* Ford Fiesta Reservations has more than 1,000 reservations placed since launching just six days ago, showing demand for Ford's newest small car
* Consumers who reserve a new Ford Fiesta will receive SYNC® and Premium Sound package, a $595 value, at no charge once their vehicle is delivered
* Consumers can visit www.fordvehicles.com/2011fiesta or text "reserve" to 4Ford on a smartphone to build, price and reserve their Fiesta
* The new 2011 Ford Fiesta is projected to deliver best-in-class highway fuel economy of 40 mpg and will offer 15 class-exclusive technologies
DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 9, 2009 – The new Ford Fiesta is off to a very fast start – with more than 1,000 reservations in less than a week on a new Web site that allows consumers to build, price and reserve the new car.
"The Fiesta Movement created an unparalleled awareness and interest for the Fiesta months ahead of it going on sale next summer," said Lew Echlin, car marketing communications manager. "Fiesta Reservations provides these prospective customers a customized experience for researching, reserving and following their Fiesta."
The Fiesta Movement helped generate momentum for Fiesta and resulted in more than 80,000 hand-raisers leading up to the car's reveal at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The Fiesta Reservations program will hold the interest of potential customers, and give them a VIP experience in conjunction with Ford dealers.
Through the program, consumers who reserve a new Fiesta will receive prioritized order handling with automatic build updates, their personal Fiesta Reservations consultant, and SYNC® and Premium Sound package, worth $595, at no charge once their vehicle is delivered. With a vehicle purchase, participants will be able to share their vehicle information through social media sites like Facebook.
Fiesta reservations have come from 47 states, with customers from California, Florida, Texas, New York and Illinois leading the way in reservations. The program also will provide Ford with a better understanding of mix rates as well as accessory interest, as this is the first time prospective customers can build and price their Ford accessories.
Customized service at your fingertips
Fiesta Reservations consultants will be available 12 hours a day to interact with participants and provide a personalized experience. Adding to the level of customer convenience, dedicated Fiesta Reservations consultants with multilingual capabilities are available.
Other personalized activities by the consultant include updating a customer's reservation per his or her desire, introducing the customer to a "Fiesta specialist" at a local dealership and answering any customer questions.
Interested consumers can access Fiesta Reservations by visiting www.fordvehicles.com/2011fiesta or by texting "reserve" to 4Ford on a smartphone.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Ford Flex Singled Out for the 2009 'Collectible Vehicle of the Future' Award from the Friends of the National Automotive History Collection (NAHC)
- Panel predicts Flex the vehicle most likely to turn heads at the Woodward Dream Cruise of 2034
- Flex adds this award to almost 40 that it has garnered since its launch in 2008
DETROIT, Dec. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- From America's new cars and trucks launched in 2009, the Ford Flex will become the most desired by future car collectors. That is the prediction of the Friends of the National Automotive History Collection (NAHC).
Members of the organization, which supports the world-famous automotive collection at the Detroit Public Library, vote annually to predict the "Collectible Vehicle of the Future" from the year's new American-built cars and trucks. The Ford Flex was selected from eight all-new vehicles launched in 2009.
The award was presented to Ford executives by the Friends of the NAHC at their annual holiday reception on Thursday, Dec. 10 at NAHC quarters in the Skillman Branch Library in downtown Detroit.
The NAHC is the world's largest public archive of automotive lore and a treasure for automotive historians, journalists and collectors. Its collection of books, manuals, photos, company histories and historic documents is open to the public.
"We are delighted that the Ford Flex has been recognized by the NAHC as having a design that will become a collectible of the future," said Kate Pearce, Flex marketing manager at Ford.
"We knew from the start that we had a vehicle with stand-out design that looks like nothing else on the road, but that also meets the needs of our customers looking for passenger space with innovative technology and great fuel economy," she said. "Reaction from our customers has been fantastic and we hope they will enjoy their cars long into the future."
Charles K. Hyde, chairman of the NAHC Board of Trustees, said, "This selection is unique among all the 'Vehicle of the Year' awards, because it is selected by car buffs who know what future collectors will value. We asked our members to predict which of this year's new vehicles will turn heads in the Woodward Cruise of 2034."
- Flex adds this award to almost 40 that it has garnered since its launch in 2008
DETROIT, Dec. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- From America's new cars and trucks launched in 2009, the Ford Flex will become the most desired by future car collectors. That is the prediction of the Friends of the National Automotive History Collection (NAHC).
Members of the organization, which supports the world-famous automotive collection at the Detroit Public Library, vote annually to predict the "Collectible Vehicle of the Future" from the year's new American-built cars and trucks. The Ford Flex was selected from eight all-new vehicles launched in 2009.
The award was presented to Ford executives by the Friends of the NAHC at their annual holiday reception on Thursday, Dec. 10 at NAHC quarters in the Skillman Branch Library in downtown Detroit.
The NAHC is the world's largest public archive of automotive lore and a treasure for automotive historians, journalists and collectors. Its collection of books, manuals, photos, company histories and historic documents is open to the public.
"We are delighted that the Ford Flex has been recognized by the NAHC as having a design that will become a collectible of the future," said Kate Pearce, Flex marketing manager at Ford.
"We knew from the start that we had a vehicle with stand-out design that looks like nothing else on the road, but that also meets the needs of our customers looking for passenger space with innovative technology and great fuel economy," she said. "Reaction from our customers has been fantastic and we hope they will enjoy their cars long into the future."
Charles K. Hyde, chairman of the NAHC Board of Trustees, said, "This selection is unique among all the 'Vehicle of the Year' awards, because it is selected by car buffs who know what future collectors will value. We asked our members to predict which of this year's new vehicles will turn heads in the Woodward Cruise of 2034."
Ford's Lincoln MKT crossover SUV rides high with inner style
NEW YORK — Oh, MKT, how we would love to loathe thee for thy overwrought grille, gratuitous sheet-metal bump, compromised third-row headroom.
But we just can't.
MKT, in case you've lost your way in Lincoln's thicket of MK-something nomenclature, is the Lincoln version of Ford Flex; a full-size crossover SUV.
Usually, hopping back and forth between a Ford and the equivalent Lincoln vehicle leaves you wondering what's the point of the Lincoln.
The Ford's generally as nice if you lard on the options, and hardly anybody has been taking Lincoln seriously as a status brand.
This time it's different, based on impressions from a preproduction MKT test vehicle put to normal daily duty, and driven from Northern Virginia to here and back, and in Manhattan traffic.
The tester had a lovely feel behind the wheel. Calm. Unruffled by most road irregularities. And quiet. Until you nailed the throttle and put the optional 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 to work. At that point, the big Lincoln broke into a gallop and issued a distant snarl from under the hood that invariably provoked a sly smile from the driver.
The base engine wasn't tested. It's a 3.7-liter V-6 with more power than Ford Flex's 3.5-liter base engine, setting Lincoln apart even at the lower end.
Ford Motor bills the EcoBoost as a V-6 that gives you V-8 power and V-6 mileage, courtesy of direct fuel-injection technology and two turbochargers. But — big but — if you drive it like you'll want to, like the V-8 it credibly apes, then V-6 fuel economy is just another broken auto-industry promise.
MKT steering, brakes and shifting are all responsive and not soggy the way Lincolns' of yore often were. Interior appointments — elegant upholstery, authentic wood trim, harmonized dashboard lighting, general ambience — went together, finally, to craft a distinct personality, something that suggests it could be worthwhile to pay extra for the Lincoln.
"Best interior we've ever done at Lincoln," asserts Frank Davis, executive director of product development for Ford Motor.
Gripe: The third-row seat has a lot less headroom than the Flex does, because of the tucked and tightened rear styling, vs. Flex's box shape.
Ford Flex, driven briefly for comparison, felt — sorry, Ford — really brittle, down-market, cheesy stacked up against the Lincoln. Doors didn't open and close with the same premium, high-quality feel. Surfaces didn't seem as high-end. Noise levels were higher.
You have to make peace with MKT's oversize grille, of course. Lincoln calls it a "bow wave" grille. "We felt it would be a look we could grow the brand with," says Pat Schiavone, Ford Motor design director.
Another identity element Lincoln is reviving is what Schiavone calls a haunch. It's a kick-up or shoulder at the rear edge of the back door. He says it harkens to the Lincoln Continental of the 1960s, among others.
Can't live on heritage alone. These days, gotta have the techno goods. MKT surely does, and here's a breathtaking development: They seemed to work well. MKT gave you no sense that the engineers did things just because they could.
Best example: Active Park Assist, a self-parking option. Whips into a parallel-parking spot faster than you could, and better. Tried it in Midtown Manhattan traffic and delayed other drivers barely long enough to get a honk.
Lexus pioneered such a system, but that one is cumbersome compared with MKT's.
In the Lincoln, you push a button to tell the system you're cruising for docking space. It uses ultrasonic waves to find a hole big enough, and alerts you via text in the driver information center. It tells you just where to stop, invites you to select reverse, and instructs you to touch nothing but the brakes.
In the oft-cited two shakes of a lamb's tail, MKT spun the steering wheel one way, then the other and was tucked in remarkably close to the curb.
MKT, like other Ford Motor models, has an option that looks sideways when you back out of a conventional parking spot to alert you if cross traffic is barreling along and might not notice you in time. Handy in the mall at holiday-shopping time when crazed drivers are speeding to grab that parking spot coming open 100 yards down the line.
Adaptive cruise control, an option getting common throughout the premium brands, lets you specify a following distance and will yank the rig down smartly if someone cuts in front and leaves too little space. When there's little traffic, it maintains a set speed, like an ordinary cruise, kicking into distance mode when traffic tightens. You can't shut off the distance mode and use the system solely as a conventional speed-based cruise.
Small but important details were nicely done. Instrument lighting, for example, was a crystal white; no sparkle, just presence.
Two things say that Lincoln's finally sure of itself:
•No chrome wheels; you get polished aluminum for shine. Chrome's a bit tacky, Schiavone says.
•No more "Lincoln" badge on the console.
The MKT is a bit hard to embrace at first glance. But inside, things are so remarkably right, you don't care about the outside.
It's breathtaking, and presumptuous on Lincoln's part, to note that the full-boat model is some $61,000. On the other hand, you can get a very nice one for $50,000 (roughly $5,000 more than a similar Flex) — still a lot but not quite as ridiculous for those luxury shoppers who want a big crossover.
MKT really does put Lincoln back in the luxury category and might be the first big step toward rescuing — redeeming? — the brand. Don't laugh. General Motors did it to Cadillac.
2010 LINCOLN MKT
•What? Full-size, six- or seven-passenger crossover-utility vehicle derived from the Ford Flex. Available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).
