Ford’s subsidiary Volvo, has a history of making car seats that are as close to ergonomically perfect as possible in a car. So their seats, or some of their technological advances, seem like the ideal thing to pull out a corporate parts bin and spread across the top trims and models of a manufacturer’s product lines.

One advantage for large manufacturers with a multitude of brands and models is the ability to share parts from their giant parts bin. This can be good or bad for the consumer depending on the quality of the part and the appropriateness of its new use.


Enthusiasts criticized GM this year when the manufacturer used the steering wheel from the budget-minded Chevy Malibu in the $125 thousand Corvette ZR1. Edmunds.com has no problem with the paddle shifters on the Infiniti FX50 that resides intheir long-term test fleet. They were originally designed for the Nissan GT-R.

A British driver of an Aston Martin V8 Vantage received quite the shock when the leather on his car key became scuffed and torn. Under the leather was a Volvo logo. While using a quality part makes perfect sense, perhaps Ford, the owner of both brands, should have done a better job of covering up the key-fob’s origins.

At the start of the 2009 model year, Volvo announced that the XC90 SUV and the S80 sedan would now feature optional ventilated and massaging seats. The massager works by operating five inflatable bladders inside each of the front seats. The manufacturer claims that the massager “wafts away feelings of tiredness and stiffness on long journeys.”

Being a complete Volvophile, I remembered this bit of tech when I was reading over a press release announcing that the 2010 Ford Taurus will feature “multi-contour seats with active motion.” These seats have seven bladders that work in the same manner as those on the Volvo.



Ford's new system uses seven bladders to keep the driver comfortable

According to a Ford representative, both the seats in the S80 and Taurus were developed in Germany at Ford’s European Research Center. Also involved with the massager’s development were “back pain and fatigue specialists from the medical community.”

Steve Michell is a product design engineer who worked on this new bit of technology. According to him, “active motion” refers to a constant movement in one region of the seat.

“What it's doing with that cushion massage, is ever so slightly tilting the pelvis to keep that lower spin from getting locked into a certain spot, keeps that into an active type of environment which hence the trademark name for the cushion massage system which is Active Motion.” The new Taurus and Taurus SHO will be in dealer showrooms this summer.

MULTI-CONTOUR SEAT WITH ACTIVE MOTION
Another industry first from Ford Motor Company will have drivers and front-seat passengers sitting
pretty for longer periods of time. Product Design Engineer, Steve Michell, says the optional
innovative front seats, debuting in the 2010 Ford Taurus were specifically designed to make long
drives far less fatiguing.

"The cushion massage, with this system, and this is the first of its kind in the industry and it really provides great benefit for people that spend a great deal of time in their vehicle and that's part of the reason we're bringing it in on the Taurus a full-size family vehicle as opposed to a luxury vehicle." Michell says the intention of this Multi-Contour Seat with Active Motion is to relieve and change the pressure points while your sitting in that vehicle for extended periods of time.

"It allows those pressure points that develop over time to be changed, ever so slightly, and really promote circulation and reduces muscle fatigue for the driver on the long term comfort evaluation."
This innovative seat, debuting in the 2010 Ford Taurus, has a total of seven bladders in each individual first-row seat providing six-way lumbar support, lumbar massage with a gently rolling pattern.

"We talk about a massage of a seat, it's a very, very subtle, gentle, low pressure type massage, if you're looking for a regular deep pressure massage, this is not your seat." The Multi-Contour Seat with Active Motion is a trade mark name and Michell explained why.

"What it's doing with that cushion massage, is ever so slightly tilting the pelvis to keep that lower spin from getting locked into a certain spot, keeps that into an active type of environment which hence the trademark name for the cushion massage system which is "Active Motion."

The active motion of the lower cushion was developed in conjunction with Ford's European Research Center in Aachen, Germany, with input from back pain and fatique specialists from the medical community. The Multi-Contour Seat with Active Motion will be an option on the Ford 2010 Taurus and the 2010 Taurus SHO in showrooms this summer.

by Noah Joseph Jun 24th, 2009 at 5:30PM


2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pO8Qx1WK ... r_embedded

Packing more badass than a gang of werewolf bikers on mescaline, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor does not require you to be a truck guy to appreciate its purpose. The bold styling, mile-high suspension and big V8 engine under the hood ensure the Raptor stands apart from the rest of the pick-up crowd. But now our man Mike Levine over at PickupTrucks.com reports that Ford could be considering extending the Raptor's passenger compartment to give it a full four-door crew cab.

The news comes right from the mouth of F-150 marketing manager Mark Grueber, who revealed to Levine that FoMoCo has already received more than 1,000 orders for the new Raptor, but that they've come accompanied by requests from customers for a full crew-cab with four full-sized doors. The increased wheelbase would undoubtedly compromise the vehicle's off-road performance, but is Ford about to tell that to customers waiving fistfuls of cash? Guess we'll have to wait and find out.

by Drew Phillips Jun 24th, 2009 at 7:55PM






Most of us take for granted the ability to enjoy driving cars. Whether it's with a clunker or a supercar, there is a wonderful freedom that comes with getting behind the wheel of an automobile. No one knows that more than Roger Keeney, a man from Athens, GA who lost his sight twenty years ago. As we reported earlier, Keeney caught Ford's attention with his application for the '10 Unleashed' program, and decided to fulfill his dream of driving a Mustang. Ford had the cameras rolling during the whole thing, and will be posting a series of videos on the 2010 Mustang web site. Both the trailer and chapter one have already been released, and we've embedded them after the jump. http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/23/vide ... r-mustang/
http://www.fordvehicles.com/the2010mustang/

by Drew Phillips on Jun 22nd, 2009 at 12:01AM


2009 1/2 Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang


If anyone deserves to have his own special edition Ford Mustang, it's Lee Iacocca. The former president of the Ford division, Iacocca is known as the father of the Mustang and recruited Carroll Shelby to create special versions of the horse in his own image. Now, 45 years after the original Mustang debuted, Iacocca has built his very own version.

