In the process of developing its new Fusion Hybrid and other plug-in vehicles, Ford said it recorded 461 hybrid patents including those for the powertrain enabling the Fusion to achieve 47 mpg.
Among its most talented inventors, Ford made special mention of Ming Kuang, who has helped Ford since 2000 to expand its portfolio of hybrid patents from just 10 patents when he began to 461 today.
The 2013 Ford Fusion will give customers the power of choice with the widest-ever portfolio of fuel-efficient powertrains ever offer in the Fusion, including EcoBoost®, hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines; automatic and manual transmission offerings; and auto start stop technology.
In fact, the new Fusion is the first sedan to offer gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, each with expected top fuel economy, underscoring the company’s commitment to give customers the power of choice.
Not only will the 2013 Ford Fusion be available with an Auto Start-Stop System, but it will be priced at only $295, making it easier for more buyers to opt for the fuel-saving technology. The new Fusion will be the first non-hybrid midsize sedan available with Auto Start-Stop.
Auto Start-Stop will be available with the new 1.6-liter EcoBoost® in the non-hybrid Fusion. When the Fusion comes to a stop, the engine can automatically switch off, consuming no gasoline and emitting no exhaust gases. As soon as the driver releases the brake pedal, the engine seamlessly re-starts and the car is ready to go by the time the driver presses the accelerator pedal.
The Ford MyFord Touch® connectivity system is resonating with buyers, ranking as an important part of their vehicle purchase decision. In fact, 56 percent of drivers of 2011 and 2012 models said in owner surveys that MyFord Touch was important to their purchase decision. The popular and flexible system is receiving an upgrade, launching on 2013 Ford Taurus and Flex, as well as for current customers with eligible systems.
For current U.S. customers, Ford will mail out MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch upgrade packages that include a USB flash drive with the updated software, a notification letter, detailed instructions for the 60-minute download and an updated user guide. Navigation-equipped vehicle owners also will receive an updated SD card with all-new, updated map data. If preferred, customers also can elect to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer for installation of the upgrade.
There’s a pretty crazy motorsports TV series you need to check out. P.S. By crazy, we mean, completely awesome!
Ford and Fuel TV collaborated to bring about the TV series, Octane Academy, which pits four action sports camps against one another in some pretty grueling challenges. And 32 fierce contestants have been divided into those four camps, each run by a pro driver. “The Academy is centered on the adrenaline rush, and boy, does Ford deliver!” said Mary Ellen Abraham, Ford Experimental Marketing Manager.
From its bold mesh-detailed grille to its exclusive satin-chrome tailgate applique, the new 2013 Ford Super Duty Platinum clearly communicates your hardworking ethic and recognizes your platinum level of success. Inside, Crew Cab spaciousness combines with unique premium leather-trimmed seating to give this Built Ford Tough truck an unprecedented level of sophistication.
Available in the Super Duty Crew Cab, it can be ordered as an F-250, F-350 or F-450 and with the 6.7-liter Power Stroke® diesel engine or the 6.2-liter V8 gas engine.
As we move closer to the production of the 2012 Ford Focus Electric, the good news keeps coming. Today, it was announced that the Ford Focus Electric will be America’s most fuel-efficient five-passenger vehicle, with an EPA-estimated 110 miles-per-gallon equivalent (MPGe) in the city, 99 MPGe on the highway and a combined EPA-estimated 105 MPGe.
Anytime you can use the words, “America’s most fuel-efficient,” it’s time to celebrate! And we think future owners of the 2012 Ford Focus Electric will do plenty of celebrating.
Reality check? More like virtual reality check! Did you know Ford has a state-of-the-art VIRtual Test Track EXperiment (VIRTTEX) simulator from which to check real-world driving scenarios and then develop and test out future safety and driver-aid technologies? The VIRTTEX name alone sounds pretty cool, but wait’ll you learn how Ford utilizes it.
First, a brief backgrounder: Ford is the only North American automaker with a high-fidelity, motion-based simulator featuring a spherical dome on top of a hydraulic system to mimic vehicle movement. The simulator was developed in 2001.
The other day while waiting in line at the grocery store, we were flipping through an automotive magazine when the dude behind us randomly offered up, “You know what I think is going to be downright awesome? The new Ford Fusion.” We played it cool and asked why. The response was simply put: “sexy” and “that crazy fuel economy.”
As it turns out, the 2013 Fusion, arriving in North American dealerships later this year, has invoked plenty of thoughts, feelings and feedback! Ford can’t help it – the sedan will suit many palettes, and that makes for many opinions! The Fusion will be available in a gasoline-powered model as well as in hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, and with two EcoBoost™ engines, the 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter, plus a new normally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The Fusion Energi plug-in is anticipated to deliver more than 100 MPGe! Yup, sexy and efficient, if we may say so ourselves.
It sounds like the name of one of those new shows coming to a major TV network in the fall: Special Vehicle Team. Only this team doesn’t play one on TV – it’s a real, live unit at Ford, responsible for engineering high-performance supercars since 1993! And how do you fest such a division’s 20th anniversary? With yet another performance car, of course: the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 convertible.
SVT met the public at the 1992 Chicago Auto Show with the 1993 SVT Mustang Cobra and SVT F-150 Lightning, so it’s fitting that the new GT500 will be front and center at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, which opens February 10.