Buying a Ford Fiesta? Yeah, there's an app for that.

Interested in buying a 2011 Ford Fiesta? There's an app for that.

Ford has just launched its very first interactive sales brochure by way of an Apple iPad app for the new Fiesta (sorry, iPhone users – you're out of luck on this one). Here, users can learn far more about Ford's pride-and-joy B-segment offering than they ever could in your standard showroom pamphlets. The Fiesta app includes information about the car's quality, safety, connectivity, available accessories, colors, as well as a list of standard and optional features.

The interactive Fiesta iPad app is available as you read this and can be downloaded from the iTunes app store.

247-hp 2012 Ford Focus ST

Well look what we found.

Finally a performace small car is coming to the US. We at your favorite Maryland Ford Dealer , Leonardtown Ford, are super excited to get our mitts on this baby. We can't wait.

Earlier this year, Ford promised us a hotter version of the all-new Focus, and at this month's Paris Motor Show, the Blue Oval is sticking to its word.

The 2012 Ford Focus ST will be the brand's first high-performance model developed under the watchful eye of its global performance vehicle team, and while the hatch you see here is being billed as a "design study," make no mistake – this will form the basis of the ST coming to market in early 2012.

Power is provided by an EcoBoost 2.0-liter inline four churning out 247 turbocharged horsepower, and Ford promises that the ST's handling and aural delights will live up to the marque's performance heritage. FoMoCo also makes it clear that the ST is bound for "all global markets from early 2012" so those of us in the States should finally get a crack at what's traditionally been a Euro-only affair.

SOURCE [AutoBlog]

Sights and Sounds, 2011 Ford SVT Raptor

Now...we thought this just looked like fun!



For a little quieter look and test drive, stop by and see one at Leonardtown Ford, Route 5 in Leonardtown.

2011 Ford Fiesta snags IIHS Top Safety Pick

2011 Ford Fiesta gets IIHS Top Safety Pick

Well let's be honest here, this really comes as no great surprise to us. We have always said the new 2011 Ford Fiesta was great in every aspect. Looks like the fine folks at IIHS agree. We at your favorite Maryland Ford Dealer hope you never have the chance to verify these test results but it's nice knowing the facts. Check out this article from the fine folks at Auto Blog

We have mountains of respect for the men and women who work at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. After being invited to the institute's Charlottesville, Virginia facility for a front-row seat to the 2011 Ford Fiesta's frontal-offset test, we can honestly say that if we had their job, we'd have a hard time getting into just any old car ever again. While the Blue Oval's new sub-compact passed its battery of evaluations with flying colors (being the first and only minicar to earn a Top Safety Pick nod since the institute added a rollover test), we were also treated to a tour of some of the more poorly engineered models from the recent past.

Manufacturers have made an impressive amount progress on the safety front in the last decade, thanks largely to a close partnership with the IIHS. The institute has worked to revise crash tests to more accurately reflect the composition of vehicles on the road. One of its primary functions is to identify crashes where people die in otherwise well-rated vehicles and to adjust crash tests accordingly. While the public identifies the institute with bouncing perfectly good cars off of chunks of aluminum and concrete, the truth is that crash testing is only a small part of the IIHS mission. Of course, it's also the most fun part. Jump to the bottom to take a look at a video of the Fiesta's frontal-offset test.

Walking around the test hall, it's impossible to argue against the benefit of the institute's work. In the late '90s, most vehicles were still being tested for side-impact collisions using barriers designed to replicate the front-end of the majority of the vehicles on the road in 1982. You know, back when an SUV was something you used to get to the fishing cabin, not to ferry the kids to and from the mall. After looking around and realizing that status-quo on the road no longer looked like the nose of a '79 LTD, the IIHS introduced a new barrier based on the average ride height and hood height of SUVs.



The change was enormous. Cars like the Ford Focus, which had fared well in both IIHS and NHTSA tests, suddenly showed weaknesses that hadn't been apparent beforehand, and manufacturers scrambled to meet the new standard. Two Mitsubishi Lancers hang on the wall as a demonstration of the kind of change that the new barrier wrought. On the bottom, a 2005 model sits with its B pillar cut in two from a 31 mph impact in which the driver would have most certainly had to have been vacuumed from the car. Up above, a 2008 model fared much better thanks to additional bracing and plenty of air bags.

What a difference a few years makes.

Since then, the biggest change to the IIHS testing has come in the form of the new rollover test. The institute has been giving vehicles rollover ratings since 2001, but a 2008 study found that vehicles with strong roofs significantly reduce the risk of death or injury in the event of a rollover. In order to receive a Good rollover rating, a vehicle must withstand four-times its weight applied on one corner of the roof.

In the case of the 2011 Fiesta, the tiny compact managed to take over five times its weight before the roof exceeded the intrusion parameters set aside by the IIHS – not too shabby.

Since the institute only tests one car per day, we were only able to be on hand for the decidedly more dramatic frontal offset test, in which one shiny Fiesta sedan was rammed into a concrete and aluminum block at 40 mph. We'll let you watch the video to see that one for yourself. While the mechanical carnage was impressive, the Fiesta's passenger compartment was uncompromised, netting the car the final Good rating it needed to sweep the board.

SOURCE [AutoBlog]

2011 Ford Edge Headed to Dealerships With a $27,220 Starting Price

Ford announced that the redesigned 2011 Ford Edge began shipping from the Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario to dealerships across the United States last weekend. The 2011 Ford Edge SE -- available only in front-wheel-drive (FWD) -- will start at $27,220, plus a $775 destination fee. This is $200 less than the 2010 model. The SEL FWD ($30,420) and Limited FWD ($33,220) models account for 80 percent of all Edge sales, Ford said. The top trim is the Sport model, which starts at $36,220. Four-wheel-drive will cost an additional $1,850 on the SEL, Limited and Sport trim levels.

All Edge models will get not only a more powerful V6 engine rated at 285 horsepower, but also a one MPG increase in city fuel economy and two MPG increase on the highway. One of the more notable features of the new Edge is MyFord Touch, which will come standard on the Limited, Sport models and is available as an option on the SEL. More here

We are expecting ours to arrive within the next week or two, so keep checking in with us online or on facebook. Leonardtown Ford is located on Rt 5 in Leonardtown MD.

