Ford Blog
Ex-VW exec named head of Fiat North AmericaFiled under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Ford, Volkswagen, Fiat  Ex-Volkswagen and Ford executive Laura Soave has gone from creating the events that help sell cars to being the one in charge of selling them. Yes, Fiat has named Soave, the woman who helped put together the 50th Anniversary Barbie New Beetle in charge of reintroducing the Fiat brand to the United States after retreating from North America's shores more than 25 years ago. Of course, Soave, 37, has also done more substantive things, including being VW's head of advertising and communications for the company's large(ish) passenger cars and SUVs. At Ford, Soave held down various positions, including "Brand DNA Manager."
Soaves' official title as Head of the Fiat Brand for North America not only installs her at the top of the pyramid, it puts her name on the profit-and-loss bottom line and has her answering directly to Sergio Marchionne. You can read Fiat's press release after the jump.
[Source: Chrysler]Continue reading Ex-VW exec named head of Fiat North America Ex-VW exec named head of Fiat North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: Next-gen Ford Police Interceptor will debut this Friday in Las VegasFiled under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Government/Legal, Work, Ford, Specialty 
Hold on to your sap gloves and night sticks - it's that time of the decade! An Autoblog source reveals that Ford is about to release a brand spankin' new Police Interceptor. Not only is this humongous news for our pals in the law enforcement community, but this is 120-point headline font for taxi companies around the country, as they typically buy old Police Interceptors with 90,000 miles on 'em and repurpose them as the cabs we all know and love passing out in. Why? Because Police Interceptors are the toughest passenger cars money can buy.
Few of us have the need to drive over curbs at 50+ mph, but if that need arises, you're going to want to do so in an Interceptor. Aside from the "severe duty" shocks, you get a beefed up frame and body mounts. Yes, that is correct. The Crown Victoria-based Police Interceptor is body-on-frame. Listen, when you're PIT maneuvering a perp during a high speed chase, the last thing you want to worry about is bending the chassis. Plus you got them heavy duty brakes, suspension components and oil coolers. A sweet package, no doubt.
Here's the thing though. If this new Police Interceptor is more than a package, what platform will it ride on? Ford has stated publicly that it's ending the geriatric Panther Platform Crown Victoria's life in 2011. We'll go ahead and interpret that to mean that this new Police Interceptor won't be Crown Victoria-based. Do we know that for sure? No, but it's a logical bit of speculation. Could the new Interceptor be Taurus-based, maybe something with a SHO motor and stouter brakes? Again, yes, but for all we know the upcoming car's a Fiesta with the Mustang GT's new 5.0-liter V8 crammed in the rear seat. Or one of them apocryphal Australia-only rear-drive Falcons. All we know for sure is that Ford's introducing a new Police Interceptor to a select group of folks in Las Vegas this Friday. Production? Concept? We're not entirely sure yet. More details when we get them.
[Image: davidsonscott15 | CC2.0]Source: Next-gen Ford Police Interceptor will debut this Friday in Las Vegas originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsGM quickly one-ups Ford with 2011 Duramax diesel ratings, shows off GMC Sierra Denali HDFiled under: Truck, Chevrolet, Ford, GM, GMC, Diesel 
2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD - Click above for high-res image gallery
Not even a month ago, at the end of our post on the 2011 Ford Super Duty engine specs, we wrote: "General Motors, there's a big ass ball in your court." Someone at GM has apparently grabbed their big ass racket and said, "Oh, I got this...", then smacked the ball right back into play. The Ford's measurements 390 horsepower, 735 pound-feet of grunt. The General has just announced that its 6.6-liter Duramax turbo diesel has 397 horsepower and 765 lb-ft. of torque, a jump of 32 horsepower and 105 lb-ft. over the previous Duramax.
A closer look at the numbers does reveal some give-and-take, however. The Ford's maximum tow rating is 21,600 pounds, while GM's is 20,000 pounds. And while not exactly engine related, the Ford truck also has a higher max payload than the GM twins. Still, the RenCen pickups take the power crown, and the new Duramax is more efficient than the previous one - GM didn't put a specific mileage number to it, but claims 680 miles of highway going possible from the 36-gallon tank. You'll find GM's press release on the new engine after the jump.
