Ford EcoSport 2013 The All New Compact Crossover

 Ford EcoSport 2013 The All New Compact Crossover

Making its debut at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo in India as the Ford EcoSport, the new compact crossover is the latest installment in Ford’s ever-expanding global product family.
Modern and innovative, the all-new Ford EcoSport was designed to combine best-in-class design, technology, quality and safety aimed at attracting a new generation of consumers in different global markets.
The vehicle is based on the Blue Oval’s global B-segment platform, used in other subcompacts like the Fiesta and upcoming B-Max. This particular platform is crucial to Ford’s future success as vehicles based on it are predicted to represent more than two million units of annual production as subcompact cars continue to drive global growth.
Created as the latest One Ford global product, the EcoSport will be a key model in expanding Ford's presence in major worldwide growth markets, including India, Brazil and the ASEAN markets. It has been developed in South America at one of Ford's eight global product development centres in conjunction with teams from Asia, Europe and North America to meet the needs of markets across the globe.
The all-new Ford EcoSport exemplifies the DNA of Ford global vehicles and its versatility broadens the horizons of mobility and use. Its genuine SUV confidence starts in the stability of the chassis, reinforced by the body's robust build, high torsional stiffness and high levels of protection for its occupants. Yet, its innovative design reduces the weight and ensures good fuel efficiency.

 Ford EcoSport 2013 The All New Compact Crossover

As a Fiesta-based model, the EcoSport will be front-wheel drive only, at least initially, confirming its positioning as an SUV to be used primarily in the city.
Ford says the Fiesta architecture can be engineered for all-wheel-drive capability but says this expensive investment would only go ahead if there was sufficient market demand.
Ford Australia confirmed the EcoSport’s engine options will include the company’s smallest ‘Ecoboost’ engine yet – a turbocharged, direct fuel injection 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol.
The 1.0-litre turbo will spread to other Ford products, with the Fiesta one of the most likely recipients. In the EcoSport it produces 88kW of power and 170Nm of torque, with the latter output delivered between 1300 and 4500rpm.

 Ford EcoSport 2013 The All New Compact Crossover

Ford hasn’t revealed a fuel consumption figure for the engine but says emissions will be below 140 grams per kilometre, equating to a fuel consumption somewhere in the mid-4.0 litres per 100km bracket.
A 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine will offer even better fuel consumption and emissions, while a 1.5-litre normally aspirated four-cylinder petrol will power the entry-level EcoSport.
Both engines are already found in the Fiesta in India, where the 1.5-litre petrol produces 80kW/140Nm and uses about 5.9 litres per 100km and the 1.5-litre diesel has 66kW/204Nm and a fuel consumption figure of about 4.3L/100km.
A five-speed manual will be the standard gearbox with a Powershift dual-clutch auto becoming an option on the diesel and possibly the petrols.
Previewing the vehicle design first at the 11th Annual Auto Expo in New Delhi gives Ford the opportunity to introduce EcoSport to consumers in one of the world's biggest automotive growth markets ahead of its future global rollouts.

 Ford EcoSport 2013 The All New Compact Crossover

The new EcoSport was developed on Ford's new global B-segment platform, which will be the basis for an array of new small-car products from Ford in the coming years. By mid-decade, the new Ford B-platform family of vehicles will represent more than 2 million units of annual production as compact cars continue to drive global growth.
The Ford EcoSport has been a market phenomenon since it was launched in South America in 2003 as the region's first affordable SUV, selling 700,000 vehicles in nine years. It created a new segment and popularized features that many consumers had wanted.
The Ford EcoSport will be produced at ultra-modern, flexible assembly plants in Brazil, India, and other markets to be announced at a later time. The EcoSport as a global vehicle is an example of the technical ability of Ford's global engineering and high level of integration of the design and engineering centres around the world.

 Ford EcoSport 2013 The All New Compact Crossover

The project was led by Ford's Development Center in Camaçari, Brazil, one of the most specialized in the development of compact cars. The team leveraged Ford engineering strength and SUV expertise from around the world to create the all-new Ford EcoSport.

