12/10/17

SECOND-HAND CAR? MUSTANGS DESTINED FOR SCRAPHEAP GET NEW LIFE AS HIGH END WATCHES


It could be the ultimate Christmas present for the petrol head in your life – a handmade watch, lovingly crafted from components that in a previous existence were used in classic Ford Mustangs.

The idea is the brainchild of Christian Mygh and Jonathan Kamstrup, who together scour salvage yards around the world for models, each of which can be transformed into hundreds of unique timepieces, costing from $1,495.

For the true Mustang enthusiast, REC Watches, based in Denmark, will even create an entirely new watch from parts donated by customers, including World Champion Drifter and professional fun-haver Vaughn Gittin Jr., who wears a watch that includes carbon fibre bodywork from his 700‑horsepower World Drift Series Ford Mustang RTR.

“Most people would just see a pile of metal, a ghost of a Mustang. We see something completely different – the soul of a car and a story that needs to be told,” said co-founder Mygh. “I’m not cutting up Mustangs. I’m bringing Mustangs that are beyond repair back to life as a watch.”

To ensure these stories continue to be told, REC Watches painstakingly trace the history of each vehicle; talking to previous owners, collecting stories and images from the car’s past lives, and incorporating them into a bespoke video.

Each finished design incorporates the vehicle identification number, year of production and classic Mustang design cues. A power dial designed to look like a fuel gauge shows remaining battery life, and the hands, date, and dial numbers are all influenced by the iconic car’s dashboard. On one trip to Sweden, the team struck gold with a rare 1966 Raven Black model that has become the basis for their limited edition P51-04 collection of 250 watches.

Named after a World War II fighter plane and launched in 1964, Mustang’s radical styling and aggressive performance made it an instant classic. Its superstar status was cemented by a starring role in the 1968 action movie “Bullitt” with Steve McQueen, as well as a string of songs and films focused on, or incorporating the groundbreaking car. The modern-day Ford Mustang keeps the excitement alive with exhilarating high-performance from the 450 PS 5.0-litre V8 engine and the 290 PS 2.3-litre EcoBoost unit.

12/09/17

Life Hack Academy DIY Gift Wrapping Hacks with Tia Mowry | EcoSport | Ford


Tia Mowry creates a DIY Gift-Wrapping Station to make holiday preparation easier for all the seasonal commutes. With help from the Ford EcoSport ease holiday stress with the optional FordPass App to unlock the doors and have the car running when it’s time to go.

12/08/17

Right of Way: A Short Film About the Next Era of Transportation | Sustainable Innovations | Ford


The way we move about the world is changing. Join us as we travel to cities across the globe and meet the people revolutionizing their communities. Right of Way is a new documentary brought to you by Ford and VICE Impact.

VICE and Ford have teamed up to discuss the future of mobility. The transportation divide affects everything from healthcare and employment to education and food sources. Ford believes that mobility is a human right that becomes even more important as congestion rises throughout the world, and is committed to helping people move freely, both today and tomorrow. To learn more about the future of mobility, visit FordGoFurther.com.

12/07/17

Morning Hacks with Tia Mowry’s Quick Fix | Ecosport | Ford


Tia Mowry knows how mornings can be chaotic. She shares some of her quick fixes that will make your morning a little more enjoyable and get you out the door in a flash with a little help from the Ford EcoSport.

12/06/17

KING OF WORK: 2018 FORD SUPER DUTY IS AMERICA’S MOST POWERFUL, MOST CAPABLE HEAVY-DUTY PICKUP TRUCK EVER


  • For the most demanding pickup truck customers, the 2018 Ford F-Series Super Duty works harder thanks to its newly upgraded 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V8 diesel engine offering best-in-class 450 horsepower and 935 lb.-ft. of torque
  • Super Duty continues as the heavy-duty champ, owning key capability claims in the segment: horsepower, torque, gooseneck towing, conventional towing and payload
  • F-450 4x2 Crew Cab pickup joins Super Duty lineup for 2018, delivering best-in-class 34,000-pound towing capacity with properly equipped gooseneck connections

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 5, 2017 – Ford, America’s truck leader for 40 straight years, delivers for customers once again for 2018, creating America’s most powerful and capable heavy-duty pickup trucks ever – thanks to best-in-class horsepower and torque from a newly upgraded 6.7-liter Power Stroke® diesel engine.

