Fords for Less in Grand Rapids, Michigan

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

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

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How do you make a dynamic car even better? Sure, it might seem fairly impossible, but Ford managed to do just that with the 2013 Mustang, Mustang Boss 302 and Shelby GT500!

In the power department, the Mustang’s 5.0-liter got kicked up a notch, thanks to the 444-horsepower Mustang Boss 302. You see, engineers were able to adapt multiple designs and bring those to the 5.0-liter, realizing a whopping 420 horses! The six-speed SelectShift Automatic® transmission can be had for fully automatic operation or manual control.

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The upgraded 2013 Ford Flex isn’t set to officially debut until November 16 at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but here’s your first look at the new crossover, which gets a fresh look and loads of technology!

Among the changes to the seven-passenger, three-row Flex is a new base engine, a 3.5-liter V6, which makes 285 horsepower (that’s about 20 more horses than the previous engine) and 255 lb.-ft. of torque. EPA estimates should come in around 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. If you’ve been lusting after the EcoBoost®, no worries, that 3.5-liter V6 is still available, bringing home 355 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque. Both of these engines are hooked to a six-speed SelectShift Automatic® transmission, giving you the option of fully automatic operation or manual control. The EcoBoost Flex has paddle shifters integrated into the steering wheel spokes.

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Mike Kolich spends a lot of time thinking about seats. For example, how your seat feels when it’s been in a Ford seat for more than an hour. In fact, his nickname inside Ford is Dr. Derriere, and he leads a team of not-so-mad scientists in the quest for seats that combine lighter weight for better vehicle fuel economy, increased comfort and good support. And some of the tools they use may surprise you, with a high-tech mannequin with an articulated back and a seat carousel.

The all-new 2013 Escape, which is scheduled to be debuted next week at the LA Auto Show, is the first Ford vehicle with a global seat architecture specifically designed to conform to the Ford seat DNA. The DNA is a set of quantifiable measurements for each system in a new vehicle designed to provide a consistent feel across all Ford vehicles worldwide.

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It’s hard not to get excited about performance vehicles, and the Ford display at the upcoming 2011 Los Angeles International Auto Show will house plenty of excitement. The Fiesta ST Concept, Focus ST and Focus ST-R will all be part of the mix, clearly demonstrating the DNA of Ford Global Performance Vehicles.

Fiesta ST Concept

The Fiesta ST Concept indicates the direction for a high-performance Fiesta with muscular and sporty styling, a dynamic sports chassis and a high-performance powertrain capable of delivering impressive fuel economy with low emissions.

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Ford has announced a very cool segment-first feature on the all-new Ford Escape: a hands-free power liftgate. What makes it even cooler? Its motion-sensing technology is kind of like what’s used in interactive video games.

The liftgate opens by way of a kicking gesture underneath the center of the rear bumper; kick again and it’ll close. Can you imagine not having to try to get your key into position when your arms are full of groceries, heavy boxes or the like? Imagine no more, it’s reality.

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