Marking a milestone in one of the key hindrances to plague electric vehicles (EVs) thus far, eight of the word’s automakers have agreed to unify on a harmonized charging system capable of a 15-minute recharge.
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While concept vehicles are fun to look at, that is usually about as useful as they get, but that wasn’t the case with the Ford F-550 Super Duty rescue concept, which had an unscheduled date with a real world disaster.
Those anxiously awaiting for Ford‘s first electric car will be pleased to know the American automaker hopes to have its EV available nationwide by the end of this year.
The Focus Electric will launch in California, New York, and New Jersey first and later this summer we will see it expand to 14 other states including Texas, Washington, and Virginia. According to Ford, there will be four phases of rollout in total with the third phase opening up another nine states including Hawaii, New Mexico, and Ohio. The final phase will bring the new EV to the rest of America to enjoy emissions-free driving.
Only select dealerships will have the Focus Electric on hand initially, as the American automaker requires each dealer to have at least two onsite charging stations as well as highly-specialized training, and one Focus Electric in stock at all times for demonstration purposes.
Priced from $39,200, the Focus Electric packs 143-hp with a 23 kWh lithium-ion battery and is currently America’s most fuel-efficient, five-passenger vehicle with a 110 MPGe rating in the city. Ford also likes to brag that its Focus can be charged in nearly half the time of its competitor, the Nissan Leaf.
“Ford is giving customers the power of choice for leading fuel economy regardless of what type of vehicle or powertrain technology they choose,” said Eric Kuehn, chief nameplate engineer, Focus Electric.
Ford Focus Electric Launch Map
In an interesting marketing tactic, Ford‘s latest commercial uses an unusual scheme to get attention: it doesn’t mention the brand at all.
According to a leaked spec sheet, Ford‘s upcoming Focus ST global hot hatch will start at $23,700 ($24,495 with the $795 destination charge).
Since its inception, Ford’s former Global Performance Vehicles chief Jost Capito intended for the Ford Focus ST to be at the top of its class, ”We want to have the best hot hatch in the sector. We want to be better than a VW Golf GTI, better than a Renaultsport Megane 250 – and we believe we have achieved that with a car that can be used day-to-day but is also extremely entertaining for enthusiastic drivers.”
Packed with the robust EcoBoost 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the Focus ST produces 247-hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. Offered with a 6-speed manual transmission, the driving enthusiast’s gearbox of choice, the Focus ST lays down a 0-to-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds.
Although the latest hot hatch is certainly a lot of car for an affordable price, tacking on additional trim packages and equipment groups can quickly drive the price closer to $30k. Order codes ‘Equipment Group 201A and 202A charge for $2,505 and $4,840, respectively. A moonroof will cost $895, navigation is an additional $795, the special Tangerine Scream Tricoat Paint finish will cost another $495, and finally, an engine block heater will set you back another $35.
Depending on trim levels and combinations, a fully equipped Focus ST should fall close to $29,000, drawing it near basic Ford V6 Mustang territory. Despite the risk of overlap, these two sport oriented cars are distinct enough as to not risk the cannibalization of sales.
With the Focus ST set to arrive in dealers later this year, it’s only a matter of time before Ford releases a Fiesta ST hot hatch for the US as well.
GALLERY: 2013 Ford Focus ST
[Source: FordSTNation.com]
The automotive industry is a global business that is constantly evolving and growing, and we here at AutoGuide know it can be hard to keep up sometimes. So here is a summary of the top stories you may have missed this week:
J.D. Power Releases Top 5 Most Desired New Car Technologies
J.D. Power has released a study today which details…
2014 Chevrolet ‘SS Performance’ Name Slips into OnStar App
Nobody we’ve talked to knows what a 2014 Chevrolet“SS Performance” is…
Roush and Ford have teamed up to donate a complete one-off 2013 Roush Stage 3 Mustang to be auctioned off at the upcoming SAE Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Celebration.
After a series of complaints about seats failing to latch properly in 2004 Ford Windstars and Mercury Monterey minivans, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is upgrading its inquiry of the 63,000 vans from an investigation to an engineering analysis.
