BRENTWOOD - June 23, 2008: Ford Motor Company has added a high-tech new automatic transmission to its line-up, one which achieves the fuel economy of a manual gearbox but with the comfort and convenience of a normal auto.

Called "PowerShift", the new lightweight transmission uses the latest electronically-controlled twin-clutch technology to change gear, and therefore does not need the complex and weighty sub-systems such as torque converter or planetary gears of regular auto boxes.

Not only efficient, the new six-speed PowerShift is simple to use and yet with a sporty personality. Both up and down-shifts are executed faster than normal auto gearboxes, and faster than drivers can achieve with a manual.

PowerShift is available on either the Ford Focus or C-MAX ranges and with the 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine. Two states of tune are available, 136PS or 110PS. Regardless of power rating, body style or series, all Focus models equipped with PowerShift offer a combined fuel economy of 48.6mpg, with average CO2 emissions of just 154 g/km while C-MAX delivers 47.9mpg and 159g/km. Driving with the Ford PowerShift transmission is as simple and easy as a conventional automatic transmission. The system uses a standard automatic gear lever in the centre console with the usual P, R, N and D settings. The gear lever can also be moved laterally to a parallel gate should the driver choose a sportier style and the option of shifting manually.

Ford RS is back and the all-new Focus RS is on track! An early prototype of the fastest Focus road car to date is now undergoing performance and durability testing at the challenging Nürburgring Circuit in Germany, in preparation for its launch in 2009.

The principal architect of the Focus RS project is Ford of Europe’s Vehicle Line Director for Performance Vehicles, Jost Capito, whose Team RS development group were responsible for the first generation Focus RS in 2002, and more recently, the Fiesta ST and the new Focus ST.

Capito said: “The new Focus RS is as much a car for driving enthusiasts as the one before it and classic Ford RS models of the past. We’re staying true to the core RS principles of a no-compromise, affordable high performance road car you can live with. The new Focus RS will have the muscles, heart and soul of a genuine RS and will be exciting to drive every day.”

The all-new Focus RS features a specially developed, turbocharged version of the Duratec 2.5-litre engine, based on Focus ST, but significantly revised to generate over 280PS and more than 400 Nm of torque, thus achieving an excellent power-to-weight ratio.

Various chassis innovations, developed in conjunction with Ford’s Advanced Engineering Centre in Aachen are being tuned for the new car by the Cologne-based Ford Team RS. Their overriding objective is to achieve optimized driving dynamics and on road performance through an advanced technology front-wheel drive system, combined with a limited-slip differential.

“In early prototypes based on Focus ST vehicles, the new system is more than meeting our targets for exceptional levels of traction, handling and steering,” Capito added. “Given that the enthusiastic team behind the car are all performance vehicle enthusiasts, you can imagine that our standards are high.”

Ford Focus – A great starting point

The standard Ford Focus is an excellent base for a high performance car – agile, responsive and stable.
While the latest Focus ST has already proved this to be the case, the new RS will take these qualities to the next level, benefitting from extensive engineering knowledge gained through the Company’s highly successful Motorsport programmes, notably with the Focus World Rally Car.

“We have no doubt that we can enhance the acclaimed qualities of the already excellent Focus for an even higher performance model than the ST,” Capito added. “Now, we are going through the rigorous job of proving out our technical approach in extensive testing and tuning over a variety of roads including the most demanding track in the world, the “Green Hell” that is the Nürburgring Nordschleife!”

“With two consecutive Manufacturers’ World Rally Championship titles and the success of Fiesta and Focus ST models, we have the knowledge and the experience. The time is right for Ford to deliver a new high performance model for the legions of loyal Ford RS customers around Europe,” Capito concluded.

The new Focus RS test and development programme is now well underway and will continue for several months, prior to the vehicle being readied for production in early 2009.

Although the internet and car magazines around the globe have continued to offer their opinions as to how the new car will look and drive, customers will get the first look at a production-intent vehicle with its world premiere at the London Motor Show in late July.

Further technical details of the all-new Focus RS will be released closer to launch.