•When? On sale since September.
•Where? Manufactured at Oakville, Ontario, using Ohio-made engines, in a factory that also builds the Flex.
•How much? Base FWD starts at $44,995 including $795 shipping; AWD starts at $46,990. EcoBoost, available only with AWD, is $49,995. About $61,000 with all factory options.
•How powerful? Standard: 3.7-liter V-6 rated 268 horsepower at 6,250 rpm, 267 pounds-feet of torque at 4,250 rpm. Available FWD or AWD. Optional: 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 rated 355 hp at 5,700 rpm, 350 lbs.-ft. at 1,500 rpm; comes only with AWD.
All use six-speed automatic transmissions with manual-shift mode.
•How big? Less than an inch shorter, about three inches narrower, than Lincoln Navigator large SUV. MKT is 207.6 inches long, 76 in. wide, 67.4 in. tall on a 117.9-in. wheelbase. Weighs 4,680 to 4,924 lbs. Passenger space: 114.9 cubic feet. Cargo: 17.9 cu. ft. behind third row, 39.6 cu. ft. when third row's folded, 75.9 with second and third rows folded.
Tows up to 4,500 lbs. Turning circle diameter, 40.7 ft. curb-to-curb.
•How thirsty? FWD rated 17 miles per gallon in town, 23 on the highway, 19 in combined driving. AWD models: 16/22/18.
Trip computer in EcoBoost AWD test vehicle showed 16.4 mpg (6.1 gallons per 100 miles) in mixed city, suburban use; 19.2 mpg (5.21 gal./100 miles) in high-speed interstate highway driving.
Ford specifies regular for both engines but says EcoBoost needs premium to get the advertised power. Ford won't say how much power the EcoBoost engine loses on the lower-octane fuel.
Tank holds 18.6 gallons
•Overall: What a pleasant surprise. Finally, a machine with the distinction and premium feel a Lincoln should have.
But we just can't.
MKT, in case you've lost your way in Lincoln's thicket of MK-something nomenclature, is the Lincoln version of Ford Flex; a full-size crossover SUV.
Usually, hopping back and forth between a Ford and the equivalent Lincoln vehicle leaves you wondering what's the point of the Lincoln.
The Ford's generally as nice if you lard on the options, and hardly anybody has been taking Lincoln seriously as a status brand.
This time it's different, based on impressions from a preproduction MKT test vehicle put to normal daily duty, and driven from Northern Virginia to here and back, and in Manhattan traffic.
The tester had a lovely feel behind the wheel. Calm. Unruffled by most road irregularities. And quiet. Until you nailed the throttle and put the optional 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 to work. At that point, the big Lincoln broke into a gallop and issued a distant snarl from under the hood that invariably provoked a sly smile from the driver.
The base engine wasn't tested. It's a 3.7-liter V-6 with more power than Ford Flex's 3.5-liter base engine, setting Lincoln apart even at the lower end.
Ford Motor bills the EcoBoost as a V-6 that gives you V-8 power and V-6 mileage, courtesy of direct fuel-injection technology and two turbochargers. But — big but — if you drive it like you'll want to, like the V-8 it credibly apes, then V-6 fuel economy is just another broken auto-industry promise.
MKT steering, brakes and shifting are all responsive and not soggy the way Lincolns' of yore often were. Interior appointments — elegant upholstery, authentic wood trim, harmonized dashboard lighting, general ambience — went together, finally, to craft a distinct personality, something that suggests it could be worthwhile to pay extra for the Lincoln.
"Best interior we've ever done at Lincoln," asserts Frank Davis, executive director of product development for Ford Motor.
Gripe: The third-row seat has a lot less headroom than the Flex does, because of the tucked and tightened rear styling, vs. Flex's box shape.
Ford Flex, driven briefly for comparison, felt — sorry, Ford — really brittle, down-market, cheesy stacked up against the Lincoln. Doors didn't open and close with the same premium, high-quality feel. Surfaces didn't seem as high-end. Noise levels were higher.
You have to make peace with MKT's oversize grille, of course. Lincoln calls it a "bow wave" grille. "We felt it would be a look we could grow the brand with," says Pat Schiavone, Ford Motor design director.
Another identity element Lincoln is reviving is what Schiavone calls a haunch. It's a kick-up or shoulder at the rear edge of the back door. He says it harkens to the Lincoln Continental of the 1960s, among others.
Can't live on heritage alone. These days, gotta have the techno goods. MKT surely does, and here's a breathtaking development: They seemed to work well. MKT gave you no sense that the engineers did things just because they could.
Best example: Active Park Assist, a self-parking option. Whips into a parallel-parking spot faster than you could, and better. Tried it in Midtown Manhattan traffic and delayed other drivers barely long enough to get a honk.
Lexus pioneered such a system, but that one is cumbersome compared with MKT's.
In the Lincoln, you push a button to tell the system you're cruising for docking space. It uses ultrasonic waves to find a hole big enough, and alerts you via text in the driver information center. It tells you just where to stop, invites you to select reverse, and instructs you to touch nothing but the brakes.
In the oft-cited two shakes of a lamb's tail, MKT spun the steering wheel one way, then the other and was tucked in remarkably close to the curb.
MKT, like other Ford Motor models, has an option that looks sideways when you back out of a conventional parking spot to alert you if cross traffic is barreling along and might not notice you in time. Handy in the mall at holiday-shopping time when crazed drivers are speeding to grab that parking spot coming open 100 yards down the line.
