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3 Things To Know About The Mid-Cycle Refresh For The 2018 Ford F-150
The 2017 Detroit Auto Show is just around the corner, which means we’ll get to see a slew of new cars and updates on our favorite trucks and sedans. The Ford F-150 is expected to receive a mid-cycle refresh for the 2018 model year. We don’t have much information about it, but the upcoming auto show seems to be the perfect place for a launch.
Front Exterior
Recent spy shots of the Ford F-150 showed a new two-bar grille that remind us of the grille on the 2017 F-Series Super Duty. Don’t get us wrong, you will not be confused between these two. In fact, they are similar but barely interchangeable. What is clear is that the one on the Super Duty is more square-ish than what were snapped on the new F-150. They are also more evenly spaced, but the resemblance is still there.
The headlights have the same general bracket shape, though these have been redesigned to conform with the two grille bars.
Back Exterior
The changes on the 2018 F-150 are less obvious at the back. Compared to the current F-150, the tailgate looks smoother on this one. If you have the current production F-150, you can check out the creases there. Those are gone on this redesigned model. The handles have also been redesigned completely. The spy shots did not show the bumper and the taillights because they are covered.
From our experience, that means that there are changes on these parts. After all, Ford wouldn’t take the time to cover these up if they are just going to retain their designs from the current F-150.
Hybrid Version
There are reports that a hybrid version is available for this light pickup come 2018. There are definitely plans to do that, but whether or not they are already working on it remains to be seen. There are also rumors that the truck will have a diesel engine option.
3 Features Of The 2017 Ford Explorer Platinum
This top-of-the-line Ford Explorer Platinum gets a hefty price tag of $54,180. The exterior details are almost similar to the lesser Explorers, but the interiors certainly separated itself, thanks to the 10-inch digital gauge cluster, quilted leather seats, leather-wrapped dashboard, and real wood and aluminum accents found on the dashboard, doors, and steering wheel.
Here are the top 3 features of the SUV according to a source:
1. Stronger And Faster
Standing at 4,980 pounds, the Platinum sets itself to be the heftiest out of all the current Explorers. But, this didn’t stop Ford from engineering the vehicle to be its quickest, too. That’s largely because of the Platinum’s twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine that it shares with the Explorer Sport.
This engine can deliver 365 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with a pair of steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Standard is all-wheel drive. It also comes with 20-inch wheels in all-season Hankook tires.
2. Premium Cabin
Once inside, you’ll feel the premiere and luxurious materials being offered by the Platinum. The central touchscreen is more responsive—there’s no need for a second or third tap to confirm a request. It has standard features such as an adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, an automatic parking system, dual-panel sunroof, a blind-sport warning system, and a front-mounted camera.
The three rows have more legroom, although they feel slightly more cramped than the Dodge Durango. It, however, boasts of the four cubic feet of cargo space behind the rearmost row.
3. Cheaper Than The Competition
The price tag may be hefty for a midsize crossover SUV, but it’s certainly more affordable than the Acura MDX and the Infiniti QX60, both of which come with the same equipment levels. The only thing that the Acura and the Infiniti hold above the Platinum is its more luxurious branding. In terms of power, both vehicles don’t offer the V-6 in the Explorer Platinum.
3 Key Elements Of Ford’s Return To Park Feature On The 2017 Ford Fusion
Ford engineered a new feature that will assist drivers and reduce the possibility for vehicle rollaways. Through this feature, a new rotary gear shift dial in the Fusion will engage a special software that can detect when the customer intends to exit the vehicle.
Called the “Return To Park,” this feature will keep the drivers’ peace of mind that their Fusions will park as intended, especially when they forget to put the gear to “P.”
1. Return To Park Uses Vehicle’s Sensors
To detect a driver’s intention to park when he/she forgets to put the gear to “P,” the fusion’s Return To Park feature will use the vehicle’s network of sensors to identify certain movements from the driver. These movements will be preprogrammed to the software that is connected to the gear shift.
This was accidentally discovered when Ford engineers were designing the new 2017 Fusion rotary gear shift dials. They realized that through the dials and by designing a special software, they can address the issue of rollaways that will reduce the potentials of accidents under certain conditions.
