Autoblog talks hot wheels with Ford's Performance Vehicle leaders
by Sam Abuelsamid on Jan 29th 2009 at 2:58PM



Fans of Ford's American SVT and European ST and RS models will have plenty to look forward to in the next few years. As part of the company's One Ford program to consolidate its platforms and designs, SVT and TeamRS have been brought together under a single organization led by Jost Capito. Earlier this week, we sat down for lunch with Jamal Hameedi and Hermann Salenbauch to discuss what is going on and what we can expect to see in the next few years. Hameedi is the Chief Nameplate Engineer at SVT and Salenbauch is the director of Advanced Product Creation and Performance Vehicles. We've already seen some of their handiwork in the form of the 2010 Shelby GT500 and F-150 SVT Raptor, but we'll come back to those in a bit.

We already know we'll be getting a new Focus in laet 2010 or early 2011 that's common with the Euro model we've been craving for years. Naturally, the question of the new Focus RS came up. While no one would commit to anything, there were plenty of smiles to go around and Hameedi and Salenbauch were more than willing to talk enthusiastically about the new sports hatch that is launching right now in Europe. Continue reading after the jump.


If what we've been told is anywhere close to true, the Focus RS will take the likes of the Volkswagen R32 and Subaru WRX and kick them into the ditch. Even though the hatch's 300 horses pump through the front wheels exclusively, the Focus reportedly handles much more like a rear-driver with a back end that's easy to kick into a drift. It appears we'll be getting an opportunity to try out the Focus RS firsthand this summer as Ford is bringing over a sampling of its European wares for select U.S. media to try out.


While it remains to be seen what performance variants of the Fiesta, Focus and Fusion the U.S. will get, there are two SVT products that are arriving this year: the 2010 Shelby GT500 and F-150 Raptor. The 2010 Shelby GT500 has been the subject of much debate in the comments here on Autoblog. Two particular elements of the car elicit a lot of controversy, the engine block and the rear axle.

The continued use of a cast iron block has led to some consternation because of its extra mass compared to an all-aluminum block. Hameedi explained that there were a number of reasons for sticking with iron. The most obvious is that the aluminum block from the Ford GT used a dry sump system and different starter, and these posed packaging issues in the Mustang. They could obviously be overcome if the desire (and money) was there.


Gallery: 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang
However, he also explained that over half of GT500 owners have modded their cars in some way. The existing aluminum block can withstand the stresses of 540 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque, but the iron block has much more headroom for even more power without modification. Drag racers routinely get 700-800 hp, and even the Shelby Super Snake can produce 725 hp. An aluminum block would have to be significantly beefed to withstand more power than stock, which would negate much of the material weight advantage.

We also discussed the possibility of other new engines in the Mustang, including the rumored 5.0-liter Coyote V8. On that topic, the response was simply "What 5.0-liter V8?" New engines are definitely coming to the Pony for 2011, but no one at Ford is willing to talk about them at this point.

The other new Ford V8 is the 6.2-liter Hurricane going into the F-150 Raptor early next year. In the past, SVT engineers focused on lateral and longitudinal acceleration, producing two generations of SVT Lightning pickups. Like other high performance pickup trucks, these vehicles added power and handling while subtracting much of the utility that makes a truck a truck.

The crew went an entirely different direction this time around by adding in control of the vertical forces. They learned a lot new things creating an off-road truck and ended up with an almost completely new vehicle. The only body panels that the Raptor shares with other F-150 models are its roof and doors, and most of the underpinnings are either all-new or heavily modified.


Gallery: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
The SVT team worked with brake engineers at BOSCH on customizing the slip control for the Raptor. In off-road mode, the brakes have more rear bias, allowing the driver to steer the truck with the brake pedal, throttle or steering wheel. This author worked on brake control systems for 17 years, and one of the biggest issues was always getting a good stopping distance off-road.

On gravel or loose surfaces, a vehicle can actually stop better if the wheels come closer to locking and allowing a wedge of material to build up in front of the wheel. However, it's really hard for a system to recognize this kind of surface. Automakers' legal teams are generally reluctant to give drivers control of this sort of thing because of the potential for getting in trouble. The Raptor, however, provides options for the driver through the off-road drive modes that adjust the amount of slip allowed, thus improving off-road stopping power.

So whether you like melting the tires in the front, the ones out back, or all four, Ford's reinvigorated SVT team appears to have you covered. We can't wait to try out the Raptor, the new GT500 and the European models this spring and summer.

