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Archive for July, 2009
Saturday, July 25th, 2009
Inside the new and improved 2009 Ford Focus.
The 2009 Ford Focus is something of a mechanical metaphor. Instead of simply being the economical coupe and sedan in Ford’s lineup, the Focus represents, well, the focus of the company itself. Ford’s solid foundation in practicality and versatility is matched only by its commitment to efficiency and customer satisfaction.
This year, Ford’s renowned Focus has been improved even further, adding an element of luxury and style to a vehicle already known for its functionality and fuel efficiency. Instead of resting on its laurels, Ford is improving upon an already proven platform, rolling out the best Focus yet and opening up the introductory model to a wider spectrum of drivers.
Start outside where Ford’s latest exhibits modern style and flair. A sleek, simple body design is well thought out and perfectly crafted, a testament to Ford’s entire line redesign and obvious emphasis on contemporary quality. Up front, the blue oval rests between bold horizontal chrome bars stretching between two wraparound headlamps. A black mesh grille, integrated foglamps and a dynamically grooved hood complete a remarkably athletic front end.
To either side, the Focus rests on available 16-inch Euroflanged alloys and features long, modern lines, body-colored accents and sporty side air vents. The Focus luxury trim level, the SEL, adds European-inspired chrome accents and amenities. In the back, the 2009 Focus features a simple, sloping design, highlighted by an available lip spoiler and wraparound taillights. There’s a great deal of character and class in the Focus design.
Beneath the hood, the 2009 Focus sticks to its eco-friendly roots, but compromises nothing when it comes to performance. The standard 2.0-liter Duratec 16-valve DOHC engine powers out a spirited 140 hp and maintains remarkably low emissions and fuel economy up to 35 mpg highway. Its rigid body design couples nicely with an available performance-tuned suspension system, as well as stabilizer bars and sporty tires to provide a greater feel of the road and ensure precise, dynamic handling. Nobody ever said practical couldn’t be fun.
New this year, Focus includes an electronic stability control system, which actively monitors wheel slippage and divvies up brake power or torque to the wheels with the most traction, ensuring confident handling in adverse conditions. A reinforced safety cage, a feature more often found on larger vehicles, as well as six standard airbags place the newest Focus squarely at the top of its class when it comes to safety.
Inside, the Focus cabin has been given an upscale, tech-savvy makeover. Your choice of available ambient lighting colors gently illuminates a remarkably elegant, surprisingly spacious interior, highlighted by quality materials, available chrome accents, heated leather seats and ample personal space. The seats themselves carry on Ford’s eco-mission as they’re comprised of a bio-friendly plant-based foam.
As with every Ford that rolls off the assembly line nowadays, technology has been strongly and brilliantly emphasized in the newest Focus. A standard CD/MP3 player features an auxiliary input jack while an upgraded six-CD premium audio system includes an eight-inch booming subwoofer and SIRIUS Satellite Radio. To control it all, Ford has integrated their ingenious SYNC® system, which allows for voice activation of everything from the audio system to the Bluetooth hands-free phone system to your own iPod.
Since its inception, the Ford Focus has been a model of practicality, versatility and value. This year, Ford has taken a strong leap forward, incorporating the latest technology and whole lot of fun. It’s more than an economy sedan; it’s the Focus.
The 2009 Ford Focus features a starting MSRP of just $15,520.
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Saturday, July 25th, 2009
Ford Keeps Innovating in Family Vehicles
Don’t be surprised if, while looking closely at the Ford Flex, you catch a glimpse of something beyond a uniquely styled, highly versatile crossover. You just might be looking through a window back in time.
Ford’s leadership as a family vehicle innovator has touched many lives over the years. The Flex continues that tradition for a new generation. This time, you and your passengers will benefit from safety, comfort and onboard entertainment not possible in decades past.
If you grew up in the 1980s or before, chances are pretty good that the family vehicle you remember was a station wagon. There’s one wagon name that likely springs to mind before others: Country Squire. That was the full-size Ford, the big, roomy wagon with the faux wood trim outside and space for the whole family inside.
