It's Round 6 of the World Rally Championship, and the teams are in South America for one of the classic events of rallying - Rally Argentina. Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala are there with the Ford Abu Dhabi team, and Becs Williams reports on how they've been preparing for this weekend's action...
5/29/11
Mikko Hirvonen Debut Gymkhana, DiRT 3, Battersea Power Station
Join us at http://www.facebook.com/FordWRC
Presented by The Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team, Codemasters, Monster Energy and DC Shoes, Ford World Rally driver Mikko Hirvonen makes his Gymkhana debut alongside Ken Block at the iconic Battersea Power Station, London.
Shot for one day only, Mikko shows us how the World Rally professionals do it as he switches from Rally to Gymkhana with masterful ease in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC car.
The course was based on the DC Compound - a Gymkhana stage set around Battersea Power Station in the newly released DiRT 3 videogame. Express yourself with Gymkhana or take on the most Rally content in the series at a variety of stunning locations across the globe.
Follow the Rally for real with The Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team. Play in the dirt with DiRT 3
5/28/11
No Rain, No Problem: a Rain Sensing Wiper Demo with Doug, Ford's Spokesp...
Doug lets people test out the available rain-sensing wipers in some not-so-orthodox ways.
Like Doug? Follow him on Facebook and Twitter: facebook.com/focusdoug/ or @focusdoug
Like John? Follow him on Facebook and Twitter: facebook.com/focusjohn/ or @focusjohn
For more info on the all-new 2012 Ford Focus, go to ford.com/focus.
More videos with Doug:
See Doug Tour the Focus Interior: http://youtu.be/-8_2fMw6m4E
Watch the Freak Flag Debate: http://youtu.be/pFeRo1Kg7GE
See Doug's Morning Routine: http://youtu.be/8AFyGeewp6c
5/27/11
Ford Mustang Facebook Fans Choose ‘Mayhem’ as New Name for V6 Performance Package
DEARBORN – The Ford Mustang V6 Performance Package delivers on “fun, fast and affordable,” and now it has an all-new name to go along with that. After Ford reached out to the nearly 1.4 million fans on the Mustang Facebook page, “Mayhem Mustang Package” has been chosen as the new name.
“We saw great enthusiasm from fans, with tons of creative, unique names coming in,” said Brian McClary, Ford social and emerging media specialist. “The contest was twofold – it let us engage with fans by letting them have a say, and it helped build awareness for the package.”
More than 3,000 submissions were made to the Mustang Facebook page and nearly 6,700 users installed the “You Name It” app that let them participate in the contest. The winning submission came from a fan in Charlotte, N.C., who has won a three-year lease on a 2012 Mustang equipped with the Mayhem Mustang Package.
Facebook fans were asked to suggest a name on the Facebook page and reach out to their friends in the social media world to help propel their choice into the top five names. A gallery on the page let visitors see all of the choices that could be voted on. After the five most-voted names were selected, Ford chose the name that best shows off the personality of the package.
Each finalist was run through trademark, copyright and brand approvals. The Mayhem Mustang Package will be used as the name on all Mustang sales, marketing and communications materials.
High-tech horsepower
The Mayhem Mustang Package takes advantage of Mustang’s 305-horsepower all-aluminum Ti-VCT V6 engine’s lightweight and high-revving nature to deliver a nimble performance car equally at home on a road course or road trip.
Borrowing from Mustang GT, the Mayhem Mustang Package includes numerous suspension and body stiffening upgrades to deliver unparalleled handling performance. Enhanced braking and a near-equal front/rear weight distribution top off the package.