On January 11 and 12 the Ford Motor Company held the Ford and Lincoln press conferences at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.
The message at NAIAS was clear - Ford has the right plan, the right products and the right team to lead through these tough economic times and to be well-positioned for profitable growth in the future.
Here are a few of the high profile messages that are being communicated at NAIAS.

Few companies have restructured more aggressively than Ford – They're making the necessary changes to succeed in today's tough environment.


1. Fuel Economy
Ford is bringing affordable fuel economy to millions of drivers by delivering best-in-class or among the best fuel economy with every new vehicle introduced.
The new 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is rated as North America’s most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan with fuel economy of 4.6L/100km city and 5.4L/100km highway -- Toyota Camry: 5.7 city / 5.7 highway.
Ford is introducing industry-leading, fuel-saving EcoBoost engines on today’s vehicles for up to 20 per cent better fuel economy and up to 15 per cent fewer CO2 emissions versus larger-displacement engines.
We will be offering EcoBoost in Lincoln MKS and the Oakville-built Ford Flex this year.
Ford has also announced an aggressive new electric vehicle plan to bring a family of hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles to market by 2012.
Ford is already putting into effect a major element of this electrification strategy with its strategic alliance with Canadian-based auto supplier Magna International to produce a new battery electric small car.


2. Quality
This month (January) the all-new 2009 Ford F-150 was named North American Truck of the Year at NAIAS.
In December, MOTOR TREND magazine named the F-150 the 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year™.
Ford quality is now on par with Honda and Toyota – and is consistently being recognized by important third-parties like J.D. Power and Associates’ Initial Quality Study.
Consumer Reports gave 44 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles average or better reliability ratings. Now, almost every Ford product rated by Consumer Reports carries an average or better reliability rating.


3. Safety
Ford is leading in safety leadership with the most U.S. government 5-star safety ratings of any auto company and recently moving past Honda for the industry’s most Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) "Top Safety Picks".
For example, the 2009 Ford F-150 is the only pickup truck to earn both the government’s top 5-star crash-test ratings and the IIHS “Top Safety Pick" award.

4. Innovation
Ford is continuing to lead in vehicle connectivity by adding 911 Assist to Ford SYNC.
This year, we'll introduce new smart safety features, such as the industry-first MyKey technology that limits top speed and audio volume for teens and the first forward crash-avoidance system for mainstream vehicles.
Active Park Assist helps drivers to parallel park with the touch of a button and without ever touching the steering wheel. This feature will be available in mid-2009 on Lincoln MKS and the Oakville-built Lincoln MKT.

Ford Motor Company announced today it will introduce an advanced dual-clutch PowerShift six-speed transmission in North America in 2010 for the small-car segment.

PowerShift will deliver the fuel efficiency of a manual gearbox with the convenience and ease of a premium automatic transmission – making it a key enabling technology as Ford targets best-in-class or among-the-best fuel economy with every new vehicle it introduces in North America.

"PowerShift represents a true competitive advantage for Ford and is one of the many technologies that will help our global small-car platforms set a new world standard for efficiency and drive quality," said Barb Samardzich, vice president, Global Powertrain Engineering, who announced PowerShift's production timing at the 2009 Automotive News World Congress. "This advanced six-speed is an improvement over today's automatic transmissions in terms of fuel economy, while providing customers an even more fun-to-drive experience."

Overall, Ford has committed that almost 100 percent of its transmissions will be advanced six-speed gearboxes by 2013. Six-speed transmissions already have helped vehicles such as the 2010 Ford Fusion achieve best-in-class fuel economy, while at the same time allowing the Ford Flex and Ford Escape to achieve unsurpassed fuel economy in their respective segments.

Ford is leveraging six-speed transmissions, advanced internal combustion engines such as EcoBoost, hybrids, full electric vehicles, vehicle weight reduction and electric power-assisted steering to improve fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions fleet-wide by 30 percent by 2020.

Automatic Comfort
Compared to traditional automatic four-speed transmissions, PowerShift can help reduce fuel consumption by up to 9 percent depending on the application.

PowerShift provides the full comfort of an automatic with a more sophisticated driving dynamic, thanks to uninterrupted torque from the dual-clutch technology, which consists essentially of two manual transmissions working in parallel, each with its own independent clutch unit. One clutch carries the uneven gears – 1, 3 and 5 – while the other the even gears – 2, 4 and 6. Subsequent gear changes are coordinated between both clutches as they engage and disengage for a seamless delivery of torque to the wheels.

In Europe, Ford currently offers a PowerShift transmission in the Ford Focus. This PowerShift uses a twin wet-clutch system to handle the higher torque levels of the 2.0-liter TDCI engine available in the Focus.

