New Ford Explorer Sport: Fuel-Efficient, High-Performance SUV Features Inspired Design Cues, EcoBoost V6 Engine

• Ford Explorer Sport is a new addition for the 2013 model year, featuring EcoBoost^® 3.5-liter V6 engine for greater performance feel and projected top fuel economy among gasoline-powered, high-performance sport utility vehicles

• Explorer Sport gives customers an interior inspired by designer accessory fashions, sporty exterior design cues and specially tuned suspension components

 

DEARBORN, Mich., March 28, 2012 – The first-ever performance version of the Ford Explorer arrives this year with the highest projected fuel economy among gasoline-engine-powered, high- performance SUVs.

 

With a twin-turbocharged EcoBoost^® V6 engine making at least 350 horsepower and four-wheel drive with a Terrain Management System^™, Explorer Sport delivers enhanced on-road dynamics with sporty design cues inside and out.

 

“Adding an EcoBoost drivetrain to Explorer Sport delivers even more fuel efficiency and performance to the lineup,” said Bill Gubing, Explorer chief engineer. “This is our highest- performance, most capable Ford Explorer ever.”

 

Power, capability, fuel efficiency

Completely new for 2011, the Ford Explorer has been winning over customers with its improved on-road handling, impressive comfort and convenience technologies, and fuel economy never before delivered by an SUV.

 

For the 2013 model year, Explorer Sport brings high-performance SUV power and projected fuel economy of up to 16 mpg in city driving and 22 mpg on the highway – anticipating 3 mpg better in the city and 2 mpg on the highway than the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango R/T 5.7-liter Hemi engines. It scores 3 mpg higher in the city and 4 mpg higher on the highway than the Land Rover Range Rover Sport.

 

“Explorer Sport makes no compromises,” said Carl Widmann, vehicle engineering manager. “By carefully beefing the chassis and suspension, precisely calibrating the Terrain Management System and adding comfort and convenience features, we’ve delivered an SUV that delivers great dynamics and performance  – while towing up to 5,000 pounds.”

 

The Explorer Sport features a paddle-shifted six-speed SelectShift Automatic^™ transmission with a unique 3.16 to 1 final drive ratio to provide the balance of responsive acceleration and economical low-rpm cruising for better fuel efficiency.

 

The chassis also has been specially reinforced, making Explorer Sport stiffer and improving its handling.

 

Explorer Sport also brings a solid-mounted electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) rack with a faster ratio, providing more responsiveness to drivers both on-road and off.

 

Ford’s newest SUV comes standard with larger brakes for shorter stopping distances and better performance while towing.

 

Explorer Sport also has received special terrain management settings for tackling sandy, snowy, rutted mud and hill descent.

 

“Upgrading to Sport specification enabled us to maintain the standards of traditional Explorer capability plus delivering the highest highway fuel efficiency among gasoline-engine-powered, high-performance, three-row SUVs,” Widmann said.

 

Subtle, sporty design elements

Sport builds on Explorer’s muscular, sculpted form with subtle cues to differentiate it from other models in the lineup. Available in four exterior colors – Ruby Red Metallic Clearcoat, White Platinum Metallic Tri-Coat, Tuxedo Black Metallic and Ingot Silver Metallic – Explorer Sport has unique 20-inch painted and machined wheels, features blacked-out headlamp and taillamp treatments, black roof rack rails, sideview mirror skull caps and a liftgate appliqué.

 

The Explorer Sport’s special grille is a low-gloss Sterling Gray mesh, with contrasting ebony high-gloss bars. The black front lower fascia features a functional opening for additional cooling. Explorer logotype in billet-like black adds a bold identity statement. Subtle Sport and EcoBoost badges at the rear finish the liftgate.

 

Inside, the high-end feel continues. Charcoal Black leather-trimmed seating is available with and without contrasting Sienna inserts.

 

The interior design contrast was inspired by fashion, mirroring two-tones that are currently seen in leather accessories and apparel from design houses Balenciaga and Prada. Stitching is emphasized to lend a handcrafted appearance while highlighting Explorer Sport’s sculptured seats.

 

Explorer Sport also has unique steering wheel stitching, a technical look to instrument and door panel appliqués, unique Sport-logo floor mats and illuminated scuff plates.

