Archive for the ‘Ford Vehicles’ Category

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2012 Ford Focus Is Eco + Logical

Sunday, June 13th, 2010

I’ve been to Europe, and I’ve often thought to say the following – “what small cars you people drive”, now it seems that concept is becoming more regular here in the States – as they call us.

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.

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SYNC Apps – 2011 Ford Fiesta First To Get Apps

Sunday, May 30th, 2010

The all-new 2011 Ford Fiesta will be available summer 2010 and Ford is outfitting the sporty sub-compact with AppLink. This great new technology is an upgrade for Sync, Ford’s interior communications and entertainment hub. AppLink is downloadable and will allow a driver’s voice commands to engage smartphone applications.

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.

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2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0L 412HP and 26MPG

Friday, April 30th, 2010

We think this is one of the best headlines ever inked into print and such an explosive statement that the auto enthusiast is immediately tuned into the audio and visual of Ford’s iconic muscle car—with that ‘sitting on the edge of the seat barely-breathing-pulse-racing anticipation’ feeling once again.

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.

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Halliburton Puts the 2011 Super Duty to the Test

Sunday, April 4th, 2010

What better way to find out how Ford’s 2011 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 will perform than a preproduction test? Ford found some of the toughest field jobs at companies that encounter tough terrains and inclement weather conditions: oil field workers, men who tackle the swamps in Florida, and construction crews from these companies: Halliburton, Florida Power & Light Company, TexOp Construction, and Reynolds Asphalt and Construction.

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.

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Ford Edge Gets EcoBoost Engine in 2010

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Ford is taking the Edge to new a new level by offering extreme performance and better gas mileage to go along with comfort and compatibility. The new Ford Edge will come equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection and a turbocharger. This EcoBoost version of the Ford Edge offers drivers the performance of a V-6 and does this while conserving fuel.

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

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