Ford Celebrates 50 Years of Mustang with New Products, Logo
April 16, 2013 by Jsksu3fed · Leave a Comment
Only a small number of vehicles can boast having seen 50 years of continuous production. To celebrate the Ford Mustang’s landmark anniversary , Ford has authorized 50 companies to sell products commemorating the event, including watches, T-shirts, model cars and video games. “During its first 49 years of production, Mustang has come to evoke a variety of emotions in our customers—freedom, independence and being true to one’s self—just to name a few,” said John Nens, Ford’s team lead for Global Brand Licensing. “We’re marking this Mustang milestone with a distinctive collection of licensed products from select manufacturers that will carry the unique Mustang 50 Years logo.” The new merchandise line will be branded with a custom logo created especially to help observe the event. Ford designer Michael Thomson designed the logo, which features the iconic Mustang galloping pony and the words, “50 Years.” The designs will appear in either black on a white background or the reverse. “We’re working closely with our licensees to ensure every item reflects the unique qualities of Mustang,” said Nens. “Like the car itself, we want our licensed products to convey an attitude of strength, passion and the highest quality.” According to the automaker, new licensees will announce a number of specially branded Mustang products to mark this momentous occasion. Stay tuned. Written by Marc Librescu .
Ford to Launch Fifth EcoBoost Engine
April 11, 2013 by llndnck5ue · Leave a Comment
Even as Ford has sold more than 600,000 vehicles powered by its EcoBoost engines since 2009, global demand for their unique combination of power and efficiency just keeps growing. Luckily for owners, so is the EcoBoost family itself. In fact, Ford is now preparing to debut its fifth EcoBoost powerplant, a 1.5-liter four-cylinder that will increase fuel economy by 20 percent and reduce emissions by 15 percent compared to traditional engines of the same displacement. The new EcoBoost also brings some new technologies. For example, it’s the first from Ford to integrate a computer-controlled clutch with the belt-drive water pump. This will shorten warm-up times so the engine can reach optimum operating temperatures more quickly. The powerplant also features a water-cooled charge air cooler for more efficient air intake. Perhaps more importantly, the new 1.5-liter EcoBoost also can help owners reduce something else in key global markets: taxes. That’s because a number of countries—including China, where Ford is currently making a major push for customers—offer tax benefits for vehicles with engines of 1.5 liters or less. Perhaps it’s no coincidence the 1.5-liter EcoBoost will make its debut at Auto Shanghai 2013 later in April (in the all-new Ford Mondeo, the company’s global midsize sedan). Once it goes into production later this year, the Ford EcoBoost family will number five as it joins a 3.5-liter V-6, 2.0- and 1.6-liter four cylinder powerplants, and the innovative 1.0-liter inline-three that was last year’s International Engine of the Year. “Ford EcoBoost technology has changed the way people look at gas engines and has enjoyed huge success with customers,” said Joe Bakaj, vice president of powertrain engineering for Ford. “The new 1.5-liter unit further extends our EcoBoost promise of economical driving in terms of both fuel efficiency and—in some markets—tax savings.”