In related news, GM has released the first image of its GMC Sierra Denali HD pickup, mechanical and sheetmetal twin of the Chevrolet Silverado HD. There's an additional press release after the jump for it as well.
So... anyone else want to take a swing at that even bigger ass ball?
[Source: General Motors via PickupTrucks.com]Continue reading GM quickly one-ups Ford with 2011 Duramax diesel ratings, shows off GMC Sierra Denali HD GM quickly one-ups Ford with 2011 Duramax diesel ratings, shows off GMC Sierra Denali HD originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsAutoblog Podcast #169: Wagons and SuperDuty and NASCAR, Oh My!Filed under: Motorsports, New York Auto Show, Podcasts, Safety, Acura, Cadillac, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Rumormill 
Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!
Episode #169 of the Autoblog Podcast has arrived, and it's Chris, Sam, Alex, and Dan again this week. As usual, the Autoblog Garage starts us off, this time with a couple Suzuki Kizashis, a Ford Transit Connect, and the Cadillac SRX. The first topic for discussion are the latest developments in the ongoing Toyota Recall issue. The Cadillac CTS-V Wagon catches our fancy next, and we stay on the wagon tip to talk about the Acura TSX Wagon, which will debut at the New York International Auto Show. Honda's CR-Z is next, before we go big and talk about the 2011 Ford SuperDuty. Wrapping up on a sporting note, we offer totally uninformed commentary on the Carl Edwards NASCAR wreck before taking a few listener questions and calling this turkey done. Thanks for listening!
Direct fanmail to Podcast at Autoblog dot com, review the show in iTunes, fill out our survey or even leave us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Until next week, hit up Joystiq and Engadget when podcast loneliness sets in. Thanks for listening!Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #169: Wagons and SuperDuty and NASCAR, Oh My! Autoblog Podcast #169: Wagons and SuperDuty and NASCAR, Oh My! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsRendered Speculation: Ford Taurus SHO wagon is the apple of our eyeFiled under: Performance, Wagon, Ford, Design/Style 
Many of us who sit around the Autoblog campfire every day are fans of station wagons. We love cars and love the idea of having some extra utility without giving up the generally superior driving dynamics of cars versus SUVs or crossovers. We also like the idea - if not necessarily the execution - of the Ford Taurus SHO.
Being aware of that fact, one of our readers put his Photoshop skills to work and created the rendering you see here of a SHO wagon. Ford, of course, has never officially built an official SHO wagon - either with the current model or with its predecessors. Naturally, there have been some aftermarket and homebuilt conversions over the years, and even at least one that we know of that was built inside Dearborn.
Of course, building a wagon off of previous models was substantially easier because Ford actually marketed a wagon bodystyle in the first couple of Taurus iterations. Not so with today's massive-yet-handsome sedan. Judging by reader Josiah's rendering above, that's a real shame, because the 2010 Taurus could really put some of its continental bulk to good load-lugging effect with an estate variant. Unfortunately, we'll likely never see anything like this slick wagon produced. The closest we figure to get is an Ecoboost Flex, which isn't exactly a bad alternative. Thanks for the great rendering, Josiah!
[Source: JosiahLacolla.com]Rendered Speculation: Ford Taurus SHO wagon is the apple of our eye originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsVideo: Ken Block's one and only Rally Focus test before MexicoFiled under: Motorsports, Videos, Ford, Racing 
Ken Block testing the Ford Rally Focus before last weekend's Rally Mexico - Click above to watch video after the jump
A snowy, icy and muddy Greystoke Forest in England probably isn't the best place for a new rally driver to practice for the WRC's Rally Mexico, but that's where Ken Block had to get his testing done, and he had just one day to do it. Follow the jump to watch the DC Shoes maestro getting to grips with his steed. Having already seen the results of the race, it appears he didn't do all bad.
[Source: Monster World Rally]Continue reading Video: Ken Block's one and only Rally Focus test before Mexico Video: Ken Block's one and only Rally Focus test before Mexico originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFirst Drive: 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty brings the biggest toolsFiled under: Truck, Work, Ford, First Drive, Off-Road 
2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty - Click above for high-res image gallery
It's a guy thing. Tim Allen understands. If you've got a job to do, you need the right tool. As guy logic goes, the bigger and more powerful the tool, the better.
