Ford

Say Hello to My (New) Little Friend, the 2013 Ford Focus ST

As I sat around lamenting the departure of the fun little Volvo C30 hatchback from US soil, my friends at Ford assured me they had a new car that would make me forget all about the saucy Swedish runabout, and they were right. Goodbye C30 – hello Focus ST! Yes, Ford’s global Sport Technologies medical staff delivered the perfect prescription for my hot hatch blues by rolling in here with the new five-door Focus ST boasting 252 horsepower, 270 lb. ft. of torque and a top speed of 154 mph – all the while delivering more than 30 mpg on…

Vehicles & Gear

2013 Ford Shelby GT500 is All That

OMG has been waiting for a moment like this – the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 – a car that absolutely epitomizes the philosophy of “shut up and drive.” Oh-My-Gawd! I find difficulty in accurately describing my first experience behind the wheel of the latest Shelby model Mustang save to say that this car is definitely not for everyone and there should probably be required background checks for those wishing to purchase one. It is a beast. It is mean and nasty. It has the most power ever in a Mustang (or any factory V-8). Heck, it’s got launch control! (And…

Vehicles & Gear

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Finally Earns ‘Thumbs Up’ UPDATED

It has been a few years since a Ford F-150 Raptor has graced our test driveway, and in that time the model has seen a few enhancements to what is already a ‘roided-up version of Ford’s best-selling vehicle in North America. While the SVT Raptor is basically a Baja truck with NHTSA safety equipment and license plates, Ford includes its full complement of creature comforts as well. Thankfully that now allows for a SuperCrew cab variant and the beefier 411hp 6.2-liter V-8 engine mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. This tradeoff is fuel economy of course, and in 4×2 mode…

Vehicles & Gear

Ford Adds More ‘Sport’ to the 2013 Ford Explorer SUV

Ford “reinvented” its popular Explorer sport ute for the 2011 model year, shedding its frame-based roots for a unibody platform shared with the likes of Taurus and Flex. For 2013, Ford is adding the option of the twin-turbo V-6 EcoBoost engine in the midsize ute – calling the new model Explorer Sport. To add more of a sporty nature in the new Explorer Sport, engineers beefed up the platform rigidity to allow for the added power while also enhancing ride and lateral stability. A new crossmember was added underneath the transmission tunnel area and the front strut tower supports were…

Vehicles & Gear

2013 Ford Escape in the Grinding Gears Garage

Compact utility vehicles are all the rage these days, and in recent weeks (and months) many have graced my test driveway. Automakers near and far are seeking ways to stand out from one another in a bid for the consumer’s attention and at Ford that is certainly no different. For 2013, Big Blue Oval has completely overhauled its popular little Escape (that is still deems a sport utility vehicle), updating not only styling but powertrains as well. Three engines are now offered in the Escape, two of them EcoBoost turbo models. Our recent tester arrived sort of “middle-of-the-road” in SE…

Vehicles & Gear

Ford Focus Electric Quick Drive

It’s been nearly a year since Ford announced official class-leading EPA certification for the Focus Electric, and last month while visiting the automaker I found myself getting a few moments behind the wheel of the EV at the Dearborn, Michigan test facility. Zipping around the track on a frozen morning just outside Detroit, I found the Focus Electric to exhibit surprisingly good acceleration with driving characteristics remaining close to my impressions in a comparable gas model a while back. Acceleration is instant thanks to the qualities of the electric motors, while braking takes a little getting used to as the…

Events, News & Features, Vehicles & Gear

Ford’s Press Conference During the North American International Auto Show

As part of #FordNAIAS, we are at the Joe Lewis Arena in Detroit for the Ford Press Conference. The North American International Auto Show started yesterday in the Cobo Center. (We’ll be spending time there later today.) We’ll be sharing images from the Press Conference below and adding details throughout the day. Bill Ford began the Press Conference addressing the fact that Ford had a great year and, as we approach the 150th year of Henry Ford’s birthday they expect an even better year in 2013. “In 2012 we saw growth in nearly every aspect of our business.” And this…