If yours was not a “Ford family,” maybe you had a friend with a Country Squire and rode in it from time to time. Ford offered “Squire” versions of all its wagon models, from compact to full-size. The “Squire” badge meant more than the faux wood paneling; it also brought a feeling of value, style and comfort.
High tech? For the times, yes. Ford revolutionized wagon versatility in 1966 with the Magic Door Tailgate. With innovative side and bottom hinges, it could be lowered like a conventional tailgate or opened like a door. Nobody else offered it, and it was still on the last Country Squire in 1991.
If you were a child in the 60s or 70s, you might today look enviously at the onboard entertainment features available in the Flex. In a Country Squire, the side-facing third-row seats were a favorite with kids, but entertainment was the magnetic checkerboard set that Ford offered for the fold-down table between them.
Who would have dreamed of watching movies in the car back then? Today, the Flex offers two different DVD entertainment systems.
You were lucky if your old family wagon had an AM/FM stereo or a “tape deck.” The Flex offers a Sony premium audio system that rocks out with 390 watts playing through 10 speakers, plus an in-dash six-disc CD changer, MP3 capability, and SIRIUS Satellite Radio with a complimentary six-month subscription.
Don’t forget SYNC®, Ford’s in-car voice-activated communications system that allows you to operate most popular MP3 players, Bluetooth-enabled phones and flash drives by using simple voice commands. Now SYNC includes 911 Assist™ and a Vehicle Health Report feature.
Some old wagons did have an in-car voice-activated communications system – a dad assuring the kids that, yes, “We’re almost there.” Maybe he wasn’t always inclined to want to pull over and ask for directions. In the Flex, the available navigation system takes care of that.
The family wagon might not have been the car you wanted to cruise around in when you first got your driver’s license, but it did take you on all those family vacations. Maybe it hauled a dorm room’s worth of your “stuff” to college.
The Flex continues that tradition with ample room and comfort for seven and, with the second and third seat rows folded, up to 83 cubic feet of cargo space. That old Country Squire was big, but the Flex offers more flexibility…and more luxury.
Heading out for any destination is more convenient with the Flex’s available class-exclusive fridge, which cools and freezes; and SIRIUS Travel Link™, which among other things allows you to get real-time traffic and weather and check gas prices at 120,000 gas stations across the country. Now that’s a feature the old Country Squire could have really used! Achieving the Flex’s 24 mpg highway fuel economy was simply not possible in one of the classic wagons.
With standard Advance Trac® traction control or available all-wheel drive, Flex keeps going in weather that might have sidelined the old wagon. Plus, with a smooth V6, six-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel independent suspension, it’s far much more enjoyable to drive. That’s one reason the Flex landed on Automobile magazine’s 2009 All-Stars list.
So, go ahead, take a long look at the Flex. You just might catch a glimpse of some great memories – including those yet to come.
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Saturday, July 25th, 2009
Ford Is Ready for the Future Now
Gas prices are on the rise again, but there is a bright spot in that potential cloud. It’s called “Fiesta” and it’s coming to your local Ford dealer starting next year.
Ford already offers some of the most fuel-efficient models available today including the Focus and Fusion. (The Fusion Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan you can buy, EPA-rated to achieve 41 mpg city.) A new generation of passenger cars – largely engineered with help from Ford’s European operations – promises even better fuel economy yet with fun performance and premium features.
The first of those new models, the Fiesta, arrives in 2010. Noted car magazines have already driven the Fiesta and are giving it high praise for its engaging driving character, quality and comfort. Fiesta is no ordinary small car.
Car & Driver said after driving the Fiesta, “American drivers are in for a treat because this new Fiesta is probably the best-handling and most driver-friendly of all the world’s microcars.” The magazine also compared the Fiesta’s handling fun to the MINI Cooper, but with a more comfortable ride quality.
Motor Trend praised the Fiesta’s interior design and quality and also noted its zesty handling. “Overall highway comfort really is close to far more expensive stuff like, say, an Audi A3,” the magazine said, concluding, “The new Fiesta can’t arrive here soon enough, but it will be worth the wait.”