Consumer Reports: First drive 2011 Fiesta

First Drive: 2011 Ford Fiesta

The 2011 Ford Fiesta subcompact is the first fruit born of the automaker’s new One Ford strategy. The idea is to conserve resources and development costs by making every model uniform throughout the world. Ford has tried this sporadically over the last 40 years with only mixed success. The trick is finding a recipe that appeals equally in Beijing, Barcelona, and Boston.
The Fiesta was designed and developed by Ford of Europe as a home-grown Anglo-German product. The U.S. version, made in Mexico, retains its European-style sophistication in materials, workmanship, and driving dynamics, but can that perception of quality overcome the American market’s historic aversion to tiny cars?
We’re testing two Fiestas, a mid-trim sedan with an automatic transmission ($16,595) and a top-trim hatchback with a manual shift, which rang up at $17,795. The engine is a 120-hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder....click here for full report.

Want to drive one for yourself?  Come down to Leonardtown Ford , Three Notch Rd, Leonardtown MD.  We have Fiestas in stock for you to choose from.

We are as anxious as you to have the first 2011 Explorers hit the lot at Leonardtown Ford.  Until they do, we thought we would share this article from Autoblog about their Dubai testing experience.

With California's Death Valley conveniently located on the same continent as Dearborn, Michigan, why on earth would Ford ship engineers and the all-new 2011 Explorer all the way to the United Arab Emirates to conduct hot-weather and off-road testing? Especially on a crossover, a vehicle few people will ever drive off-road? 

The value of this 14,000-mile round trip became abundantly clear as I stepped out of the civilized, air-conditioned comfort of my shuttle vehicle, an F-150 SVT Raptor.

The air in Dubai hits you like an atomic hair dryer. Unlike the heat in Death Valley, there's some serious humidity hanging in the atmosphere due to the UAE's proximity to the Gulf of Oman. Our day in the desert saw temperatures of 48° Celsius (118° Fahrenheit) with humidity in the range of 40-60 percent. That's not a dry heat. Using a standard heat index calculator with a 50-percent humidity factor, the equivalent temperature showed 191° Fahrenheit.


Continued...click here

Ford Fiesta to pace the field at NASCAR race

Can't say we are surprised by this one. Ford has been a marketing machine when it comes to promoting the all new 2011 Ford Fiesta. Now don't get us wrong we love, love, love all the attention this outstanding little car that could is getting. Why we even have been doing some ourselves right here at your favorite Maryland Ford Dealer, Leonardtown Ford.

Sure enough, the upcoming Sprint Cup Carfax 400 will be paced by none other than the Blue Oval's tiny 2011 FiestaSedan. With less than a third of the displacement of the tube-frame beasts lapping Michigan International Speedway, we wouldn't quite expect lightning-quick pace laps, but hey – safety first. While pace cars are typically some sort of performance product, manufacturers aren't past parading less than muscular new hardware in front of the captive audiences of the raceway.

If Ford was looking for a way to bring its marketing for the Fiesta out of the social media realm and into a more mainstream American venue, they could have hardly done better than the Sprint Cup. On average, the series races net 7.9 million viewers. On Sunday, August 15, each and every one of those souls will get to watch a maroon four door fiesta lead the pack, complete with a massive Blue Oval decal down the side. Talk about cheap advertising.

SOURCE [AutoBlog]

Yeah, there's an app for that

Yet again proving that there is an app for everything.



We at your favorite Maryland Ford Dealer (well we think we are your favorite and if not then we should be!) have always thought the phrase "There's an app for that" didn't apply to EVERYTHING. Well apparently we were wrong. We stumbled upon this little article about a new app to help save fuel. How sweet is that! Imagine the fuel savings you could get if you use this with the all new Ford Fiesta.

When the discussion turns to apps for the iPhone, it's far easier to think of things that the iPhone can do than it is to come up with a list of stuff that itcan't. DriveGain has introduced a new iPhone app that promises to save drivers up to $205 a year in fuel costs by following some simple visual and spoken cues.

The DriveGain app uses the iPhone's built-in GPS system to calculate the vehicle's speed and rate of acceleration and deceleration. The visual displays include a recommended gear indicator and some sliders that drivers try to keep in the green. In addition, the app calculates fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, fuel cost per mile and much more. By following the on-screen cues, DriveGain claims that it can help users save hundreds in fuel while reducing CO2 emissions by up to 660 kilograms per year.

The DriveGain app is currently only available for manual transmission vehicles, but automatics will be supported soon. The apps database has over 16,900 different cars to choose from and can be used on the iPhone 3G and 3GS, as well as on the iPod Touch and iPad. iPhone 4 support is coming soon. To download the app click here.

SOURCE [DriveGain]

Supercrew F150 SVT Raptor spy photos

Looks like the rumors we have been hearing at Leonardtown Ford are maybe not rumors after all! Autoblog reader Geo happened to be cruising on I-275 in Detroit last week when he was passed by a convoy of Ford F-150 pickups. Snugged smack dab in the middle was none other than the upcoming F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew without a stitch of camouflage to cover those two extra doors. Geo did what any good enterprising AB reader would do and clicked a couple of photos as the desert-crushing truck blew by. The prototype in the photos has ditched the outlandish graphics of its shorter brother, but it still looks just as mean, and it's even slathered in silver paint, a color that isn't currently available. If the badge on the fender is any indication, this particular example packs the same 411-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 mill we were fortunate enough to sample not too long ago, which means it should have no problem jumping over hill and dale. If ever there was a backyard party on four wheels, this is it.

Gallery: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew

Reader Spy: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew spotted naked and unashamed originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Residual Value Report: Ford cars make big jump

Here is a little tidbit we thought was worth sharing. It seems that Ford has seen it's residual valve take a nice jump in the past five years. Now this isn't something new to this DC area Ford Dealer. We have known all along how well this brand retains it's value. Just ask our Used Car manager he has seen trade in value skyrocket in the past few years.

The Automotive Lease Guide has just released its annual report of residual values. Thanks to slimmed production and lower incentives, both Ford and Chevrolet saw jumps of 11 and 7.5 percentage points, respectively, compared to five years ago, and a number of other manufacturers saw the worth of their products climb as well. Ford's passenger cars managed to rank second in the highest improvement since 2005 with a residual value of 48.8 percent. Both Ford and Chevrolet trucks are counted separately in the survey because of their disproportionately high residual value.

Both Suzuki and Hyundai found themselves on the top five list of improved residual value with 12.6 and 9.1 respective percentage point jumps over 2005 – healthy numbers. But for as much as those brands have improved over the last half decade, others, like Porsche, Volvo and BMW have seen their numbers fall.

Porsche has taken the biggest hit, with the company's residual value falling to 44.4 percent – an 8.2 percentage point drop since 2005.


SOURCE [AutoBlog]

Jay Leno's garage

Some pretty cool video of the 2011 Mustang GT with Jay Leno



Want one in your garage?  Come see us at Leonardtown Ford!