In North America, a dry-clutch derivative of Ford's PowerShift transmission will be used for added efficiency and durability. A dry clutch transmits power and torque through manual transmission clutch facings, while most automatic transmissions utilize wet clutch plates submerged in oil. As a result, the dry-clutch PowerShift transmission does not require an oil pump or torque converter, providing superior mechanical efficiency.

"A dry clutch is a real sweet spot for lighter vehicle applications," said Piero Aversa, manager, Ford Automatic Transmission Engineering. "PowerShift is more efficient, it saves weight, is more durable, more efficient and the unit is sealed for life, requiring no regular maintenance."

PowerShift, unlike conventional automatic transmissions, does not need the heavier torque converter or planetary gears. In addition, the dry-clutch derivative eliminates the need for the weighty pumps, hydraulic fluids, cooling lines and external coolers that wet clutch transmissions require. As a result, the dry-clutch PowerShift transmission can weigh nearly 30 pounds less than, for example, the four-speed automatic transmission featured on today's Ford Focus.

Differentiating PowerShift even further in terms of its customer appeal is its shift quality, launch feel and overall drive dynamic, which are all facilitated by an expert blend of Ford-exclusive electro-mechanical systems, software features, calibrations and controls. These unique driving features include:

• Neutral coast down – The clutches will disengage when the brakes are applied, improving coasting downshifts and clutch robustness as well as reducing parasitic losses for increased fuel economy.

• Precise clutch control in the form of a clutch slip to provide torsional damping of the engine vibration – This function improves noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) at low engine speeds and enables lower lugging limits for improved fuel economy.

• Low-speed driving or creep mode with integrated brake pressure – This function simulates the low-speed control drivers are accustomed to from an automatic transmission. The amount of rolling torque in Drive and Reverse is precisely controlled, gradually building as brake pressure is released.

• Hill mode or launch assist – Prevents a vehicle from rolling back on a grade by maintaining brake pressure until the engine delivers enough torque to move the vehicle up the hill, providing improved driver confidence, comfort, safety and clutch robustness.

According to PickupTrucks.com sources, Ford is planning big changes to the F-150's powertrain lineup in 2010 for the 2011 model year, focused on giving buyers more power and greater efficiency.
The current F-150 offers a choice of either a base two-valve or an advanced three-valve 4.6-liter V-8, or a top-of-the-line three-valve 5.4-liter V-8. The old entry-level 4.2-liter V-6 was dropped for 2009.
By late 2010, the new standard engine for the F-150 will be a 5.0-liter, modular, four-valve, naturally aspirated V-8, developed under the code name "coyote." This eight-cylinder engine (described as having "huge heads") will be shared with the new Ford Mustang. Power figures are said to be approximately 400 horsepower and 400 pounds-feet of torque. Fuel economy is expected to be comparable to the current 5.4-liter engine.
In an interesting reversal of tradition for trucks, the premium engine for the light-duty F-150 will be a V-6. The new rear-wheel-drive version of the 3.5-liter, six-cylinder EcoBoost gasoline turbo direct-injection motor will occupy the top slot. Ford has officially said the EcoBoost engine will arrive next year with improved fuel economy and low-end torque with a broad, diesel-like torque curve through most of its power band. Our sources say it too will be rated at approximately 400 hp and more than 400 pounds-feet of torque. Gas mileage is expected to be at least 23 mpg USA on the highway.
The arrival of these new engines is said to mean the end of the line for the F-150's 4.6-liter and 5.4-liter V-8s. The premium 6.2-liter V-8 engine (formerly known as "Boss") that will debut late this year in the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor will be limited to only niche F-150 models and the Super Duty line.

Ford's F-150 SVT Raptor isn't much like a normal truck. One look at the machine, with its copious amounts of front and rear suspension travel, super-wide stance, unique front fascia and bright orange paint quickly proves that point, but the truck on display at Barrett-Jackson last night had a few more tricks up its sleeve in order to grab some extra bids: a truckload of kids. Specifically, the Raptor's bed was full of children that stood to gain from the sale of this machine, which is the first retail production model of its kind, as all proceeds above the Raptor's MSRP will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. After the gavel fell and all associated fees were paid, the truck went for $143,000 -- likely a hefty sum over the Raptor's as-yet unannounced base price. See the official auction description after the break.

