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Filed under: Gadgets , SUVs , Tech , Ford , Lincoln When Ford launched its new SYNC in-car communications system in the Ford Focus, the crew in Dearborn may not have known just how popular the option would prove to be. While the SYNC system has started to infiltrate the rest of the Blue Oval line, its integration is apparently not moving fast enough for many consumers. Doug White, Vehicle Personalization Marketing & Planning manager at Ford says, "Customers and dealers were telling us that we needed SYNC on our flagship SUV and we felt we needed to respond to those concerns as quickly as we could. They essentially said, 'If you have it on Focus, why not Navigator.'" Sounds pretty reasonable to us. Considering that the Lincoln Navigator is the flagship product for Ford's up-market brand, it should be available with all the best techno-goodies available in the Ford arsenal. The retrofit kit is now a dealer-installed option for all 2008 model year Navigator and Navigator...
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Filed under: Tech , Videos , Ford , Lincoln , Mercury Autoblog talks EcoBoost with Ford Powertrain Direc Turbocharging has long been associated with performance, but the 103-year-old technology is also very efficient. A small displacement gasoline engine with a turbocharger can equal or out-perform similarly sized naturally aspirated motors while also saving fuel. Europe is all over turbo engines for everything from high-performance Porsches to family wagons, but here in the States, force-fed engines are mainly sold in low volume sports cars. Ford intends to jump into the turbocharging arena in a big way with " EcoBoost ", and is planning to move up to 500,000 vehicles in the U.S. annually with twin-spool technology. Ford claims its EcoBoost suite of engine technoloies will give customers fuel savings of up to 20% versus a like-powered naturally aspirated engine, and the first samples are scheduled to go on sale in about a year. We wanted to learn more about Ford's plan, so...
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Filed under: Gadgets , Tech , Ford , Lincoln , Mercury , Lifestyle If SYNC sells cars for Ford , the Blue Oval is now going to see how well its latest electronic add-on moves the metal. In an effort to compete with OnStar, Ford has developed SmartAlert with a company called SkyWay Systems, Inc., of Colorado. Available to be installed by dealers by Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury dealers, SmartAlert uses GPS and can operate as a stolen car tracking service, and it will be connected to a call center that can unlock your doors for you. The system can also keep track of your speed, so teens beware: parents can set the system up to alert them to your lead-footed ways via cell phone, e-mail, or text message. To have SmartAlert installed will cost from $700 to $1,200 for the first year, after which, as with OnStar, customers will pay a monthly fee. Add this to the new features coming in SYNC 2.0 like 911 Assist , and it appears we have a nice little rivalry going in the field of in-car telematics....
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Filed under: Gadgets , Tech , Ford , Lincoln , Mercury In-car technology has exploded over the past few years, with navigation screens, hard drives, iPod connectivity, and satellite radio becoming more and more important to consumers. While Ford was slow to get on the multimedia super highway, the Blue Oval has picked up steam with the introduction of SYNC . Ford also launched HD Radio in fall 2007, and the Dearborn automaker plans to offer the digital music maker in every Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury by 2009 HD radio is gaining in popularity as it offers superior sound quality vs. traditional radio and exclusive content, without the need to pay a monthly subscription. Radio stations are fast-adopting HD Radio as well, with 1500 stations now broadcasting digitally. Over 700 of those stations are now offering H2 and H3 multi-casts, which means that your favorite station can offer multiple genres, or more simultaneous choices of the kinds of music you love. With satellite radio riddled with...
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Filed under: Safety , Tech , Ford , Lincoln , Mercury var digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/microsoft/Bill_Gates_announces_SYNC_2_0'; SYNC appears to be a big win so far for Ford, with the communications technology helping to move vehicles off dealer lots faster than vehicles without the system. Ford and Microsoft have been working to take SYNC to the next level, however, and the changes announced by Bill Gates at CES show that the technology is on an upward trajectory. Gates announced two new capabilities for SYNC that will help Ford offer a richer multimedia experience while competing with GM's OnStar satellite service. First, SYNC will soon be able to assist drivers in calling 911 if an accident is detected. Drivers will need a SYNC-paired phone for SYNC 911 Assist to work, and since the SYNC simply uses the driver's phone, there is no monthly charge for the service. Ford tells us that it had to clear hurdles for 911 Assist because the government doesn't want systems...
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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising , Tech , Ford , Lincoln When we saw the Lincoln MKR at the Detroit Auto Show, we were every bit as excited about the high-tech twin-turbo V6 as we were the sleek-looking RWD sedan. Even the "Twin Force" name given to the hopped-up powerplant struck us as cool. While Ford doesn't necessarily disagree that Twin Force is a great name, the automaker feels customers may think "Force" somehow is more indicative of its 415 HP power than its fuel-sipping thrift. Ya don't say! Ford is looking to re-brand the force-fed direct inject engine to help bring focus to its V8 power with V6 fuel economy. It just might be difficult to sell 400+ HP as green, but if it can achieve 27 MPG and hit 60 MPH in 5 seconds, Ford could call it the Pinto and it would be coveted. Is it just us, or does Ford Motor Company need a naming scion that can pick one name and stick with it? Lets see, we have the like-named Freestar (dead) and Freestyle, which is now...
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