Update on the F150 SVT Raptor

Well, you asked and Ford has delivered and will keep on delivering.  You can now get a F150 SVT Raptor with the new 6.2L V8 engine...talk about horsepower!  And in 2011 you will be able to get a crewcab!

My only wish is that someone from Leonardtown Ford could have been with these guys in Michigan when they were mudding.  Now that would have been fun.

Check it out...http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/05/second-drive-2010-ford-f150-svt-raptor-62.html

2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty Motor Trend review

We didn't want you to think that we had forgotten about the much anticipated 2011 Super Duty.  We have several in stock -  both the 6.2L gas engine as well as the 6.7L turbo diesel.  Come to Leonardtown Ford and take a test drive and judge for yourself!

Ford Fusion Hybrid pays off quickest

2010 Ford Fusion – Click above for to enlarge

For about the first 110 years of the automobile, the gold standard of eco-thriftiness was a car's miles-per-gallon rating. With the rise of hybrids, plug-ins, biofuels and the like, cost-per-mile might be the better measurement of road-going value. The idea is simple: if a car is powered by a Mr. Fusion or Dilithium crystals or the laughter of children and only costs $.01 per mile to operate but it carries a sticker price of $500,000, its efficiency is never going to balance out its initial cost.

Well, the San Francisco Chronicle has compiled a list of seven popular hybrids along with estimates of how long it would take for each car to pay for its higher cost compared to non-hybrid models in gasoline savings. The winner by a long shot is the Ford Fusion Hybrid at a mere 5.6 years. Which car fared worst? The Nissan Altima Hybrid at a whopping 21 years. We have to wonder, 21 years from now, will they still be making batteries for a 2010 Altima Hybrid?

In short, if you're going by gas savings alone, hybrids don't really pay in the short term. Then again, if gasoline taxes shoot up or peak oil really is right around the corner, the cost per mile of these vehicles could very quickly tip in their favor. Read the full article here.

SOURCE [AutoBlog

FORD CUSTOMERS BENEFIT FROM HIGHER RESALE VALUES, FEWER WARRANTY REPAIRS

The good news from Ford just keeps coming and your local Ford dealer, Leonardtown Ford, couldn't be happier.

The resale value of newer Ford Motor Company vehicles rose 23 percent in the past year alone, the result of stronger demand for Ford's new vehicle lineup and improved quality and durability ratings.

At the same time, warranty repair rates on Ford vehicles have declined by an average of more than 40 percent globally in the past three years.

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles with one to five years on the road are fetching significantly higher resale values at auction in the first quarter of this year compared to the first quarter a year ago. Overall, the resale value of Ford's three brands at auction rose 23 percent from a year ago to outpace the industry, which saw resale values increase by 19 percent, according to the latest National Automobile Dealers Association auction data.

Rising resale values means more money in customers' pockets when it is time to sell or trade in for a new vehicle. Combine these savings with lower repair and maintenance costs and better fuel economy, and the cost to own a Ford product drops dramatically over the life of the vehicle.

Ford performance in third-party consumer quality rankings has been steadily improving for the past several years. Years of a consistent and disciplined focus on quality is paying off, including a marked decline in warranty repair rates.

Ford has reduced its warranty repair rates on vehicles in their first three months of service by an average of more than 40 percent in every major business region around the world in the past three years.

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles' initial quality in the U.S. has improved for five straight years. Ford vehicles now have the fewest number of defects of any full-line manufacturer, according to the GQRS study conducted by RDA Group.

For Ford customers, this means fewer trips to the dealership for repairs. This also means savings for Ford as the company has reduced its warranty repair costs by $1 billion in the past three years.

Source:  Ford Motor Company

Speeding Tickets: 65 issued per minute and other fun facts

It’s every driver’s nightmare: flashing blue and red lights in your rear-view mirror. Speeding tickets can strike a blow to anyone’s day. While you pull away from the office with the ticket in your hand, you wonder “Is going ten or fifteen miles an hour over the speed limit that big a deal?” Or “How much is my insurance going to go up now?” Here is some information that answer such questions that will surely cross your mind.


[Via: Auto Insurance]

Help save some energy and be like Ford.

When a corporation as large as Ford decides to do something as simple as shutting down its computers at night, the savings can be astronomical. In the case of Ford, powering down computers can save the company $1.2 million each year.

The new program, called PC Power Management, utilizes energy saving settings provided by Microsoft Windows. The energy settings will be used on company laptops and desktops to reduce energy waste. A managed shutdown will occur each night and during the weekend period. Additionally, computers will be awake to receive updates during pre-selected non-business hours, freeing up time previously used for updates throughout the working day.

According to Ford, an estimated 60 percent of the company's computer remained on after business hours resulting in wasted energy. The new managed shutdown will eliminate waste to the tune of over a million dollars in savings for the company and reduce its carbon footprint by an estimated 16,000-25,000 metric tons per year.

We at your favorite Maryland Ford Dealer, Leonardtown Ford think that any effort expended to save some
dinosaurs is a good thing. Way to go Ford!

Source [Autoblog]

2011 Fiesta video - Car and Driver

We thought that we would share a video of the 2011 Fiesta, since we are taking orders and expect them in the showroom starting in June. Want more information, come to Leonardtown Ford and we will be glad to help.

Fact vs Fiction - car maintenance revealed

With spring right around the corner and many folks getting ready for summer road trips, Leonardtown Ford thought the timing was great to share this information just released by Ford.

Ford decided to debunk a few of the most popular maintenance myths, including the following:

MYTH: Cars need oil changes every three months or 3,000 miles.
False: That used to be true, but not with newer cars. Because of synthetic oils that don’t break down as quickly, consumers actually don’t need oil changes as often – more like every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. (There may be two recommendations for oil-change intervals: one for normal driving and one for hard use. Check your maintenance guide to be sure.)
SAVE: Either way, there’s a considerable savings here: Let’s say you’re an average consumer who drives 12,000 miles a year, which means you would need about four oil changes a year under the old formula. With the new extended mileage, consumers need only about two oil changes a year, cutting their bill for oil changes in half – you could pocket upward of $50 a year or $650 in the lifetime of your car and do something to help the environment by saving oil.

MYTH: You need to let your vehicle engine warm up in cold weather.
False: Your vehicle’s engine only needs a warm-up period of about 10 seconds – you’re actually the only one who may feel chilly. The engine warms up while you drive. Running your car any longer beforehand is just a waste of gas.
SAVE: Depending on engine size, temperature and other variables, modern cars can use about a third of a gallon of gas per hour while idling. By giving up that 10-minute idle every weekday morning, you could save more than a gallon a month – $32 a year or $416 over the life of the vehicle.