Spy Shots: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO spotted without camo!
by John Neff Jan 19th, 2009 at 11:57AM




Thanks to our friends at BringBackTheSHO.com, we now have more evidence than ever that the SHO will rise again. These spy shots show a pair of serious looking Taurus sedans snapped along the I-75 corridor in Michigan (the greenish grass and lack of snow suggest they weren't taken recently). These two sedans are different from the Limited and SES models we saw at the Detroit Auto Show last week, wearing new wheels (at least 19 or 20 inches in diameter), a decklid spoiler, different tail-lights and a new rear bumper that extends lower over a pair of dual tail-pipes. There's also a conspicuous looking badge on the rear end that's covered with camo tape. What could it be? Who knows for SHO?

We expect to find Ford's new 3.5L EcoBoost V6 underhood, which produces 355 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. Well, that's what the engine produces in the 2010 Lincoln EcoBoost MKS, 2010 Lincoln EcoBoost MKT and 2010 Ford EcoBoost Flex. Whether or not Ford increases the engine's power for SHO duty (it does stand for Super High Output, after all) remains to be seen, but expect all-wheel drive and a flappy paddle, six-speed gearbox to be standard equipment. The 2009 Chicago Auto Show, where we expect this car to debut, just got a whole lot more interesting.

by Damon Lavrinc Jan 19th, 2009 at 2:01PM




Since taking the reigns at FoMoCo, Alan Mulally has made it clear that one of the keys to Ford's resurgence is to leverage its assets abroad. Specifically, he wants to utilize the automaker's platform development in Europe to maximize engineering and manufacturing efficiency, creating several global models. While we're still waiting for Ford to ditch the old Focus platform for the Euro model's underpinnings, the next major implementation of Mulally's plan will come in the form of the next Ford Fusion, which will use the current Mondeo platform.

The CD3 platform, which is derived from the Mazda6 and underpins the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln MKZ, Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX, will be abandoned in favor of the Mondeo's EUCD platform and will be the foundation for Ford's global mid-size/CD-segment vehicle. Ford of Europe has been tasked with reworking the platform for the U.S., which has been internally dubbed CD4. Expect the Mondeo-based Fusion to arrive in the U.S. in 2012 for the 2013 model year.

by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Jan 19th, 2009 at 6:28PM



Even if the Lincoln Concept C from the Detroit Auto Show never makes it to production, its powertrain could find its way into FoMoCo's small cars. While the first application of Ford's new EcoBoost series of engines will be a 3.5L V6 in the 2009 Ford Flex, the technology might make the most sense in a much smaller and more efficient package. For instance, in the Lincoln Concept C, the 1.6-liter turbocharged, direct injected four-cylinder offers up 180 hp and an equal amount of torque while returning a (theoreticall) 43 mpg USA on the highway. This powerplant could be mated with Ford's PowerShift dual clutch gearbox in an uplevel version of the next-gen Focus subcompact that's expected to debut in 2010, offering a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency over the outgoing 2.0L four.

by Alex Nunez on Jan 19th, 2009 at 7:01PM





Before this auto show season is over, we'll probably see another Ford Mustang variant unveiled. That's the juicy takeaway from a Detroit Auto Show conversation we had with Ford's vice-president of Powertrain Engineering, Barb Samardzich. In the course of discussing the 2010 GT500 and the new Mustang in general, this author made the offhand remark that, after sitting in the 2010, perhaps picking up a used '06 GT just over a year ago was a bit premature. In response, Samardzich gave a knowing look and said, "You want to wait a little longer." That was all we were able to get, but given her position, it seemed noteworthy. After all, she'd know.

We followed up with Ford spokesman Alan Hall after the show in a bid to extract more information. Alan saw this as a fun opportunity to obfuscate, joking that the Blue Oval is readying a Knight Rider edition. (They're not. Relax.) More importantly, however, he didn't deny anything either.

So now we'll take the rumorball and kick off the speculation. We wouldn't expect anything in Chicago. Traditionally, the Winding City isn't a big Mustang show, and the Taurus SHO seems likely to be the big news there anyway. That leaves New York, which has been a solid Mustang venue in recent years. In 2005, the Shelby GT500 was revealed. In 2006, the Shelby GT-H made its debut there. In 2007, we got the production Shelby GT500KR. Last year, no Mustang announcement in Manhattan, so Ford's due.

History would suggest that we'll see another Shelby model in New York, but that's really just a shot in the dark. It could really be anything. Boss? Bullitt? Mach 1? EcoBoost?! You could go on forever with the guessing. Obviously, we could also be wrong, and it could be nothing, but something tells us Ford has a treat up its sleeve...

Ford chief: Alan Mulally, president and chief executive of Ford Motor Co., pauses during a keynote speech during the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show on Jan. 8.

By Richard N. Velotta

Fri, Jan 16, 2009 (2 a.m.)

Ford Motor Co. doesn’t want consumers to just think of it as a car manufacturer. It’s hoping they’ll begin viewing it as a technology company.

