Car & Driver picks 2010 Fusion as BEST Family Hybrid

(from Car & Driver.com)

In a 4-car shootout, the 2010 Ford Fusion topped the rankings over competitors Toyota Camry Hybrid, Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, and Nissan Altima Hybrid.

Ford has pulled off a game changer with this 2010 model, creating a high-mpg family hauler that’s fun to drive. That achievement has two components: First, the machinery is unexpectedly refined — call it Toyota slickness expressed with car-guy soul. Second, the electronic instrument cluster involves the driver, invites you into the hybrid game, and gives you the feedback needed to keep increasing your personal-best mpg number.

Or you can say the heck with it and opt for a minimum-distraction display that shows little beyond the speedo.

No matter which you ultimately choose, you’re welcomed to the game with green grass and blue sky, a dashboard notion so corny we would groan if it weren’t so vividly executed. Hybrid enthusiasts will select the expert screen. All eyes sweep to the power grouping that shows the level of battery charge beside two columns of discharge meters, one for power consumed to propel the vehicle, the other a sum of all accessory loads (lights, fans, air conditioning, stereo, etc.).

How far can you go without the engine? That’s the game. Easy on the accessory loads, of course, but whenever you’re moving, the propulsion meter gives you an EV bracket. Keep your propulsion power within the EV bracket by modulating the “gas” and you’ll drive on the battery, up to 47 mph under ideal circumstances. Call it a video game to go.

Under normal driving, the engine starts and stops far more often than in the other hybrids. It comes and goes stealthily. Your wife won’t notice, and you probably won’t, either, unless you’re really into the hybrid game.

Nothing about the leather-lined test car, optioned up from its $27,995 base price to $32,555, seemed economy minded except for the mileage readings. On that score, the Fusion topped the others, turning in a 34-mpg score card for the overall 300-mile test run. It also finished highest in two of the three specialized tests, with a 34.3-mpg mark on the rural loop and 36.9 mpg on the city loop. Official EPA fuel-economy numbers are 41 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, roughly 720 city miles between fill-ups. For a four-door with civilized room for five, that’s a standing-O achievement.

Though the Fusion gets out-hustled by the Altima and the Camry — at 3805 pounds, the Ford is the heaviest of the four — we think 8.5 seconds to 60 mph is just fine considering the fuel economy. All of these players were too tightly grouped in braking and roadholding to draw significant distinctions, but for the record, the Fusion did tie with the Altima at 0.80 g for top marks on the skidpad. The suspension feels nicely taut, well planted. The tires communicate more than the Camry’s and speak in tones more refined than the Altima’s.

As in the Altima and the Camry, the power delivery of the Fusion’s CVT is hard to hold steady in cruising conditions. The test logs include many comments about “surging.” Engaging the cruise control deals with it every time.

Ford really hit all the marks with this hybrid Fusion, combining excellent fuel economy with slick manners and an engrossing personality. Fun and fuel economy have finally gotten married in a mid-size sedan.

What’s New: 2010 Ford Ranger

(from Canadian Driver)

New for 2010:

-          Standard Roll Stability Control and side airbags

-          Regular Cab 4×2 with seven-foot box, and SuperCab

-          4×4 XL discontinued

-          SuperCab 4×2 XL now available with 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine

-          Optional leather seats and limited-slip axles discontinued

-          FX4 trim line deleted; new FX4 package available for Sport 4×4 models

For 2010, the Ford Ranger adds new safety features, with roll stability control and side airbags standard on all models. The lineup slims down with the discontinuation of the seven-foot box configuration, and the SuperCab 4×4 no longer comes in entry-level trim. In two-wheel drive, the SuperCab now also comes with a four-cylinder engine. Leather upholstery is no longer available, and the FX4 is discontinued as a separate trim line. It is now available as a package on Sport 4×4 models, adding cruise control, tilt steering wheel, 16-inch alloy wheels, step bars, privacy glass, power equipment group, sliding rear window, and cloth bucket seats. The Ford Ranger comes with a 2.3-litre four-cylinder or 4.0-litre V6, with five-speed manual or optional five-speed automatic transmission. Configurations are Regular or SuperCab, with six-foot box. The SuperCab includes rear jump seats that can be deleted if desired.   Features on the XL include: -          15-inch steel wheels -          black front and rear step bumpers, black grille, black manual mirrors -          intermittent wipers -          CD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary input, Sirius satellite radio -          black vinyl floor covering, dome light, cloth 60/40 split seats, block heater, smoker’s package, tire pressure monitoring system -          Class III trailer tow hitch receiver, bed rail and tailgate protectors.   The Sport adds: -          body-colour front and rear bumpers, body-colour door handles -          fog lamps -          black grille with body-colour surround, body-colour manual mirrors, and body-colour wheel lip mouldings. The 4×2 version uses 15-inch alloy wheels, while the 4×4 also adds 16-inch alloy wheels, tow hooks, payload package, heavy-duty gas shocks, air conditioning, and skid plates.   The XLT adds: -          chrome grille surround, manual chrome mirrors, black door handles -          carpeted floor with mats -          tilt steering wheel -          cruise control -          passenger vanity mirror -          chrome side step bars -          chrome exhaust tip

Ford RAPTOR Designed for High-Speed Off-Road Driving

(from Justin Pritchard, Telegraph Journal)

If you’re nuts about trucks, the Ford SVT Raptor is probably on your radar already.

Ford’s just brought their long-resting Special Vehicles Team out of suspended animation, and their first assignment in years was a pickup truck — not a sports car.  The resulting machine is a tweaked-up, F-150-based performance truck that puts upgraded hardware and a specially-engineered suspension at its owner’s disposal. This machine isn’t just a bunch of bolt-ons, it’s a whole different animal.

The Raptor’s goal is delivery of high-speed, high-excitement driving on virtually any terrain. This is communicated to those nearby via massive flared fenders, a more imposing stance and some optional decaling that resembles claw-marks.

Perimeter LED lights create a unique lighting profile at night, and the Raptor-specific front end showcases the horizontally-expanded body. The unique face clears the fast-lane better than any in recent memory, and the overall package looks like a steroid-fed cross between a Tonka Truck and a BMX bike.

The visual ’shock-and-awe’ treatment carries on inside, too. The tester featured orange accenting, multi-textured black and orange seats, and aluminum-coloured dash trim. There’s a special steering wheel with a red centering notch to help aim the truck out of high-speed slides, and a special ‘RAPTOR’ welcome display appears on the navigation screen whenever it’s turned on.

Said screen also houses controls for the advanced Ford Sync infotainment system. This does numerous jobs, including reading your incoming text messages aloud and even ripping your favorite CD full of mud-flinging music to the built-in hard drive.

Plenty of space and storage are available throughout, but rear seating quarters lack the requisite ‘holy-heck’ handle passengers will ask for. Up front, a pre-wired auxiliary switch panel houses controls for potential aftermarket accessories, as well as the buttons that activate Raptor’s Hill Descent Control and Off Road Mode. The latter alters shifting, ABS and stability control algorithms for optimized shenanigans on loose or slippery surfaces.

Raptor’s heart is a 320 horsepower, 5.4-litre V8 teamed up with a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine lacks the bite to match the bark from its upgraded dual exhaust, and acceleration is far from breathtaking. Raptor isn’t a hot-rod by any means– though that’s not really the point. Shoppers after more sauce should note that an optional 6.2 liter V8 is en route to the Raptor’s engine bay next year.

Power connects with the wheels via a dial-selectable 4×4 system with low range. That’s backed by a unique 4:10 final drive ratio and a driver-selectable, all-speed rear differential lock.

With plenty of ground clearance, tow hooks and beefy tires, traction and confidence are non-issues. Raptor is solid, rugged and predictable-to-drive in most any off-road situation– including dunes, mud, sand and even jumps if you’re so inclined. It would likely be a riot in heavy snow, too.