2012 escape

2012 escape

2012 Ford Escape SUV is redesigned based on the model of Ford Focus compact car. This new Ford Escape can be expected for purchase either towards the end of 2011 or the beginning of 2012. The new Ford Escape will be more fuel efficient due to their slightly smaller size than its previous models.
The 2012 Ford Escape is a compact SUV model, which is one of the ten top selling lists in America. The engine options available in 2012 Ford Escape are 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that can produce up to 230 horsepower and 230 Ib-ft torque, the second option for engine is with 2.5 liter turbocharged 4-cyclinder or electric hybrid engine that can produce up to 153 horsepower and 136 Ib-ft torque. It has the standard six speed automatic transmission. The hybrid model of this car will have continuous variable timing transmission (CVT).
2012 Ford Escape is expected to come that measures 173 inches in length, 72.5 inches in width, 67 inches in height. The base curb weight is 3,375 pounds. The measure of the wheelbase is 104 inches. The interior design is expected to be better and with more features if not less.

2012 escape

he new Ford Escape like the previous model will have two row seats that can seat five passengers. Some of the new features that could be included are push button starting, heated windshield, rain sensing wipers, etc., along with the present Escape features like sunroof, leather upholstery, heated seats, rearview camera that provide navigation system, and voice activated Ford Sync infotainment control system.

The details of exterior designs and the extra interior features that are available in the 2012 Ford Escape are yet to be brought out. The latest Ford Escape compact SUV will provide two drivetrain options such as front-wheel and all wheel drive system. The base model has a powerful engine 'EcoBoost' option with 2.0 liter turbocharged 4 cylinder. The other option with V6 engine with 4 cylinder can give a better fuel economy. Ford Escape with a plug in hybrid models is also available for the first time from Ford.

The new 2012 Escape would challenge its near competitors such as the Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, and 2011 Subaru Forester. The 2012 Ford Escape is expected to be less expensive than its competitors. The new Escape is expected to be offered at an affordable price .
The Company is trying to bring some changes in this new model of Escape and the buyers can expect an average increase of just $ 2,000 than the previous model. The base model of the 2012 Ford Escape with two wheel drive can have the starting price at $ 22,500. The 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid model can have the starting price at $ 36,000. The plug in Hybrid model of the new Escape can cost $ 38,000.
One can expect a good performance from this new 2012 Ford Escape which will be worth its cost. This new Escape, which is expected to be released either by the end of 2011 or by early 2012. The test drive of this new Ford Escape would be conducted latest by late summer of 2011.

2012 escape

SCOOP: New Hot Ford Fiesta ST Caught Testing in Five-Door Trim

The last time we had news about the upcoming Fiesta ST was back in September 2010 when our spies snagged a three-door prototype in Germany. Now, we have some fresh pictures of the five-door version of the hottest Fiesta undergoing tests at the Nurburgring racetrack without much camouflage.

Ford’s European Sales up 10.5 % in May

Ford’s auto sales across its 51 European markets (including Russia, Turkey and certain countries from North Africa) in May rose 13 percent to 143,800 units, up by 16,600 units from a year earlier. May sales in the firm’s traditional 19 European markets rose by 10.5 percentage points to 116,500, up by 11,100. 

Sticker Shock: U.S. Used Car Prices Soar as Nation Tackles Weak Economy and More

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. U.S. used car prices are up 30% over June 2010, in some cases besting Kelly Blue Book values by as much as 25%. Trade-ins are also up by 30% since this time last year.
A variety of factors, including an economy still reeling from the Global Financial Crisis, high gas prices and the Tōhoku earthquake, are thought to be responsible for the massive price rise.

Ford Calls Rally Fans to Vote on Their Favorite Roof Livery for the Fiesta WRC

The Blue Oval’s rally team is reaching out to its fans through Facebook and asking them to choose a unique roof artwork the Fiesta RS WRCs driven by Jari-Matti Latvala, Mikko Hirvonen and Khalid Al Qassimi at next month’s Rally Finland, which runs from July 28-30, 2011.
“Up until now the Ford Abu Dhabi Team Fiesta RS WRCs have simply featured the Ford logo,” said Will May, Motorsport Marketing Manager for Ford of Europe. “So we’re inviting our Facebook followers to vote for one of several designs we’ve developed under one theme – which is ‘the food that fuels you’."