The image makeover was one of the things the 105-year-old Detroit-based company — the fourth largest auto manufacturer in the world — was selling at last week’s Consumer Electronics Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Alan Mulally, Ford’s chairman and chief executive, was a keynote speaker at the four-day show, which drew an estimated 110,000 people to the city’s first major trade show of 2009. It was the first time that an automotive leader took the stage at the technology showcase, even though the tech industry has been preaching the growth of car gadgetry for years.

“We are a car company,” Mulally told his audience, “but we are working to think and act like a technology company.”

Mulally steered away from Ford’s and the auto industry’s financial woes in favor of showing off what the company’s partnerships with Microsoft, Sirius, Sony and Best Buy are yielding.

Ford announced its partnership with Microsoft on Sync, a factory-installed communications and entertainment system. The next generation of Sync is on the way and will be available on select Ford and Mercury models.

Mulally said there are about 1 million Sync-equipped vehicles on the road and 31 percent of the owners said the technology influenced their decision to buy the vehicle.

Mulally and his tech team explained some of the features of the Sync upgrade, which already includes hands-free, voice-activated phone service and entertainment offerings. The new version will have 911 Assist, which automatically calls the local emergency number when the system senses an accident.

That service will be free for three years after the purchase of the vehicle — a dig at OnStar, a rival emergency communication system that charges a subscription fee for similar service.

The new system also will communicate a “vehicle health report” based on diagnostic readings from the vehicle’s systems, a service that is free for the life of the auto.

By spring, Ford and Microsoft expect to introduce upgraded routing technology that will provide turn-by-turn directions, information services and real-time traffic updates from Seattle-based Inrix, a tech company founded by former Microsoft executives Bryan Mistele and Craig Chapman.

Mistele, who was on a panel on technological innovations in cars on the same day as Mulally’s speech, said the next-generation traffic monitoring software not only would be enhanced with real-time traffic flow transmitted to a central data center by vehicles equipped with speed sensors and that information would be analyzed with historic traffic data to provide routing information.

Other tech innovations at Ford include the MyKey ignition key, introduced in October. The device is a programmable ignition key that limits a vehicle’s speed and sound system volume. It’s designed to give parents of young drivers some peace of mind by preventing the teens from going too fast or being distracted by loud music in the car.

Mulally discussed SmartGuage, a system designed by Microsoft, Sony and Burlington, Mass.-based Nuance Communications that monitors and advises motorists on how to drive more fuel efficiently and ecologically responsible. The system will be available on 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury hybrid vehicles.

And, Mulally said, most of the vehicles software systems will be easily upgraded via an in-car USB port. At the show, Ford announced a partnership with Best Buy that eventually will develop into a software monitoring agreement with the retail store’s “Geek Squad” repair teams.

Other CES keynote speakers stressed the need for optimism and the necessity of investing in innovation.

Gary Shapiro, chief executive of the 2,200-member Consumer Electronics Association, which sponsors the show, said the industry is forecasting a 0.6 percent decline in revenue in 2009 following a 5.4 percent growth in 2008.

Shapiro said technology has played a leadership role in rebounds from other economic downturns, including the recovery from the 9/11 attacks, and that the industry “not only survived, but flourished” through innovation.

“At times we expand and at times we contract in a free-market economy,” Shapiro said.

He expressed optimism about the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama, who he called “our first digital president.”

The Consumer Electronics Association said it expected 130,000 people at this year’s CES, one of the best-attended conventions and trade shows in Las Vegas. But on the show’s last day, the association acknowledged attendance was down, closer to 110,000 but still one of the best-attended shows of the year.

Many representatives complained that traffic was slow compared with previous years, and cab drivers said they didn’t think there were as many people as in past years.

Technology all-stars Howard Stringer and Steve Ballmer also delivered CES addresses.

Stringer, chief executive of Sony, rolled out a parade of stars — actor Tom Hanks, Hall of Fame baseball star Reggie Jackson, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Hollywood producer Jeffrey Katzenberg and pop singer Usher — to help introduce products and upgrades.

Among the innovations were the Flex OLED, a portable and pliable television screen, the Wi-Fi Cyber-Shot camera that automatically e-mails photos by wireless Internet to online photo galleries, new generations of Blu-ray technology that will enable people to view movies and chat about them via the Internet and 3-D television.

Katzenberg, whose DreamWorks production company will be offering 3-D versions of all of its animated films, showed a 3-D clip from his next film, “Monsters vs. Aliens,” and Sony offered at Paris Las Vegas a 3-D broadcast of the Bowl Championship Series college football final.