MYTH: Premium gas is a treat for your car.
False: Unless your vehicle is specifically tailored to take advantage of the higher octane level in the fuel, you’re wasting your money. Go by what is recommended in your owner’s manual and leave it at that.
SAVE: At current gas prices, drivers may save up to $150 a year by opting for unleaded gas instead of premium.

MYTH: The number listed on the sidewall of your tire is the recommended tire pressure. False: In most cases, this is actually the maximum pressure allowed for that tire. The recommended amount of pressure is usually listed on the inside door panel – check your owner’s manual to be sure.
SAVE: The government estimates that the average driver’s tires are underinflated by 26 percent. Generally, underinflated treads lower gas mileage about a half percent for each pound lacking when the pressure of all four tires is added up. An average driver with underinflated tires could add $79 a year to his or her fuel bill – or more than $1,027 in the lifetime of the vehicle. You could also save nearly half a barrel of crude oil per year by keeping your tires inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended level. Per the EPA, one barrel of crude oil equals 42 gallons of gasoline.

MYTH: Buy gas in the morning and you’ll save money.
False: The old adage was to fill up in the morning when gas was coolest and most dense because gas is sold by volume and you would get more gas for your buck.

But gas is sold in underground, nonmetallic tanks that typically hold about 10,000 gallons, and it will take a lot of sunlight to raise the temperature even a degree. (However, pumping your gas when it’s cooler does mean less release of vapors, which is better for the environment.)

SAVE: Do your research before buying. Ford’s SIRIUS Travel Link™ sorts gas stations by price on the navigation screen, but Web sites like MSNAutos.com can also help drivers navigate to bargains. In our quick research, we found two gas stations in New York City – less than a mile apart – with 30 cents per gallon price difference. If you know before you go and fill up for less every time, it could result in $227 in your pocket annually, or $2,951 saved over the lifetime of your car.

All totaled, by implementing small changes, drivers could save up to $538 a year or $6,610 in the lifetime of their vehicle. In today’s economy, every penny counts. That’s why it’s important to get the facts.

Source: Ford

Entertainment for today

Well, we thought today would be a good day for some entertainment. Here is the latest video from Blake Sheldon and Trace Adkins. What does this have to do with Ford....well, they do mention F150! Enjoy!



And when you are ready to get a Ford, just stop by and see us at Leonardtown Ford, right on Three Notch Rd in Leonardtown.

2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty Introduction

You don't have to skip to the end of this review to find out our opinion of Ford's 2011 F-Series Super Duty pickups. At this moment, there's no doubt that Ford has once again raised the bar to new levels of performance and productivity for heavy-duty pickups. The Super Duty continues to be the standard against which its competition will be measured. Read on and find out why.

HD pickups are the workhorses of the truck world, and like pack animals that farmers used to depend on to deliver their crops to market, when a work truck is out of service it causes more than aggravation — it can cost hard dollars and time. And these trucks are worked hard. Ford says 97 percent of Super Dutys are used for towing, according to Super Duty Marketing Manager Brian Rathsburg.

A $50,000-plus price tag isn’t uncommon today, so two of the most important considerations a buyer might think about before committing their hard-earned cash are: Will this truck be able to perform the jobs that I need it to do, and do I feel confident that it will complete them successfully?

Ford is answering those questions by making many improvements to the Super Duty just three years after its last major update, but its most significant changes include two new gasoline and diesel engines and a new six-speed automatic transmission that's used for both versions. The ZF six-speed manual transmission has been dropped from the lineup. Both engines have been engineered from scratch. The standard 2-valve 6.2-liter V-8 gas engine develops 385 horsepower (at 5,500 rpm) and 405 pounds-feet of torque (at 4,500 rpm), up from the old 5.4-liter gas V-8's 300 hp and 365 pounds-feet. But it's the 4-valve 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 diesel engine that's the darling of the powertrain lineup. It pumps 390 hp (at 2,800 rpm) and a staggering 735 pounds-feet (at 1,600 rpm). Roughly 60 percent of Super Duty pickups are ordered with diesel engines.

Want to read more? Click here for the full article

You can order yours now, just stop in at Leonardtown Ford and we will walk you through the process.

Source: Pickuptrucks.com

Need a wash?

Luckily, no one on the overpass appears to be driving a convertible

Since winter was a little rough and we are sure your car is way dirty we thought you might want to get it washed. Here is a fun way to get it acomplished, although you have to go to Argentina.

What happens when you combine a flooded underpass, a traffic-jammed overpass, and a passenger train in Buenos Aires, Argentina? You get a real-life Six Flags water attraction. Those people standing near the train tracks? They need towels. Hope everyone up on the road above had their windows closed.



[Source: YouTube]

2011 Mustang is H O T HOT!

2011 Ford Mustang GT – Click above for high-res image gallery

This comes as no surprise to those of us at your favorite Ford Dealer Leonardtown Ford because we know how sweet the new 2011 Ford Mustang is. We have read all the specs and drooled over the pictures like a bunch of 2 year olds waiting for some candy. We are super stoked that the 2011 Mustangs will be hitting this Maryland Ford Dealers lot in May and can't wait to take a spin.

2009 was not a banner sales year for the Ford Mustang. Despite a complete makeover for the 2010 model year, sales of the usually successful pony car topped off at 66,623, an all time low. The Mustang still managed to beat out the Camaro in total sales for the year, but Ford sold fewer Mustangs for each month that the Camaro was actually on showroom floors.

Enter the 2011 Mustang. Apparently, a 305-horsepower V6 that gets 30 mpg and a 5.0-liter V8 putting out 412 horsepower does wonders for sales. Ford is reporting that three times more 2011 Mustangs have been ordered than 2010 models at this same time last year. In total, 11,000 Mustangs have been ordered since January.

Customers have been particularly taken with the V6 model, which makes up half of all the orders, and the California Special has also fared better than expected, tripling Ford's initial sales projections. Ford says that 41-percent of 2011 Mustang orders have been for the GT model, who will surely enjoy rollin'... in their five-point-ohs, and the remaining nine percent have been for GT500s. Hit the jump for the full press release from Ford.

SOURCE [AutoBlog]

Ford Focus: Next-generation Ford Focus RS

So there are rumors out there that indicate that the hot Ford Focus RS may come to the United States. Available for years in Europe, this little hot rod is a wolf in sheeps clothing. Focus RS goes from 0-62 mph in just 5.9 seconds accomplished by the 305hp powerplant under the hood.

Now we know for now this is just a tease as the rumors may never become reality, but it is nice to dream.

