Are the next-gen Ford Ranger and Chevy Colorado coming to the United States?!
Spy photographers recently nabbed shots of the next generation Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado undergoing testing in various locations around Michigan. These trucks both look bigger than the ones they replace but are still smaller than their big brothers, the F-150 and Silverado respectively. The question that still remains is whether or not these trucks will be sold in the U.S. Smaller trucks are very successful in basically every other part of the world, but as fuel prices creep back up, smaller, more manageable and also more fuel efficient, small trucks could come back in style. Only time will tell, but for now, head on over to Autoblog for the pics.
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!
Ford plans to spend $135 million and create 220 “green” jobs in Michigan
Ford is planning on increasing its investment in battery hybrid and electric vehicles in Michigan by spending $135 million and creating 220 jobs. The investment will be used to expand research in battery-hybrid applications, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities at two plants. Ford will hire 170 workers at two plants that build battery packs and other components, as well as 50 engineers for electric-vehicle development. Having the highest unemployment rate in the country, this is great news for Michigan.
Read the full news story at USA Today.
Question: when can you have too much power? Never! Check out the latest creation from the Hennessey performance tuning shop in Houston, Texas – the Hennessey HPE700; a twin-turbo Camaro with 847 horsepower and 801 lb-ft torque at the rear wheels.
Check out the video of the car strapped to a dyno and read the full story at Autoblog.
Check out this cool little review (and listen to the awesome sounds) of the new 2011 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 as it tears up some curves.
Good news for GM and its customers – GM will be working with Google’s Android operating system to add new functionality and features via smartphones to its OnStar system. Currently, GM is relying on OnStar to provide various connected services, such as unlocking doors, calling emergency services in the event of an accident, and unlocking doors. With Google’s Android, GM will be able to expand those services to include things like navigation, mapping and routing, and using Google’s advanced search features. GM’s system will be similar to what Ford is doing with Sync, except GM will be developing its own applications as opposed to approving applications that work with the system.
The first vehicle to use Google’s Android is the Chevrolet Volt. The Volt is a perfect vehicle to incorporate this technology, allowing customers to review and change settings related to the battery, charge status, etc.
Read the full new story at The New York Times Blog.
Check out video of the 2011 Mustang GT500 doin’ it’s thang
One word; “Awesome!”
According to some unnamed source (as usual), Google may be readying its Android operating system for use in vehicles, specifically GM vehicles. The system would allow customers to link their vehicles with smartphones, as well as enjoy some of the luxuries that Ford Sync customers have been enjoying.
In my opinion, this is an awesome idea, and GM should jump on this ASAP! Judging by the success of Ford’s Sync, GM needs a similar system of in-car technology. Not to mention, the Google Android operating system is becoming very mature, rivaling the likes of Apple and its iPhone.
Read the brief article at PCMag.com.
Fiesta beats Lamborghini! Also, begins production in Cuautitlán assembly plant
Well, sort of – check out this hilariously awesome video of a comparison of the Ford Fiesta and a Lamborghini.
Ford has finally begun production of the highly acclaimed Fiesta B-car in its Cuautitlán, Mexico assembly plant. The car will be available in June and is expected to compete with the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris.
News courtesy of USA Today.
Ford Motor Company has been making huge strides the last few years to improve everything from quality and safety, to technology and fuel economy. On the last front, Ford has been pushing its EcoBoost technology. EcoBoost is the combination of direct gas injection and turbocharging. I know what you’re thinking, doesn’t turbocharging increase power and performance, thus decreasing fuel economy? Well the direct injection allows a cooler charge, allowing for higher compression ratios, which helps enable more power and reduced emissions. On top of that, the extra power generated will allow downsizing of the engine. Once you take weight out of the engine, you can take weight out of the car, and the cycle repeats itself.
The first applications of EcoBoost are on the Ford Flex and Taurus SHO, and Lincoln MKS and MKT. They feature a 3.5L V6 that produces the power of a V8 but the fuel economy of a V6. Soon Ford will be installing the 3.5L into the F-150 and a new 2.0L inline-four cylinder EcoBoost into the 2011 Edge and upcoming Explorer.
Why am I telling you all this mostly well-known information? Simple. To give you background into an independent survey of EcoBoost owners. You see, the RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan has conducted a survey of the 10,000 or so EcoBoost owners and the results are nothing short of amazing. Ford scored nearly 100% customer satisfaction on EcoBoost equipped vehicles. Those vehicles are also exceeding market projections. Having driven all of the EcoBoost vehicles myself I can tell you that this is no fluke. These powertrains are the real deal; they deliver improved performance and fuel economy. For more details, head on over to Autoblog.
(Image source: Ford)