Microsoft Chief Executive Ballmer, who this year took the reins of the annual CES preshow keynote address from Microsoft founder Bill Gates, focused on the connectivity among computers, television and telephones.

“Over the next couple of years,” Ballmer predicted, “the boundary between the TV and the PC will dissolve.”

Ballmer and a handful of Microsoft executives described the newest upgrade of the company’s Windows operating system, Windows 7, which became available last week in a beta version. Microsoft announced partnerships with Facebook, Verizon, Netflix and Dell Computers for the company’s Windows Live, Windows Live Essentials, Windows Mobile and Xbox products.

All the devices and partnerships are designed to promote connectivity among devices.

ohn Beltz Snyder on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 14:36

Ford has already announced the debut of the 2010 Taurus at the Detroit auto show, but nothing has been mentioned about a SHO edition.

New photos show us a glimpse of a dashboard badged with “SHO”. The interior, with the suave new look of the Taurus, gives us an idea of what to expect from Ford’s Super High Output machine. Jalopnik shows us their photos of dash clad in silver and black tones, suggestive of carbon fiber, a speedometer that goes up to 140 miles per hour, and a Microsoft SYNC badge. It’s not much to go on, but at least we can expect a little excitement from Ford in the near future.

Ford announces aggressive new electric vehicle plan to bring pure battery-powered vehicles, hybrids and plug-in hybrid vehicles to market
These vehicles pave the way for additional applications in the future, using Ford's high-volume global small car and midsize car platforms
Ford is partnering with high-tech partners to bring electric-powered vehicles to market quickly and more affordably.

DETROIT, Jan. 11, 2009 – Ford Motor Company today launched an aggressive plan to bring pure battery-electric vehicles, next-generation hybrids and a plug-in hybrid to market quickly and more affordably during the next four years.

The plan, unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show, signals the next phase in Ford's commitment to deliver the best or among the best fuel efficiency with every new vehicle it introduces and to make fuel efficiency solutions affordable for millions of customers.

"Ford is heading in the direction America and our customers want us to go, which is a green, high-tech and global future," said Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford. "I think that is where society would like to see the entire industry go, and Ford is going to lead that charge."

To start, Ford will introduce in North America during the next four years:

A new battery electric commercial van in 2010
A new battery electric small car in 2011 to be developed jointly with Magna International
Next-generation hybrid vehicles, including a plug-in version by 2012

These new vehicles pave the way for additional applications in the future, using Ford's high-volume global small car and midsize car platforms.

"Next-generation hybrids, plug-in hybrids and pure battery powered vehicles are the logical next steps in our pursuit of greater fuel economy and sustainability," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of Global Product Development. "A growing number of consumers want that kind of choice, and we want to be in a position to deliver it to them across multiple vehicle categories."

The use of global platforms showcases Ford's ability to develop products with worldwide market opportunities in mind. Powering the company's electrification drive is the company's "One Ford" global product vision.

"Around the world, we have become one Ford team, leveraging technologies and assets across markets and vehicle lines," said Alan Mulally, Ford president and chief executive officer. "That is allowing us to deliver products our customers want and value even more quickly, including our progress with electric-powered vehicles."

Partners Enable Speed to Market
Ford is partnering with high-tech partners to bring electric-powered vehicles to market quickly and affordably. Today, the company announced a new collaboration with Magna International to bring a new lithium ion battery-powered small car to market in North America in 2011.

The new electric vehicle will have a range of up to 100 miles on a single charge, without using a single drop of gasoline.

"We strongly believe in collaboration because it drives innovation up and keeps costs down," said Don Walker, co-CEO of Magna International. "Bringing a fully functional electric vehicle quickly to market that meets customer expectations in terms of cost and performance is a great testament to both our companies' expertise and collaborative efforts."

Ford already has other collaborations and partnerships to accelerate the commercialization of electrified vehicles. Southern California Edison and the Electric Power Research Institute currently are road testing a fleet of Ford Escape Hybrid Plug-ins. Work with the utility industry partners is focused on understanding customer usage and the interconnectivity of vehicles with the electric grid.

Ford also has entered into a four-way "Eco-Partnership" in China to expand its global expertise with electric-powered vehicles. Ford, Changan Auto Group and the cities of Chongqing, China and Denver, Colo., are exploring ways to develop projects to help further energy security and promote economic and environmental sustainability. Areas of focus could include developing electrified vehicle technologies, green city planning, efficient urban transportation and grid integration.

The U.S. Department of Energy awarded a $10 million grant to Ford's development of PHEVs. The DOE currently is road testing one of Ford's Escape Hybrid Plug-ins to support technological innovation related to the electrification of transportation.

