Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Ford First to Integrate Slacker Radio App
Ford drivers with SYNC® AppLink™ now have another entertainment option with the addition of Slacker Radio to the portfolio of available SYNC-compatible smartphone apps.
AppLink builds on the award-winning SYNC connectivity system by enabling drivers to access and control apps on their smartphones by simply using their voice and allowing their hands to stay on the steering wheel and their eyes on the road.
"Customers now have so many options for accessing music and information. Ford SYNC AppLink allows us to not only keep pace with what they are listening to, but how they are listening to it," said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford Connected Services. "With its huge music library, Slacker Radio dramatically increases the content options for Ford drivers."
"Slacker listeners can create their own custom stations by selecting their favorite artists and songs, or listen to any of more than 150 stations curated by expert DJs who love the music they play," said Steve Cotter, senior vice president of Business Development at Slacker Radio. "When they're not in the mood for music, Slacker listeners can tune in to a wide variety of personalized talk content including personalized comedy, ABC News and ESPN Radio stations."
Slacker Radio offers a fully customizable and personal online radio experience that includes the most varied and compelling range of content offered by any interactive Internet radio service. The Slacker Radio experience includes over 150 expert-programmed music stations, ABC News, ESPN sports, comedy, custom artist-hosted showcase stations and leading music festival stations. Also, announced today in conjunction with ABC, Slacker lifestyle stations featuring lifestyle highlights from ABC's Good Morning America and ABC's key content partners will be available shortly. With exclusive interactive talk programming and a music catalog that is over ten times larger than the leading radio competitor, Slacker Radio gives listeners the ultimate personal radio experience.
Ford drivers will be able to use their voice or the audio system controls to select Slacker stations to play, skip songs, set favorites or even ban a song or artist they don't want to hear again. When driving into areas with limited or even no data connectivity, drivers can still listen to their favorite music by storing content directly to their phones for uninterrupted listening. In order to use Slacker with AppLink, drivers just need to update the Slacker Radio app on their smartphones to the latest version. Slacker with AppLink is now available on Android and BlackBerry with iOS pending approval. Download the SYNC-enabled version of Slacker today by visiting http://www.Slacker.com from a supported device or by searching the application store for Slacker Radio.
SYNC AppLink is available on the 2012 Ford Fusion, Fusion Hybrid, Fiesta, Mustang, F-150, F-150 SVT Raptor, Super Duty, Expedition, E-Series and Shelby GT500. The 2012 Lincoln MKZ, MKZ Hybrid and Navigator feature SYNC AppLink as standard equipment.
Monday, November 28, 2011
We would like to thank you, T.T., for sharing your experience
"Stopped by for "the works" and am nothing but pleased w/the service. I have been to plenty of Ford dealerships and service departments all over the U.S. This one ranks as one of the best yet. Berry and crew were very professional and helpful. Highly recommend it to others."
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Ford's new Mustang Shelby GT is first 200-mph muscle car
The 2013 Shelby GT500 Mustang will what Ford claims will be the most powerful production V-8 engine in the world: a 650-horsepower brute that's a full 100 hp. more than the one it replaces.
Engineers say it will just top 200 mph, but will be street legal -- and tame enough in traffic to be your daily driver, as well as weekend racer. It not only gains speed not only from the new engine, but also styling tweaks refreshing all Mustang models for 2013 as Ford tries to regain the pony car sales lead from archrival Chevrolet Camaro. All the new Mustangs are being formally unveiled Wednesday at the Los Angeles Auto Show (and Drive On will be there).
The current Shelby GT500 is electronically limited to 155 mph. The new one is not limited.
Ford has made 200 mph cars before, including the GT supercar a few years ago. Ands others also offer exotics — with sky-high prices to match — that go 200 mph-plus. There's also a Corvette version rated in excess of 200 mph. And Chevy is introducing a new ZL1 version of the Camaro with a 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 rated at 580 hp. that it vows will have "blinding acceleration."
The new Shelby will arrive in showrooms next summer, slightly behind the other new redone Mustangs, at a price Ford hasn't set yet. The current Shelby costs $49,605.
The goal was to "put the Shelby back on top of the Mustang pyramid," said Jamal Hameedi, chief engineer of Ford's performance vehicles division. "We saw we could take a major leap (by) changing the gearing around and tweaking the horsepower" to achieve new levels of speed.
It happened as engineers made improvements to present-day Mustangs and then track-tested them. Hameedi says the cars started to routinely hit the 155 mph speed limiter -- leading to the decision to remove it.
But he says the car is safe as well, with advanced Brembo brakes and a limited-slip differential for better traction.
Still, is it too fast for an average driver? "Years ago, that may have been a concern," Hameedi says. "But now with all the technology in these cars ... they are extremely safe to drive."
