Ford’s new action sports campaign, Octane Academy, is fueling up to launch as Ford and FUEL TV announce the production of a new television series – Octane Academy – chronicling the adrenaline-pumping challenges of the camps for millions of fans at home.

The Main Points

• Ford and FUEL TV announce the collaboration to launch the channel’s first-ever motorsports television series with Octane Academy – a 13-episode original television series bringing the adrenaline-pumping entertainment of the camps to the living rooms of millions of fans in 2012.
• Ford’s Octane Academy has generated record-breaking interest from fans, becoming the most applied-to Ford program to date with more than 6,000 applications – surpassing the popular Fiesta Movement program.
• Octane Academy, Ford’s first-ever action sports campaign aimed at Millennial enthusiasts, pairs fans with their favorite Ford action sports drivers – Ken Block, Brian Deegan, Tanner Foust and Vaughn Gittin Jr. – for ultimate action motorsports camps.

The Octane Academy series, FUEL TV’s first-ever motorsports show, will follow driving contestants of Octane Academy as they tackle the grueling challenges of the four action sports camps. This 13-episode series will feature three episodes for each of the camps and will begin airing in early 2012 on FUEL TV.

“We are thrilled to be able to share the excitement of Ford’s Octane Academy with the millions of fans who can now be part of the action-packed camps from the comfort of their own home through our collaboration with FUEL TV and the creation of the Octane Academy TV series,” said John Felice, general manager of Ford and Lincoln Marketing. “FUEL TV is the perfect match to not only capture the drama of Octane Academy but to give fans access to the ultimate action sports experience like never before.”

Ford’s Octane Academy begins this November, with the first camp hosted by Brian Deegan. Over the course of the program, a total of 32 ultimate fans will be united with their favorite Ford action sports driver – Deegan, Ken Block, Tanner Foust and Vaughn Gittin Jr. – for the unique opportunity to get behind the wheel and experience the extreme excitement of performance driving and action sports.

“We’re really excited to bring Ford’s Octane Academy to life in an exciting show that will feature quick cuts, comic relief and risk-taking scenarios that take both the pro drivers and everyday Joes out of their comfort zones in the name of entertainment,” said Peter Vesey, FUEL TV Vice President, Advertising Sales.

Record-Breaking Excitement

Since Ford’s Octane Academy was revealed in July of this year, casting nationwide has generated more than 6,000 applications and 850 video submissions from consumers. Submissions for Octane Academy exceeded the Fiesta Movement agent application record in the first four days to become the most applied-to Ford program to date.

Through video submissions and applications, fans tell their story of why they have what it takes to survive a weekend of on- and off-road challenges, running with Octane Academy’s founding members – Block, Deegan, Foust and Gittin Jr.

“We created Octane Academy to reach a younger, more diverse generation of action sports and race enthusiasts through this never-been-done-before experience, and the momentum for Octane Academy is proving we hit our target,” said Crystal Worthem, Ford Brand Content and Alliance manager. “The response rate, creative video submissions and passion to be part of Octane Academy have exceeded our expectations.”

Millennials watch, attend and participate in action sports, including action motorsports, more than any other athletic activity. Ford is investing in action sports through programs such as Octane Academy and X Games to reach out to this younger generation. Ford, like never before, has the product lineup that fits the lifestyle of these younger customers with the Fiesta, Mustang, F-150 Raptor and all-new Focus.

The Ultimate Adventure

Ford’s Octane Academy gives fans a chance at the ultimate action sports experience with its action motorsports heroes. The four camps will be hosted over the course of the year, one by each founding member of Octane Academy. In each camp, eight contestants will battle it out through a battery of creative challenges and daunting dares over one long weekend.

Ford’s action sports drivers will design their ultimate playground, hosting their respective elite winners on their terms and their turf. Each camp will give participants a crash course in how to fearlessly master the road while testing their attitudes, athleticism and audacity.

Participants will be pushed to the limit and their experiences shared with the world through the Octane Academy series. Drivers who perform up to the standards of the pros will win prizes, and the overall winner of each camp will be awarded a new Ford vehicle of their choice.

Ford RallyCross and off-road truck champion Deegan will have contenders revving their engine behind the wheel of an F-150 SVT Raptor when the first fantasy camp kicks off in November. Similarly, infamous Gymkhana star Block will get contestants’ adrenaline pumping behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta. 2010 Formula Drift champion Gittin Jr. will give competitors a heart-thumping thrill drifting in a Mustang, and X Games 16 double gold medalist Foust will give participants the experience of a lifetime in a Ford Focus ST.

More On This Topic

• Ford’s Octane Academy Series Coming To FUEL TV via Autoguide.com

What’s Got 380,000 LEGOs, 22 Designers, 2,500 Man-Hours and is Heading to Florida?