In addition, in the UK, Ford is collaborating with Tanfield, the market leader for electric vehicles, to offer battery-electric versions of the Ford Transit and Transit Connect commercial vehicles for fleet customers in the UK and European markets.

Ford's aggressive new electrification plan represents the next step in the company's sustainability plan. Unveiled in 2007, the plan includes a commitment to greater vehicle fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions as part of Ford's longer-term commitment to addressing climate change and energy security.

"Our focus is to provide fuel efficiency for millions of customers," said Kuzak. "Rather than low-volume niche vehicles or demonstration fleets, we are committed to developing advanced technology that is widely affordable and accessible."

Near-term elements of Ford's sustainability plan include improving today's gasoline engines to make them more fuel efficient with reduced emissions. Recent accomplishments include:


The Ford Fusion is now America's most fuel efficient mid-size sedan for both hybrid and conventional gasoline models
The four-cylinder Ford Fusion S is now certified at 34 mpg highway and 23 mpg in the city, topping the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord
The new Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrids deliver up to 41 miles per gallon in the city – eight miles per gallon better than the Toyota Camry Hybrid. In addition, the base Fusion with its 4-cylinder engine and six-speed transmission is EPA certified with best-in-class fuel economy of 34 mpg on the highway
The Ford Focus with its 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and manual transmission delivers 35 mpg on the highway, 5 mpg better than Toyota Corolla's 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and 2 mpg better than Honda Fit's 1.5-liter 4-cylinder, both also with manual transmissions
The all-new 2009 Ford F-150 – which is Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year – achieves 3 mpg more than the Toyota Tundra pickup on the highway and 1 mpg better in the city with its 4.6-liter V-8 engine, compared to Toyota's 4.7-liter V-8. The F-150's larger 5.4-liter V-8 achieves 2 mpg better on the highway than the facing Tundra engine
The 2009 Ford Escape with its new 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and six-speed transmission achieves 28 mpg on the highway, the same as Toyota's RAV4 and 1 mpg better than the Honda CR-V, both with 4-cylinder engines, too
The Ford Expedition achieves 20 mpg on the highway, beating both of the Toyota Sequoia's V-8 engines by as much as 3 mpg on the highway
The Ford Flex is the most fuel-efficient standard seven-passenger vehicle on the market
This year, Ford also will introduce its EcoBoost engines on the Ford Flex crossover and Lincoln MKS sedan.

The direct-injection turbocharged EcoBoost technology allows for fuel economy improvements of up to 20 percent and CO2 reductions of up to 15 percent versus larger displacement engines – while improving performance. On the Flex and the Lincoln MKS, EcoBoost will provide V-8 performance with V-6 engine fuel efficiency.

By 2013, Ford expects annual EcoBoost engine volumes to top 750,000 in North America.

Also this year, Ford is doubling its production and offerings of hybrid vehicles with the new Fusion and Milan hybrids. During the past five years, Ford has sold nearly 100,000 hybrid vehicles, starting with the introduction of the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid, the most fuel efficient SUVs in the world.

by Alex Nunez on Jan 11th 2009 at 1:05PM

Ford is betting that efficiency will be paramount in the long term. The new Fusion Hybrid? That's the tip of the iceberg. Today in Cobo Arena, the Ford execu-quartet of product chief Derrick Kuzak, CEO Alan Mulally, President of the Americas Mark Fields, and Bill Ford presented the green roadmap that the Blue Oval plans to follow into the future.

EcoBoost was the lead-in, with Kuzak driving onstage in the EcoBoosted Ford Flex, whicih bumps out 350 horsepower while delivering fuel economy to the normally-aspirated V6. This, you knew. He then went on to announce that by 2013, EcoBoost engines will be available in 90% of Ford nameplates. That announcement was followed by another, which stated that the company's fuel-stingy inline-4 will ultimately be offered in every car and crossover in the product lineup.

Then Bill Ford segued into the the Blue Oval's new EV strategy, and stuff got even more interesting... Follow the jump to find out about Ford's electrification plans.

It's like this. Ford wants you to be driving some type of electrified vehicle, and its lineup is being reworked to reflect this. Bill Ford stressed that the EV strategy in Dearborn is not just a test program; it's a business plan. (Wave "hi" to President-elect Obama, Bill.) The comprehensive approach is set to tackle the three not-insignificant issues (or obstacles, really) that presently keep electric vehicles from being acceptable and feasible on a large scale: batteries, standards, and infrastructure with the help of suppliers, municipalities, and the federal government. Ford wants policy changes that will speed the broad acceptance of electric vehicles. And the vehicles are in the pipeline.

