These days it’s hard to know whether or not Ford is a car company or technology company. They have certainly taken vehicle technology to new levels, so this latest is of no surprise.

Ford plans to implement its rear view camera system in nearly all of its Ford and Lincoln models by the end of 2011. This added safety feature is another valuable feature in giving drivers vehicle awareness of its surroundings.

“Ford is making new innovations such as the Rear View Camera System available to a wide range of customers in most of our vehicles to help them see better when reversing,” said Jim Buczkowski, director of electrical and electronics systems engineering at Ford. “Our research shows that visibility is one of the biggest customer concerns today, which is why we are the only company to offer a Rear View Camera System, Blind Spot Mirrors and the radar-based Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic system.”

The rearview camera system increases visibility and is one of the biggest concerns that Ford customers have expressed.

This will certainly help full-size pickups and vans which often encounter tight parking situations where maneuvering efficiently improves the drivers experience.

In addition, truck owners will love this feature when the time comes to hitch up a trailer. In the dark, bright reverse lighting occurs giving the driver a sufficient view regardless of the time of day.

Ford realized this need through listening to customers in coming up with features that these customers would really appreciate. The fact that Ford plans to roll this out in nearly all vehicles further supports the interests that Ford has for it’s drivers.

Ford is playing musical engines with it’s new EcoBoost platform finding a home under the hood of new F-150’s, so to keep it simple they’re dropping a 6.2L into the Raptor and Harley Davidson limited edition trucks.

The upgrade to the 6.2L is music to the ears of those who wanted to get a better experience behind the wheel of something limited in production but not necessarily power.

Most of the people considering a Raptor or Harley edition won’t be disappointed to hear that a bigger engine will be chosen for 2011 models, these are just more reasons to pull the trigger based on the reviews where many said they should have put the 6.2L in to begin with.

In addition to getting extra power to the wheels, Ford is also bringing the 4 door SuperCab configuration to the 2011 models. The result is more passenger friendly, and accessible while providing additional leg room due to the longer wheelbase.

As expected, the price gets a little higher in 2011 due to the engine upgrade, putting it at a suggested starting MSRP of $41,260.

The new standard engine will put the Raptor into the segment it belongs, as one of the most capable off-road trucks that includes a suspension system that has been thoroughly tested and challenged in several offroad situations.

With the 6.2L V8, the 2011 Ford F150 Raptor boasts 411 HP and 434 ft. lbs. of torque, making it an offroad expert capable of the most technical and rugged of courses. Ford’s decision leaves little to improve upon in upcoming years, and grabs the attention of the competition and raises the bar.

EcoBoost technology joins F-150 lineup – The 3.5-liter EcoBoost™ engine specially tuned for truck application joins the revamped powertrain lineup for the 2011 Ford F-150. This engine incorporates established heavyduty truck diesel engine technologies of turbocharging and direct fuel injection in a gasoline engine. This new EcoBoost delivers 90 percent peak torque at 1,700 rpm and continues to 5,000 rpm, making it ideally suited for trailer towing and other truck applications. The rigid testing protocol for this engine was developed from the profile of the harshest-use F-150 customer. This profile was used as the baseline for extensive computer analysis, which was then backed by hardware tests and in-vehicle validation. All tests together replicate more than 1.6 million miles of customer use.*

How Turbocharger Technology Works

The turbocharger is a wonderful piece of technology that has allowed engines for hundreds of years to incorporate the ability to reuse its own exhaust byproduct to generate more power to the engine.

An engine is nothing more than an air pump. The more air you put in, the more power it makes. The downside is when you force more air in, it heats up and then causes the potential for internal detonation which can destroy an engine. Turbochargers can work around this problem when they pair it up with an intercooler, whose job is to cool the air down before it enters the engine.

Cooler air equals more power. Cool air is much more dense than hot air, so in terms of volume of air the engine can handle before detonation, the more dense the air the higher the volume and thus the more power the engine makes.

The Ford F-150 suggested MSRP starts at $22,415 for the XL model.

V6 or V8

It’s obvious that a V6 is going to be more wallet friendly when it comes time to fill the tank, but will it do? If you’ve been in a situation where you’re driving to the job and carrying a lot of materials you may have felt disappointed when you hit the gas to merge onto the freeway driving a V6. If that causes you grief then just go with a V8 and don’t think twice. Any savings in gas will not be worth the aggravation one can have with a lack of power.

