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Ford GT designer Pardo selling racy new artwork this week

Filed under: Etc., Ford, Celebrities, Design/Style

Camilo Pardo painting 'her targets'

Camilo Pardo creates his limited-edition “Her Targets” – Click above for high-res image gallery

Camilo Pardo is a name many of you will recognize. He’s the man responsible for bringing the Ford GT40 back to life in its modern Ford GT form. Besides penning beautiful automobiles, Pardo also works in other art mediums. The designer has created a very limited-edition run of prints, and the hand-signed work is available at a surprisingly affordable price. Each of the 45 prints is up on 1xRUN.com, a site dedicated to providing limited-edition artwork at low prices. The cost for each print is $80 – Pardo’s other work often commands over a thousand dollars, so this is something of a bargain.

If you’re interested, you might want to act quickly because all 45 prints ought to move quickly at that price. You can see Pardo’s racy take on Chip Ganassi Target Racing’s team racing suit in our gallery below or head straight to 1xRUN to grab an example for yourself.

Gallery: Camilo Pardo creates limited-edition Her Targets artwork

Camilo Pardo creates limited-edition Her Targets artwork

[Source: 1xRUN]

Ford GT designer Pardo selling racy new artwork this week originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Ford Explorer

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Ford, First Drive

Don’t Call It A Comeback…

2011 Ford Explorer

2011 Ford Explorer – Click above for high-res image gallery

At least a few eyebrows were raised when Ford first let on that it was bringing the Explorer back in a radically different form for 2011 – but not all of the quizzical looks were for the same reasons.

For one thing, the Explorer name had been seriously damaged because of the very public Firestone tire rollover controversy of the early 2000s, something that ostensibly made the 2011 model a prime candidate for a new name. In addition, early rumors had the Blue Oval transitioning the vehicle to a unibody chassis and away from the very body-on-frame architecture that helped establish it as the archetypal sport utility vehicle for two decades. It simply wasn’t clear that a crossover-based vehicle would still be able to make an authentic claim to the same core values that helped the previous four iterations of Explorer sell millions of copies. Finally, Ford already had a very competent three-row CUV in its arsenal – the Flex. Were its dealers really looking for another one?

And yet… here we are, with a spanking-new and very different sort of Explorer for 2011. Have Alan Mullaly and Co. made the right call? Click through the jump as we try to find out.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer: First Drive

2011 Ford Explorer

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First Drive: 2011 Ford Explorer originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford investing $600M in Louisville plant for next-gen Escape

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Ford

Louisville Assembly

Ford’s Louisville plant is old and out-of-date, but that’s about to change with a $600 million cash infusion. Ford says that the forthcoming overhaul will make the facility the automaker’s most flexible plant in the world, while adding an additional 1,800 union jobs to handle increased production.

Construction at the facility will commence later this month, with new tooling and equipment pouring in. Ford will re-open the Louisville plant in late 2011, in time to produce the next-generation Escape while “providing future manufacturing flexibility.” In other words, Ford will be able to add other models to the facility as demand shifts.

News of Ford’s Louisville plant upgrade is likely good for those who live and work in the region, and the state of Kentucky is showing its appreciation with tax incentives. Ford will receive up to $240 million in tax breaks over the next 10 years. Hit the jump to read over Ford’s press release.

[Source: Ford]

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Ford investing $600M in Louisville plant for next-gen Escape originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Dec 2010 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ford B-Max minivan concept coming to Geneva

Filed under: Concept Cars, Minivan/Van, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Ford

Ford Fusion

It sounds like Ford is getting ready to square off against the Opel Meriva small minivan in Europe. According to Automotive News, Ford will be bringing an all-new B-segment van to next year’s Geneva Motor Show. The Blue Oval’s European arm is keeping the details of the vehicle close to its chest, but from what we understand, the new minivan should begin production toward the end of 2012. The company has already made it clear that its Craiova, Romania facility will be tasked with constructing a new B-segment fighter sometime soon, and news has it that the vehicle will be more people mover than hatchback.

