1957 Ford Fairlane

1957 Ford Wagon

Next Generation Ford F-150 Raptor Spied!

You didn’t think Ford would just let the Raptor languish did you? They’ve yet to make any official mention of a Raptor edition F-150 but… It’s going to happen. The Raptor has been a complete success for Ford when it comes to sales, and, it’s the first truck in ages to capture the attention of non-truck people. “Car” guys know and respect the Raptor.

Consider for a minute the potential a new Raptor might have. It’s body is aluminum, so the truck will be very light. Ford will likely keep the 6.2-liter V8 as the standard engine, but, it is interesting to think about the possibility of an EcoBoost Raptor. It would need a upgraded version of the 3.5-liter V6, but, the machinery is basically already there. Just add boost and the sky’s the limit. Figuratively speaking.

Source: Ford

Ford Reveals Automated Fusion Hybrid Research Car As Blueprint For Mobility Gathers Pace

• Ford unveils automated Ford Fusion Hybrid research vehicle to test and advance its Blueprint for Mobility, which envisions a future of autonomous functionality and advanced technologies after 2025

• Developed in collaboration with the University of Michigan and State Farm^®, the vehicle builds on more than a decade of Ford automated driving research

• Ford is among the leaders in offering driver-assist technologies in its vehicles on the road today, including Ford Fusion, Ford Escape and Ford Explorer

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 12, 2013 - Taking the next step in its Blueprint for Mobility, Ford today – in conjunction with the University of Michigan and State Farm^® – revealed a Ford Fusion Hybrid automated research vehicle that will be used to make progress on future automated driving and other advanced technologies.

The result of an ongoing project that builds on more than a decade of Ford’s automated driving research, the Fusion Hybrid automated vehicle will test current and future sensing systems and driver-assist technologies. Ford’s goal is to advance development of new technologies with its supplier partners so these features can be applied to the company’s next generation of vehicles.

“The Ford Fusion Hybrid automated vehicle represents a vital step toward our vision for the future of mobility,” said Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford. “We see a future of connected cars that communicate with each other and the world around them to make driving safer, ease traffic congestion and sustain the environment. By doing this, Ford is set to have an even greater impact in our next 100 years than we did in our first 100.”

Today’s Ford vehicles already have technology that enables them to park themselves, understand a driver’s voice commands, detect dangerous driving situations and assist with emergency braking. With these technologies and others that one day could allow a person to be driven to a destination, the driver always will need to be in control of the wheel if necessary.

“In the future, automated driving may well help us improve driver safety and manage issues such as traffic congestion and global gridlock, yet there are still many questions that need to be answered and explored to make it a long-term reality,” said Raj Nair, group vice president, Ford global product development. “With the automated Ford Fusion Hybrid research project, our goal is to test the limits of full automation and determine the appropriate levels for near- and mid-term deployment.”

The automated Fusion Hybrid will serve as the research platform to develop potential solutions for these longer-term societal, legislative and technological issues raised by a future of fully automated vehicles.
The Fusion Hybrid research vehicle builds on driver-in-control studies conducted in Ford’s VIRTTEX driving simulator. Using VIRTTEX, Ford researchers study how to merge the capabilities of human and automated drivers to create a seamless, integrated experience.

Ford’s Blueprint for Mobility

Last year at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Bill Ford outlined Ford Motor Company’s Blueprint for Mobility – a plan that describes what the automaker believes transportation will look like in 2025 and beyond, and the technologies, business models and partnerships needed to get there.

Today, Ford is working on improving technology already used in vehicles on the road. This includes functions that alert drivers to traffic jams and accidents, and technologies for parking and for driving in slow-moving traffic.

In the mid-term, vehicle-to-vehicle communications will begin to enter into the mainstream. This will include some autopilot capabilities, such as vehicle “platooning,” where vehicles traveling in the same direction sync up their movements to create denser driving patterns.

In the longer-term, vehicles will have fully autonomous navigation and parking. They will communicate with each other and the world around them, and become one element of a fully integrated transportation ecosystem. Personal vehicle ownership also will change as new business models develop. The benefits include improved safety, reduced traffic congestion and the ability to achieve major environmental improvements.

Tomorrow’s Technology, Today

The Ford Fusion Hybrid was chosen as the test platform for the new research effort because it is among the leaders in offering the most advanced driver-assist technologies in its class.

These technologies include Blind Spot Information System, active park assist, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support. These vehicle sensing systems, offered on many Ford vehicles today, are the building blocks for the future of fully automated driving.

In North America, these technologies can be found on Ford Focus, C-MAX hybrids, Fusion, Taurus, Escape, Explorer and Flex. In Europe, these technologies are available on Ford C-MAX, Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy.

“Products such as Ford Fusion Hybrid give us a head start in the development of automated features,” said Paul Mascarenas, chief technical officer and vice president, Ford research and innovation. “Our Blueprint for Mobility aligns the desired outcomes of our work in automated functionality with the democratization of driver-assist technology found on today’s lineup of Ford products.”

Ford’s Fusion Hybrid research vehicle is unique in that it first uses the same technology found in Ford vehicles in dealer showrooms today, then adds four scanning infrared light sensors – named LiDAR (for Light Detection And Ranging) – that scan the road at 2.5 million times per second. LiDAR uses light in the same way a bat or dolphin uses sound waves, and can bounce infrared light off everything within 200 feet to generate a real-time 3D map of the surrounding environment.

The sensors can track anything dense enough to redirect light – whether stationary objects, or moving objects such as vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists. The sensors are so sensitive they can sense the difference between a paper bag and a small animal at nearly a football field away.

Working Together

Developing the necessary infrastructure to support a sustainable transportation ecosystem will require the collaboration of many partners across multiple industries. State Farm and the University of Michigan’s robotics and automation research team are critical to creating the visionary research project.

Ford’s work with others on the future of mobility is longstanding. Ford was an active participant in the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)-controlled autonomous vehicle challenges in 2004, 2005 and 2007, the year Ford extended its efforts to include the University of Michigan.

While Ford is responsible for developing unique components allowing for the vehicle to function at high levels of automation, the University of Michigan – under the direction of faculty members Ryan Eustice and Edwin Olson – is leading in development of sensor-based technologies. The sensors aid in the logic and virtual decision making necessary to help the vehicle understand its physical surroundings on the road.

The university’s researchers are processing the trillions of bytes of data collected by the vehicle’s sensors, from which they can build a 3D model of the environment around the vehicle. The goal is to help the vehicle – and the driver – make appropriate and safe driving decisions.