WASHINGTON — Ford Motor Co. is working to get clean-diesel versions of its popular F-150 and large SUVs into the lineup, confirmed Mark Fields, the automaker's president of The Americas, in a speech here on Wednesday.

Fields was short on specifics, but he said "we're planning clean diesels for the F-150 and our large SUVs" in remarks at "Plug-in Electric Vehicles 2008: What Role for Washington?" Ford also showed a plug-in version of the Escape Hybrid with E85 flex-fuel capability.

Ford reportedly is developing its own 330-horsepower 4.4-liter turbodiesel V8 for the F-Aeries and Expedition, Inside Line has learned, but it's not expected to be available until model-year 2011.

Fields emphasized that government must play a role in developing new technologies to lessen dependence on foreign oil. "Based on the necessary research and development costs, manufacturing and production investments, the lack of a national refueling infrastructure and the lack of domestic battery manufacturing, it seems clear that a business case will not evolve, in the near term, without support from Washington," he said.

"The governments of Japan, China, Korea and India are significantly funding the research development and deployment of plug-in hybrid vehicle technologies," Fields noted. "This is a race we must win. We should not trade one foreign energy dependency for another."

Fields also confirmed that Ford's EcoBoost, its high-volume, turbocharged direct-injection gasoline engine family, will "migrate across the lineup so that, by 2013, we'll build up to half a million vehicles annually with EcoBoost." He said the Lincoln MKS will get EcoBoost in 2009, "followed quickly by the new Ford Flex and F-150."

What this means to you: Clean-diesel-powered Ford trucks and SUVs are in your future, so a big Ford boss says. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent

Rick Kranz
Automotive News
June 10, 2008 - 12:01 am ET


The 2009 Ford Flex crossover is all about conveying a new image.

The Flex is a visual indicator of the changes going on at Ford at a time when the automaker needs a home run.

The Flex's boxy, wagonish exterior design signals Ford is willing to break away from the me-too crossover styling model and take a risk. The word "polarizing" appears as a styling description in a Ford news release.

"You fundamentally can't deny this is a vehicle that you are noticed in, that says something about you," says Kate Pearce, Flex marketing manager. "You are not a wallflower when you are driving in this car. It is very different."

The basics: Two design elements stand out on the Flex's wagonlike exterior: the horizontal grooves in the door panels and the apparent influence of the Mini Cooper in the greenhouse and two-tone paint scheme.

Richard Gresens, chief designer for the Flex, said the grooves are character lines that convey precision, uniqueness and continuity.

"If you look at the four grooves and you look at the three-bar grille, that whole horizontal motif sort of follows its way around the car," said Gresens. "You go around the back, you will see the same motif on the back."

Another design element is what Gresens calls "the floating roof," created by giving each roof pillar a glossy black finish, in the style of the Mini Cooper. The standard roof is body color; buyers can select white or silver as an option.

"A floating roof means there is no body color tie-in to the body side," he said. "We thought it was distinctive for the car. It also allows us to personalize it."

As for the interior, the look and feel is high-end, even on the base SE model. The standard cloth seats on the SE feature a tweedlike fabric with a hound's tooth pattern for the inserts.

The Flex's platform evolved from the front-drive platform that underpins the Ford Taurus, Taurus X, Mercury Sable and the upcoming 2009 Lincoln MKS sedan. For the Flex, the wheelbase was stretched 5 inches to create wider front door openings and boost second-seat legroom.

Additionally, the front and rear overhangs were shortened; the Flex overall is 0.5 inches longer than the Taurus sedan. The track is about an inch wider. All-wheel drive is optional.

A new multilink rear suspension was engineered to boost cargo-carrying capability over the Taurus X crossover and avoid a harsh, uncomfortable ride when 19- or 20-inch wheels are selected. The rear suspension design will be shared with the MKS.

Notable features: The second-row seats fold and tumble forward to ease access to the third row. An optional system folds and tumbles second-row seats at the touch of a button located on the C-pillar.

