Real Ford Owners: Dan

Your Local Ford Store sponsored a promotion asking Real Ford Owners to tell us about their Ford story. Meet Dan and find out about his Ford vehicles and how Fords have been in his family for over 100 years!

Let's Talk: Plug-In Electric Vehicles and Energy Companies Are About to Start Communicating via the Cloud

• Ford is collaborating with seven global automakers and 15 U.S. utilities to develop technology that would allow plug-in electric vehicles to exchange messages with energy providers

• This new software-based technology would let plug-in electric vehicles from all participating automakers communicate with the power companies, managing vehicle charging to help keep the electric grid in balance and running efficiently

• This opt-in program would help manage power and prevent power-grid overload. Owners of plug-in vehicles could receive financial incentives to participate

Ford Motor Company is collaborating with seven of the world’s largest automakers and 15 U.S. utility companies to develop technology for plug-in electric vehicles to talk to the utilities via the cloud – a move that would help manage energy use and improve the efficiency of the power grid.

Collaboration among the automakers, utility companies and Electric Power Research Institute is integral to the pilot program, which will create a standards-based communications platform for use by plug-in electric vehicles and the electric grids. This platform will enable the utilities to contact vehicle customers who have opted-in to the program, sending a request for those cars to stop charging temporarily to help manage a grid that is becoming overloaded.

This approach uses existing communications technology and standards, such as Ford’s MyFord^® Mobile App, and pushes to advance those systems by enabling two-way communication between the electric grid and electric vehicles.

“This innovative platform provides a critical enabler for the next step in vehicle electrification,” said Mike Tinskey, associate global director, Electrification Infrastructure for Ford. “It’s a way for plug-in electric vehicle drivers to be financially rewarded for their willingness to help manage the electric grid.”

Participating utility companies are prepared to offer financial incentives to owners who make their cars available to the grid, similar to utilities offering customers discounts for allowing their home air conditioning to run intermittently during times of high demand. Customers who opt-in to the program can charge their cars at a location of their choice and have the ability to ignore the utility’s request to stop charging.

The formal collaboration between the automakers, utilities and Electric Power Research Institute began in fall 2012. However, the concept and application of electric vehicle/grid integration has been studied extensively by numerous research groups for more than 10 years.

Utilities and regional transmission organizations participating in the software and hardware development and demonstration include: DTE Energy Company, Duke Energy, PJM Interconnection LLC, CenterPoint Energy, Inc., Southern Company, Northeast Utilities, Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, San Diego Gas & Electric, Commonwealth Edison, TVA, Manitoba Hydro, Austin Energy, ConEd and CPS Energy.

Global automotive manufacturers working alongside Ford include American Honda Motor Co., BMW Group, Chrysler Group, General Motors Co., Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America Inc., Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc., and Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Inc.

Ford Sync F-150 with Jarrett Edwards

TV host Jarrett Edwards shows us what the Ford F-150 Sync is all about. Find out more when you watch the video!

Ford EcoBoost Durability with Jarrett Edwards

TV host Jarrett Edwards talks about the durability of the Ford EcoBoost Engine. Find out more in this video!

All-New Ford F-150 2.7-Liter EcoBoost V6 Engine Delivers V8 Capability and Performance

 

 

• Tougher, lighter 2015 Ford F-150 welcomes two new engines to its four-engine lineup, providing choices to meet almost any customer need – from hauling tools to towing trailers

• High-output 2.7-liter EcoBoost^® with standard Auto Start-Stop broadens engine lineup by providing mid-range V8-like towing capability of 8,500 pounds, payload of 2,250 pounds, 325 horsepower, 375 lb.-ft. of torque

• Standard 3.5-liter V6 engine with twin independent variable camshaft timing delivers impressive power and efficiency with towing of 7,600 pounds that can’t be beat, 1,910 pounds of payload, 283 horsepower and 255 lb.-ft. of torque

• Use of high-strength steel and high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy plus smart engineering saves up to 700 pounds, improving power-to-weight ratio and allowing for gains in towing, performance and efficiency

With its new 2.7-liter EcoBoost^® with standard Auto Start-Stop and new 3.5-liter V6 with twin independent variable camshaft timing, the 2015 Ford F-150 resets the bar in light-duty pickup truck performance, capability and efficiency.

“The 2015 F-150 is the most capable F-150 yet, while shedding up to 700 pounds,” said Bob Fascetti, vice president, Powertrain Engineering. “These two new V6 engines – the 2.7-liter turbocharged EcoBoost and normally aspirated 3.5-liter Ti-VCT – set a new standard for Ford for capability and efficiency.”

2.7-liter EcoBoost power

The high-output, twin-turbo 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 features an entirely new design that delivers power and performance in a strong, smart package. The engine produces 325 horsepower and 375 lb.-ft. of torque – improving the power-to-weight ratio of the 2015 truck by 15 percent over the 2014 5.0-liter V8-equipped F-150 with similar torque output, thanks to vehicle light-weighting.

The 2.7-liter EcoBoost 4x2 has a maximum payload rating of 2,250 pounds and maximum tow rating of 8,500 pounds, ideal for meeting mid-range capability needs.

Boosting 2.7-liter EcoBoost fuel efficiency is the debut of standard Auto Start-Stop technology for F-150. This technology, specially tuned for truck customers, shuts off the engine when the vehicle is at a stop. When the brake is released, the engine restarts quickly. Auto Start-Stop helps reduce fuel consumption and emissions when the truck is stopped and the engine is off. The technology is off when towing or in four-wheel-drive mode.

The 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine also features Ford’s first use of a compacted graphite iron cylinder block in a gasoline engine, the same material used in Ford’s 6.7-liter Power Stroke^® turbo diesel V8 in Super Duty trucks. The composite CGI/aluminum cylinder block saves weight while providing strength where it’s needed most for durability.

Advanced technology, power and efficiency combine to create an engine for F-150 that boasts more than twice the horsepower, torque and towing capability of the Toyota Tacoma midsize pickup truck with identical displacement 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine.

Ford testing shows the 2.7-liter EcoBoost also outperforming Ram 1500 3.0-liter V6 EcoDiesel and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3-liter V8 while towing a 7,000-pound enclosed trailer up Davis Dam in Arizona. This is the same grade the Society of Automotive Engineers uses for its J2807 towing testing standards, which the 2015 Ford F-150 will follow.

Engine	Horsepower	Torque (lb.-ft.)	Payload (lbs.)	Towing (lbs.)
2015 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7-liter EcoBoost	325	375	2,160	8,400
2014 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 2.7-liter four-cylinder	159	180	1,335	3,500
2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4x4 5.3-liter V8	355	383	2,007	11,200
2014 Ram 1500 4x4 3.0-liter V6 EcoDiesel	240	420	1,620	9,050

3.5-liter V6 tuned for responsive power

Thanks to vehicle weight savings, the standard 3.5-liter V6 with Ti-VCT offers a 5 percent improvement in power-to-weight ratio over the larger 3.7-liter V6 in the 2014 F-150, with better fuel efficiency and performance.

The 3.5-liter V6 produces 283 horsepower and 255 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine has a maximum payload of 1,910 pounds and a maximum tow rating of 7,600 pounds – unsurpassed for standard V6 light-duty pickup trucks.

Designed for impressive power and durability, the 24-valve 3.5-liter V6 features a valvetrain with direct-acting polished mechanical buckets with twin independent variable camshaft timing for impressive torque across a wide rpm range. Six-bolt main bearing caps, a fully counterweighted forged steel crankshaft and cast exhaust manifolds are designed for heavy-duty operation.

Both the upper and lower intake manifolds of the 3.5-liter V6 are tuned for responsive power, and both the intake manifolds and cam covers are composite-formed to reduce weight. The die-cast aluminum cylinder block features bay-to-bay breathing to reduce internal pumping losses, while a deep-sump oil pan contributes to extended oil-change intervals.

Advanced materials save weight

Extensive research by Ford engineers led to the use of more advanced materials on the 2015 F-150 than found in previous trucks. Military-grade aluminum alloys make the new truck’s body lighter, stronger and more resistant to dents.

Overall, F-150 is up to 700 pounds lighter – helping the truck tow and haul more, accelerate and stop faster, and operate more efficiently than the previous F-150. High-strength steel in the frame and high-strength aluminum alloy throughout the body produce an inherently stiffer truck with greater dent and ding resistance. The aluminum upper body sits on a fully boxed ladder frame with more high-strength steel than ever to make it stronger yet lighter.

In addition to the new V6 engines, the all-new 2015 F-150 offers the proven 3.5-liter EcoBoost and the 5.0-liter V8 with Ti-VCT, providing a comprehensive, capable and efficient engine lineup to meet the specific needs of Ford truck customers.

Ford EcoBoost Engine with Jarrett Edwards

TV host Jarrett Edwards shows us the Ford F-150 EcoBoost Engine. Watch what the EcoBoost Engine can do for you!

Real Ford Owners: David and Jill

Your Local Ford Store sponsored a promotion asking Real Ford Owners to tell us about their Ford story. We introduce to you, David and Jill. Hear all about their love for Ford Mustangs and their club, "Mustangs Anonymous"!

Detroit Symphony Orchestra Performs at Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant

Bach, brass and steel -- Ford and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra are working together to show that classical music can be enjoyed anywhere.

Five members of the DSO's brass section recently paid a visit to Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich., where they put on an impromptu performance of Johann Sebastian Bach's Contrapunctus IX while new Focus and C-MAX cars rolled off the assembly line.

Ford and the DSO are also collaborating on a series of neighborhood performances in Detroit, and free HD webcasts of DSO concerts in Orchestra Hall.

Watch the All-New F-150 Take on Ram and Silverado in an Uphill Towing Battle.

Even though the new 2.7L EcoBoost is up against much larger engines from Dodge and Chevy, it rises to the occasion in a grueling uphill competition.

Real Ford Owners: Edward

Your Local Ford Store sponsored a promotion asking Real Ford Owners to tell us about their Ford story. Meet Edward and his family, and hear about their love for their Ford vehicles!

Agile Ford Mustang Features All-New Suspension; Performance Pack Raises Bar for Handling and Braking

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• 2015 Ford Mustang features new, fully independent front and rear suspension mated with stronger and lighter platform for improved handling and ride quality through better wheel and body control

• Three new brake systems ensure new Mustang stops as well as it accelerates and turns

• Available performance packs for Mustang EcoBoost^® fastback and convertible and Mustang GT fastback raise the bar for handling and braking performance on both the road and the track

With new fully independent front and rear suspension systems, the all-new sixth-generation Ford Mustang is expected to be the nimblest and most comfortable example of the breed to date. Mustang EcoBoost^® and Mustang GT fastback customers can also add an available performance pack for maximum all-around capability, continuing 50 years of Mustang personalization.

“When we began development of the sixth-generation Mustang, we knew we had a challenge ahead of us to beat ever-increasing customer expectations, as well as new competitors in the marketplace,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “We added content where it mattered – including an independent rear suspension for better handling and ride, and bigger brakes for better, shorter and more consistent stops. We also doubled the number of airbags.

“Even with all of that extra hardware, smart engineering throughout every component of this car enabled us to achieve a base curb weight of 3,524 pounds for the new Mustang EcoBoost fastback – just six pounds more than the lightest 2014 Mustang V6, and still the best power-to-weight ratio of any car available in the United States for under $50,000.”

Building on a solid foundation

With an all-new platform and fully independent suspension, the 2015 Ford Mustang sets new handling benchmarks for the brand, achieving world-class performance in both dynamics and ride quality.

“In order to develop precise and predictable handling characteristics, a car needs a solid platform where the suspension mounts don’t move relative to one another,” said Tom Barnes, Mustang vehicle engineering manager. “The structure of the new Mustang is much more resistant to twisting, with 28 percent more torsional stiffness for the fastback and a 15 percent improvement for the convertible.”

Despite being so much stronger, this is a very efficient horse, with a body-in-white that is actually lighter than the previous version. This was achieved through extensive use of advanced technologies and materials including hydroforming, laser welding and high-strength steels. Lightweight aluminum is used for the hood and front fenders to help reduce body mass and improve the weight balance.

Attention to detail throughout the design process yielded significant weight savings that helped to offset the increases from adding performance-enhancing features such as larger, more powerful brakes and independent rear suspension. The result is a vehicle that is more capable than before while remaining significantly lighter overall than key competitors.

The structure of the 2015 Mustang is also designed to meet new, more stringent crash safety standards. Some of the other components now made of aluminum include the rear suspension knuckles, rear axle housing on automatic transmission cars, rear control arms and rear brake calipers. Even parts made of steel and other materials such as the hollow rear stabilizer and the new seats have been intelligently designed to meet performance standards while keeping weight down.

“We added a lot of content to the new Mustang in order to hit our performance targets and meet today’s customer expectations,” said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer. “With a base curb weight of 3,524 pounds for Mustang EcoBoost fastback, and increases ranging from six pounds to 87 pounds for V6 and GT fastbacks, Mustang is still substantially lighter than the competition.”

Mustang EcoBoost fastback has best-ever weight distribution for a Mustang, with 52 percent of its weight over the front axle and 48 percent to the rear, while Mustang GT has 53 percent of its mass on the front wheels. In combination with a lineup of new or upgraded powerplants, Mustang improves on its already leading power-to-weight ratios. Mustang EcoBoost carries fewer than 11.36 pounds per horsepower, while Mustang GT has as little as 8.52 pounds per horsepower.

With a stronger yet lighter structure to build on, the hardware was added to meet aggressive performance targets. Every new Mustang features an all-new integral-link independent rear suspension. The suspension architecture is based on a lower control arm, integral link, upper camber link and a toe link. The geometry, springs, dampers and bushings have all been specifically modified and tuned to deliver improved mechanical grip for this high-performance application.

The new suspension geometry of Mustang now generates twice as much anti-squat and anti-lift force for better pitch control to keep the body level under hard acceleration and braking. New aluminum alloy rear knuckles help reduce unsprung mass to enable the tires to follow the road for better ride and handling.

At the front, a new non-isolated perimeter subframe replaces several individual crossmembers to help stiffen the structure while reducing mass, contributing to a better foundation for more predictable wheel control that benefits handling, steering and ride quality.

The new double-ball-joint front MacPherson strut system enables the use of larger, more powerful brakes without resorting to excessive wheel offsets that would hurt steering feel. Like the rear, the front end contributes to improved pitch stability with additional anti-dive in the geometry.

The total system now does a much better job of keeping the four Mustang tires in contact with the road where they can contribute to improved dynamics while making cruising and daily commutes more comfortable.

This is expected to be the best-stopping Mustang yet. Three brake packages will be available:

• Mustang V6, Mustang EcoBoost: Two-piston, 43-millimeter floating calipers, 320- millimeter rotors, front; single-piston, 45-millimeter calipers, 320-millimeter rotors, rear
• Mustang EcoBoost performance pack, Mustang GT: Four-piston, 46-millimeter fixed calipers, 352-millimeter rotors, front; single-piston, 45-millimeter calipers, 330-millimeter rotors, rear
• Mustang GT performance pack: Six-piston, 36-millimeter Brembo^™ calipers, 380-millimeter rotors, front; single-piston, 45-millimeter calipers, 330-millimeter rotors, rear

The standard brake package on Mustang GT is equivalent to the system used for the 2014 Mustang GT track package. The new GT performance package includes the same brake package found on the 662-horsepower 2014 Shelby GT500.

When maximum performance is needed

“We already set a very high standard for Mustang driving dynamics with the 2012 Mustang Boss 302, and our goal was to go above and beyond that with the performance pack on this new car,” said Pericak. “Mustang is all about performance and customization, and the available performance packs give our customers what they are looking for straight from the factory.”

The 2015 model is already the best-handling, best-braking standard Mustang ever right out of the box. Drivers looking to take their cars to even higher levels of capability can add a performance pack to Mustang EcoBoost fastback or convertible or Mustang GT fastback.
Both performance packs get:

• Retuned springs, bushings and monotube rear dampers
• Additional cooling capability for track-day durability
• Thicker rear sway bar
• K-brace connecting strut towers to bulkhead
• Unique tuning for ABS, electronic stability control and electric power-assisted steering
• Center gauge pack

The 2015 Mustang EcoBoost performance package also includes:

• Front brakes: Four-piston, 46-millimeter fixed aluminum calipers with 352-millimeter rotors
• Rear brakes: Single-piston, 45-millimeter floating iron calipers with 330-millimeter rotors
• Unique 19x9-inch alloy wheels painted Ebony Black with Pirelli 255/40R19 Y-speed-rated tires front and rear
• 3.55:1 final drive ratio

The 2015 Mustang GT performance package includes:

• Front brakes: Brembo six-piston, 36-millimeter fixed aluminum calipers with 380-millimeter rotors
• Rear brakes: Single-piston, 45-millimeter floating iron calipers with 330-millimeter rotors
• Unique 19x9-inch Ebony Black painted alloy wheels with Pirelli 255/40R19 Y-speed-rated tires, front; 19x9.5-inch alloy wheels with Pirelli 275/40R19 Y-speed-rated tires, rear
• Strut tower brace
• 3.73:1 final drive ratio with Torsen differential
• Unique front splitter to channel cooling air to the front brakes

“We set out to create an all-new Mustang that would go, handle and stop better than any previous Mustang, while also being a better all-around daily driver,” said Pericak.

The results speak for themselves – during track testing, the 2015 Mustang GT with performance package consistently beat the lap times of the 2012-2013 Mustang Boss 302.

Horsepower Unleashed – Motivating the All-New Ford Mustang with Improved Power-to-Weight Ratios

• 5.0-liter V8 headlines all-new Ford Mustang lineup with 435 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque and improved power-to-weight ratio

• New 2.3-liter EcoBoost^® brings turbocharging and direct injection to Mustang with 310 horsepower and 320 lb.-ft. of torque – best-ever power density from a Ford engine

• Manual transmission provides smoother shifting than previous Mustangs; automatic transmission features steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters and downshift rev-matching

The all-new 2015 Ford Mustang offers three great engines including a standard 300-horsepower V6, a brand-new 310-horsepower EcoBoost^® or an upgraded 435-horsepower V8. Each powerplant is available with either a manual or automatic transmission that makes the pony car a great all-around performer – no matter how the equipment is mixed and matched to suit any individual driving style.

The fewer the pounds a car carries for every unit of horsepower generated by the engine, the quicker and nimbler it feels, making power-to-weight ratio a key measure of performance. A recent study by Autoblog of cars currently available in the U.S. market puts Mustang at the top of the charts in power-to-weight ratio for all three price categories a customer can specify.

Mustang extends its lead further for 2015 with the EcoBoost-powered fastback now carrying fewer than 11.4 pounds per horsepower; Mustang GT has as few as 8.52 pounds per horsepower.

Less is more, EcoBoost comes to Mustang

The addition of a new 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine brings turbocharging to the Mustang powertrain lineup. This engine was designed specifically for Mustang, to meet the needs of drivers looking for outstanding performance and fuel efficiency.

The geometry of the EcoBoost intake manifold and turbocharger housing has been optimized to provide better breathing and higher output in Mustang. Producing 310 horsepower and 320 lb.-ft. of torque, the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine fits the bill for a true Mustang powerplant – with the highest power density yet from a Ford engine.

“This EcoBoost engine delivers the healthy output Mustang drivers expect, regardless of the car’s speed,” said Scott Makowski, EcoBoost powertrain engineering manager. “It delivers where a Mustang driver expects it to – with a broad, flat torque curve and great driveability under any conditions.”

The newest member of Ford’s global EcoBoost engine family, the 2.3-liter continues to take advantage of state-of-the-art technologies including direct fuel injection, twin independent variable camshaft timing and turbocharging to produce big-engine power and torque with improved fuel efficiency.

The 2.3-liter EcoBoost is the first Ford engine to use a low-inertia twin-scroll turbocharger that provides quicker boost response while enabling lower emissions and improved efficiency. The cylinder head features an integrated exhaust manifold that separates the inner and outer pairs of cylinders into each of the two inlet passages to the turbo.

Keeping the exhaust pulses separated from the next cylinder in the firing order virtually eliminates mixing losses and maximizes the pulse energy to the turbine wheel. The result is similar performance to a more complex twin-turbocharger configuration, meaning quicker turbine spin-up and torque delivery when the driver needs it for passing maneuvers.

The separated exhaust ports also enable the exhaust valves to stay open longer for reduced pumping losses that improve specific fuel consumption compared to a single-scroll turbocharger configuration.

With a compact mill generating nearly 135 horsepower per liter and more than 139 lb.-ft. of torque per liter – powering a performance car whose drivers are more inclined to use it – ensuring engine durability was critical. Enhancements to the Mustang EcoBoost engine to withstand the added stresses include:

• Forged-steel crankshaft
• Piston-cooling jets
• Steel piston ring carriers
• Premium bearing materials
• Upgraded valve seat materials
• Forged-steel connecting rods
• High-pressure die-cast aluminum cylinder block with ladder-frame bearing caps
• Deep-sump, die-cast aluminum oil pan

The beating heart of a pony

No Ford Mustang engine lineup would be complete without a great V8 engine at its core. The 5.0-liter V8 powers into a new generation with a host of upgrades that help it breathe better, especially at higher engine speeds. Many of these changes are derived from lessons learned in developing the special-edition 2012 Mustang Boss 302.

Getting air into the cylinders and exhaust out is key to generating more power and torque from any engine. That has been the focus in the development of this V8, which features:

• Larger intake valves
• Larger exhaust valves
• Revised intake camshafts
• Revised exhaust camshafts
• Stiffer valve springs ensure valves close completely at high rpm
• New cylinder head casting – revised ports provide straighter path to the valves for less restrictive intake and exhaust flow; combustion chamber modifications accommodate larger valves
• Sinter forged connecting rods are lighter and more durable for high-rpm operation
• Redesigned piston tops – deeper cutouts clear the new larger valves
• Rebalanced forged crankshaft to support higher-rpm operation

These upgrades have boosted output of the V8 to 435 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque.
A new intake manifold includes charge motion control valves to partially close off port flow at lower engine speeds. This increases the air charge tumble and swirl for improved air-fuel mixing, resulting in better fuel economy, improved idle stability and lower emissions.

The variable camshaft timing on the intake side now has a greater range of adjustment available thanks to mid-lock phasers. This enables better optimized control of the valve timing over a broader range of engine speeds and loads for improved fuel economy and emissions.

Shifting gears

More than most drivers, Mustang owners like to take control and shift for themselves. Whether they select a fully manual gearbox or the updated automatic transmission, the experience will be better than in any previous pony.

The manual has a new shift linkage design for easier engagement and improved precision. The shift lever is now positioned closer to the driver and away from the cupholders, creating a clear path for shifting.

Mustang blends outstanding all-around performance and everyday usability. Drivers who prefer to let the car handle the shifting during their daily work run, but who still want to take control when the roads get twisty, will appreciate the new steering wheel-mounted shift paddles with rev-matching downshifts – now standard with the SelectShift^® six-speed automatic transmission.

The automatic also features a redesigned case with cast-in ribs that help make it stiffer and reduce weight. Internally, clutches are optimized and operating temperature increased to reduce friction. The output shaft is now supported by a ball bearing that enables a top speed of 155 mph for Mustang GT.

With a choice of powertrains to suit driving preferences and lifestyles, the new Mustang has cutting-edge technology under the hood to match its modern design. Yet regardless of engine choice, the car remains quintessentially Mustang.

Ford Engineer Is Composer, Conductor and Orchestra for Soundtrack of All-New Mustang

• Powertrain soundtracks reinforce essential nature of all-new Ford Mustang

• Each of three available engines has a distinct voice, while remaining quintessentially Mustang

• Building on a more solid foundation gives the sound engineers increased flexibility to tune each engine

Driving Ford Mustang is a visceral experience, combining a visual feast for the eyes with a seat-of-the-pants feeling on the road and the audible entertainment of a powerful engine. Like a film without a soundtrack, a Mustang without the right engine growl just wouldn’t be complete.

“Our goal in developing this new generation was to create a sports car that is quintessentially Mustang, with contemporary, world-class levels of performance and refinement,” said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer. “We created an exceptionally solid platform to give us the flexibility we need to meet our diverse range of targets.”

Shawn Carney, powertrain noise, vibration and harshness engineer for Mustang, is tasked with making sure no matter what engine is installed, every new Mustang sounds like a Mustang should. Like great cinematic sound editors and composers, Carney crafts the soundscape that enhances the pony car driving experience.

Laying down a solid foundation

Film crews head to a sound stage, and musicians to a recording studio to get a clean backdrop to build on – free of unwanted noise. Similarly, Carney and his diverse team of engineers worked with the rest of the product development crew to craft a more refined background for the Mustang soundtracks.

“In addition to the usual suspects you expect to hear inside the car, like the engine and exhaust, the body structure can become an incremental source of unwanted noise,” explained Carney. “Body panels can act like speakers, amplifying vibration and sound inputs from the road, powertrain and wind.

“The Mustang engineering team – from studio, chassis, body, powertrain, dynamics, NVH and aerodynamics – collaborated to create an improved platform that attenuates many of the noises drivers don’t want to hear,” he added.

With more than a decade of experience working on Mustang NVH, Carney was handed responsibility for delivering the powertrain sound quality for all Mustangs. With three engines including a new turbocharged EcoBoost^® offering, a 3.7-liter V6 and the legendary 5.0-liter V8, Carney and team set out to deliver three unique aural experiences – all while maintaining the common thread that connects the Mustang heritage.

Mustang’s sleek new profile helps diminish wind noise while also reducing lift and drag. The stiffer structure provides a rigid platform for more precise handling and improved ride quality, while transmitting less mechanical racket and road noise into the cabin.

Key design details – the shape of the alternator housing’s cooling vents, additional layers of door seals, acoustic windshield and the subtle lines of the mirror sails – all contribute to lowering the noise floor of the new platform.

The V8 engine rumble has long been considered the mating call of Mustang, so the GT receives a revised exhaust system to lay the bass note and set the rhythm from the first crank of the engine. Upfront, a redesigned induction sound tube matches the beat of the exhaust – note for note – playing directly into the cabin. The tube is now more centrally placed for a more natural balance.

The upgraded 3.7-liter V6 engine now has a more refined growl that communicates the performance a driver can expect from 300 horsepower underhood. Engineers borrowed a few tuning tricks from Mustang GT to provide this V6 with a grownup, though still very racy sound. Heads will turn as the new 3.7-liter Mustang storms by.

Composing a modern classic

The newest addition to the Mustang powertrain lineup is the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine. With 310 horsepower and 320 lb.-ft. of torque, this powerplant ranks well up the list in the pantheon of Mustang engines. A combination of turbocharging, direct injection and twin independent variable camshaft timing helps this compact mill churn out nearly 135 horsepower per liter and more than 139 lb.-ft. of torque per liter – the best-ever power density from a production Mustang engine.

“Based on our long experience with V8 and V6 engines, we already had a good idea of what those Mustangs should sound like,” said Carney. “The new Mustang EcoBoost needed to have its own voice and its own DNA, while still being linked to the other models.

“We knew the EcoBoost was going to be straightforward and refined,” he added, “but it also had to project its own essence while still being unmistakably connected to the brand.”

The team benchmarked a variety of great cars, many of which had their own unique sounds that reflected the character of the vehicle. None were considered right for Mustang, but all had something to offer. Carney deconstructed key characteristics of those sounds, then arranged the notes to produce a soundtrack that matched the targeted character of the Mustang EcoBoost.

“Using computer simulation tools that take into account the basic hardware we have to work with in a given car – this defines the limits of where we can acoustically take a car – we created several sound concepts,” said Carney. “We enlisted our core audience, and solicited feedback from multiple Mustang enthusiast groups to confirm our direction for the EcoBoost sound.”

Even though the 2.3-liter EcoBoost beats the performance levels of earlier V8 engines, the physical characteristics of a smaller-displacement turbo engine meant it wouldn’t sound like its bigger brother, nor should it. The greatest performance cars in the world use a wide range of engine configurations, and each produces a distinct soundtrack.

The team ultimately decided on a sound that is athletic and youthful to accompany the nimbler platform of the all-new Mustang. At the same time, the Mustang EcoBoost has a traditional American feel, emitting a low-frequency sense of powerfulness that is a subtle reminder of the DNA it shares with the V6 and V8 Mustangs.

The EcoBoost engine incorporates a balance shaft for smoother operation, and even gets a unique mounting subframe with active hydraulic engine mounts to provide an uncommonly smooth idle. When paired with an automatic transmission, Mustang EcoBoost also adds a pendulum damper in the torque convertor. Manual transmissions use a new dual-mass flywheel for a smoother driving experience.

Just as a producer in the studio can rebalance frequencies to get the most harmonious sound from a band, Carney has similar tools at his disposal with active noise control. Microphones are mounted in the cabin to measure what the driver hears and provide real-time feedback control. The audio system is used to generate opposing sound waves to cancel out undesirable frequencies – such as low-speed “boominess” – while simultaneously amplifying the “instruments and notes” that reinforce the car’s strength, responsiveness and addictive power.

“Our goal with all three powertrains was to provide the driver with an engaging experience including clear feedback about what the car is doing at all times, but without isolating the driver from the action,” said Carney. “When tuning the sound quality of any Mustang, I often describe what I do as ‘letting you hear what you feel,’ and aiming for that which is unmistakably Mustang – regardless of what engine is in front of you.”

Get a Preview of the All-New 2015 F-150 Shrugging Off Real-World Torture by Real-World People.

Thousands of truck owners submitted ideas about how they would test the new F-150. We chose the toughest and set out to prove that this game-changing truck can make child's play of the biggest, baddest jobs.

2014 Ford Summer Spectacular Movie Trailer

Watch how Ford vehicles help save the world during the Ford Summer Spectacular! Are you ready to Go Further in a new Ford this summer?

Ford Motor Company Announces $1 Million Alan Mulally Leadership in Engineering Scholarship Program

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• Scholarships will honor former Ford Motor Company CEO Alan Mulally’s background and expertise in science and engineering
• Ford Motor Company Fund will administer $10,000 scholarships annually to 10 outstanding sophomore or junior engineering students working toward degrees in the automotive field at premier partner universities around the world
• Scholarships support Ford education efforts to build a new generation of leaders in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)

Ford Motor Company today announced the Alan Mulally Leadership in Engineering Scholarship, a $1 million program that honors the company’s former CEO by providing financial assistance to outstanding students pursuing degrees in the field of automotive engineering.

“Alan’s engineering background and data-driven decision making paved the way for the extraordinary leadership he provided at Ford,” said Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford. “We are honoring his legacy by providing scholarships to students who demonstrate the strong engineering ability that is required to develop into the next generation of leaders for our industry.”

Mulally joined Ford in September 2006 and served as president, CEO and a board member until his retirement on June 30. He guided the company in bringing everyone together to work on a compelling vision, through a comprehensive strategy and relentless implementation of the One Ford plan to drive profitable growth for all Ford stakeholders.

The Alan Mulally Leadership in Engineering Scholarship program will award 10 one-time $10,000 scholarships each year to outstanding sophomore or junior engineering students at premier partner universities around the world. The program will run for 10 years starting in spring 2015. Funding for the program will consist of $500,000 from Ford Motor Company and $500,000 from Ford Motor Company Fund, the company’s philanthropic arm.

Ford Fund will manage the program as part of its global Ford Blue Oval Scholars initiative. Scholarship winners will be connected with the company’s corporate science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) strategic initiative, which is building a new generation of leaders in these key disciplines. Ford will work directly with its partner universities to identify scholarship recipients.

Ford believes education is the cornerstone for a brighter future. This has been a primary focus of Ford Fund since it was established in 1949. Last year, Ford Fund contributed $8.5 million – more than 30 percent of its annual giving – to education programs.

3D Printed Ford Mustang Slot Car

Ford recently 3D printed an all-new 2015 Mustang slot car for an international slot car championship race in Detroit. Ford uses 3D printing for added efficiencies in prototyping vehicle parts throughout the product development cycle.

Ford Transit Side-Curtain Airbag

Ford, in cooperation with TRW Automotive, developed the industry's first five row side-curtain airbag as part of the Ford Safety Canopy System® to provide enhanced head and neck protection in the event of a side-impact or rollover crash. At close to 15 feet long and three feet tall, the airbag makes its debut in the all-new Ford Transit 15-passenger wagon.

Built Ford Tough...Seat Testing on the All-New F-150

Ford went the extra step to ensure the leather in the new F-150 meets consumer demands for both comfort and durability

Ford Announces $1 Million Donation to Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

• Ford will donate $1 million to Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture to help celebrate richness and diversity of the African American experience

• Donation builds on Ford’s long support of African Americans and a 40-year relationship with Smithsonian Institution

• New Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture is slated to open in 2016

Ford Motor Company is building on a century-long commitment to supporting the African American community with a $1 million donation to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The donation from Ford Motor Company Fund, the company’s philanthropic arm, will support the museum’s capital campaign. It will also go toward funding key programs when the museum – the only national site devoted exclusively to documenting African American life, art, history and culture – opens on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in 2016.

“Since Henry Ford’s groundbreaking $5 a day wage in 1913, which paid people equally regardless of race, Ford has invested in programs that empower and celebrate the African American community,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “Ford is proud to work with the Smithsonian on this museum that will recognize the tremendous contributions of African Americans to our country and our world.”

Ford and the Smithsonian Institution jointly made the announcement today at the 20^th anniversary of the ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans. Follow the social conversation at #fordgivesback.
Ford’s relationship with the Smithsonian dates back 40 years, with the company donating more than $11.5 million to support exhibits and programs that provide educational opportunities for families:

• Ford Fund supported the Smithsonian Freedom’s Sisters, which celebrated 20 African American women who fought for equality for all Americans and traveled to 12 cities from 2007 to 2012
• In 2013, Ford Fund worked with the Smithsonian American History Museum to expand its Spark!Lab to three museums across the country. Designed to look and feel like an inventor’s workshop, these spaces challenge children to create, experiment and invent in interactive innovation workshops
• Ford Fund currently supports the museum’s American Sabor exhibit that explores the influence of Latino musicians in America and is traveling to 13 cities through 2015
• Ford Fund also is investing in conservation research for the giant panda at the National Zoo, including the popular Panda Cam, which allows visitors from around the world to view the newest panda cub online

“We are so pleased that the Ford Motor Company Fund has chosen to join hundreds of donors from across the country to build a groundswell of support for the National Museum of African American History and Culture; we recognize this as a vote of confidence,” said Lonnie G. Bunch III, founding director of the museum. “It is a genuine honor to have the company join us in our commitment to bring to the nation’s capital a truly innovative cultural resource – one capable of telling a richer and fuller story of the development of this country.

“We also applaud the Ford Motor Company for having a long history of contributing to the growth of African American communities for families who migrated to Detroit from the rural south,” Bunch added. “After hiring its first African American employee in 1914, Ford, by 1926, had hired more than 10,000 African Americans, making it the largest employer of African Americans in the auto industry. By 1931, 20 percent of Detroit’s African American population was supported by Ford jobs.”

The National Museum of African American History and Culture was established by an act of Congress in 2003 as the 19th museum of the Smithsonian. It is the only national museum devoted exclusively to exploring and documenting American history through an African American lens. The nearly 400,000-square-foot museum is under construction on a five-acre site adjacent to the Washington Monument. It is being outfitted with 11 exhibitions at a cost of about $500 million. Half the cost is covered by the U.S. Congress; the museum is responsible for raising the rest.

While its building is under construction, the museum is presenting exhibitions in its gallery at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. The current exhibit, “Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863 and the March on Washington, 1963,” explores these two civil rights milestones and the impact the events had on generations. It is open to the public through Sept. 7. For more information, visit the museum’s website.

Ford 911 Assist Enhancements Debut on 2015 Mustang

Enhancements to 911 Assist, a subscription-free emergency feature included in more than 7 million Ford vehicles equipped with SYNC technology that helps connect vehicle occupants directly to a local 9-1-1 emergency operator following an airbag deployment or if the fuel supply shuts off, will debut on the 2015 Ford Mustang. The enhancements provide additional information such as crash description and safety belt usage.

Introducing the All-New 2015 Ford Edge

Meet the all-new 2015 Ford Edge! This new vehicle from Ford is loaded with more technology, higher levels of craftsmanship and greatly improved vehicle dynamics.

*Preproduction model shown, available Spring 2015.

Happy 4th of July!

Wishing You and Your Family a Safe and Happy 4th of July!

See the engines that put the power in the 2015 F-150 power-to-weight story.

Slashing weight is great. Improving power makes it even better. See how unprecedented engine technology is giving the all-new 2015 F-150 jaw-dropping capability and efficiency.

