How Ethiopia Habtemariam Rose to the Top in Her Ford Explorer | State of Music | Ford

Sit down with Motown Records President, Ethiopia Habtemariam, as she shares the passion and drive of Motown artists. The Ford Explorer gives Ethiopia the freedom she needs to stay on top of what’s next and live the “Motown Way.”

2015 Dodge Journey vs 2015 Ford Edge | Edge | Ford

Thinking about buying a 2015 Dodge Journey? Consider the 2015 Ford Edge first, with its EPA-estimated 30 highway miles per gallon, foot-activated lift gate and more. See how you can Be Unstoppable – in the Ford Edge.

EPA-estimated rating of 20 city/30 hwy/24 combined mpg, 2.0L EcoBoost,® FWD. Actual mileage will vary.

Ford Bolsters Front Row Storage in New Escape to Accommodate Electronic Devices, Power Ports and More

• With redesigned center console, new Ford Escape provides 25 percent increase in front row storage and 15 percent increase in overall storage compared with existing model
• New electronic parking brake allows for redesign that includes two new convenient storage areas, larger media bin with power ports, updated cupholders and new swing-bin glove box
• Main center console bin is nearly 50 percent larger; new design is more ergonomically efficient for a driver’s right arm  
• Already tied* for highest-ranked compact SUV for initial quality, according to J.D. Power and Associates, the new Ford Escape looks to improve on that standing with interior and technology upgrades designed to enhance the driving experience

DEARBORN, Mich., June 6, 2016 – Storing your wallet, plugging in your cellphone and enjoying that cold, oversized beverage just got a whole lot easier with the new 2017 Ford Escape, thanks to the compact SUV’s redesigned interior.

Escape, the No. 2-selling Ford brand nameplate behind only F-Series, arrived in showrooms this month armed with the latest in advanced technologies – and more elbow room. The SUV has 25 percent more front row storage and 15 percent more overall storage compared with the existing Escape, thanks mostly to the redefinition of the space between the front seats.

“That whole center console area is what we call ‘Manhattan real estate’ because it’s valuable,” said Zulf Ali, Ford senior interior designer. “It isn’t a lot of space to work with, but as a designer, those constraints are exciting. It’s a challenge that forces you to be more creative – to ask yourself, ‘OK, how can we get clever with this?’”

The first hurdle was replacing the traditional handled parking brake with a smaller electronic parking brake button. With that, Ali was able to move the gear shifter rearward – opening up access to an area that now houses the media bin and power ports. Moving the gear shifter back also allowed designers to create a more comfortable position for a driver’s right arm.

In front of and behind the gear shifter, Ali created two storage bins to place wallet, keys, sunglasses and other everyday items often left sliding around on the passenger seat.

“We found ways to utilize as much of the space as we possibly could,” said Ali. “Adding the electronic parking brake really opened up a whole new world of possibilities.”

Slightly wider, the console features improved cupholders designed to accommodate a greater variety of bottle sizes, a larger main bin, and a front storage area that features easy access to a lighted USB port and 12-volt power outlet. The main center console bin, which also houses a USB port, is nearly 50 percent larger than in the current Escape. Using that USB port, drivers can keep their cellphone securely stored while remaining connected to the vehicle’s SYNC^® 3 driver connect system.

A passenger-side cargo net adds additional storage, and the glove box uses a new swing-bin design to make it easier to store and access items.

Already tied* for highest-ranked compact SUV for initial quality, according to J.D. Power and Associates, the new Ford Escape looks to improve on that standing with these interior upgrades and new technology offerings – all designed to enhance the driving experience.

Latest technologies

Available SYNC Connect for the new Ford Escape gives FordPass^® members remote access to their vehicle from their mobile device. SYNC Connect enables drivers to use the FordPass platform to lock, unlock and locate their Escape, as well as schedule remote starts and check fuel level.
SYNC Connect is included in the Technology Package on Escape SE and is a standard offering on Escape Titanium.

Escape is also loaded with driver-assist technologies, including:

• Adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning with brake support: Sensors detect when Escape is approaching a slow-moving vehicle, and adjust cruise control accordingly
• Enhanced active park assist: Provides steering assistance to park the vehicle in a parallel or perpendicular parking spot, and pull out from tight parallel parking spots; driver controls brake, accelerator and shifter. Technology includes side park distance control
• Lane-keeping system: The system includes lane-keeping alert, which alerts drivers when they drift unintentionally from their lane, and lane-keeping aid, which provides steering assistance to guide an unintentionally drifting vehicle back into its lane 
• Driver Alert System: Using data from the lane-keeping system, the Driver Alert System can detect signs of fatigued driving and provide a warning on the instrument cluster

Already available driver-assist features for the new Escape include:

• Blind Spot Information System with cross-traffic alert: BLIS^® can alert drivers when a vehicle enters the defined blind spot in a neighboring lane. An indicator light provides a warning in the side mirror
• Hill-start assist: The feature holds the vehicle stationary on a hill long enough for the driver to transition from brake to gas pedal
• Auto high-beam control: System automatically switches from high to low beams, and vice versa, depending on ambient lighting
• Hands-free, foot-activated liftgate: Opens liftgate with the simple kick of a key fob-carrying customer’s foot beneath rear bumper – perfect for those whose hands are loaded with gear

 

*Ford Escape received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among compact SUVs in a tie in the proprietary J.D. Power 2015 Initial Quality Study. Study based on responses from 84,367 new-vehicle owners, measuring 244 models, and measures opinions after 90 days of ownership. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of owners surveyed from February to May 2015. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

2016 Chevy Suburban vs 2016 Ford Expedition EL | Expedition | Ford

Thinking about buying a 2016 Chevy Suburban? Consider the 2016 Ford Expedition EL with its NHTSA 5-star safety rating, PowerFold® third row seat, extra cargo space and more. See how you can Be Unstoppable – in the Ford Expedition EL.

Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov). Ratings based on 2015 model year test results.

2016 Ford Super Duty owner reveals what it's like to own one | Super Duty | Ford

We asked a Ford Super Duty owner to tell us everything about his truck — from how it helps him do his job, to the technology, to the power under the hood. This is what he told us.

2015 Chrysler 300 vs 2015 Ford Taurus | Taurus | Ford

Thinking about buying a 2015 Chrysler 300? Consider the 2015 Ford Taurus first, with its available EcoBoost performance and best-in-class fuel economy. Sophistication. By Design.

EPA-estimated rating of 22 city/32 hwy/26 combined mpg, 2.0L EcoBoost,® FWD. Actual mileage will vary. Class is Full-Size Sedans, Non-Hybrid. Based on Ford segmentation.

2015 C-MAX Energi owner reveals what it's like to own one | C-MAX | Ford

We asked a 2015 C-MAX Energi owner to tell us everything about her car—from the technology to the space to the way it drives. This is what she told us.

2015 Edge owners reveal what it’s like to own one | Edge | Ford

We asked Ford Edge owners to tell us everything about their SUV – from the technology to the drive to the space for their family. This is what they told us.

How F-150 Raptor Sticks to Trails: All-New BFGoodrich Tires Are More Capable, Comfortable Than Ever

The toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 Raptor ever gets a specially developed set of BFGoodrich tires that improve both on- and off-road performance while increasing comfort.

Ford Wins Best Small Engine 'Oscar' for 5th Year Running, 1 in 5 Ford Vehicles Sold in Europe with 1.0-litre EcoBoost

• Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine is named 2016 International Engine of the Year “Best Engine Under 1.0-litre” for the fifth consecutive year – despite increased competition from major global automotive manufacturers in the sub 1.0-litre class
• Ford achieves ninth win for fuel-efficient and sporty engine, previously overall winner a record three times, and best newcomer; powers one in five Ford vehicles sold in Europe
• Ground-breaking 1.0-litre EcoBoost is class winner for drivability, performance, economy, refinement and technology. EcoBoost ingenuity now being employed in new EcoBlue diesel engines

STUTTGART, Germany, June 1, 2016 – Ford’s tiny yet powerful 1.0‑litre EcoBoost engine has been voted best in class at the International Engine of the Year Awards for the fifth year in a row. Judges praised the combination of drivability, performance, economy, refinement and technology that continues to set the standard.

The frugal three-cylinder EcoBoost engine was named “Best Engine Under 1.0-litre” by a panel of 65 automotive journalists, from 31 countries, to win its class each and every year since launch. This year it finished ahead of 32 competitor engines, 19 more than it competed against in 2012. Significantly, 2015 also saw an increase in competition from global automotive manufacturers of sub 1.0-litre, turbocharged engines with direct fuel injection.

In 2014, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost became the first engine to be named overall International Engine of the Year for a third time in a row, and also was in 2012 named “Best New Engine.”

“The 1.0-litre EcoBoost was a game-changer, and despite others following our lead, it remains the undisputed benchmark in its class five years on,” said Joe Bakaj, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe. “The spirit of innovation continues to drive us as we look to use the same smart thinking for a new breed of efficient, clean and powerful down-sized diesel engines.”

Available with 100 PS, 125 PS and 140 PS, and even 180 PS in the Ford Fiesta R2 rally car, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine powers vehicles in 72 countries worldwide. In 140 PS form, the engine delivers a bigger power-to-litre ratio than a Bugatti Veyron. A road-legal Formula Ford fitted with a 205 PS version of the engine also lapped the famous Nürburgring circuit, in Germany, in 7 minutes 22 seconds; a performance that put it ahead of a host of supercars including the 600+ horsepower Lamborghini Aventador, Ferrari Enzo and Pagani Zonda.

Eleven models, including Fiesta, EcoSport, B-MAX, Focus, C-MAX, Grand C‑MAX, Tourneo and Transit Connect, Tourneo and Transit Courier, and Mondeo are available in Europe with the multi‑award winning engine. One in five all-new Ford vehicles sold in Europe in 2015 were equipped with the 1.0-litre unit, including almost two in five Fiestas.  

The technology of Ford’s EcoBoost petrol engines is now being employed in the newest down‑sized diesel engine from Ford, the 2.0-litre EcoBlue launched in Ford Transit earlier this year. Utilising a low inertia turbocharger, high pressure direct fuel injection, integrated manifolds, belt-in-oil and other low friction elements it delivers a 13 per cent increase in fuel efficiency and 20 per cent more low-end torque. *

Globally, Ford’s range of powerful yet fuel-efficient EcoBoost engines includes 1.5-litre, 1.6‑litre, 2.0-litre and 2.3-litre four-cylinder engines, and 2.7-litre and 3.5-litre V6 engines. The latter powers the all-new Ford GT supercar that will return to racing in Le Mans later this month.

“That it’s won the overall award three times and keeps getting the jurors’ votes now highlights just how special Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost is,” said Dean Slavnich, co-chairman of the 18th International Engine of the Year awards that were held in Stuttgart, Germany, and editor-in-chief of Engine Technology International magazine. “It’s a fantastic testament to how down-sizing and greater fuel efficiency needn’t mean sacrifice in other areas like power, refinement and drivability, and can even help enhance these elements.”  

* The declared Fuel/Energy Consumptions, CO₂ emissions and electric range are measured according to the technical requirements and specifications of the European Regulations (EC) 715/2007 and (EC) 692/2008 as last amended. Fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions are specified for a vehicle variant and not for a single car. The applied standard test procedure enables comparison between different vehicle types and different manufacturers. In addition to the fuel efficiency of a car, driving behaviour as well as other non-technical factors play a role in determining a car's fuel/energy consumption, CO₂ emissions and electric range. CO₂ is the main greenhouse gas responsible for global warming.