A nice feature is the optional two-model compressor-driven refrigerator. It can keep contents cool to 41 degrees or keep food frozen to minus 5 degrees. The refrigerator can operate when the engine is off; a sensor cuts power to the refrigerator before the vehicle battery is drained.

Compromises and shortcomings: The captain's chairs available in the second row lack armrests. Additionally, despite all the hoopla about second-seat legroom and comfort, the seat bottom is on the short side on models equipped with a second-row bench seat. A longer seat bottom would provide better thigh comfort.

Nuts and bolts: The Flex goes on sale this month. Fuel economy in USA gallons for the fwd model is 17 mpg city/24 highway; the awd model gets 16/22. Six- and seven-passenger seating is available; the third seat accommodates two people.

The skinny: The Flex has the Ford brand's quietest, best-looking interior, along with excellent ride and best handling for a family vehicle.

Richard Truett

MEXICO CITY — Ford Motor Co. has added a hatchback version of the Fiesta to the 2010 North American launch of the small economy car. The hatchback will be sold alongside the sedan.

Ford confirmed on Friday that it will build the hatchback and sedan at its Cuautitlan, Mexico, plant starting in early 2010 as part of a $3 billion investment in the country.

The Fiesta will give Ford a fuel-efficient competitor against such cars as the Honda Fit and Nissan Versa.

It's not clear whether the hatchback Fiesta will be a three-door, five-door or come in both configurations.

Ford said the Cuautitlan plant will shift from making F-series pickups for Mexico to making small cars for all of North America. The changes at the plant near Mexico City begin this year.

- Ford delivers first-ever plug-in hybrid capable of running on E85 to the U.S. Department of Energy
- Flexible fuel capability reduces Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid's gasoline consumption and CO2 emissions
- Department of Energy supports plug-in technology and biofuels as part of drive for energy independence


WASHINGTON, June 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ford Motor Company broke new ground by delivering its first-ever flexible fuel capable plug-in hybrid SUV to the U.S. Department of Energy.
The Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid, which runs on gasoline or E85, is part of a demonstration fleet Ford is developing in a partnership with Southern California Edison and the Electric Power Research Institute. Advanced testing on the vehicles is underway in California. The Department of Energy will include the Escape Flexible Fuel Plug-in Hybrid in its fleet to showcase the marriage of technologies and obtain real world experience with the vehicle as it continues its support of advanced fuel technologies.

"Plug-in hybrid technology holds great promise to reduce the nation's dependence on petroleum and reduce CO2 emissions related to climate change, both significant issues for America," said Mark Fields, President of the Americas, Ford Motor Company. "As a leader in both hybrid and flexible fuel technology, Ford is well positioned to bring the two together in a plug-in vehicle."

The vehicle is equipped with a 10 kilowatt advanced lithium ion energy battery supplied by Johnson-Controls/Saft that stores enough electric energy to drive up to 30 miles at speeds of up to 40 mph. When fueled by E85 ethanol, which has a lower energy content than gasoline, fuel economy can reach up to 88 mpg in urban driving and up to 50 mpg on the highway. Based on current estimates, the vehicle would emit 60 percent less CO2 than a conventional gasoline powered vehicle. That CO2 reduction could reach 90 percent if cellulosic ethanol is used in place of gasoline.

The flexible fuel Escape Plug-in Hybrid runs up to 30 miles at speeds less than 40 mph in electric mode until the battery's charge is 70 percent depleted. At higher speeds or when the battery is depleted, the vehicle switches to traditional hybrid mode - a fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine assisted by the lithium ion battery. The vehicle leased to the DOE also is equipped with an innovative interactive vehicle display, which shows the driver how efficiently the vehicle is operating and calculates the fuel savings for each trip - part of Ford's efforts to help our customers drive smart and green.

"There is enormous interest in the country in the electrification of vehicles," Fields said. "We recognize commercialization of plug-ins, powered by gasoline or biofuels, may represent part of a long-term energy solution, but significant challenges remain to bringing this technology to market."

