Ford Prototype Car Talks to Other Cars

Technology today is progressing at an alarming rate. Now as our road ways become more cluttered, this prototype will communicate with other vehicles. Just imagine if you were to recieve a message saying that someone is about to do run a light that will end up in a t-bone accident that will endanger you and your precious cargo. This will reduce the number of accidents both light or fatal accidents. Sometimes there just needs to be that extra set of eyes.

January 26, 2011 by Amy Gilroy

Ford is building a prototype car that “talks” to other cars through WiFi to warn if the cars ahead slow down too quickly, and of other hazards.

Ford announced Wednesday, it is aggressively pursuing this technology which could be in cars in 5 to 10 years. The Ford prototype will begin touring the country this spring.

No it won’t let you send other drivers messages like “Slow down you idiot.” But cars will send each other automated signals using an advanced form of WiFi (See video below). If a vehicle is running a red light or if it enters your blind spot, you get a warning.

The special WiFi system for “talking cars” could be included in smartphones or GPS products that could connect to the car radio as in the Sync.

Ford’s system relies on WiFi using a form of dedicated short-range communications on a secured channel allocated by the Federal Communications Commission, said Ford. The technology is called Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC).

2012 Ford Focus EV

Ford's electric Focus can have its battery fully recharged at home with a 240-volt system in as little as four hours, the company says. That's about half the time that it takes to fully recharge the battery of a Nissan Leaf, the first fully electric car to go on sale by a major auto maker.

Ford, in fact, used Detroit to unveil three new hybrid and electric vehicles. They are all part of a plan to provide more choices for fuel efficient transportation than any other manufacturer.

By 2012, Ford said its family of electric vehicles will include a plug-in hybrid and gasoline hybrid version of the C-Max, as well as a battery-powered Focus Electric compact car.

2011 AJAC finalists announced at the Montreal Auto Show

By Marc-André Hallé, Friday, January 14, 2011 for Auto123.com

The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) announced the award finalists for the best new car, utility vehicle and design of 2011.

In the ''Canadian Car of the Year'' category, the Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Jetta TDI Clean Diesel will duke it out until the very end in hope of winning the title.

Meanwhile, the finalists for the ''Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year'' award are the Ford Edge, Hyundai Tucson and Volkswagen Touareg.

As for the best new design, the Audi R8 Spyder, Jaguar XJ Supercharged and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG are the three remaining contenders.

Seventy of Canada's top automotive journalists spent four intensive days in Niagara-on-the-Lake conducting back-to-back comparative testing of 144 "all new" or "significantly new" 2011 vehicles in order to narrow down the field. Their vote results were determined from not just specifications and features but also real-world performance and subjective ratings on up to 23 different characteristics, including interior roominess, comfort, ride quality and handling ability.

The overall winners will be announced during a ceremony on February 17th at Toronto's Canadian International Auto Show.

Ford Fiesta- Specs Video

Driving Down the Road

2010 Ford Transit Connect Review

With Carey Russ

2010 Ford Transit Connect Review

While the Transit Connect is primarily a commercial vehicle, it can also fit personal-use needs. I'm thinking of the "active lifestyle" people that marketing types target for SUVs or crossovers, but who are more likely to spend their money on their avocation than on a vehicle filled with frills and features. And who are likely to get the inside of the vehicle dirty on a regular basis, a problem with upscale leather and carpeting. A Transit Connect can hold a lot of camping or climbing or rafting or fishing gear.

Drivetrain choice is easy -- a 2.0-liter, 136-horsepower four-cylinder matched to a four-speed automatic, driving the front wheels. If that sounds anemic for a 3500-pound vehicle, it's not. Acceleration is no problem, and the EPA mileage estimates -- 22/25 -- appear to be accurate.

APPEARANCE: Form follows function, and the Transit Connect is pure function. If it looks like a small version of the Mercedes-Benz/Freightliner/Dodge Sprinter, blame convergent evolution driven by space efficiency and aerodynamics. Short, narrow, and high is the way to interior space in crowded European and Asian cities. Clean aerodynamics not only contribute to fuel efficiency, but also to stability in strong winds. I encountered some of that during my driving, and was pleasantly surprised to find that the Transit Connect was less affected than many sedans.

COMFORT: This is an honest working-class utility vehicle, so the interior is plain and functional. There is less soundproofing than in even a low-budget subcompact, with most of the shell bare inside, but road, engine, and wind noise levels are comparable to a small sedan's. XLTs get power windows, mirrors, and locks with a remote fob. The instrument panel presents all necessary information well, including miles to empty, and the center console is basic, with two cupholders and some open storage. Access via the large sliding doors is easy. They should also help to position cargo loaded from the rear. With 78 cubic feet of cargo volume, the wagon is surpassed only by the van's 135. Maximum payload is 1600 lbs.