If what you do requires a tool shaped like a truck, then you're currently experiencing a nirvana-like period in history. In just the last few months, Chrysler and General Motors introduced their new heavy-duty trucks. We drove the 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty in October and liked it. We also saw the Chevrolet and GMC HDs at the Chicago Auto Show last month. Although we've yet to get behind the wheel, the powertrain and chassis improvements appear promising.
Not to be left out, Ford's rolling introduction of its latest F-Series Super Duty just culminated with an Arizona-based press-only driving event (we first reported on the new truck in September). Want to know everything about Ford's big, new tool? For starters, the blue oval on the grille measures 13 inches. Believe it or not, there's more. Find out after the jump.
Photos by Rex Roy / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty brings the biggest tools First Drive: 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty brings the biggest tools originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsWho says Mustangs, Camaros and Challengers don't race each other?Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford 
2010 Ford Mustang Boss 302R - Click above for high-res image gallery
Last week in The Wall Street Journal, writer Ben Austen publised an article in which he ruminates on why no one appears to be racing the Detroit Three's neo-muscle offerings - the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger. That the piece succeeds overwhelmingly at, however, is highlighting the myopia of America's mainstream press when it comes to motorsports. Many people in media seem to be completely unaware that there are forms of automotive competition other than NASCAR, because the cars the WSJ article focuses on most assuredly are involved in active competition.
NASCAR may be the big dog in terms of the number of races, sponsor participation, and even people at the track. But by no means is anything about modern stock car racing in any way relevant. A more important question might be why automakers continue pour hundreds of millions of dollars into NASCAR every year, but we'll leave that for another day.
All three of the current crop of pony cars compete in a wide variety of racing, from drags to ovals and road courses. Ford in particular has offered turnkey Mustang race cars for several years, and they've been very successful in a number of classes, including the NASCAR-owned Grand-Am series. In fact, fans watching the 2010 Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge will see Mustangs, Camaros, and at least one Dodge Challenger slugging it out on a regular basis.
Pratt & Miller racing currently runs a program in which it converts Grand-Am Pontiac GXP.Rs to Camaro bodies. Dodge Challengers can be found at many drag strips (along with innumerable Mustangs and Camaros). And let's not forget that NASCAR is running Challenger- and Mustang-branded stockers in a few Nationwide Series races this year as part of its own "Car of Tomorrow" program.
Admittedly, it would be nice to see a revival on the level of the old Trans Am series, with all three of these machines running in force, but journalists like Mr. Austen would do well to remove the NASCAR blinders before summarily dismissing the modern pony cars as being absent from today's racing scene. It's just not so.
[Source: The Wall Street Journal]Who says Mustangs, Camaros and Challengers don't race each other? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsGeiger Cars takes on the 2010 Shelby GT500 with impressive resultsFiled under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Ford 
2010 Geiger Cars Shelby GT500 - Click above for high-res image gallery
We don't know why Karl Geiger is fascinated with American performance cars, but we're sure glad he is. The 2010 Shelby GT500 is the latest muscle car to go under the German tuner's knife, and the results are nothing less than impressive. Thanks to a larger Whipple supercharger, larger throttle valves, upgraded fuel injection system and ported cylinder heads, the 5.4-liter V8 produces an incredible 799 horsepower and 697 pound-feet torque. Geiger claims a top speed of 220 miles per hour, but with the Mustang's aerodynamics we would peg that number as more theoretical than anything.
To cope with extra horsepower, Gieger has also fitted the GT500 with a three-disc carbon clutch and reinforced the six-speed transmission. Handling improvements have been made through a "racing chassis" (we're not sure what that means), a panhard rod with polyurethane bushings and adjustable lower control arms. Finally massive 15-inch, six-piston front brakes help haul the Shelby down from inevitable high speed runs. You can see the full press release after the jump, and high-res images courtesy of Gieger can be found in the gallery below.