Auto Start-Stop: More MPG for Fusion Drivers, More Patents for Ford
July 6, 2012 by EtternaLight · Leave a Comment
In recent years, systems that shutdown a vehicle’s engine when it’s not moving, then restart it when the driver is ready to go, have become a staple of hybrids and a growing number of cars with manual transmissions. But that wasn’t enough for an automaker dedicated to offering superior fuel economy for all of its customers, so Ford will be the first company to bring that technology to the mainstream midsize-sedan segment in the automatically transmissioned 2013 Ford Fusion. Available on Fusions with the high-efficiency 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine and six-speed automatic transmission, Ford’s Auto Start-Stop system will be just $295 and help boost fuel economy by up to 3.5 percent in combined driving and up to 10 percent in the city. Developing this new customer benefit was no easy task, though, and required Ford engineers to develop new technologies that could handle the unique requirements of an automatic—including its need to maintain internal hydraulic pressure even when the engine is off—as well as allow the transmission to stay in gear for smooth re-starts. In fact, so many innovative solutions were needed that Ford has applied for more than 25 patents on its Auto Start-Stop feature. As an added advantage, the 2013 Fusion will be the first (and only) non-hybrid vehicle to showcase an eco-coaching system that helps owners develop greener driving skills. For example, Auto Start-Stop relies on sophisticated technologies that evaluate the electrical load on a vehicle when it comes to a stop, and then keep the engine running in certain cases if extra electricity is needed. But, according to Ford engineer Kirk Pebley, who is a supervisor on the Auto Start-Stop project: “When Auto Start-Stop is disabled because of a high accessory load, we wanted drivers to understand why so that they could opt to switch some things off if it’s appropriate. “If the rear defrost is still on but the window is clear, they can switch it off to gain the efficiency benefit of shutting down the engine when the car stops.” Continued Birgit Sorgenfrei, Ford’s Auto Start-Stop program manager: “Smart decisions are born from having more complete information. Whether it’s the messages we provide to drivers or the dozens of signals that help the control system look ahead in time, the 2013 Fusion Auto Start-Stop helps drivers save on gas without getting in the way.”
Ford eNews — July 5, 2012
July 5, 2012 by bizdyl · Leave a Comment
Ford C-MAX Hybrid aims to be most fuel-efficient, affordable in its class; Unique strategies for smoother Auto Start-Stop control; Ford engineers leave no detail in the shade.
New Police Interceptors Prepare to Prowl
February 23, 2012 by bizdyl · Leave a Comment
Now that the king of cop cars—the Ford Crown Victoria—has ended its reign, the Blue Oval has two new Police Interceptors—a sedan based on the Taurus and a sport utility based on the Explorer—ready to give the bad guys a royal pain. Both vehicles recently started production at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant and are currently headed out to law-enforcement agencies across the country, bringing next-gen automotive technologies to the battle against crime. Notably, this technology includes Ford’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, with twin turbochargers, direct injection, superior fuel-economy and emissions performance, and power outputs of 365 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque. Mated to a high-capacity six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission and a torque-sensing all-wheel-drive system, the powerplant is a key advantage for Ford. “EcoBoost powertrain performance is optimized for closing speed and maximizing takedowns, thus preventing high-speed pursuits from even forming,” said Bill Gubing, chief engineer for the Police Interceptors. The pair of purpose-built Police Interceptors also use Ford tech to put a sharp focus on officer protection. As a result, the vehicles feature Ford’s Blind-Spot Information System to help alert drivers to other cars and trucks entering the Interceptors’ blind spots, cross-traffic alert to warn of potential obstacles when the vehicles are backing up, a rearview camera system, electronic stability control and even Ford SYNC, which can be configured to provide voice-activated control over lights and sirens. Other advantages developed as a result of Ford’s long-time leadership role in the law-enforcement market include front seats designed to accommodate officers’ utility belts, a column-mounted shifter that makes room for aftermarket police equipment and rear doors that swing open an extra 10 degrees to help get second-row guests where they belong. “Police nationwide asked for a new kind of weapon in the battle for public safety, and Ford is answering the call with a purpose-built vehicle—engineered and built in America—that’s as dynamic as it is durable,” said Lisa Teed, Police Interceptor marketing manager. “Ford remains committed to leading the police vehicle market, and our new Police Interceptor demonstrates how much engineering and innovation we’re willing to invest to address the unique needs of those who protect and serve communities throughout America.”