This vehicle is one of 20 demonstration plug-in hybrids that Ford is building as part of a collaboration with Southern California Edison and the Electric Power Research Institute to accelerate the commercialization of plug- in hybrids. The partnership's goals include the development and creation of new business models to make plug-in hybrids possible; development of open architectures, standards and specifications; and a greater understanding of customer demand based on realistic expectations and customer usage needs

"We are moving from an independent set of solutions to an integrated future. With plug-in hybrids, the automotive and utility industries are connected by a common fuel with the potential to significantly change our transportation and energy future," said Nancy Gioia, director of Ford's Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Vehicle Programs.

The first of the Escape Plug-in Hybrid SUV was delivered to Southern California Edison in December and road testing has begun. The vehicle delivered to the DOE today represents the first flexible fuel Escape Plug-in Hybrid developed as part of the partnership.

‘911 Assist’ Connects Emergency Medical Help

LAS VEGAS – Ford Motor Company and Microsoft announced that the award-winning Ford SYNC™ in-car connectivity system will be available to even more customers and with even more functionality later this year.

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates announced that Ford will expand SYNC to nearly all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and trucks by the end of 2008. Gates also confirmed a new “911 Assist” feature that will help drivers connect with emergency assistance in the event of an air bag deployment.

Introduced in the fall of 2007 and developed jointly by Ford and Microsoft, SYNC provides customers the convenience and flexibility to bring digital media players – Apple iPods, Microsoft Zunes and other MP3 players – and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones into their vehicle and operate the devices via voice commands or with the buttons on the steering wheel or radio.




SYNC has been very popular. The new technology – which is exclusive to Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles – topped 30,000 unit sales in its first three months on the market. In fact, Ford says SYNC is on track to reach 1 million sales in early 2009.

The technology is available today on 12 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. Later this year, it will be offered on nearly every new Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicle.


In addition to the new 911 Assist feature, SYNC is being updated this year to create, on demand, easy-to-understand reports that owners can use to monitor the health of their vehicles.

Because SYNC is a software solution, owners of 2008 models equipped with SYNC already on the road will be able to have their systems updated with the new functions, as well.

“From the start, we pursued an updatable software solution with SYNC, using the consumer electronics business as our model,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development. “The ability to add functionality and update the system to work with new devices is what makes SYNC unique in the industry right now. It is a strategy that will benefit our customers over time by ensuring their systems do not become outdated.”

911 Assist Research shows that safety continues to be a leading driver of purchase consideration, and Ford is already a safety leader. In fact, Ford Motor Company has earned more National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) five star safety ratings and more Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Picks than any other manufacturer.

But, in the event of a serious accident with an air bag deployment, the ability to directly contact the local 911 emergency operator could be a critical need – for both vehicle occupants and the first responders. Beginning later this year, SYNC can help.

When a phone is properly paired, turned on and connected to SYNC – which is designed to happen every time the driver enters the vehicle with his or her cell phone – the system will be ready to assist in placing a call to a local 911 emergency operator should an air bag-deploying accident occur.

Before initiating the emergency 911 call, SYNC will provide a 10-second window to allow the driver or passenger to decide whether to cancel the call. If not manually cancelled within the 10-second window, SYNC will place the emergency call. A pre-recorded message will play when the call is answered, and occupants in the vehicle will then be able to communicate directly with the 911 operator.

“Being connected means being able to get the help you need, when you need it,” Kuzak said. “With SYNC, and specifically with the 911 Assist feature, we will be providing our customers an extra layer of security and peace of mind.”

The key advantage of SYNC 911 Assist is speed, as calls are placed directly to local 911 operators. A SYNC-assisted call should reach 911 operators faster than competitive systems, as there are no handoffs and no need to speak to a call-center operator. Further, there is no additional monthly fee for this feature, as SYNC utilizes a customer’s existing mobile phone.

Once the call is connected, 911 operators can respond to the situation exactly as they would with any 911 call. Emergency services can even determine the medical priority and dispatch the appropriate assistance based on the situation. If necessary – if vehicle occupants are non-responsive, for example – the location of the vehicle can be determined through voice-signal triangulation or, on some phones, the GPS location feature.

