Looking for a cool car for under $18,000? Well, you’re lucky because Kelley Blue Book has just put together a list of the Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000.

“The vehicles that made Kelley Blue Book’s 2009 list of Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000 — typically a gas-sipping and obviously affordable bunch — are cooler than they have ever been,” KBB said in a statement. “More fun, more practical and more amenity-laden than ever before, today’s entry-level vehicles deliver more than simply affordable and efficient transportation.”

Check out the complete list after the jump and head over to KBB.com to read their article.

2009 Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000 List:

2009 Honda Fit

2010 Kia Soul

2010 MAZDA3

2009 Nissan cube

2009 smart fortwo

2009 Ford Focus

2009 Scion xB

2009 Subaru Impreza

2009 Suzuki SX4

2009 Volkswagen Rabbit

- By: Omar Rana

Ford said today that it expects to save about $500 million annually from the concessions that United Auto Workers members approved to its 2007 national labor contract. The move will allow Ford to use stock to fund up to half of its obligations to retiree health care trusts.

Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s group vice president of global manufacturing and labor affairs said that the Dearborn automaker will close its Wayne Assembly Plant which is responsible for building the current version of the Ford Focus.

Hinrichs said that Ford plans to build the next-generation Focus at its Michigan Truck Plant. Production at the Michigan Truck Plant was ceased last year. The plant for responsible for building the Lincoln Navigator and the Ford Expedition.

While there will be no job losses due to the plant closure, Ford is offering new buyouts to hourly workers.

Source: Detroit Free Press

Not only do the Europeans get the Ford Focus RS, Ford today announced a new sport Focus Zetec S – just for Europeans. What’s so special about this edition? Based on the existing Zetec model the Focus Zetec S comes with a full sport styling kit consisting of a front and rear spoiler, 17-inch alloy wheels, aluminum foot pedals and hand brake cover and exclusive ‘S’ badge on the front fender.

The Ford Focus Zetec S is available in both three and five-door variants and is offered with the same wide choices of existing engines plus the edition of the new 1.6 Ti-VCT producing 115-hp. Power is transferred to the wheels via Ford’s six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission.

The Ford Focus Zetec S is priced £750 above the equivalent Zetec model. The additional features are worth over £1,600. Two optional styling packs are also available including the Sport Pack which gives you 18-inch alloy wheels and a privacy glass, WRC Pack which includes World Rally Championship ‘chequered flag’ decals and WRC scuff plates.

Click through for more high-res photos.

Ford Focus Zetec S: