Archive for November, 2009
VIDEO: The Mustang skates in latest episode of Unleashed
Posted by: | CommentsFiled under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Ford
Though we all owned skateboards in our younger years, we can admit that we were never really any good at riding them. That doesn’t mean we didn’t fantasize about all the great stunts we wished we could perform. And were there any among us who don’t remember sitting in the back seat of a car watching the scenery go by at speed and thinking of all the sweet jumps and flips cars should be able to do?
Filmmaker Jeff Richter undoubtedly has such memories, and Ford was kind enough to let him unleash those inner fantasies with a brand-spanking-new 2010 Mustang. Also along for the ride are street skater Pat Duffy and X-Games gold medalist Jake Brown. A quick blip pops up at the start of the film letting the watcher know that some of the scenes are real and others are computer generated… we don’t think you’ll have too much trouble distinguishing one from the other. Hit the jump to watch the video.
Gallery: Mustang Unleashed Session
[Source: Ford]
Continue reading VIDEO: The Mustang skates in latest episode of Unleashed
VIDEO: The Mustang skates in latest episode of Unleashed originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
2011 Ford Fiesta gets another early reveal
Posted by: | CommentsFiled under: LA Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Ford
The Fiesta Movement, Ford’s campaign to introduce the little global Fiesta car to the U.S. market, kicked off at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this year and will end this week during the LA Auto Show with, what else, a party. Oh, and the official unveiling of the 2011 North American version. We got a sneak peek of the Fiesta earlier today that it now seems was incorrect, based on these new pictures found buried on Ford’s website.
The U.S.-style three-bar grille is thankfully not present in these official pics, though the hatch and sedan do wear different grilles (we like the hatch’s version better, for what it’s worth). The rest of the car remains as good-looking as the Euro-spec version ever did, and the interior will be a big draw for this car – along with solid MPG numbers, of course. For those of you who hoped Ford would bring the Fiesta over from Europe pretty much intact, it appears your wishes have been granted. We’ll have all the details from LA right soon.
Gallery: 2011 Ford Fiesta Hatchback
Gallery: 2011 Ford Fiesta Sedan
[Source: Ford]
2011 Ford Fiesta gets another early reveal originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Pony Up on Fuel Economy
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If you think you can’t have pulse-quickening power and acceleration as well as good fuel economy, you’ve got another think coming.
The 2011 Ford Mustang puts 305 high-performance horses in the hands of V-6 coupe buyers with a new all-aluminum dual-overhead cam (DOHC) engine that delivers a projected 30 mpg on the highway with a six-speed automatic transmission and fun for drivers on nearly every road.
For 2011, Mustang’s new 3.7-liter Duratec 24-valve V-6 uses advanced engineering to deliver its power and economy: Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) adjusts the valvetrain in microseconds. Aluminum construction means light weight. It’s an engine designed to crank out torque down low, rev to 7,000 rpm and deliver the mechanical music sports coupe lovers crave everywhere in between.
New 3.7-liter V-6 engine
With Ti-VCT operating its four valves per cylinder, the new Mustang V-6 powerplant sends significantly more horsepower and torque (305 hp and 280 ft.-lb.) to the rear wheels than its predecessor – despite its smaller displacement. The behind-the-wheel feel is unlike any Mustang ever produced.
The high output is due largely to Ti-VCT which allows variable control of valve operation across the rev range. The variable cams operate on a Direct Acting Mechanical Bucket (DAMB) valvetrain using polished buckets and roller finger followers to reduce friction. The end result is as much as a 3 percent improvement in fuel economy and a 10 percent improvement in power output versus traditional engines without these advanced features.
Ti-VCT is complemented by special-tuned composite upper and lower intake manifolds for efficient air delivery and lighter weight. Ignition power is delivered by a high-energy coil-on-plug design, while piston-cooling jets and a lightweight die-cast aluminum cylinder block improve the durability and efficiency of the 3.7-liter V-6 design.
Fuel economy improvements
Extra horsepower and refined engine operation will be the most noticeable features to new 2011 Mustang 3.7-liter V-6 buyers while projected class-leading fuel economy, also a standard feature, offers an additional bonus. The numbers speak for themselves:
- 19 mpg city/30 highway with six-speed automatic transmission, up from 16 mpg city/24 highway on the 2010 model with automatic – a 25 percent improvement over 2010
- 18 mpg city/29 highway with six-speed manual transmission, up from 18 mpg city/26 highway on the 2010 model with manual
Refinements throughout Mustang’s body, powertrain and chassis design contribute to the improved fuel economy numbers. Examples include:
- The new Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) system which eliminates the drag of an engine-operated hydraulic power steering pump
- Six-speed transmissions that allow lower cruising revs without sacrificing off-the-line performance
- Aerodynamic improvements such as a new front fascia, tire spats on the rear wheels, modified underbody shields, a taller air dam and an added rear decklid seal
Learn more about the 2011 Mustang.