With the verified numbers in, it seems the 2013 Shelby GT500 was actually underrated at 650 hp. Instead it makes an impressive 662 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque.
In the quest to find a new car, there are a lot of questions that need to be asked. Questions about cargo room, technology, options, luxuries and other various elements will come up more than a few times while shopping for a new car. However, from the car driver’s perspective, there are just three main questions:
How comfortable is the driving experience?
How fun is it to drive?
How good is the car on fuel?
A major factor in answering those three questions has to do with the right transmission. Let’s face it, manual transmissions aren’t for everyone. They require familiarity and a level of perfection to get just right. With a traditional automatic transmission, drivers have been able to experience a fairly comfortable, yet less engaging experience. Still, an automatic transmission can leave any driving enthusiast unsatisfied. Luckily, progress has been made in the world of automatic transmissions that can help alleviate those woes.
Ford announced the launch of a new campaign encouraging people to adopt a lifestyle devoted to environmental sustainability. The program includes a national electric vehicle education program, a multi-city tour, and finally the debut of a 10-film short documentary series.
Ford’s documentary series, The Big SHFT: 10 Innovators Changing Our World, goes beyond the automotive sector to put emphasis on people creating sustainable businesses to affect positive change around the world. The short film series will feature game-changing eco-entrepreneurs that have brought innovation in sustainability for areas ranging from food and fashion to urbanization, technology and design.
The Ford Mustang is an American Icon that has survived the test of time and will celebrate its 50th birthday in 2014. The Ford pony car has accrued car lovers admiration and a whole fleet of loyal enthusiasts over the years, who will all come together from April 16-20 of 2014 to celebrate Mustang.
The Mustang was championed by automotive industry legend Lee Iacocca, who had to fight Henry Ford II to get the car into production. Once launched, the Mustang was an instant success, even lending its name to an expression, “the Mustang generation” that represented being young and hip. Not much has changed in 50 years it seems, as the next generation Mustang will arrive in 2014 with new sleeker styling to once again target the youth and young adults with Mustang.
Mustang club of America will be hosting the celebrations in 2014 at two locations; Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, NV and Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, NC. Both events will happen simultaneously so that Mustang owners can celebrate their beloved cars all at the same time.
Mustang Club is also organizing “Pony Trail” convoys which will have owners joining together and cruising down the highway together in their ‘Stangs to the event.
Shelby has been synonymous with the Mustang nameplate since its 2007 re-establishment as Ford‘s halo car producer, but that might be changing soon.
It seems the low-volume performance tuner currently best known for the Shelby GT500 is exploring the possibility of tuning other Ford vehicles to maximize performance., according to AutoBlog.
We already know that a contract to continue producing the GT500 through 2020 is in place, but an interview with Shelby president John Luft hints at more than one product in the future.
The Ford Escape saw a major overhaul for the 2013 model year, ditching its traditional SUV styling for something more in line with the European Kuga offering.
As part of the American automaker’s ‘One Ford’ plan of ensuring North American models are nearly identical to its European counterparts, the changes to the 2013 Ford Escape are being welcomed with open arms.
Ford announced that it has almost 8,000 orders for its new Escape that will be hitting showrooms late next month with a starting price of $23,295, about $200 cheaper than its predecessor. But the base model isn’t even what the consumers are interested in. Half the orders for the new Ford Escape are for the higher trim levels: the new Titanium and the SEL which starts at $28,695. That falls in line with our recent report that average new car sales reached an all-time high of $30,748.
Powered by either a 1.6- or 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, the Escape combines performance (thanks to a turbocharger) with fuel efficiency. The previous 2.5L four-cylinder is also being carried over, but it’s expected that most buyers will opt for the new EcoBoost offerings.