 

Comfort, convenience, connectivity

As the top of the Explorer line, Sport offers a robust array of standard and optional customer-focused technologies that make driving more comfortable, convenient and connected. These include:

 

• 4WD with Terrain Management System
• Dual-Zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control
• 10-way power driver’s seat with power recline and lumbar
• Six-way power passenger seat with recline and lumbar
• First-row heated seats
• Compass and exterior temperature display
• Rear view camera
• SYNC^® with MyFord Touch^® driver connect technology
• Sony^® Premium Audio System with HD Radio^™ and 12 speakers

Explorer Sport can be tailored to individual preferences with the following options as well:

 

• Active park assist
• Blind Spot Information System (BLIS^®) with cross-traffic alert
• Inflatable rear seat belts
• 110-volt outlet
• PowerFold mirrors
• Intelligent access with Push-Button Start
• Remote Start
• Adjustable pedals with memory
• Dual-panel moonroof
• Power liftgate
• Class III trailer-towing package

Explorer Sport is manufactured at Ford’s Chicago production facility. It will arrive in dealerships later this year.

Fresh Faces - Ford in 2013

2013 Ford Fusion

Ford has sparked excitement over the past couple of years with fuel efficient vehicles that are both stylish and fun to drive. That trend seems to be continuing as the Ford Motor Company begins to roll out its 2013 models. Excitement was evident at the 2012 North American International Auto Show as the blue oval guys unveiled the most recent redesign, the 2013 Ford Fusion, to great acclaim. Featuring a sleek silhouette and fresh face, the all-new Fusion is the latest in a series of vehicles from Ford – following the 2011 Fiesta subcompact and 2012 Focus small cars – developed to satisfy customers everywhere who want leading fuel efficiency, helpful technologies and game-changing looks.

2013 Ford Fusion

Fusion brings the broadest selection of fuel-efficient powertrains in the mid size car segment. It offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid alternatives, a pair of EcoBoost™ four-cylinder engines, a normally aspirated four-cylinder engine, an automatic start stop system to shut off the engine at stationary idle, front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive applications, and a choice between automatic and manually shifted six-speed transmissions.

Ordering for the new 2013 Ford Fusion is expected to begin in May of 2012. Delivery and vehicles available for test drive at Ed Koehn Ford and Lincoln are expected on the lot early this fall. If you are expecting to be in the market for a fuel efficient mid-sized sedan with cutting edge design, be sure to check out the 2013 Fusion from Ford. Ford’s all-new Fusion brings alive the next generation of more expressive vehicles from Ford and is the first sedan to offer gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions – each expected to deliver top fuel economy and an engaging driving experience.



2013 Ford Taurus



2013 Ford Taurus

The Ford Taurus has been redesigned for the 2013 model year. Ford has unveiled the 2013 version of its full-size Taurus sedan, with tweaked styling, a new four-cylinder turbo engine option and a host of other improvements.

The biggest news for the 2013 Taurus is the addition of an optional turbocharged, direct-injection EcoBoost 2.0-liter four-cylinder. In the Taurus, the 2.0L EcoBoost will make 237 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. Bolted to a six-speed automatic, it is estimated that it should return at least 31 mpg on the highway.

"We have significantly upgraded Ford's flagship sedan through obsessive attention to detail," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas. "The new Taurus builds on the transformation we achieved in the 2010 model. Delivering so many upgrades so soon further underscores Ford's leadership and commitment to delivering high-quality, fuel-efficient cars for our customers."

Safety hasn't been over-looked either. The new Ford Taurus builds on a legacy of safety, as the current model earned an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick rating. The stiff Taurus structure contains much high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels, including boron. Ford Taurus features the Trinity front-crash architecture, named for the three elements that are designed to absorb and redirect crash forces away from vehicle occupants. These components consist of an ultra-high-strength boron front beam to absorb initial impact force, boron "shotgun rails" that transfer impact forces in a diagonal path to the roof panel, and a decoupling engine cradle within the front subframe to help prevent the powertrain from interfering with the cabin. Ford Taurus also features Side Protection And Cabin Enhancement (SPACE®) Architecture, a hydroformed cross-car beam embedded in the floor between the door frames to help provide additional strength on the sides of the vehicle. A rigid roof crossmember, side-impact door beams and boron B-pillar reinforcement also contribute to side-impact protection. In the new Taurus, airbag restraints have been enhanced with optimized tethering and venting to specifically tailor deployment force to occupant size, position and seat belt status. In addition, Ford Taurus features the Safety Canopy® with rollover sensor. In the event of an airbag deployment, Taurus provides an SOS Post-Crash Alert System™, and features AdvanceTrac® with Electronic Stability Control.