If true, that means that the new van is likely to carry the B-Max moniker to keep in line with creations like the C-Max and S-Max. In Europe, Ford has relied on its aging Fusion people mover to carry the company in the small-car segment, and the aging platform has begun to slip over the past few years. While it once held the number two slot, the Fusion has fallen to be the fifth most popular vehicle among the B-segment vans.

Regardless of whether or not the B-Max can knock the Meriva off of its throne, we aren’t likely to see it here in the states.

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

Report: Ford B-Max minivan concept coming to Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford F-150 SVT Raptor named Four Wheeler 2011 Pickup Truck of the Year

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Ford, Off-Road

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2 – Click above for high-res image gallery

It’s good to know that there’s still some sense left in the world. The minds at Four Wheeler have announced that of all the excellent pickup trucks for sale right now, the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2 is king of the heap. The magazine has officially crowned the big Blue Oval as its Truck of the Year, saying that the go-fast off-roader is every four-wheel-drive enthusiast’s dream machine straight from the factory. After our stints behind the wheel of the Raptor, we’re inclined to agree.

Four Wheeler has been choosing a truck of the year since 1989, and to classify, a model must be new or significantly revised compared to its predecessor. This year, the magazine lined up the Raptor alongside the Ford Super Duty Power Stroke Lariat FX4 and the Chevrolet 2500 Silverado Z71, but it was the Ford’s bird of prey that came out on top. You can check out the full report in the March 2011 issue of Four Wheeler, which is set to hit the stands in January, logically.

Gallery: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2: Review

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2

[Source: Four Wheeler]

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor named Four Wheeler 2011 Pickup Truck of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford Explorer V6 achieves 25 mpg on highway

Filed under: Crossover, Ford

2011 Ford Explorer hangs on the beach

2011 Ford Explorer – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has promised that the 2011 Ford Explorer would achieve a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy, and now we can put a pair of numbers with that claim. Environmental Protection Agency ratings show that the Explorer will average 25 miles per gallon on the highway and 17 mpg in the city; a big improvement over the last generation model’s 20/14 numbers. The fuel economy numbers for Ford’s newest offering also claims bragging rights over the Honda Pilot and the V6-powered Toyota Highlander.

Ford managed such a vast improvement by switching to a lighter front-drive-based setup with a more aerodynamic body. In fact, Ford claims that the Explorer’s new rear lip spoiler alone accounts for an efficiency gain of nearly one mpg. Ford’s new full-size SUV will also sport a far more efficient 292 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 with twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) mated to a six-speed auto transmission and the company’s new EPAS electronic power steering system.

Hitting 25 miles per gallon with a 292-horsepower engine is significant, but The Blue Oval promises more improvement once the turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder arrives early in 2011. The powerful little mill promises to be 30 percent more efficient than the 2010 model. The V6-powered Explorer is now in full production and headed to a dealer near you. Hit the jump to read over the Ford press release.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer Southern California Live Debut

[Source: Ford]

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2011 Ford Explorer V6 achieves 25 mpg on highway originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Racing officially announces the 2012 Mustang Cobra Jet

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Ford, Racing

2012 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet – Click above for high-res image gallery

Last week it was leaked that Ford would be bringing its purpose-built drag racer, the Cobra Jet, back for another year in 2012. Today Ford made it official by revealing the car at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) show in Florida alongside its road racing brother, the Boss 302S.