A unique Ford Explorer rolled off the line at the Chicago Assembly Plant that will feature the model’s trademark eye-catching craftsmanship with one notable distinction. This Ford Explorer is created from more than 380,000 LEGO bricks and marks the beginning of a long-term alliance between Ford and LEGOLAND® Florida theme park.

In a Nutshell

• Full-size LEGOLAND® Florida Explorer created from more than 380,000 LEGO bricks makes its debut at Chicago Assembly Plant; model took more than 2,500 hours to create.
• New LEGOLAND Florida theme park is the second in the U.S. and the fifth and largest LEGOLAND park in the world; it’s comprised of more than 50 million LEGO bricks.
• Ford Driving School at LEGOLAND Florida allows children to experience the fun and responsibility of driving in their own vehicles (at a maximum speed of 3 mph).

The bright red LEGOLAND Florida edition Explorer, created by 22 designers, weighs 2,654 pounds and is supported by a 768-pound interior aluminum base.

The completely reinvented Ford Explorer is a head-turner on its own, of course, blending style, capability and technology with class-leading fuel efficiency. It delivers an EPA-certified 28 mpg on the highway with an all-new EcoBoost® engine.

After its debut at the historic Chicago plant, which produces the Explorer, the vehicle will be loaded onto a trailer with transparent sides so motorists can see the LEGO Explorer as it makes its way to the new 150-acre LEGOLAND Florida theme park just outside Orlando.

There it will be featured in front of one of the park’s attractions, the Ford Driving School for children.

“Ford is excited to support the alliance between LEGOLAND Florida and the Southeast Ford dealers. The LEGOLAND Florida Explorer and the Ford Driving School attraction are great opportunities to showcase our products and safety messages to families and visitors in a unique way,” said Tracy Magee, Ford Experiential Marketing manager.

LEGOLAND Florida, which opens Oct. 15, will cater to kids ages 2 to 12 with more than 50 family-focused rides, shows and attractions and a historical botanical garden.

The park, which features exhibits using more than 50 million LEGO bricks, is divided into 10 themed entertainment zones for kids. It allows them to experience different adventures, including the empowering thrill of getting behind the wheel and learning to drive their own vehicle.

“We’re less than a month from opening and the anticipation level is incredibly high,” said LEGOLAND Florida General Manager Adrian Jones. “This is the only park of its kind in the world built exclusively for kids ages 2 to 12, and it will be a total departure from anything families with young children have seen before. It’s a completely immersive experience, engaging kids’ imaginations and their sense of adventure through interactive play.”

Driving through LEGOLAND Florida

The driving school is divided by age. There’s a Ford Junior Driving School for children ages 3 to 5 years old and a Ford Driving School for those ages 6 to 12. The children watch a video with driving instructions and safety tips – starting with the basics like safety belts and the difference between the accelerator and the brake – and move on to stoplights and stop signs. Children then have the opportunity to drive in their own electric vehicles on curbed roads with maximum speed limits of 3 mph.

With its detailed LEGO theme, the attraction is designed to give children the experience of driving in a real-world neighborhood.

While the children are behind the wheel, park employees known as “model citizens” are nearby to ensure the experience stays positive. After the drive is complete, the children are issued their own Ford Driving School license.

The school was the brainchild of Florida-area Ford dealers that worked with LEGOLAND Florida management, and is designed to introduce the fun and responsibility of driving skills to children.

More On This Topic

• What’s Got 380,000 LEGOs, 22 Designers, 2,500 Man-Hours and is Heading to Florida? via TheFordStory
• Lego Ford Explorer made of 380,000 bricks, but you can’t drive it via CNet CarTech Blog
• Captain Awesome Story of the Day: Ford Explorer Lego Edition via Automotive.com

Source article: http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=35337

Ford is introducing a new feature designed to prevent dents and scratches, which have become a costly fact of life in Europe, home to some of the world’s narrowest streets and tightest parking spaces.

Key Points

• Ford’s new Door Edge Protector is the first active system to prevent costly dents and scratches and provide a buffer to protect neighbouring vehicles.
• Door Edge Protector, which debuts in January 2012 on the Ford Focus, activates as the door is opened. A concealed protective flap slips into position when the door opens, providing a buffer that prevents damage to paint and body work.
• Ford research shows 72% of car-owning families across France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK have experienced dents or scratches to their car doors.

The feature called Door Edge Protector will debut in January 2012 on the Ford Focus. The system – designed by Ford engineers in Cologne, Germany – works automatically when the door is opened. A protective flap concealed in the door moves into position in a fraction of a second as the door opens providing a buffer that prevents damage to paint and body work.

“The Door Edge Protector will be one of those features that we think will make customers say ‘Why didn’t someone think of this sooner?’” said Matthias Tensing, product development system engineer. “It will be relief to parents with children in the backseat or anyone who needs to park in a tight spot.”

Seventy-two per cent of car-owning households across France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK have damage to their vehicle doors, Ford research shows. The cost to repair a dented car door can easily reach €300.

