Random Acts of Fusion: Escape(?) from Canyon Ranch

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Ford to Offer Smartphone-Based In-Vehicle Navigation

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE With more and more consumers switching over to GPS-equipped smartphones, forking over a massive premium for an expensive onboard navigation system can seem a bit unnecessary.

On the other hand, having a navigation system built into a car makes things a little bit easier than using your smartphone while driving. Hoping to address these two issues, Ford has announced a new, affordable way to get convenient, turn-by-turn vehicle navigation into your car.

Last week, Ford's navigation provider TeleNav announced a new Android-friendly edition of its Scout navigation app.

Now, if you have a Ford vehicle equipped with the AppLink system, the Scout app will automatically connect to the vehicle, turning the dash into a scaled-down version of an onboard navigation system. The current update only works for Android phones on the Verizon, AT&T and Sprint networks, but TeleNav says T-Mobile support will be available shortly.

Of course, you won't be getting all of the perks of a standard onboard navigation system, but the AppLink screen will be able to provide basic route instructions and even give you voice commands. This could also be a good thing, seeing as how you won't have any big interactive maps to distract your eyes from the road. The Scout app will also synchronize with the AppLink's voice command system, allowing you to easily access preset destinations from your phone or search online for points of interest using your smartphone's data connection.

Unfortunately, you'll have to sign up for a $25 annual subscription fee to use the Scout's Car Connect feature. Another option is to pay $5 each month with the month-by-month model. But either way, it's a whole lot cheaper than upgrading to a factory installed onboard navigation system.

Courtesy of Toms Guide

Changing Windshield Wipers

Wiper Tales

Here's a news flash: It's much easier to avoid hitting things you can see. Simple as it is, that's the concept behind replacing your windshield wipers before they fossilize into noisy uselessness.

Fall is the ideal wiper replacement time: after the blade-baking summer and before the fall and winter nastiness. Depending on location, wiper replacement may be an annual affair in the Southwest to a biannual chore in northern climes.

Courtesy of MSN Auto

Ford Fusion Certified As America’s Most Fuel-Efficient Midsize Sedan

The all-new Ford Fusion is the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan in America with an EPA-certified 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway and 47 mpg combined fuel economy rating for its hybrid model.

Fusion Hybrid tops the Toyota Camry Hybrid by 8 mpg highway and 4 mpg city, and delivers the highest-ever fuel economy numbers in city and highway driving for a midsize sedan.

“The new Fusion is part of our plan to offer vehicles with the very best quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart design and value,” says Alan Mulally, Ford president and CEO. “We are absolutely committed to class-leading fuel efficiency as a reason to buy Ford vehicles, with customers able to choose the fuel-efficient powertrain that best fits their lifestyle.”

Power of choice: Two EcoBoost engines, one hybrid, one plug-in hybrid

The all-new Fusion brings the widest range of powertrain options to the U.S. midsize segment.

Fusion offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants and two fuel-efficient EcoBoost^® four-cylinder engines for customers. In addition, Fusion is available with Ford’s patented Auto Start-Stop system, which automatically shuts off the engine at stationary idle to help save customers even more fuel in stop-and-go city driving. Fusion is available in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations with both six-speed automatic and six-speed manual transmissions.

“Ford is bringing power of choice to midsize sedan buyers,” says Mark Fields, president of The Americas. “More than 2 million customers this year will purchase midsize cars. Our new Fusion delivers the fuel savings people truly want and value, with technologies that cost two to three times the price on some German sedans.”

Fuel economy numbers for the remainder of the Fusion lineup are:

• 1.6-liter EcoBoost: 25 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, 29 mpg combined
• 2.0-liter EcoBoost: 22 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, 26 mpg combined
• 2.5-liter: 22 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, 26 mpg combined
• Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid: Projected 100-plus MPGe (miles-per-gallon equivalent)

The Fusion equipped with the 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine is available with Ford’s patented, fuel-saving Auto Start-Stop system, which smoothly shuts off engine power when the car is stopped and seamlessly restarts as the driver releases the brake pedal. This feature, available for just $295, improves fuel efficiency by 3.5 percent and reduces emissions.

Fusion Hybrid features two additional innovations to help deliver industry-best fuel efficiency: Ford’s patented SmartGauge^® with EcoGuide that coaches drivers for top fuel efficiency; and ECO Cruise, a greener cruise control functionality that helps optimize powertrain elements for convenient yet economical highway travel.

Fusion Hybrid achieves a top speed of 62 mph in electric or EV mode and also has Active Grille Shutters, which make the car more aerodynamic at highway speeds to improve fuel efficiency. An underbody with aerodynamically designed panels provides even better fuel efficiency.

World-class craftsmanship, driving dynamics

The full Fusion range delivers visual quality through improved materials, elevated levels of craftsmanship and attention to detail. To deliver its world-class driving dynamics, Ford engineers equipped Fusion with a specially tuned electric power-assisted steering system, MacPherson strut front suspension and all-new multilink rear suspension that is comparable to the setups found in more expensive Audis and BMWs.

