Showing posts with label Ford. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ford. Show all posts
Monday, 18 March 2013
Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Thursday, 7 March 2013
The Ford Tourneo family made its European debut at the Geneva Motor Show
With all the super cars presented there is now more time to write about some of those vehicles that are a little bit less exciting. Ford brought to Geneva the European EcoSport, and a bunch of versions based on the Tourneo, which in turn is similar to the Transit; the Courier, Connect and Custom. But let's concentrate on the Tourneo family.
First we have the smaller family member, the Courier. Based on Ford’s latest global small-car platform used by the Fiesta and B-Max, it measures 4.16 meters long. It comes with two sliding doors and has room for five people inside. You will be able to choose between a 1.5 liter (75hp) and a 1.6 liter (95hp) Duratorq TDCi diesel engine, and the 1.0 liter EcoBoost petrol engine with 100hp.
Then we have the Connect that uses the same C-segment platform that is also used by the Focus and the new Kuga/Escape. The regular version of the Connect has five seats and is 4420mm long, while the Grand Connect has seven and is 400mm longer (4820mm). Because it is a larger vehicles, therefore it is heavier, it also needs more powerful engines. The range of choices include several versions of the 1.6 liter Duratorq TDCi diesel engine (75hp, 95hp and 115hp), and the same 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine also used in the Courier. There is also available the 1.6 liter EcoBoost engine with the optional six-speed automatic transmission.
Finally we have the Custom, the larger Tourneo is also available in two versions, one with 4970mm and another with 5340mm that can sit eight or nine people, depending on your choice. The Custom also comes with sliding doors and like the rest of the Tourneo range it has available several things that make your life easier while driving like Ford'ss SYNC, Rear View Camera, Driver Alert, Speed Limiter, Auto High Beam, Lane Keeping Alert and SYNC Emergency Assistance. Power comes from the latest 2.2 liter Duratorq TDCi diesel engine with several power outputs; 100hp, 125hp and 155hp. You can only have a manual six-speed gearbox and it comes with the Auto-Start-Stop system.
Source: ford
Source: ford
Thursday, 28 February 2013
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
Sunday, 24 February 2013
Saturday, 23 February 2013
Short News: Here's the European Ford EcoSport
What you see here is the European version of the Ford EcoSport which is already sold in several "emerging" markets, like Brazil and Argentina, and will soon become a "Global Model". The premiere in Europe will take place next month at the Geneva Motor Show.
Not much else is known for now but according to some sources Ford will bring the EcoSport to Geneva with the 1.0 liter EcoBoost with 125hp and will upgraded the interior to better suit the European tastes.
Besides that engine a few more petrol and diesel units will be borrowed from the Fiesta, since the platform is the same with some minor changes. Outside the only changes are the LED lights on the front.
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
Moments | Design History - Mustang
Sketches Reveal A Long History Of 2-Seater Mustangs Ford Never Built
The Ford Mustang was not a spontaneous development when it debuted in the spring of 1964. Rather, it was a well-choreographed cross-section of marketing, research, and design which produced a car that became an overnight success. Yet before the Mustang’s debut, and even after it established itself as a market leader, Ford was considering a two-seater-only version of their popular pony car.
Hemmings Auto Blog collected a bunch of pictures and sketches of these two-seater Mustang concepts. Would the world have an embraced a Mustang with seating for two instead of four?
Development of the Mustang began around 1960, after Ford noted the success of the Falcon coupe. Lee Iaccoca was the brain behind the Mustang, and he had designers come up with a multitude of different designs, including a number of two-seaters that never became anything more than sketches. Ford did create one “shorty” two-seater Mustang it took on a traveling road show, but never actually sold it.
The reason? Ford believed that such a vehicle would only amount to sales of around 50,000 units annually, less than a tenth of the sales that the original Ford Mustang would eventually rack up. Still, one must wonder why Ford never offered a two-seat configuration alongside the standard 2+2 setup? What was Ford so afraid of? Were their fears justifiable? You tell us…would you still have bought a Mustang if it had two seats instead of four?
by
The Ford Mustang was not a spontaneous development when it debuted in the spring of 1964. Rather, it was a well-choreographed cross-section of marketing, research, and design which produced a car that became an overnight success. Yet before the Mustang’s debut, and even after it established itself as a market leader, Ford was considering a two-seater-only version of their popular pony car.
Hemmings Auto Blog collected a bunch of pictures and sketches of these two-seater Mustang concepts. Would the world have an embraced a Mustang with seating for two instead of four?
Development of the Mustang began around 1960, after Ford noted the success of the Falcon coupe. Lee Iaccoca was the brain behind the Mustang, and he had designers come up with a multitude of different designs, including a number of two-seaters that never became anything more than sketches. Ford did create one “shorty” two-seater Mustang it took on a traveling road show, but never actually sold it.