Car owners in Spain are the most likely to suffer damage to their car doors, Ford research suggests, with 83% reporting scuffs. And even though car-owning families in the UK are statistically the most careful, 53% confess to having scratched or dented their car doors.

Ford’s Door Edge Protector offers a defence against damage for these car owners by fully extending into its protective position at a door opening gap of less than 150mm. The feature defends against more than 90 per cent of variously positioned obstructions to the front doors and 85 per cent at the rear doors.

Offering maximum protection with minimal impact on weight and without affecting existing mechanisms or side impact performance, the Door Edge Protector retracts in just 60 milliseconds to allow for doors being slammed shut and includes a clutch mechanism that prevents damage if the flap is obstructed when returning. A special rubber compound is used that can withstand thousands of usage cycles and creates a minimum of noise as it springs into position. The protective flap is quickly and easily removed by heavy users, with a replacement unit simply clipping into place.

“The small scuffs and scratches that result from car doors being opened into obstacles, or from having a car door opened into your own vehicle, can be frustrating for car owners – often too small to be covered by insurance but expensive to have repaired out of car owners’ own pockets,” said Matthew Avery, crash and safety research manager at Thatcham, the UK Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre.

“Ford’s new Door Edge Protector is an excellent innovation for preventing these annoying dents and scratches. Any system that can reduce the risk of damage to your own or someone else’s vehicle is worthy of recognition, but one that operates so effectively without affecting the looks or performance is particularly noteworthy.”

Source article: http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=35287

The Main Points

• The all-new Ford Police Interceptors deliver more performance, handling and fuel economy.
• The only all-wheel-drive vehicles specifically built for law enforcement, the Police Interceptors meet stringent law enforcement standards.
• Now police departments and other law enforcement agencies can get an all-new, American-made vehicle with the expected durability and price of the popular Crown Victoria.
• Ford Police Interceptor Utility expands ability for law enforcement to get the job done efficiently and effectively.

The 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Sedan and Utility has passed stringent Michigan State Police tests and have proven they are ready for law enforcement use. Of special note was the performance of the Police Interceptor Utility, which not only outperformed the Chevrolet Tahoe but held its own amongst the sedans.

The Ford Police Interceptor Utility excelled in 0-60 acceleration, braking, and handling over the two day testing.

“We are pleased that the performance of the Police Interceptor Utility was validated because it provides more choice for law enforcement agencies,” said Lisa Teed, Ford’s marketing manager for the Police Interceptors. “They can be assured that whether in slippery conditions like snow or in pursuit situations the purpose-built Utility will deliver.”

Building on more than 15 years of leadership Ford has taken the key product attributes that made Crown Victoria Police Interceptor the leading law enforcement vehicle and increased the next-generation products’ capabilities including offering the first and only pursuit-rated all-wheel-drive police vehicles. Now police departments and other law enforcement agencies can get an all-new, American-made vehicle with the same durability and price range of the popular Crown Victoria. The new Police Interceptors will be built at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant.

Working with Ford’s Police Advisory Board, consisting of law enforcement professionals from the United States and Canada who provided feedback on attributes such as safety, performance, durability, driver comfort and functionality. Ford has ensured that the new Police Interceptors are purpose-built to meet the requirements of this demanding industry.

“Our experience with the Crown Victoria helped us develop the next generation of Police Interceptor vehicles that serve as tools for public safety officials to do their jobs safely, efficiently and effectively,” added Teed.

Officer protection is the first priority. The Ford Police Interceptors are the only vehicles certified to pass 75 mph rear collisions. Ballistic door panels to protect from gunshots are available on the driver or passenger doors. Safety cell construction helps direct the force of a collision around the occupant compartment. Crumple zones help absorb and dissipate the energy of a crash.

Power and efficiency

The V6 powertrain portfolio of engines on the Police Interceptors provides the fuel efficiency improvement to assist government agencies in reducing their operating costs. More importantly, the smaller-displacement engines provide increased performance and capability when compared to the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (CVPI) 4.6-liter V8. The highly efficient 3.5-liter V6 engine delivers at least 280 horsepower in the Sedan. An all-new EcoBoost® V6 twin-turbocharged, direct-injection engine is also available producing 365 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque.

“This week’s testing by the Michigan State Police proves our powerful and efficient V6 powertrains exceed CVPI V8 performance and deliver savings back to government agencies,” said Bill Gubing, chief engineer of the Ford Police Program. “Government agencies have been seeking money saving solutions. Increased performance and improved fuel economy deliver on our commitment. In addition, engineering common components between the Sedan and Utility, and upfit-friendly solutions will aid the fleet’s maintenance. Our goal was to streamline and reduce complexity for the customer, whose resources are constrained in these economic times.”

Managing increased power, requires more stopping power. New 18-inch five-spoke steel wheels and tires are designed to work in concert with the new brake system for improved capability. Additional unique components include a larger heavy-duty alternator and larger radiator. A honeycomb grille provides increased airflow throughout the vehicle to improve cooling and enhance operation.