[Source: GeigerCars.de]Continue reading Geiger Cars takes on the 2010 Shelby GT500 with impressive results Geiger Cars takes on the 2010 Shelby GT500 with impressive results originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments2011 Ford Mustang V6 rated 31 mpg highway, most efficient 300+ HP car everFiled under: Coupe, Performance, Ford 
2011 Ford Mustang V6 at the 2009 LA Auto Show - Click above for high-res image gallery
The pony car wars are about one-upsmanship if nothing else. The Ford Mustang held court for years while Chevrolet and Dodge had their horses on hiatus, but times have changed. The new Camaro has been whaling on the Mustang ever since its return, beating the Ford in sales for nine months straight and offering a range engines that are at once more powerful and efficient than the Blue Oval's aging mills. Advantage: Camaro.
The Mustang, however, received a nicely executed redesign for its 2010 model year and, as is Ford's way, the automaker waited another model year to introduce its new range of engines. You already know all about the return of the storied 5.0 moniker on this year's new Mustang GT. You also know that the V6 model is replacing its Civil War era 4.0-liter engine with a more powerful and efficient 3.7-liter. Powerful as in 305 horsepower, but how efficient? We didn't know before but we do now. The 2011 Ford Mustang V6 will achieve 19 miles per gallon in the city and, more noteworthy, 31 mpg on the highway.
The V6 model's rating of 30 mpg highway (when paired with the six-speed auto mind you, the manual version achieves 30 mpg) is noteworthy because, well, it's 2 mpg more than the slightly less powerful 304-hp Camaro V6. Also, it's a record for being the first 300+ hp vehicle to be officially rated at 30 mpg or more. Wow, think about that. It's never been done before. Sure, the new Mustang V6 is only marginally more powerful and efficient than its Camaro counterpart, but clawing above that 30 mpg mark will no doubt get Ford's thoroughbred some extra ink in the press.
Follow the jump for Ford's official press release on the matter, in which it explains a little more how those magic numbers were achieved (Spoiler: aerodynamics, super smart six-speed auto and electric power assisted steering).
[Source: Ford]Continue reading 2011 Ford Mustang V6 rated 31 mpg highway, most efficient 300+ HP car ever 2011 Ford Mustang V6 rated 31 mpg highway, most efficient 300+ HP car ever originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsGeneva 2010: 2012 Ford Focus Wagon is a stylish C-segment teaseFiled under: Budget, Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Ford, UK 
2012 Ford Focus Wagon - Click above for high-res image gallery
We'll be honest - we're all pretty excited about the 2012 Ford Focus as it's set to add new levels of refinement and technology to the booming C-segment in the United States. And while we're pleased to see the return of the five-door hatchback, we'd be lying if we said we weren't a bit jealous that other markets will be getting this haul-ready wagon variant.
Plans for bringing the wagon to the States haven't been completely ruled out, and executives have said that if market demand is there, Ford will answer (we've heard this one before). Still, Europe should be relatively impressed with the 2012 Focus Wagon, what with its new Kinetic design, optional MyFord Touch system, and a range of both petrol and diesel engines. Click through our attached gallery to see live shots of the not-for-U.S. Focus Wagon.
Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Geneva 2010: 2012 Ford Focus Wagon is a stylish C-segment tease Geneva 2010: 2012 Ford Focus Wagon is a stylish C-segment tease originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsFord outsells GM, Toyota in February salesFiled under: Car Buying, Ford, GM, Toyota, Earnings/Financials 
February's automotive sales numbers are slowly rolling in, and we're already seeing that Toyota's recall crisis has severely hurt the company's overall sales. On the other hand, its loss has proved to be a real gain for other automakers, especially Ford Motor Company, sales of which topped not only Toyota's in February, but General Motors' as well.
Both Ford and GM posted healthy increases last month - the Blue Oval folks up by 43 percent and GM up by 12. Toyota, by contrast, was down 9 percent versus February 2009. Keep in mind, not only were new car buyers eager to stay away from Toyota lots, but the automaker was required to stop selling many of its most popular models for a short period of time last month. Camry sales, for example, dropped 20 percent versus last year's numbers.
Ford may be wearing the crown of America's best selling automaker for February 2010, but it's important to note that it only sold 334 more vehicles than GM. We'll see if Ford can hold on to this trend, especially since new products like the 2011 Fiesta will be hitting showrooms in the not-too-distant future and GM has still yet to permanently shed its four non-core brands.