“Super Duty customers expect the best, and for 2018 we’re giving our customers even more power and torque from our 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel – delivering the most horsepower and torque available among all heavy-duty pickups,” said Todd Eckert, Ford truck group marketing manager. “Plus, our new F-450 pickup now includes a 4X2 model, enabling our customers to get more done with the segment’s best payload and towing.”

The 2018 Super Duty continues to deliver Built Ford Tough durability, capability, and functionality while now owning five key best-in-class heavy-duty truck segment claims:

  • Best-in-class 450 horsepower (a 10 horsepower improvement over 2017)
  • Best-in-class 935 lb.-ft. of torque (a 10 lb.-ft. improvement over 2017)
  • Best-in-class 34,000 pounds of gooseneck towing, when properly equipped (a 1,500-pound improvement for the new F-450 4x2 model)
  • Best-in-class 21,000-pound conventional hitch towing
  • Best-in-class 7,630-pound payload capacity

Upgrades to the 2018 Ford 6.7-liter Power Stroke engine include redesigned cylinder heads for added strength under higher loads, plus optimized fuel and turbo boost calibrations to take advantage of the increased cylinder head capacity for increased horsepower and torque.

Ford is the only heavy-duty truck manufacturer that designs and builds its own diesel engine and transmission combination – ensuring the powertrain works seamlessly with all chassis components and vehicle calibrations. This approach enables Ford engineers to optimize vehicle performance across the entire lineup and to further refine the powertrain to the specific needs of the customer.

34,000 Pounds of Towing Force

For those who rely on their pickups to haul big trailers to get the job done, the new F-450 Super Duty 4x2 dual-rear-wheel truck is now available for both retail and fleet customers – offering greater strength, efficiency and durability.

Leveraging the benefits of a high-strength steel box frame, integrated gooseneck hitch mounts, and added load capacity thanks to Ford’s proprietary high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body, the 2018 F-450 4x2 tows even more with its lighter, more efficient driveline. The result is the most capable, robust and efficient Super Duty tow machine ever, delivering a best-in-class 34,000 pounds of gooseneck towing capacity.

The 2018 Super Duty F-450 4x2 dual-rear-wheel pickup will be available this winter in XL, XLT, Lariat and Platinum series offerings. Base MSRP is $52,830, which includes $1,295 destination and delivery charges.

12/05/17

Ford Service Professionals: Nobody Knows Your Ford Better | One Ford | Ford


No one knows your Ford better than Ford and Ford Service. With over 47 million Ford vehicles on the road today, there’s only one team that can keep you on the road and help you go further.

12/04/17

Dealership Preparation: Simple Interest | Auto Finance 101 | Ford


Learn how simple interest, the most common method of calculating automotive finance charges, is calculated and be ready when you head to the dealership.

12/03/17

NEW F-150 NAMED 2018 MOTOR TREND TRUCK OF THE YEAR; FORD FIRST WITH FULL TRUCK LINE BACK-TO-BACK WINS


  • New F-150 earns 2018 Motor Trend Truck of the Year for the fifth time to score back-to-back wins for Ford F-Series on the heels of the all-new Super Duty capturing top honors for 2017
  • F-150 win comes after Motor Trend editors evaluated 2018 F-150 XL, Lariat, Platinum and Raptor trucks against the latest competitive offerings for design, engineering excellence, safety, value, efficiency and performance
  • Even tougher, even smarter and even more capable new Ford F-150 features best-in-class fuel economy and towing, class-exclusive technologies, plus new Built Ford Tough exterior design and freshened interiors

Los Angeles, Nov. 27, 2017 – Ford, America’s truck leader for 40 straight years, has bested all competitors to earn 2018 Motor Trend Truck of the Year honors for the new Ford F-150. This is the fifth win for F-150, and this award follows the all-new Ford Super Duty capturing the award in 2017.