Known as the 2009 1/2 Iacocca 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang, this coach-built pony car features a special body designed by Michael Leone and built by the legendary Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters. The car features a reworked front end including sunken headlights and a prominent fastback look with the slope of the roof reaching all the way to the rear of the car. Inside, Iacocca's Mustang gets Diamond Design leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with "I" logos, and Iacocca-badged aluminum door sill plates. Finishing off the look of the car are 20-inch Iacocca Design wheels wrapped with Goodyear Eagle tires.

Performance enhancements come courtesy of the Ford Racing parts bin, all of which retain the factory warranty and include a cold-air intake system and the Ford Racing Handling Pack with new shocks and springs. Customers can also opt for a supercharger system that boosts the 4.6-liter V8 to 400 horsepower as well as a 14-inch front brake system.

Production of the Iacocca 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang will be limited to a scant 45 units.

The popularity of Ford SYNC® reached a new milestone today, as Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally delivered Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer his new 2010 Fusion Hybrid equipped with the 1 millionth SYNC system, which is powered by Microsoft Auto software.

“We have made a commitment to deliver the vehicles that people really want and value,” Mulally said. “The success of SYNC is another proof point that we are doing just that. We will continue to innovate and expand the capability of SYNC by integrating even more new technologies that fit our customers’ lifestyles.”

SYNC is Ford’s fully integrated, voice-activated, in-car communications and entertainment system for mobile phones and digital music players. Since its debut in 2007 on the Ford Focus, SYNC has continued to gain in popularity. More than 80 percent of the vehicles Ford sells in North America are equipped with the system.


Like other advanced hardware and software solutions, SYNC continues to expand its applications. In 2008, SYNC was upgraded with two new applications, Vehicle Health Report and 911 Assist™, and more are on the way.

Ford’s latest SYNC application, Traffic, Directions and Information, will be available for download this summer. It will provide simple hands-free access to personalized traffic reports, precise driving directions and up-to-date information including business listings, news, sports scores and weather.


“Working with Microsoft and other key technology partners, we’ve made Ford the connectivity leader in the auto industry,” said Jim Buczkowski, director of electrical and electronic systems. “We do not plan to stand still; we have several additional developments in the pipeline, including launching SYNC in Europe and around the world.”


The 1 millionth SYNC equipped vehicle, a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, is only fitting, because the all-new sedan is the new benchmark in midsized sedans. The 2010 Fusion Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient midsize car in America, with a certified 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway.

The new 2010 Ford Taurus SHO


Esquire magazine editors evaluated nearly a dozen significant new cars – using some unique subjective criteria – before naming the 2010 Taurus SHO as its inaugural Car of the Year. The article appears in the magazine's July issue, on newsstands today.


"We had three main criteria in selecting the Esquire Car of the Year," explained David Granger, editor-in-chief. "The vehicle needed to be a pleasure to drive and be capable of shortening your breath when you slam down the pedal. It needed to be gorgeous and aggressive, capable of eliciting stares and gawks. And it needed to be attainable – a vehicle that most men actually can buy and drive. The new Taurus SHO nailed all of these parameters."

Competing with some of the best luxury sedans in the industry, Taurus SHO was the editor's unanimous choice.



"The reason we care about the new Taurus can be boiled down to four words: Looks good, goes fast. With a 3.5-liter turbo V-6, dubbed EcoBoost™, you get V-8 power with V-6 fuel economy," said Esquire automotive correspondent, Ezra Dyer. "The SHO is a sleeper – a vehicle you can live with every day, that happens to have a secret under the hood."




The response from the Taurus team?

"We're thrilled and honored with this award," said Frank Davis, executive director, Ford North American Product Programs. "Taurus – and the SHO model honored here – are Ford's flagship sedans. We trust that customers will be equally impressed."

There are plenty of ways to market a car. One way is to hand 100 Fiestas to specially selected social active people like 'oh my gosh my car was stolen, no its in the impound lot' Bronstein that ridicule themselves as well as Ford. Another road to publicity is to bring a couple of rally-bred Fiesta models over from Europe and race them at the annual Pike's Peak International Hill Climb that takes place in Colorado on July 19. Apparently we prefer the second solution. The two Fiestas Rallycross models that will race at the famous mountain peak that towers above Colorado Springs in the Rocky Mountains have been prepared by the Olsberg Motor Sport Evolution team from Sweden.



The two Fiestas will be driven by two times WRC champ and rally legend Marcus Gronholm, 41, in the 'Unlimited Class' and Andreas Eriksson, 35, a four-time Swedish rally champion. Ford said that the team will attempt to break the 10-minute mark over the 12.4-mile, 156-turn pavement and gravel course.