[Source: The New York Times]Ford outsells GM, Toyota in February sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsFord to expand electric and hybrid offerings to Europe from 2011Filed under: Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, Technology, Ford, Electric 
Ford Transit Connect Electric - Click above for high-res image gallery
Ford has big plans for electrification of its fleet over the next decade, and while most of the emphasis has been on North America so far, Europe will be joining in on the party starting in 2011. Nancy Gioia has announced that between 2011 and 2013, Ford of Europe will get five new hybrid and battery electric models added to its lineup. About six to nine months after each of the new models rolls out in North America, they will be introduced in Europe.
Ford's first new battery-powered vehicle, the Transit Connect Electric goes on sale this fall in North America followed by a European launch in the middle of 2011. The battery powered van is just the beginning of Ford's global electrification plan. Read more about it after the jump.
Photos by Drew Phillips, Sebastian Blanco / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Ford]Continue reading Ford to expand electric and hybrid offerings to Europe from 2011 Ford to expand electric and hybrid offerings to Europe from 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Global 'high-performance' Ford Focus variant to spawn U.S. SVT version?Filed under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Ford, Rumormill 
Next-gen Ford Focus - Click above for high-res image gallery
It may not be an earth-shattering revelation or anything - Ford's own Jost Capito said about as much a couple weeks back - but Ford has reportedly confirmed at the Geneva Motor Show that it is merging its European and American high-performance divisions into one unit. First up on The Blue Oval's hi-po radar will be a hotted-up version of the new next-gen Focus.
Will the car carry an ST, RS or SVT badge? That we don't yet know. Nor do we know what engine will be powering the hot hatch, though our best guess (which goes along nicely with rumormill fodder) would be a four-cylinder EcoBoost. Perhaps Ford will find a few more ponies lurking within in its new 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injected mill. We'd also gladly take the Powershift six-speed dual clutch gearbox.
All-wheel or front-wheel drive? Dunno. Hatchback bodyshell? Probably, and we hope so. Sale date? No clue, but certainly not before 2011 hits and probably well into the year. Price? We'll see. Clearly, there are way more questions than answers at this point, but you can consider our interest officially piqued by the notion of a return to real performance from Ford's neglected (in the U.S. at least) Focus platform.
[Source: Inside Line]
Report: Global 'high-performance' Ford Focus variant to spawn U.S. SVT version? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsBlock Rockin' Beat: 100 Acre Woods rally resultsFiled under: Motorsports, Performance, Hatchback, Ford, Subaru, Off-Road, Racing
Ken Block wins 100 Acre Wood Rally in Ford Fiesta shown in testing above
He did it. Ken Block made it five-in-a-row at the 100 Acre Wood Rally, showing that his new Ford Fiesta is doing just as good for him as his old Subaru. Block and Alex Gelsomino were the overall winners of the Open Class in their Monster World Rally Team Ford Fiesta, but it wasn't easy for them. Block started the second leg more than a minute behind Subaru Rally Team USA's Travis Pastrana after having a bit of trouble on stage one. Although the Ford was pretty quick, Pastrana was quicker, as was Antoine L'Estage, the Rockstar Mitsubishi Evo driver who now leads the Rally America championship race with 34 points.
Pastrana was leading until he broke his left rear control arm on the Super Special Stage in Potosi. That put Block into the lead with L'Estage barreling down on him - that is until L'Estage also hit some bad luck, getting a flat on the second stage and battling low visibility conditions at a water crossing. Block charged on and never looked back, crossing the finish some 20 seconds ahead of the Evo. Privateer Bill Bacon grabbed the last step on the podium in his last-gen 2006 Mitsubishi Evo IX. Despite some difficulties this year, Bacon has at least been consistent, and finds himself in second place in the championship standings with 28 points. Dave Mirra nabbed 4th, his best finish yet in Subaru Rally Team USA's 2010 STi.
Next up for Rally America will be the Olympus Rally in Olympia, Washington on April 24-25. Full results in the official press release after the jump. Hat tip to Jason!
