In addition to the announcements on the new Mondeo family, the updated Fiesta, and the next Mustang, Ford revealed today that it will enhance its SUV line-up in Europe with not one, but three new products in the upcoming months.
Ford said it expects to sell more than one million SUVs in Europe in the next six years with SUVs accounting for one in ten of all Fords sold in the region by 2016.
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Following last week's announcement on the 2012 Explorer with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit, Ford today revealed that the 2012 Edge with the same powerplant will deliver an EPA certified 21mpg in the city and 30mpg on the highway.
In the Edge, the EcoBoost four-cylinder engine produces 240 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and a 270 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm. Power is transferred to the wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.
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From next year, the fonts in Ford’s Edge and Explorer SUV models will be some 40% larger as well as thicker. The reason? Baby Boomers have poor eyesight. No, really, Ford’s done a study and everything. The bigger fonts will extend to interior display screens control and A/C controls, and will gradually be rolled out onto other models in the Ford range in coming years.
In a statement on their website, Ford expressed its desire to make it, “easier for people of all ages, particularly aging Baby Boomers, to read display fonts.” Ah, like the little boy or girl who flat-out tells his grandparents that they’re old and wrinkly, Ford has snagged upon that babying / slow and loud way anyone under the age of 30 speak to anyone over the age of 50:
“YES, MRS. JOHNSON. THE WEATHER IS NICE TODAY. DO YOU THINK YOU’LL GO DOWN TO THE PARK?”
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Now, the Detroit automaker has officially confirmed that the 2011 F-150 pickup truck will be offered with its 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 upgraded for rear-wheel-drive applications, while a new 2.0-liter inline-four turbo will find its way under the hood of the next next-generation Ford Explorer SUV and Edge CUV.
The 2.0-liter EcoBoost unit will be launched along with a smaller displacement 1.6-liter EcoBoost unit, which will be used initially on the European C-Max people mover, by the end of the year.
Wrapping up the news related to the products of the Ford Motor Company that will be on display at the annual aftermarket jamboree in Sin City next week, here's the rest of the 'souped-up' Ford vehicles that include a pair of Transit vans and Focus Coupes as well as a Flex and an Edge. Details and pics after the break.
From Ford Press Release:
2010 Ford Transit Connect by Azentek and Grant Products
Azentek and Grant Products teamed up to build this unique "Travel Inn" Ford Transit Connect van. Designed for people who are always on the go, it comes complete with the Azentek in-vehicle computing and navigation radio, and a Concept DVD for watching movies.
You can cook while tailgating with your mini pull-out kitchen and even sleep in complete comfort in the upper bunk bed. You also will drive in style with the Grant Products body kit, race-inspired steering wheel and GAC interior. The vehicle features 18-inch BBS wheels with a Winona PVD chrome finish and Bridgestone Firestone tires.
2010 Ford Transit Connect by Ford Vehicle Personalization
This 2010 Transit Connect was developed by the Ford Vehicle Personalization team and it features Genuine Ford Accessories, Ford Licensed Accessories and various personalization concepts. Inspired by West Coast beaches, the vehicle is presented in a soft anodized Metallic Gold exterior paint with a large energetic side graphic depicting young people playing sports and having fun on the beach. Various racks and carriers on the exterior secure your favorite outdoor gear.
The interior is the main focus of this custom Transit Connect, showcasing the flexibility of space in the cargo area and the ability to create a realm of personal use around this vehicle rather than strictly commercial/business usage. Shown with two seats, the cargo area will house an audio wall with a custom audio/video system, a skateboard rack displaying four skateboards and a rear-mounted LCD flip-out flat-screen monitor with video game console.
2010 Ford Edge "RallyE" by Santini Paint
Santini Paint, combined with the talent of Steve Stanford Design, has taken the Ford Edge crossover to a level of design utilizing influence from the old-school British racing era, tuner cars and a little rally car, so that this "soccer mom" grocery-getter becomes the "cool" car for the family.
With a few inches out of the suspension, the big wheel and tire combination, 3dCarbon body kit, British Racing Green color and an asymmetrical competition stripe paint scheme with some interior accents added in, Santini's Ford Edge becomes a "Coolover."
2009 Ford Focus by FSWerks
In its constant search for more power, the FSWerks crew has taken a 2009 Ford Focus Coupe and pushed it to the edge. Utilizing many years of racing, fabricating and powertrain experience, this transformed Ford Focus is now pushing more than 500 horsepower, making it one serious track Focus.
2009 Ford Focus by Creations n' Chrome
Creations n' Chrome has taken green technology to the extreme with its 2009 Ford Focus. The exterior starts with an outrageous green chrome finish using Cosmichrome water-based spray-on plating technology, 3dCarbon Euro Series six-piece body kit and lightweight Work Emotion wheels. To increase engine efficiency and aerodynamics, an FSWerks turbo kit and H&R coil-over suspension are added. The interior was custom refinished from top to bottom with House of Color paint and custom Katzkin leather.
2010 Ford Flex by Falken Tire
Breaking the mold of cookie-cutter project vehicles on oversized chrome rims, Falken Tire has envisioned the perfect blend of traditional "lowrider" styling and a 2010 platform while utilizing today's finest full-size CUV, the Ford Flex. Rolling on 22-inch Falken S/TZ04 tires and wire- spoke Dayton wheels, this ride will surely earn the respect of everyone from old-school purists to new-age tuners. Break the mold and Flex Your Style.
"Four Edges dressed up as hydrogen-powered vehicles are part of a fleet that belongs to Greene, and they are integrated naturally into the plot of the movie," said Al Uzielli, senior advisor to Ford Global Brand Entertainment. "When you see the Edge – as when you saw the Mondeo in 'Casino Royale' – there's no question to the relevance or the correctness of the vehicle being in that scene."
Relevant or not, Ford's product placement in 007's new adventure does not end with the Edge Crossover as the firm's European arm will also have an ambassador in the movie, the 2009 Ford Ka mincar that will be driven Bond's new girl Camille played by Olga Kurylenko. (Opening image
In an attempt to give its compact crossover a sportier…edge, Ford introduced a new factory-customized version of the Edge at the Chicago Auto Show. The most prominent features of the Sport model are the standard 20-inch alloy wheels or optionally, a set of humongous 22-inch polished alloy rims complete with low-profile, 40-series Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires and the eight-piece body kit includes a unique front air dam, side skirts, lower door caps and a rear skirt, all finished in body color. -ContinuedOther details include custom Sport badging, polished dual exhaust tips emerging from openings in the rear skirt and “foundry gray” smoked headlamp and taillamp lenses. Inside, the Edge Sport gets dark gray leather seats with suede patterned inserts in a combination of light and dark gray along with etched metal effect on the instrument panel center console. Unfortunately that’s all the…sport the Edge Sport gets as there are no mechanical enchantments.
