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Ford Mustang emerges from tornado devastation under its own power

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Etc., Videos, Ford

Tornado damaged Ford Mustang, Tuscaloosa, AL

Ford Mustang drives out of the rubble in Tuscaloosa, AL – Click above to watch the video after the jump.

The death toll from Wednesday’s tornadoes has reached a staggering 204 in the state of Alabama alone. The once proud university town of Tuscaloosa, home to the multi-time NCAA National Champion Crimson Tide football team, lies in ruin. For now, there isn’t much in the way of inspiring news from the state.

This morning, though, a video hit the web of a Tuscaloosa resident driving his Ford Mustang convertible out of the wreckage. The Mustang is far from a pretty sight, and likely won’t be moving anywhere else under its own grunt any time soon, but it’s inspiring nonetheless – a small glimmer that not all is lost.

True, a ragged, fifteen-year-old Ford dragging itself from the ruins of a terrible natural disaster isn’t exactly the feel-good hit of the summer. True, the car’s miraculous survival doesn’t serve as a sign that Alabama’s return to normal is right around the corner. What it does show, on however small a level, is that there’s always hope, no matter how bleak things get. Check out the video after the break. Thanks for the tip, Douglass!

[Source: WFAA]

Continue reading Ford Mustang emerges from tornado devastation under its own power

Ford Mustang emerges from tornado devastation under its own power originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford joins GM, Chrysler in sitting out Tokyo Motor Show

Filed under: Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Chrysler, Ford, GM

Tokyo Motor Show

An American auto show wouldn’t be the same without the participation of Japanese automakers. But the inverse could hardly be said, as all three of Detroit’s automakers are set to be no-shows at the Tokyo Motor Show once again.

News of General Motors and Chrysler passing on the semi-annual Japanese auto expo came back in February, with word of Ford’s plan to pass just now being released. It will be the second time that the Big Three are staying back in Detroit, after having sat out the last show in 2009. Tokyo Motor Show organizers tried to attract more exhibitors by changing its venue and timeframe – a necessary move, as Tokyo is quickly losing ground to the auto shows in Shanghai and Beijing.

A slew of European automakers are set to be on hand in Tokyo, as the list of exhibitors has been released to include Volkswagen and several of its brands, as well as Daimler and BMW, along with Saab, Renault, Citroën, Peugeot, Jaguar and Land Rover. However, like its American counterpart, Fiat and its brand portfolio are notably absent from the list.

[Source: Tokyo Motor Show via Automotive News – sub. req.]

Ford joins GM, Chrysler in sitting out Tokyo Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford’s EcoBoost V6 accounts for 36% of all F-150 sales

Filed under: Truck, Ford

2011 ecoboost f-150

2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost – Click above for high-res image gallery

When gas prices hit $4 per gallon in the past, pickup sales suffered as a result. We have to wait until April sales are released to know how much truck sales have been hurt by the latest spike at the pump, but it’s clear that the Ford F-150 is getting a big boost from its turbocharged V6.

Automotive News reports that 36 percent of all F-150s are equipped with the optional EcoBoost V6, which costs between $750 and $1,750 depending on the model. What’s more, the EcoBoost model is reportedly accounting for 40 percent of all F-150 orders, and there is currently a scant 13-day supply of the boosted trucks.

Traditionally, full-size truck buyers have been more inclined to opt for larger V8 engines, but the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 appears to have changed some minds. The mill’s V8-like 365 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque means that capability won’t be compromised, while fuel economy rises by up to 20 percent. The Environmental Protection Agency gave the boosted F-150 a 16 mile per gallon city rating and a 22 mpg rating in highway driving.

At the same time, Ford claims a maximum tow rating of 11,300 pounds with an EcoBoost-equipped F-150, depending on the model configuration. For comparison’s sake, F-150s that come with the 411-hp, 6.2-liter V8 can also tow 11,300 pounds, but fuel economy tops out at only 18 mpg in highway driving.

With the EcoBoost F-150 off to a rousing start, the next big question is whether the boosted V6 has staying power in the event gas prices drop back down to more normal levels. We’ll have to wait and see, but with power and capability that matches other trucks in the F-150 lineup and a significant fuel economy savings, we can’t see why not.