The Ford Mayhem Mustang Package includes:
•3.31 rear axle ratio for quicker off-the-line acceleration
•Mustang GT coupe front and rear stabilizer bars
•Mustang GT front struts and rear shocks/springs
•Shelby GT500 rear lower control arm
•Unique 19-inch wheels
•Pirelli performance tires for improved grip
•Unique front and rear brake calipers fitted with Performance Friction pads
•Strut tower brace for increased body rigidity
•Unique electronic stability control calibration with sport mode for performance driving
“We saw great enthusiasm from fans, with tons of creative, unique names coming in,” said Brian McClary, Ford social and emerging media specialist. “The contest was twofold – it let us engage with fans by letting them have a say, and it helped build awareness for the package.”
More than 3,000 submissions were made to the Mustang Facebook page and nearly 6,700 users installed the “You Name It” app that let them participate in the contest. The winning submission came from a fan in Charlotte, N.C., who has won a three-year lease on a 2012 Mustang equipped with the Mayhem Mustang Package.
Facebook fans were asked to suggest a name on the Facebook page and reach out to their friends in the social media world to help propel their choice into the top five names. A gallery on the page let visitors see all of the choices that could be voted on. After the five most-voted names were selected, Ford chose the name that best shows off the personality of the package.
Each finalist was run through trademark, copyright and brand approvals. The Mayhem Mustang Package will be used as the name on all Mustang sales, marketing and communications materials.
High-tech horsepower
The Mayhem Mustang Package takes advantage of Mustang’s 305-horsepower all-aluminum Ti-VCT V6 engine’s lightweight and high-revving nature to deliver a nimble performance car equally at home on a road course or road trip.
Borrowing from Mustang GT, the Mayhem Mustang Package includes numerous suspension and body stiffening upgrades to deliver unparalleled handling performance. Enhanced braking and a near-equal front/rear weight distribution top off the package.
The Ford Mayhem Mustang Package includes:
•3.31 rear axle ratio for quicker off-the-line acceleration
•Mustang GT coupe front and rear stabilizer bars
•Mustang GT front struts and rear shocks/springs
•Shelby GT500 rear lower control arm
•Unique 19-inch wheels
•Pirelli performance tires for improved grip
•Unique front and rear brake calipers fitted with Performance Friction pads
•Strut tower brace for increased body rigidity
•Unique electronic stability control calibration with sport mode for performance driving
5/26/11
Ford Electric Vehicle Education Animation
What's the difference between a BEV and a PHEV? Or why is an HEV considered an electrified vehicle? As electrification options are increasing for consumers, many are looking for information to understand how the new technologies work and if it's right for them. Ford offers some easy to understand explanations about electric vehicle technology with this new online
5/25/11
Ford WRC 2011 - Rally d'Italia Sardegna Preview
The World Rally teams are back in Sardinia for Round 5 of the 2011 World Rally Championship, fought out on the gravel roads of the island - and it's going to be a rough, tough event.
Becs Williams previews the action...
5/24/11
Weed ’Em and Reap: Ford, Ohio State Look to Put Dandelion Roots to Use in Cupholders, Floor Mats and Interior Trim
•Ford and The Ohio State University are looking at dandelions in a new way by researching their potential use as a sustainable resource for rubber
•A milky-white substance that seeps from dandelion roots is used to produce the sustainable rubber. The substance could potentially find its way into plastic parts in Ford vehicles, including cupholders, floor mats and interior trim
•Potential use of dandelion root as a rubber substitute is another example of Ford’s investment in sustainable materials for its vehicles including soy foam seat cushions, wheat straw-filled plastic for interior trim and recycled cotton from blue jeans as sound-dampening material
Dearborn, Mich., May 10, 2011 – When homeowners see dandelions sprouting, they start thinking of ways to get rid of the weed, but researchers at Ford and The Ohio State University see a plant that can serve as a new sustainable resource for rubber.
“We’re always looking for new sustainable materials to use in our vehicles that have a smaller carbon footprint to produce and can be grown locally,” said Angela Harris, Ford research engineer. “Synthetic rubber is not a sustainable resource, so we want to minimise its use in our vehicles when possible. Dandelions have the potential to serve as a great natural alternative to synthetic rubber in our products.”