Events, Vehicles & Gear

Ford Cars – When You Absolutely, Positively Need to Get Away #FordNAIAS

We spent this morning at the Ford Rouge Factory. While there, we learned more about the history of the Ford Plant, and we walked through and observed the actual factory floor where they were making the F150 truck. (They build sixty every hour!) It was impressive. On the way out, there was a display of a few classic Fords. There was the original Mustang and the original Thunderbird (gorgeous!!!); they had the original Model A as well. And then there was the beefy (by the standards of its day) V8 … and along with the V8, were two letters from…

Events, News & Features, Vehicles & Gear

A Night at the Henry Ford Museum #FordNAIAS

I’m here in Detroit with David Goodspeed (boy, does that man know his cars!), thanks to Ford, who brought us out to Motor City for the North American International Auto Show as part of #FordNAIAS. We spent this evening at the Henry Ford Museum, and we were given the opportunity to simply wander the museum on our own. It was nothing short of amazing. As our friend Paul Strauss of The Awesomer put it, it felt as if we were in a sequel to the film Night at the Museum. The Henry Ford Museum truly is an awesome place. If you…

Vehicles & Gear

Ford Offering Open Developer Platform for Mobile Apps

Ford is getting into the open-developer game at CES this week in addition to GM as they too announce a developer program to enhance future vehicles. Utilizing the SYNC connectivity system and AppLink application programming interface, Ford is launching an open developer program enabling software developers to directly interface with the vehicle and create apps that will enhance the driving experience. “The Ford Developer Program marks a dramatic shift in how we will innovate new features and add value to our vehicles throughout the ownership period,” said Hau Thai-Tang, vice president of Engineering, Ford Global Product Development. “Opening the car…

Vehicles & Gear

Ford Rises to New Levels of Luxury with 2013 F-Series Pickups

This fall, Ford is bringing a refreshed F-Series lineup to the consumer that will include new top-of-the-line trim levels as well as enhanced technology. The 2013 F-150 and Super Duty pickups will now feature some exterior and interior refinements along with some new running gear (wheels) while across the board Ford will offer new MyFord Touch and SYNC systems across the entire lineup of new trucks, technology optimized in these platforms for truck owners. Big Blue Oval gave members of the automotive media a sneak peek (and early drive) of both F-150 and F-250 pickups as they prepare for the…

Vehicles & Gear

Raptor vs. Rover: Ford Puts the Mars Curiosity Rover in Perspective

In playful commemoration of the successful Mars Rover Curiosity program, Ford decided to pit its best off-roader, the F-150 SVT Raptor pickup, in a side-by-side comparison with the unique machine that is now on the surface of our neighboring planet. Ford released an infographic showing each vehicle’s key features and specifications as well as a comparison in powertrains, prowess, and pricing. For me personally, I’ll take the Mars Rover as our last outing in the Raptor found us needing assistance in getting out of some ordinary East Texas mud. Sure, the Ford has air conditioning and, well, a driver’s seat,…

Events, Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

GoFurther with Ford Trend Conference 2012, My Experience

Last week I had the opportunity to be among 250 guests brought to Dearborn, Michigan by Ford; we spent 2 1/2 days seeing what they’re up to, learning a bit about their philosophy and, of course, checking out some of their latest vehicles. Usually, when attending such a junket, you’d expect to find one or two really good nuggets, a few sessions that were quite good, and a few duds. You’d also expect to have a few logistical glitches along the way. Having now had a bit of time to digest everything that we saw and did over those days,…

Events, Vehicles & Gear

My Day at the Ford Testing Track

I’ve spent the last three days with Ford in Michigan. We learned about their green tech, their company philosophy, and much more. The complete writeup is on the way, but I wanted to get this post and video up now before I leave. Why? Because I got to spend the morning with Ford at their test track driving some of their newest vehicles. There’s the Raptor, which was awesome off-road. Then there was the Interceptor. It is super-fast and a lot of fun to drive. Finally I got to take a Mustang GT out on the course. I had fun,…