Ford Designer Pays it Forward with Custom Mustang for Charity
October 21, 2011 by abnorceLerGen · Leave a Comment
Eleven years ago, Ford designer Melvin Betancourt was diagnosed with an “aortic dissection,” a serious heart problem that, if undetected, could lead to sudden death. “The doctors said I could have been straining myself and the aorta could have just popped, or I could have just gone to sleep and never woke up,” according to Betancourt. Instead, thanks to a high-risk surgical procedure at the Henry Ford Hospital in metro Detroit, Betancourt was soon back on his feet helping design a new generation of Ford vehicles – and biding his time for the right opportunity to give back. That opportunity came in October, when a one-of-a-kind Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca , customized by Betancourt specifically for the event, raised an impressive $300,000 at an auction to support cardiovascular care, research and education at the Henry Ford Health System. Betancourt’s choice of car was no off-the-cuff decision, either: “Everybody knows the School Bus Yellow Boss 302 that Parnelli Jones drove to victory in the 1970 Trans-Am Championship, so we decided to pay homage to that vehicle and do a modern version of the 1970 Mustang that he drove,” he said. Further, in addition to Betancourt’s own meticulous work on the car – he even hand-painted the black “Laguna Seca” graphics on the car, including the eye-catching hockey-stick stripes on the vehicle’s sides, Parnelli Jones’ No. 15 on the doors, and Jones’ name on the side rails – the legendary driver got in on the action himself, too, by autographing the car during the auction. It was all part of the “Get Your Heart Racing” charity event, which was a combined effort from both Fords and was held at the automaker’s seldom-open-to-the-public Dearborn Development Center. Other unique experiences up for grabs at the charity auction included a pair of tickets to see the American Idol finale in April and a “Ford Championship Weekend VIP Experience” that will encompass three separate races, a chance to meet Ford drivers and a personal tour of the garage and pit areas. And speaking of Ford drivers, one of them – Tanner Foust, a two-time Formula Drift champ for Ford and the host of Top Gear USA – was on hand at the auction to pilot three lucky guests, chosen from a random drawing, on the ride of their lives on the Development Center test track. All proceeds from the event went to the Edith and Benson Ford Heart & Vascular Institute at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and the Center for Cardiac Care at Henry Ford Wyandotte (Mich.) Hospital.
Transit Connect Electrics Now On The Job For Detroit Utility
September 14, 2011 by jestrerdel · Leave a Comment
The Ford Motor Company’s Transit Connect Electric has won over a new customer that knows a thing or two about electricity: DTE Energy, headquartered in Detroit. In fact, DTE recently bought four of the electric vehicles (EVs) to add to its fleet as part of its ongoing efforts to increase its use of alternative-fuel sources. The rugged and durable Transit Connect Electrics won’t be coddled, either. They’ll be used out in the field by Detroit Edison’s repair and maintenance crews doing normal, everyday activities—while delivering anything-but-normal fuel savings. That’s because the Transit Connect Electric can leverage its Force Drive powertrain —developed by longtime Ford partner Azure Dynamics—and advanced lithium-ion battery technology to provide up to 80 miles of all-electric, no-emissions driving on a single charge. “The addition of these all-electric Transit Connects to our fleet will help Detroit Edison advance the use of electric vehicles in a couple of ways,” said DTE president and CEO Steven Kurmas. “First, we will learn firsthand how these vehicles perform in day-to-day field operations and how we can make the best use of their unique characteristics. Second, they will help us learn more about how the use of electric vehicles by consumers and businesses will impact the electrical system and what utilities need to do to support adoption of these vehicles.” And while it’s the first of Ford’s electrified vehicles to reach the market, it won’t be the last. The company plans to launch four more during 2012, including the Focus Electric, an EV version of the popular Focus compact; the C-MAX Hybrid, a new high-efficiency multi-activity vehicle; the plug-in hybrid version of that vehicle, the C-MAX Energi, which will deliver an extended electric driving range as compared to the C-MAX; and a new next-gen Ford hybrid that is currently being kept under wraps. The special delivery to DTE also involved another long-time Ford partner of note: The Transit Connect Electrics were bought from Suburban Ford in Sterling Heights, Mich., which recently became the first Ford dealership in the world to sell a full line of gas, hybrid and electric vehicles—but again, it won’t be the last.