“This research builds on the University of Michigan’s long history of pioneering automotive research with Ford,” said Alec Gallimore, associate dean of research and graduate education at the school’s College of Engineering. “The unique collaboration will enable Ford to benefit from the university’s deep knowledge of robotics and automation, and it will allow University of Michigan faculty and students to work side-by-side with some of the best auto engineers in the world.”

Meanwhile, State Farm has been working with Ford to assess the impact of driver-assist technologies to determine if the technologies can lower the rate of rear collisions.

Last year there were nearly 34,000 fatalities due to traffic accidents in the United States. By developing more intelligent vehicles, Ford helps create smarter drivers.

“By teaming up with Ford and the University of Michigan in this research, we are continuing our decades-long commitment to making vehicles, roadways and drivers safer,” said State Farm Chairman and CEO Edward Rust. “The changes new technologies bring to our lives are exciting, and we are always looking at how technology can better meet the ever-changing needs of our customers.”

Setting the Stage for Mobility in Michigan

Today’s Ford Fusion Hybrid research vehicle announcement follows an aggressive plan released this week by Business Leaders for Michigan to position the state as the global center for mobility and grow up to 100,000 new jobs in its auto sector by becoming a hub for excellence in advanced powertrain, lightweight and smart/connected transportation technologies.

With Bill Ford as champion of Business Leaders for Michigan’s mobility initiative, the plan has been developed with a coalition of top industry experts, the Center for Automotive Research and McKinsey & Company. The plan identifies growth strategies for the auto sector as it transitions to an increasingly advanced technology-based sector.

Source: Ford

Five Fords Qualify Top 10 At Pocono

FORD QUALIFYING RESULTS
3^rd       Carl Edwards
6^th       Joey Logano
7^th       Greg Biffle
8^th       Marcos Ambrose
10^th     Aric Almirola
11^th     Brad Keselowski
17^th     Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
29^th     Casey Mears
30^th     David Ragan
37^th     David Gilliland

CARL EDWARDS, No. 99 Fastenal Ford Fusion (Qualified 3^rd) – “I left a little bit out there but not much. This is a really good race car. My guys did a great job. Jimmy Fennig and the engineers took a pretty big stab at our setup because we didn’t have it right at the end of practice. To pick up over a second, I was really proud of that. I was talking to Jimmy after I came in. It is really difficult when your car is that much faster to get it right the first lap. It is hard to guess what the car is going to do. I am really proud of that lap. Hopefully we stay in the top-five. A good starting spot here can mean the difference between winning and losing here.”

GREG BIFFLE, No. 16 3M Ford Fusion (Qualified 7^th) – “I think I got what I needed. I was just looking at the clouds. You can really feel it cool off here when the clouds come in. From the time I buckled in my car to standing here now it feels 10 degrees cooler. These big long straightaways that means a great deal of speed. I am really happy with that lap and our pick-up. I wish I would have gotten a little more out of it but that’s all the car had. I was sliding in turn one and felt like I got every ounce of speed the car had. I was a little too hot off the line and it might have cost us a little off of four to the start-finish, but it was a pretty good lap overall.”

BRAD KESELOWSKI, No. 2 Redd’s Apple Ale Ford Fusion (Qualified 11^th) – YOU BARELY MADE IT BACK HERE TO PIT ROAD. WAS THERE AN ISSUE? “No, I just shut it off and was taking a nice little ride on a beautiful Pennsylvania day with the windows down and my hand out and the engine off. It felt great.”  ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THAT LAP? “I am never satisfied. It is a pretty good improvement from where we were in practice, so that is good. I think we still need to find a little bit more though.”

ARIC ALMIROLA, No. 43 GoBowling.com Ford Fusion (Qualified 10^th) – “That was definitely good pick-up. We struggled in practice and had a chance to go back and sit down and look at the notes. We were off on a few things so Todd Parrott and my engineers made quite a few changes to our Ford Fusion and we made it a lot better. I didn’t know what to expect so I think we probably could have been better than that but we were so off in qualifying trim in practice that we had to make so many adjustments and I was trying to be a little conservative. I will take that. That is not a bad effort and hopefully it should be top-15-ish for the race.”

JOEY LOGANO, No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford Fusion (Qualified 6^th) – “Yeah, that was not bad. We were alright. We were fifth in practice and that is probably around where we will end up. Overall the track picked up a full second it feels like and I feel like my lap was pretty good. I left a little in one because I was too tight there, so we need to fix that but I feel like I under drove three. That would have been a tenth or so and that would have put us about second if the car was perfect. We need to find a little more speed in our car but overall the car was pretty good.”

CARL EDWARDS POST QUALIFYING PRESS CONFERENCE

CARL EDWARDS, No. 99 Fastenal Ford Fusion – TELL US ABOUT YOUR LAP OUT THERE. “We got very fortunate with our draw. The track was getting faster and faster so that was very good for us. We didn’t expect to pick up that much so that was a nice surprise to drive down into turn one and have that much grip. Starting position is really important here. We feel like we were pretty fast in race trim. I haven’t looked at the weather forecast but someone said there might be some weather tomorrow. We were fortunate to spend some time in race trim today. I am ready to go racing. I am pretty excited about hopefully our turnaround from last week. That was miserable.”

Source: Ford

2014 Ford F-150 Tremor Sport Truck Will Pace Field For NASCAR Trucks Race At Michigan International Speedway

• 2014 Ford F-150 Tremor has been chosen to pace the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Michigan National Guard 200 on Saturday, Aug. 17

• 2014 Ford F-150 Tremor sport truck with EcoBoost^® engine cranks out 365 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque, delivering V8 power with V6 fuel economy

• Ford F-150 Tremor will be on sale this fall

DEARBORN, Mich. -The 2014 Ford F-150 Tremor – the first EcoBoost^®-powered sport truck – will lead the field to the green flag at the always-fast Michigan International Speedway for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Michigan National Guard 200 on Saturday, Aug. 17.

“Michigan International Speedway is one of the fastest tracks on the NASCAR circuit, so the vehicle pacing the field also needs to be fast,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing. “The 2014 Ford F-150 Tremor, with its light-weight configuration, EcoBoost engine and launch-optimized performance, is well-suited for this job.”

This 2014 Ford F-150 Tremor’s EcoBoost engine is the same powerful powertrain customers can buy – the only major modification to the pace truck is a bank of safety lights mandated by NASCAR. The short-wheelbase, regular-cab Tremor goes on sale this fall delivering distinctive looks and performance.