The new SYNC 911 Assist feature is expected to be high on every “customer want” list. It will become available later this year, and earlier SYNC software and vehicles will be updatable to support this additional application.

Vehicle Health Reports Properly maintaining vehicles can save time, money and improve customers’ ownership experiences. Later this year, with SYNC’s added functionality, staying up to speed with a vehicle’s maintenance needs will be easier than ever.

Using the SYNC website (www.syncmyride.com), customers will be able to set up personal preferences for Vehicle Health Report (VHR). Once established, a report can be requested at any time, at no cost, using simple voice commands.

In creating a health report, SYNC will gather relevant information from the major vehicle control modules and send that information to Ford via an 800-number using the customer’s paired and operable mobile phone. The whole process, which in some vehicles will include a routine check of more than two dozen systems, takes a matter of minutes.

Once sent, the information is automatically analyzed by Ford and a complete report is created. Notification is then sent via text message or e-mail, based on customer preference. Reports will be accessible through www.syncmyride.com and will use simple, customer-friendly language, suggest next steps and, when appropriate, allow customers to schedule service online. Reports can also be printed or emailed as necessary.

Owners that need reminding about vehicle maintenance will be able to have SYNC prompt them to run a report at mileage intervals consistent with Ford’s maintenance schedule.

It looks like the second-generation Ford Ka will finally make its official appearance at the Paris Motor Show in October, and Ford might want to seriously consider bringing this little puppy stateside along with the Fiesta. The Ka shares a platform with the Fiat 500 and Germany's Autobild has photos of the micro car devoid of all camouflage. Powerplants should include both gas and diesel engines ranging from a mild hybrid variant that can achieve 60.3mpg (U.S.) to a 100hp ST sport model. So far, there is no indication from Ford that they have any plans to bring the Ka to North America. Hopefully the Fiesta will prove successful here and Ford will see fit to send us this little beauty

With full production of Ford's new Flex crossover kicking off this week, the Dearborn automaker is cleaning up the plant's emissions and generating electricity at the same time. The Flex is built at the Oakville Assembly Plant west of Toronto that also builds the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX. Oakville is implementing the first full scale application of fumes-to-fuel. Emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from the plant's paint shop are being absorbed by carbon beads in a 2,000 gallon storage tank. The beads are then processed to release the VOCs which are then transformed into fuel for a fuel cell that generates electricity. Ford began testing a demonstration version of this system at its Dearborn Truck plant in 2004 with a 5kW fuel cell system and, later, a 50kW sterling engine. The new system going into operation at the Oakville plant will have a 300kW fuel cell that produces enough power for 150 homes. The new system will eliminate 88 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions from the paint shop and virtually all of the NOx emissions.

Spy photographers have spotted the 45th Anniversary edition of the sportier, V6 Performance Package car. The 2009 model will have a few special features to set it apart from its brethren — most notable is a glass roof.


The Performance Package model should see at least a few changes for the 2009 model, including a new racing stripe package and possibly a larger hood scoop (although it's difficult to tell from the pictures), updated wheels and a revised front fascia. It also appears the car's grille will have a few less horizontal slats.


Ford recently previewed the car by releasing photos of the special '45th Anniversary' badge that adorns the 'Stang. It is expected to arrive at dealerships in the next two months.

It's not known if the car will feature any special interior treatments.

Melbourne, Australia — The wraps have finally come off Ford's new motorsports weapon, the FG01 V8 Supercar prototype.

Set to make it's public debut at the Sandown 400 in Melbourne, the new race car is based on Ford's new FG Falcon, which has been test driven by the Editor and given the big thumbs up.

Finished with a 'Nitro' blue paint job along with white speed stripes, Ford claims the XR8-based touring car has been in development for around a year and a half and is now ready for its mid-year homologation.

"We are absolutely ecstatic with our new FG01, overall the car looks a much tougher package," says Ford Racing Manager, Ray Price.