[Source: Rally America]Continue reading Block Rockin' Beat: 100 Acre Woods rally results Block Rockin' Beat: 100 Acre Woods rally results originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments2012 Ford Focus Wagon to be shown in GenevaFiled under: Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Ford 
2012 Ford Focus wagon - Click above for high res-image gallery
With the debut of the 2012 Focus Wagon at the Geneva Motor Show, Ford has reached the halfway point in the roll-out of its new C-segment platform. When Ford first announced the new C-Max and Grand C-Max at the Frankfurt Motor Show last fall, it said the C platform would eventually spawn at least 10 different variants. The two MPVs were joined by the four- and five-door Focus at the Detroit Auto Show in January. The new station wagon is number five and we expect it to be joined by a three-door hatch and coupe-convertible in the coming months. Ford also revealed that a small SUV will join the C-segment lineup soon.
While the new wagon will likely be a popular configuration on the continent, there are currently no plans to make the estate available in North America. Frank Davis, executive director of North American product programs at Ford, told Autoblog that when a wagon was last offered as part of the U.S. Focus lineup, the market share never got over 14 percent and only hit four percent in the final year of availability.
Davis wouldn't rule out offering a wagon in the U.S. at some point if it were justified by market demand. Since Ford will be using common manufacturing processes for the new Focus globally and the lines are flexible, it would not be difficult to add production at the Michigan Assembly Plant where the North American Focus will be built. Davis emphasized that over 80 percent of the parts on the new Focus are common globally, considerably more than the 60 percent commonality on the new Fiesta.
Design-wise the new Focus wagon differs little from the sedan and five-door hatch. It is identical back to the B-pillars with only the extended roof-line and cargo area setting it apart. Ford has integrated the cargo rails into the roof in order to maintain the sleek looks of the latest iteration of its Kinetic design.
Inside the wagon gets the same up-scale interior shown in the sedan and hatch including the first European availability of the new MyFord Touch system as part of the latest generation of Sync technology. Unlike here in the U.S. where we will initially get only one 2.0-liter engine, Europeans will get a range of updated gas and diesel engines to choose from. Production of the Focus starts simultaneously late this year in Europe and the U.S.
[Source: Ford]Continue reading 2012 Ford Focus Wagon to be shown in Geneva 2012 Ford Focus Wagon to be shown in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsEuro-Fords first to get four-cylinder EcoBoost this summerFiled under: Geneva Motor Show, Technology, Ford 
Ford is expanding its EcoBoost engine strategy to Europe this summer with the introduction of 2.0-liter and 1.6-liter inline-four cylinder engines. The EcoBoost range of turbocharged and direct injected gasoline engines debuted last summer here in North America with the launch of the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 in the Ford Taurus SHO, Flex and Lincoln MKS and MKT.
Ford will debut refreshed versions of its S-Max and Galaxy minivans this summer, both of which will use the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine that will also be available in the updated Edge later this year. In the European van applications, the 2.0-liter will be rated at 200 horsepower, which is on the low end for an engine of this type and displacement. Power numbers for the four-cylinder turbo in U.S. applications haven't yet been announced but will likely be in the 230-240 hp range to match the current 3.0-liter V6 used in the Fusion and Escape.
The smaller C-Max and Grand C-Max will be the first vehicles to use a 1.6-liter EcoBoost when they go on sale in the fall. The 1.6-liter will be offered in two power levels, 148 hp and 177 hp. For now Ford is only committing to installing the 1.6-liter in the two MPV variants. However, when we got our first preview of the Focus models that debuted in Detroit, Ford officials acknowledged that an EcoBoost-powered Focus would eventually join the 2.0-liter normally aspirated engine in North America.
American enthusiasts hoping for a chance to buy Ford's raucous 300-hp Focus RS that launched in Europe last year won't be getting that particular car. However, Ford is confirming this week at the Geneva Motor Show that a global performance car based on the new Focus is definitely coming with EcoBoost power. When the Explorer America Concept was unveiled in Detroit two years ago, Ford also talked about a 275-hp 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, which would certainly be plenty in the Focus, especially if it stays front-wheel drive.