The all-new truck couples the style of the FX Appearance Package with an EcoBoost engine and a launch-optimized 4.10 rear axle – the shortest final drive ratio offered in an EcoBoost F-150 – to help provide customers with fast acceleration. The FX Appearance Package features stealthy, flat-black accents that include unique 20-inch wheels, stylized bodyside graphics and black badges with red lettering.

Tremor is the only regular-cab F-150 offering a flow-through center console and bucket seats. Interior touches include black leather seating surfaces with red piping, brushed-metal accents and a red-stitched steering wheel. Alcantara^® seat inserts add texture and style as well.

F-150 Tremor is powered exclusively by Ford’s groundbreaking 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, which features:

• 365 horsepower at 5,000 rpm on regular fuel
• 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,500 rpm
• Twin independent variable camshaft timing for improved performance and fuel economy

An electronic locking rear differential that’s standard for both two- and four-wheel-drive versions helps deliver the power to the pavement by improving traction during takeoff.

The 2014 F-150 Tremor also comes standard with SYNC^® with MyFord Touch^®, which includes a large 8-inch LCD color touch screen mounted in the center stack. This package adds a media hub with two USB ports, an SD card reader and audio/video input jacks.

Saturday’s race caps a busy week for the Ford F-150 Tremor:

• On Wednesday, Aug. 14, reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Brad Keselowski will drive hot laps with the 2014 Ford F-150 Tremor at Michigan International Speedway. The Rochester Hills, Mich., native is looking to defend his Sprint Cup title in his Ford Fusion
• On Thursday, Aug. 15, the F-150 Tremor will be the subject of a live Tremor Talk web chat featuring Brian Bell, F-150 marketing manager, also known as the father of the 2014 Ford F-150 Tremor, co-hosted with Edmunds.com

“We are proud to continue using Ford trucks to pace the field at MIS,” said Allison. “Just like last year when we showcased the F-150 FX4, we’re using this Michigan race as a platform to promote another one of the outstanding products in the Ford F-150 lineup.”

Source:  Ford

Ford Reveals All-New Focus Sedan, Retains World's Best-Selling Nameplate Title For 2013

• Ford Focus ranks as the best-selling vehicle nameplate in the world, based on just-released Polk new vehicle registration data for the 2013 calendar year

• Focus gains momentum with 50 percent sales growth in Chinese market

• New Focus four-door sedan globally unveiled, featuring leading combination of technology, fuel economy and power

DEARBORN, Mich., April 09, 2014 - Ford Focus retains its title as world’s best-selling vehicle nameplate for 2013, according to Ford analysis of the just-released full-year Polk new vehicle registration data from IHS Automotive. The news comes as a new Focus four-door sedan prepares to make its debut at next week’s 2014 New York International Auto Show.

Registrations of the compact Focus were up 8.1 percent with 1,097,618 cars sold worldwide last year. That compares with global Focus sales of 1,014,965 in 2012.

Market gains for Focus continue to be driven by consumer demand in China. China registrations were up 50 percent in 2013 to 403,219 vehicles, up from 268,354 vehicles in 2012. China now is responsible for just more than one out of three Focus vehicles sold globally, based on Polk data.

The debut of the new Focus four-door sedan and the Focus Electric in New York follows the Geneva Motor Show debut in March of the Focus three- and five-door hatchback and wagon. A new version of the performance Focus ST will be shown later this year.

The redesigned Ford Focus offers a bolder exterior design, a more intuitive and upscale interior, a host of technologies uncommon for a compact car and the additional powertrain option of Ford’s award-winning 1.0-liter EcoBoost^® engine with a new six-speed manual transmission in the U.S.-spec Focus. While U.S. EPA fuel economy ratings are not yet available, Ford expects the 1.0-liter EcoBoost Focus to raise the bar in fuel efficiency among non-hybrid compact vehicles.

For 2015, Focus adds an SE Sport Package, which includes new body treatments, paddle shifters (requires automatic transmission), a revised touring suspension, 17-inch black gloss aluminum wheels and P215/50 HR-17 tires.

The paddle shift feature provides drivers an additional element of control by allowing them to simulate the manual gear selection aspects of a manual transmission and extract more power from their engines.

Also notable for 2015, Ford’s popular MyKey^® feature will be standard on all trim levels. An all-new heated steering wheel will be available as well as 10 different wheels as factory options.

“It is remarkable to see Focus again lead the industry as the No. 1-selling vehicle nameplate on the planet,” said Jim Farley, Ford executive vice president, Ford Motor Company Global Marketing, Sales and Service and Lincoln. “With the new car, we’ve raised the bar again, showcasing Ford’s commitment to continuous improvement – adding better technology for drivers and a sleeker, more modern exterior across the entire Focus family.”

While the latest Focus is essentially the same worldwide, color preference varies. In the U.S. market, Sterling Gray is the most popular at 21 percent of sales, with Tuxedo Black second at 15 percent. In China, Crystal Solid White is overwhelmingly the most popular with just more than 50 percent of sales. Candy Red is second at 17 percent.

Fiesta World’s Best-Selling Subcompact

Ford’s analysis of Polk new vehicle registrations also confirms Ford Fiesta earned the top spot as the best-selling subcompact car globally, with 735,299 registrations for 2013.

Together, registrations of Ford’s small cars – Fiesta and Focus – totaled 1,832,917 vehicles last year, which is a 4.3 percent increase from 2012.

Award-Winning 1.0-Liter EcoBoost

In addition to a host of styling and technology advances, the new Focus will offer the efficient, fun-to-drive 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine with a six-speed manual transmission. Automotive journalists globally named it International Engine of the Year for 2012 and 2013.

“The 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine is proof that excellent fuel economy and performance can come in one package,” said Raj Nair, group vice president, Ford Global Product Development. “Focus is already known for bringing together efficiency and fun, and our latest offering will bring consumers a whole new level of enjoyment – on the road and in what they’ll save at the pump.”

The smallest engine in Ford’s growing EcoBoost family – already available in Fiesta - will come standard in Focus with an Auto Start-Stop feature that automatically shuts down the engine at stops and instantly turns it back on at takeoff.

EcoBoost technology combines smaller-displacement engines with turbocharging, direct injection, variable valve timing and proprietary Ford software to bring customers outstanding performance and fuel economy. Ford EcoBoost engines can deliver significantly better fuel economy than larger-displacement gasoline engines.

New Focus customers also will enjoy a quieter ride, achieved by thicker carpets and side window glass and improved engine-bay insulation.

Stylish New Focus

The new Focus arrives with a bolder look. It features a restyled hood and grille, signature LED lighting for headlamps and taillamps, new rear lamp clusters and a restyled trunk lid. Four-door and five-door versions will be available in the United States.

