CONFIRMED FOR 2010:
EDGE: Ford has tweaked the Edge's powertrain and aerodynamics to increase fuel economy. Front-wheel-drive models now have EPA fuel economy estimates of 18 MPG city/25 highway, up 1 MPG on both cycles, while the all-wheel-drive version rises 1 MPG in the city and 2 on the highway to 17/23. A new Limited Interior Appearance Package includes Sienna leather with contrasting stitching, brushed-aluminum center stack trim, and Edge-logo floor mats.
ESCAPE/ESCAPE HYBRID: The side mirrors now include a small convex section in the corner, which shows vehicles in the blind spots. New options include an automatic-parking feature (I've tried it in the Flex, and it works like gangbusters) and Pull-Drift compensation, which uses the electric power steering to compensate for crosswinds and road camber. (I've also tried it in the Flex, and it also works like gangbusters.)
EXPEDITION: Trailer Sway Control, a function of the electronic stability control system, is now standard.
EXPLORER/EXPLORER SPORT TRAC: Both get Trailer Sway Control as standard.
F-150: The Harley-Davidson edition (photo) returns, with a unique front fascia and 22" wheels. Also new: The F-150 SVT Raptor (photo) from Ford's Special Vehicles Team which Ford calls "the ultimate off-road performance truck." The Raptor has a new front suspension with a wider track and features Fox Racing Shox internal-bypass shock absorbers and 35" all-terrain tires on 17" wheels. The Raptor is 7" wider than a standard F-150 and features unique styling inside and out. The first Raptors will be powered by a 320 hp 5.4 liter V8, with a new 6.2 liter V8 to follow in February 2010. Last year's SFE model has been discontinued, but all F-150s with the 4.6 liter/3V engine now get the SFE's fuel-economy improvements, resulting in a 1 MPG bump in the EPA highway figure (to 21). Additionally, the 3.5 liter EcoBoost engine (as seen in the Taurus SHO) will make its way to the F-150 lineup during the 2010 calendar year.
* 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor first drive
F-SERIES SUPER DUTY: A spray-in bedliner is now available from the factory.
FLEX: The Flex adds Ford's new EcoBoost V6, a 3.5 liter engine with twin turbochargers and direct fuel injection. Despite developing 355 hp, the EcoBoost Flex's combined EPA figure of 18 MPG is only 1 MPG less than the standard 262 hp V6 engine.
FOCUS: The Focus gets a major safety boost with the addition of standard electronic stability control and antilock brakes. Remote keyless entry, power door locks, and the MyKey system are also standard. MyKey is essentially a road-going set of parental controls. When MyKey is activated on a given ignition key, the car's maximum speed is limited to 80 MPH, the traction control system cannot be deactivated, stereo volume is limited to 44%, and a speed-warning chime can be set to sound at 45, 55 or 65 MPH.
FUSION: (photo) The mid-size Fusion gets an extensive makeover, with updated (and much better looking) styling inside and out, a new 2.5 liter base engine, a revised 3-liter V6, and a new 263 horsepower 3.5 liter Fusion Sport model (photo). The long-awaited Fusion Hybrid (photo) has finally arrived; it uses an Atkinson-cycle version of the 2.5 liter engine, and its EPA fuel economy estimates are an astonishing 41 MPG city and 36 MPG highway -- considerably better than the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima hybrids.
* 2010 Ford Fusion Sport test drive
* 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid photo gallery
* 2010 Ford Fusion Sport photo gallery
* 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid photo gallery
MUSTANG: (photo) Like the Fusion, the Mustang gets a serious going-over for 2010. The styling has been updated and the options list has been brought into the 21st century, with features such as a navigation system, backup camera, and the SYNC system. The glass roof, introduced in 2009, returns for 2010. Engine and chassis updates mirror last year's Bullitt model; ride and handling are greatly improved and the GT's V8 is now up to 315 horsepower. A new V6 is on the way for 2011 -- see BEYOND 2010 on next page.
o 2010 Ford Mustang GT Coupe test drive
o 2010 Ford Mustang GT Coupe photo gallery
RANGER: Ford's compact pickup gets electronic stability control and side airbags as standard.