2. Return To Park Work Under Different Conditions
Designed to put your car into “park,” this software uses a network of sensors that will keep your car safe from rollaways under these conditions: when you turn the vehicle off, when you open the door and your seatbelt is unlatched and the vehicle is stationary, and when the seatbelt is unlatched while the driver’s door is open and the vehicle is on stop.
3. Return To Park Will Not Disrupt Normal, Day-To-Day Operations
There is no way the Return To Park feature can disrupt your normal everyday driving behavior. It is designed not to operate when it detects that the driver, with his seatbelt on, opened the door while the vehicle is moving. This usually happens to free a stuck coat tail or if the driver is inching into a parking space and wants to see the lane marks.
The Return To Park feature will be available on all 2017 Ford Fusion vehicles.
4 Special Things To Note About The 2017 Ford Mustang Blue Edition
In an aim to better target the European market, Ford developed a special edition of its Ford Mustang that will suit Europe’s roads and emission requirements. The Blue Edition, in a sense, pays tribute to the eye-popping colors Ford offered in the late 60s to the early 70s.
Roelant de Waard, vice president of Ford Europe, said Mustang drivers will surely be turning heads when they drive by in the Blue Edition.
Here are the four key features of the special edition Mustang based on a report:
“Go Fast” Black Stripes
Grabber Blue is used on all Blue Edition Mustangs. This is one of the two blue hues used on the sixth-generation coupe. Choosing the Grabber Blue won’t cost you extra and it doesn’t make it special, too. What makes the 2017 Ford Mustang Blue Edition special is the double “go fast” black stripes, which have a “dissolve effect” as it nears the grille. It is even more complemented by the black-painted, 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels.
Remember the 1969 Shelby GT350 and GT500 models that used the Grabber Blue? That’s exactly what Ford is aiming for here. The Mustang, as you well know, depends on its heritage and that Mustang nameplate is a testament to that.
Added Options Indoors
In the cabin, the Blue Edition enjoys a number of features, which include heated and cooled seats, a premium audio system, and Ford’s SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system. This system comes with an eight-inch touchscreen and cool apps that enables drivers to locate cafes, parking lots, and gas stations.
Two Engines Available
Under the hood, you’ll find two options for the Blue Edition. You can choose between 2.3-liter EcoBoost and 5.0-liter V-8 engines. Looking for the V-6? That is only available for the American market. The 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder can produce 317 horses while the 5.0-liter can churn out 421 horsepower. Either engine can be paired with six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Pricing Nears Standard Model
Ford has yet to release the prices for the Blue Edition, but we believe it should stray too far from the standard model. In the UK, EcoBoost has a starting price of £31,745 while the GT costs £35,745 and up.
4 Things To Know About The 2018 Ford Expedition Drivetrain
Spy photos showed that the 2018 Ford Expedition is currently in the development stage. Traditionally, the Expedition is based on the F-150, which Ford worked tirelessly to improve. However, in recent model years, that distinction has grown distant in terms of suspension and exterior and interior styling.
On the front exterior, the spy shots revealed that the 2018 model year for the Expedition has a new look that will mirror the design styling of the current F-150 pickup. It will have that muscular chiseled look that is reminiscent of the first-ever F-150, including the numbered keypad on the driver’s side, of course.
Here are four items you should check about the 2018 Expedition based on a report from TopSpeed:
1. It Will Carry The 3.5-Liter EcoBoost
The new Expedition is bound to have the same 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine we see in the 2017 F-150 truck. Because this is the EcoBoost’s second generation, it can create bigger power with 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, which is essentially coming close to a V-8 engine. In fact, that is more than General Motor’s 6.2-liter V-8 that can be found under the hood of the Cadillac Escalade and some versions of the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL.
2. It Has A 10-Speed Automatic Transmission
The engine is going to be paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which was developed together with GM and is the first-ever volume-production 10-speed automatic in the world. Compared to the previous six-speed automatic transmission, this new system will deliver better performance and acceleration. The Expedition will be offered in both RWD and 4WD.
3. It Has A V-6 For A Standard Engine
According to reports, there will also be a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 for the 2018 Expedition… and it will come as a standard engine! It packs 325 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque. It may fall behind the 3.5-liter engine, but it would be able to handle the all-aluminum Expedition with no problem.
4. It Might Have A Turbodiesel Option
There is no confirmation yet, but it looks like Ford is working to develop a small turbodiesel option for the F-150, and we might just see this under the Expedition’s hood, too. Certainly, that would explain why the spy shots have a massive exhaust pipe.