Inside, colors and materials have a clean, modern look, with satin chrome detailing, new seat trims and switches, and an available heated steering wheel. A new center console incorporating adjustable cupholders improves storage capacity.

Advanced Technologies

A package of sensors brings a new level of convenience for compact car customers by adding driver-assist technologies, including a rear view camera, available Blind Spot Information System and a lane-keeping system.

Standard on Focus for the first time, the rearview camera will appear on either a 4.2-inch screen or the 8-inch screen that comes with MyFord Touch^®-equipped cars.

BLIS^® uses two advanced multiple-beam radar modules, the same used with cross-traffic alert, which are packaged in both rear quarter panels. The radar identifies when a vehicle enters the defined blind spot zone and illuminates an indicator light on the corresponding sideview mirror, providing a warning that a vehicle is approaching.

Should a Focus driver start to drift out of the current lane without a turn signal activated, the lane-keeping system provides a warning through a series of steering wheel vibrations that mimic a rumble strip. If the unintended lane departure is not corrected by the driver, the aid function of the system actively applies steering to help the driver direct the car back toward the center of the current lane.

The new Focus benefits from advancements in exterior styling, interior design, powertrain and technology, as well as suspension and chassis upgrades.

These include a new shock absorber valve design providing improved interior quietness, and a change to the rear suspension to give drivers a more connected feel to the road. The electric power-assisted steering has been retuned to make the driver feel even more connected to the road.

Enhanced SYNC AppLink

Focus drivers will have access to powerful new capabilities thanks to a host of functions developers can integrate as they modify their apps to communicate with enhanced SYNC^® AppLink^™.

Android and iOS smartphone users can download more than 60 AppLink-enabled apps from the Apple App Store and Android market.

New functions include:

• Connected apps can access a variety of real-time vehicle data such as speed, acceleration, odometer and location information that can be used by the app to further customize and personalize the owner experience. For example, access to the in-vehicle GPS signal can enable more precise and accurate location-based services than phone sensors
• More consistent user experience thanks to voice pass-through capability. This enables developers to use on-device or cloud-based voice-recognition systems to evaluate driver commands, meaning drivers can use the same set of voice commands to control an app when connected to the vehicle as they would use when not connected
• Notifications read aloud as a driver enters the car, with no need to touch the phone. Best of all, alerts are available any time a mobile device is connected to SYNC AppLink, even if the app is not currently active. This means a driver could get an alert about a traffic jam ahead while listening to the radio or using another app

Ford builds the Focus in eight manufacturing plants on four continents. Facilities in Germany, the United States, Russia, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan and Argentina have a combined capacity to build more than 1.5 million Focus cars annually at a rate of more than two per second.

Since the launch of Focus in 1998, the best-selling vehicle nameplate in the world for two years running has sold more than 12 million vehicles globally.

Source:  Ford

Ford Pays Homage To Five Decades Of The World’s Favorite Pony Car With Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition

• The 50 Year Limited Edition builds on the all-new 2015 Ford Mustang GT fastback and will be available in either Wimbledon White or Kona Blue
• Special-edition Mustang comes standard with nearly every available option; the only choice customers have to make is color, and manual or automatic transmission
• 2015 Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition will be available in fall 2014; only 1,964 examples will ever be built

NEW YORK, April 16, 2014 - Fifty years after debuting one of the world’s most popular cars, Ford is marking the milestone by revealing a Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition. Created to honor five decades of Mustang heritage, only 1,964 examples of the 50 Year Limited Edition will ever be built when it goes on sale this fall.

“When Mustang was approved for development more than 50 years ago, I don’t think anyone imagined it would spawn such a dedicated base of fans around the world and still be in production today,” said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company. “We are thrilled to be here in New York – where Mustang was first shown to the public at the 1964 World’s Fair – to re-create that historic event for today’s Mustang enthusiasts.”

Based on the all-new 2015 Mustang GT fastback with performance pack, the 50 Year Limited Edition is designed to provide customers with outstanding performance and a unique appearance that will be instantly recognizable on the road. The only options for the 50 Year Limited Edition are the choice of two exclusive colors and a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

50 Years of Inspiration

“The new Mustang blends a muscular, contemporary shape with design cues that define it as quintessentially Mustang,” said Moray Callum, Ford vice president of design. “The 50 Year Limited Edition adds details that set it apart from other Mustangs, while hearkening back to the 1965 original.”

The only two available colors are Wimbledon White, like Mustang serial No. 0001 that was first sold to Capt. Stanley Tucker in April 1964, or Kona Blue. Both are exclusive to this limited-edition car.

“Chrome trim was much more prevalent on cars in the 1960s than it is today, so we added some discreet highlights for the grille, side glass and tri-bar taillamps,” said Callum. “The darker Kona Blue provides a particularly striking contrast against the chrome.”

Chrome bezels surrounding the base of each of the three taillamp blades take inspiration from the original 1962 design proposal by Gale Halderman that became the basis for the production model that debuted in 1964. The three individual lamps on each side of that design were combined into a single tri-bar lamp cluster for production, but the original concept has returned five decades on. The Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition will be the only 2015 model with the large faux gas cap badge on the rear fascia, with 50 Years added to the GT designation.

Another visual element that won’t be found on any other Mustang is the louvered rear quarter-windows. Unlike the external louvers on the quarter-windows of the 1965 fastback, the new windows are comprised of layered sheets of glass built with a construction technique uniquely developed for this car.

Unique Cockpit Experience

From behind the wheel, drivers will know they are driving a very special car. The aluminum trim panel that spans the double-brow instrument panel gets an axel spin finish different from other 2015 Mustangs, plus a special serialized 50 Year Limited Edition badge on the passenger side. Each badge will be individually etched at Flat Rock Assembly Plant where Mustang is built.

The limited-edition is the only 2015 Mustang with a cashmere-stitched, leather-wrapped steering wheel. The stitching is also used on the instrument panel, shifter boot, center armrest, door inserts and seats. The seats feature exclusive two-tone cashmere and black leather upholstery, and the Mustang 50 Year logo on the seat backs.

Limited-edition cars will be equipped with loop-carpet floor mats with cashmere stitching and suede binding not available on other Mustangs.

A Showpiece Meant to be Driven

“Mustang fans love to drive their cars, even the rarer examples of the breed, so we built this limited-edition from the best-performing 2015 Mustang available – the GT fastback with the performance pack,” said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer. “While some collectors will undoubtedly stash this car away in a museum, those who choose to hit the open road will get a world-class sports car that can run with the best.”