Ford Motor Company's director of Global Motorsport Business Development, Jost Capito, said: "The Pike's Peak event is another step forward for the new Ford Fiesta as a core vehicle in Ford's future global motorsport aspirations. We're looking forward to seeing Andreas and Marcus in action on this unique event."


The Olsbergs MSE Fiesta Rallycross car is based on the Fiesta hatchback model road cars. However, it comes with an advanced all-wheel-drive system and a 2.0-liter Duratec Ford engine that is capable of producing more than 800 horsepower.


Ford said that while its North American Racing unit will not be directly involved in the project, it will assist the Olsbergs team with logistical support while it is in America.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009 |


Ford is enhancing its European range with the release of a more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly, ECOnetic version of the Mondeo. Offered in five-door or estate form, the Mondeo ECOnetic is powered by an optimized 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine with 115HP that is linked to a six-speed manual transmission. Other improvements over the standard Mondeos include low-rolling resistance tires and an optimum gear change indicator, plus aerodynamics-enhancing sports suspension, air deflectors and a rear spoiler.

The result is a combined fuel economy of 54.3mpg UK (45.2mpg US or 5.2lt/100km), rising to 64.2mpg UK (53.5mpg US or 4.4lt/100km) in motorway cruising with CO2 emissions of 139g/km for both the liftback and station wagon models.

The new Ford Mondeo 2.0-litre ECOnetic is on sale now, with prices in the UK starting from £20,145 on-the-road.

Summary

What Edmunds.com says

The 2010 Ford Taurus is a substantial departure from its predecessor. Although it retains big-car dimensions, the style and driving experience are vastly more interesting.



Ample feature content, stylish and spacious cabin, enormous trunk, strong powertrains, available all-wheel drive.


What's New for 2010

The Ford Taurus has been completely redesigned for the 2010 model year. Of particular note is the return of the SHO performance edition.

2010 Ford Taurus Vehicle Overview

Introduction

It has taken a long and winding road to reach the 2010 Ford Taurus. This complete redesign is the latest chapter in an automotive story packed with ups and downs.

The name Taurus was first attached to a revolutionary car that changed the way automakers and auto buyers thought of family sedans. It was America's No.1 car and its overall design was the benchmark for future competitors -- particularly those from Japan. The high-performance SHO model was a cult favorite among car nuts who also had to schlep the kids to school. Then in the 1990s, the Taurus radically changed into a celebration of ovals, including its general body shape and odd elliptical center stack. It was weird, and even when Ford toned that quirkiness down, its influence as an industry leader fell as Honda and Toyota perfected the midsize formula the Taurus had established.

The most recent Taurus was a rebadged version of the full-size Ford Five Hundred, giving up its midsize credentials to the smaller Fusion. The 2010 Taurus remains in this large-car category, but its thorough overhaul promises a more refined automobile than its predecessor and a much more engaging driving experience. Its sleek styling is hardly the revolutionary concept that the original Taurus was, but it's nevertheless attractive and more interesting than the blocky old model. Most noticeable is Ford's departure from its signature three-bar chrome grille -- rather than resembling a Gillette razor, it now looks like a Braun electric shaver. Now that's progress.

Inside, the Taurus gets the same stereo and climate control treatment as every recently redesigned Ford product. Although button-heavy and slightly cluttered looking, it's a logically laid out design. While the controls are cookie-cutter, the surrounding design is fresh and stylish. In upper trim guises, the cabin is arguably more posh than Lincoln's MKS.

The biggest news, however, is the reintroduction of the Taurus SHO model. The last time we experienced this cult-favorite nameplate it was attached to the 1990s Oval-era Taurus iteration and was packing a 235-horsepower V8 engine. The new Taurus SHO employs a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6. Dubbed "EcoBoost," this engine feeds 365 hp to all four wheels while apparently returning the fuel economy of a less powerful car. Meanwhile, the regular Taurus uses the same naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 that produced perfectly ample acceleration in the outgoing car.

The 2010 Ford Taurus should prove to be an interesting entry in a segment of full-size vehicles that bridges the gap between family sedans and luxury cars. Lower-priced trim levels will be compared to the Honda Accord, Hyundai Azera and Toyota Avalon. The Limited will compete with entry-level luxury sedans like the Hyundai Genesis, Lincoln's MKS and MKZ, and the Nissan Maxima. The SHO is clearly aimed at Chrysler's 300C and Pontiac's G8. We have yet to drive this new flagship sedan from Ford, so only time will tell how this latest chapter in the Taurus story plays out.


Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2010 Ford Taurus is a full-size sedan that seats five people. It is available in SE, SEL, Limited and SHO trim levels. Standard equipment on the SE includes 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, keyless entry and SecuriCode entry pad, full power accessories, cruise control, a six-way power driver seat, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, steering wheel audio controls and a six-speaker stereo with CD/MP3 player and auxiliary audio jack. The SEL adds 18-inch wheels, automatic transmission paddle shifters, heated side mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, upgraded cloth upholstery and satellite radio. Options on the SEL include 19-inch wheels, rear parking sensors, a power passenger seat, ambient lighting, leather upholstery and the Sync electronics interface system (which includes Bluetooth and an iPod interface). These items are standard on the Taurus Limited, plus 10-way power front seats, driver memory functions and an upgraded stereo with six-CD/MP3 player. The Taurus SHO adds a more powerful engine, a sport-tuned suspension, xenon headlamps, an auto-dimming exterior driver mirror (optional on Limited), a rear spoiler, keyless ignition/entry (optional on SEL and Limited), upgraded leather trim and faux-suede upholstery inserts.