Stop and Go Traffic

Let’s consider the previously mentioned situation wasn’t an experience you’ve encountered. In that case, consider how often you spend your time traveling – percent of time driving on city streets versus highway. If you’re on the highway often then a V8 would be the better choice to solve the merging problem, but if you do more inner city street driving, a V6 would likely be the winner. Stop and go traffic can be a killer of gas consumption and efficiency, so think about where you are driving the most and decide accordingly.

A V6 doesn’t have the power that one needs in a work truck usually, work trucks are often loaded down with tools and other materials making them quite difficult to get up to speed when needed. Even if you’re not on the highway, areas that have a lot of hills may also vindicate buying a V8.

Conclusion

Ask yourself how you need to travel for work, what types of roads do you spend the majority of your time on? City streets and stop and go traffic – get a V6, anything else get the V8.

The new technology combined with a luxury leather interior makes the Ford Fusion really glow. But besides the lighting, the leather seats, entertainment system, it’s the ability to mold all of these components together into a very satisfying experience that has my attention.  It really does have a solid integration with SYNC, and pairing a Bluetooth mobile phone takes only minutes to do.

The lighting and the seats quickly comfort you and give a sense of excitement and personality. For instance, my daughter loves the purple color, her second choice to pink. This subtle customization component albeit a simple one quickly gives the driver a close bond with the vehicle.

It’s wonderful to drive a vehicle made by a company that is embracing change, promoting technology, a truly satisfying the needs of its owners. If Ford were a computer company, Apple might see some interesting competition.

Ford answers this call to action and is developing an open source platform that will seek true innovation in a direction that will benefit the world as electric vehicles begin to emerge.

The support of Ford with the SYNC platform makes it a complete system designed for the tech geeks to the average joe who wants it all integrated and accessible.  Staying connected with the applications one needs can be the difference between making an important business meeting or coordinating a group of people through the various networking tools that people use these days.

Its possible that the reaction could be taken a bit on the offensive side, so I’d probably refrain from saying that and simply try to find out for myself what leads to these vehicles being so popular. I often thought it was the size of the inner city streets, with Paris in particular being no place for an SUV to navigate.

Beginning in early 2010, Ford has gone to a global design concept making their vehicles more and more familiar looking no matter where you are. This helps from a cost perspective but even more significant it helps from the brand perspective as you can always expect the same quality in a Ford Focus wherever it’s sold. The European version seemed to have been getting regular enhancements while the US version didn’t evolve much.

The 2012 Focus certainly looks remarkable, particularly in 5-door form. The designers and engineers felt they were capable of making the Focus sportier by lowering the seats and the overall height of the vehicle to give it a more slick appeal. In contrast to today’s version of the Ford Focus in the US, the new version is 0.5 inch lower and a 1.3-inch extended wheelbase. The 2012 Ford Focus’s proportions are close to the present Euro car apart from a wider stance and lower height.

A high steel strength has been used for 55% of the body. Rigidity has shot up to 25% more that the present Focus. The Ford Focus will get 2.0L, direct injection 4 cylinder with variable intake and exhaust valve timing. It has been said from Ford that the engine will have 155hp and 145 ft-lbs of torque. They will also have an Ecoboost engine in the new Focus along with 2 transmission options. Electric power steering with torque vectoring will be a new feature. The interior appearance is that of a champion with options like rear view camera, a keyless ignition, a GPS system, blind spot warning system and an upgraded SYNC Infotainment System.

Ford Motor Company brands are linked to new technology and fun gadgets from the all new-Eco Friendly Nav to this new upgrade that keeps driver safety at the forefront of all technological features incorporated into their models. AppLink will offer hands free access to drivers which allow driver focus to remain on the road.

At this time the extension works with Backberry and Android phones; however, next year AppLink will be available for all Ford brand vehicles and will also add iPhone. The three Sync apps are: Pandora Internet Radio, Stitcher “smart radio” and OpenBeak. Look for more apps in the near future as Ford is already in the development mode and will offer “Mobile Application Developer Network” which will allow more apps for Ford vehicle drivers.