Powered by the upgraded 5.0-liter V8 engine delivering more than 420 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque, every 50 Year Limited Edition will be equipped with the Mustang GT performance pack that includes massive six-piston Brembo front brakes and 19-inch alloy wheels with high-performance Y-speed-rated Pirelli P-Zero summer tires.

The 19-inch alloy wheels feature a unique Y-spoke design inspired by the chromed steel wheels that were offered on the original Mustang 50 years ago. The front wheels are 9.0 inches wide with 255/40R tires, while the staggered rear wheels are 9.5 inches wide with 275/40R tires.

The 50 Year Limited Edition is the only 2015 Mustang that will be available with a combination of an automatic transmission and the performance pack. When equipped with the six-speed automatic transmission, the Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition will get a limited-slip rear differential with a 3.55:1 final-drive. Customers who opt for the six-speed manual will get a Torsen differential with a 3.73:1 final-drive ratio.

The 50 Year Limited Edition car will be among the first 2015 Mustangs built when production begins later this year. Each of the 1,964 50 Year Limited Edition Mustangs will get a unique owner’s guide in a leather portfolio with the 50 Year badge on the outside.

“We wanted to provide our most dedicated fans with the emotion of the original Mustang in a 21st century car,” said Ford. “With this 50 Year Limited Edition, I believe we have accomplished our goal.”

Source:  Ford

Ford Transit Connect Wagon: The Unminivan Breaks From Traditional Seven-Passenger People Mover

• A different kind of seven-seat people mover, the all-new 2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon combines style, efficiency and adaptability in an affordable package

• Transit Connect Wagon is the #unminivan, offering class-leading cargo and passenger space, and an EPA-estimated 29 mpg highway when equipped with 1.6-liter EcoBoost^®

• With the convenience of dual sliding side doors, fold-flat second- and third-row seating, a maximum payload of 1,270 pounds, choice of a rear liftgate or side-hinged cargo doors, and starting around $25,000, Transit Connect Wagon takes adaptability to a new level

LOS ANGELES, Cal., May 2, 2014 - Think of the all-new 2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon as the #unminivan.

Fuel efficient, flexible, uniquely styled and fun to drive, Transit Connect Wagon is an affordable people mover for families and active individuals who want to be ready for whatever life brings.

“Ford’s all-new Transit Connect Wagon is unlike anything else,” said Minyang Jiang, Transit Connect brand manager, Ford Motor Company. “It drives like a car, has the flexibility of a utility and can haul the payload of a full-size pickup. This new wagon is a great combination of affordability and functionality – a unique global vehicle we’re proud to offer our customers.”

Transit Connect Wagon is now on sale in North America at a starting price of around $25,000. It is available in two wheelbase lengths – a five-passenger with removable seating or a seven-passenger with fold-flat seating. It offers sliding side doors, a choice of a rear liftgate or side-hinged cargo doors, more than 100 cubic feet of cargo space and a maximum payload of 1,270 pounds. Available trim levels include XL, XLT and the range-topping Titanium.

Customers can select from two fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines – the standard 2.5-liter with an EPA-estimated rating of 28 mpg on the highway, and a 1.6-liter EcoBoost^® with an EPA-estimated rating of 29 mpg highway.

Both engines are paired to a six-speed SelectShift^® automatic transmission designed for smooth driving around town and efficiency on the highway.

Award-Winning Transit Connect: Fun to Drive, Built Ford Tough

Transit Connect Wagon shares Ford’s global C-platform with the sporty Focus model, making it easy to maneuver in parking lots while being fun to drive on curvy roads. Torque vectoring control technology, which uses the brakes to provide stability through turns, is responsible for the fun handling characteristics the vehicle offers.

Transit Connect Wagon has been designed, engineered and tested to meet Ford’s rigorous Built Ford Tough durability standards. The testing equivalent of more than 3 million miles includes 250,000-plus miles in such demanding conditions as gravel roads, tracks that mimic rugged environments and pothole-damaged pavement.

The vehicle was introduced in Europe in 2002, and now, the 2014 Transit Connect van has been named International Van of the Year by a panel of European auto media. It debuted in North America in 2009, quickly becoming a fleet favorite for its size and capability as a hauler of people and cargo.

Now, with the arrival of the all-new Transit Connect Wagon, retail buyers have a fresh alternative to the traditional people mover.

The Transit Connect lineup posted its strongest annual sales in 2013, with just under 40,000 units sold, up 12.7 percent from 2012. Since its U.S. introduction, more than 150,000 Transit Connect models have been sold. 2014 so far has been the best year for sales of the wagon model.

California is the largest retail area for Transit Connect Wagon and van. The growth in this market is 300-plus percent more than the minivan segment, which grew by about 10 percent in the first quarter of 2014.

As Unique As Its Buyer

Transit Connect Wagon and Transit Connect van offer spacious interiors and customization options that allow owners to personalize the vehicle to their lifestyle. Ten custom-built Transit Connect vehicles were showcased at the 2013 Specialty Equipment Market Association show in November, demonstrating a range of potential uses – from a cross-country cruiser loaded with technology to a mobile video gaming station.

“Transit Connect Wagon fans are among the most passionate Ford customers, using their vehicle as a way to express their interests, hobbies and entrepreneurial spirits,” said Jiang. “From a support rig for a BMX bike team to a mobile workshop, customers have made great use of its spacious interior and flexible seating.

“Moreover, its starting price leaves some change in customers’ pockets that they can use for their passions, the things they really love in life,” Jiang added.

The short-wheelbase, five-passenger wagon model allows for the second row to flip, fold or be removed entirely. It features 77.1 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the first row with the second-row seats flipped forward, and 46.9 cubic feet of volume behind the second row.

The long-wheelbase, seven-passenger wagon model has second- and third-row seats that fold flat. It has 104.2 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the first row with the second and third row folded flat; with passengers in the second row, cargo volume reaches nearly 60 cubic feet.

The wagon model’s interior roominess is especially notable for its headroom, which bests many other seven-seat vehicles. Available headroom in the first row is 46.8 inches, with 45.1 inches in the second row. The long-wheelbase model has 41.3 inches of headroom in the third row. The excellent headroom Transit Connect Wagon offers led to Tall Clubs International recently naming it the official vehicle for the “vertically gifted.”

Drivers and passengers looking to store their stuff will find two overhead storage options in Transit Connect Wagon – an overhead storage shelf with retaining net and available aircraft-style overhead storage for rear passengers. Additionally, there’s room for small items on the floor under the first-row passenger seat. There is a second-row storage compartment in the long-wheelbase wagon model.