Meanwhile, Ford is also preparing a number of other fuel-efficient models, with details to be revealed in the coming months. From each of these new models, you can expect striking styling, lively performance, outstanding comfort and, of course, high fuel economy.
Well before the Fiesta arrives for sale, you may spot one in your neighborhood. Ford used the Internet to recruit 100 “agents” for its “Fiesta Movement.” More than 4,000 people applied. The agents, many of whom are college age, will each drive a Fiesta for six months and record their experiences on social networking sites such as FaceBook, Twitter, FlickR and YouTube.
The Fiesta Movement prescribes driving “missions” that fall under various categories including Travel, Adventure, Social Activism, Technology, Style and Design and Entertainment. One such mission was to “Find someone you know, or don’t, who has never been to the ocean in their life, drive them there, take pics.” Another requested that agents “visit a family member or old friend that you’ve been out of touch with for years.”
You can follow the program on http://www.fiestamovement.com/.
You don’t need to be an agent to try the Fiesta soon, though. Ford is bringing driving events to cities all around the U.S. To find a driving event in your area, click on the Ride and Drive tab at fiestamovement.com.
Even before Ford’s intriguing new passenger cars arrive, business owners and tradespeople will be the first to experience its new vehicle revolution. Arriving this summer, the Ford Transit Connect is a radically different kind of cargo van, one that uses much less fuel while offering greater driving ease and comfort. It happens to be a snazzy looker, too.
What’s so radical about it? The Transit Connect will hold up to 135 cubic feet of cargo (up to a 1,600 pound payload), yet is 10 inches shorter than the midsize Fusion Sedan and rides lower than traditional cargo vans. So, it’s a breeze to drive and park, especially in congested areas.
The Transit Connect is coming at the perfect time, too. It starts at just $21,475 and will return an estimated 22 mpg city and 25 mpg on the highway. Check out the new Transit Connect at www.fordvehicles.com/transitconnect/.
Ford isn’t just ready for the future; it’s leading the car industry into it.
Tags: Ford Fiesta
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Saturday, July 18th, 2009
The 2010 Ford Taurus has taken a leap forward, offering a safer, more refined driving experience. This full-size, four-door sedan has been completely redesigned for the 2010 model year. It gains new technology, refreshed interior and exterior design and an array of safety features.
The 2010 Ford Taurus doesn’t simply react in the event of an accident; it attempts to avoid one in the first place. The vehicle stability control feature improves handling and control and along with traction control and antilock brakes, provides a helping hand in poor driving conditions. Safety features also include front-side airbags, side-curtain airbags, active head restraints and airbag occupancy sensors. If an accident should occur, Taurus technology takes over, providing optimum protection for its occupants.
Optional safety features include a blind spot warning system, a traffic information system, a pre-collision warning system, rear parking sensors and a rearview camera. The Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert utilizes rear- and side-aiming radar to alert drivers of potential collisions. Ford’s SYNC now includes a 911 Assist feature that instantly places a call to a local emergency operator upon deployment of the airbags.
For travelers, Ford offers Travel Link, a SIRIUS data service that sends traffic, weather, gas prices and even sports scores to the information screen on the dash. The Taurus is equipped with an ignition disable device that will prevent the engine from starting if a key other than the correct original manufacturer key is used. Automatic high beams and rain-sensing wipers come in handy, and for convenience, the Taurus has keyless entry with push-button start. Optional features include a navigation system with a hard drive music storage system and a Sony sound system.
In the overhaul, the Taurus receives a stronger, boron steel body structure to provide the most protection possible for occupants in the event of a collision. Last, but not least, the Taurus offers MyKey as standard, which allows its owners to set seatbelt reminders, stereo volume limits and stability control settings. For those who enjoy going the extra mile in their Taurus, multi-contour seats with a massage function will be an option. Ford certainly hasn’t left anything out. In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration testing, the Taurus is expected to earn five out of five stars across the board, and top scores are also predicted in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing.