Gallery: 2011 Ford F-150: First Drive

2011 Ford F-150

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

Ford’s EcoBoost V6 accounts for 36% of all F-150 sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Ford Taurus design points the way for next Falcon, Mondeo

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Wagon, Ford, Australia, Design/Style

2013 Ford Taurus

2013 Ford Taurus – Click above for high-res image gallery

If you’ve been wondering exactly what Ford has in mind for the next-generation Falcon, look no further than the recently revealed 2013 Taurus for a few clues. Ford design guru J Mays has officially made it clear that the look of the sedan will be transposed onto several of the automaker’s other products, including models like the Mondeo and Falcon. The crew from Go Auto spoke to Mays at the New York International Auto Show last week where the designer said that the corporate look will still allow each model to flex its character.

Mays said that the design was heavily influenced by vehicles like the Audi A6 and that the new trapezoidal grille design on the 2013 Taurus will allow the vehicle’s face to be easily applied to a range of products. Even so, don’t expect to see exact carbon copies across the dealer lot. Mays made it clear that the design can be modified to deliver everything from an aggressive visage to a more subdued look.

Gallery: 2013 Ford Taurus

2013 Ford Taurus

[Source: Go Auto]

2013 Ford Taurus design points the way for next Falcon, Mondeo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford head honcho Mulally talks tech with The Engadget Show

Filed under: Hybrid, Videos, Ford, Electric

Ford CEO Alan Mulally

Alan Mulally on The Engadget Show – Click above to watch video after the jump

If you aren’t already an avid follower of The Engadget Show, we highly recommend checking out the video series. The editors of our favorite tech site (disclosure: Engadget and Autoblog are both owned by AOL) routinely sit down with the movers and shakers of the electronics and gadget world for a look into what’s new and what’s next. The latest episode delves into everything from a hybrid version of the Shredder to the BlackBerry PlayBook. Of course, we’re a little more interested in the show’s interview with Ford CEO Alan Mulally. Engadget caught up with Mulally while he was in New York for the 2011 New York Auto Show and picked his brain on the future of the electric car and Ford’s vision for the automobile moving forward.

Like most manufacturers, Ford is currently working to develop new battery technologies that will allow for quicker charge times, though Mulally says that his company also hopes to see the electric car become a more integral part of the electrical grid as a whole in the near future. As battery technology advances, Ford wants EVs to be able to charge on off-peak hours, store energy and feed it back to homes and businesses when not in use.

Pretty clever.

Hit the jump to see the full episode of The Engadget Show after the jump.

[Source: Engadget]

Continue reading Ford head honcho Mulally talks tech with The Engadget Show

Ford head honcho Mulally talks tech with The Engadget Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2013 Ford Flex caught sporting first major update

Filed under: Spy Photos, Etc., Crossover, Ford

2013 Ford Flex Spy Shot

2013 Ford Flex spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

The engineers and designers at Ford are hard at work on the next take for one of its largest crossovers. Our spy photographers have managed to snap a few photos of the 2013 Ford Flex ahead of its debut later this year, and from the looks of things, the vehicle will borrow more than a few styling cues from its platform-mate, the 2011 Explorer. Expect to see a more corporate face, complete with a new grille, angular headlights and a revised front fascia among other tweaks. Projector fog lights seem to have made their way to the option sheet for the first time and new wheels should also be available.

Out back, the 2013 Flex looks like it will make use of a restyled tail gate as well. So far, it’s unclear exactly what sort of interior upgrades the three-row CUV will receive, though we’d feel comfortable in guessing that MyFord Touch will likely make an appearance in the cabin for the first time. In addition, Ford may pull some fuel economy tricks from the ether as well.

Gallery: 2013 Ford Flex spy shots

[Source: Brenda Priddy & Company]

Spy Shots: 2013 Ford Flex caught sporting first major update originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Mustang Boss 302 fails Motor Trend brake test. Here’s why

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Safety, Ford

2012 ford mustang boss 302

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

Ford’s new M3-fightin’ Mustang, the 2012 Boss 302, is a 444-horsepower, rear-wheel-drive two-door designed to fight well above its weight class. Motor Trend decided to spend quality time with the coupe, and something scary happened. Not scary as in ‘whoa, this thing is scary fast’ but more along the lines of ‘call my tailor, I ruined my pants’ terrifying.

Part of M/T’s testing gauntlet includes a look at braking distance. Road Test Editor Scott Mortara ran the Ford up to 70 miles per hour. Now it was time to see how quickly he could bring it to zero. Typically, this is just a matter of mashing the brakes and holding on. The sound of straining tires is a sound that’s welcome, but a metallic snapping noise is not. Either way, the 2012 Boss 302 was a runaway pony.