Rigorous testing was conducted to ensure the new Police Interceptors could handle the demands of around-the-clock law enforcement duty. In addition to the certification testing designed by the Michigan State Police, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will conduct its vehicle tests in November to further evaluate the durability and capability of police vehicles under the most extreme conditions.

The pursuit-rated Ford Police Interceptors come standard with all-wheel-drive. The Sedan is available with a 3.5-liter Ti-VCT flex-fuel V6 or 3.5-liter EcoBoost™ V6 engine. The Utility has 3.7-liter Ti-VCT flex-fuel V6 engine producing 300 hp. Front-wheel-drive configuration is optional.

More On This Story

• 2013 Ford Police Interceptors Get Green Light From Michigan State Police via Edmunds InsideLine

Source article: http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=35300

Fewer Americans were victims of car thefts last year. The FBI’s annual Uniform Crime Report shows a 7.2 percentage decrease in auto thefts compared to 2010. Improved anti-theft devices and safety tips can help continue this downward trend. Unfortunately, potential thieves will not give up on their efforts to steal your car. But with the same persistence, Ford is constantly improving technologies and methods to keep vehicles secure for its customers.

Ford provides several technologies to better protect your investment:

• Remote Keyless Entry allows locking/unlocking at the push of a button.
• Passive Entry-Passive Start allows for unlocking and engine starting remotely.
• Intrusion sensing system deters against smash-and-grab thefts.
• Immobilizer helps prevent drive-away thefts.
• Panic alarm draws attention quickly in case of danger.
• Perimeter Alarm System deters against unauthorized entry via doors, hood and trunk/liftgate.

Despite significant and ongoing improvements in security features, no system is foolproof. The goal of each preventative measure is to deter theft by making it more difficult for thieves to steal your vehicle.

For increased protection, Ford dealers also provide additional anti-theft safety services:

• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etching on windows and other surfaces: VIN etching makes vehicles less attractive to thieves because all windows must be replaced before the vehicle can be tagged with a fake VIN and resold.
• Installation of wheel locks, which help protect against wheel theft by requiring a special key to unlock the lug nuts.
• Installation of LoJack – a vehicle tacking system that helps police locate and recover vehicles.

Everyday things you can do to protect against theft:

You might think most stolen vehicles are expensive sports cars or multipurpose passenger vehicles, but that’s not always the case.

It also doesn’t matter whether you live in a big city, the suburbs or in the country; anyone is susceptible to vehicle theft.

In fact, 40-50% of vehicle theft is due to driver error, which includes leaving vehicle doors unlocked and leaving keys in the ignition or on the seats.

But there are measures you can take to make sure your vehicle is not an easy target for thieves:

• First, always take your keys; never leave them in or on your vehicle.
• Always close and lock all windows and doors when you park.
• Park in well-lit areas.
• Keep your vehicle in your garage, if possible.
• Never leave valuables in your vehicle, especially where they can be seen.
• Never leave the area while your vehicle is running.
• Finally, if you have information on an auto theft crime, first report it to police and then see if there is a theft prevention program like Michigan’s Help Eliminate Auto Thefts program (1-800-242-HEAT) that offers potential cash rewards for information on auto theft crimes..

To read the report, click here.

More on This Topic

• TheFordStory: Has Your Car Ever Been Stolen or Broken Into?

Source article: http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=35292

FRANKFURT, Germany – Alongside the exciting line-up of new vehicle and technology introductions on its stand at Frankfurt Motor Show, Ford also unveiled a rather surprising addition to its range – an E-Bike.

Designed to show how the company’s design language can translate to a bicycle, the Ford E-Bike Concept also demonstrates the spectrum of Ford’s electric mobility competence. Ford has no plans to produce the E-Bike but will continue studying the concept along with other future mobility solutions.

“The E-Bike market is growing very, very rapidly, with some 30 million units sold globally last year,” said Axel Wilke, director, vehicle personalisation, Ford Customer Service Division Europe. “We see E-Bikes as an important element of urban electric mobility. More and more people are using E‑Bikes for short distance commuting and they are becoming comfortable with the concept of electric mobility.”

In a Nutshell

• E-Bike Concept demonstrates how Ford’s design language can translate to a bicycle.
• The concept pairs cutting-edge sensor technology from the world of Formula One with top-of-the-range bicycle components.
• Promising a range of up to 85km on a full charge, Ford E-Bike Concept could be an innovative solution for urban mobility.

Cross-Gender Design

Developed by a Ford Design team led by Executive Design Director Martin Smith, in partnership with cyber-Wear, the German brand behind Ford’s popular Lifestyle Collection products, the Ford E-Bike Concept has been created from the ground up to appeal to both men and women.

At the heart of the design is a trapezoidal frame profile. Constructed from aluminium and carbon, the frame combines outstanding strength with a weight of just 2.5kg. The wheels, with a six-spoke V-design, appear to float around the frame, while the drive system is hidden from view, creating a clean, minimalist appearance.