"Aside from the obvious lines and aesthetics that we've inherited from the FG Falcon XR8 road car, the adjustments to create a unique and functional V8 Supercar have come together into one extremely well rounded vehicle which we are very pleased with.

"The 'Nitro' blue colour is distinctly 'Ford' and our Blue Oval dedicated livery - which was created especially for the FG01 prototype by a Ford employee in our design studio - is in line with our ongoing commitment to V8 Supercars.

FoMoCo's new Australian race car was put together by a trio of headline V8 Supercar teams:

Ford Performance Racing (FPR)
Triple 8 (T8)
Stone Brothers Racing (SBR)

The new car had to adhere to a range of Ford's design requirements to ensure it will be competitive when racing other Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore-based rivals, but it has also had to meet the Touring Car Entrants Group (TEGA) 'Blueprint specification'.


"Developing FG01 was an intricate process and the design and build centred around meeting TEGA specifications alongside the goals of Ford and its major V8 Supercar teams, which were mainly related to cost reduction, reparability and safety," says Price.

The TEGA specifications necessitate that all entrants in the V8 Supercar competition meet certain dimensional criteria, to ensure close racing and that driver skill is the deciding factor, rather than how rich a team is.

Therefore the new Ford FG01 V8 Supercar had to adhere to a range of constraints such as a certain weight, wheelbase, width, height, wheel track, and even things such as the suspension mounting points, front bumper and rear wing positions and other factors have to meet strict guidelines.

While the FG01's overall look has much in common with the new FG Ford Falcon, it's vastly different under the sheet metal. According to Ford Racing, the FG01 build involved a number of complex processes including the floor, cage, internal structural panels and external finish panels.

Ford Racing also wanted to make sure that many of the parts and components from the previous model, the BF Falcon, could be used on the new era racecar, "to assist with cost control and minimise redundant parts".

Ford Racing explains that one of the major safety-related changes involves a stronger roll cage and the moving of the driver's seat "as far inboard as possible, creating a noticeable gap between the seat and driver door". While this will improve driver safety in the result of a heavy collision, it could make driver changes during endurance races, such as the famous Bathurst 1000, more time consuming.

"Ford teams agreed that as a priority this V8 Supercar had to be less expensive to build as a new shell, and less expensive plus quicker to repair in the event of an accident," says Ray Price, the Ford Racing Manager.

"Subsequently Ford's new V8 relies less on welded panels for strength than the BF, allowing for swifter removal and replacement of damaged panels.

"We achieved this through a comprehensive design strategy where the floor and cage were built up as an assembly and the exterior panels fixed to the car rather than welded.

"Additionally, sacrificial structures have been incorporated which can be easily replaced after an accident.

"The overall functionality of our new racecar combined with its aggressive look will ensure the Ford teams are able to continue building competitive, race winning Ford V8 Supercars," says Price.

Ford has confirmed that the new FG01 prototype will spend it's first race meet in the pit lane at the Sandown 400. Craig Lowndes will perform a number of preview laps in the new car along with associate Ford driver and Channel Seven pit reporter Grant Denyer riding as passenger.

"We're looking forward to completing the homologation and getting on with building the number of race cars required for next season. The hard work has just begun, but we have given ourselves plenty of time to build the Ford V8 Supercars we need using our new design / build strategy," added Mr Price.

Bryce G. Hoffman / The Detroit News

Ford Motor Co. for the fourth consecutive year posted the most impressive gains in J.D. Power and Associates' closely-watched survey of initial vehicle quality.

Ford's Mercury brand was the highest-rated domestic marque, beating out Honda to claim the No. 2 non-luxury slot behind Toyota. It was the first time in recent memory that a U.S. brand passed one of the leading Japanese automakers.

The Ford brand itself was just behind Honda.

Eleven out of 14 Ford brand models received improved ratings.

The survey measures vehicle quality and design issues after 90 days of ownership. This year's survey looked at 2008 model year vehicles and surveyed more than 81,000 drivers.