Mortara used the six-speed manual transmission to reduce the coupe’s speed before exiting the track through a gap at its end. What went wrong? A pin that connects the brake pedal to the rod that actuates the master cylinder had failed and snapped off. Normally, the brake pedal connects to the rod in a manner that distributes the pressure evenly over a large surface area and would still actuate the brakes when one presses the pedal. The setup on this particular Mustang was faulty, and allowed for far more pressure on the individual piece that failed.

Ford has examined this car, as well as the brake installation process at its assembly plants. It seems this car is unique in its defect. Motor Trend contends that it’s possible the brake assembly was removed then reinstalled after the vehicle left the factory, which could explain why the part failed in such an abnormal manner. Check out the full story over at Motor Trend.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302: First Drive

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

[Source: Motor Trend]

Ford Mustang Boss 302 fails Motor Trend brake test. Here’s why originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ford Taurus Police Interceptor to hit streets with 2013 updates

Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Work, Ford

2013 ford taurus

2013 Ford Taurus and 2012 Taurus Police Interceptor – Click either image for high-res gallery

2012 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor The Ford Crown Victoria has been such a valuable asset to police agencies around the U.S. that some municipalities have gone as far as to order extras. The reason? The Crown Vic will be retired at the end of 2011, with a replacement coming in the form of the Taurus Police Interceptor. But with the new 2013 Taurus being shown at the New York Auto Show and Ford already having shown a version of the cruiser based on the 2011 model, which version will the cops get?

USA Today reports that Ford product boss Derrick Kuzak says the Taurus PI will in fact be based off the 2013 model, which includes LED taillights and new front and rear fascias. Beyond cosmetic upgrades, the 2013 Taurus will also receive a 27-horsepower boost from the 3.5-liter V6 (to 290 hp) and an EcoBoost 2.0-liter turbo that boasts highway fuel economy of 31 miles per gallon. The V6-powered EcoBoost Taurus SHO will continue to feature 365 hp.

Since the new Taurus PI will be a 2013 model, will it also offer all three powertrains? We’re thinking there might be a few police agencies that would be interested in a more fuel efficient cop car. A 2.0-liter EcoBoost model could save municipalities some bucks, but historically, most departments have shied away from the high-tech and smaller displacement in favor of the less complex and tried-and-true, so we’re not sure how well they’d fare in the marketplace. What are your thoughts? Have your say in Comments.

Gallery: 2013 Ford Taurus

2013 Ford Taurus

Gallery: 2012 Ford Police Interceptor

[Source: USA Today]

Report: Ford Taurus Police Interceptor to hit streets with 2013 updates originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ken Block murders out his 2011 Ford SVT Raptor

Ken Block’s 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford decided to show its appreciation for Ken Block’s work by gifting the Gymkhana god with a brand-new 2011 F-150 SVT Raptor. Once he took delivery of his gratis off-road rocket, Block wasted no time giving the truck a more acute sense of evil, courtesy of blacked-out wheels and a matte-black wrap.

Though its signature decals are gone, Block’s 6.2-liter V8-powered pickup is still instantly recognizable as a Raptor, thanks to the louvered hood, bulging fenders, and Raptor-only grille and headlights. Block’s new truck should be the perfect addition to his high-horsepower stable, with enough grunt to tow any of his non-street legal toys to his favorite playground, or as a brutal plaything in its own right.

Gallery: Ken Block’s murdered-out 2011 Ford Raptor

Ken Block's murdered-out 2011 Ford Raptor

[Source: Facebook]

Ken Block murders out his 2011 Ford SVT Raptor originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Apr 2011 20:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Followup: Elena Ford pleads guilty to DUI, gets probation

Filed under: Government/Legal, Ford

Bloomberg reports that Ford Global Marketing Director Elena Ford (great-great-granddaughter of Henry Ford) has plead guilty to Driving Under the Influence of alcohol, saying the incident has been a “complete embarrassment” to her family. The Ford family heiress was arrested on April 4 after failing a sobriety test and registering a .14 on a breathalyzer; nearly twice the legal limit of .08 in Michigan. Police pulled Ford over after she reportedly jumped the median in in her 2011 Ford Explorer. The Michigan court sentenced the 44-year-old Ford to two years’ probation, 240 hours of community service and mandatory counseling. Ford was originally also charged with child endangerment since she had her 11-year-old son in the car. [Source: Bloomberg]

Followup: Elena Ford pleads guilty to DUI, gets probation originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 14:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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