Cutting-Edge Technology

Providing the power is a drive system consisting of a motor in the front wheel hub, a lithium-ion battery concealed in the frame, promising a range of up to 85km on a full charge, an integrated controller and patented magnetostriction sensor technology from the world of Formula One.

Magneotostrictive materials are used to convert magnetic energy into kinetic energy, and vice versa. In Formula One, these sensors help handle high engine revolutions in combination with intense thermal strains. They need no physical contact with other parts of the engine, are temperature-independent and are completely maintenance-free.

In the Ford E-Bike, the first application of this technology in the bicycle industry, the sensors read the revolutions in the inner bearing and relay this information to the control unit within a hundredth of a second. The control unit then instantly activates or deactivates the electric motor, providing a seamless integration of the power of the legs with the power of the motor.

A handlebar-mounted display provides trip information and allows the rider to select from three support modes – Economy, Comfort and Sport.

Range-Topping Bicycle Components

The drive system is complemented by top-of-the-range bicycle components, including a Shimano Alfine 11-speed internal gear hub and a 2012 Shimano Rapidfire shifter. In place of a traditional chain is a Carbon Belt Drive System, making for a cleaner, lighter and more immediate transfer of energy.

“With its cutting edge design, cross-gender appeal, robust build quality and high performance drive package, we believe the Ford E-Bike Concept would be the perfect addition to the e‑mobility solutions we will offer,” added Wilke.

Technical Specifications

Drive Unit:

• Front wheel hub motor
• Max. nominal power: 350W
• Electricity: 36V – 250W
• Supports up to 25km/h (to EN 15194)
• Clutch with freewheel function
• Gearbox: Planet gears
• Integral sensor technology

Battery:

• Cell type: Lithium-ion accumulator
• Electricity: 340Wh, 36V, 9.3Ah
• Charging cycles: 1000 cycles at 80% residual capacity
• BMS (Battery Management System): protects against deep discharge and self-discharge Charge times: 80% after 2 hours, 100% after 3-4 hours (at room temperature)
• Range: Up to 85km (depending on drive power and support mode selected)
• Temperature range: -20°C to +60°C

Extremely small unit to connect battery (remains on bike) to normal mains network. Intelligent electronics to prevent overcharging, undervolting, overheating and shortcircuit; in particular, sleep function prevents deep charging and necessity for recalibration with charger connected.

Controller display functions:

• Background lighting with light sensor system
• Energy-saving automatic sleep mode
• Diagnosis function with fault code display
• Support modes: Economy, Comfort, Sport
• Displays: Range, Battery capacity, Speed, Time, Distance, Maximum speed, Average speed, Total distance, Service reminder, System diagnosis, Support modes
• iPhone Smartphone app control function planned

Bicycle Components:

• Wheels: Mavic Elipse Aluminum black (modified with Ford Design crossing)
• Tyres: Continental Ultra Sport black
• Pedals: Wellgo LU-C27G, silver/black
• Handlebars: Downhill Aluminum black, custom made
• Stem: Giant SLR Carbon 110mm
• Saddle: Selle Italia SLR XC
• Brakes: Avid Elixir 5, full hydraulic, 185mm, white

Automotive.com’s take: This is the ultimate beach cruiser. Ford can put the beach parking meters out of business if it brought reasonably priced E-Bikes to Southern California so riders could skip beachside parking—and the heavy parking lot entrance fees.

Source articles:

• Ford Rides into E-Bike Market with Stunning Concept via Ford’s Media Center
• Ford E-Bike Concept From Frankfurt Motor Show Not Far-Fetched via Automotive.com

Ideas are free. The trouble generally comes with bringing them to life, and the main issue there usually involves things being not so free. That’s why the Ford Mustang is an exceptionally cool car. The engineers and designers knew exactly how to build something incredibly awesome and satisfying on so many levels – including its performance and looks – it’s like every great idea you could have had already exists. Yeah, yeah, if only the Mustang were free! But even with the car being downright perfection, that doesn’t always prevent more ideas from sprouting from your brain.

That’s why Ford has launched the new Ford Mustang Customizer website, allowing you to create a Mustang, right down to color, accessories, decals and even how big of a burnout it makes. Pick the Mustang V6, GT, Boss 302 or Shelby GT500 and get to work by creating a setting, such as the dragway, and adding body kits, wheels, grilles and parts from Ford Racing Performance Parts and Ford Vehicle Personalization. Several looks can be created and saved as desktop wallpaper.

You can also log in through your Facebook account and share all the Mustangs you have designed. To boot, there’s a “battle mode” within Facebook to allow you to go head-to-head with other users for best-looking car. You’ll be able to accumulate votes that will be tallied on a leaderboard for others to view, and also identify a nemesis to go after in battle.