Click here for in depth review of the 2010 Ford Focus RS

Hold onto your hat!

This is one of the "hold on to you hat" ride!
Where we can now order the 2011 Mustang, we thought you might enjoy a look at the First Ride. Motor Trend compares the new 3.7L V6 to the V6 in the Camaro and Challenger.



And now onto the real story! The 5.0L IS BACK!! And boy are we excited. Check this out.



Want more information, Leonardtown Ford is on Three Notch Rd in Leonardtown MD, or call us at 301-475-3111.
Hurry - if you order it today you will have your own 2011 Mustang just in time for summer!

Its new and its cute. 2011 Ford Fiesta

Well, we thought that we would dig up some video for you of the much talked about 2011 Ford Fiesta. We, at Leonardtown Ford, have just started ordering them and expect to see the first ones arrive Late May/Early June.



Contact us at 301.475.3111 for more information.

2011 Ford Edge gets three engine choices, more ambitious Sport model

As dutiful American consumers, we've been taught to believe that choice is good. To that end, the splintering of the automotive market into different niches (four-door coupes, small panel vans, high-riding hatchbacks, etc.) is a positive development for buyers. But while the range of total models from automakers has been increasing, individual variation within a given model range has seemingly been reigned in, from a drastic reduction in build combinations of light-duty pickups to the availability of engines and ala carte options in everyday vehicles. Standing in direct contrast to this trend, however, is the 2011 Ford Edge crossover.

Whereas the first-generation Edge has lived since 2006 with a 3.5-liter V6 as its sole drivetrain, the 2011 model will offer no fewer than three powertrain choices. For 2011, the 3.5-liter engine will live on as the Edge line's bread-and-butter, but it is being joined by Ford's first production application of a new EcoBoost 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo, as well as the larger 3.7-liter V6 for the popular Edge Sport. In the case of the 3.5-liter, it produces 285 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque, while the Sport's larger 3.7 Ti-VCT V6 delivers 305 ponies and 280 torques on 87 octane. Ford is not yet releasing power and economy numbers on the EcoBoost engine, but it promises "class-leading" fuel efficiency, noting that the new powertrain should eclipse the original 2006 Edge by some 30 percent.

Follow the jump to find out what else has changed for the Edge, as well as Ford's official press release.

Source: Autoblog.com

2011 Ford Shelby GT500 finally gets aluminum engine, loses 120 pounds

You know that the Leonardtown Ford blog team trys hard to keep you up to date on the latest Ford news.  For you Mustang loyalists, here is a great bit of news...

Ever since Ford introduced the modern Shelby GT500 four years ago, almost no one has complained about the prodigious power levels produced by its supercharged 5.4-liter V8. With as much as 540 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque in the 2010 model, there was no shortage of grunt. No, the issue was an excess of mass.

Before the contemporary GT500 was born, Ford had a blown aluminum block 5.4-liter V8 in the short lived GT supercar. However, when the engineers at Ford's Special Vehicle Team developed the GT500, they opted to mount the GT's cylinder heads on the cast iron block used in the big F-Series pickup trucks. After debuting a visual refresh for the Mustang a year ago, Ford has spent the last two months announcing fresh new powertrains for the base and GT models. That process has now come full circle with SVT rolling out a heart transplant for the Shelby GT500. The 2011 model finally has the aluminum powerplant we all wanted when it debuted, and the effect is absolutely en-lightening.

Read on to find out more.

2011 Ford Shelby GT500 finally gets aluminum engine, loses 120 pounds — Autoblog

Fun Ford Facts!

I thought today with the impending snow storm it would be fun to share some fun Ford facts.

Which revered auto racing champion was tasked with test-driving the model year 1996 Taurus?

Jackie Stewart.  As a three-time Formula One champion, Stewart's feedback to Ford on the 1996 Taurus, the controversial oval-themed redesign of the type, provided valuable information to the designers.  Taurus would underfo one more major redesign for model year 2000, in which many of those oval elements were softened.  The model year 2005 Taurus was the last sold to the general public in the United States.  Ford replaced the sedan variant with the Five Hundered and the Fusion, and the station wagon variant with the Freestyle.

Check back tomorrow for another fact!
Source:  Funtrivia

WRC comes to Discovery HD Theater! Check out the Ford Fiesta

2010 Monster World Rally Team Ford Fiesta – Click above for high-res image gallery

Finally! First Ken Block switches to a Ford and now this!

We at Leonardtown Ford think it is super sweet that we will be able to catch all the great World Rally Championship racing action from our comfy recliner. All in HD! Check out the article we found on Autoblog this morning and when your done with that check out Ken's performance in the Ford Fiesta during some testing in the snow.

Assuming for a moment that you won't be watching any stages live, what could possibly be better than strapping into the living room recliner and watching World Rally Championship coverage here in the United States? How about watching that very same coverage in glorious high definition? You're in luck, as Discovery's HD Theater plans to air the entire 2010 season, the start of which is coming up fast.

The action will begin on Thursday, February 25th at 10 PM Eastern with the Rally Sweden event. Racing will continue on Friday and a follow-up episode will be aired the following Sunday night from 10-11 PM ET. The second race, the Corona Rally Mexico, will follow the same schedule from Thursday, March 18th through Sunday, March 21st.

In case you're wondering, Ken Block will indeed be taking part in the 2010 Rally Sweden behind the wheel of his brand new Ford Focus RS, giving American viewers a hometown hero to pull for. Air dates for the remainder of the 2010 WRC season will be announced later.






SOURCE [Autoblog]

2011 Mustang 3.7L V-6 What a Ride

2011 Ford Mustang V6 - Click above for high-res image gallery

We gound a pretty cool article and video about the the new 3.7L V-6 in the upcoming 2011 Ford Mustang. We at Leonardtown Ford are plenty excited to start getting these refined hot rods in our hands. Stop by and see us at Leonardtown Ford and ask us about it.

The 2010 Ford Mustang was by all accounts a pretty significant refresh compared to the 2009 model, with a vastly superior interior, better ride and handling and, some would say, improved outward aesthetics. But there was still something missing. The Blue Oval used carry-over powertrains, and in the case of the 210-horsepower V6 model, nothing changed.

For the 2011 model year, Ford is rectifying that mistake two-fold. The 5.0-liter V8 gets a great deal of press for its impressive 412 hp and 390 pound-feet of twist, but many members of the Autoblog team are just as excited to get their hands on the new 305 hp, 280 lb-ft 3.7-liter V6 offering. We'll likely have to wait a bit longer to curb that urge, but the folks over at Motor Trend have already been given a taste.