SAFETY: The 2010 Ford Transit Connect has front and front-seat side airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes (disc/drum), and a tire-pressure monitoring system. XLT wagons have the AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll stability Control) electronic stability control system.

RIDE AND HANDLING: It's a commercial vehicle, but that doesn't prevent the Transit Connect from having the driving qualities of a comparably-sized car. While the MacPherson strut front, leaf-sprung solid axle rear suspension is meant for cargo hauling, the ride quality is more "car" than "pickup truck", with good compliance and no jarring. Moderately-weighted power steering and a tight 39-foot turning circle and short overall length mean that the Transit Connect is easy to maneuver in tight urban parking situations, and can go where larger vans can't.

PERFORMANCE: One might expect that a 136 horsepower engine in a 3500-pound vehicle would be the formula for "slow". One would be wrong. No, it's not a Ford GT when called upon to merge into traffic, but the Transit Connect holds its own. The venerable "Duratec" alloy twincam four-cylinder engine makes its 136 horsepower at 6300 rpm, with 128 lb-ft of torque at 4750, but there is ample torque at lower revs.

Top Gear and the Focus ST

Vertrek Concept

Auto123.com

By Marc-André Hallé

Monday, January 10, 2011

Detroit 2011: Ford unveils the Vertrek Concept, should replace Escape

During the Detroit Auto Show presentation, Ford unveiled the Vertrek Concept, a future replacement for the company’s Escape and Kuga compact SUVs. It mixes European style, off-road capability and lots of cargo space.

Built on the C platform that also underpins the C-MAX and Focus, the Vertrek was aerodynamically perfected to meet Ford’s standards regarding fuel economy and emissions as well as integrating new powertrain technologies.

The Concept is equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine that will provide power comparable to a bigger unit while reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

To further improve fuel economy, the Vertrek includes start-stop technology that shuts off the engine at idle (waiting at a traffic light, for example) et restarts it when the driver re-accelerates.

Since the SUV will require more battery energy with this system, Ford also provided it with a regenerative braking system that captures energy when slowing down and replenishes the battery.

The Vertrek will also be offered with a Duratorq 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine. It’s unlikely that it will be available in North America, though, as it’s typically the case with this kind of engine.

Ford also recently announced that its start-stop system will find its way into more and more products, and that 90% of their products should offer an EcoBoost engine by 2013.

All-new Focus Electric

Canadian Driver

January 7, 2011

Ford unveils all-new Focus Electric

Dearborn, Michigan – Ford has unveiled the all-new Focus Electric, the company’s first-ever all-electric passenger car, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The new vehicle will launch in late 2011 and is designed to offer enough range to cover the majority of daily driving habits of

America

“Focus Electric is the flagship of our new family of electrified vehicles, showcasing our commitment to offer consumers choice when it comes to fuel-efficient or fuel-free vehicles,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice-president for global product development. “Its advanced powertrain will deliver significant energy efficiency advantages and zero CO2 emissions without compromising driving enjoyment. And its suite of smart driver information technologies will transform the way customers think about energy usage and their transportation needs.”

Ford said that the Focus Electric will offer a mile-per-gallon equivalent better than Chevrolet Volt and competitive with other battery-electric vehicles. A full recharge is expected to take three to four hours at home with the 240-volt charge station, which the company said is half the charge time of the Nissan Leaf.

The Focus Electric will introduce new features and technologies, including a unique version of the MyFord Touch driver connect system especially for electric vehicles, a new value charging feature powered by Microsoft, and a smart phone application, MyFord Mobile, that helps plug-in owners control their vehicles remotely.

Torture Test- Episode 5

Torture Test- Episode 3 & 4

Torture Test- Episode 1 & 2

Now a registered Domain Name

We are now registered under the domain name of www.mydrivingfacts.com or www.drivingfacts.ca

We appreciate all of those who have been on the site checking out the articles, videos and announcements that we offer.

Is everyone finding the information relevant? Do you have any suggestions as to what you would like to see more of?

Ford improves MYKEY, blocks explicit radio channels

Thanks to Ford’s MYKEY system, parents can lend their car to their children without worrying about broken stereo systems and dangerous racing manoeuvres, giving families extra peace of mind. The system has already proven its worth, and the automaker has now announced a new feature that allows parents to block explicit or obscene satellite radio content.

The decision was made in light of the results of a survey conducted by Penn, Schoen & Berland revealing that nearly 60% of parents of teenagers think it’s important to block adult satellite radio channels.

The feature works a bit like those already offered by television service providers and parental control functions on computers, automatically blocking channels classified as explicit by Sirius, Ford’s satellite radio provider. The company is proud of being the first automaker to offer such a feature in its vehicles.

The improved version of MYKEY will be delivered standard in the Taurus and Explorer in 2011 and will quickly be incorporated into several other Ford and Lincoln models.