The reason? Ford believed that such a vehicle would only amount to sales of around 50,000 units annually, less than a tenth of the sales that the original Ford Mustang would eventually rack up. Still, one must wonder why Ford never offered a two-seat configuration alongside the standard 2+2 setup? What was Ford so afraid of? Were their fears justifiable? You tell us…would you still have bought a Mustang if it had two seats instead of four?
by
Monday, 18 February 2013
Saturday, 26 January 2013
Spain will get another major investment from a carmaker
The German company Volkswagen said last week it would invest around 785 million euros ($1 billion) in a plant in northern Spain over the next five years, making it the third company in recent months that announced a major investment in that country with severe economy problems.
First it was Ford that said they were going to move production from their Belgium factory to Spain, then Renault announced it was hiring 1.300 new people, but just last week Nissan canceled the plans to expand production of a new model in Spain because they didn't reach an agreement with union workers adding that Spain was losing 4.000 jobs and an investment of 130 million euros.
The Volkswagen plant is in Pamplona in the region of Navarra, can produce up to 1.400 vehicles every day and provides work for 4.600 people, so this was good news for the struggling country. But the Spanish government boasted that these investments happen because "they are the result of a labour market reform that makes the country more competitive for businesses and also makes it cheaper for companies to hire and fire employees.".
I am not sure if its a good thing to make it cheaper to fire people but it seems that's what the companies want.
Source: reuters
Wednesday, 16 January 2013
Ford Atlas concept: Is this the future of pickups?
Ford unveiled the Ford Atlas Concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and promises this will be future of all the pickups thanks to its "innovative design, fuel efficiency and smart technologies".
The design is not that innovative, it looks like a regular Ford pickup, but has a few useful features like Active Grille Shutters and Active Wheels Shutters to improve aerodynamics at high speeds, next-generation EcoBoost engines, LED headlamps and taillamps plus LED illumination in the cargo box.
Saturday, 1 December 2012
Fourth recall for the 2013 Ford Escape. Fusion also gets recalled
The 2013 Escape and Fusion equipped with the 1600cc engine were the target of a voluntary recall due to the risk of a fire starting in the engine. The reason of the overheating is still unknown but the dealerships will provide rental cars at no additional charge.
The recall affects 73.320 Escapes and 15.833 Fusions across the U.S.A. and Canada. Ford has acknowledged the problem and said the following about it:
"We have identified an issue and are taking actions in the best interest of our customers, Steve Kenner, director of Ford’s automotive safety office, said in a statement. “It is important that affected customers not ignore this recall and contact their dealer as soon as possible. While we recognize the inconvenience recalls cause our customers, we are taking these actions on their behalf to help ensure their safety."
Source: AutoGuide
Friday, 30 November 2012
Ford Fusion aka Mondeo won the 2013 Green Car of the Year Award
This was announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show in a special ceremony for the event. The Fusion/Mondeo has five engine choices including two EcoBoost turbocharged gasoline engines with direct injection as well as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid.
Along with the Fusion/Mondeo there were four other cars, including the Ford C-Max, Dodge Dart, Toyota Prius C and Mazda CX-5. The 2012 year winner was the Honda Civic Natural Gas and the year before that, the Chevrolet Volt.
Source: Auto.Blog.RS
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
Ford Fiesta ST in the USA couldn't be more different of the European version
Even if they have the same name, the North American version of the Fiesta ST will only be available as a five-door version while in Europe it is only available with 3 doors. If that wasn't enough the European model has 180ps (178bhp) and 240Nm (177 lb-ft) in comparison with the 200ps (197bhp) and 290Nm (214lb/ft) or the North American market.
The engine is the same for each side of the pond, a 1.6liter turbocharged Ecoboost with different outputs connected to a six-speed manual gearbox providing the driver a fuel consumption of 6,9liters every 100km (39mpg).
The ST is 15mm lower than the standard Fiesta working together with an electronic Torque Vectoring Control, an improved braking system and quicker steering ratio of 13,6:1.
The look has to be easily recognized so Ford added a different honeycomb front grille and bumpers, side skirts, 17inch wheels, roof spoiler and rear diffuser. The interior is also unique with leather Recaro sport seats, a new steering wheel and unique trims.
Ford will publicly display the new ST for the USA in the upcoming LA Motor Show.
Source: carscoop
Monday, 19 November 2012
Ford Trucks. Yes, real trucks. The 1846T
Seems Ford wants to enter the truck market in Europe and to help achieve that they released the new 1846T the first product developed according to the company’s new “One Ford” strategy that entails an integrated design and production capability using Ford subsidiaries worldwide.
The new truck will be sold in about 80 countries in several regions like Russia, Eastern Europe, Turkic Republics, North Africa and the Middle East, and will be built by Otosan in Turkey in collaboration with Ford Turkey and Ford Brazil. For now Ford can't enter the European market because it doesn't have an engine that meets the Euro6 standards.
Thursday, 15 November 2012
Transit Connect Wagon, The new people mover from Ford.
If you have a large family and need a vehicle that can seat seven you can check the new Ford Transit Connect Wagon. With it's sliding doors it is perfect to put the kids in the back.
Ford gives two engines choices, a 2.5liter 4-cylinder engine and a 1.6liter Ecoboost. It also gives the possibility to choose from two wheelbase lengths, two choices of rear doors and five or seven. passenger seating.
Source: The Truth About Cars