Adaptive cruise control, an option getting common throughout the premium brands, lets you specify a following distance and will yank the rig down smartly if someone cuts in front and leaves too little space. When there's little traffic, it maintains a set speed, like an ordinary cruise, kicking into distance mode when traffic tightens. You can't shut off the distance mode and use the system solely as a conventional speed-based cruise.
Small but important details were nicely done. Instrument lighting, for example, was a crystal white; no sparkle, just presence.
Two things say that Lincoln's finally sure of itself:
•No chrome wheels; you get polished aluminum for shine. Chrome's a bit tacky, Schiavone says.
•No more "Lincoln" badge on the console.
The MKT is a bit hard to embrace at first glance. But inside, things are so remarkably right, you don't care about the outside.
It's breathtaking, and presumptuous on Lincoln's part, to note that the full-boat model is some $61,000. On the other hand, you can get a very nice one for $50,000 (roughly $5,000 more than a similar Flex) — still a lot but not quite as ridiculous for those luxury shoppers who want a big crossover.
MKT really does put Lincoln back in the luxury category and might be the first big step toward rescuing — redeeming? — the brand. Don't laugh. General Motors did it to Cadillac.
2010 LINCOLN MKT
•What? Full-size, six- or seven-passenger crossover-utility vehicle derived from the Ford Flex. Available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).
•When? On sale since September.
•Where? Manufactured at Oakville, Ontario, using Ohio-made engines, in a factory that also builds the Flex.
•How much? Base FWD starts at $44,995 including $795 shipping; AWD starts at $46,990. EcoBoost, available only with AWD, is $49,995. About $61,000 with all factory options.
•How powerful? Standard: 3.7-liter V-6 rated 268 horsepower at 6,250 rpm, 267 pounds-feet of torque at 4,250 rpm. Available FWD or AWD. Optional: 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 rated 355 hp at 5,700 rpm, 350 lbs.-ft. at 1,500 rpm; comes only with AWD.
All use six-speed automatic transmissions with manual-shift mode.
•How big? Less than an inch shorter, about three inches narrower, than Lincoln Navigator large SUV. MKT is 207.6 inches long, 76 in. wide, 67.4 in. tall on a 117.9-in. wheelbase. Weighs 4,680 to 4,924 lbs. Passenger space: 114.9 cubic feet. Cargo: 17.9 cu. ft. behind third row, 39.6 cu. ft. when third row's folded, 75.9 with second and third rows folded.
Tows up to 4,500 lbs. Turning circle diameter, 40.7 ft. curb-to-curb.
•How thirsty? FWD rated 17 miles per gallon in town, 23 on the highway, 19 in combined driving. AWD models: 16/22/18.
Trip computer in EcoBoost AWD test vehicle showed 16.4 mpg (6.1 gallons per 100 miles) in mixed city, suburban use; 19.2 mpg (5.21 gal./100 miles) in high-speed interstate highway driving.
Ford specifies regular for both engines but says EcoBoost needs premium to get the advertised power. Ford won't say how much power the EcoBoost engine loses on the lower-octane fuel.
Tank holds 18.6 gallons
•Overall: What a pleasant surprise. Finally, a machine with the distinction and premium feel a Lincoln should have.
Ford Tough to Beat
The good news keeps on rolling in for Ford. After recently snagging Motor Trend's Car of the Year title for the Ford Fusion, that very same model has been awarded the Earth, Wind & Power (EWP) Car of the Year award. And the newly redesigned Ford Taurus (pictured) now has a trophy of its own, being named the 2010 International Car of the Year by the International Car and Truck of the Year (ICOTY) jury at the 2009 L.A. Auto Show.
On the truck side of things, "Like a Rock" and "Built Ford Tough" have given way to understated Swedish luxury and Truth in Engineering. The Volvo XC60 walked away with the Truck of the Year award for the ICOTY, while the Audi Q7 took the EWP's top truck honors.
On the truck side of things, "Like a Rock" and "Built Ford Tough" have given way to understated Swedish luxury and Truth in Engineering. The Volvo XC60 walked away with the Truck of the Year award for the ICOTY, while the Audi Q7 took the EWP's top truck honors.
Most Reliable Cars
Paying more for a new car doesn't guarantee better reliability. As a group, inexpensive small cars and midsized family sedans are the most reliable. That's one of the findings of our 2009 Annual Auto Survey, based on our subscribers' experiences with 1.4 million vehicles.
Small cars stand out. Twenty of 37 small cars have above-average predicted-reliability scores. Family cars fare nearly as well, with 21 out of 41 scoring above average. Other interesting findings include the following:
* A wide gulf separates the best from the worst. The least reliable vehicle, the Volkswagen Touareg, is 27 times more likely to have a problem than the most reliable car, the Honda Insight.
* Ford is tops among the domestic automakers. The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan once again beat the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The upscale Lincoln MKZ beat its rivals, the Acura TL and Lexus ES.
* Even good brands falter. Among the least reliable in their respective classes are the all-wheel-drive Lexus GS, the Nissan Versa sedan and the Subaru Impreza WRX.
* Five of the eight most reliable family cars are hybrids.
But reliability isn't everything. Some very reliable models do not perform well enough in our road tests for us to recommend them. One example is the Toyota Yaris: Its ironclad reliability doesn't make up for its below-average performance. The same applies to the Honda Insight and the Volvo S40, one of the most reliable nonhybrid family cars.