This is more a desert race-truck than a swamp-crossing mud-slinger, so the big story is the suspension. Hit the dirt, and Raptor’s special internally-valved Fox Racing shock absorbers do a beautiful job of keeping body movements controlled.

The rear shocks soak up relatively large amounts of discomfort from beneath, and the high-travel setup lets the body lift quickly and lower back down in a smooth, gentle and controlled manner. This was especially appreciated over bumps and moguls, even at speed. Metal skid plates are fitted too, in case of impact to the Raptor’s underside.

Incidentally, your correspondent didn’t jump any sand dunes as seen in those YouTube videos– even if the suspension was almost constantly asking for it.

Of course, most owners won’t be regularly running their Raptors in Baja races, so the smooth highway manners are appreciable, too. Cruising at 110 km/h, there’s scarcely any more noise or fuss than an average family sedan. The ride can get stiff and jiggly on rougher surfaces, though it’s mainly stable, planted and smooth sailing.

Complaints were mainly excusable given the Raptor’s goals and intentions. Fuel consumption can exceed 20L/100km when drivers frequently send snorting shockwaves from the tailpipes — though my average settled somewhere around 16.5 L/100km.

Given the Raptor’s size and width, it’s not the easiest machine to maneuver in parking lots, either. Opting for the backup camera is a good idea, or you may accidentally wind up decapitating a Smart Fortwo with the rear bumper.

Ultimately, Raptor looks poised nicely to be a smash-hit with truck enthusiasts from all backgrounds. Simply put, nobody else currently offers anything like it. Of course, if Raptor proves successful, that will likely change.

Your own off-road go-kart starts at $48,299.   

Contact me today to find out how you can get your hands on the 2010 Raptor!

dale@hallmarkford.ca

Ford Flex is the “Collectible Car of the Future”

(from Canadian Driver)

Detroit, Michigan – The Ford Flex has been named the most likely vehicle of 2009 to be desired by future collectors by the Friends of the National Automotive History Collection (NAHC) in Detroit.

Members of the organization, which supports the automotive collection at the Detroit Public Library, vote annually to predict the “Collectible Vehicle of the Future” from the year’s new American-built cars and trucks. The Flex was selected from eight all-new vehicles launched in 2009.

“This selection is unique among all the ‘Vehicle of the Year’ awards, because it is selected by car buffs who know what future collectors will value,” said Charles Hyde, chairman of the NAHC Board of Trustees. “We asked our members to predict which of this year’s new vehicles will turn heads in the Woodward Cruise of 2034.”

What’s New: 2010 Ford Flex

(from Canadian Driver)

Ford Flex

New for 2010:

- Available 3.5-litre V6 “EcoBoost” engine on Limited AWD
- New base SE trim line
- Standard MyKey owner control and AutoFold 60/40 bench seat with 40-side power release on all models
- Available Class III Trailer Tow now includes trailer sway control
- Exterior colours: Tuxedo Black, Steel Blue, Red Candy and Ingot Silver added; Black, Redfire, Light Ice Blue and Brilliant Silver discontinued

An all-new model for 2009, the 2010 Ford Flex receives two major updates: an entry-level SE trim line that brings down the starting price, and a new optional EcoBoost engine, which uses turbochargers and direct fuel injection to provide the power of a V8 with the fuel economy of a V6. All models also receive a power release on the second-row bench seat, and MyKey, which allows the owner to set limits on the vehicle for younger drivers.

The Flex is available with a 3.5-litre Duratec V6 engine, or with the new 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 with twin turbochargers and direct injection. Both use a six-speed automatic transmission. The SE, SEL and Limited come in front-wheel drive, while the SEL and Limited can be optioned with all-wheel drive. The Limited EcoBoost comes in all-wheel only.