The 2013 Ford Taurus is available now at Ed Koehn Ford and Lincoln of Greenville.

2013 Ford Escape

The Ford Escape has received a major all around update for 2013. The muscular, defined exterior shape is complemented by a dynamic, well-appointed interior featuring new levels of craftsmanship and technology. "The interior design of the all-new Escape is modern and sophisticated," said Ruth Pauli, chief designer, Color and Materials. "It captures the expressive design and enhanced functionality of the vehicle." The interior design team especially considered the wealth of exclusive features no competitor can match when creating the all-new Ford Escape, led by available SYNC® with upgraded MyFord Touch® driver connect technology.

For the first time, the new Ford Escape will offer two different EcoBoost® engines. This award-winning Ford engine technology, which produces outstanding driving performance and expected fuel economy better than any competitor, is available in a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and for the first time in the U.S., a 1.6-liter four-cylinder. Each new engine uses the core EcoBoost technologies of direct fuel injection and turbocharging and adds twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT). With these technologies, the 2.0-liter EcoBoost is projected to produce more torque than the larger V6 engine in Toyota's RAV4, and the 1.6-liter is projected to produce segment-leading fuel economy among compact SUVs and up to 5 mpg better than the outgoing Escape. Here is a video animating the EcoBoost technology.

2013 Lincoln MKS

Ford's luxury mark is also refining some of its offerings, notably the 2013 Lincoln MKS. Better handling, increased power, improved fuel efficiency, additional standard equipment, more refinement and new technologies that help drivers reduce accident risks provide luxury customers with important new reasons to consider the new Lincoln MKS flagship sedan. The dedicated Lincoln design studio has developed a contemporary new look for the 2013 MKS. Every exterior surface from the A-pillar forward is new, including the grille, HID headlamps, front fascia, hood and front fenders. Continuing the new look are fresh 19- and 20-inch aluminum wheels. At the rear, Lincoln MKS gets a new fascia, LED tail lamps, exhaust tips and a new decklid design that improves access to the trunk.

A host of technologies grace the inside and out of the new MKS. The standard engine for 2013 is a more powerful and efficient 3.7-liter V6 that now includes twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT). The ability to vary camshaft timing to optimize the opening and closing of both the intake and exhaust valves increases the engine's responsiveness and efficiency. Horsepower for 2013 increases to a projected 300 from 273 - up 9 percent. Torque improves to 275 lb.-ft. at 4,000 rpm from 270 lb.-ft. At the same time, projected fuel economy increases for the 3.7-liter-equipped sedan - a 3-mpg improvement on the highway versus today's Lincoln MKS. The 3.7-liter delivers an estimated 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway for the front-wheel drive modeland18/26 mpg with the all-wheel-drive model.

The premium engine for 2013 remains the twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost® V6, an engine that provides V8 performance with the fuel economy of a V6. The EcoBoost V6 earned a place on Ward's 2010 "10 Best Engines" list the year it was introduced. The 3.5-liter gasoline turbo direct-injected (GTDI) engine produces a projected 355 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and an expansive torque curve that plateaus at 350 lb.-ft. of torque from 1,500 to 5,250 rpm. Fuel economy of the EcoBoost/all-wheel-drive powertrain is projected to be 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. The optional EcoBoost V6 is the most powerful V6 among MKS competitors, producing 45 more horsepower than the Audi A6's optional supercharged 3.0-liter V6 and 55 more horsepower than the BMW 5-Series' optional turbocharged 3.0-liter I-6.

