Ford to launch new Explorer into Cyberspace
No pyrotechnics, no dazzling light show or blaring music, no lasers and no Vogue runway models. Ford Motor Company will not be using any of the usual tricks and effects found surrounding a new model launch when they introduce the world to the 2011 Ford Explorer next week. Instead, they plan on a massive Facebook attack combined with face-to-face events in key markets throughout North America. Like pornstars and musicians before them, automakers are migrating to the web for their venue of choice to reach the masses.
Despite lots smiles and handshakes, Ford has issued gag orders to all media invited to Dearborn earlier this week (yours truly included) for some "up close and personal" time with the next-gen vehicle and the team behind it. I have been asked (threatened) to not publish any information about the new vehicle until July 26, 2010, or what Ford is calling "Ford Explorer Day." (And I am not even sure I should be telling you that.)
The Ford Explorer has been a popular vehicle for the automaker, selling more than a quarter-million units at its peak in 2000. Ford has been in the midst of model makeovers recently, with Fusion and Taurus getting massive attention last year and Super Duty earlier this Spring. The summer of 2010 marked the North American return of Fiesta and a new Focus has been promised by year's end.
And thusly, 07.26.2010 is Explorer's turn. A Facebook page has already been seeing lots of activity for the new model and even some stealth images of the new vehicle have made an appearance. Ford released some early fuel economy news announcing the 2011 model will feature the all-new EcoBoost I-4 engine that should deliver 30 percent better fuel economy than the outgoing Explorer, a very big concern of SUV buyers of late.
As the embargo lifts Monday, I will post my take on the new vehicle, but until then, Mum's the word.
Ford Fusion update: A really good 'Sport'
The Calendar had not quite read 2009 yet but I remember a chilly day in Michigan when the good folks over at Ford introduced us to our first 2010 model - the Fusion, complete with hybrid and sport versions.
Ford Motor Company invited journalists up to its Dearborn world headquarters in December, 2008, for a "hush-hush" sneak peek of some of its new product, and this included the made-over 2010 Ford Fusion lineup.
For 2010, engineers and designers gave the midsized sedan entirely new front and rear clips as well as totally refreshing the interior. In addition, powertrain upgrades have been added including the new hybrid systems we tested both on that trip and last year as well as a Sport version complete with all-wheel drive and a bigger, more powerful V-6.
The new Fusion received quite a few stares in traffic around the big blue oval's stomping grounds, a testament to the much-needed makeovers given the popularity of a recent Chevy Malibu makeover by GM back then.
This new Fusion is quieter, more comfortable, rides and handles better, steers better and, in hybrid form, gets incredible fuel economy without sacrificing much in the performance department.
We were greatly impressed with the work Ford designers and engineers had put into the new Fusion midsize sedans for 2010, a sentiment that did not ease when we took delivery of the latest Sport AWD Fusion. The Sport model is infused with Ford's peppier 3.5-liter V-6 (263hp vs. 240 of base 3.0-liter six and no difference in fuel economy) backed by their SelectShift six-speed automatic transmission.
The Sport also benefits from - what else - sporty interior and body trim upgrades including leather sport bucket seats and a rear spoiler along with 18-inch wheels and tires. On the road the new Sport exhibits nothing but confidence and enjoys being thrown a good twist of the steering wheel.
Pricing for the 2010 Fusion Sport begins at $27,675 with our loaded tester coming in with a final sticker of $31,395. That fuel economy I mentioned comes in at 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.
Ford has done an incredible job not only with the 2010 Fusion but a host of the 2010 lineup and it appears they have no plasn on slowing down just yet as some all-new 2011 models are rolling out in Dearborn delivering even more promise and excitement.
At nearly 70, Jeep still the one
Jeep has such a storied and legendary history while also being the one brand most synonymous with offroad. For nearly half a century the iconic runabout carried American servicemen and women to and from their assigned posts and in recent decades the Jeep Wrangler has garnered more "best of" awards in the offroad segment than all competitors combined.