The interior of the Taurus is as sophisticated as its safety features. It has user-friendly controls and a fresh design that contributes to its new upscale image. It has a twin-cowl dash constructed using high-quality materials. With technology such as a six-way power driver’s seat, power passenger’s seat and tilt-and-telescoping steering column, it’s comfortable and refined. As a full-size five-passenger sedan, the Taurus provides plenty of front-seat and rear-seat room. The SYNC electronics interface, a voice-activated technology, is optional on every trim except for the base.
This year, the Taurus SHO, a performance-oriented model, makes a comeback. Ford fans may recall the early 90s when the Taurus SHO was a favorite, but the driving experience is now better than ever. The Taurus SHO boasts a 3.5-liter V6 engine that churns 365 hp. The Taurus SE, SEL and Limited models are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 263 hp and 249 lb/ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard. On all trims except for the SE, the transmission features manual shift control with downshift rev-matching capability. Front-wheel drive is standard on every Taurus and all-wheel drive is available on SEL and Limited trims.
On the outside, the three-bar chrome grille that has long been a trademark of the Taurus now sports a new design. The fenders have been sculpted, and the headlights wrap around with high-tech lighting. The Taurus gains a more modern look overall, one that’s certainly as appealing as its interior.
The Taurus driving experience is much more engaging thanks to the recent overhaul. Road & Track says, “With available all-wheel drive, a huge, quiet and well-appointed cabin, best-in-class trunk volume and a 263-hp V6, the Taurus does everything expected of a modern large sedan.” Add to that the long list of safety features and the Taurus soars to the top of its class.
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Saturday, July 18th, 2009
Ask yourself if you would be happy with getting 37 mpg from your car. How about 47 or 57? Well, in a recent 48-hour test of a non-modified Ford Fusion Hybrid, the results came in at an astounding 81.5 mpg! That was not all downhill, highway driving.
The challenge was to drive over 1,000 continuous miles on a single tank of gas. Using the most fuel-efficient midsized sedan in America, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid was not altered in any way other than an oil change and tire pressure check prior to the start of the test, and the tank was filled with regular (87 octane) gasoline. The course chosen for the test was in the often gridlocked Washington, DC. The actual route included a three-mile stretch of downtown streets (with upward of 30 stoplights!) and parts of the George Washington Parkway.
The result was amazing. Using a change of drivers over the 48 hours and common sense driving techniques, one tank of gas (17.5 gallons) propelled the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid to 1,445.7 miles through the nation’s Capitol. That averaged out to a whopping 81.5 mpg! Those commonsense techniques can be used by any driver in any car to improve mileage. They include anticipating traffic signal timings and slowing down to avoid unnecessary stops, keeping windows closed to reduce drag, avoiding ‘jack-rabbit’ starts and stops, minimizing use of heated seats, air conditioning and other vehicle systems and trying to avoid bumps and potholes that can reduce momentum.
One of the drivers during the test, Ford NASCAR racer Carl Edwards, said, “There is no question that the Fusion Hybrid will help consumers save fuel while driving it.” This quest for energy conservation is just one part of the environmental mindset at Ford Motor Company and may be part of the reason why Ford was just named the “Green Choice Award” winner by Natural Health Magazine.
The publication recently picked Ford for this prestigious honor, citing Ford’s “continuous efforts to building a greener future.”
Using criteria such as greenhouse gas emissions, alternative energy usage and recycling among others, the award highlighted some of Ford’s ongoing commitments to the environment. An example is Ford’s conservation of up to 900 tons of carbon emissions and 600,000 gallons of water by making its Escape Hybrid seats out of 100 percent post-industrial recycled fabric. Since 2000, Ford has reduced its global energy consumption by one-third.
Some companies wave their ‘green’ banners and just “talk the talk,” but through its commitment to reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainability, and with test results of 81.5 mpg from the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, Ford proves that you don’t have to “put your money where your tank is!”
Tags: Ford, Ford Fusion, hybrid
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