MT's Arthur St. Antoine was invited to Ford's Arizona proving grounds to spend some seat time behind the wheel in the passenger seat of the updated ponycar, and though he didn't get to drive he liked what he experienced. St. Antoine calls the new V6 mill "plenty strong," adding that the engine is smoother, stronger and sounds better than the outgoing 4.0-liter six ever could. After some gentle strolling around Arizona, St. Antoine meandered back over to the proving grounds for some laps in a Performance Package V6 model with vehicle dynamics engineer (and Top Gun-level driver) Jamie Cullen. From the perspective of the right seat, the 3.7-liter Stang reportedly was able to handle anything thrown its way with flat cornering, strong braking and near constant contact between the tires and the track. Head over to Motor Trend to read the report from the passenger seat.


SOURCE [AutoBlog]

Another Great Ford offer

Leonardtown Ford and Ford Motor Company are excited to announce an additional $1,000 factory rebate if you are trading in a 1995 or newer Toyota, Honda, Lexus, Scion or Acura car, truck or SUV.  Even better is the news that Mustang Shelby GT500 and Escape and Fusion Hybrids are NOT Excluded!

I'm Going to Disney World!

As per our usual routine we like to start our day reading the various blogs as well as perusing several automotive websites to check out what's happening in the automotive world. We have been loving the postive press about Ford lately and we love to tell everyone we see in Southern Maryland how great Ford's product's are. It was nice to see that the Ford engineers are sharing in our excitement. Take a look at this article we came across, nice to see our tax dollars hard at work.

When we look at Motor Trend magazine's golden calipers, we think of a prestigious trophy awarded each year to the publication's top car and truck of the year. Apparently, the Transportation Security Administration officials at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport see a weapon of mass destruction. Or something.

The proud engineers at Ford have been taking their well-deserved 2010 Ford Fusion Car of the Year award all over town, taking pictures and having a little fun, mimicking what athletes do when they win Lord Stanley's Cup in hockey or the Lombardi Trophy in football. Ford Research & Advanced Engineering employee Tony Phillips went as far as Disney World with the award, but apparently not before coming to the attention of the TSA at Detroit Metro airport. Phillips had rightly brought the sizable trophy onto the plane as a carry-on – after all, who would want to tell Allan Mulally that they lost the trophy at baggage claim?

MT's shiny hardware was eventually let on the plane after "some interesting discussion, and it made its way to Orlando to ride some rides and hang with Mickey. Surprisingly, the Orlando TSA agents were more familiar with Ford's award than were the security agents in the Motor City, and congratulations were given to them on the accomplishment. Just as an FYI for Ford, you can bring by your trophy to Autoblog headquarters any time you wish. We won't even frisk you at the door.


SOURCE [Autoblog]

The New American Road: A Ford Documentary

This is a must watch for everyone, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury loyalists or loyal to another manufacturer.  Its a very well done documentary on the automotive industry.

It is 50 minutes long, just a heads up.



You can see many of the new models here at Leonardtown Ford.

ROUSH Reactor Mustang

You know, all of us at Leonardtown FordLOVE a great Mustang. When we found this one, we just had to share pictures with you. This is one that we wish Ford would put into production.

From concept sketch to reality, we bring you the ROUSH Reactor Mustang. We knew this would be a killer car, but honestly it's even better than we thought in person. The olive drab paint color that covers the car's carbon fiber body panels is a nice detour away from the Highlighter Yellow and Orange colors that so many cars are wearing at SEMA this year. The Ringbrothers who built the car removed the drip rails and door handles so that those expanses of colored carbon fiber could be better viewed. The matte six-spoke wheels continue the muted color scheme and the lip on those rear rims is too wide to believe. The engine is Roush's new show-n-go 427 R crate motor that produces 552 horsepower and 535 ft-lbs. of torque, but still looks good enough to win awards under that vented hood. While there are Mustangs in attendance at the SEMA show that have more powerful engines and more sensational modifications (the Obsidian comes to mind), we'd be hard pressed to find one as well done as the Reactor. Good luck to its owner in winning the Good Guys Street Machine of the Year Award.
Follow the jump for more pics of the ROUSH Reactor Mustang.
Source: Autoblog

FORD, UNITED SPACE ALLIANCE SHARE VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERTISE TO BUILD BETTER CARS

  Ford appears to be using any advantage it can, from any industry, to make better cars and make them more quickly. Last month we got word of the motion-capping tech The Blue Oval borrowed from video games and movies. This month the news is that it's putting all of that mo-cap work into its immersive Virtual Evaluation lab (iVE) with the help of United Space Alliance. Alliance is a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin that aids in virtual modeling for space missions.

  The benefit for you is that Ford can design safer, more comfortable and more ergonomic car interiors. The benefit for Ford – in addition to happier customers – is that these technologies reduce development time by up to 14 months, which equates to all kinds of savings. Stay tuned next month when Ford announces that all of its engineers have been replaced by Wall E.


We at your favorite Ford Dealer think anything that will save you money in the end is pretty darn cool. Too bad they didn't get with George Lucas's ILM studios as well, we could imagine our own R2D2 riding shotgun in the new 2011 Ford Fiesta. May the Force be with you!



  [Source: Ford]

For Sale 1930 Model A, all Bullet holes repaired!

Here's a bit of fun info we found while scouring the web. It's your chance to own a piece of history, while we admit that a coupe complete with bullet holes would have been a cool piece of history to own the repaired and restored version might go over easier at the local drive in. Still, we would rather have the holes!


If you saw Michael Mann's Public Enemies, the car above may look familiar. It isn't just the same model that the notorious John Dillinger used to escape The Law in one of the most daring shootouts in American history – it's the actual car. And the same one used in the movie.

After robbing banks across the country, Dillinger and his gang took refuge in the Little Bohemia Lodge in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin, on April 22, 1934. When the proprietors alerted law enforcement to their presence, the FBI – led by the legendary Melvin Purvis – arrived on the scene and shot the place up. Dillinger, along with two of his cronies, escaped out the windows into the woods nearby before stumbling upon Robert Johnson driving the Ford Model A coupe you see here. They commandeered the car and the driver along with it, and escaped to Minnesota as Dillinger smashed the rear window and opened fire with his tommy-gun at pursuing law enforcement.

The bullet-ridden car remained in the possession of the Dillinger family for decades until it was carefully and faithfully restored by the producers of Public Enemies for use in the scene depicting the historic chase. Now the coupe will be up for auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, by Barrett-Jackson.

If you can't snag this sweet piece of history when it goes up for auction on Saturday at Barrett-Jackson come by and see us and we can hook you up with your own piece of Ford history. Maybe a new 2010 Ford Mustang, just promise us you won't be robbing any banks with it.