Ford Says No to 7-Seat Grand C-MAX for the USA, Yes to Hybrid 5-Seat C-MAX

Earlier today, we told you about Ford’s decision to increase production of the Focus-based C-MAX minivan at its Valencia plant in Spain to meet strong demand from European customers. We also noted that Ford was planning to launch the longer and more spacious 7-seat Grand C-MAX in the United States.
Well, it turns out there’s been a slight change of plans as the Detroit automaker just announced it won’t be bringing the petrol-powered Grand C-MAX to the U.S. after all. But not all is lost for fans of the Focus-based minivan as Ford will focus on the five-seat C-MAX in both hybrid and plug-in hybrid formats. The C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid vehicles were previewed at the Detroit Auto Show this past January.

Ford Increases Production of C-MAX in Europe to Meet Growing Sales

Good news for Ford as the company has ramped up production of its new five-seat C-MAX and seven-seat Grand C-MAX to meet growing demand for the two minivans in the European market. The revamped schedule calls for an 18 percent increase in daily C-MAX production at the firm’s plant in Valencia, Spain.

U.S. Government Focusing in on Web Gadgets

We are all living in an age of networked information. Social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, smartphones and public internet access are making the world smaller every day. Unfortunately, in some instances all this information can distract us from the important things, such as focusing on driving. And no one agrees with this more than U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood:
“We know people are hooked on cellphones and texting devices. But there's absolutely no reason for any person to download their Facebook into the car. It's not necessary. "

And the Unluckiest Car in Britain

Well, the question and the answer have already been given to you in the title, so let us elaborate for a moment. A UK-based car insurance price comparison website called “Confused.com” conducted a study to find out which vehicle make and model had the highest accident rates in Britain in the last five years. The company notes that the statistics you’re about to read show only a snapshot of accident-related claims made by owners of a particular make and model of vehicle.
According to the results, the Honda FR-V, a compact 6-seater minivan marketed in Europe and Japan from 2004 to 2009, topped the list with 2,529 owners of the model making 466 accident claims in the past five years, which is equal to a claim rate of 18.4 per cent, or close to one in five.

‘Tis Official: Mazda to Stop Building the North American Mazda6 in the USA, Successor will Come from Japan

For better or for worse, depending on which side of the line you are standing on, Mazda has confirmed rumors that it will stop building the Mazda6 at the AutoAlliance International (AAI) plant in Michigan, which it runs jointly with Ford, after the mid-size sedan's current cycle ends.
The company said the Mazda6's replacement for the North American market will be produced at its Hofu Plant in Yamaguchi prefecture, Japan, adding that the decision was driven by the firm’s “ongoing efforts to increase global manufacturing efficiencies”.

Report: Mazda to Cut Ties with Ford and Stop U.S. Production by 2013

Earlier in May, we told you about a report concerning Mazda’s plans to discontinue production of its Mazda6 mid-size model at its joint-venture plant with Ford in Michigan. Today, new reports from both Japan and the U.S. are claiming that Mazda Motors will dissolve its 50-50 joint venture with Ford and stop building cars in the USA by 2013, with the Japanese company already in talks with the Detroit automaker to sell its stake in their car production venture Auto Alliance International [AAI].

Ford’s Smallest Production Engine Ever

It took the Ford Motor Company a very long time to jump aboard the turbocharged engine bandwagon for mainstream, non-sport models, but now the Detroit automaker is going full speed ahead with the presentation of a full range of force-fed gasoline powerplants. Ford latest offering is a new 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine, the company’s first three-cylinder unit and its smallest production engine ever.
Designed by the engineering team at Ford’s Dunton Technical Centre in the U.K., the 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine promises to deliver performance of a larger four-cylinder unit with even higher fuel economy. It employs all EcoBoost technologies, such as turbocharging, direct injection and twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT).