If you’d like what you built in the virtual world to become something you can build in the real world, there’s a downloadable PDF option offering a detailed list of all the actual parts you used for your custom creation, distinguished as Ford, aftermarket and concept accessories, complete with links to applicable websites for ease in starting a conversion with your local Ford dealer.

More Articles On This Topic

• New Ford Mustang Customizer Website Lets Enthusiasts Dream Up and Share Their Ultimate Pony Car via Ford’s Media Center.
• 2012 Ford Mustang Customizer Web Site Debuts via Edmunds InsideLine.
• Build the Trick Pony Car of Your Dreams with Ford’s Online Mustang Customizer via Automotive.com.

Source article: http://www.thefordstory.com/our-articles/cars/mustang/can-you-customize-a-mustang-do-it-then-let-the-people-vote/

If you attend this year’s IAA Frankfurt Motor Show, September 15-25, you may notice that the Ford display is big. Huge in fact. It’s the largest-ever European stand for Ford, and it features the hottest new vehicles as well the latest Ford technology. But what’s inside the display is even bigger news. From the Ford Evos Concept vehicle to more Focus and Fiesta ST news to the announcement of a production version of a 3-cylinder EcoBoost™ engine, there’s something there for just about everyone.

Here’s an overview of what’s new for Ford at the show, and around the world.

The star of the show for Ford is definitely the Ford Evos Concept vehicle. Developed in a collaborative process by the Ford global design team, the new design DNA showcased on the concept is a key part of the One Ford global product strategy. It provides a framework to guide the creation of new products in the Ford design studios worldwide and key elements of the concept’s exterior and interior design language will be applied to forthcoming Ford vehicles.

“We wanted the Ford Evos Concept to give a clear message about where Ford design is heading – shaping vehicles that are fun to drive, have a strong premium appeal, and above all, are stunningly beautiful,” said J Mays, Group Vice President, Design and Chief Creative Officer.

The Ford global Research and Innovation team created a technology experience for the Ford Evos Concept as visionary as the design. The result signals how Ford intends to build on the momentum of innovations like the SYNC in-car connectivity system.

The concept’s technology experience embraces a new generation of driver interaction and awareness currently under development. Seamless connectivity between the vehicle and the driver’s ‘personal cloud’ of information is at the heart of the vision for its capabilities.

For more information and videos of the Ford Evos Concept, please see our, “Ford Evos Concept: What Future Ford Vehicles Might Look Like” and “Diving Deeper Into the Ford Evos Concept Vehicle” posts.

The covers are now off the production version of the first Ford global performance car, the new Focus ST. Building on the DNA of the Sport Technologies badge, the new model combines strong performance, exceptional handling, eye-catching style and everyday refinement. Focus ST will launch around the world in 2012, being sold in over 40 countries spanning six continents.

Powered by a 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost engine mated to a specially revised six-speed manual transmission, Focus ST offers an uncompromising mix of performance and efficiency.

The Focus ST is not the only exciting new performance model on the Ford stand at Frankfurt, with the Company also unveiling its high-performance vision for the future of Fiesta – the striking Fiesta ST Concept.

Like the Ford World Rally Championship contender, the Fiesta RS WRC, Fiesta ST Concept uses a 1.6-liter Ford EcoBoost petrol engine to deliver performance. The use of a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine reflects not only the current WRC engine guidelines, but also the trend within international motorsport to deliver greater fuel economy through technical advancement. Target performance levels for the Fiesta ST Concept are 177 horsepower and 177 lb.-ft. of torque, enough to propel it from 0-60 mph in less than seven seconds. A top speed exceeding 136 mph is targeted.

Take a first look at the Ford Fiesta ST Concept Car:

Ford is giving a European debut to the ultimate performance Focus – the race-tweaked, production-based Focus ST-R. Designed and engineered to race in series all over the globe, this fully-prepared competition car features a powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine, FIA regulation roll cage, uprated brakes and track-tuned suspension. Fast, agile and competitive, Focus ST-R is aimed at professionals, amateurs and track-day enthusiasts.

For more information on the Ford Focus ST-R, please TheFordStory.com’s post, “Ford Focus ST-R Racecar Availability to Begin in North America.”

See more articles from the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Also read: Achieving Singularity: One Ford on Display in Frankfurt

Source article: http://www.thefordstory.com/our-articles/cars/fiesta/ford-at-the-2011-iaa-frankfurt-motor-show/

A big deal is made about new-car smell. Realistically, that’s about the only sensory element that seemingly doesn’t factor in to a vehicle purchase. Or does it? Your senses play a crucial role in what you like and don’t like, be it anything from spinach to what you drive. As you might imagine, we’re more focused on the pleasure you get from the vehicle than on what’s for dinner.