Features on the SE include 18-inch painted alloy wheels, air conditioning, body-colour door handles, fog lamps, automatic headlamps, black power mirrors, CD/MP3 stereo, six-way driver and two-way passenger manually-adjusted seats, fold-flat front passenger seat, second-row 60/40 split bench seat, third-row fold-into-floor 50/50 bench seat, MyKey, auxiliary rear climate control, tire pressure monitoring system, auto-dimming rearview mirror, power locks with keyless entry, floor mats, front-row centre console, second- and third-row reading lights, message centre with trip computer, outside temperature display, compass, overhead console, auto up/down driver’s window, tilt steering column, privacy glass, cruise control, reverse sensing system, SecuriCode invisible keypad, speed-sensitive intermittent wipers, and two-speed rear wiper.

The SEL adds 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, chrome beltline moulding, chrome door handles, body-colour heated mirrors, six-CD/MP3 stereo, Sirius satellite radio, ten-way driver and six-way passenger power-adjustable heated seats, and garage door opener.

The Limited models add 19-inch alloy wheels, automatic xenon headlamps, chrome heated mirrors with puddle lamps, LED taillights, satin aluminum liftgate appliqué, upgraded Sony 6-CD/MP3 stereo, Microsoft SYNC system, color-keyed wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel, ambient lighting, perforated leather front and second-row seats, vinyl third row seats, second-row footrests, 110-volt power outlet, power-adjustable pedals, and power liftgate.

Test Drive: 2011 Ford Fiesta

(from nothshoreoutlook.com)

Instead of looking to bigger cars, Ford is going smaller to help spur new car sales growth in North America.  The 2011 subcompact Ford Fiesta is due here next summer after enjoying tremendous success in both Europe and China.  The North American version of the Fiesta is making its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show Dec. 2-13.

The Fiesta will come in two body styles- a four-door sedan and five-door hatchback. In Europe, only the hatchback is currently offered.  It is the seventh generation of the popular Fiesta line that has been one of the best-selling small cars in Europe for more than three decades.

To say that it the Fiesta is an important car for Ford is an understatement.  As Mark Fields, president Ford Americas puts it, “small cars are our largest opportunity for growth.”

And considering that small cars make up more than a quarter of the entire automotive market, this is a huge segment that Ford has been neglecting for far too many years, concentrating instead on pickups and SUVs.

Ford now realizes that customers no longer buy small cars based on necessity alone. That may have been the case in the past, particularly south of the border, but in Canada, buyers had been gravitating to small cars in much greater numbers, well before the fuel and credit crises arose.

If sales of the Fiesta in North America mirror those across the pond, Ford has a winner on its hands. The new model has won 10 major awards in Europe already and sold more than 500,000 units in 2009 in Europe and Asia. Since its inception, the Fiesta has sold more than 12 million units worldwide. It is currently the second biggest selling car in Europe and Ford’s top-seller.

It is the first of the “One Ford” globalization program that the company says is necessary to make automotive manufacturing a profitable venture in these uncertain times. The new Focus, arriving next year, will also be part of the Ford’s global marketing efforts, where cars will be designed for worldwide rather than regional markets.

Unlike most cars in the subcompact class, the 2011 Fiesta will be much more than just a bare-bones vehicle. Ford says it will offer 15 class-exclusive technologies to add luxury and convenience usually found only in much more expensive vehicles.

Competing against the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa and even cars a category above in size like the Toyota Corolla, the Fiesta is expected to have best-in-class fuel economy, powered by a 1.6-litre DOHC inline-four-cylinder engine.

An advanced PowerShift six-speed automatic transmission and electric power assist steering (EPAS) are both designed to aid in fuel conservation. In fact, the automatic transmission has the efficiency of a manual transmission.

What will help set the Fiesta apart from the competition is styling- a feature that Ford’s research has shown to top the list of customer desires. This is a stylish car, certainly at the top of the list of B-segment entries.  Ford says the styling builds on the brand’s global kinetic design theme.

A vibrant array of colours will help the Fiesta stand out from the crowd, with shades like Lime Squeeze metallic, Red Candy and Bright Magenta among the more colourful. 