[Source: Ford]Continue reading Euro-Fords first to get four-cylinder EcoBoost this summer Euro-Fords first to get four-cylinder EcoBoost this summer originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsFord is Hiring! 3.7-liter V6 for Mustang means 60 new jobs in ClevelandFiled under: Plants/Manufacturing, Ford 
2011 Ford Mustang V6 - Click above for high-res image gallery
There was a time in the illustrious history of the Ford Mustang when having an engine from the Cleveland Engine Plant meant that you were sporting a 351 cubic-inch V8 underhood. Times have changed quite a bit over the past 35 years, as Ohio's newest Mustang engine contains but six cylinders yet produces an impressive 305 horsepower and an even more brow-raising 30 miles per gallon highway.
Ford expects the 3.7-liter-powered Stang to account for two thirds of Mustang sales, and The Blue Oval is so confident in customer demand for its six-cylinder offering that it's hiring 60 new workers to assist production. To prep the Cleveland plant for its newest engine, Ford is also investing an additional $155 million to bring the plant up to speed.
Ford Powertrain Manufacturing Director Bill Russo appears to be pretty high on the Cleveland facility, adding that it is "not only building fuel-efficient engines for some of our most popular Ford products, it's becoming a hub for the future of Ford powertrains." A hub with a Help Wanted poster on the front door, no less.
While the news at Cleveland appears to be very good, the state of powertrains at Ford is even better. The Oval reportedly pumped a staggering $1.8 billion into powertrains for the 2011 model year, and has nine total new engines on the way. Three of those new powertrains will find their way under the hood of the Mustang, as the 3.7-liter, 5.0-liter and supercharged aluminum 5.4-liter powerplants are all new for 2011. Pony car powertrain fans can revel in the fun by pouring over the horsepower-centric press release after the jump.
[Source: Ford]Continue reading Ford is Hiring! 3.7-liter V6 for Mustang means 60 new jobs in Cleveland Ford is Hiring! 3.7-liter V6 for Mustang means 60 new jobs in Cleveland originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Ford to benefit most from Toyota's woes in February sales totalsFiled under: Ford, Toyota 
2010 Ford Fusion Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery
Toyota is bracing for lower February sales as its massive recall and the ensuing media storm have cast a shadow over the automaker. Just how low can Toyota go? The Detroit Free Press says it could see its lowest US market share in over five years this month, with about 12 percent of U.S. sales.
Most analysts anticipate that Toyota will have a very rough month, but the big question on their minds is which automakers stand to gain the most from Toyota's pain. Edmunds and TruCar reportedly think that winner will be Ford, as they estimate that the Oval will see a 35-percent sales increase. If correct, that'll vastly outpace the nine to 14 percent increase for the month that was previously forecasted.
Despite Ford's anticipated performance and projected double-digit gains for the industry as a whole, the market is still struggling. After all, these February 2010 sales projections are increases in relation to the dismal February 2009 numbers, which came as the recession helped deliver the industry its lowest sales levels in 30 years. February 2010 sales are also expected to be generally lower because of the multiple east coast snowstorms that kept customers out of dealerships for much of the month.
[Source: The Detroit Free Press]Report: Ford to benefit most from Toyota's woes in February sales totals originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 09:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsConsumer Reports releases annual list of American Top Picks, Ford the big winnerFiled under: Coupe, Hybrid, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Crossover, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, GM 
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery
Each year that Consumer Reports offers up its annual list of Top American Picks, it seems less and less a consolation bracket and more like a reasonable set of choices. To wit, if you wanted the very best family-sized SUV (Chevrolet Traverse) or fullsize pickup truck (Chevrolet Silverado), Consumer Reports will tell you that you're best off choosing American, regardless of which list its from.
Further, CR has found the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan twins have proven to be more reliable than a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. Blasphemy, you say? To borrow a marketing phrase from the Blue Oval itself, Drive One and find out for yourself. We have, and we found out that it's a great car. Apparently, it's also reliable. Not surprisingly, the Fusion managed to earn two more awards in its hybrid guise, including CR's Best Overall Car.
All told, seven of the 10 awards handed out by CR went to Ford - an impressive performance. Two Top Picks were filled by vehicles from General Motors while Chrysler didn't have a single model on the list, which isn't particularly surprising since the Dodge Ram is the only model from the Pentastar that CR even recommends. Click here to check out the rest of the winners from CR.
[Source: Consumer Reports]Consumer Reports releases annual list of American Top Picks, Ford the big winner originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |
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