Smartphone apps enable owners to stay in touch with a variety of information. In the coming years Smartphone apps will enable the consumer almost instant access to their personal contacts, work files, and even the onboard computer of your car. While many of these apps already exist broadband connections will become faster and faster which will enable Smartphone customers to connect no matter the location and will allow consumers the ability to download and upload information very quickly.

Ford Motor Company sees the future and will initially put the AppLink in a car that also captures a futuristic vision of an energetic insanely intelligent demographic that can not have too many apps or enough time on the Smartphone. However, having information a voice command away is not only for the young but the young at heart; granting consumers information while allowing them to keep both eyes focused on the road. Ford Motor Company, a visionary when it comes to the needs of its customers, continues to engineer safety and convenience into their brands.

Many remember the day and many more will remember the day. The 1965 Mustang, the best thing since the “Tin Lizzy” reached out to a market that was chronologically young and also to those who remain forever young. Ford’s marketing department acknowledged there are reasons people buy cars that have little to do with responsibility and everything to do with identity and the car/driver experience.

Features like a sleek physique, a big and proven powerplant, and smooth handling speak a kind of language that makes the marketing department’s job easy. Through the years Mustang evolved with the country’s mindset which was not always exciting for muscle car enthusiasts, but the missing link to that raw excitement is back: the 5.0 fender badge.

The 2011 Ford Mustang is dressed out to compete with Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger. The 2011 Stang drives in with an all-new 32 valve 5.0-L (Not 4.9) V-8 that races 412 horses and offers muscle madness at 390 lb.-ft of torque. Ford’s use of new technology (TiVCT), Cam Torque-actuated twin independent variable grants the GT owner power with fuel economy. The 2011 Mustang GT offers consumers 25 miles per gallon and is kinder to the environment; Ford Motor Company’s pledge to keep consumers happy and with the GT 5.0-L not only happy but ecstatic and the earth healthy–continues.

The GT comes with either a six-speed manual or a six speed automatic, Electronic power-assisted steering, and an upgrade on strut and shock tuning. Optional on the 2011 GT is Brembo braking (14-inch front rotors and 19-inch wheels). Also Ford has made improvements in steering response with a fine tune of spring and damper rates.

As the pony race heats up once again, muscle car fans can once again talk in present tense.

Ford engineers’ mindset for this project is to gather user feedback, performance data, and video footage. Customers can go to the 2011 Super Duty Web site to watch the trucks in action. There is also a counter on the site that gives running and up to date totals of pounds towed and hauled, hours on the job, and miles driven. Other totals like power figures and work capacities are not available yet.

Testing in-house is a given but Ford carried the all-new 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V-8 and 6R140 TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission to the ultimate level where workers give their all and need a truck that is an asset day in and day out while keeping fueling costs and costs to the environment as low as possible.

According to Ford, the all-new diesel engine is quieter, lighter, more powerful, and more fuel efficient. Ford’s goal to give the customer a Ford Tough truck may have another merit in setting a standard industry-wide with the first engineered, first designed, and the first built diesel engine with a blueprint that says Ford.

The 2011 Super Duty offers customers more horsepower, more torque, and at better fuel economy–then even after hours of in-house testing wanted more for the customer base. Engineers wanted to make sure the truck would obtain and exceed expectations and invite customers and future customers to follow the progress on the 2011 Super Duty Web site. Ford, founded on quality, continues that great tradition.

Ford Edge customers will have three engine options but is confident EcoBoost will be the hands down favorite soon after its introduction. Ford projects that by 2013, 90% of Ford’s vehicles in North America will be available with EcoBoost, with I-4 engines making up 66% of the EcoBoost lineup.

Ford’s EcoBoost engine is already an option in the Ford Taurus SHO, Lincoln MKT and MKS, and Ford Flex. However, the EcoBoost in a four-cylinder package is new technology and one that has had led to a lot of excitement amongst enthusiasts.

Marketing the Ford Edge with EcoBoost to an affluent young demographic is one reason the EcoBoost will prove to keep the Ford Edge winning awards and traditional and non-traditional customer loyalty.