After getting an upgrade in 2010, the Cobra Jet is getting revised once again for 2012 with an updated version of the supercharged 5.4-liter V8 and modified suspension, low-drag racing brakes, new black anodized wheels and a stickier set of Goodyear racing slicks. Three colors will be offered – Race Red, Grabber Blue and Winner White – and just 50 will be available from the Ford Racing catalog. Pricing starts at $91,990 with a fully loaded Cobra Jet coming in at $103,980. Follow the jump for the press release.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet

[Source: Ford]

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Ford Racing officially announces the 2012 Mustang Cobra Jet originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford, Honda lead latest J.D. Power owner loyalty survey

Filed under: Car Buying, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Toyota

J.D. Power 2010 Customer Retention Study

Customer loyalty is incredibly important to automakers and something earned by providing both good products and service. J.D. Power has just put out its 2010 Customer Retention Study to show how well each automaker is doing at keeping existing car buyers coming back for more. Leading the way are Ford and Honda who tie each other with a 62 percent rate of customer retention. Hyundai, Lexus and Toyota are right on their heels however with a rate of 60 percent each.

Overall, import manufacturers have the edge on the domestics but that gap has slimmed down due to customers realizing that American automakers are producing a greater number of good products. Of the top 10 automakers in the study, nine are imports.

One of those imports is Kia, which has climbed the most compared to the 2009 study. Rising 21 percentage points, the Korean automaker now sees a rate of retention of 58 percent. That’s 10 points above the industry average.

Be sure to click past the jump to take a look at the full press release for more information on this study.

[Source: J.D. Power]

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Ford, Honda lead latest J.D. Power owner loyalty survey originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Racing unveils Mustang Boss 302S race car

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Ford, Racing

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302S

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302S – Click above for a high-res image gallery

Today at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) show in Orlando, FL, Ford Racing took the wraps off its latest Mustang race car, the Boss 302S. Serving as a replacement for the now defunct FR500S race car that was used for the Mustang Challenge race series, the Boss 302S is intended for the serious track day enthusiast as well as racing series like the SCCA’s World Challenge and NASA’s American Iron.

Fitting in between the Boss 302 Laguna Seca and the Boss 302R race car that competes in Grand-Am, the Boss 302S will feature the stock transmission, clutch and flywheel mated to the Boss 302 5.0-liter engine putting out 440 horsepower. Race-spec items like a six-point roll cage and Recaro HANS Pro Racer seat will be standard, as well as a fully adjustable suspension system, Brembo race brake system, massive front splitter and an adjustable carbon fiber rear wing. Pricing is set at $79,000, identical to the FR500S, and just 50 will be available from the Ford Racing Performance Parts catalog. Hit the jump for a full list of Mustang Boss 302S features and specs.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302S

[Source: Ford]

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Ford Racing unveils Mustang Boss 302S race car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quick Spin: 2011 Ford Flex Titanium

Filed under: Wagon, Crossover, Ford, Quick Spin

Where Useful Crossover Meets Luxury Sport Wagon

2011 Ford Flex Titanium

2011 Ford Flex Titanium – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has been hard at work building the finest arsenal of in-cabin technologies in the auto industry, and our recent reviews of its products suggest the effort is paying off. But offering a huge collection of amenities means the customer must choose from a laundry list of options that can make the car-buying process overly complicated. Some options aren’t available on some trim levels, while those same options come standard on others. Ford also uses “Rapid Spec” packages that can range in price from $1,000 to well over $4,000, depending on how much luxury and technology you care to pile on. And, of course, there’s nothing worse than checking a box with an asterisk, a bit of punctuation that means you have to add another option before earning the right to check the box you wanted in the first place.

Ordering a new vehicle gets a lot easier when you use the “I’ll take everything” approach. This is the simplest way to shop, but it’s also the priciest. And what happens if “everything” isn’t enough? Ford thinks it has the answer to that question: a Titanium model that bungees on every conceivable extra to already loaded-up Limited models. Already a hit in Europe, Ford’s Titanium trim level is chugging across The Pond this year with a maiden voyage aboard the S.S. Flex. We just spent a week with the 2011 Flex Titanium to see if the Blue Oval’s ultimate trim level is worth its premium price.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Flex Titanium: Quick Spin

2011 Ford Flex Titanium

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Quick Spin: 2011 Ford Flex Titanium originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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