Quotes
“Mustang is completely transformed with this new engine. Everything people love about the car is still there and now under the hood is a V-6 engine that uses premium technology to deliver the power, the feel, the fuel efficiency, even the sound of the best sports coupes in the world.”
– Derrick Kuzak, Group Vice President, Global Product Development
“This new V-6 engine really speaks to what Mustang is all about. It produces power everywhere in the rev range and loves to be pushed hard. The Duratec 3.7-liter builds on our promise to use advanced technology to deliver both power and fuel economy.”
– Barb Samardzich, Ford Vice President of Global Powertrain Engineering
Who Pulled Out the Stops in 2009?
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They’ll be telling this story to their children and grandchildren… Six months ago, 100 socially vibrant trendsetters each got behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta and hit the road. They shared their adventures through www.fiestamovement.com, generating more than 5.7 million YouTube views, more than 710,000 Flickr views and more than 3.4 million Twitter impressions. It’s been a wild ride, with many memorable moments…
The Fiesta Highlight Reel
- Agent Brittani had hot chicks washing her car, but not the kind you think. These are bikini-clad and yellow-feathered chicks with oversized, yellow beaks, washing the car. Check it out here: http://www.fiestamovement.com/videos/agent/21/13
- Agent Natasha used lavish costumes, arresting imagery and the contrast between gluttony and hunger in the world to illustrate the need for Meals on Wheels. Dressed in costumes, Natasha and some of her friends piled into her Fiesta to deliver food to those in need. Check it out here: http://www.fiestamovement.com/missions/view/391
- Agents Marc and Jennifer traveled Detroit and its suburbs to show off their favorite area and set their video to a song about what they saw along the way. Stops include the Detroit Institute of Arts, Tiger Stadium, Michigan Central Station and the Spirit of Detroit statue. Check it out here: http://www.fiestamovement.com/missions/view/16
- Agent Jake got his Fiesta back after it’s towed in New York City. After repeated denials the city didn’t have the car, Jake gets to the bottom of the truth, and gets his Fiesta back too. Check it out here: http://www.fiestamovement.com/missions/view/106
- Agents Joel and Mandy learned what Team Ford Racing thinks about the new Fiesta, with interviews from Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle and more. The consensus is, they love it! Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ljSVw23Qcw
- Agent Beto created a music video highlighting his experience with the Fiesta. Showing the places he’s been and the people he’s met along the way, the video is a sweet ending to his adventure. Check it out here: http://www.fiestamovement.com/missions/view/772
- Agent Deena ordered three items off the SkyMall catalog – a popcorn maker, a cotton candy machine and a sno-cone machine. For the fun part, she tests them out and reviews them. Check it out here: http://www.fiestamovement.com/missions/view/181
- Agent Kristina found out what happens when her Fiesta becomes recognizable – someone has a little harmless fun with it and adds a few decorations. Check out her blog about it here: http://italktosnakes.blogspot.com/2009/06/car-face-monster.html
- Agent Tim showed just how indestructible his Panasonic Toughbook is. While pretending the computer is a love interest, he puts it through three tests to prove it has the ultimate endurance. Check it out: http://www.fiestamovement.com/missions/view/130
- Agent Jody created a rap video about living the life of a temp. She makes sure to hit on all the points of office life, in a humorous and creative way. Check it out here: http://www.fiestamovement.com/missions/view/760
Chance to drive a Fiesta
With a kickoff in May and running through December, five regional test drive teams representing the Fiesta Movement are traveling across the country to engage consumers with the opportunity to test drive a European-spec Ford Fiesta.
The Fiesta Movement test drive is drawing huge numbers by engaging more than 140,000 consumers along the way.
The teams are visiting at least 200 cities over eight months, stopping in small towns and big cities, as well as making appearances at major and regional events and festivals. Information about drive stops, including monthly calendars, is available on www.fiestamovement.com under the “Test Drive” section. Site visitors also can sign up to receive test drive updates as they become available.
Quotes
“Our agents had the ride of a lifetime during the Fiesta Movement. The content they put out there was amazing – they told their Fiesta stories in such creative ways.”
– Connie Fontaine, Ford Brand Content and Alliances Manager
“The Fiesta draws a crowd wherever it goes. The test drives were a perfect way to introduce Fiesta to consumers everywhere.”
– Jeff Eggen, Ford Car Experiential Marketing Manager