Source [AutoBlog]

Report: 2011 Mustang GT to pace Daytona 500

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Jan 18th 2010 at 7:01AM

According to the pony car lovers over at Mustang Heaven, a Ford will pace the Daytona 500 for the first time since the Torino GT convertible did the deed way back in 1970. As you may have surmised, the actual pace car will be a 2011 Ford Mustang GT, equipped with the long-awaited 5.0-liter V8 engine with 412 horsepower. Last year, the honor went to the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS.

As befitting such a car, the Mustang will get a special Daytona Red paint scheme with blue and white LeMans stripes – classic American racing colors. Ford Racing suspension upgrades including a strut tower brace, upgraded mufflers, unique painted wheels and an interior featuring lighted sill plates round out the pace car-specific details.

Want one? Well, that might be a bit tough. Ford plans to build just one example, which will be offered up for auction at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona on Saturday, January 23rd. We don't imagine it will be cheap, and all proceeds above MSRP will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The new owner will see his or her actual car pacing the Daytona 500 on February 14th.



Source: Autoblog, Mustang Heaven

Funny Ford commercial

I thought that today I would share something funny with you. The vehicle featured is a Ford Ranger that is built for markets outside of the US. Enjoy.

2011 California Special Mustang at Detriot Auto Show

We at Leonardtown Ford spent a lot of our time reading some of the coverage from the 2010 Detriot Auto Show. Lets be honest, we all want to see whats going to be hot in the coming year. We were not surprised to see alot of coverage of the 2011 Ford Mustang. As one of the top Ford Dealers in Maryland we know how popular the Ford Mustang is in this area and we were not surprised to see such great reviews all over the web. Click on the picture below for some great pictures from our friends at Autoblog.com and make sure to check with us for your very own 2011 Ford Mustang.



Ford is wasting no time in releasing a variation of its 5.0-powered Mustang, starting with the California Special for 2011. The GT/CS was last introduced as a 2007 model and featured a unique appearance and wheel package available only on the premium GT coupe and convertible. Ford hasn't officially released any details on the new GT/CS, but after inspecting the car in person on the show floor of the Detroit Auto Show, it looks like the 2011 model will have similar features.

Up front the GT/CS gets a larger and more aggressive spoiler painted in matte black as well as a horizontal bar grille featuring the pony logo on one side. The rear is enhanced by a new lower fascia with a GT500-style diffuser and a taller decklid spoiler. Finally, GT/CS graphics, a set of side scoops and a set of 10-spoke wheels round out the exterior enhancements. We'll let you know as soon as we hear more details about the car from Ford, including pricing.


SOURCE [AutoBlog]

Shelby GT350 Anniversary

I just love these videos showing the Mustang in the 60's while the name was developing.  Check out this video...



Want to see what the Shelby Mustang looks like in 2010? Stop by Leonardtown Ford and have a look!

2010 Detroit Auto Show: 2011 Ford Focus

We at Leonardtown Ford,  are so excited about this redesign and direction of the 2012 Ford Focus.  Seems others share our enthusiasm.

The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), more popularly known as the Detroit Auto Show, is underway at least for the press. Thus, our first major post focuses on (pardon the word play) the all-new, all-different 2011 Ford Focus.

DETROIT, Jan. 11, 2010 – The next-generation Ford Focus makes its worldwide debut providing customers with more affordable technologies and features than ever in this segment, as well as detailed craftsmanship, outstanding fuel economy and a new standard for driving quality.

Sleek, stylish and sporty, both the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles of the next-generation Focus are previewed prior to their production start for Europe and North America late in 2010 and market launch early in 2011.

The new Focus will be nearly identical in all markets, with 80 percent parts commonality around the world.
“The new Ford Focus is a clear demonstration that our ONE Ford strategy is providing global consumers with great products that harness the best of Ford Motor Company,” said Alan Mulally, Ford’s president and CEO.

“The efficiencies generated by our new global C-car platform will enable us to provide Ford Focus customers with an affordable product offering quality, fuel efficiency, safety and technology beyond their expectations,” he added.

Simultaneous launch in Europe and North America
Production of the next-generation Ford Focus will begin simultaneously in Europe and North America in late 2010, with individual market launches starting early in 2011. Launches in Asia, Africa and South America will follow. Initial production will be concentrated at the Saarlouis (Germany), Michigan (United States) and Chongqing (China) Assembly Plants.

The new Focus will be one of up to 10 unique models to be built from Ford’s new C-car platform, which is expected to generate total sales in all regions of 2 million units annually by 2012. The first of these will be the new Ford C-MAX and Ford Grand C-MAX – unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show – for launch in Europe in the second half of 2010.

“Global customers increasingly want smaller cars with outstanding fuel economy, but without sacrificing any of the style, technology, connectivity and driving quality they demand from larger vehicles,” explained Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development.

“Our next generation of C-cars – led by the exciting new Focus – will clearly show that Ford is ready to meet that challenge,” said Kuzak.

Engineered without compromise
The new Ford Focus has been developed by a global team, led from Ford’s European small and medium vehicle center of excellence in Merkenich, near Cologne, Germany, with powertrain development led by a similar team at Ford’s technical center in Dunton, England. The vehicle has been engineered without compromise to meet all customer and legislative requirements of the major worldwide markets.

In developing the vehicle for global markets, the product team in Europe was able to call on the experience acquired from recent programs like the much-acclaimed new Ford Fiesta, and was supported by the expertise of vehicle and powertrain technology specialists located in Ford’s engineering center in Dearborn, Mich.

Ford’s global development and sourcing strategy made it possible to provide a level of performance and feature content that is unrivaled for this vehicle segment and surprising even to drivers of larger, more premium vehicles.

Taking kinetic design to the next level
The no-compromise approach to the new Ford Focus is immediately evident from the striking exterior design of the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback models that take center stage at the 2010 NAIAS.

“The all-new Focus is at the center of convergence for automotive trends,” said J Mays, Ford group vice president of Design and chief creative officer. “We’ve designed it with an acute understanding of global customers, yet it’s tailored for each individual region. Focus combines the best from Europe, North America and Asia to deliver a level of emotional driving enjoyment never before experienced in a car this size.”

The two models share a sporty and dynamic character, marking the next evolution of Ford’s acclaimed kinetic design form language, which has contributed to the growing popularity of the company’s latest small and medium cars.

The kinetic design approach uses bold vehicle designs to capture the feeling of energy in motion, so that cars look like they are moving – even when they are standing still.

