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Unsurprising News of the Day: Ford Explorer Sport Trac is toast

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:32:00 +0000

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Crossover, Ford

Ford Explorer Sport Trac Adrenalin - Click above for high-res image gallery

When it comes to a new Explorer Sport Trac for 2011, the only real surprise would have been if Ford had actually opted to build one. With the standard Explorer moving to a unit-body architecture, there are no plans for a new pickup truck version, a vehicle that probably would have been something akin to the Honda Ridgeline.

Since the Ridgeline hasn't exactly been flying off dealer's lots, Ford has wisely decided to focus on its full-bodied version, the Explorer. The Blue Oval hasn't made a habit of breaking out Sport Trac sales from its SUV kin, but the Explorer only totaled 52,190 in 2009, so the pickup's volume probably wasn't a huge seller. According to Automotive News' sources, Sport Trac sales usually totaled about 20 to 25 percent of Explorer sales over the last decade, but that number strikes us as curiously high. Over its entire life, we never saw a ton of them - even on the roads around Michigan where domestic pickups are commonplace.

Gallery: 2008 Ford Sport Trac Adrenalin

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Unsurprising News of the Day: Ford Explorer Sport Trac is toast originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford Explorer puts four-cylinder EcoBoost engine above V6 in pecking order

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:57:00 +0000

Filed under: SUV, Technology, Crossover, Ford, Off-Road

2011 Ford Explorer - Click above for high-res image gallery

For part two of our in-depth look at the 2011 Ford Explorer, we'll take a look at its new powertrains and improvements in fuel efficiency, as well as how well it can still tow a trailer. But first let's see what kind of techno-goodies Ford has applied to this new SUV.

Technology

This being 2010, technology has to play a big part in any major new vehicle introduction. On the inside, the Explorer joins the new Edge, Focus and Lincoln MKX in adopting the MyFord Touch interface. We first saw this new touch sensitive interface when the MKX and Focus were unveiled at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show in January. Much like modern smartphones, the center stack has a smooth surface with capacitive touch buttons to manage the audio and climate controls. Continue reading after the jump or check out part one of our introduction to the 2011 Ford Explorer first.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer

Continue reading 2011 Ford Explorer puts four-cylinder EcoBoost engine above V6 in pecking order

2011 Ford Explorer puts four-cylinder EcoBoost engine above V6 in pecking order originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford Explorer unveiled, tries crossing over on road to redemption

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 05:01:00 +0000

Filed under: SUV, Safety, Crossover, Ford, Design/Style

2011 Ford Explorer Deep Dive - Click above for high-res image gallery

UPDATE: When you're done reading part one, check out part two of our introduction of the 2011 Ford Explorer that focuses on new technology, powertrains and fuel efficiency.

In creating the 2011 Explorer, Ford engineers and designers had an enormously difficult task set before them. Ford's President of the Americas, Mark Fields, described the job as "Reinventing the SUV for the 21st century." Despite the near complete collapse of the traditional mid-to-large SUV market over the last several years, Ford still sees a substantial market for the capabilities of these boxy behemoths. Customers just don't want the traditional downsides that accompany these body-on-frame 'utes - specifically, their higher fuel consumption and poor ride and handling.

The new Explorer remains squarely targeted at traditional SUV buyers.

Since its debut some 20 years ago, the Explorer has sold over six million units, four million of which are still traversing the world's roads. Through much of the late-1990s and early part of the last decade, the Explorer was Ford's second-best-selling vehicle behind its F-Series pickups, regularly selling 400,000 units a year. Fast-forward to 2009, and that volume had plummeted to just over 52,000. Even so, Ford believes it still has an opportunity. According to the automaker's vice president of global marketing, Jim Farley, each year, at least 140,000 Explorer owners come back to Blue Oval dealerships looking to purchase new vehicles. And obviously, they just aren't buying Explorers.

When word got out that Ford was developing a new unibody Explorer off the same platform architecture that underpins the Taurus and Flex - not to mention the Lincoln MKS and MKT - many people wondered why Dearborn had elected to develop yet another crossover, especially since the Taurus X/Freestyle had just been killed due to slow sales. This predicament was not lost on Ford's product planners, and their four-wheeled response is a new Explorer that remains squarely targeted at traditional SUV buyers - shoppers that Ford sees as a distinct group from most crossover intenders. Long ago, Jeep proved with the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee that a unibody chassis isn't necessarily an impediment to building a fully capable off-roader, and Ford appears to have taken that lesson to heart, along with targeting big improvements in fuel economy and driving dynamics. Follow the jump to find out if they succeeded.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer

Continue reading 2011 Ford Explorer unveiled, tries crossing over on road to redemption

2011 Ford Explorer unveiled, tries crossing over on road to redemption originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Next Focus RS to get all-wheel drive with electric motors

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:59:00 +0000

Filed under: Hybrid, Performance, Hatchback, Ford, Rumormill

Despite driving only the front wheels, reviewers have heaped praise on the current Ford Focus RS's handling and its ability to put 300 horsepower to the road thanks to some nifty suspension and driveline tricks. However, when the next-generation RS rolls into town (assuming that it becomes a reality) it may well have all-wheel-drive courtesy of an electric motor driving the rear axle.

According to Autocar, the proposed car would use a higher output version of the Blue Oval's 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder driving the front wheels and an electric motor at the rear. This would allow for both on-demand all-wheel-drive and electric-only drive at low speeds. If this plan proceeds, it would be Ford's first through-the-road hybrid, although French automaker Peugeot has firm plans to introduce at least two vehicles with a similar configuration in 2011.

Other alternatives reportedly being studied by Ford are an even higher output gasoline engine (sans motor assistance), or use of the next-generation power-split hybrid that debuts in 2012. However, both of these options would involve sticking with front-wheel-drive and could be problematic if Ford wants to surpass the output of the current RS.

[Source: AutoCar]

Rumormill: Next Focus RS to get all-wheel drive with electric motors originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Explorer reaches 30,000 Facebook fans, celebrates with grille shot

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 22:28:00 +0000

Filed under: SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Ford

2011 Ford Explorer grille - Click above for teaser gallery

Earlier today, Ford hit its 30,000 fan for the 2011 Explorer Facebook page, so the automaker could give away one all-new unibody 'ute to a lucky follower. To celebrate meeting its goal, Ford has posted yet another teaser, showing off the new Explorer's grille. But enough with the teasers. When can we actually see it in person? Glad you asked...

This coming Monday, Ford will reveal the Explorer at live events across the U.S., including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and at the "glass house" in Dearborn, MI. At a preview of the Explorer in Dearborn earlier this week, marketing VP Jim Farley discussed how Ford plans to drum up interested in the Explorer, and based on the success of last year's Fiesta Movement social media campaign, the Explorer will be omnipresent online and elsewhere in the lead-up to the on-sale date late this year.

According to Farley, the Fiesta campaign required only 10 percent of what a typical new vehicle launch costs, but it overwhelmingly succeeded in establishing name recognition for the small car well ahead of its arrival in showrooms. Given that America already knows the Explorer, Ford will be focusing on how it's "reinvented the SUV for the 21st century." We can't tell you more at the moment, but look forward to full details this Monday 12:01 AM EDT.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer Teasers

[Source: Ford]

Ford Explorer reaches 30,000 Facebook fans, celebrates with grille shot originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: New Ford Focus ST headed for Paris

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:27:00 +0000

Filed under: Performance, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Ford

2012 Ford Focus - Click above for high-res image gallery

As the launch of the 2012 Focus draws closer, Ford plans to roll out several variants of its C-segment people mover. And at this year's Paris Motor Show, the Blue Oval will reportedly kick off the party with the debut of a new Focus ST which could finally make its way to America next year. The Focus ST is expected to be propelled by an uprated version of the 2.0-liter Ecoboost inline-four - the same mill fitted to the Euro-market Mondeo - but with output boosted well over the current 200 horsepower.

In ST trim the engine should produce about 250 hp and close to 260 pound-feet of torque, with all that twist coming in low in the rev range to balance high-revving fun with enhanced around-town driveability. The ST should hit 60 mph in under six seconds with combined mileage of about 29 miles per gallon (U.S.). Earlier this year, Ford acknowledged that it was developing a "global" performance version of the new Focus, but never said explicitly that it would be offered in North America. Here's hoping that changes in Paris this September.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Focus

[Source: AutoExpress]

Report: New Ford Focus ST headed for Paris originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford improves voice recognition for SYNC, adds Send-to-Car for Google Maps [w/video]

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:31:00 +0000

Filed under: Technology, Videos, Ford

Ford SYNC 2011 demonstration - click above to watch the video

Those that have been paying attention to Autoblog for any length of time will know that the staff here have long been enamored with the voice recognition (VR) technology that is a part of Ford's SYNC system. SYNC VR generally does a better job of recognizing commands than any other such system and has a flatter menu structure than most.