While the jury is still out on what the actual fuel economy numbers will be on the 2011 Ford Edge, the U.S. Department of Energy gives the 2009 Ford Edge fuel economy as 17 city, 24 highway, and a combined fuel economy of 19. Consumers could expect to drive 325 miles on a 19 gallon tank of gas.²

With Ford’s focus on performance without foregoing fuel economy, the future looks pretty good behind the wheel of the traditionally top selling Ford Edge.

[1] http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/02/ford-edge-ecoboost-20-liter-i-4-engine-to-make-us-debut/1

[2] http://www.fueleconomy.gov/FEG/noframes/26127.shtml

It’s a landslide for Ford:

DETROIT, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ –

Ford swept the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards today at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), winning both prestigious awards for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and the 2010 Ford Transit Connect, respectively

It is the third time in 17 years that one manufacturer has won both awards

The Ford Fusion Hybrid is America’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedan with an EPA-estimated 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway

The Transit Connect is an industry-exclusive vehicle developed to be a smart new choice for small business owners; it offers double the fuel economy of full-size vans, generous and accessible cargo space, and the agility and maneuverability to operate in crowded urban areas

Alan Mulally is an unstoppable force, he’s brilliant with his strategy and has turned the company around while taking backlash for driving the competition’s cars and stating a competitor’s car was the best in the world. He did so because it was the truth at the time, and was determined to beat it.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid has more that catapulted itself above any other vehicle it competes with. This has everything to do with understanding what people want and delivering a product that leaves them speechless.

Take the Ford SYNC for example. Estimates as high as 70+% of those surveyed said this technology was *THE* deciding factor in why they went with Ford. So what does Ford do? They take it up a notch and start offering an open SDK (software development kit) in the likes of Apple’s infamous iPhone App marketplace which has over 100,000 applications.

The company has taken off because it intends to. The company wanted to make the best cars in the world, it’s doing so.

If there was one thing that you could pinpoint on the successes of Ford it would be Mulally, clearly. Studying his philosophy reveals a leader that understands the needs of not only his customers but of the workforce. The workers aren’t dancing in the streets of Detroit but there is no questioning the company wouldn’t be where it’s at without the commitment of every individual worker to produce the best in the world.

That’s right, best in the world – Another title Ford claimed with the Ford Taurus at the 2010 CES (Consumer Electronics Show).

Researchers at Ford are developing alternatives for car components that would reduce or replace many of the parts made from plastics, rubber, foam, film, fabric and fiberglass with those derived from biomaterials to decrease our dependence on foreign oil. Ford’s team is developing all-new composites made from natural ingredients such as soy, hemp, cellulose and the sugars in corn, sugarcane and sugar beets.

About 10 percent of an automobile is made up of plastics – from doors, interior cabin parts and instrument panels to those out-of-sight sections such as impact shields, engine covers and insulating materials. Tests have shown that natural-fiber reinforced plastics reduce weight by up to 30 percent, depending on the part. Ford is now working with a biodegradable plastic called polylactic plastic (PLA) made from the sugars in sugarcane, corn, switch grass and other plants. Parts made of this can biodegrade after their lifecycle in from 90 to 120 days compared to up to 1,000 years in a landfill for traditional petroleum-based plastic.

There is a downside. Natural fiber replacements are more likely to absorb moisture, retain odors and are designed to biodegrade quickly. Researchers want to make sure that they last the lifetime of the vehicle before that happens. That’s why Ford started the BioCar Initiative, an Ontario government-funded project designed to advance the use of more plant-based materials in both the automotive and agricultural industries.

Working with several universities and organizations such as the University of Ontario and the University of Toronto, scientists are looking toward nano fillers that have the potential to reduce weight, yet maintain or even surpass the strength of materials made with glass fibers. Debbie Mielewski, Technical Leader, Ford Plastics Research, says, “We have to entertain the thought of bio-replacement in baby steps, looking at every aspect of a car that could be green.”

Ford is already the industry leader in soy-based polyurethane foam seat cushions and seatbacks, which are in more than 1.5 million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. That represents a petroleum usage reduction of approximately 1.5 million pounds. The 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan feature 85 percent post-industrial yarns in seat fabrics.