“Back-to-back wins for F-150 and Super Duty reflect what we’re also seeing and hearing from customers as we celebrate 40 straight years as America’s favorite and best-selling trucks,” said Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president and president, North America. “The Ford Truck team stretched further than ever to deliver our toughest, most capable and smartest trucks.”

“This year’s competition was fierce, but the vote was unanimous,” said Ed Loh, Motor Trend editor in chief. ”The newly redesigned 2018 F-150 exceeded our expectations in every category – powertrain, performance, technology and overall execution.”

The Ford F-150 line went up against the latest competitive truck offerings in a program that combined empirical and real-world testing to find the truck that best met the award’s key criteria: advancement in design, engineering excellence, safety, value, efficiency and performance of intended function. Motor Trend editors put to the test four vehicles from the Ford pickup lineup: the 2018 F-150 XL with the all-new 3.3-liter V6 engine, F-150 Lariat with the all-new 2.7-liter EcoBoost®, F-150 Platinum with an enhanced 5.0-liter V8, and the high-performance off-road F-150 Raptor.

Judges cited overall towing capability, advanced technology functionality and powertrain performance among their favorite F-150 attributes. They also noted exemplary on- and off-road driving performance, best-in-class fuel economy and innovative cab design as F-150 strengths.

New features and improvements put F-150 over the top
The 2018 F-150 features a number of design updates and technology enhancements across its powertrain, driver-assist and connectivity offerings, making it tougher, smarter and more capable than ever.

Major exterior freshening across the lineup includes new grilles, bumpers, headlights, tail lamps, tailgate outers, wheels and more. Interior updates on XLT Sport, XLT Special Edition, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Limited trucks include color and material changes for seats, instrument panel and console trim. An all-new B&O PLAY™ audio system by HARMAN is also available.

With an EPA-estimated rating of 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined, the second-generation 2.7-liter EcoBoost-equipped F-150 delivers best-in-class fuel economy. Powered by the 3.5-liter EcoBoost, F-150 offers best-in-class towing capacity of 13,200 pounds.

F-150 shines with clever design, all-new 3.3-liter engine, towing capability
Design elements such as rear-hinged doors on the SuperCab truck that ease access to the rear passenger compartment, an available twin-panel power moonroof, and new technology features like Apple CarPlay and SYNC 3 got high marks from Motor Trend editors.

“Ford deserves a lot of credit for how the extended cab is designed,” said one judge. “Unlike its rivals with B-pillars and normal opening doors, the nearly 180-degree-opening rear doors and flat load floor allow owners to maximize utility in the back, and make it easier for passengers to get in and out.”

Praise for the F-150 XL with all-new 3.3-liter V6 engine touched on how easily the truck can tow trailers weighing 7,700 pounds – the maximum rating for the base engine.

“The 3.3-liter has zero trouble towing a 5,000-pound trailer,” said one judge. “Tow/Haul mode keeps the gears low and the engine roaring, with no shift shock. This powertrain is more than adequate to get F-150 down the road quickly.”

In terms of the overall lineup, Motor Trend editors were impressed with the ease and accuracy of features such as Pro Trailer Backup Assist and a multi-angle 360-degree camera system, as well as F-150’s competent powertrains. One judge, an admitted towing novice, said the truck’s towing capabilities are simply “fantastic.”

High series trucks, all-new EcoBoost elicit ‘wows’
Motor Trend editors were as impressed with the power and handling of the all-new 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 in F-150 Lariat as they were with the truck’s ride and level of luxury appointments. The chassis smooths out large road undulations with ease, and steering is “shockingly precise,” they reported.

“Wow, I thought this was the V8 when I first hopped in,” said one. “Power delivery is excellent, with no perceivable lag. This 2.7-liter turbo is all the engine most folks will ever need.”

Judges also tested the F-150 Platinum with 5.0-liter V8 that features significant upgrades, including advanced dual port and direct-injection technology and spray-on bore liner technology for reduced weight and best-in-class payload capacity of 3,270 pounds. The enhanced engine is paired to a segment-first 10-speed Ford SelectShift™ automatic transmission with four selectable drive modes – normal, tow/haul, snow/wet and sport. The new 10-speed automatic is shared with the 2.7-liter and 3.5-liter EcoBoost engines as well.