The North American model is slightly longer than the European version, due to differing safety requirements.  The interior has the look of a much more expensive vehicle, with greater use of soft-touch materials and contrasting colours than you normally see in this segment. There will be several different seat fabric options, including leather.

One feature that stands out is the centre stack, designed to look and work like a cell-phone keypad. Ford says this is a key element in helping market the vehicle to one of the key demographic groups- Millennials aged 16 to 30. These are people who are constantly connected through their cell phones, computers and other mobile devices and the Fiesta is designed to help them stay connected with available features such as Ford’s SYNC system that integrates a driver’s mobile phone with Fiesta’s onboard voice-activated communications and entertainment system.

The other market segment expected to gravitate to the Fiesta is the Baby Boomers, ages 45-63 who no longer have kids at home and are looking to downsize to a smaller vehicle. These two groups make up more than 50 per cent of the population and 59 per cent of the driving population in North America.

The Fiesta will also offer keyless entry and push button start, a Ford-exclusive feature in the segment. A tilt and telescopic steering wheel allows drivers to adjust it to their individual needs, while adjustable cup holders will hold any size of Timmy’s cups.

Another Ford-exclusive convenience item is the EasyFuel capless fuel-filler system, standard on all models.

Although it will be small in size and an entry-level model for many people, Ford isn’t skimping on safety in the Fiesta. It has the same safety technology as the new mid-size Taurus, its top safety-rated flagship and makes the greatest use of ultra-high strength boron steel ever in any Ford vehicle. Seven airbags are standard including a class-exclusive driver’s knee air bag, designed to reduce lower leg injuries in the event of a frontal collision.

Powering the Fiesta will be a global engine, a 1.6-litre DOHC inline four-cylinder that will deliver an estimated 119 hp and 109 lb/ft of torque. It is expected to produce fuel economy numbers of 7.0L/100 km (40 mpg) on the highway.

While its won’t be a performance car by any means, Fiesta’s chief engineer Steve Pintar said engineers working on the North American Fiesta nicknamed it “Zippy’ because it is agile, responsive and efficient.

Ford says the Fiesta will be the only car in its class offering a six-speed automatic with its new PowerShift transmission.  This transmission is unique in that it has a dual, dry clutch system and the lack of pumps and hoses reduces complexity, saves weight and increases fuel efficiency.

The front-wheel drive Fiesta has MacPherson struts up front with tuned shock absorbers and a 22 mm stabilizer bar. In back is a twist-beam axle and specially tune shocks. All are designed to maintain Fiesta’s European road holding and handling dynamics. Brakes will be front discs and rear drums with ABS.

I had the opportunity to drive a European-version Fiesta last summer and was very impressed to say the least. The cars were brought in from Holland and were top-of-the-line models with five-speed manual transmissions since no automatic transmission is offered in Europe.

Stay tuned for more information on the 2011 Fiesta as it becomes available.  We have already had quite a few people asking about it at our dealership, and I’m sure it is going to prove to be a popular car once it arrives.

Ford’s “MyKey” system lets parents modify vehicle for new drivers

(from Winnipeg Free Press)

Ford’s MyKey system has created a lot of discussion. The premise behind MyKey is the ability of parents to program the system to modify vehicle operation for new drivers. Some who have experienced it think it’s great; others think it’s a bit like “Big Brother watching”. Several have said that their teenage drivers could be trusted, but then there are others who are not always sure who their children are riding with and would appreciate having the MyKey system on someone else’s vehicle too.

This discussion could go on forever, but there are a few indisputable facts. First, new drivers are involved in a proportionally high percentage of accidents. Second, the teenage brain is maturing, but during that process there are times when everything just doesn’t connect together correctly – ask any parent! Normally rationale and intelligent teenagers can make rash and incorrect decisions, especially if there is peer pressure.