Advanced Driver and Safety Technology

Transit Connect Wagon customers will benefit from the availability of popular driver-assist technologies and advanced safety features.

Available driver-assist features include a rear view camera, and forward and rear-sensing systems. The rear view camera shows what is behind the vehicle on a screen located in the center dash panel. The display’s color-coded guidelines and zoom feature help the driver align the vehicle, which is especially beneficial when towing.

At low speeds, ultrasonic sensors in the rear bumper alert the driver to objects behind the vehicle, while front sensors warn of objects at the front. The closer an object is to the vehicle, the faster the beeps sound, escalating to a constant tone.

Industry-exclusive Ford MyKey^® technology is available, which can be programmed to limit top speed and audio volume, encourage seat belt use, and restrict incoming calls and texts to a paired cell phone.

The 2014 Transit Connect Wagon features side airbags for front-row occupants and side curtain airbags for all rows. The vehicle has earned a five-star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the government’s highest possible overall rating.

Source: Ford

Ford Dearborn Truck Plant Celebrates 10 Years Of Sustainable Manufacturing; Prepares To Build All-New 2015 Ford F-150

• Along with Dearborn Truck Plant marking 10 years of sustainable manufacturing and 2.6 million units of Ford F-150 production, Ford Rouge factory tour celebrates its 10^th year; a complete tour renovation starts this summer

• Dearborn Truck Plant upholds Ford’s blueprint for sustainability through its living roof and recycling programs; the facility has recycled more than 20 million pounds of cardboard, paper, plastic and wood since its opening

• Dearborn Truck Plant will begin building the all-new 2015 Ford F-150 in late 2014

DEARBORN, Mich., May, 19, 2014 - Ford Motor Company is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its groundbreaking Dearborn Truck Plant. As the centerpiece of Ford Rouge Center, Dearborn Truck Plant was conceived as Ford’s vision of sustainable manufacturing and has served as flagship for the company’s next generation of lean and flexible plants.

Dearborn Truck Plant has produced more than 2.6 million F-150 trucks since it opened in May 2004. Once home to the iconic Ford Mustang, the plant now has more than 3,600 employees on a three-crew operating pattern producing 1,200 F-150 trucks daily. Later this year, production of the all-new 2015 Ford F-150 gets under way at Dearborn Truck Plant.

F-150 is part of the Ford F-Series lineup, America’s best-selling truck for 37 consecutive years and America’s best-selling vehicle for 32 years.

“Dearborn Truck Plant has set world-class standards for efficiency and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes,” said Bruce Hettle, vice president, Ford North America manufacturing. “There is no better way to celebrate 10 years of top-notch manufacturing than gearing up to build the all-new F-150. The hardworking men and women of Dearborn Truck are excited to bring this Built Ford Tough truck to our customers.”

The plant is capable of building up to nine models on three vehicle platforms. It has close to 350 robots between its body and paint shops and final assembly area. This summer, the body shop will undergo a complete renovation in preparation to build the all-new F-150.

Living Roof and Sustainability Efforts

Once noted as the world’s largest living roof by Guinness World Records^®, and now the largest in North America, Dearborn Truck Plant’s roof has flourished as an environmental touchstone since its installation in 2004. At 10.4 acres, the living roof sustains a diverse ecosystem, removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and reduces energy use. It is part of an innovative storm water management system that reduces runoff and costs two-thirds less than a conventional water treatment process.

The facility maximizes the use of natural light and ventilation to reduce the financial and environmental costs of heating, cooling and powering the plant. The paint shop uses water-based primer and base coat systems that minimize harmful volatile emissions while also maintaining paint quality.

Efforts are made to use as much recyclable packaging as possible to reduce the volume of waste. A total waste management system incorporating transportation, disposal, recycling, reclamation and reuse of plant waste is in operation at Dearborn Truck Plant. To date, the facility has recycled more than 20 million pounds of cardboard, paper, plastic and wood.

Ford Rouge Factory Tour

More than 1 million visitors from all over the world have taken the Ford Rouge factory tour, including racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Dennis Hastert and former President of Mexico Vicente Fox.

A self-guided, six-part experience, the tour is designed to educate visitors on the history of Ford Rouge Center and provide a 360-degree look at how vehicles are made. Visitors are afforded the opportunity to view the final assembly process of Ford F-150 from an elevated walkway.

This summer, the tour program undergoes a renovation, which will include new films, exhibits and hands-on experiences tied to the launch of the all-new F-150.

“The Rouge factory tour is a true gem, in that it showcases the history and the legacy of Henry Ford’s industrial vision, while highlighting the innovation taking place at Ford today,” said Cynthia Jones, general manager, Ford Rouge factory tour. “As we evolve the tour, we plan to create something memorable that people young and old can enjoy for years to come.”

The tour has been recognized as one of 10 great places that inspire innovation by USA Today. It is ranked No. 4 on Time magazine’s “Detroit: 10 Things to Do” list.

2015 Ford F-150

Along with Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Mo., Dearborn Truck Plant will be the production site of the all-new Ford F-150, which sets the standard for the future of trucks. The use of advanced materials – including more high-strength steel than ever in the frame and high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy throughout the vehicle body – improves durability while saving up to 700 pounds, giving customers greater towing, payload and fuel efficiency performance.

When it arrives in showrooms later this year, the all-new F-150 will have undergone more than 10 million miles of torture testing to ensure it meets or exceeds Built Ford Tough standards.

In addition to an all-new 2.7-liter EcoBoost^® engine offering, the 2015 F-150 features a complete lineup of powertrains to let customers tailor the toughest, smartest, most capable pickup truck ever to their needs. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine returns, an all-new normally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 debuts and there is an improved 5.0-liter V8.

Source: Ford

2015 F-150 Most Patented Truck In Ford History

From its tailgate step to the LED spotlights found on the side mirrors, the next-generation 2015 Ford F-150’s new features and technologies make it the most patented truck in company history.

“The all-new F-150 is loaded with innovation,” said Alana Strager, Ford program analyst charged with tracking new innovations for the 2015 truck. “Ford engineers filed more than 100 new patents for technologies on this truck as they have worked to redefine the light-duty pickup for the next generation.”

Patents and patent applications abound for state-of-the-art technologies covering new features and breakthroughs that will benefit customers of the all-new 2015 F-150. The scope of these innovations includes every part of the truck – body, exterior, interior, chassis, design, electrical and engine – as well as its manufacturing processes.