Options available on the SEL, Limited and SHO include a sunroof, remote ignition, power-adjustable pedals, heated front seats, multicontour massaging seats and a 12-speaker Sony-branded premium audio system. Options available on the Limited and SHO include adaptive cruise control with a collision warning system, a blind-spot warning system, automatic high beams, an auto-dimming exterior driver mirror, rain-sensing wipers, cooled front seats, heated rear seats, a rear window power sunshade and a navigation system with in-dash single-CD/DVD player, hard drive with 10GB of digital music storage, and Sirius Travel Link (real-time traffic, weather and other information). The Taurus SHO can be further equipped with 20-inch wheels, a rearview camera and an SHO Performance package that includes performance brake pads, recalibrated steering, a different final-drive ratio, stability control defeat, summer tires and 20-inch wheels.


Powertrains and Performance

The 2010 Taurus is powered by a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 263 hp and 249 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard. On all trims except the SE, the transmission features manual shift control and downshift rev-matching capability. Front-wheel drive is standard on every Taurus trim level and all-wheel drive is available on SEL and Limited trim levels.

The Taurus SHO features a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 making 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic with shift paddles is standard. Every SHO is all-wheel drive. Fuel economy estimates for either Taurus engine are not yet available.


Safety

Every 2010 Ford Taurus comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. Optional safety features include a blind-spot warning system, pre-collision warning system, rear parking sensors and a rearview camera.


Interior Design and Special Features

A stylish Ford Taurus cabin seems almost oxymoronic, but with its twin-cowl dash, waterfall center stack and high-end materials, that's exactly what it is. Although the climate and audio controls are very button-heavy, they are logically laid out and easy to interpret. The Sync electronics interface available on all but the base car is a voice-activated technology that allows you to control your cell phone or iPod using voice commands or the car's physical controls. On other Ford products, we've found Sync to be effective and desirable.

The previous Taurus offered one of the largest backseats in the class; however, the new car's has shrunk by 3 inches. Trunk space has been reduced by 1 cubic foot, but at 20.2 cubes, it is one of the most cavernous cargo areas attached to a traditional sedan (only the Lincoln Town Car and Mercury Grand Marquis are fractionally bigger).


Driving Impressions

We have not yet driven the 2010 Ford Taurus. However, it promises to be a more refined and involving drive than the sedate comfort cruiser it replaces. That's not to say we expect the Taurus to be a sport sedan, but rather a large, entry-level luxury sedan similar to a Lincoln MKS. Given that it carries over the previous Taurus' V6 engine, we expect acceleration to be perfectly acceptable for this sizable sedan. For a dose of excitement, the Taurus SHO should provide impressive acceleration from its twin-turbo V6 engine. All-wheel drive should lay the power down and prevent any front-drive torque-steer histrionics, but like the Chrysler 300C, the Taurus SHO will be more a straight-line performer than one intended for curvy back roads.

For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from our Editors, see our Road Tests page.

NEW 2010 FORD TAURUS: AMERICA'S SMARTEST FULL-SIZE SEDAN DELIVERS STYLE, SUBSTANCE
By Staff Report
Published: June 15, 2009


]


The Ford Taurus – the car that changed America’s view of sedans – is all-new for 2010, with an expressive design, impeccable driving dynamics, class-leading technologies and unsurpassed value.

“This new sedan completely redefines expectations of what Taurus stands for – and what Ford is capable of delivering – quality, fuel-efficient vehicles featuring the latest technologies and head-turning design,” said Mark Fields, president of The Americas.

Available this summer, the 2010 Taurus will start at $25,995 – the same as the 2009 model – but with more class-leading features, new technologies and craftsmanship that rivals premium-priced sedans. Taurus available technologies – 10 of which cannot be found on any other cars in its segment – deliver on consumer needs and wants by enhancing the driving experience.

These class-exclusive technologies include:

Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support
BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert
MyKey™
SecuriCode™ Keyless Entry Keypad
Voice-Activated Navigation with SIRIUS® Travel Link™
Ford SYNC® with Traffic, Directions and Information
Multi-Contour Seats with Active Motion™
Easy Fuel™ Capless Fuel-Filler
3.5L EcoBoost™ Twin Turbo Engine with Direct Injection
Sony® Surround Sound System
Powerful Design
Taurus’ exterior design is sculpted and athletic, making the new car even more upscale. Inside, the forward-leaning centerstack and sporty driver-oriented interior have been created with unbroken lines, reflecting attention to detail. Precision craftsmanship is reflected in high-quality interior materials, as well as exterior panel margins comparable to costly German sedans.

Impeccable Driving Dynamics
Matching its more athletic looks, the new Taurus features sporty driving dynamics. Handling reflects Ford DNA, combining responsive steering and road-holding with comfortable, compliant ride qualities.

Standard is Ford’s award-winning Duratec® 3.5-liter V-6 mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, delivering impressive power and fuel economy and available in front- or all-wheel drive. The Taurus SHO has a twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost™ V-6, delivering the power of a V-8, without compromise to its V-6 fuel efficiency. The SHO transfers its 365 horsepower and 350 ft.-lbs. of torque through a 6-speed SelectShift Automatic™ gearbox, featuring steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters and all-wheel drive.