Spy Shots Gallery
3 Pointers You Need To Know About The 2018 Ford Fiesta
Ford Motor Company unveiled its new redesigned seventh-generation Ford Fiesta last Tuesday. The car is expected for a market launch in the United States by late next year.
There are no extensive details released yet about the new Fiesta as Ford is saving the remainder of the information for the sedan’s formal debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March. What we do know for now is that the new Fiesta will be available with a turbocharged inline-3 and cylinder deactivation in some markets.
1. “Evolutionary” Design
In terms of design, the new Fiesta has clearly evolved from the current model. It has a more upmarket look and feel, probably to compensate for the very basic looks of its predecessor. This is especially true for some models confirmed for the European market like the Vignale. Ford has also confirmed a soft-roader model called the Active while the sporty ST model is still in the works. Overall, the new car is slightly wider and more squat than the current Fiesta.
2. Elegant Interior
The interior is nothing to rave about, except for the fact that it’s a major improvement from the outgoing model. The dashboard used soft-touch materials for that sophisticated feel. In the middle, you can find a large touchscreen display for the Sync 3 infotainment system. Ford said the new Fiesta will even come packed with an available B&O PLAY sound system.
3. Cylinder Deactivation
As mentioned above, the car’s inline-3 will come with cylinder deactivation. This means that during low-load situations, the engine can “switch off” one of the three cylinders by stopping valve operation for that particular cylinder. Fuel delivery will stop, too. This ability can be done in just 14 milliseconds. It can turn the cylinder back on at the same amount of time. And because the car is also designed to counteract the vibrations, this switching on and off of the cylinder is imperceptible to the driver.
Fuel savings for the new Fiesta is pegged at around 6 percent.
Why is Ford EcoSport the Ideal Subcompact SUV?
Ford just announced that it’s finally bringing the Ford Ecosport, a subcompact SUV that is loosely based on the Fiesta and shown for the first time in 2012.
Based on a report, the EcoSport is Ford’s smallest SUV, and it is mainly aimed at developing markets. The American company has hinted numerous times that we might see it on US shores, and here it is, finally.
It Trumps Its Competition
The main competitions of the Ford Ecosport are the Chevrolet Trax, the Honda HR-V and the Nissan Juke. But why does it land on top of these? Mainly, it’s because of the price. While Ford has yet to release the pricing for the Ford Ecosport, its popularity in the Asian market proves that it is a force to be reckoned with, pricing-wise.
In terms of powertrain, the standard trim has a turbocharged 1.0-liter inline-3 and front-wheel drive. There’s a 2.0-liter model with a standard all-wheel drive, too. Both of these variants will arrive with a 6-speed automatic.
Its Connectivity Features are Insane
Considering that this is a subcompact SUV, the connectivity and infotainment systems are actually quite good, or better, in fact, than other SUVs. Ford is targeting urban-based millennials, so this slew of connectivity features is not surprising at all.
The Ecosport will have Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system—Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. You can toggle with the features through the 8-inch touchscreen display.
Aside from that, the Ecosport has two fast-charging USB ports, a 12-volt power outlet (for the driver and rear passengers), and a 110-volt behind the center console.
Its Storage Space is Decent
Who doesn’t want huge storage space in their vehicles? Ecosport will have 30 stowage pockets, bins and hooks that will make use of every nook and cranny of the crossover. There’s also a movable floor board, and you can fold the second-row seats to provide a larger area to transport larger items.
The Ford Ecosport will officially make its debut at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show. Market launch won’t be until early 2018, though.
5 Essential Things To Know About The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
Now that Ford has officially opened ordering books for its 2017 F-150 Raptor, it’s safe to look at the truck again and see why customers are lining up for this. Team Ford in Las Vegas, for one, said it has roughly 300 customers on a waiting list.
1. Exterior
The exterior of the F-150 Raptor captures the same style as the 2015 edition, although the truck is now six inches wider to increase stability. The front and rear bumpers are raised while the new LED bulbs on the headlights are perfect for dark desert trail. It also has new 17-inch wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich’s iconic All-Terrain TA tire, the K02. On the side, you can find the familiar running boards, large fender flares and side graphics.