2011 Escape- Regenerative Braking

Technology and the MKT

Mexican Border Patrol and Ford Raptor Trucks

Reader Spy: U.S. Border Patrol eventually gets the leatherless Ford Raptors

What a U.S. Federal Government wants, the U.S. Federal Government gets. And what a Customs as well as Border Protection multiplication of a U.S. Department of Homeland Security longed for were at slightest 10 Ford SVT Raptor pickup trucks to unit a area where Arizona borders with Mexico. Only complaint is which Ford puts the standard leather interior in all the Raptor trucks, which is apparently opposite a grouping preferences of a Feds.

So, what to do? Put in an extra-special sequence with Ford, have the couple of phone calls (give us what we wish… or else…) as well as patiently await smoothness – the truckload of specifically liveried pickups which Autoblog reader Matt happened photograph as well as send in to us. We went forward and contacted Ford to be certain which it managed to broach a authorities a Raptors it wanted, as well as we got an affirmative… arrange of.

Ford would need the tangible Vehicle Identification Numbers of the trucks to endorse particular equipment levels, as well as we’re not about to mar on down to Southern Arizona to squeeze them. But Ford says a Feds did sequence Raptors but leather as well as which a Blue Oval Bosses complied. So we’re starting with the clear probably.

Intelligent Access Video

Mustang- Lambo Doors

Andy and our Body Shop team put Lambo Doors onto this Ford Mustang! Such an amazing job!

Please leave a comment below on what you think!

2011 Lincoln MKX- MKX leads Lincoln resurgence

Glen Woodcock

Published: 09 12 2010

MKX leads Lincoln resurgence

I love the Lincoln MKX commercial where the guy at the wheel says, “If you’re buying a new vehicle, shouldn’t it be new?” Exactly! And obviously a lot of Canadians like the new things Ford is doing with its Lincoln division.

MKX also gets a new, more powerful engine in the form of a 3.7-litre V6 that unleashes 305 hp at 6,500 rpm and spins out 280 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 – which Lincoln says is best in class. The 24-valve aluminum V6 is coupled to a six-speed automatic and in testing by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) for its 2011 Canadian Car of the Year competition, this allowed the MKT to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 8.1 seconds and from 80-120 in 5.8. Not quite best in the SUVs/CUVs over $50,000 class, but close to the Porsche Cayenne (at more than double the Lincoln’s price) and better than the category winning Volkswagen Touareg (MKX finished second).

The interior also is all new, with standard 10-way power heated and cooled front seats and clever touches such as a split sliding centre armrest that driver and front passenger can adjust to their individual needs, push-button ignition and roof-mounted reading lights for those riding in back.

Standard is MyLincoln Touch, which can be used to activate:

· heated steering wheel

· entertainment

· information

· navigation

· climate control systems

· As well, the optional navigation system can be voice activated and SYNC allows you to access your digital media player or phone by voice alone.

· Pads on either side of the steering wheel also can control most of these functions through interactive displays on the instrument panel to either side of the speedometer.

More useful technology is available at extra cost including (but not limited to):

· Adaptive cruise control with collision warning that alerts the driver both audibly and visually when a crash is imminent and prepares the braking system for a panic stop. You can set the distance between you and the vehicle in front to where you’re comfortable and then the MKX does the rest. It’s a relaxing, hassle-free way to cruise on a busy expressway.

· Sight & Sound package is a blind spot information system (BLIS) that alerts the driver when a vehicle is in the blind spot on either side and when backing up also lets you know if a cross traffic is approaching.

Lincoln is on a roll and MKX is leading the charge. Thanks to vehicles such as this, one of the world’s oldest makers of luxury automobiles is back – in a big, big way.

Search available options for the 2011 Lincoln MKX.

2011 Ford F-350- Review

Harry Pegg

Published: 30 08 2010

If a person is going to get roped into the heavy-duty truck market, a 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty Lariat might just be the pickup to tie them down.

If you figure a truck is a truck is a truck, take a closer look at its lines. From the big chrome grille to the big trailer mirrors to the step-up tailgate, everything is in proportion, making the truck appear smaller in pictures than it really is in real life.

The Lariat test vehicle carries $17,000 worth of add-ons including the brand new version of the Ford-built 6.7L turbo diesel Power Stroke engine. Lift the hood and you see a mass of plumbing (yes, there is an engine in there) serving the turbo and serving the inboard exhaust and outboard intake architecture. There is a new heavy-duty TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift manual operation. Shifting is smooth and easy, almost sedan-like.

Trailer hauling is made easier by the integrated trailer brake control and the addition of Trailer Sway Control. A rear-view camera built into the tailgate is a big help when hooking up to a trailer.

The outside of this truck is great for both the weekend trailer-hauler and every-day work applications.

You find all the comforts and conveniences you’d find in a high-end sedan - leather seats (with heat), navigation system, satellite radio, Sync voice-activated systems, 110-volt power inverter, driver information screen and a centre console that has more configurations than I was able to use. Of course seats, windows and mirrors are power activated.

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