GALLERY: 2013 Ford Escape
[Source: Detroit Free Press]
Ford recently announced the EPA fuel efficiency rating for its electric Focus model. Since it doesn’t burn any gasoline, the number isn’t in miles per gallon (MPG), but was given as miles per gallon gasoline equivalent, or MPGe. A new term to the automotive lexicon, it’s worth exploring exactly what MPGe means and how an MPGe rating is determined, especially as the number of electric cars and plug-in electric hybrids on the roads continues to increase.
Ford is introducing its latest social media product, the “Plug N Play in Electric City with the 2012 Focus Electric,” a Facebook-based game, ahead of the official release of the Focus Electric EV.
The Facebook game gives users and four of his or her friends the opportunity to create a short virtual trip in the new Ford electric vehicle, using MapQuest mapping data to calculate how far a destination is in relation to available charging stations nearby.
Ford Focus Electric marketing manager Chad D’Arcy says, “This is a great way for consumers to both have fun and learn about the new Focus Electric at the same time. We want to offer people the opportunity to experience the car now, especially those on Facebook who have supported us for so long.”
While pricing of the Ford Focus Electric isn’t breaking news, the American automaker is very close to its launch which means more details surrounding the car are coming out of the woodwork.
Powered by a 23kWh-capacity lithium ion battery, the Focus Electric has its battery temperature managed by a liquid-cooling system and is 25 to 30 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter than a standard nickel-metal hydride battery. Ford claims that the Focus Electric can be charged in four hours while connected to a 240-volt source.
The front-wheel drive EV has an electric motor with 141-hp and can get around 110-MPGe in the city and 99-MPGe on the highway. The EPA estimates that the Focus Electric will get up to 76 miles on a single charge, giving it a slight three mile advantage over the Nissan Leaf.
But the technology in the Focus Electric is what has people buzzing. It will come equipped with an updated version of the MyFord Touch instrument cluster that is easily paired to the MyFord Mobile app that is available for iOS, Android, and BlackBerry devices. Users will be able to remotely view their vehicle’s current battery state, percentage of capacity, and estimated driving range. In addition, the app will allow owners to schedule charging for later or even tell the system to immediately charge. Best yet, there is a fail safe built into the app to inform owners if the car isn’t charging when it’s supposed to be or is unplugged for some strange reason.
Think that’s cool enough? There’s more. The app will lock and unlock the Focus Electric’s doors, start the climate control system, and awards achievements based on how green-friendly the driver drives.
Future owners of the Focus Electric that want a 240-volt charging station in their home will have to shell out an additional $1,499 and can order one through their local Best Buy store.
Ford began production on its Focus Electric back in December 2011 and will begin appearing at dealerships in the first half of 2012 in select states (California, New York, and New Jersey). The American automaker hopes to have it in 19 markets across the U.S. before the end of 2012. The $39,200 MSRP does not include the $795 destination charge.
[Source: CNet]
Despite an all-new look, platform, new engines and technology, the 2013 Ford Escape is priced lower than its predecessor. Starting at $23,295 (including $895 shipping), the Escape S, which comes with a 168 hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, is a slight $200 less than the 2012 model.
Running through the list of models the SE will retail for $25,895 and will come standard with Ford’s 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine. This turbocharged engine is expected to make up as much as 90 percent of the Escape’s volume and makes 173 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. Ford also expects it will get 5 mpg better than its predecessor.
SEL models start at $28,695 and include the MyFord Touch infotainment system, a 10-way power driver’s seat and both front and rear temperature controls.
The top-trim Titanium costs $31,265 and comes with a more potent 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine as well as Ford’s new hands-free liftgate. That feature will also be available on SEL models but as a steep $1,895 option. The 2.0L EcoBoost is designed as a replacement for the V6 and delivers 237 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque.
GALLERY: 2013 Ford Escape
Price, looks and size… these are the few factors that used to decide what vehicle you’d park in your driveway. Looking for a cheap and small car? A Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic will do. Need something bigger, perhaps a mid-size Hyundai Sonata or an SUV. Things used to be pretty easy.
With increasingly high gas prices and an overall movement towards green, fuel efficient vehicles, fuel economy has become more important. In fact, for many price, looks and size are now completely trumped by fuel economy.