Ford has also worked with other industries to capitalize on its greener materials technology and leads the way in innovative research to develop leaner and greener vehicles and reduce petroleum-based product consumption to ensure a cleaner environment for all.

Source: IMN

“We are honored to be recognized by Popular Science with a Best of What’s New award,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president of Global Product Development. “Active Park Assist is just one example of the smart technology features Ford is bringing to market not just for the sake of technology, but to meet the needs and wants of customers.”

Active Park Assist uses sensors on the front and rear of the vehicle to guide the vehicle into a parking space. The technology is a major leap forward in speed and ease of use compared with camera-reliant systems. The Ford system requires less driver interface and reduces the risk of selecting a parking spot that is too tight. Unlike competing systems, Active Park Assist also works in downhill parking situations, and is available as an optional feature on several 2010 models including Ford Escape, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, Lincoln MKT and Mercury Mariner.

“For 22 years, Popular Science has honored the innovations that surprise and amaze us – those that make a positive impact on our world today and challenge our views of what’s possible in the future,” said Mark Jannot, editor-in-chief of Popular Science. “The Best of What’s New award is the magazine’s top honor, and the 100 winners represent the highest level of achievement in their fields.”

How Active Park Assist works:

• The driver activates the system by pressing an instrument panel button, which activates the ultrasonic sensors to measure and identify a feasible parallel parking space.
• The system then prompts the driver to accept its assistance to park.
• The steering system then takes over and steers the car into the parking space hands-free. The driver still shifts the transmission and operates the gas and brake pedals.
• A visual and/or audible driver interface advises the driver about the proximity of other cars, objects and people and provides instructions.
• While the steering is all done automatically, the driver remains responsible for safe parking and can interrupt the system by grasping the steering wheel.

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 200,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

About Popular Science
Founded in 1872, Popular Science (www.popsci.com) is the world’s largest science and technology magazine, with a circulation of 1.3 million and 7.1 million readers. Each month, Popular Science delivers “The Future Now,” reporting on the intersection of science and everyday life with an eye toward what’s new and why it matters. Popular Science is published by the Bonnier Corporation (www.bonniercorp.com), one of the largest consumer publishing groups in America and the leading media company serving passionate, highly engaged audiences through more than 40 special-interest magazines and related multimedia projects and events

Sales for 2009 already have reached 151,137 units, eclipsing the previous Fusion full-year sales high of 149,552 in 2007. Importantly, Fusion sales are skyrocketing at a time when industry sales are the lowest they have been since the early ’80s.

“It’s extraordinary that a car could set a sales record in an environment where overall industry sales are down 26 percent from a year ago,” Ford sales analyst George Pipas said.

In the first ten months of 2009, Fusion sales were 15 percent higher than a year ago. Also, Fusion has moved among America’s Top 10 selling vehicles and the No. 1 selling domestic car.

The 2010 Fusion and Fusion Hybrid are the most fuel-efficient sedans in America. The new models offer more power, class-exclusive technologies, such as Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) and Ford SYNC®, and more total passenger and luggage capacity than the Toyota Camry.

According to Fusion Marketing Manager Jonathan Richards, the diversity of the 2010 Fusion lineup is drawing a growing number of customers to the brand.

“There is no reason for customers shopping for a midsize sedan to look beyond the Fusion, because the lineup offers something for everyone – a Hybrid model, a Sport version and a new selection of gas-powered engines paired with six-speed transmission,” he said.

Sales data show that consumers are taking notice.

“Fusion Hybrid, Sport and SEL models account for 50 percent of sales,” said Richards. “Data also show that customers are embracing technology offerings such as voice-activated navigation, SYNC and Sony® Audio.”

Sales of the new Fusion Hybrid account for almost 20 percent of total Fusion retail sales. Perhaps even more significant, more than 60 percent of Fusion Hybrid sales have been to customers coming from import brands – mostly Toyota and Honda.

The Fusion Hybrid delivers an EPA estimated 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway. It also offers innovative new technology – SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide – that coaches hybrid drivers to maximize fuel efficiency.

According to early 2010 survey data obtained in the 2009 U.S. Global Quality Research System (GQRS), the 2010 Fusion Hybrid has the highest customer satisfaction ratings of any Ford vehicle ever. The survey was conducted for Ford Motor Company by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 200,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com