Several years back Jeep decided to expand the platform a bit, stretching the chassis from two doors to four, giving birth to the Wrangler Unlimited. We had seen Jeep use the name Unlimited on its Wrangler model lineup prior to that, but never before had it been more appropriate. Jeep finally offered a true four-door Wrangler model dubbed Unlimited and available in more versions than ever before.
In addition to the option of an extra pair of doors, Jeep also chose that time to for Wrangler to receive stiffer frame and body components as well as new steering and suspension geometry. And thanks to an extra 20.6 inches in wheelbase length Unlimited models offer up a more stable ride.
Jeep offers Wrangler Unlimited in a choice of 4x2 and 4x4 running gear, the former aimed at the hip urban crowd who will never venture out of the city or off campus, and the latter for those who have made Jeep a household name (especially if your house is in Colorado).
The Jeep of today offers almost all of the modern amenities Ð power windows and locks, ABS brakes, electronic stability program, traction control, electronic roll mitigation, limited slip rear differential and an electronic front sway bar disconnect.
True to its roots though, Jeep still outfits their offroaders with heavy-duty Dana locking front and rear axles, rock rails, underbody skid plate protection, front and rear tow hooks, sport bar with full padding and 17- or 18-inch machined cast aluminum wheels with up to 32-inch mud and snow tires (with a fullsize spare mounted on back, of course).
Thank goodness Jeep has given the Wrangler Unlimited full-frame metal doors with glass side windows, those zip around plastic ones of years past were a real pain in the drive-thru not to mention flapping like crazy in the wind.
The recent Wrangler we tested came with the optional three-piece Freedom top hardtop bolted on. A soft Sunrider top was still included and folded back in the rear cargo area should consumers choose to change roofs every once in a while. I noticed the doors are still removable even with their modern power features.
Our Jeep tester was quiet on the road with very little wind noise despite it feeling like a bit of a plow in head-on gusts.
There is more power under the hood of the new Wrangler models, which is a blessing as the platform is toting a bit more weight these days. Still, the 202 ponies from the 3.8-liter V-6 will have not have you passing many vehicles on the road and fuel economy runs between 15 and 19 mpg. Still, its 237 lb. ft. of torque does propel the Jeep adequately when the pavement ends.
Inside there is plenty of room for five adults and rear seat passengers don't need to be trained acrobats to climb in and out thanks to the second set of fullsize doors. Seat material is the YES Essentials stain/odor resistant product, of which I am not a fan of. I have experienced this material in several vehicles and I do not feel it hides stains nor do I feel it resists odors. Chrysler, across the board, has to get rid of this crap.
The new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited looks good sitting still or crawling over an outcropping of rocks. I actually prefer its styling over the two-door Wrangler models but Jeep purists may quickly disagree.
Pricing for our test model 2010 Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4x4 starts at $28,905 and after a few add-ons, stickers out at just over 36 grand. We had not one but two aftermarket MOPAR chrome packages on the media fleet unit. Nice, but I will take mine sans bling.
After nearly 70 years, Jeep is still the one.
Chevy and OnStar train first responders on Volt
As a former firefighter/paramedic, I am glad to see that automakers are providing training for first responders before a new type vehicle hits the streets and forces them to "learn from experience." Training and preparation is key to successful incident response and reaction and Chevrolet is teaming up with OnStar to prepare emergency personnel for the arrival of Volt.
When hybrids first hit the mass market about a decade ago, I grabbed a Toyota Prius and a Honda Insight from the press fleets and visited several area fire departments here in north Texas to give emergency personnel the opportunity to see the vehicles up close and learn the facts surrounding how to respond to emergencies involving these vehicles.
I believe that everyone can benefit from a bit of knowledge concerning the operational characteristics of the coming wave of electric vehicles, as well as current hybrids that are capable of operating in electric-only mode. Warning, a little conscious re-thinking may be involved.