For full reliability charts and predicted reliability on hundreds of 2010 models, plus a list of what's up and what's down, visit ConsumerReports.org.
Ford Dominates the Domestics
Ford has consolidated its position as the only Detroit automaker with world-class reliability. Of the 51 Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln products that we surveyed, 46 — or about 90 percent — are average or better, including the new Ford Flex SUV. But the Lincoln division has mixed results; some models score below their Ford equivalents. All-wheel-drive versions of the Lincoln MKS, MKX and MKZ, essentially high-end versions of the Ford Taurus, Edge and Fusion, respectively, are all below average.
GM shed the Hummer, Pontiac, and Saturn brands after emerging from bankruptcy. It now consists of Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC. Of the 48 models we surveyed from those brands, 20 have average scores, and only the Malibu v6 sedan is better than average.
Some newer GM products are bright spots. In addition to the Malibu, the Buick Lucerne did well in our road tests, and it scores average in reliability. The Chevrolet Traverse SUV also makes the cut, as does its cousin, the Buick Enclave, but only in the all-wheel-drive version. The Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups, two good performers, earn our recommendation as well. GM has a number of strong contenders either just released or in the pipeline, but they are too new for us to have reliability data on them.
We recommend the Pontiac Vibe, the V8 version of the Pontiac G8, and the Saturn Aura, which have average or better reliability. Some of those cars can still be found on dealer lots.
As for Chrysler, we couldn't recommend any of its products in last year's survey because of mediocre performance, poor reliability, or both. Now we can recommend one: the four-wheel-drive version of the redesigned Dodge Ram 1500 pickup. It did well in our road tests and rates average in reliability. Still, more than one-third of Chrysler products are much worse than average, including its new car-based SUV, the Dodge Journey.
Small cars stand out. Twenty of 37 small cars have above-average predicted-reliability scores. Family cars fare nearly as well, with 21 out of 41 scoring above average. Other interesting findings include the following:
* A wide gulf separates the best from the worst. The least reliable vehicle, the Volkswagen Touareg, is 27 times more likely to have a problem than the most reliable car, the Honda Insight.
* Ford is tops among the domestic automakers. The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan once again beat the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The upscale Lincoln MKZ beat its rivals, the Acura TL and Lexus ES.
* Even good brands falter. Among the least reliable in their respective classes are the all-wheel-drive Lexus GS, the Nissan Versa sedan and the Subaru Impreza WRX.
* Five of the eight most reliable family cars are hybrids.
But reliability isn't everything. Some very reliable models do not perform well enough in our road tests for us to recommend them. One example is the Toyota Yaris: Its ironclad reliability doesn't make up for its below-average performance. The same applies to the Honda Insight and the Volvo S40, one of the most reliable nonhybrid family cars.
For full reliability charts and predicted reliability on hundreds of 2010 models, plus a list of what's up and what's down, visit ConsumerReports.org.
Ford Dominates the Domestics
Ford has consolidated its position as the only Detroit automaker with world-class reliability. Of the 51 Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln products that we surveyed, 46 — or about 90 percent — are average or better, including the new Ford Flex SUV. But the Lincoln division has mixed results; some models score below their Ford equivalents. All-wheel-drive versions of the Lincoln MKS, MKX and MKZ, essentially high-end versions of the Ford Taurus, Edge and Fusion, respectively, are all below average.
GM shed the Hummer, Pontiac, and Saturn brands after emerging from bankruptcy. It now consists of Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC. Of the 48 models we surveyed from those brands, 20 have average scores, and only the Malibu v6 sedan is better than average.
Some newer GM products are bright spots. In addition to the Malibu, the Buick Lucerne did well in our road tests, and it scores average in reliability. The Chevrolet Traverse SUV also makes the cut, as does its cousin, the Buick Enclave, but only in the all-wheel-drive version. The Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups, two good performers, earn our recommendation as well. GM has a number of strong contenders either just released or in the pipeline, but they are too new for us to have reliability data on them.
We recommend the Pontiac Vibe, the V8 version of the Pontiac G8, and the Saturn Aura, which have average or better reliability. Some of those cars can still be found on dealer lots.
As for Chrysler, we couldn't recommend any of its products in last year's survey because of mediocre performance, poor reliability, or both. Now we can recommend one: the four-wheel-drive version of the redesigned Dodge Ram 1500 pickup. It did well in our road tests and rates average in reliability. Still, more than one-third of Chrysler products are much worse than average, including its new car-based SUV, the Dodge Journey.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Wins Most Environmentally Progressive Car Of The Year
The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid today was named Most Environmentally Progressive Car of the Year by Earth, Wind & Power™ (EWP) at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
The award is designed to recognize vehicles driven by a power source that helps to reduce global warming, are conducive to promoting a cleaner environment, and support the mission to achieve energy through alternative sources.
"Ford’s Fusion Hybrid sedan has the styling punch of a powerhouse with authority built into the design," said Kevin Smith, editorial director of Edmunds.com and one of 19 national automotive editors and journalists who selected the winner of the EWP award. "With unsurpassed fuel economy, this car has real ecological know-how. We call it purity on wheels."
The all-new Ford Fusion Hybrid delivers an EPA 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, which tops the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway.