“Fusion is a driver’s car,” said Raj Nair, group vice president of Product Development. “We have carefully tuned this car to reward the driving expert and flatter the novice.”

Ford’s quietest midsize sedan ever, Fusion Hybrid models are equipped with Active Noise Cancellation, which uses the audio system to mitigate powertrain noise.

Technology you can use

The all-new Fusion offers an unprecedented portfolio of driver assistance and convenience technologies using sensors, cameras and radar to enable the car to “see” and respond.

Fusion can help drivers maintain proper lane position, adjust vehicle speed to changing traffic conditions, identify suitable parking spaces and practically park itself – it can even aid drivers backing out of a parking space in which visibility is obstructed. Specific technologies include:

• Lane-Keeping System: Using a small, forward-facing camera behind the inside rearview mirror, this system “looks” down the road, monitoring lane lines to determine that the car is on course. The system will alert a driver if drowsiness or erratic lane-keeping is detected. The second element warns a driver with a steering wheel vibration if the Fusion drifts too close to lane markings. Finally, Lane-Keeping Aid will actually apply pressure on the steering to help bring the car back into proper lane position
  
• Adaptive cruise control: Using forward-looking radar, this system “looks” down the road when activated, slowing the Fusion when slower traffic is detected ahead. The system can help slow the car if the potential of a crash is detected
  
• Active park assist: Employing sensors, this technology identifies a suitable parallel parking space, calculates the trajectory, and steers the car to properly position it within the spot. Drivers operate accelerator and brake pedals
  
• BLIS^® (Blind Spot Information System) with cross-traffic alert: Sensors in both Fusion rear quarter-panels are able to detect traffic in a driver’s blind spot, providing both audible and visual warnings if traffic is detected. BLIS technology enables cross-traffic alert, warning the driver of oncoming traffic when backing out of a parking space with obstructed views, such as between two large vehicles

The all-new Fusion also offers the newest version of Ford’s award-winning SYNC^® communications and entertainment system, which enables voice-activated communication through a driver’s mobile phone and interaction with the car’s audio system.

Fusion is available with the latest version of MyFord Touch^®, allowing a driver to interact with vehicle systems through voice control, a touch screen tap or a conventional button.

Both SYNC and MyFord Touch – powered by SYNC – help reduce the potential for driver distraction through voice-controlled functionality, allowing drivers to keep hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

Fusion equals growth

The midsize car segment is the fastest-growing segment in America this year. Overall U.S. industry sales are up 15 percent in 2012, while midsize car sales have grown 26 percent.

To meet expected demand for the new Fusion, Ford is adding 1,200 hourly jobs and investing $555 million at its Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Flat Rock, Mich.

New Fusion models begin arriving at dealers nationwide this fall.

Courtesy of Ford

The all-new 2013 Fusion Hybrid gets a best-in-class combined 47 MPG.

Ford Motor Company, Its Employees and Dealers Donate More Than $1.2 Million to Kentucky Non-Profits in 2012

Ford today announced that the company, its employees and dealers are donating more than $1.2 million to nonprofits in the Louisville and Lexington areas this year.

As part of its new Operation Goodwill partnership with area Ford and Lincoln dealers as well as employees at its Kentucky Truck and Louisville Assembly plants, Ford is focusing its philanthropic efforts on areas of greatest concern to Louisville- and Lexington-area residents. These issues include children’s welfare and education, veterans, health, hunger relief and tornado disaster relief. 

“Louisville is known both for producing great Ford products – and for being a city of compassion,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. “Ford has always been a generous partner to Louisville, and we’re delighted that it’s expanding its philanthropic role in both Louisville and Lexington.”

Said Lexington Mayor Jim Gray, “In working with Ford on the BEAM initiative, we’ve gotten to see first hand the company’s commitment to Kentucky’s future and Kentucky families. Ford is world-class. Whether it is manufacturing cars or building communities, the company knows how to bring resources together to make Kentucky a better place.”

Community donations from Ford and its employees and dealers this year include:

• More than $500,000 to United Way
• $76,000 to Louisville Zoo
• $75,000 to American Red Cross for local tornado relief
• $28,500 to Dare to Care Food Bank
• $50,000 total to Lexington nonprofits including Hope Center and Habitat for Humanity

“Ford is committed to making a difference within our communities,” said Jay Morgan, Ford Governmental Affairs manager. “We listen to our customers and neighbors, and we know they’re concerned about keeping people safe and healthy.”

Through its two Louisville manufacturing operations and employees and through the Operation Goodwill partnership between Ford Motor Company Fund and area Ford and Lincoln dealerships, Ford expects to contribute approximately $2.5 million to organizations in the greater Louisville and Lexington areas during 2011 and 2012 combined.

Courtesy of Ford

Drive Sensibly

Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.

Courtesy of fueleconomy.gov

Ryan Seacrest (mistakenly) trusted Joel McHale with a simple task: document real people having unreal experiences behind the wheel of a 2013 Ford Fusion.