With its striking front end, sleek profile, dramatic rising beltline and athletic stance, the new Focus clearly telegraphs the rewarding driving experience that awaits customers when they take to the road.

This dynamic quality is reinforced by the distinctive design of the interior. The new Focus has an extremely modern, cockpit-style interior, with the stylish center console wrapped around the driver and providing outstanding access to the vehicle’s major controls and display panels.

A key element of the interior is the quality of craftsmanship. The cabin’s bold and contemporary graphics, the sculptured shape of the soft-touch instrument panel and the choice of superior trim materials all help to give occupants the feeling that they are traveling in a premium-class car.

Unmatched driving quality
When it was introduced in 1998, the original Ford Focus brought new levels of agility and responsiveness to the C-segment. The all-new Focus plans to raise the benchmark once more, targeting class-leading driving quality that blends outstanding steering precision and road feedback with significantly improved refinement and ride control.

To deliver this performance, engineers have updated the innovative suspension concepts from prior models, developing optimized new designs for the “control blade” multilink rear suspension and the semi-isolated front and rear subframes.

The chassis design is complemented by a completely new Electric Power Assist Steering system, which has been carefully tuned to deliver pure and precise responses at high speed while remaining light and maneuverable for parking.

Ford’s European driving dynamics specialists have also enhanced cornering stability and agility with the introduction of an advanced Dynamic Cornering Control system, which uses “torque vectoring” techniques to transfer power between the drive wheels to deliver reduced understeer, improved traction and better turn-in.

All global customers will benefit from the same quality of dynamic performance in the new Focus. Identical chassis and suspension architecture is being used for all markets, except for minor regional tuning differences, such as local tire specifications.

Efficient powertrains deliver performance with outstanding economy
The engaging driver appeal of the new Ford Focus is magnified by a powertrain range that delivers spirited performance and targets outstanding levels of fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

The global powertrain lineup for the new Focus will include a range of state-of-the-art Ford EcoBoost™ four-cylinder turbocharged direct injection (DI) engines – including the 1.6-liter unit in Europe and a choice of advanced and improved Duratorq TDCi common-rail diesel engines, all of which offer reductions in fuel consumption of between 10 and 20 percent compared to the outgoing models.

For the NAIAS preview, Ford is showing a completely new 2.0-liter gasoline engine for the North American market that features DI and Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) for enhanced performance and fuel efficiency. The new 2.0-liter DI Ti-VCT engine is up to 20 horsepower more powerful than the current 2.0 Duratec I-4 unit while contributing to projected fuel economy gains of more than 10 percent.

To maximize the performance and economy advantage enjoyed by the new Focus, the 2.0-liter DI Ti-VCT engine is mated with the latest dry-clutch six-speed Ford PowerShift automatic transmission. This transmission uses an advanced dual-clutch design, which alone can help to reduce fuel consumption by up to 9 percent compared to a traditional four-speed automatic.

The dry-clutch PowerShift transmission is based on more efficient manual gearbox technology, and does not require the additional weight and complexity of torque converters, planetary gears and oil pumps used in conventional automatics. Electronically controlled twin clutches shift gears quickly and smoothly, providing the seamless flow of torque plus the refinement and ease of operation customers expect from a premium automatic transmission.

Ford also has confirmed plans to begin building a full, battery electric vehicle in 2011 at its Michigan Assembly Complex, for sales in North America. It will be the company’s first battery electric passenger vehicle.

Intuitive technology enhances convenience and safety
The next-generation Focus will bring C-segment customers around the world an exciting array of advanced technologies generally found in larger, more premium vehicles. The global scale of Ford’s C-car program makes more technologies and features economically viable than ever before for cars in this segment.



The technology package of the new Focus promises not only clear leadership in the C-segment, but also includes features customers in larger, more premium segments would find surprising.

The new technologies have been designed to be simple and highly intuitive to use, while enhancing both convenience and safety for the vehicle occupants.

Within the cockpit, the most significant innovation is the company’s next-generation driver connect technology, MyFord, which provides the driver with a state-of-the-art combination of controls and display screens to operate the key vehicle features. On high series vehicles, the MyFord system includes an 8-inch touch screen, allowing the driver to control a wide range of functions via a clear and intuitive color display.

MyFord is complemented by a new generation of Ford’s powerful SYNC® connectivity package, which includes a sophisticated voice control system, Bluetooth and satellite navigation, along with connection points for a wide variety of external devices and media players.

Other available safety and convenience technologies include keyless entry and “Ford Power” start button, a rearview camera and a semi-automatic parallel parking system that automatically steers the vehicle into a parking spot.

Strength and safety
The Focus platform provides an incredibly strong and stiff structure, which not only benefits vehicle dynamics and refinement but also provides the basis for enhanced crash performance.

High-strength steels are used extensively in the next-generation Focus body shell. High-strength steels comprise 55 percent of the body shell, and more than 26 percent of the vehicle’s structure is formed from ultra-high-strength and Boron steels – significantly more than any other Ford product. These advanced materials help the structure meet the most stringent crash legislation across world markets, while minimizing the vehicle’s weight.

The structural integrity of the body shell is also reflected in its torsional rigidity, which is 25 percent greater than the current North American Focus.

Quality and craftsmanship in every detail
With global customers now demanding a more premium experience from small- and medium-sized vehicles, achieving outstanding levels of quality and craftsmanship was a primary objective for the new Focus.

The new Focus will make significant strides in reducing cabin noise, promising a quiet cabin environment. This refinement complements the fresh new interior design and higher craftsmanship levels to create a premium feel akin to larger vehicles.

Each component in the vehicle that the customer will touch, see, hear or even smell has been subjected to rigorous analysis to ensure that it will exceed an owner’s expectations. Particular attention has been given to the quality of interior trim materials, and the color matching, gaps, flushness and tolerances where one part meets another.

Across the majority of vehicle attributes, Ford has developed a global DNA standard that defines the exact attributes a part should have to meet the quality requirements of the brand. Examples include the sound the door makes when it is closed, requiring special attention to the door structure and latch mechanism, and the design of a steering wheel, right down to the thickness of padding and size of stitching on the rim.

This meticulous attention to detail is also reflected in Ford’s global manufacturing strategy for the Focus, with consistent standards and processes being applied in every one of the assembly plants, wherever they are located in the world.

“We believe the new Ford Focus will provide consumers with an unmatched driving experience, together with an unrivaled ownership experience,” said Jim Farley, Ford group vice president, Global Marketing. “The Focus brand always has been very special to Ford, and this new global model shows our commitment to developing another generation of exciting and appealing cars.”

Press release via Ford
Source: Automotive.com