All-New 2013 Ford Escape

Get the Scoop on the New Ford Escape!

Coming in 2012 is the all-new Ford Escape, touting better fuel economy than its predecessor, 11 exclusive features, two EcoBoost® engines and cutting-edge technology. Hey, we don’t kid around when we say “all-new.”

Let’s start with the EcoBoost, since that’s an engine buyers continue to crave. The new Escape boasts two of ’em: an available 2.0-liter and a 1.6-liter, which is debuting in America in the Escape. How’s that for another plug under the “all-new” heading? The EcoBoost engines are linked to the SelectShift Automatic® transmission. The standard engine in the Escape will be an updated 2.5-liter, which is also hooked to the SelectShift Automatic six-speed. Projections on fuel economy are estimated at 5 mpg better than the outgoing Escape.

Also aiding in the mpg department is the SUV’s fresh design, which is nearly 10 percent more aerodynamic than the previous generation. There’s also an active grille shutter system on 1.6-liter and 2.5-liter models. The grille slats stay open when extra engine cooling air is needed (like stop-and-go driving), then automatically close to improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency, such as at steady highway speeds. And if your driving will include towing, good news: The Escape maintains a trailer tow rating of 3,500 pounds.

Other driving innovations include advanced software and sensors. For example, the new Intelligent 4WD System analyzes data from 25 external signals (say, wheel speed and steering wheel angle), assessing road conditions and driver input. Intelligent 4WD builds on the pre-emptive actions by adding and subtracting torque as needed through an electromagnetic clutch.

In terms of technology, there’s a hands-free power lift gate that you can read about and see video on Ford Social, while SYNC® with MyFord Touch® has been upgraded with a new look and easier controls for managing info. Know how vile parallel parking can be? The new Escape has Active Park Assist; press a button and the system automatically steers the vehicle into the space. You need only control the gas and brake pedals. There’s also BLIS®, the Blind Spot Information System, which sounds an alert if a vehicle is detected entering a blind spot. And the Escape is the first Ford SUV to combine class-exclusive technology to automatically slow the vehicle when it’s cornering too fast (Curve Control) or help accelerate through a turn (Torque Vectoring Control) and the new Intelligent 4WD System, which analyzes data from 25 external signals (say, wheel speed and steering wheel angle), assessing road conditions and driver input. Intelligent 4WD builds on the pre-emptive actions by adding and subtracting torque as needed through an electromagnetic clutch.

Now that the Escape has made its world debut in Los Angeles, it’s whipping out its passport and heading to Europe.

Visit Ford.com for more information about the 2013 Ford Escape.

Article from FordSocial

2013 Ford Shelby Gt500

The ultimate Ford Mustang; Shelby GT500, raises the bar high on performance with the introduction of the new 2013 model that goes on sale next year delivering 650 horsepower and a top speed of more than 200 mph.

The 5.8 liter V8 aluminum block engine produces 650 horsepower and 600lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful production V8 in the world. The 3,850 pound car also stays exempt from the gas guzzler tax.

Nearly every part of the power train has been optimized for producing additional horsepower, including a new supercharger, new cross drilled block and heads, updated camshaft profiles, and new carbon fiber driveshaft and upgraded clutch, transmission and axle.

A larger, more efficient supercharger flowing more air through the engine is key to helping produce the massive 650 horsepower. The new TVS series 2300 creates 2.3 liters of displacement and is a unique design to the 5.8 liter engine.

The entire cooling system has been significantly updated on the new 5.8 liter engine. It now includes a larger cooling fan, fan shroud with high speed pressure relief doors, a more efficient charge air cooler, a higher flow intercooler pump and an intercooler heat exchanger with volume increased 36 percent.

Nearly every gear on the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 was revised to manage the torque and use more of the power in a way that makes it more driver friendly. Engineers consider more than 35 gearing combinations, finally deciding on one that balanced torque being transmitted all the way through the wheels and grip to the ground.

Read more at Media.Ford.com

New Features and Upgrades for MyFord Touch

When it comes time to improve a product, who is the best person to get feedback from? That’s right, you! So, research teams at Ford talked to owners about their likes and dislikes of the MyFord Touch®, then went about enhancing the system.

Ford customers wanted the technology to be faster, simpler and easier to use. Guess what? It’ll now be faster, simpler and easier to use. Ford retained what you liked — color-coded corners, information being provided and four-corner design, for example — and augmented with bolder fonts, larger icons and the ability to see your phone’s battery and signal strength.

“Our strategy to create the SYNC software platform and add the customizable screens of MyFord Touch gives us a level of flexibility and speed to respond to customer input like never before seen in the auto industry,” said Graydon Reitz, director, Ford Global Electronics and Electrical Systems Engineering.

New features include support for tablet devices and Audible.com audiobooks, improved navigation maps and enhanced voice recognition interaction. Automatic Bluetooth® connection upon vehicle entry has been improved, as has voice recognition for music search, allowing drivers to pinpoint artists with hard-to-pronounce names or nicknames. And faster touch-screen response time was a key request from owners. Initial testing shows that touch and voice response is at least two times faster than the current system.

A survey of 2011 Ford Edge owners shows that four of the top seven purchase reasons were elements of the MyFord Touch system: the touch screen, steering wheel controls, voice recognition and dashboard styling. The “new” MyFord Touch will be available early next year on the 2013 Ford Escape, Flex and Taurus, and offered to existing owners of MyFord Touch-equipped vehicles, including the 2011 and 2012 models of Ford Explorer and Edge and the 2012 Focus. Owners of 2011 and 2012 Lincoln MKX crossovers will also receive the upgrade for their MyLincoln Touch^TM systems.

“We’re going to mail a USB drive to every existing My Ford Touch customer that has the upgrade on it,” explained Jennifer Brace, User Interface Design Engineer at Ford. “All they have to do is take this USB drive pop it into the media hub and they let the vehicle do the work. They don’t have to go to the dealership.”

Ford launched two programs modeled after what consumers experience when purchasing a new electronic device. First, the company added a new MyFord Touch owner support website featuring how-to videos at www.syncmyride.com. Second, free “SYNC My Ride” personalized training sessions for new owners are now offered through Ford dealers — scheduled at customers’ convenience.

For a video demonstration of the improvements, click here.

Article from Media.Ford.com

Waffle Brownies

Chocolate lovers will delight in these scrumptious waffles. Try adding in ½ cup toasted walnuts and ½ cup golden raisins and top with berries soaked in Gran Marnier. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream for a perfect finish.

Ingredients

• 1 box brownie mix
• ⅔ cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• For variety, add raisins, walnuts, boozy berries, warm caramel, hot fudge or whipped cream.

Makes 4 waffle brownies.

Preparation

Pre-heat a waffle maker to medium-low.

Prepare the brownies according to the package directions, omitting any water or milk. Pour ½ cup of the mixture per square in the waffle maker. Bake for 10 minutes.

Once baked, open the waffle maker and turn off the heat. Let the brownies sit until slightly cool, about 3 minutes

Serve alone or with berries, whipped cream or ice cream, or other toppings of your choice.

Article from RachelRay.com