2. Interior
Since this now falls under the Raptor category, the interior received plenty of upgrades, too. It now has unique seats with leather and suede inserts, upgraded overhead console with switches and controls for the moonroof, F1-style paddle shifters, a suede- and leather-wrapped steering wheel, and carbon fiber accents around the cabin. As for the leg room, there’s massive space on the rear that makes it nearly limousine-like.
3. Drivetrain
Under the hood, you’ll find a second-generation 3.5-liter Ecoboost V-6 with a twin-turbo mill that can produce more power than the current 6.2-liter V-8 engine. The new engine cranks out 450 horsepower, though there’s still no word yet on torque rating. This Ecoboost engine is paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission with F1-style paddle shifters.
4. Suspension
Ford also upgraded the Raptor’s suspension to keep up with the massive frame. The truck still has FOX Racing shock absorbers both at the front and rear, but these have been upgraded from 2.5-inch canisters to 3-inch units.
5. Prices
The Raptor has an MSRP of $49,520 but given the huge interest on it, expect dealers to shoot this up by $10,000.
4 Things You Should Know About the New Ford Driver-Assist Tech
The new Ford driver-assist technology portfolio has grown exponentially, thanks to its next-generation features that will help drivers park easier and avoid collisions.
The new technology will also warn drivers going the wrong way against traffic, as well as help drivers steer around slow or stopping vehicles in emergencies. Ford has since tripled its investment in driver-assistance technologies, which currently have parking, lane-keeping and speed management features.
Cross-Traffic Alert with Braking Technology
This will help drivers destress because the system will warn them if someone or something will be passing behind the vehicles. It will provide a warning to the driver, and then automatically braking the vehicle if the driver did not respond. To help with this tech is a rear wide-view camera with Enhanced active park assist that can park the car perpendicularly or vertically with a push of a button.
Evasive Steering Assist
This is one of the neat features of the new Ford Driver-Assist tech. The evasive steering assist is the first in the industry. It will help the drivers steer around slow or stopped vehicles to avoid collision. It is activated once there is insufficient space to avoid a collision by braking, and when the driver decides to take evasive action. The tech can be tested at city and highway speeds.
Wrong-Way Alert Technology
The technology means a camera will be mounted on the windshield because the information from that and the car’s navigation system will be used to issue audio and visual warnings should the driver begin driving in the wrong direction against traffic.
Enhanced Active Park Assist
Because parking is one of the most stressful parts of driving, Ford decided to further enhance its park assist. It now controls steering, gear selection and forward and reverse movement with just a push of a button. It can help the vehicle enter and exit a parallel and perpendicular parking space.
3 Important Features Of The 2018 Ford Mustang
The first spy photos of the prototype for the facelifted 2018 Ford Mustang have just arrived, and did they arrive in style. Though only a facelift, so it’s expected that changes will be minimal, Ford engineers still went to great effort to mask the tweaks done.
Here are the top 3 important features of the upcoming Ford Mustang that we found out so far based on spy shots and rumors:
Front bumper receives “dramatic” change
The front end seems to be receiving a lot of attention, based on the prototype just uncovered. The most “dramatic” change comes with the new design for the lower section of the front bumper. Apparently, this will have an A-wing shape for the front splitter. Aside from the front bumper, there will also be tweaks on the headlights, specifically on the internal graphics. The shape of the enclosure won’t likely be changed.
New engine option for high-end models
What fans will be clamoring for in the coming months is the mechanical changes made on the 2018 Ford Mustang. There will be a new 10-speed automatic developed by Ford and General Motors that is going to be available as an option for high-end models. The current 6-speed automatic will be retained for the lower-spec variants. This 10-speed option is already being utilized by the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Reportedly, it shifts faster than Porsche’s dual-clutch transmission. Good news, though, the 6-speed manual will remain for most models.
As for the speed, the current portfolio should be retained, though there will be changes in terms of power and gas mileage. The Mustang V-6 enjoys 300 horsepower while the Mustang EcoBoost has 310 horsepower and the Mustang GT produces a whopping 435 horsepower. The Shelby GT350 and GT350R models, on the other hand, can power up to 526 horsepower.
Arriving as a 2018 model
The facelifted Mustang, which will be introduced in 2017, will come out as a 2018 model. But also arriving for the same model-year is the Mustang Shelby GT500.