"Ford has worked diligently to make the Fusion Hybrid America’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedan," said Jonathan Richards, Fusion marketing manager. "It is very gratifying to see our hard work recognized by some of the most prominent automotive journalists in the country through the EWP award." The Ford Fusion Hybrid has been a strong seller since its introduction earlier this year. Hybrid sales account for almost 20 percent of total Fusion retail sales, and the majority of those sales have been to customers coming from import brands – mostly Toyota and Honda.
According to early 2010 survey data obtained in the 2009 U.S. Global Quality Research System (GQRS), the Fusion Hybrid has the highest customer satisfaction ratings of any Ford vehicle ever. The survey was conducted for Ford Motor Company by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
In addition to the EWP award, the Ford Fusion Hybrid was recently named one of CAR and DRIVER’s "10Best" cars for 2010, and the entire Fusion lineup was honored with the prestigious MOTOR TREND 2010 Car of the Year Award®.
The award is designed to recognize vehicles driven by a power source that helps to reduce global warming, are conducive to promoting a cleaner environment, and support the mission to achieve energy through alternative sources.
"Ford’s Fusion Hybrid sedan has the styling punch of a powerhouse with authority built into the design," said Kevin Smith, editorial director of Edmunds.com and one of 19 national automotive editors and journalists who selected the winner of the EWP award. "With unsurpassed fuel economy, this car has real ecological know-how. We call it purity on wheels."
The all-new Ford Fusion Hybrid delivers an EPA 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, which tops the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway.
"Ford has worked diligently to make the Fusion Hybrid America’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedan," said Jonathan Richards, Fusion marketing manager. "It is very gratifying to see our hard work recognized by some of the most prominent automotive journalists in the country through the EWP award." The Ford Fusion Hybrid has been a strong seller since its introduction earlier this year. Hybrid sales account for almost 20 percent of total Fusion retail sales, and the majority of those sales have been to customers coming from import brands – mostly Toyota and Honda.
According to early 2010 survey data obtained in the 2009 U.S. Global Quality Research System (GQRS), the Fusion Hybrid has the highest customer satisfaction ratings of any Ford vehicle ever. The survey was conducted for Ford Motor Company by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
In addition to the EWP award, the Ford Fusion Hybrid was recently named one of CAR and DRIVER’s "10Best" cars for 2010, and the entire Fusion lineup was honored with the prestigious MOTOR TREND 2010 Car of the Year Award®.
LA Auto Show: Ford Fiesta
Ford is to sell four-door saloon (sedan) and five-door hatchback versions of its latest Fiesta in the US, the company announced this week during the Los Angeles Auto Show.
The US-spec Fiesta was unveiled at the show, with a 1.6-liter petrol engine claimed to give 40mpg potential. The car will also be available with Ford's PowerShift six-speed automatic transmission – a five-speed manual transmission is standard – and electrically assisted power steering.
Five-door hatchback versions will be familiar to Europian buyers, who have already bought more than 500,000 examples, but the four-door saloon version is unique to the US market.
Ford promises "fun with fuel efficiency" for the car. "The Fiesta sets a new standard for delivering an expressive and desirable small car in the US," said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. "We're continuing to build on Fiesta's worldwide momentum to deliver a new generation of small cars for a new generation of North American customers."
It is fitted with the same 1.6-liter DOHC I-4 engine developing 120PS that powers range-topping versions in Europe. Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing (Ti-VCT) has allowed this advanced engine to be downsized for fuel economy, while continuously optimizing camshaft phasing for throttle response, performance and flexibility.
A Hill Start Assist function is new to this segment. This sensor-based system will "hold" the brakes for an instant to prevent rollback when stopping or starting from rest on an incline. Employing a digital accelerometer to measure slope incline, the system activates automatically when the incline exceeds 3 per cent.
The North American Fiesta shares the Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) of its European relation, which reduces complexity while saving weight and fuel. This speed-sensitive system provides assistance according to speed, cornering forces, acceleration or deceleration.
"For North America, the global Fiesta was tweaked, not redesigned or redeveloped." said Steve Pintar, chief engineer for the US model. "We built on the success of the European Fiesta and are really proud of how little has changed."
The US-spec Fiesta was unveiled at the show, with a 1.6-liter petrol engine claimed to give 40mpg potential. The car will also be available with Ford's PowerShift six-speed automatic transmission – a five-speed manual transmission is standard – and electrically assisted power steering.
Five-door hatchback versions will be familiar to Europian buyers, who have already bought more than 500,000 examples, but the four-door saloon version is unique to the US market.
Ford promises "fun with fuel efficiency" for the car. "The Fiesta sets a new standard for delivering an expressive and desirable small car in the US," said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. "We're continuing to build on Fiesta's worldwide momentum to deliver a new generation of small cars for a new generation of North American customers."
It is fitted with the same 1.6-liter DOHC I-4 engine developing 120PS that powers range-topping versions in Europe. Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing (Ti-VCT) has allowed this advanced engine to be downsized for fuel economy, while continuously optimizing camshaft phasing for throttle response, performance and flexibility.
A Hill Start Assist function is new to this segment. This sensor-based system will "hold" the brakes for an instant to prevent rollback when stopping or starting from rest on an incline. Employing a digital accelerometer to measure slope incline, the system activates automatically when the incline exceeds 3 per cent.
The North American Fiesta shares the Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) of its European relation, which reduces complexity while saving weight and fuel. This speed-sensitive system provides assistance according to speed, cornering forces, acceleration or deceleration.