“Buyers just look at the MPG on the sticker,” says IHS Automotive Analyst Devin Lindsay commenting that car buyers are now completely mesmerized by the EPA sticker label.
Take a look at the Toyota Prius, for example. It’s not terribly big, is fairly expensive, and looks… well… weird. But that didn’t stop three million of them from being sold, all thanks to a hybrid gas-electric engine that provides excellent fuel economy.
The Prius isn’t the only option for someone looking for a fuel efficient car, however; especially those in search of a more engaging driving experience. If you want to cut down on trips to the pump, and still drive a fun, powerful, good looking car, your best bet might just be in a diesel powered vehicle. That does mean you’ll almost certainly have to drive German, although a flood of new diesel-powered vehicles are about to hit our shore.
Already several years into a switch to more efficient EcoBoost engines, the next big move for the Ford Motor Company in the fight to reach increasingly strict fuel economy targets is to significantly reduce the weight of its vehicles.
To help meet those goals the American automaker has today announced a partnership with Dow Automotive Systems to develop low cost, light weight carbon fiber vehicle components.
The goal, says Ford, is to help shed as much as 750 pounds per vehicle by the end of the decade. While carbon fiber is used by a few smaller automakers or in limited production vehicles, Ford’s plan is to integrate the light-weight yet ultra-strong material into its mainstream volume products.
“There are two ways to reduce energy use in vehicles: improving the conversion efficiency of fuels to motion and reducing the amount of work that powertrains need to do,” said Paul Mascarenas, Ford chief technical officer and VP of Research and Innovation. “Ford is tackling the conversion problem primarily through downsizing engines with EcoBoost and electrification while mass reduction and improved aerodynamics are keys to reducing the workload.”
Reducing weight, says Florian Schattenmann, head of R&D for Dow Automotive Systems, is, “particularly critical to improving the range of plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles.”
Ford and Dow will work together to create an affordable way to source carbon fiber as well as a low cost method to integrate it into volume vehicles.
If successful, the use of carbon fiber components on volume cars like the Focus, Fusion and Mustang could happen by the end of the decade.
One of the few cars across the world that guys want to drive and girls want to ride in, the Ford Mustang, will finally get its just distribution as the automaker moves to sell it globally.
When the ball drops in Times Square and calendars turn over to 2015 there will be a shot (or exhaust note as it were) heard round the world. Ford’s move comes in commemoration of the iconic pony car’s 50th anniversary. Yes, we’re having a hard time believing it’s been that long too.
Part of the problem with selling the Mustang in a global market is adjusting it to allow for both right- and left-hand drive configurations. That issue managed, for the most part, to keep the car out of markets like Australia, the U.K. and Japan.
Oil barons chuckle and while most of us cringe at gas making the $4 gallon mark. Studies and announcements are abound that climbing fuel prices are herding people like sheep into buying compact cars. So where do gas-suckers like the Shelby GT500 fit in?
Right where they did every other year, at least according to Shelby American president John Luft who confirmed in an interview with Mustangs Daily that the Snake-bearing ‘Stang will remain in the coming Mustang generation.
Fans of the raging Roush-modified Ford vehicles will be pleased to know the performance tuner has another fire-breather on the way soon — the 2013 Roush Stage 3 Mustang.
When it goes on sale this month, the package won’t beat the legendary Shelby GT500, but it will boosts performance to 565 hp and 505 lb-ft of torque — well beyond the Boss 302.
Stacking the Mustang up to that level is no easy task. Roush achieves the venerable feat by installing a supercharger capable of high speeds to deliver significantly increased power.
Normally, any story about car fires, recalls and safety hazards has the same content: “fill-in-the-blank automaker is recalling fill-in-the-blank cars because they might explode, fall apart or some other terrifying nonsense.”
Not this time. Instead, Ford is dodging a maelstrom of bullets after the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration found that there is no need to recall roughly 1.1 million Ford E-series vehicles over faulty switches. The investigation, which lasted 27 months, began after 1,036 complaints were filed over blower motor control switches failing and causing fires.