Not all dandelions are created equal, meaning not all can be used as a sustainable resource for rubber. The suitable species for this project is the Russian dandelion, Taraxacum kok-saghyz (TKS), which is being grown at The Ohio State University’s Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC). A milky-white substance that seeps from the roots of this species of dandelion is used to produce the rubber.
“Managing weed problems is essential to developing TKS as a commercially viable domestic source of natural rubber in the U.S.,” said Bill Ravlin, associate director of OARDC.
Ford could potentially use the substance as a plastics modifier, to help improve the impact strength of plastics. The material might then be used in places such as cupholders, floor mats and interior trim.
“It’s strange to see weeds being grown in perfectly manicured rows in a greenhouse, but these dandelions could be the next sustainable material in our vehicles,” said Harris.
Before the dandelion-derived rubber can be put to use, Ford researchers will assess the initial quality of the material to evaluate how it will perform in a variety of plastics that are used in vehicles and to ensure it meets durability standards.
Besides the dandelion, the team also is looking into the use of guayule (a southwestern U.S. shrub) as a natural rubber, which is provided by OARDC and can also be grown domestically.
Eco-friendly solutions
Ford’s “Reduce, reuse and recycle” commitment is part of the company’s broader global sustainability strategy to reduce its environmental footprint while at the same time accelerating the development of advanced, fuel-efficient vehicle technologies around the world.
Over the past several years Ford has concentrated on increasing the use of nonmetal recycled and bio-based materials whenever possible, provided these materials are environmentally favorable in the specific application. Examples include soy foam seat cushions, wheat straw-filled plastic, recycled resins for underbody systems, recycled yarns on seat covers and natural-fiber plastic for interior components.
•A milky-white substance that seeps from dandelion roots is used to produce the sustainable rubber. The substance could potentially find its way into plastic parts in Ford vehicles, including cupholders, floor mats and interior trim
•Potential use of dandelion root as a rubber substitute is another example of Ford’s investment in sustainable materials for its vehicles including soy foam seat cushions, wheat straw-filled plastic for interior trim and recycled cotton from blue jeans as sound-dampening material
Ford is looking at dandelions in a new way by researching
their potential use as a sustainable resource for rubber
Dearborn, Mich., May 10, 2011 – When homeowners see dandelions sprouting, they start thinking of ways to get rid of the weed, but researchers at Ford and The Ohio State University see a plant that can serve as a new sustainable resource for rubber.
“We’re always looking for new sustainable materials to use in our vehicles that have a smaller carbon footprint to produce and can be grown locally,” said Angela Harris, Ford research engineer. “Synthetic rubber is not a sustainable resource, so we want to minimise its use in our vehicles when possible. Dandelions have the potential to serve as a great natural alternative to synthetic rubber in our products.”
Not all dandelions are created equal, meaning not all can be used as a sustainable resource for rubber. The suitable species for this project is the Russian dandelion, Taraxacum kok-saghyz (TKS), which is being grown at The Ohio State University’s Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC). A milky-white substance that seeps from the roots of this species of dandelion is used to produce the rubber.
“Managing weed problems is essential to developing TKS as a commercially viable domestic source of natural rubber in the U.S.,” said Bill Ravlin, associate director of OARDC.
Ford could potentially use the substance as a plastics modifier, to help improve the impact strength of plastics. The material might then be used in places such as cupholders, floor mats and interior trim.
“It’s strange to see weeds being grown in perfectly manicured rows in a greenhouse, but these dandelions could be the next sustainable material in our vehicles,” said Harris.
Before the dandelion-derived rubber can be put to use, Ford researchers will assess the initial quality of the material to evaluate how it will perform in a variety of plastics that are used in vehicles and to ensure it meets durability standards.
Besides the dandelion, the team also is looking into the use of guayule (a southwestern U.S. shrub) as a natural rubber, which is provided by OARDC and can also be grown domestically.