The new MKS offers two audio systems, both controlled through MyLincoln Touch. The standard system includes AM/FM/CD/MP3/satellite sources playing through a 210-watt system that drives 10 speakers.
The optional audio system is THX® II Certified Car Audio System with AM/FM/CD/DVD/ MP3/HD Radio capability and 16 speakers, including a 10-inch subwoofer. SiriusXM satellite radio with six-month prepaid subscription, an auxiliary input jack and a USB port are also included. System volume automatically adjusts according to vehicle speed, while sophisticated digital signal processing provides spectral balance, a wide dynamic range and exceptional acoustic performance that brings home-theater sound to the road.
SiriusXM Traffic and SiriusXM Travel Link with voice-activated navigation controls also are available. A prepaid subscription to SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link is included when the available SD-card based navigation system is selected. MyLincoln Touch and SYNC enable voice-activated navigation control. In addition to an easily updateable navigation database, additional SiriusXM Travel Link features include coast-to-coast weather data, forecasts, fuel prices, sports scores, movie listings and more.

More information available at Ed Koehn Ford and Lincoln of Greenville, MI. "Just thought you should know."

The 2012 Ford F-150 FX4

 The most visible addition for 2012 F-150 is the available FX appearance package that adds visual badassery to F-150's exterior with flat black stripes, red badging, unique head- and tail-lamps, chrome exhaust tip, and a black grille. Wheels for the FX package are flat black 20-inchers, too. The FX package also tarts up the interior with black leather on the seats set off by red piping and perforations. The steering wheel continues the theme with red stitching. Black and satin-metallic accents complete the FX package's interior high points. There's also a new FX Luxury package that adds heated and cooled front seats. Build one on our new website and check it out yourself. We can custom order a new F-150 for you with this setup if you are interested. These are unique and are rare to find in this package.

Concerned With Fuel Economy?

Do you realize that automotive fuel prices have more than doubled since 2003? Unfortunately this trend doesn’t look like it will be resolved anytime soon as international demand and rising production costs are expected to continue. Everyone is wishing that the government could get the prices under control, but what can individuals do to help themselves in the mean time? One obvious answer is to make every gallon of fuel count. Combine your errands into one trip, car pool, observe speed limits and make sure your vehicle is properly maintained with oil changes, filter changes and air pressure. For some the answer may come with a vehicle that is already fuel-efficient. It doesn’t take a lot of calculation to discover you may be able to save money with a fuel-efficient car. In many cases, it can more than justify a car payment. 

I would like to spotlight two offerings from Ford Motor Company. The 2012 Fiesta and the 2012 Focus.

The Fiesta is available in two body style configurations, a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback. The Fiesta boasts an EPA-estimated 29 city mpg and 40 highway mpg. (with SFE Package) The features don’t end there as the Fiesta also is an IIHS Top Safety pick with seven airbags, AdvanceTrac and enhanced protective cabin architecture. Fiesta has a range of options including Cargo Management, Sirius XM Satellite radio, SYNC, Keyless entry and Remote start. The Fiesta has a 1.6L Duratec I-4 engine making 120hp @ 6,350rpm and is available with a 5-speed manual or the PowerShift 6-speed automatic transmission.

The Focus was redesigned for the 2012 model year. It has a dynamic design that gives the appearance that it is moving, even while sitting still. Like the Fiesta, it is available as a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback. The Focus is powered by a 2.0L Ti-VCT (twin-independent variable camshaft timing) Gasoline-Direct-Injection I-4 engine making 160hp. What does this mean to you? An EPA-estimated 28 city mpg and 40 highway mpg. (with SFE Package) Focus has a host of technology and safety features such as dual-stage front airbags and seat mounted side airbags, curtain airbags and an ultra-rigid safety cage and crumple-zone body structure. Focus has a laundry-list of options available including convenience packages, SYNC, Sirius Satellite radio, MyFord Touch and Sony sound system, Voice-activated Navigation, Interior style packages, Parking Technology packages, Winter packages and Handling packages.

The fuel conscious Ford Motor Company also has many other gas saving vehicles to consider depending on your needs; from the roomy mid-sized Fusion to the 2.0L EcoBoost powered Explorer. In fact, Ford is paving the way with seven, that's right, SEVEN vehicles that have best-in-class fuel economy. Stop by Ed Koehn Ford Lincoln today and drive the Fiesta or Focus today. Fuel efficency doesn't have to mean weak performance.

a brief video about aerodynamics, fuel economy and wind noise