News & Features, Vehicles & Gear

Ford Opens Silicon Valley Lab, Enshrines SYNC in Computer History Museum

There has been quite a bit of technology news coming from Ford over the past week including its announcement of the new Silicon Valley Lab opening and its SYNC system being enshrined in the computer museum. Founder namesake and Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford was on hand in California to participate in both events saying, “We have been innovating for more than a century at Ford, but we acknowledge we don’t have a monopoly on creativity. Our new office will complement our existing research efforts by allowing us to tap into the region that has been driving consumer technology forward…

Vehicles & Gear

Ford Adds EcoBoost to the 2012 Edge Lineup

The Edge crossover utility vehicle paved the way to a new segment for Ford to compete in and since its introduction several years ago the model line has proved very popular. Last model year, Ford raised the bar a bit higher by updating styling and technology while also adding the Edge Sport model aimed at customers wanting a fresher, hipper crossover. This year, Ford gives consumers a broader choice for powering their Edge by adding EcoBoost technology to the model lineup. For 2012, Ford drops a 240hp turbocharged 2.0-liter GTDI four-cylinder engine under the hood bringing near V-6 performance with…

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Ford Using App for 2013 Fusion Unveil

Want to see the all-new 2013 Ford Fusion sedan? Ford has an app for that. The automaker has released iOS and Android smartphone and device apps to tease the eventual unveil of the vehicle that will occur in the app simultaneously as it does on stage at two stellar events. The 2013 Ford Fusion (which has been named the official car of CES 2012) will be unveiled at both the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month as well as the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. These are two of the biggest shows held in the U.S….

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

Finally, the Real Ford Focus Comes to America

I’ve been waiting for the 2012 Ford Focus for a very long time. Even as Ford was rolling out the red carpet on the last generation Focus compact in 2007 I was waiting for this car. Heck, my anticipation goes back a decade. Well, it’s here and in usual Ford fashion Focus arrived in a flurry of product placement as it has been driven on nearly every reality TV show this year. I first saw the latest Focus in its new plant last December as Ford allowed us an insider view of the assembly facility it had completely rebuilt specifically…

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Is One Bad Pony Car

The Boss is back – and it is bad***. The 2012 Mustang Boss 302 is the most fun I have had in a pony car since, well, ever. I even like this new Ford more than my cherished ’69 Camaro with the solid lifter crate motor. Ford has brought its heritage forward four score as they re-release the Boss 302 on the newest Mustang platform. Originally released in 1969, the Boss 302 was the first of three Boss factory performance models and was intended to help Ford compete in SCCA racing. Fast forward to 2011 and the new Boss lives…

Events, Vehicles & Gear

Forward with Ford: Safety, Innovation, & Being Green!

I recently joined a group of online and traditional media for the “Forward With Ford” event at Ford’s Dearborn facility for a multi-day event covering trends and technologies that Ford is addressing. Before attending, I was offered the choice of exploring three of the following sessions; I chose the ones with stars next to them. ?Living Green As gasoline prices continue to rise, fuel efficiency has become an even more important purchase factor for consumers looking at buying a new vehicle. In the first four months of 2011, small cars sales jumped from 19% to 25% in the United States….

Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

2011 Lincoln MKX More Than a Fancy Ford

Across the board, Ford and Lincoln engineers have been working to stay at the front of the technological field in their vehicles and most of that emphasis has been in the implementation of MyFord and MyLincoln technology packaging recently. At the same time, much of the fleet has been getting minor (and in some cases, major) cosmetic surgery and powertrain upgrades. The 2011 Lincoln MKX midsize crossover we tested recently is an example of one of those getting a little of both. Outside we see the new “face” of Lincoln while inside the vehicle impresses both aesthetically and ergonomically. In…

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