Eco-friendly solutions
Ford’s “Reduce, reuse and recycle” commitment is part of the company’s broader global sustainability strategy to reduce its environmental footprint while at the same time accelerating the development of advanced, fuel-efficient vehicle technologies around the world.
Over the past several years Ford has concentrated on increasing the use of nonmetal recycled and bio-based materials whenever possible, provided these materials are environmentally favorable in the specific application. Examples include soy foam seat cushions, wheat straw-filled plastic, recycled resins for underbody systems, recycled yarns on seat covers and natural-fiber plastic for interior components.
5/23/11
Ford Research: Using the Google Prediction API to Optimize Energy Effici...
Ford Technical Expert, Ryan McGee and Ford System Architect, Johannes Kristinsson show how Ford is working with Google Predict API.
5/22/11
800,000 Mile Mustang
We happened to have the rare opportunity to be with Carol Marini when she rolled the odometer in her 1968 Mustang over for the eight time. That's 800,000 miles that she has covered in the car that she affectionately nicknamed the Blue Beast. Read the full story at theFordStory.com.
5/21/11
New Ford Focus ST on Track: Prototype Testing Underway from California Freeways to German Nürburgring
•Development of Ford’s sporty new Focus ST is on track as engineers put prototypes through punishing regime to hone performance and driving dynamics
•New 2.0-litre EcoBoost-powered Focus ST targets both 250 PS (246 hp) and impressive fuel economy
•Focus ST, Ford’s first global performance car, goes on sale next year
COLOGNE, Germany, May 11, 2011 – If a new Ford Focus with an eye-catching paint job, ground-hugging suspension, big wheels and tyres and a tell-tale central rear double exhaust passes you on the autobahn or freeway, chances are you have seen one of the development prototypes for the all-new high-performance Focus ST launching next year.
In Europe and North America, Ford’s Team RS and SVT engineering teams are putting a fleet of around 60 pre-production prototypes through a punishing regime of testing and development to fine-tune the car’s driving dynamics and performance. The prototypes are based on standard new Focus vehicles and, in some cases, prior-generation Focus ST models.
“The new Focus ST is eagerly awaited around the world, which is appropriate as this is our first global performance model,” said Jost Capito, Ford’s director of Global Performance Vehicles. “It must live up to Ford’s reputation for producing affordable yet exciting and sporty versions of its smaller cars that reward and delight enthusiast drivers, but can also be used every day.
“We’ve done all the engineering groundwork, and now we’re using some of the most demanding roads we can find in Europe and North America to validate and fine tune the performance and driving dynamics.”
The new Focus ST will be powered by a high-performance version of Ford’s new 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine, targeting an exhilarating 250 PS (246 hp), while still delivering significantly better fuel economy than the previous generation Focus ST sold in Europe.
“Fuel efficiency is a key leadership target for Ford Motor Company globally. We want to be class-leading even with a performance vehicle, so we’re working on getting the best possible blend of high performance and fuel economy from the new ST,” said Matthias Tonn, chief program engineer, Global Performance Products, Ford of Europe.
Recently, the development team completed demanding cold weather testing in northern Europe, as well as exacting tests and exercises to refine steering performance.
“We’re sweating all the details – fine-tuning, testing, and fine tuning again many of the small but critical details to make sure it is worthy of the ST badge,” Tonn said. “We will build upon and improve the ride, steering and handling strengths that defined the current European Focus ST.”
With the new Focus ST, a key focal point for the Ford development team is to deliver an even more engaging driver experience, from its highly tuned Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) system to uniq ue, driver-orientated seats.
“The seats and seating position were very good in the previous Focus ST, but the new model is sleeker and the driver will sit lower. The new seats which will provide even more support,” Tonn said.
The all-new Focus ST is Ford’s first global performance car, conceived under the One Ford strategy. It brings the ST performance badge to North American and Asian customers for the first time.
“For enthusiasts in North America and Asia who have asked why our compact performance models were not available to them, well, the wait is almost over,” Capito said. “The new Focus ST will offer exactly the same exciting driving experience wherever it’s on sale.
