch gestures with pinch, tap and swipe capability.

With 10 models and 13 variations offered, the rear-wheel drive Challenger is assembled in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, with a unitized steel body, a 1971-style split grille, projector headlamps with halo light-emitting diode surrounds and LED tail lamps. In the rear are a body-colored rear spoiler and dual-chromed exhaust tips integrated into the lower rear fascia. My 4175-lb. test Challenger R/T measured an aerodynamic 197.9 inches in length, 75.7 inches in width and 57.5 inches in height on a 116.2-inch wheelbase, providing running ground clearance of 5.2 inches.

Regarding power, 2017 Challengers are available with four engine choices and either manual or automatic transmissions. The 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V-8 that muscles-up the Challenger HELLCAT with 707 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. torque, is EPA rated at 13mpg in the city and 22mpg on the highway. A 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 is also available that delivers 485 hp / 475 lb.-ft. torque and is rated at 15/city and 25/highway. The 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 and its 372 horses and 400 lb.-ft. of torque that powered my test Challenger, is EPA rated at 16/city and 25/highway; and a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 is also offered, delivering 305 hp / 268 lbs.-ft., rated at 19/city, 30/highway (RWD).

My Challenger R/T test car was musclecar quick, both on the highway and on the track. I took on the dragstrip in a 6-second-flat (hand-timed) zero-to-60-mph dash, and a 14.4-second quarter-mile. For comparison, the top-of-the-line trim, Challenger SRT Hellcat with its 707-hp 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V-8 has been factory tested in a 3-second 0-60mph sprint and a National Hot Rod Association-certified quarter-mile elapsed time of 11.2 seconds with street tires (10.8 seconds on race slicks).

But my Challenger R/T and its 375-hp 5.7-liter HEMI engine mated to a Tremec 6-speed manual transmission will garner way more sales, so I tested it that way and was more than satisfied with its performance. While there is slight hesitation when pedal stomping at speed to pass or overtake a hill on the interstate, it is undeniably powerful and attacks the highway confidently while being smooth and a head-turner around town.

Gentle for passengers, Challenger’s independent front and indy five-link rear suspension smoothes out most irregularities and while there is some float at high speed reminiscent of 1970s road feel, the available SRT-tuned suspensions in Sport Mode gives a track-worthy feel.

Inside the 2017 Dodge Challenger is a performance-focused cockpit, featuring world-class materials, execution and technology, also inspired by the interior of the 1971 Challenger. The cabin seats five and is accommodating with 39.3 inches of front headroom and 37.1 inches in row two; leg room of 42.0 inches in front and 33.1 inches in the rear, and shoulder room of 58.5 and 53.9.

Safetywise, the 2017 Dodge Challenger has earned a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and includes more than 70 standard safety and security features.

The base Challenger SXT and its 3.6-liter engine starts at $26,995 and the line-up runs through 10 trim versions, topping off at the SRT® Hellcat at $64,195 base. My review R/T is third up and gets the 5.7-liter HEMI to base at $32,995. Mine had the fun-to-drive 6-speed manual transmission (an automatic 8-speed trans would have added $1500). The Cold Weather Group option added a 180-amp alternator, heated front seats and heated steering wheel for $495; the Driver Convenience Group added Blind Spot and Rear Cross Path Detection, High Intensity Discharge Headlamps, ParkSense® Rear Park Assist System, power multi-function mirrors with manual fold-away and remote start system for $1295; we upgraded the audio with a 276-watt amplifier and six premium speakers with the $795 Sound Group; and a power sunroof added $1195. Finally, a modern R/T hood stripe was added for $495. Destination charges of $1095 put my 2017 Challenger R/T at $38,365, but incentives of up to $4250 may be available in some regions, so check out your local dealer for applicable incentives.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.