• 2015 Ford F-150 has more new Ford technology patents and/or patent applications than any truck in Ford history, offering customers innovative technologies throughout – everything from the tailgate to the front end
• All-new F-150 boasts more than 100 new Ford patents and/or patent applications, making this vehicle a benchmark for new technologies in Ford’s storied history of truck leadership
• A Ford-developed heat treatment method for aluminum alloy nearly doubles the strength of the material, helping achieve better dent and ding resistance while reducing weight

Patenting a smarter truck

Examples of Ford’s state-of-the-art technologies on the new 2015 F-150 include segment-exclusive LED spotlights found on the side mirrors, innovative remote tailgate release and smart trailer tow features that make towing easier.

• Innovative LED side-mirror spotlights allow customers to illuminate the side of the vehicle for tasks from setting up a campsite to changing a tire
• Remote tailgate release automatically lowers the tailgate with the push of a button on the key fob – a first for a pickup truck
• Ford’s pioneering tailgate step has been completely reengineered so it fully integrates into the tailgate, making it virtually invisible when not in use. The tailgate drops down into position in one easy motion. The grab handle is now housed inside the tailgate, which keeps the inner surface of the tailgate uniformly flat
• BoxLink™ cargo management system includes lockable, die-cast aluminum tie-down cleats, and provides a unique interface to the box for improved flexibility and organization, as well as additional locations for tie-downs. Available segment-first cargo ramps can be stowed on the sides of the pickup box via the BoxLink system and mounted quickly on the tailgate to enable easy loading of ATVs, motorcycles or mowers

Other smart features never offered before on a Ford pickup include 360-degree camera view, integrated loading ramps stowed in the pickup bed, 400-watt power outlets inside the cab and LED headlights.

Patenting toughness

Mounted on an exceptionally strong and well-proven high-strength steel frame, the all-new Ford F-150 incorporates the latest high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloys to form the body and cargo box.

The aluminum is heat-treated using a proprietary method developed by Ford engineers that nearly doubles the strength of the metal. Ford is first in the auto industry to use this methodology.

Additionally, Ford engineers have filed patent applications for spot welding methods, adhesives and hydroforming this first-of-its-kind truck.

“Ford is teaching the world how to build a next-generation truck, and the more than 100 patents filed by the F-150 team for technologies on the 2015 truck further proves these Ford engineers and designers lead the automotive industry in innovation,” said Strager.

Source: Ford

2011 Ford Start Concept

Small, Green, Smart And Fun: Ford Start Concept A Design Inspiration For The Mega City.

For parts of the world that are growing increasingly urban, the future of the automobile looks small, green, smart and fun in the eyes of Ford designers who created the Ford Start Concept. It's a design vision inspired for the transportation needs of the world's mega cities.

Making its global debut at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show, the Ford Start Concept is more than simply a design exploration into the feasibility of a small car. It also demonstrates how Ford will extend the promise of its EcoBoost engine technology story even further – previewing a fuel-efficient petrol Ford EcoBoost engine with just three cylinders and 1.0 liter of displacement, yet the power of a larger, 1.6-litre I4 engine.

Start Concept was inspired in part by a growing global trend toward mass urbanization. The world's top 20 mega-cities are home to consumers whose needs, attitudes and expectations may have more in common with mega-city dwellers in other nations than with their own countrymen. While these consumers share the challenges of living in an urban society, they also increasingly seek out product solutions that bring the best the world has to offer.

These insights inspired Ford designers to envision a future sporty, small-car package geared to their needs and urban mindset.

Today, more than 50 percent of the world's population lives in an urban area. By 2050, that number is expected to skyrocket to more than 70 percent. Already, congested highways, space for parking, concerns over fuel efficiency as well as the availability and price of fuel are driving automakers to look at vehicles and personal transportation more differently than ever before.

	Vital Stats
Engine : 1.0 L., 3-cylinder

'Our ambition with the Ford Start Concept was to design a car that transcends the practical realities of commuting in these mega cities and goes beyond just dressing the technology. We wanted to design a car you would also love,' explained Freeman Thomas, design director.

Living in the mega city poses unique challenges and inspires unique lifestyles and attitudes. Just as traffic congestion issues are common in these geographic areas, the answers to solve the issues of a new generation of future small cars for these urban markets may also be found in the Ford Start Concept.

'The team has delivered a concept car which reflects a decidedly playful take on Ford kinetic design and builds on our fun-to-drive DNA, yet addresses real issues that everyone will be facing in the future of car design,' said Martin Smith, executive director, Ford Europe and Asia Pacific Design.

As Ford has found with its global ONE Ford strategy, what was once a regional or individual market issue, is now global. Across the world, more consumers are confronting issues including 'green' technology, more efficient use of available space, recycling and asking if big is necessarily better. It's an attitude that unites urbanizes around the world.

Searching for efficient power, using lightweight materials that can be recycled and optimizing interior space with a small exterior footprint are some of the challenges designers explored.

Could Ford deliver on these challenges, while also creating a concept that would enhance Ford's fun-to-drive DNA?

At the forefront, Ford has introduced some very real technology in the Start Concept to address fuel efficiency, reduce the use raw of materials and minimize carbon the footprint of a car.

Equipped with a powerful new Ford EcoBoost 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine to maximize fuel efficiency and meet lower emission standards, Ford's latest concept car includes technology that is class leading and will come into production in the near future. With CO2 emissions of less that 100 g/km, the petrol engine has power and drivability comparable to an I4 powerplant.

Ford Start Concept also introduces a MyFord Mobile Concept that pairs with a smart phone to allow occupants to perform a multitude of in-car functions, all wrapped in a Sub-B design concept that uses lightweight material and aerodynamics.

'It may be small with a minimal amount of features but we haven't ignored the basics like delivering more 'traditional' driving characteristics including sporty handling, a simple analogue interface and an interior that is pure and authentic like early sport cars from the 1950's,' Thomas added.

Exterior Design

 
'With the Ford Start Concept, we didn't set out to design some sort of utilitarian concept to save the world, nor were we interested in following the competitive trend toward an overly noisy design language. What we did set out to do was design a personality driven car that exudes warmth, charm and aspiration...to design a car worth bonding with,' said J Mays, group vice president Design and chief creative officer, Ford Motor Company.

Crisp highlights are incorporated into a smooth exterior shell constructed with lightweight composite body panels.

Ford's trademark kinetic trapezoidal grill moves upward onto the rounded, sleek form, reducing the number of prominent openings from two to one and creating a face that's both sporting and efficient.