Yet…you might love spinach, but your mate does not, and neither one of you understands how the other can feel that way about the leafy green. Regardless, the solution is always the same: one of you eats it, the other does not. But imagine if you’re a Ford designer or engineer; your job is to ensure every customer enjoys that vehicle, right down to the experience their eyes, ears, fingers and nose will have. While eating or not eating spinach may be a conscious decision, our senses are in charge of the subconscious mind, which has been said to control 95 percent of our decisions. Talk about a first impression being a lasting one.

The Ford Focus was the first car to be developed using a new electronic sniffing device for sampling smells emitted by plastic, paint, rubber and adhesives. It was dubbed the “e Nose 4000” and utilized 12 polymer sensors that gathered chemical data from the surrounding air. Ford has also utilized “smell jurors” and household fruit-preserving jars in an attempt to ensure no funky odors be emitted from a vehicle’s interior, such as from the foam. For more than 25 years, Ford specialists have evaluated the scents of potential trim materials, using that expertise to ensure supplier components meet low-odor specifications. Following a human sensory analysis, the materials become standards by which to “teach” the electronic nose. After this training, the instrument became able to distinguish between good- and bad-smelling parts.

“We get a lot of feedback from people saying that they want their new car smell. But not everyone can agree on what smells ‘good’ and what smells ‘bad,’” explained Sandra Edwards, Ford Polymers, Coatings and Corrosion. “Every time we run an odor test, we use a jury of people that are as diverse as possible to get different points of view. We don’t try to eliminate all odors, we just try to keep them in a neutral range.”

The 2011 Ford Edge features upgraded materials, additional accents and fresh execution of colors and forms create an environment that is as comfortable and inviting as it is functional and convenient. “With the addition of MyFord Touch, we created a high-tech look,” said Jim Smithbauer, Interior Design Manager. “It drove our treatment of the center stack, in particular, but also the rest of the interior as well. The MyFord Touch system’s modern look inspired us to push the interior design even more to reflect and complement this cutting-edge technology.”

The exterior gets a similar approach: “We’re taking design to a whole new level, interpreting what people want so that we can deliver it to them. We always look to the silhouette, the shape, the proportion of a vehicle to see if it communicates the emotions we’re looking for. That’s why a Mustang appears fast even when it’s parked, why an F-150 looks tough and why a Fiesta communicates smart, urban and hip,” said Ford Designer, Anthony Prozzi.

Another example of advanced sensory design can be witnessed on the 2011 Lincoln MKX and Ford Edge, with touch-sensitive technology. Touch cells create a tiny, undetectable electrical field; your finger breaks the field and causes the cells to go on or off like a traditional switch. In other words, so long, buttons! A touch of the finger is what activates it, and an audible beep and illumination confirms execution. Touch cells control volume, radio seek, defrosters, air conditioning and more.

“Touch is an extremely powerful sense. We use the science of haptics, which measures how consumers react to physical objects, to determine how a door lock or window switch should feel,” said Pietro Buttolo, Ford Technical Specialist. “Touch is instinctive – people know immediately what they like. Our research found that customers like their controls with smooth transitions that are distinct, adding to the overall quality and confirming the impression of a solid design.”

Being distinctive also affects the sounds being emitted from your vehicle. “As Ford has expanded globally, we now have an increased awareness of what a horn is used for in all of our markets,” said Patricia Seashore, Design & Release Supervisor. “It’s not the same all over the world.” In North America, more and more customers are adapting their horn usage into a friendly greeting, and they want the horn to sound that way.

“We tune our horns to emit a rich sound, just slightly discordant to get attention, but not unpleasant. In North America, we’re getting away from using horns strictly as a warning,” Patricia said. “You do hear them in traffic when someone gets cut off, but they are also used to say, ‘Hi,’ or to let someone know you are there to pick them up.”

You know, so you both can head over to the grocery store for more spinach.

Source article: http://www.thefordstory.com/our-articles/cuvs/edge/the-nose-4000-and-other-surprising-ways-ford-keeps-your-senses-satisfied/

The time has come to say goodbye to an old friend… a legend in the automotive world. Regular people have loved and hated them, while law enforcement officers and taxi cab companies love and adore them. I am talking about the Ford Crown Victoria.

The Ford Crown Victoria police-issue model is the Police Interceptor, more commonly known as “The P71” or the “CVPI” has been the most widely used car in law enforcement. Through reasons many folks will never understand, somebody in the Ford Motor Company has decided to pull the plug on Crown Victoria production. Production will end September 16th, 2011.

On that day.. I will dedicate 30 seconds of my day for a moment of silence.. to say goodbye to an old friend. I may even shed a few tears.

The Crown Victoria.. as well as the Lincoln Town Car were the last two full-frame rear-wheel-drive passenger cars that were built in North America. They were both the last 2 US vehicles in production with features like column-mounted gear shift and a two-bench, six passenger seating layout; a format which was dominant for US-manufactured vehicles from the 1950s onward, but nowadays has otherwise largely been replaced by the two front-bucket layout popularized by imports.

