truth about domestics

The 2011 Ford Explorer will be a game changer in the SUV world, not only because of its impressive design and powertrain features, but because of the technology it has.  Things like a Terrain Management System, Trailer Sway Control or even just the Blind Spot Indicator System make this one of the most high tech, and safest, SUV’s on the road.

For several years now, the public has been waiting for the launch of the Chevrolet Volt.  The Volt is an extended-range electric vehicle, a technology that has never been mass produced before.  The Volt will be charged by the owner over night, provided a 40 mile, electric only range from its batteries.  Once that charge is depleted, a small gas generator kicks in to power the car.

Once production was announced for the car, people began to wonder about the price.  The battery technology alone was said to cost close to $10,000, not to mention the car has two powertrains.  Well the wait is over, we finally know how much the Volt will cost the early adopters.  The purchase price for a Volt is $41,000, with a lease option pegged at $350 a month for 36 months with $2,500 down.  Not a bad price in my opinion, as costs will surely come down significantly with the second generation Volt, especially as production increases above the initial 10,000 units planned for the first year.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

Not only does the Chevrolet Volt feature a highly advanced propulsion system, but the braking system is highly advanced as well.  The transition between friction braking and regenerative braking needs to be imperceptible to the driver yet still provide maximum stopping power when needed.  The video above shows how one GM engineer worked (and is still working I’m sure) to provide the best performance and brake pedal feel possible.

Jay Leno decided to take his EcoJet car to an all GM car show.  It’s quite a stunning automobile, and it produces a sound unlike anything else on the road.  Check out the video above for two minutes of EcoJet action.

Ford Motor Company has had huge success thus far with its SYNC connectivity software.  Cars with SYNC are flying off dealer lots in half the time of non-SYNC equipped vehicles.  In order to keep SYNC current in the eyes of the buying public, Ford has fitted it with a host of new features.  Any SYNC equipped vehicle with the Traffic, Directions and Information (TDI) application can now get horoscopes, stock updates, airline information, movie times and more, sent right to their car!  The information is streamed from your data-equipped cell phone and transmitted seamlessly via a Bluetooth connection to SYNC.  These new services are available free of charge and are NOT offered on any of Ford’s Japanese, German or Korean competitors!!!  For more details, check out the video below!

General Motors has teamed up with The Gas Company in Hawaii to set up a pilot system of hydrogen fueling stations.  Those stations would be used to then move some of the Project Driveway fuel cell powered Chevy Equinoxes to the isalnd of Oahu.  This would mark one of the first ventures of its kind and help Hawaii move towards its goal of 70% clean energy within one generation.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog!

(Image source: Photobucket)

Isn’t technology wonderful?  Ford’s SYNC is so adaptable that it can even connect to Apple’s iPad, a device that went on sale just a few days ago.  There are upgrades coming of course, but at least those upgrades are downloadable, and not hardware related.

In a move that doesn’t surprise many in the auto industry, Ford has decided to release a hybrid version of the Lincoln MKZ.  The MKZ rides on the same platform as the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan which both feature an impressive hybrid powertrain.  These two cars achieve 41 mpg in the city, 8 mpg more than the Toyota Camry hybrid.  The MKZ hybrid will be a 2011 model and should achieve the best mileage of any luxury car on the market, even beating the Toyota hybrid platform-sharing Lexus HS 250h which gets a rather unimpressive 35 mpg city, 34 highway.  For more details on the MKZ hybrid, head on over to MSNBC.

(Image source: Stephen @ Truth About Domestics)

In Ford’s push to increase their car’s fuel efficiency, they have decided to start building a dual-clutch, six speed automatic they call PowerShift.  The transmissions went online this week in Mexico where they will be shipped to another plant to be installed in the new 2011 Ford Fiesta.  They are also planned for the 2012 Ford Focus.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

In an effort to show off the 2011 Mustang V6, Ford has decided to do something a little different.  Instead of just focusing on the 305 horsepower, they are going to show how fuel efficient it is.  The car is EPA rated at 31 mpg highway, so a team of drivers from Ford will be trying to hit 1,000 laps on one tank of gas at Bristol Motor Speedway.  That equates to more than 500 miles on a single tank.  Ford did something similar to promote the 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid by driving over 1440 miles on a single tank.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog Green.

(Image source: Ford)