Toyota Sales Plunge More than 33% in May, Chrysler Group up by 10%

The numbers for U.S. auto sales for the month of May are out and as expected, Japanese automakers continue to be hit hard by the ongoing production disruptions caused by the March 11 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in their home market. As a result, Toyota’s sales plunged 33.4% over the year-ago month to 108,387 units, while rivaling Honda saw its sales fall 22.5% to 90,773 vehicles, Nissan recorded a 9.1% drop to 76,148 units and Mazda 17,875 vehicles, down 20.9%.
General Motors dealers in the United States delivered 221,192 vehicles in May posting a decline of 1%, while the Ford Motor Co. said its sales decreased by 0.1% to 192,253 cars, trucks and SUVs.

Big Brother is Watching, Well, All of us: U.S. DoT Seeks to Make Event Data Recorders Mandatory

Australian inventor and all-round genius Dr David Warren is widely considered to be the father of the “black box” Flight Data Recorder (FDR). His invention helped make flying safer by giving investigators valuable insights into the mechanical goings-on of a crashed aircraft. What may surprise you is that for the last twenty years similar devices have been installed in our cars.
Event Data Recorders (EDRs) are the automotive equivalent of an aircraft’s FDR. These devices record acceleration and deceleration forces, engine RPM, temperature, oil pressure and a host of other things. After a crash, the information can be recovered and studied, aiding investigators.

Loder1899 Tunes Into the New 2012 Ford Focus Hatch

The all-new Ford Focus has barely launched in Europe but the German aftermarket specialists at Loder1899 have already created a dedicated tuning package. The company dresses the new compact hatchback with numerous carbon-fiber elements such as the front spoiler lip, matching side skirts installed on the door sills and an RS-style rear apron with an integrated air diffuser.

Hoon Crackdown: Two Anti-Hooning Ads from Different Ends of the Spectrum

In Australia and New Zealand, “hooning” is a term applied to any anti-social and often dangerous behavior behind the wheel of a car. Burnouts, car surfing and illegal street racing all fall under this rather broad definition. And it’s an ever-growing problem. Each year there are more reports like, “Hoons kill innocent driver in Dandenong, say police” and, “Man killed in Burwood Highway 'hoon' crash.”
So it’s obvious that cracking down on hooning is very important to the governments of both nations. Here we have two adverts, one from Oz and one from Kiwiland, that use tactics both old and new to get their message across. The Aussie one plays on that, “If you hoon, you’ll lose your car” message while the NZ one plays on the, “If you hoon, you’ll lose your life” vibe. Who knew that New Zealand’s roads were covered with hidden landmines?

British Study Reveals the Most Popular Hairdresser’s Car in Real Life

And no, despite what you may have heard or read, the Audi TT ain’t the most popular car among hairdressers – or at least not in Britain. According to a new study made available today by UK women's car insurance specialist Diamond, that title goes to…*drums please*…the one and only, MINI One hatchback. In fact, the BMW Group’s MINI brand had two vehicles in the top five positions.
The UK insurance firm came to this conclusion after looking at data from over 18,000 hairdressers in Britain. The company said the MINI One is three and a half times more likely to be driven by someone working as a hairdresser than everyone else.

So Long and Thanks for all the Fish: The Last of San Francisco’s U.S. Dealerships Closes its Doors for Good

Are you in the market for a new car in San Francisco and are considering a product built by America’s Big 2.5? If so, then I have some bad news: the last U.S. domestic automaker dealership has just shut up shop. San Francisco Ford Lincoln Mercury on Van Ness Avenue closed a few weeks ago, leaving some 50 employees out of a job.
Ford Lincoln Mercury presidente Mel Turner told the San Fransisco Chronicle: “We are proud to have served the San Francisco community and will be focusing over the coming weeks on helping employees through this transition and ensuring our current customer commitments are met.”

Defunct Brand Owners Shun GM and Ford

There are some three million former Saturn, Pontiac and Hummer customers in the United States, all of whom will unlikely ever have the pleasure of buying a newer model of their current make again. These are some of America’s defunct brands, all gone the same way as Plymouth, DeSoto, Packard and many others. These latest additions were culled following General Motors bankruptcy reorganisation in 2009. And Mercury owners are in the same boat.
Now, Ford and GM are desperately trying to hold onto these “brand-less” customers. Accoriding to a report from the Wall Street Journal, in this year alone, 70% Pontiac owners, 71% of Saturn owners and 65% of Mercury owners who traded in their vehicles left with something other than a Ford or GM product.