The new Shelby was created in Ford's own special vehicles team and not to be confused with the aftermarket performance versions modified by Shelby American, the specialty company of automotive racing icon Carroll Shelby.
Ford is not saying what it expects the gas mileage rating to be, but says it will be good enough to avoid a government "gas guzzler tax."
What the Shelby will share with all the refreshed 2013 Mustangs:
They'll have a redesigned grille, new hood and special lighting, including high-intensity discharge headlights. And even the regular Mustang V-8 gets a horsepower boost, to 420 hp.
And the new six-speed automatic transmission will have a true manual mode -- press a button on the shifter and stirring the gears is all on you.
This refresh is not the full redesign that's expected -- but not for at least another year, timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Ford Reveals ‘New’ Flex Crossover
The 2013 Ford Flex will be seen in public for the first time in two weeks at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, but the first photos are out--and if you thought the Flex couldn't get any more edgy, you would be wrong.
First and foremost, the 2013 Flex wears a new nose that channels its inner geek perfectly. From the straight-on, the new Flex looks exactly like a USB port. The FLEX lettering on the nose might as well read "8GB," since there's no longer a blue Ford oval on the front end, anywhere. The softer look follows inside, where controls have been re-zoned to accommodate MyFord Touch.
MyFord Touch is the new pinnacle of infotainment and connectivity in the Flex, which led Ford's efforts in the arena back in 2009 with relatively advanced features like real-time traffic and weather reports on the go. With MyFord Touch's twin LCD screens on the dash and an eight-inch LCD touchscreen on the center console, the Flex now runs the same firmware as the Edge and Explorer, using a combination of voice commands, touches and swipes, and steering-wheel button clicks to run phone, audio, climate and navigation systems.
The Flex's OS will be the updated MyFord Touch system that was announced earlier this week, with improved screen layouts and less dense displays of information. Every Flex will come with at least a base configuration of SYNC, with emergency features and phone and audio control.
Safety technology is addressed with the addition of second-row inflatable seat belts like those in the new Explorer. They're accompanied by adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitors, and the previously available rearview camera.
The Flex's powertrain has received some attention as well. The base 3.5-liter V-6 now generates 285 horsepower, up 20 hp from the 2012 model, and has highway fuel economy that's improved by one mile per gallon. The turbocharged EcoBoost engine maintains 355 hp.
New features on the Flex include power-folding side mirrors; keyless entry and remote start; heated and ventilated front seats; and a new manual-mode switch on base models with some level of manual gear selection. All Flex crossovers now have electric power steering as well.
Stay tuned for more on the 2013 Flex, live from the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, which opens to the media on November 16.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Power Liftgate on All-New Ford Escape Opens and Closes with a Gentle Kick
Ford this month is introducing its all-new Escape SUV featuring a segment-first hands-free power liftgate that opens with a simple kicking gesture under the rear bumper and without the need to fumble for a key.
The new Escape, which makes its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Nov. 16, will be the first SUV to use gesture-based technology – similar to that found in video games – to open the rear liftgate. A gentle kicking motion under the center of the rear bumper activates the system and raises the liftgate. The same kicking motion closes the liftgate as well.
"The hands-free power liftgate is yet another innovative Ford technology that makes customers' lives easier," said Jason Sprawka, Escape brand manager. "New Escape owners will be able to load their vehicle without ever having to set packages or gear down."
The hands-free liftgate builds on Ford's Intelligent Access push-button start. It allows customers to unlock and start their vehicles without having to take the key out of their pocket or purse.
The hands-free liftgate uses two sensors in the rear bumper to detect a person's shin and kicking motion. The system safeguards against accidental opening by being programmed to open with leg motions – not when an animal runs under the car or when the vehicle hits a bump on the road.
The liftgate height can be programmed or adjusted manually to meet specific customer needs.
About the Escape
The all-new Escape goes on sale next spring, building on the success of Ford's highly popular small SUV. First introduced in 2000, nearly 2 million Escapes have been sold.
The new Escape is another of Ford's global vehicles, based on the company's C-sized platform, which is being used as the basis for more than 2 million Ford vehicles Ford vehicles around the world.
In addition to being a technological leader, the new Escape will be a fuel economy leader, too. The vehicle will be offered with three fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines, including 1.6- and 2.0-liter versions of Ford's popular EcoBoost® engines.
The new 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine is expected to deliver better fuel economy than competitors' larger four-cylinder engines. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost is expected to offer better fuel economy than competitors' V6 engines, while delivering unsurpassed performance compared to those larger six-cylinder powertrains.
The Escape will be built at Ford's Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky, where the company has invested $600 million to retool the facility and is in the process of adding 3,100 jobs to launch two new shifts of Escape production by the end of next year.
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