SHELBY GT500: (photo) Along with improvements found in the 2010 Mustang, the Shelby GT500 gets a power boost (up to 540 hp and 510 lb-ft, same as last year's GT500KR). The body has been modified from the stock Mustang to improve engine cooling and downforce. Revised transmission and final-drive gearing give better acceleration off-the-line with improved fuel economy on the highway. Like the standard Mustang, the GT500 will be available in both coupe and convertible versions.
TAURUS: (photo) The restyled 2010 Taurus represents an entirely new direction for Ford's full-size sedan, not only in terms of styling but in terms of content. The new Taurus offers advanced technologies such as adaptive cruise control, a collision warning system, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, blind-spot and cross-traffic warning systems, and (of course) Ford SYNC. Pricing remains unchanged from 2009, with the base-model Taurus starting at $25,995.
o 2010 Ford Taurus test drive
o 2010 Ford Taurus photo gallery
TAURUS SHO: (photo) Ford is bringing back the high-performance SHO version of the all-new 2010 Ford Taurus. Whereas the original SHO of 1989 had a 220 horsepower 3-liter Yamaha V6 and a 5-speed manual transmission, the new SHO gets a 365 hp EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, 6-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and all-wheel-drive. Standard equipment includes Microsoft SYNC and push-button keyless ignition, while the option list includes massaging front seats, a blind-spot warning system, adaptive cruise control, and an upgraded wheel and brake package.
TRANSIT CONNECT: (photo) The Ford Transit Connect is a first-of-its-kind vehicle in America, though trucklets like it are popular in other parts of the world. The Transit Connect is based on a front-wheel-drive car chassis with a boxy body that can be outfitted as a cargo van, a mobile workstation, or a five-seat wagon. Power comes from a 136 horsepower two-liter four-cylinder engine coupled to an automatic transmission. Transit Connects bound for America will be built in Turkey.
BEYOND 2010:
C-MAX: (photo) The C-Max is a small 7-seat micro-minivan based on the European-market Focus. Though the C-Max was originally designed for Europe, Ford plans to bring it to North America in late 2011, probably as a 2012 model.
FIESTA: (photo) The Fiesta is on sale in Europe, and is on schedule to make its US debut in 2010 as a 2011 model. Along with the 5-door hatchback, Ford will offer a 4-door sedan. The North American Fiesta will be powered by a 119 hp 1.6 liter engine with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed twin-clutch automatic. The automatic Fiesta is expected to have best-in-class EPA fuel economy figures of 30 MPG city/40 MPG highway.
- 2011 Ford Fiesta preview drive
- 2011 Ford Fiesta photo gallery
- 2010 Euro-spec Ford Fiesta photo gallery
FOCUS: When Ford introduces the next-generation Focus, they will once again sell the same car in both Europe and America. The backstory: When Ford launched the original Focus in 1999, the car was more-or-less identical both sides of the Atlantic, with engine choices and suspension settings specific to each continent. But while Europe got an all-new Focus in 2005, America got a watered-down facelift, and the "new" US-market 2008 Focus was a new body on the old platform. But even as the '08 Focus was being readied for market, Ford was already planning the re-integration of North American and European Focii. Expect the third-generation Focus to debut in 2010 as a 2011 model, with a battery-powered all-electric version about a year later.
F-SERIES SUPER DUTY: The Super Duty pickup will be updated for the 2011 model year. Changes will include refreshed styling and a new 6.7 liter diesel V8.
MUSTANG: The Mustang's ancient 4.0 liter V6 will give way to a modern 3.7 liter unit for the 2011 model year. The new engine will put out 305 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Other improvements include electric power steering, improved aerodynamics, and 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions. Ford says EPA fuel economy ratings for the automatic will be 19 MPG city/30 MPG highway.
RUMORED:
RANGER: The current Ranger, introduced in 1998, is scheduled to cease production at the end of 2011. The whispers are that Ford will introduce a new global-market Ranger in 2011 or 2012. (Ford currently sells a Mazda pickup badged as the Ford Ranger in other countries.) The North American version could get a 1.6 liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 175 hp and 180 lb-ft, while other markets will get the 3-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel (154 hp/280 lb-ft) in the current Mazda-based Ranger.