For its 2011 iteration, Ford and its technology partner Nuance have significantly upgraded the system which now recognizes more than 10,000 commands without having to traverse a single menu. One of the frustrations of dealing with other VR systems has been figuring out the specific commands required to enter a destination or make a call. Nuance has implemented an array of aliases that let users say the same thing in different ways such as "play track" or "play song."

Starting this week, owners of SYNC-equipped cars can now send directions from Google Maps on their computer directly to their car - even if they don't have a navigation system. The send-to-car system has been available for several weeks on General Motors OnStar-equipped vehicles and Ford brings the number of automakers that support this technology to 20 worldwide including Audi and BMW. Check out the technology in the video and press release available after the jump.

[Sources: Ford, Google]

Continue reading Ford improves voice recognition for SYNC, adds Send-to-Car for Google Maps [w/video]

Ford improves voice recognition for SYNC, adds Send-to-Car for Google Maps [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 2011 Ford F-150 to get 3.7L V6, 5.0L V8 and 3.5L Ecoboost V6

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:31:00 +0000

Filed under: Truck, Ford

Ford F-150 - Click above for high-res image gallery

When the 2011 Ford F-150 arrives this Fall, it will reportedly get an all-new powertrain lineup. Ford already officially confirmed several months ago that the light-duty pickups would be getting the first rear-wheel drive application of the 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6. The transaxles in the current Ecoboost applications are torque-limited, so when the twin turbocharged and direct injected V6 lands in the truck, it could produce as much as 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque.

The current 4.6-liter and 5.4-liter are also expected to be supplanted by the newer, more powerful and efficient engines that debuted in the 2011 Mustang earlier this year. The F-150's new base engine will reportedly be the 3.7-liter V6 with 305 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, while the top engine will be the new 5.0-liter Coyote V8. The 5.0-liter will likely be re-tuned from the Mustang's 412 hp and 390 lb-ft to give it more torque and further elevate the model's 11,000+ pound towing capacity. The V6-powered trucks could be the first light-duty full-size trucks to hit 25 mpg on the highway, a figure that's even better than General Motors' hybrid trucks.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Ford F-150

Photos by Sam Abuelsamid / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Report: 2011 Ford F-150 to get 3.7L V6, 5.0L V8 and 3.5L Ecoboost V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ford reassigns 900 from Mustang/Mazda6 plant in Flat Rock

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:58:00 +0000

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, Mazda

Even though sales of its Mustang have been solid and even improving as of late, the powers that be have reportedly decided to eliminate the second shift at the Auto Alliance International (AAI) factory that assembles the Blue Oval's pony as well as the slow-selling Mazda6. The factory in Flat Rock, MI which is jointly owned by Ford and Mazda had originally planned to lay off 900 employees, but Ford has now opted to reassign the workers to other facilities.

According to the Detroit Free Press, excess capacity and low sales volumes were causing a lot of downtime at the plant with two shifts operating. AAI will now run a single shift with an increased line rate to meet production requirements. According to Ford, 1,766 employees remain at the plant.

[Source: Detroit Free Press | Image: Ford]

Report: Ford reassigns 900 from Mustang/Mazda6 plant in Flat Rock originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford Edge gets 19/27 mpg EPA ratings, tops mid-size V6 class

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:29:00 +0000

Filed under: Crossover, Ford

2011 Ford Edge - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 3.5-liter V6 edition of the revamped 2011 Ford Edge has finally received its official fuel mileage ratings from the EPA, and like its more luxurious Lincoln MKX sibling, it has topped its class. The Edge is ranked at 19 miles per gallon on the urban drive cycle and 27 mpg on the highway. That's a tick better on the highway than the MKX with its 3.7-liter version of the V6. It's also 1 and 2 mpg better respectively than its chief domestic rival, the 3.0-liter V6 Chevrolet Equinox - despite the fact that at 285 horsepower, the Ford engine is significantly more powerful (the 'Nox offers 264 hp).

The big news that we are still waiting on is the ratings for the 2.0-liter Ecoboost engine. The four-cylinder Equinox is rated at an impressive 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. Ford will have quite a challenge beating those figures, however, especially with an engine that is expected to produce about 45 more horsepower than the naturally aspirated engine in General Motors' crossover. Offiicial PR verbiage after the jump, high-res gallery below.

Update: It turns out that while the Edge is tops in highway mileage at 27 mpg, it's combined rating is 22 mpg. The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe V6 is rated at 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Edge

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2011 Ford Edge gets 19/27 mpg EPA ratings, tops mid-size V6 class

2011 Ford Edge gets 19/27 mpg EPA ratings, tops mid-size V6 class originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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