Just think about what you would say to a new driver about to drive away on their own. “Watch your speed. Put on your seatbelt. Lower the radio volume. Don’t spin the tires. Fill it with gas.” MyKey addresses some of these concerns.

At the heart of the MyKey system are programmable keys. One key is designated as the administrator key and up to 7 more keys can be programmed as MyKey keys. Programming a key only takes a few seconds and is done with the driver information system on the vehicle. Once programmed, the administrator can monitor the mileage accumulated on each key.

The administrator (vehicle owner) can turn the MyKey feature on or off. With the system activated, the audio system doesn’t play unless front seatbelts are buckled and we know teens can’t possibly drive without tunes! The passenger sensing system is used to determine if the passenger side belt needs to be buckled but rear seat passengers are not monitored.

The key also limits top vehicle speed to 130 kilometres per hour (80 mph) and chimes speed reminders at 72, 88 or 105 km / h. The vehicle traction control can no longer be deactivated, so you don’t have to worry about spinning tires. Finally, the low fuel warning now comes on when the remaining range is 120 kilometres instead of the regular 80 kilometres. There is less chance of an inexperienced driver running out of fuel.

MyKey is standard equipment on a wide range of Ford and Lincoln products, so this new technology could be an important part learning to drive for many new drivers.

Contact me today to find out which Ford vehicles have the MyKey system as an option:

dale@hallmarkford.ca

Hallmark Ford honoured by Ford of Canada and Ford Credit!

Hallmark Ford has been honoured by Ford of Canada and Ford Credit in recognition of their 25 year partnership.  We would like to thank Ford of Canada and Ford Credit for this recognition.  This recognition demonstrates our commitment to our customers and our community, and we look forward to serving you for another 25 years.  We would also like to thank our valued customers, past and present, for your support over the years in helping us to achieve this recognition. 

First Look: 2011 Ford Mustang V6

(from MSN Autos)

With the introduction of a new six-cylinder engine for 2011, Ford has finally fixed one of the biggest weaknesses in its otherwise competitive Mustang lineup.

Replacing the rear-wheel-drive Mustang’s aging 210-hp 4.0-litre V6 is a new all-aluminum 3.7-litre sporting 305 hp and 280 ft.-lb. of torque.

If you’re wondering, that’s marginally better than a Chevrolet Camaro V6 (304 hp and 273 lb.-ft.), and a huge advantage over a Dodge Challenger six (250 hp and 250 lb.-ft.)

And although the Camaro V6 paired to an automatic is rated 6.9 L/100 km on the highway, Ford claims the 2011 Mustang V6, matched to a new six-speed automatic transmission, will get an “expected best-in-class” 30 mpg US, or 6.88 L/100 km.

Ford says much of the new V6’s horsepower and economy gains come from the engine’s Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) that allows variable control of valve operation across the rev range.

Other refinements for 2011, such as a new Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) system (which eliminates the drag of an engine-operated hydraulic power steering pump), and aerodynamic improvements (new front fascia, tire spats on the rear wheels, modified underbody shields, a taller air dam and an added rear decklid seal), contribute to the fuel economy numbers as well.

Complementing the Mustang V6’s newfound power, Ford will also be offering a new Performance Package. It includes a shorter rear axle ratio, the firmer Mustang GT suspension, and 19-inch wheels wrapped in summer performance tires.

Keen observes will notice that the 2011 Mustang’s new V6 will now only be 10 hp shy of the 2010 V8’s 315 hp rating. According to reports from Mustang enthusiast sites, that should be fixed with the release of a new 400-hp 5.0-litre V8 that is speculated to debut at this January’s Detroit auto show.

0% FINANCING CONTINUES!

That’s right…Ford has extended its o% financing on select models for December 2009.  Take advantage of this awesome deal to purchase your next Ford today.  0% financing is available to qualified buyers on these great Ford vehicles: (some restrictions apply)

• Focus
• Fusion
• Mustang
• Edge
• Flex

Please feel free to contact me for more details:

dale@hallmarkford.ca