First and foremost is that these vehicles are nearly silent. Care has to be taken to ensure a vehicle operating in electric mode is somehow disabled from motion – be it via ignition switch, gear selector, parking brake or physical obstruction.
Second would concern the high voltage battery systems these vehicles carry. Most current hybrid vehicles not only have the traditional 12-volt car battery we are all familiar with but contain a secondary sealed battery pack somewhere in the rear area of the vehicle that generates in the neighborhood of 300 volts direct current (DC). Automakers have adopted an industry standard of signifying high voltage wiring and connections by the use of the color orange. (Red is still the standard for the 12 volt system.)
Here is the release from Chevrolet and OnStar regarding first responder training currently being developed:
San Francisco – Chevrolet has joined with OnStar and leading national first-responder organizations to announce the first automotive manufacturer-sponsored training program to educate first responders nationwide on electric vehicle technology.
The announcement was jointly made today at the San Francisco Fire Department with leaders of Chevrolet, OnStar, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).
“Technological changes in the automotive industry require changes in fire and emergency service operations as well,” said Chief Jack Parow, first vice president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. “The IAFC is proud to work with Chevrolet and OnStar to ensure that fire responders are adequately trained in how to work with the new technology, both for their own safety and the safety of those they serve.”
The training sessions will feature the Chevrolet Volt and will begin at the IAFC’s Fire-Rescue International Conference, Aug. 23-27 in Chicago. Together with OnStar, Chevrolet will also display the Volt at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials conference Aug. 1-4 in Houston, and at the NENA conference, June 5-10 in Indianapolis. Chevrolet and OnStar will host first-responder sessions in Volt retail markets later this year including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Detroit and Washington, D.C.
“We believe a first-responder education program is very important to raise the awareness and understanding of electric vehicle technology,” said Carmen Benavides, director, Chevrolet Safety. “This is a natural extension of the collaborative efforts we’ve had in the past when introducing new safety and other leading technologies.”
During the past several months, Chevrolet has collaborated with first-responder representatives from national safety organizations to develop educational materials for firefighters, law enforcement, emergency medical technicians and emergency dispatchers nationwide. This will help ensure the training meets the needs and answers the questions their colleagues are likely to have about electric vehicles.
Their feedback is being incorporated into training materials that will be available on the tour and posted on a targeted Web site for departments unable to attend the training sessions.
The training will include animation and illustrations of the Chevrolet Volt, highlighting locations of high-strength steel, cut points for extrication, first-responder labeling, automatic and manual electrical shut-off and more.
The Chevrolet Volt’s safety features include safeguards before, during and – thanks to OnStar -- after a crash. Before a crash, the Volt’s safety technology includes standard anti-lock brakes with traction control, StabiliTrak electronic stability control and daytime running lamps. In the event of a crash, the Volt uses occupant protection features such as high-strength steel, crash sensors, eight standard air bags and safety belts with dual pretensioners to reduce the risk of injury. After a crash, the Chevrolet Volt has the added protection of OnStar, which uses built-in vehicle sensors to automatically alert an OnStar advisor in certain types of collisions. The advisor is immediately connected to the vehicle and can request that emergency help be sent to its location.
Chevrolet expects the Volt to achieve high safety ratings in government tests. More than 50 crash tests at various speeds and angles have been conducted in the development of the Chevrolet Volt to date, including front, side and rear impacts as well as rollovers. The Volt’s body structure is made up of nearly 80 percent high-strength steel and includes optimized restraint systems.
Chevrolet has been working to get the country ready for electric vehicles such as the Volt for the past several years. In the time since the Volt was announced as a production program in 2007, Chevrolet has joined with the Electric Power Research Institute and 10 major electric utilities across the country, collaborated with several local and state governments in key states, and met with city stakeholders in important markets to help ensure widespread consumer adoption of electric vehicles. The Chevrolet Volt will launch in select markets late this year.