With the market moving over to smaller cars, anyone seen driving a large car may be seen as a gas-guzzling hog. As a result FoMoCo will do its best to make the next-generation Ford Mustang to look smaller.

“We have a car which I think is more suitable for the times than the Challenger and the Camaro,” said Ford Motor’s North American design director, Peter Horbury. “Especially the Challenger — it is a huge car when you see it on the road.”

Mustang spy shot

Horbury said that size wise, the 2010 Ford Mustang remains the same in overall length and width as the 2008 model. However, cleverness in design will give off an illusion of a smaller car. "We've been able to make it look like the wheels are further out, further forward and further rearward," Horbury said during an interview at a Ford event last month in New York.

"The center line is the longest part" of the next Mustang, he said, "and the widest part of the car is the middle. From there on, you can tuck it in and bring the apparent size down."


Ford is even rumored to add its 3.5 liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 to the 2010 Mustang.

The redesigned and re-engineered model is expected to go on sale early next year.

Can you imagine having a small refrigerator inside your car? How convenient would that be for those long road trips or just for keeping your soft drink cold?

This is exactly what you can expect from some of the new Ford cars, specifically the 2009 Ford Flex. Unfortunately, it’s not a standard feature…yet. But it is quite affordable. You can choose this soon-to-be-popular option for about $750. But this isn’t your normal in-car refrigerator, either.

This new refrigerator actually uses a compressor. With this technology, the device can cool a beverage more than 40 degrees in just a couple hours! That’s about the same thing you can expect from your big fridge at home. In addition to that, you can even switch it to “freezer” and chill foods and liquids to about 23 degrees Fahrenheit.

The size of this refrigerator shouldn’t be an issue, either. It can hold seven 12-ounce cans of your favorite beverage or two half-liter bottles for those times when you’re driving across the state to see some friends. It’s also ideal for bringing that quart of ice cream home if you live in a warm climate like California or Death Valley. The only thing missing is a crisper!

If you’re going to buy a Ford Flex this year, ask about the new fridge. If you’re nice, they might even fill it up with food for you!

By Mike Connor


Ford is working on two new, smaller-than-F-150 pickup trucks, one based on the F-Series and the other a replacement for the aged Ranger compact, which is unchanged, save for facelifts, since the 1998 model year.

The smaller F-150 is codenamed P525 and may be badged F-100, the name of the F-150's predecessor from the 1950s. At one point, P525 and the Ranger replacement were competing proposals, but with growing need for higher-fuel-mileage trucks, both projects will become reality in 2010 or 2011. The P525 won't be offered with V-8 power, but instead will come with four-cylinder and V-6 EcoBoost (gas direct injection and turbocharging) options, the engines' fuel economy and torque optimized for interim Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards expected to kick in for the 2011 model year.

The Ranger replacement, codenamed T6, is being developed by Ford Australia and was originally intended only for world markets other than the U.S. That Dearborn is reconsidering the plan suggests the company thinks high gas prices are definitely here to stay.

Because the current Ranger's Twin Cities plant will be closed in 2009, the 2011 model year could go missing if its replacement, known as the global Ranger, isn't ready earlier than the 2011 calendar year. The T6 will be built in Thailand, but the "chicken tax" will keep Ford from importing them from that country. Instead, they could be imported from South Africa (a right-hand-drive market), which has special trade agreements with the U.S., or possibly Mexico. The T6 could even be built in Australia, which is exempt from the chicken tax.

The 2010-2011 calendar years will be busy for Ford Motor Company, which partially explains why the automaker sold off Aston Martin and Jaguar/Land Rover-for product development cash. That's the same time frame as the launch of the next-generation Fusion and the converged C-segment car (Focus). As for the F-150, it could converge with the heavy-duty versions. Its product cycle should revert back to six-years-plus, from the current five. The upcoming F-150, meanwhile, will also get a version of the EcoBoost V-6, probably by 2010, to increase Ford's truck CAFE number.

Is America ready to downsize its pickup trucks? If $4 per gallon gas forces us into smaller cars, why not smaller, lower-powered pickups with full-size truck beds and near-full-size utility?