Ford ended production of the Crown Victoria this month.. and they closed the Canadian plant that manufactured the car. I’m a part of a group on Facebook called, ‘Ford St. Thomas Assembly Plant,’ and Facebook users there who share my love for the car have been posting their thoughts on Ford ending the production, and I’d like to share a few comments that have been made in recent weeks:

“St. Thomas staff: Be very, very proud. When history is written, it will reflect that the last REAL (solid, one piece, body on frame, RWD, gearshift on column, fix and not throw away), cars (the ones that fought death to the bitter end), given to the world – were made with YOUR hands. I LOVE both of my Crown Vics and my Town Cars. Thank you so much for the last car I will ever buy. I will spoil her always. Godspeed to you.”

“There is NO replacement for the Vic or the Town Car. Anything that purports to do so is a FRAUD !!!”

“I hope Ford will see the error of their ways and bring back the Crown Vic in the next 2 or 3 years .”

I have a lot of the same feelings as the people who made the quotes above. I strongly believe Ford is making a mistake ending production on the vehicle. Ford’s investment has been long since paid off on Crown Victoria development, and every car they have sold in the past several years has been nothing but PURE PROFIT for Ford Motor Company.

If it’s the most widely used car in law enforcement, they must have done something right with the car? Face it. We all see more police agencies use the Crown Victoria than we do the Dodge Charger or the Chevy Impala – and soon, the new Chevrolet Caprice PPV.

With Crown Victoria production ending, that doesn’t mean Ford is pulling out of the law enforcement market. To replace the Crown Victoria as the Police Interceptor, Ford is releasing two new purpose-built Police Interceptor vehicles – the Police Interceptor Sedan (which is based off the Ford Taurus), and the Police Interceptor Utility Vehicle (which is based off the new Ford Explorer).

Don’t get me wrong. I believe in Ford whole-heartedly, but I don’t see Ford being able to keep its firm grip on the police market. It’s next closest competitor is the Dodge Charger Police sedan – also a rear-wheel-drive police vehicle.

And here lately.. I’ve noticed that the Charger is getting a firmer and firmer grip on the police market. Once Crown Victoria is gone.. I see the Charger becoming the most widely used car in law enforcement. Even the Ohio Highway Patrol has begun to switch their fleet to Chargers.

I wish Ford would take notice of this.. here we are.. 2011.. final model year of Crown Victoria production, and sales are up AT LEAST 64% on the car. That should be a red-flag for Ford! Keep the car around, update it and keep it going. If it ain’t broke.. don’t fix it!

I’ve fell in love with the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor a little over 2 years ago.. and I’ve known for 2 years that this was coming soon.. but doesn’t make this any easier. I’ve been dreading this week for 2 years.

Being somebody who loves cars, who got his love of cars from his father going to car shows with him, and seeing all yesterday’s cars, I know I especially got a real kick out of seeing the police cars of yesterday. I enjoyed that probably more than I should have.

The kids growing up nowadays – or kids who are not yet in this world – will one day have the Crown Victoria in history as yesterday’s police cars. They will want to see what yesterday’s police car looked like, so I’m taking matters into my own hands.

Unless something changes within the next week to 2 weeks, I will be taking delivery of a retired police cruiser as my own vehicle – a 1998 Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.

Me with my soon-to-be-mine Crown Vic.

With law enforcement history in mind, I’m going to take my new car… which is a little beat up in its current condition, and turn it into a mock-up police cruiser, complete with decals, roof-mounted red and blue strobe lights using a L.E.D. light bar, light bars in both windshields, and flashing white lights in the top corners of the rear license plate.

I’ll also have a siren, and a laptop computer mounted between the seats, police style-radio and center console, and a working spotlight on the driver side of the car to replace the current non-working spotlight.

My vehicle actually has a pre-drilled hole on the passenger side where there used to be a spotlight that had since been removed. However, the wiring is still in the A-Pillar of the vehicle so I’ll be getting 2nd spotlight for that side of the vehicle as well – and make sure it works!

Yes… I’ll even have a prisoner cage behind the front bucket seats of the vehicle. If I can get around it legally, I even hope to somehow have the word POLICE on the sides of the vehicle.

The car is currently dark blue in color, but I have a special paint scheme in mind for the car. The paint scheme will be the old Blues Brothers black and white paint scheme.

The lights on the car being L.E.D are in themselves not illegal to have, but they are illegal to use on the road. I’ll be doing what I’m doing with the vehicle in order to take to special events, car shows, and parades. Essentially what I’m trying to preserve a huge part of law enforcement history to come.

The time has come to say goodbye to an old friend.

Crown Victoria, you have been very well loved through the years by consumers, police agencies, and taxi cab companies. You will be greatly missed. But don’t worry. I’m going to fight to do whatever I can to protect the legacy you leave behind. You’ve protected everybody for 50+ years, so please allow me to return the favor.

Can I please have a moment of silence…. Thank you.

May the Ford Crown Victoria rest in piece.