One Motor Trend editor said the 5.0-liter V8 is a sweetheart of an engine, with tons of power.

“It cruises oh so well, and tows like a champ,” he reported. “It didn’t seem to struggle at all with a 9,000-pound trailer attached. This truck is happy to be put to work.”

F-150 Raptor is a class of one
With 450 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque, F-150 Raptor impressed judges with the quick and responsive kick from its twin-turbocharged, high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, enhanced by its segment-exclusive Ford SelectShift 10-speed automatic and industry-leading six-mode Terrain Management System™. Raptor’s high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body saves 500 pounds over the previous model, which pays off in a stronger, more agile truck.

“As great as this thing is off-road, it’s shocking how good it is on pavement,” said one judge. “It’s more than happy to carve corners with precise steering, good brakes, great power and a suspension that hunkers down and leans into corners.”

F-150 Raptor’s competition-proven chassis sets the performance bar with its second-generation BFGoodrich KO2 tires designed exclusively for the truck’s extended off-road capabilities. In addition, FOX shocks, jointly engineered by Ford Performance and FOX, feature three-inch-diameter shock canisters and nine-stage bypass damping to optimize suspension control and provide massive suspension travel that includes 13 inches at the front and 13.9 inches at the rear.

Built at Dearborn Truck Plant in Michigan and Kansas City Assembly Plant in Missouri, the 2018 F-150 is available now at Ford dealerships nationwide.

12/02/17

ALL-NEW FORD EXPEDITION AND NEW F-150 CLAIM 2018 KELLEY BLUE BOOK BEST BUY AWARDS; FOURTH YEAR IN A ROW FOR F-150


Los Angeles, Nov. 28, 2017 – Ford earned top honors from Kelley Blue Book – a leading industry buyer’s guide – for its all-new 2018 Ford Expedition and the new 2018 Ford F-150 – the fourth consecutive year the F-150 has won a Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award.

The annual awards come as the result of a year-long comparative vehicle evaluation and test regimen by the experts at Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. The analysis included vehicle pricing, 5-Year Cost to Own data, consumer reviews and ratings, and vehicle sales information.

Kelley Blue Book awarded Best Buy Awards in 12 major vehicle categories in a head-to-head competition, posting a VIDEO outlining the testing regimen on KBB.com.

The all-new 2018 Ford Expedition continues to receive rave reviews for its sleek new styling, efficient EcoBoost® engine and advanced drive/passenger/powertrain technology. Plus, owners appreciate Expedition’s innovative, best-in-class rear seating and storage solutions.

“A decade is a long time to wait for a major model makeover, but Ford’s efforts have earned the Expedition its first Best Buy Award right out of the gate. From powertrain and driving dynamics to technology and practicality, the 2018 Ford Expedition is the new class leader,” KBB.com editors.

Updated for 2018, the new Ford F-150’s updates include more than fresh exterior styling updates with best-in-class towing, payload and fuel economy*, plus more powertrain and driver assist technology than ever.

“For four years straight, the Ford F-150 has taken the pickup truck honors in our Best Buy competition. And, for four years straight, nobody else has come close to toppling it. This year, Ford updated the styling, added a new base engine, expanded the availability of its excellent 10-speed automatic, and promises to add a turbodiesel to its lineup of engines later this year,” KBB.com editors.

12/01/17

Large SUV - 2018 KBB.com Best Buys


The Kelley Blue Book Best Buys highlight exceptional vehicles in 12 categories, along with an overall winner. In the full-size SUV category we have a new king, the all-new 2018 Ford Expedition. Now clothed in aluminum the body-on-frame 2018 Expedition is both lighter and more powerful courtesy of a standard 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. Spacious and handsome the 2018 Ford Expedition delivers full-size capabilities in a friendly, functional package. Add Ford’s track record for quality and dependability in its truck lineup and you’ve got a Kelley Blue Book Best Buy.