Ford Best-Selling Brand Among American Military Families; F-150 Top Seller Overall, Escape No. 1 SUV

• Ford is best-selling brand among American military families, according to Polk vehicle registrations analyzed in an IHS Automotive military sample of 19.3 million households of active, retired or veteran military personnel; Ford has three vehicles in the top 10, with F-150 topping the list
• Ford Escape is best-selling sport utility vehicle among American military families and third most popular vehicle overall. In Philadelphia, Detroit and Cleveland markets, Escape is top-selling vehicle among military families
• Dating back to the days of Henry Ford, Ford Motor Company has supported military families and veterans through charitable engagement, training and employment – with more than 5,900 American veterans and military currently employed with the company

When American military families buy a new vehicle, they prefer Ford trucks, utilities and cars over any other brand.

Three Ford products rank in the top 10 new vehicles purchased by military families, according to Polk vehicle registrations analyzed in an IHS Automotive sample of 19.3 million households that include active, retired or veteran military personnel. This sample accounts for 920,000 new and used light vehicle registrations last year. Ford F-150 pickup tops the list, while Escape ranks third overall and No. 1 among all utilities. Fusion rounds out the list, with the midsize sedan in ninth position.

“Military families, in particular, desire the efficiency, capability and smart technology Ford vehicles offer,” said Jim Farley, Ford executive vice president, Global Marketing, Sales, Service and Lincoln. “Ford has a long history of supporting active-duty military personnel and veterans, and it is an honor American military families buy Ford more than any other brand.”

Built Ford Tough

F-150 market share among American military families is higher than the truck’s portion of the overall retail vehicle market, which is significant because F-150 is the best-selling vehicle in the United States. F-150 is manufactured at Dearborn Truck Plant in Michigan and Kansas City Assembly Plant in Missouri.

Escape ranks as the No. 1 sport utility vehicle among American military families and the favorite vehicle overall with military families in the Philadelphia, Detroit and Cleveland areas. Escape is manufactured at Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky.

Veterans at Ford

The popularity of Ford vehicles among military families is in keeping with the company’s long-standing support of active military and veteran groups. Ford Motor Company’s support for veterans started more than 90 years ago when Henry Ford led a cross-country caravan of 50 Ford Model T’s to transport disabled veterans to their convention. Since 1974, Ford and Ford Motor Company Fund have provided more than $8 million to veterans organizations, including support for the National World War II Memorial.

Ford Veterans Network Group, one of 11 company-supported Employee Resource Groups, sponsors activities for its veterans, military personnel and their families. Ford employs more than 5,900 U.S. veterans, along with hundreds of active military personnel and U.S. reservists and guardsmen.

Automotive Industry's Only Five-Row Side-Curtain Airbag Debuts in All-New Ford Transit

• 2015 Ford Transit 15-passenger wagon offers the automotive industry’s only five-row side-curtain airbag – the largest in any Ford vehicle

• The side-curtain airbag is designed to provide enhanced head and neck protection in the event of a side-impact or rollover crash as part of Ford’s Safety Canopy System^®

• The airbag is close to 15 feet long and 3 feet tall and fills in a fraction of a second

The all-new Ford Transit 15-passenger wagon makes its debut in the United States and Canada with the industry’s only five-row side-curtain airbag.

Part of Ford Motor Company’s Safety Canopy^® System, this jumbo airbag is designed to help provide enhanced head and neck protection in rollover and side-impact crashes.

“The Transit wagon’s five-row side-curtain airbag is a great technological innovation that allows us to provide a high level of protection to multiple passengers in one of Ford’s largest vehicles,” said Sean West, Ford restraints manager. “We are proud to build on our safety leadership.”

The airbag measures close to 15 feet long and 3 feet tall with a volume of 120 liters. By comparison, a side-curtain airbag for a sedan like Ford Fusion is approximately 6.8 feet long and 2 feet tall with a volume of 42 liters.

In a crash situation, a series of sensors detects the impact and triggers two of the industry’s largest inflators to fill the entire airbag with stored gas in a fraction of a second. The inflators fill the bag in a pattern engineered to manage the direction of bag deployment and control cushion thickness throughout the length of the bag. The airbag is made of a coated, polyester-based fabric that holds the gas, so the bag remains inflated for several seconds.

The single-bag design – in conjunction with tethering and the vehicle’s B-, C- and D-pillars – helps keep the curtain supported when deployed.

Ford developed the five-row side-curtain airbag in cooperation with TRW Automotive, a global supplier of active and passive safety systems.

“This airbag technology is unique in its purpose, which is to help provide protection across five rows of passengers in a cabin that is more spacious than the more traditional light-duty vehicle,” said Norbert Kagerer, vice president, Occupant Safety Systems Engineering for TRW Automotive. “The stringent customer and industry regulatory requirements for airbags called for developing a system that provides appropriate occupant protection in a smart package.”

Side-curtain airbags are standard on the Transit wagon, which is available in three roof heights, two wheelbases and three body lengths. The high-roof long-wheelbase wagon seats as many as 15 people and provides as much as 65.2 inches of headroom. The 15-passenger extended-length Transit wagon offers best-in-class cargo capacity – 100.5 cubic feet – behind the last row of seats.

The side-curtain airbag is just one of many standard safety features on the all-new Ford Transit wagon. Other standard safety features for Transit wagon include front and front-seat side airbags for the driver and front passenger, three-point safety belts for all seats, AdvanceTrac^® with Roll Stability Control^™ and SOS Post-Crash Alert System^™.

Ford advises those using its vehicles to always wear a safety belt and secure children in the rear seat.