The entire exterior surface of the Ford Start Concept has been designed with flush-mounted aerodynamic features designed to cheat the wind – providing a minimal amount of drag while achieving maximum fuel efficiency.

Efficiency also is evident in the teardrop silhouette and ground plan, in the full aerodynamic underbody and in the reduced cross sectional area.

Flush, stamped aluminum wheels and a subtle fin on the roof, which also houses the center high mounted stop lamp, complete the aerodynamic detailing.

Slim, laser-cut LED headlamps provide high-intensity light through trapezoid tubes. Two sets of running lamps, including a pair located in the headlamp design and a pair of lower running lamps, provide nighttime illumination.

The long, thin upper headlamps sweep from the center of the fascia into the side of the fender. 'digital pulse' turn indicators are housed in the lower running lamp.

The innovative hybrid aluminum, high-strength steel body construction features a lightweight aluminum safety cell that provides a rigid attachment structure for the glass and roof, as well as housing side curtain air bags. All exterior body panels are made from deformable, pre-coloured recyclable composites.

The roof appears separated by glass from the overall body and immediately evokes images of sleek, sporty hardtop designs while providing full panoramic visibility for the driver.

As an added feature, the composite roof panel also is designed to snap fit on the vehicle and could easily be removed and exchanged by the owner as a customized accessory.

All glass is flush mounted for minimal wind resistance, trimmed tightly wîth brushed steel to accentuate the crisp lines included in the form of the greenhouse. Visibility and driver safety are optimised by recessed B-pillars and see-through C-pillars, plus a wraparound rear window allowing for a 180-degree view.

Like the front fenders, rear quarter panels have a minimal amount of overhang wîth just 629 millimetres from the rear wheel centre to rear bumper. Rear wheel arches are pronounced and contribute to the overall solid stance of the Ford Start Concept from every angle.

Mirroring the laser-cut front lamp treatment, the LED tail lamps sweep into the decklid and are depressed into a pocket that cuts into the body surface. Included in the rear lamps are integral turn signals wîth a sequential feature that moves outward from the centre of the lamps when the indicator is applied, providing a sweeping effect.

The rear of the Ford Start Concept is equipped wîth a traditional boot. The backlight is fixed.
A centre-mounted, cast aluminium tip is fitted to the exhaust pipe to provide a finishing touch.

The flush, aerodynamic wheels designed for the Ford Start Concept are pressed aluminium measuring 17-by-6.5 inches, fitted wîth exclusively designed Michelin Green X 205/45R17 tyres. A unique tread design combines to minimise noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) while providing reduced rolling resistance for better fuel efficiency.

To help minimise the aerodynamic inefficiencies found in various pockets and intrusions under the car, the Ford Start Concept is fitted wîth a full underbody belly pan. The one-piece pan provides an effective solution to reducing drag from air flow passing under the vehicle. Coarse road noise also is dampened.

The concept is based upon a chassis wîth a wheelbase that is 2300 millimetres and an overall length under 3700 millimetres. The width is 1672 millimetres wîth height at approximately 1400 millimetres.

Interior design

 
The minimalist approach extends into the interior of Ford Start Concept with a simplistic, twin cockpit, 'tub' design that provides seating for up to four occupants. The tub interior provides a unique appearance, higher quality and reduced cost through its simplified, one piece construction.
The instrument panel includes a pod-type cluster that easily converts to both left- and right-hand drive versions.

The sweeping instrument panel and console are constructed with a single modular trim piece that starts at the base of the windshield and flows through the bottom of the center console.

The five-speed manual transmission shift lever is centrally located up high in the console. Window switches and the push button start feature are located in the center console and provide easy accessibility for either right- or left-hand drivers.

Seats, while simple, have been ergonomically designed to provide maximum comfort, personal flexibility and easy access to the rear. A mono-rail seat pedestal allows fore and aft movement and allows for access to the rear seats. Constructed with a composite shell to reduce weight, molded seat inserts are designed to snap into the seat shell and are interchangeable to suit driver preference.

The rear seating area also is constructed with a one piece mold and includes a removable seat insert.

Molded rubber is used on the floor, consistent with the simplified approach to the interior. The mat is durable and can be cleaned easily.

Rails and pillars throughout the interior are constructed of aluminium and fitted with side curtain airbags.

HMI – Human Machine Interface

Located at the top of the console is a port to connect to the MyFord Mobile concept technology, which provides a seamless driver interface conducive to safe driving practices with personal handheld devices.

Without a smart phone, car-related functions including heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), engine diagnostics and passenger airbag on/off function can be easily viewed and adjusted while driving through either voice activation or toggle and scroll controls located on the console. A wide, six-inch screen provides visuals.

As an added feature, when the driver inserts a smart phone in the docking station when the vehicle is in motion, access is available via the MyFord Mobile Concept to phone contacts and navigation tools through voice activation, as are all messaging, direction and communication features.

If the smart phone device is docked and the vehicle is parked and powered off, both the vehicle functions and icons from the user's device are available via the MyFord Mobile Concept. Icons are displayed on the large screen through Bluetooth transfer. Car functions and the speaker system also are controlled through voice activation.

MyFord Mobile Concept restricts certain functions, such as texting, while driving.

To help owners keep up with the latest trends and developments in personal electronics, the MyFord Mobile Concept is intended to be flexible, and can be adapted to suit changing mobile phone technology or driver preferences.

Powertrain

 
Ford Start is equipped with Ford EcoBoost engine technology to maximize power and fuel efficiency from a future production 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine.

Consistent with Ford's long-range goals to provide more power though sophisticated turbocharging and spark-ignited, direct-injection fuel management systems, the petrol 1.0-litre Ford EcoBoost engine delivers power and torque comparable to a normally aspirated 1.6-litre I4 powerplant. It is expected to have CO2 emissions under the 100 g/km threshold.

This engine is coupled with a five-speed manual transmission which permits gear spacing to deliver performance without sacrificing fuel economy. The transmission easily handles the higher torque levels of the 1.0-litre Ford EcoBoost engine and together with the sporty handling of the Ford Start Concept, delivers the fun-to-drive characteristics that are at the core of the Ford brand DNA.

Created by a global team of designers working at Ford's Irvine (Calif.) Strategic Concepts Group Studios, this sporty, futuristic concept combines near-production Ford EcoBoost engine technology and slick aerodynamics in an environmentally friendly package with reduced greenhouse emissions, all wrapped in an exciting design.

'As a pure, bespoke concept, the Ford Start isn't destined for production, but of course we're very interested in hearing how customers in urban growth markets react to its design and features,' Thomas said.

Source - Ford