In addition to standard hybrids, Ford will integrate plug-ins and pure battery-electric vehicles that all leverage lithium-ion battery technology. The EVs will be based on the platforms underpinning Fusion and the new, global Focus. A commercial-use battery-electric vehicle (BEV) will be introduced in 2010, followed in 2011 by a BEV small car.

Ford's electric car will be targeted specifically at consumers, and built in partnership with Magna. The goals that have been set are a 100-mile operating range on a full lithium-ion battery charge. The car will initially be produced in volumes between 5,000 and 10,000 units annually, with a focus on urban markets. If it takes off, they'll ramp things up. This is where the infrastructure changes become critical, and shows why they're such a giant stumbling block to broad EV acceptance. While urban use may be ideal from a driving standpoint, it's a complete nightmare from a parking/charging one. Ask, say, a Manhattanite where they might park, let alone park and plug in, their theoretical EV, and they will fall down laughing.

In 2010, we should see the next generation of Ford's hybrids hitting the scene. They'll come in standard and plug-in varieties, and should blend very high efficiency with appealing dynamics. That's if the wish list all comes true. Time will tell if this master plan has a real chance at success. In the meantime, Ford also made sure they addressed the present day, where we currently enjoy cheap gas. In fact, as the green dog and pony show wound down, a decidedly un-green rumble could be heard kicking up backstage...

After an extensive talk about the Ford's efficiency-focused future, in which we'll all be driving battery-powered vehicles with charging points at every parking space, President of the Americas Mark Fields, resplendent in his signature mullet, introduced the very now, very $1.50-gas-friendly 2010 Shelby GT500. The new snakes burbled to life backstage as the EV presentation came to an end -- almost in defiance of the shiny happy green talk. Thoughts of a lithium ion-utopia were vaporized when Fields theatrically announced the arrival of "the best Mustang ever." On cue, a Torch Red GT500 coupe with white stripes and a Grabber Blue GT500 ragtop with red stripes roared into the arena. Carroll Shelby emerged from the red car, the Shelby/Ford Mutual Admiration Society was called to order, and a big hug was exchanged between Fields and the living legend, who just turned 86. With the pleasantries out of the way, the GT500s left trails of rubber as they made way for the star of Ford's show.

Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) delivered more power - 540 horsepower with 510 foot-pounds of torque - and new gearbox enhancements to the GT500, plus a standard 3.55:1 rear axle ratio for slightly better highway mileage. New bodywork featuring functional details including a hood air extractor that helps remove engine heat and a “Gurney Flap” spoiler to tune rear downforce gives the new Shelby a much more aggressive look. A dramatically improved interior completes the package. The 2010 Shelby GT500 will be in dealer showrooms in the spring.

2010 Ford Taurus

When Alan Mulally took over as CEO of Ford, one of the first things he did was rename the Five Hundred full-size sedan Taurus to take advantage of the nameplate’s strong mindshare. The second thing he did was order a complete redesign of the car. Mulally promised the 2010 Taurus would be “the one we should have made originally.” At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the automaker finally took the wraps off the new model - and we had the opportunity to walk around the models on display.


Ford will reposition the Taurus to become more of a personal luxury sedan, the likes of which have not been seen wearing a Ford badge in many, many years. Ford has decided to combine elements of its “Bold American” and European “Kinetic” design language for the 2010 model.

The new Taurus is powered by the automaker’s 3.5-liter V6 Duratec engine, mated to one of two available six-speed automatic transmissions, including SelectShift with shift paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel. As was the case with the previous model, all-wheel-drive is optional.

The V6 motor delivers an estimated 263 horsepower and 249 foot-pounds of torque. It earns a ULEV-II emissions certification and comes paired with a choice of two new six-speed automatic transmissions. Initially, the car will be offered in SE and SEL trim levels. Ford says it plans to offer a performance-oriented EcoBoost model, with an announcement regarding availability coming soon.

“Lightning can strike twice,” said Peter Horbury, Ford’s North American design director. “Like the 1986 original, the new 2010 Taurus differentiates by combining style with substance.”

Taurus features a long list of high-tech features, including: Adaptive Cruise Control with Collision Warning, Intelligent Access with Push Button Start, MyKey parental programmability, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert, Rain-Sensing Wipers, EasyFuel capless refueling, Ford SYNC and Voice-Activated Navigation with SIRIUS Travel Link.

Ford will not offer a Mercury Sable version of the Taurus for the first time since 1986 (not including the brief period when it was renamed Montego to go along with the Five Hundred).