“Like the Focus ST and RS models before it, the new Focus ST’s final set-up will be achieved after painstaking tuning on some of the most demanding roads we can find from California to the Nürburgring, and from high-speed German autobahns to classic British B-roads,” Capito added. “Keep your eyes open for our prototypes as we work on delivering a Focus ST driving experience that will delight performance car fans around the world.”
Fans of the new Focus ST can keep up to date with progress on the official Ford Focus Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/fordfocus
•New 2.0-litre EcoBoost-powered Focus ST targets both 250 PS (246 hp) and impressive fuel economy
•Focus ST, Ford’s first global performance car, goes on sale next year
In Europe and North America, Ford’s Team RS and SVT engineering teams
are putting Focus ST prototypes through a punishing testing regime
to hone performance and driving dynamics.
COLOGNE, Germany, May 11, 2011 – If a new Ford Focus with an eye-catching paint job, ground-hugging suspension, big wheels and tyres and a tell-tale central rear double exhaust passes you on the autobahn or freeway, chances are you have seen one of the development prototypes for the all-new high-performance Focus ST launching next year.
In Europe and North America, Ford’s Team RS and SVT engineering teams are putting a fleet of around 60 pre-production prototypes through a punishing regime of testing and development to fine-tune the car’s driving dynamics and performance. The prototypes are based on standard new Focus vehicles and, in some cases, prior-generation Focus ST models.
“The new Focus ST is eagerly awaited around the world, which is appropriate as this is our first global performance model,” said Jost Capito, Ford’s director of Global Performance Vehicles. “It must live up to Ford’s reputation for producing affordable yet exciting and sporty versions of its smaller cars that reward and delight enthusiast drivers, but can also be used every day.
“We’ve done all the engineering groundwork, and now we’re using some of the most demanding roads we can find in Europe and North America to validate and fine tune the performance and driving dynamics.”
The new Focus ST will be powered by a high-performance version of Ford’s new 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine, targeting an exhilarating 250 PS (246 hp), while still delivering significantly better fuel economy than the previous generation Focus ST sold in Europe.
“Fuel efficiency is a key leadership target for Ford Motor Company globally. We want to be class-leading even with a performance vehicle, so we’re working on getting the best possible blend of high performance and fuel economy from the new ST,” said Matthias Tonn, chief program engineer, Global Performance Products, Ford of Europe.
Recently, the development team completed demanding cold weather testing in northern Europe, as well as exacting tests and exercises to refine steering performance.
“We’re sweating all the details – fine-tuning, testing, and fine tuning again many of the small but critical details to make sure it is worthy of the ST badge,” Tonn said. “We will build upon and improve the ride, steering and handling strengths that defined the current European Focus ST.”
With the new Focus ST, a key focal point for the Ford development team is to deliver an even more engaging driver experience, from its highly tuned Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) system to uniq ue, driver-orientated seats.
“The seats and seating position were very good in the previous Focus ST, but the new model is sleeker and the driver will sit lower. The new seats which will provide even more support,” Tonn said.
The all-new Focus ST is Ford’s first global performance car, conceived under the One Ford strategy. It brings the ST performance badge to North American and Asian customers for the first time.
“For enthusiasts in North America and Asia who have asked why our compact performance models were not available to them, well, the wait is almost over,” Capito said. “The new Focus ST will offer exactly the same exciting driving experience wherever it’s on sale.
“Like the Focus ST and RS models before it, the new Focus ST’s final set-up will be achieved after painstaking tuning on some of the most demanding roads we can find from California to the Nürburgring, and from high-speed German autobahns to classic British B-roads,” Capito added. “Keep your eyes open for our prototypes as we work on delivering a Focus ST driving experience that will delight performance car fans around the world.”
Fans of the new Focus ST can keep up to date with progress on the official Ford Focus Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/fordfocus
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