Taurus chassis tuning has been enhanced with increased roll stiffness and more responsive steering. A new rear suspension configuration improves ride quality, adds agility, saves weight and enables use of 19- and 20-inch wheels and tires.

Taurus driving dynamics, driveline performance and fuel efficiency combine to provide sedan buyers with exceptional value.

Safety Sustained
Taurus safety begins with a body structure optimized for strength and stiffness. The energy-absorbing front structure features octagonal front frame rails, tunnel rails and “shotgun” front structural members designed to absorb and redirect crash forces away from the passenger compartment.

Also included are dual-stage driver and front passenger air bags, side impact air bags and Safety Canopy® with rollover sensor – a Ford exclusive protection system featuring side curtain air bags that help protect front and rear outboard passengers in both rollover and side impact crashes.

The 2010 Ford Taurus will be built at Ford’s Chicago (Ill.) Assembly Plant.

Story by Sam Haymart

Ford skips past the new 3.5 and offers the Lincoln 3.7 engine for base Mustang.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

06-14-09: Ford will soon be replacing the aged old 4.0 liter SOHC V6 in the Mustang with a new high-reving 3.7 liter 24-valve DOHC mill. The engine similar to the new 3.5 and 3.7 liter Duratec engines that are found in Ford's front-wheel drive platforms will come to Mustang officially for the 2011 model year.

Ford showed off the 2011 Mustang 3.7 liter V6 at an employee town hall event at their Dearborn Development Center last week. The event was attended by a number of Ford personel and Ford racing personalities like the John Force racing crew of NHRA. While exact specifications of the new 3.7 liter V6 as outfitted in the Mustang are not yet finalized, we can look to the Lincoln MKS for a good idea.





In the Lincoln, the same exact Duratec DOHC 24-valve aluminum V-6 cranks out a healthy 273 hp @ 6250 rpm with 270 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4250 rpm. This is a significant jump from the lazy 210hp coming from the current mill who's basic architecture dates back to the 1970's. It has a robust 10.3:1 compression ratio and modern variable cam timing to bring the Mustang up to par with its competition.

The much heavier Dodge Challenger has a 3.5 liter V6 with 265hp while the Camaro as we all know has a rip-snorting 300hp base plant. While horsepower comes in mid-pack, the new high feature V6 will make the base Mustang a much more premium piece of hardware.

The engine will likely have slighty different horsepower and torque ratings in the Mustang. Changes had to be made to the front wheel drive version of the engine (shown below) for longitudinal placement. These revisions include a new intake manifold, exhaust manifolds and accessory drive system to name a few. A more free-flowing air intake system geared for performance may also bolster final horsepower.

We will have to wait a short while longer to get more details, but the news bodes well. Now that the naturally aspirated version of the new "Lima" V6 is configured for the Mustang, the 355hp twin-turbo "Cleveland" version cannot be far behind.

by Sam Abuelsamid on Jun 19th 2009 at 11:57AM



2010 Ford Transit Connect –
After relying on full-size E-series vans for commercial cargo carrying since the dawn of time, Ford is finally ready to offer North American businesses a more practical alternative. The Transit Connect is a compact, purpose-built van that's been available overseas since 2002, and Ford has sold more than 600,000 of the squat little haulers to businesses abroad over the past seven years. The company hopes that what's good for Europe is good for the States, so the first batch of U.S.-spec models are on their way to dealerships as you read this.

While the E-series vans are more than capable of carrying out their prescribed duties, for most, it's like using a sledgehammer to push a tack into a cork board. The Big-Es were simply more vehicle than necessary for most small businesses, especially those operating locally, delivering flowers, catering and plumbing. That's where the Transit Connect comes in.





A panel van version of the Ford Windstar/Freestar was actually produced for commercial customers from the mid-'90s until it was discontinued earlier this decade. The reworked family haulers never sold in large numbers, however, and weren't particularly optimized for the task. As gas prices spiked in 2007 and 2008, Ford saw a market for something smaller than the E-series, but bigger than the Chevrolet HHR panel van. The Transit Connect is just the ticket.



Unlike the Windstar, the Transit Connect was specifically developed as a commercial vehicle. It has a beefier chassis designed to withstand the rigors of daily business use and Ford has a different testing regime for its commercial and consumer vehicles. With a high strength steel front cross-member and extra side cross-members, the Transit Connect endured Ford's rigid durability testing and walked away unscathed. It's a stout runabout and a testament to Ford's engineering abilities.

The Transit Connect was designed to endure the rigors of operation in urban environments. Among the problems that city drivers regularly encounter are minor fender benders, so the TC is equipped with a rear bumper made of rolled steel designed to absorb the energy of rear-end impacts so prevalent in vehicles lacking rear windows.



On the topic of driving, anyone who's spent time behind the wheel of a full-size van understands the joys of body roll, pitch, a bouncy ride and lifeless steering. Thankfully, the Transit Connect is mercilessly devoid of the these unsavory characteristics. Although the TC does not share a platform with any of FoMoCo's cars, its layout is more car-like than truck-like, which pays dividends in the driving department. Our brief time behind the wheel (What, you were expecting a full-on track test?) didn't give us an opportunity to flog the Transit Connect within an inch of its life, but the steering wheel -- adjustable for both reach and angle -- was reasonably well weighted and provided adequate feedback.