Edsel Ford’s Rare Speedster Wows At Pebble Beach
August 22, 2011 by jestrerdel · Leave a Comment
Edsel Ford’s restored 1934 Model 40 Special Speedster was unveiled last week at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Monterey, California. This unique roadster embodies the legendary design aesthetic of Edsel Ford when he served as President of Ford Motor Company and its luxury Lincoln line. The one-of-a-kind Speedster was painstakingly restored by RM Auto Restoration in Ontario, Canada. After Edsel’s death in 1943, the Speedster crisscrossed the U.S. making limited appearances, before it disappeared. The car eventually fell into the hands of a U.S. Navy sailor in the 1950s. It reappeared once again at the 1999 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. In 2010, the Speedster returned to Edsel’s home, now operated as an historic site called the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House . “My grandfather was an early believer that everyday objects – including automobiles – could be seen as works of art,” said Edsel Ford II, who unveiled the Speedster. “While he wasn’t a designer in the traditional sense, his eye for styling and influence was apparent as he initiated and built the design department at Ford Motor Company.” Inspired by European roadsters of the day, the Speedster was based on a stock 1934 Ford (aka Model 40) frame, but its cockpit was positioned more toward the rear of the car. It also features a topless, taper-tailed aluminum body with cut-down door openings. The all-aluminum bodywork followed the best aircraft practice — light and very strong. The Speedster was painted Pearl Essence Gunmetal Dark; the interior upholstered in complementary gray leather. Reportedly, cold weather in the winter of 1939 cracked the original engine block; a new 239-cid, 100-horsepower 09A Mercury V8 was installed. This would have been the most powerful version of the Ford flathead V8 available at the time. “The Model 40 Special Speedster was only enjoyed by Edsel for a few short years before his death in 1943, but its journey was just beginning,” said Ford House President Kathleen Mullins. “Ford House is proud to give life to Edsel’s original vision for a unique, continental roadster.”
Edsel Ford’s Rare Speedster Wows At Pebble Beach
August 22, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
Edsel Ford’s restored 1934 Model 40 Special Speedster was unveiled last week at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Monterey, California. This unique roadster embodies the legendary design aesthetic of Edsel Ford when he served as President of Ford Motor Company and its luxury Lincoln line. The one-of-a-kind Speedster was painstakingly restored by RM Auto Restoration in Ontario, Canada. After Edsel’s death in 1943, the Speedster crisscrossed the U.S. making limited appearances, before it disappeared. The car eventually fell into the hands of a U.S. Navy sailor in the 1950s. It reappeared once again at the 1999 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. In 2010, the Speedster returned to Edsel’s home, now operated as an historic site called the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House . “My grandfather was an early believer that everyday objects – including automobiles – could be seen as works of art,” said Edsel Ford II, who unveiled the Speedster. “While he wasn’t a designer in the traditional sense, his eye for styling and influence was apparent as he initiated and built the design department at Ford Motor Company.” Inspired by European roadsters of the day, the Speedster was based on a stock 1934 Ford (aka Model 40) frame, but its cockpit was positioned more toward the rear of the car. It also features a topless, taper-tailed aluminum body with cut-down door openings. The all-aluminum bodywork followed the best aircraft practice — light and very strong. The Speedster was painted Pearl Essence Gunmetal Dark; the interior upholstered in complementary gray leather. Reportedly, cold weather in the winter of 1939 cracked the original engine block; a new 239-cid, 100-horsepower 09A Mercury V8 was installed. This would have been the most powerful version of the Ford flathead V8 available at the time. “The Model 40 Special Speedster was only enjoyed by Edsel for a few short years before his death in 1943, but its journey was just beginning,” said Ford House President Kathleen Mullins. “Ford House is proud to give life to Edsel’s original vision for a unique, continental roadster.”
We Hear You! Consumers Drive Ford Focus Electric Simulator, Provide Feedback on New Vehicle In-Dash Displays
August 18, 2011 by abnorceLerGen · Leave a Comment
Potential customers are getting a chance to help develop the final in-dash display for the Ford Focus Electric through the use of a specially designed driving simulator. The driving simulations and feedback are helping Ford engineers make sure the unique extension of the MyFord Touch® interactive display in the Focus Electric is easy to use and meets the needs of potential owners. The new Ford Focus Electric uses the high-tech driver interface to help drivers optimize range and experience the freedom of fuel-free driving.
