Filed under: Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Ford, Rumormill

The fine folk at Auto Express are reporting that the powerful Ford Fiesta ST has gotten the official go ahead from the suits in Europe. If all of the whispers making their way around the internet right now are true, our cousins across the pond will be getting a crack at a 180-horsepower version of the Blue Oval’s tiny hatch very soon.

All of that pep should come courtesy of a 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, and should help the Fiesta get to 60 mph in under seven seconds. Odds are the forced induction engine will be coupled to either a six-speed manual transmission or the company’s new dual-clutch gear box.

But does that mean we’ll get to enjoy the same kind of fun in our neck of the woods? It’s hard to say, but since Ford is openly embracing a new global philosophy, a Fiesta ST for America isn’t completely out the question. Consider our fingers crossed.

[Source: Auto Express]

Report: Ford Fiesta ST gets the nod… but will we? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, Electric

Alongside the debut of the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid at this year’s New York Auto Show, Ford announced an extension of its partnership with Microsoft (see also: Sync) into the electric vehicle (EV) recharging realm. The new space that Microsoft and Ford want to take over is your garage; the method of attack is the free Hohm energy management application.

Hohm is a cloud-based system that can be used today to manage and control home energy usage. When it comes to future EVs and home charging, the system will be able to automate and optimize recharging and, most likely, communicate with a smartphone to relay information and update settings (need to turn off your dryer for some reason while you’re at work, Hohm can let you do that). The MyFord Touch and Sync technologies could also be integrated into the system, allowing your car to tell you it wants to be recharged at night during off-peak hours.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer appeared via satellite during Ford’s press conference to promote the new direction that these two companies are going in together. Ballmer said, “electric cars are going to transform so much of our society” and that information technology will be critical in getting EVs on the road. Ford president and CEO Alan Mulally said that this partnership “makes electric vehicles viable.” Ford’s group vice president of global product development, Derrick Kuzak, said that Hohm will make EVs “a reality for everyone, not just a lucky few” because it manages the cost for the end user and helps utilities manage and understand the EV load.

But Kuzak also said that Hohm will help people evaluate if their home is ready for an EV, implying that not everyone will be able to use Hohm (an obvious point, but it negates his pie-in-the-sky “EVs for everyone” statement). We’ll be able to draw our own conclusions once the all-electric Focus becomes the first Ford EV to use Hohm, probably some time in 2011.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading New York 2010: Ford and Microsoft announce Hohm electric vehicle charging partnership

New York 2010: Ford and Microsoft announce Hohm electric vehicle charging partnership originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 14:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: New York Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Ford, Lincoln, Luxury

Ford has reminded us over and over again about its plans to offer a full line of electified vehicles in the United States. The Escape and Mariner hybrids started this trend, the Fusion and Milan hybrids are garnering lots of praise, and with new products like the Transit Connect Electric and Focus Electric hitting the streets in the not-too-distant future, the automaker appears to be fulfilling its goals. The newest addition to the electrified lineup is this 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, which builds upon the success of its Fusion and Milan sister hybrids.

With fuel economy ratings of 41 miles per gallon in the city and 36 on the highway, the MKZ Hybrid will lay claim to the most fuel-efficient luxury sedan in America, besting its nearest competitor,the Lexus HS250h,by six MPGs. Ford has also assured us that the MKZ will be priced below the Lexus, making it a more affordable alternative for shoppers. Aside from the addition of the four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, not much changes from the standard MKZ and Ford is hoping that this vehicle will bring more buyers into Lincoln showrooms when the car hits dealerships this fall. Check out our galleries below to see both live and stock shots of the MKZ Hybrid.

Live photos by Steven J. Ewing / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading New York 2010: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is exactly what we expected

New York 2010: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is exactly what we expected originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: New York Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Ford, Lincoln, Luxury

Earlier this week we reported that Ford had plans to repurpose its very well-received hybrid powertrain in the Lincoln MKZ. Makes sense, right? Both the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan (sister cars of the MKZ) benefit from the fuel-sipping mill, and by adding a bit of electric power to the Lincoln lineup, Ford is hoping to attract more buyers into its luxury division’s showrooms. What’s more, since Lincoln vehicles carry higher price points than comparable Ford or Mercury products, the return on this hybrid investment means a larger profit margin for the automaker as a whole.

Well, now it’s official. For the 2011 model year, the Lincoln MKZ will offer the award-winning 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder gasoline/electric powertrain from the Fusion and Milan hybrids, good for up to 41 miles per gallon in the city. In doing this, Lincoln aims to compete directly with the recently introduced Lexus HS250h, and since the MKZ will net six more MPGs than the HS, it can safely take the title of most fuel-efficient luxury sedan in America. What’s more, the MKZ is slightly larger than the Lexus, and if Ford plays its cards right, we wouldn’t be surprised if the MKZ Hybrid is less expensive than the HS, as well.

Aside from the powertrain, the new hybrid doesn’t differ too much from the rest of the MKZ range. Plenty of standard amenities are on tap, such as the cool-looking SmartGauge with EcoGuide, a reverse sensing system, heated and cooled front seats, Ford’s MyKey system and – of course – SYNC.

But the big question surrounding the MKZ Hybrid isn’t how well it will perform against the Lexus, but if it will carry enough extra kit to significantly differentiate it from a Fusion or Milan with the same powertrain. Consumers who are only looking for efficiency might be willing to sacrifice certain luxury amenities to save money, and this dilemma has always affected MKZ sales. Still, luxury-minted customers would be wise to look at this as an alternative option to the HS250h, and we’ll keep a close eye on sales numbers when the MKZ Hybrid goes on sale later this year. For now, hit the jump to read the full details in the press release, and click through our gallery below to see the electrified MKZ for yourself.

[Source: Lincoln]

Continue reading 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid boasts luxury plus efficiency, but is it enough?

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid boasts luxury plus efficiency, but is it enough? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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