The transverse, front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout and uni-body construction means there is no drive-shaft or massive frame rails to suck up valuable space, so the floor is low and flat, allowing parcels to be loaded with ease while keeping the center of gravity closer to the ground. In our relatively unladen tester, there was remarkably little body roll when cornering. Granted, this isn't a sports car, so don't expect to break a G in the bends, but reasonable handling should be universal these days and the Transit Connect doesn't have the potential to scare anyone. However, until we can get behind the wheel of a fully-loaded model (cargo, not options), we'll reserve judgment on it's ability to simultaneously shuffle and haul.



As a commercial cargo vehicle, the Transit Connect is designed to take whatever its users demand, both in mass and volume. On the mass side, the cargo variant has a load capacity of 1,600 lbs. Supporting that much weight requires fairly rigid springs, so the ride is on the stiff side, particularly when rolling freight-free. However, it's not uncomfortably harsh and the damping is set perfectly to keep the body from bouncing around, but a Lexus it is not. Over uneven patches of pavement, occupants will definitely feel the ruts and divots, but it's still remarkably more pleasant than driving your run-of-the-mill full-size pickup.

As the Transit Connect is a work truck first and foremost, it's got to have a comfortable and functional interior. Here, Ford scores high marks. As with other recent offerings from the Blue Oval, the seats are excellent, with firm cushions providing good lateral, back and thigh support. The dashboard is covered with hard plastic that's far from luxurious, but it should be fairly durable and easy to clean when coffee, soda or Thousand Island dressing inevitably finds its way onto the dash. The shift lever for the four-speed automatic is mounted on the center console, as are the window switches, and visibility out the front and sides are excellent thanks to the tall windshield and side glass.



The Transit Connect is available as a five passenger wagon fitted with a second row bench seat, and both the cargo van and wagon variants are available with sliding side and rear doors and windows. Without that glass, rearward visibility is limited to the side mirrors – and that's not nearly enough. Although Ford does offer backup sensors as an option, the Transit Connect isn't available with a rear-view camera. As such, anyone spending considerable amounts of time in the cramped confines of urban environments might want to source a back-up camera from the aftermarket.

Sending power to the automatic transmission, is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine putting out 136 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque. The engine is smooth, but moving 3,470 pounds with that much power takes some time. The Transit Connect's acceleration is leisurely (at best), but acceptable given the intended purpose. Considering Ford is moving to six-speed transmissions on the rest of its line, one might wonder why this all-new (for North America) vehicle only gets four ratios. According to Ford, since the Transit Connect is designed primarily for urban markets, the lower gear ratios are the ones that will be used most often and Ford wants to keep the price of entry down to appeal to small businesses.



Despite the lackluster though smooth-shifting gearbox, the Transit Connect gets very respectable numbers from the EPA, with 22 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. A year from now, Ford will start offering a fully electric version with a choice of two lithium ion battery sizes: the 21 kWh pack will give a range of about 60 miles, while a 28 kWh pack should push the Transit Connect for about 100 miles.

The Transit Connect fits within FoMoCo's criteria of a commercial vehicle, so it's eligible for Ford's Work Solutions package. That means buyers can get the same in-dash computer available in the F-series and E-series that allows them to communicate with the home office, print out estimates and invoices, and send and receive email. The tool link system includes an RFID reader that can detect the tags applied to tools and other items that need to go out for various jobs, while the crew chief system communicates with the vehicles in a fleet and allows dispatchers to track locations and send the closest unit out for an assignment.



The Transit Connect's starting price comes in at $4,500 USA less than a base E-150 cargo van (and it will undoubtedly cost less to operate). With a 135 cubic-foot capacity behind the front seats, it more than doubles the 62.7 cubic-feet of the Chevy HHR Panel, and its 39-foot turning circle and compact length of just 180.6 inches makes it easy to maneuver in parking lots and tight urban alleyways. Ford has made arrangements with retailers on both sides of the country so dealers can order and install whatever types of storage, racks or other hardware buyers require.

The unit we drove was equipped with slide-out racks suitable for a caterer, while others were specifically equipped for florists, contractors and general delivery. And that's just the tip of the customizable iceberg. The Transit Connect seems poised to be all things to all businesses, and considering the lack of alternatives, we think it's got a serious chance at wide-spread success.

ENTHUSIASTS CAN ADD NEW FACTORY TRACK PACK FOR 2010 MUSTANG, INSTALL FORD RACING PARTS
By Staff Report
Published: June 13, 2009
Updated: June 13, 2009




DEARBORN, Mich., 2009 – The 2010 Ford Mustang, now in dealer showrooms, builds on a proud, unbroken 45-year heritage of Fast, Fun and Affordable with an all-new exterior design, available cutting-edge technology and performance enhancements pioneered on Ford's extensive racing and special programs.

One hallmark of Mustang's enduring popularity is the opportunity to customize this American icon. Enthusiasts who have personalized and customized Mustangs range from legends, such as Carroll Shelby, to professional drivers to hobbyists who enjoy a weekend at the track.

For those customers interested in more-aggressive performance, an optional factory-installed Track Pack is available this summer for 2010 Ford Mustang GT coupes with manual transmission. Ford Racing's FR3 Handling Package also is available for those enthusiasts who want even more aggressive suspension tuning and can be installed in their garage or at a Ford dealer. Car and Driver magazine recently declared a 2010 Mustang equipped with a Track Pack the winner in a comparison test against the new Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger, calling the body control of the Mustang with the Track Pack "astounding."