"For North America, the global Fiesta was tweaked, not redesigned or redeveloped." said Steve Pintar, chief engineer for the US model. "We built on the success of the European Fiesta and are really proud of how little has changed."
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
2011 Ford Fiesta Aims at 40 mpg
Looks like: An attractive global Ford small car gets Americanized
Drivetrain: 119-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder with five-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
Hits dealerships: Spring 2010
We have all the details on the U.S. version of Ford’s global small car, the Fiesta, but the feature that stands out above all others is its mileage. A special SFE Package is predicted to get 30/40 mpg city/highway, making it the second-most fuel-efficient non-hybrid car on the market. The Smart ForTwo is the most efficient.
The Fiesta’s other transmission options include a standard five-speed manual transmission, which returns 29/38 mpg, and a six-speed automatic that gets 30/38 mpg without the SFE Package. The high mileage is attributed to the advanced engine that puts out 119 horsepower. The Toyota Yaris gets 29/36 mpg with just 106 hp.
The Fiesta comes in S, SE, SEL and SES trim levels. The S comes as only a sedan, the SE comes as either a sedan or five-door hatchback, the SEL as only a sedan and the SES as a five-door hatchback.
Going with the base S won’t get you much: air conditioning, an AM/FM stereo with an MP3 jack (no CD player), 15-inch steel wheels and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel. While it doesn’t say it in the press release, it seems this model will have manual windows. All Fiestas also come with seven airbags, including a front knee airbag for the driver.
SE models add keyless entry, 15-inch aluminum wheels for the sedan or 16-inch aluminum wheels for the coupe, a CD player, visor mirrors, power windows with automatic driver’s button and metallic interior trim. There are a number of option packages for the SE, which will likely be the most popular trim level.
Both the SEL and SES will come with a premium six-speaker stereo with Sync and steering-wheel controls, ambient lighting, LED headlights, heated exterior mirrors with turn-signal indicators and 16-inch aluminum wheels.
The design of the sedan adds a small three-bar chrome grille. The hatchback carries more of the look of the global Fiesta but also adds some shiny parts on the lower part of the front end.
With the varying levels of equipment, we’re guessing the Fiesta will have a very low starting price for the S model that will quickly increase in the higher trims. If it can compete with the Yaris and Honda Fit on price, it looks like the mileage figure alone will be enough to get shoppers’ attention.
Drivetrain: 119-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder with five-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
Hits dealerships: Spring 2010
We have all the details on the U.S. version of Ford’s global small car, the Fiesta, but the feature that stands out above all others is its mileage. A special SFE Package is predicted to get 30/40 mpg city/highway, making it the second-most fuel-efficient non-hybrid car on the market. The Smart ForTwo is the most efficient.
The Fiesta’s other transmission options include a standard five-speed manual transmission, which returns 29/38 mpg, and a six-speed automatic that gets 30/38 mpg without the SFE Package. The high mileage is attributed to the advanced engine that puts out 119 horsepower. The Toyota Yaris gets 29/36 mpg with just 106 hp.
The Fiesta comes in S, SE, SEL and SES trim levels. The S comes as only a sedan, the SE comes as either a sedan or five-door hatchback, the SEL as only a sedan and the SES as a five-door hatchback.
Going with the base S won’t get you much: air conditioning, an AM/FM stereo with an MP3 jack (no CD player), 15-inch steel wheels and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel. While it doesn’t say it in the press release, it seems this model will have manual windows. All Fiestas also come with seven airbags, including a front knee airbag for the driver.
SE models add keyless entry, 15-inch aluminum wheels for the sedan or 16-inch aluminum wheels for the coupe, a CD player, visor mirrors, power windows with automatic driver’s button and metallic interior trim. There are a number of option packages for the SE, which will likely be the most popular trim level.
Both the SEL and SES will come with a premium six-speaker stereo with Sync and steering-wheel controls, ambient lighting, LED headlights, heated exterior mirrors with turn-signal indicators and 16-inch aluminum wheels.
The design of the sedan adds a small three-bar chrome grille. The hatchback carries more of the look of the global Fiesta but also adds some shiny parts on the lower part of the front end.
With the varying levels of equipment, we’re guessing the Fiesta will have a very low starting price for the S model that will quickly increase in the higher trims. If it can compete with the Yaris and Honda Fit on price, it looks like the mileage figure alone will be enough to get shoppers’ attention.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Sneak Peak of 2011 Ford Fiesta Before LA Auto Show
Ford have been teasing the U.S. market with the upcoming 2011 Ford Fiesta for some time now, earlier this year those who attended the Chicago Auto Show could get up close to the car. Now those who attend the LA Auto Show later this week will also get to see the small car.
Ford will be throwing a party as well as officially unveiling the launch of the North American version of the Ford Fiesta. Autoblog managed to get a sneak peak of the vehicle and all the rumors were correct.
There were reports that the 2011 Ford Fiesta would come with the U.S.-style three-bar grille, but looking at the latest images, it is not present. There are two body styles, hatchback and sedan.
There were worries that the U.S. version of the Fiesta would loose the styling of the European version, thankfully this has not happened.
Ford will be throwing a party as well as officially unveiling the launch of the North American version of the Ford Fiesta. Autoblog managed to get a sneak peak of the vehicle and all the rumors were correct.
There were reports that the 2011 Ford Fiesta would come with the U.S.-style three-bar grille, but looking at the latest images, it is not present. There are two body styles, hatchback and sedan.