For decades, the Mustang has been the preeminent car in many forms of racing compiling victories and championships on road courses all over the world. In just the last few years Ford Racing's Mustang FR500C captured the European GT4 drivers championship (2007, 2008) and the Grand-AM KONI Challenge championship (2005, 2008).

"At Ford, we always apply what we learn at the track to the street," said Fritz Wilke, Mustang Performance/Enthusiast Manager. "The Track Pack and Ford Racing FR3 Handling Pack continue that heritage and give our performance customers great ways to have an even sportier experience in the 2010 Mustang GT coupe."



Packaged aimed at performance enthusiasts
Both the 2010 V-6 and GT models feature improved handling, but Team Mustang wanted to create a distinctive option package aimed at performance enthusiasts. Starting with the 2010 GT manual coupe, the engineering team was able to create a package that hits the sweet spot.

The first ingredient was to add a high-performance summer tire, and the 19-inch Pirelli P Zero P255/40ZR-19 proved to be an inspired choice for improved grip. Ford's engineering team then went to work on the underpinnings of the 2010 Mustang GT coupe, using Ford's proven technology from the Shelby GT500 program.

The front and rear stabilizer bars from the 2009 Shelby GT500 complement the Pirelli tires and help balance the Track Pack 2010 Mustang GT coupe front to rear. The struts and shocks were retuned for the increased capability of the new tire and stabilizer bar changes. The engineering team also spent significant time at the track to ensure the Track Pack was rewarding on the track and offered a balance of spirited driving and track prowess.

The roll gradient (how much the car rolls while steering) was reduced nearly 13 percent compared with the base 2010 Mustang GT. Damping was increased by 23 percent in the front and 8 percent in the rear in the low- to mid-speed compared to the 2010 Mustang GT.

"By reducing the roll gradient, the car stays flatter in turns," said Tom Barnes, Vehicle Engineering Manager, 2010 Mustang. "And when the car is flatter, the driver is more in command and more confident in what the car's doing.

"Great handling comes from great control. A driver's control of the vehicle is facilitated by information. This Track Pack communicates to the driver through the tires and suspension so well that is it easy to drive very quickly. It rewards smooth driving, while offering great capacity to cover driver error."

Looking at all areas for improvement
In addition to the hardware changes and extensive tuning, the Ford team also took a more holistic approach to improving the Track Pack Mustang.

"Handling is not just chassis," Barnes said. "Vehicle dynamics – how the Mustang responds under acceleration and braking – is important as well."

The solution from the powertrain part of the equation was to use a 3.73 limited-slip axle with carbon-fiber clutch plates.

"The 3.73 axle allows for a more-responsive Mustang, especially at mid-range speeds," Barnes said. "The carbon-fiber plates allow a very robust architecture in terms of temperature and repeated hard driving on the track."

Performance® Friction brake pads, which better resist brake fade, are used front and rear. Both the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and AdvanceTrac were retuned to complement the advanced capabilities of the new tires and brakes. AdvanceTrac is standard on the 2010 GT coupe and can be operated in any of three modes: On, Off or Sport.

"The Track Pack covers all the bases," Barnes said. "The new tires give the Mustang more grip, we have a more-responsive acceleration, better brake linings that are more consistent over time and the car is tied down better because of the changes to the bars and the shock tuning."

"Track Pack has the grip, the handling and it has the 'go.' And it absolutely can be used as a daily driver. Track Pack offers the best of both worlds – great performance on the track or if you're cruising down the road."

Ford Racing's FR3 Handling Pack features components proven out on the racetrack. Included in the pack are dampers, lowering springs, sway bars and a strut tower brace.

"The FR3 Handling Pack is derived from our extensive experience with the Ford Mustang FR500C competing in the Grand-Am KONI Challenge and FIA GT4," said Andy Slankard, Engineering Supervisor, Ford Racing.

Enhancements from the FR3 Handling Pack include:

Ride height lowered by more than 1 inch
Increased spring rate by about 75 pounds to improve turn in and mid-corner performance
Front and rear sway bars stiffened to eliminate roll
Re-tuned dampers, increasing the compression and rebound
The Track Pack retails for $1,495 USA while the FR3 Handling Pack retails for $1,335 USA.

Posted by Mike Levine | June 8, 2009


A radical twin-fuel engine from Ford, code-named “Bobcat,” that variably blends gasoline and ethanol on demand to realize diesel-like performance continues to make steady progress in its development, according to presentations made by the automaker to the Department of Energy and Society of Automotive Engineers in April. The presentations also provide a first look at the engine’s architecture and make some remarkable claims about “E85-optimized” engine efficiency versus size.


The Bobcat engine starts with a small turbocharged engine with separate gasoline and ethanol (E85) fuel injectors for each cylinder. The gasoline system mixes fuel and air in the motor's intake manifold using port injection. The second system uses direct injection to introduce small amounts of ethanol directly into the combustion chamber to control premature detonation, or knock, which results from the high temperature and pressure of a turbocharged engine. The ethanol prevents knock by cooling the air/fuel mixture until the engine is ready for combustion. With knock suppressed, the compression ratio can be increased.