There were worries that the U.S. version of the Fiesta would loose the styling of the European version, thankfully this has not happened.
2011 Ford Mustang may get up to 30 mpg
The base model of the 2011 Ford Mustang will come with nearly GT power and could get up to 30 miles per gallon in highway driving, Ford Motor Co. announced today.
Ford will debut a new V-6 engine for the sports car this week at the Los Angeles Auto Show and says it will give the basic Mustang power to rival the performance-oriented Mustang GT, which has a V-8 under its hood.
The 3.7-liter powerplant, which replaces the 4-liter V-6 now in Mustangs, will produce 305 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque while also offering better gas mileage.
Ford projects the engine will get 19 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The 2010 Mustang's 4-liter engine creates 210 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque, while achieving 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
The new Mustangs will be available at dealerships in the spring.
Stephanie Brinley, an automotive analyst at Southfield-based consulting firm AutoPacific Inc., said the additional power catches the Mustang up to the V-6 Chevrolet Camaro and should help it stay at the top in pony car sales next year.
"The V-6 Mustang is Ford's best-selling Mustang and this is a lighter car, so it should feel faster," she said. "For people looking for these kinds of cars, Mustang is still the place to go."
According to Autodata Corp., which compiles car sales statistics, Ford sold 56,469 Mustangs through October, down 32.4 percent from the same period last year.
The Mustang remains about 8,000 units ahead of the Camaro, which was reintroduced this year by General Motors Co.
The new powertrain suggests that the GT will have to show some big improvements soon, Brinley added.
The 2010 GT with a 4.6-liter V-8 produces 315 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque gets 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
By raising the base model's vitals and performance level, Ford likely will have to do the same to the 2011 GT, though the carmaker has not announced a new powertrain for that car.
The V-6 Mustang will come with a six-speed automatic or manual transmission, dropping its well-used five-speed.
Ford has promised to include six-speed transmissions on 90 percent of its vehicles by 2013 in another effort to make its vehicles more fuel efficient.
The new Mustang V-6 engine, built in Cleveland, boasts a number of high-tech features such as variable camshaft timing and variable valve overlap to improve the car's emissions, fuel economy and power. Ford has dubbed the system Ti-VCT.
"Drivers are going to notice improved low-speed torque and increased fuel economy and peak horsepower," Jim Mazuchowski, Ford's manager of V-6 powertrain operations, said in a news release. "Plus, there are benefits they won't notice, too, such as reduced emissions overall, especially at part-throttle."
Ti-VCT can lower the engine's emissions by controlling the NOx -- nitrogen oxide -- and hydrocarbons.
Ford will also announce at the Los Angeles show that it will introduce a performance package for the V-6 Mustang.
It will include a different rear axle for faster off-the-line acceleration, struts, stabilizer bars and brakes from the GT, unique badges and other features.
The performance V-6 Mustang will be available at dealers in the summer.
Ford will debut a new V-6 engine for the sports car this week at the Los Angeles Auto Show and says it will give the basic Mustang power to rival the performance-oriented Mustang GT, which has a V-8 under its hood.
The 3.7-liter powerplant, which replaces the 4-liter V-6 now in Mustangs, will produce 305 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque while also offering better gas mileage.
Ford projects the engine will get 19 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The 2010 Mustang's 4-liter engine creates 210 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque, while achieving 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
The new Mustangs will be available at dealerships in the spring.
Stephanie Brinley, an automotive analyst at Southfield-based consulting firm AutoPacific Inc., said the additional power catches the Mustang up to the V-6 Chevrolet Camaro and should help it stay at the top in pony car sales next year.
"The V-6 Mustang is Ford's best-selling Mustang and this is a lighter car, so it should feel faster," she said. "For people looking for these kinds of cars, Mustang is still the place to go."
According to Autodata Corp., which compiles car sales statistics, Ford sold 56,469 Mustangs through October, down 32.4 percent from the same period last year.
The Mustang remains about 8,000 units ahead of the Camaro, which was reintroduced this year by General Motors Co.
The new powertrain suggests that the GT will have to show some big improvements soon, Brinley added.
The 2010 GT with a 4.6-liter V-8 produces 315 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque gets 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
By raising the base model's vitals and performance level, Ford likely will have to do the same to the 2011 GT, though the carmaker has not announced a new powertrain for that car.
The V-6 Mustang will come with a six-speed automatic or manual transmission, dropping its well-used five-speed.
Ford has promised to include six-speed transmissions on 90 percent of its vehicles by 2013 in another effort to make its vehicles more fuel efficient.
The new Mustang V-6 engine, built in Cleveland, boasts a number of high-tech features such as variable camshaft timing and variable valve overlap to improve the car's emissions, fuel economy and power. Ford has dubbed the system Ti-VCT.
"Drivers are going to notice improved low-speed torque and increased fuel economy and peak horsepower," Jim Mazuchowski, Ford's manager of V-6 powertrain operations, said in a news release. "Plus, there are benefits they won't notice, too, such as reduced emissions overall, especially at part-throttle."
Ti-VCT can lower the engine's emissions by controlling the NOx -- nitrogen oxide -- and hydrocarbons.
Ford will also announce at the Los Angeles show that it will introduce a performance package for the V-6 Mustang.
It will include a different rear axle for faster off-the-line acceleration, struts, stabilizer bars and brakes from the GT, unique badges and other features.
The performance V-6 Mustang will be available at dealers in the summer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg){kind=small}
Posts