Ford’s engineering partner, Ethanol Boosting Systems, LLC of Cambridge, Mass., has trademarked the term “DI Octane Boost” to describe the process; the direct injection of ethanol effectively increases the octane of regular gasoline from 88-91 octane to more than 150 octane.

The percentage mix of gasoline and ethanol varies according to load. In low- to medium-load conditions, only port-injected gasoline may be required. Direct-injected ethanol is added and increased as a function of load but only in the amount necessary to prevent knock. Using such technology, a 5.0-liter V-8 Bobcat engine could potentially produce 500 horsepower and 750 pounds-feet or more of torque.

Two 3-D computer-rendered diagrams included in Ford’s DOE presentation show the front and rear views of such an engine using a 90-degree V-block design. Two massive air/water heat exchangers sit atop the engine to cool turbocharged air before it enters the throttle body and intake manifold. Twin turbos sit on the lower right and left sides.

A separate engine cutaway diagram of a Bobcat motor shows the positioning of a gasoline port injector and ethanol direct injector. The gasoline and ethanol would be stored in two separate fuel tanks.



EBS claims that relative to today’s common port fuel injected gasoline engines in cars and light-duty trucks, direct-injection ethanol boosting would provide a fuel efficiency gain for typical combined city/highway driving of 25 to 30 percent, at an incremental cost of $1,100 to $1,500, depending on the size of the vehicle. The efficiency gain and torque are comparable to current turbodiesel engines, like Ford’s 350-hp/650 lbs.-ft. 6.4-liter Power Stroke, but at about a third of the cost and with the advantage of cleaner emissions without expensive exhaust aftertreatment hardware.

Ethanol boosting also promises 5 to 10 percent greater fuel economy than Ford’s new line of gasoline-turbocharged direct-injection EcoBoost engines, which it’s based on. Ford’s DOE presentation says, “The E85 optimized engine and the dual fuel concept are logical extensions of Ford’s ‘EcoBoost’ strategy.”

Another way to measure efficiency, regardless of engine architecture, is through a metric called Brake Mean Effective Pressure. BMEP quantifies the amount of work an engine can do versus its displacement by measuring the average pressure exerted on an engine’s pistons. The more efficient an engine is, the higher its BMEP score.

According to Ford’s SAE presentation, an experimental 3.5-liter GTDI EcoBoost engine modified with E85 direct injection and gasoline port fuel injection run on a dynamometer achieved a BMEP score of 305 psi (27 bar), which translates to approximately 553 pounds-feet of torque and 316-hp at 3,000 rpm (flat torque curve from 1,500 to 3,000 rpm). The experimental engine was limited by the engine block’s ability to handle higher compression ratios. In comparison, a standard GTDI EcoBoost engine on a dyno was rated at 17 bar, which translates to approximately 350 pounds-feet of torque and 300-hp at 4,500 rpm (flat torque curve from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm).

As we mentioned earlier, ethanol use increases with engine load. A potential drawback to the Bobcat engine would be access to an ethanol refueling infrastructure, especially when a truck is working hard pulling a trailer or climbing hills.

Ford’s SAE presentation provides several range estimates for refueling a 5.0-liter Bobcat V-8 with a 10 gallon E85 tank and 26 gallon gas tank compared to a current Ford F-150 with a 5.4-liter V-8 and 26 gallon gas tank. Under mild driving conditions, the 5.0-liter E85 tank might have to be refilled only once every 20,000 miles and the gas tank refilled every 528 miles. Today’s 5.4-liter V-8 is said to have a 486 mile range under these conditions. However, an extreme towing scenario with the 5.0-liter V-8 pulling a fully-loaded trailer up a constant 6 percent grade could mean refilling the E85 tank as often as every 100 miles. That would be more often than the gas tank, which has an expected range of 243 miles under those conditions. Today’s 5.4-liter V-8 is said to have a 99 mile range under these conditions.

If the ethanol tank did run dry, the Bobcat engine could operate indefinitely with lower performance using only gasoline until a source of E85 could be found.

Under most operating conditions, however, Ford’s Bobcat engine could be the right powertrain at the right time to meet newly mandated corporate average fuel economy requirements that require fuel efficiency standard for all light trucks (crossovers, pickup trucks, SUVs and vans) to rise to 30 mpg by 2016, from 23.1 mpg today.

Will it work in the real world? Ford will try out its theories outside of computer simulations and the laboratory before the end of the year when a Bobcat engine is tested in an F-Series pickup for the first time.

Spy Shots: Ford Ranger mule caught testing in Dearborn
by John Neff Jun 5th, 2009 at 12:58PM

Filed under: Spy Photos, Trucks/Pickups, Ford



Ford Ranger mule –


As we've previously reported, Ford engineers in Australia are hard at work on the next-generation Ranger pickup, reportedly codenamed T6. While the Ranger name is used on various Ford pickups sold around the world that are different from our long-in-the-tooth U.S. model, word has it that Ford may be leveraging this new global pickup platform to replace the latter truck here in the States when it goes away after the 2011 model year. These new spy shots lend some serious credence to those rumors, as this Ranger mule wasn't snapped in Australia... it was caught in Dearborn, MI near the headquarters of Ford Motor Company.

Never mind the Mazda-looking front end, which likely just hides the bones of this next-gen global Ranger. And while details are scare, talk of a 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine with 175 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque refuses to go away. Check out the high-res spy shots in our gallery below and let us know if a new, more economical Ranger is just what the doctor for Ford in the States.