How to check your Transmission Fluid Condition

Ford Tourneo Custom Concept Set for 2012 Geneva Auto Show

 

"The Ford Tourneo Custom Concept, which previews a new family of Ford Transit vehicles for Europe and Asia, will make its global debut at the 2012 Geneva Auto Show. The concept is noteworthy because it signals a new range of commercial vehicles for Ford in major overseas markets.

Ford said this new Transit family previewed in Geneva will not be sold in North America. The concept does not replace the Ford E-Series vans and is unrelated to the Ford Transit Connect.

However, Ford said that it will unveil larger and higher-payload Transits later in 2012 that will be sold in North America. These models will also feature rear-wheel drive, said the Dearborn automaker in a statement.

The eight-passenger Tourneo Custom Concept gets multi-adjustable and removable rear seating, a driver-focused cockpit and Ford Sync. Exterior cues include a trapezoidal grille, 18-inch alloy wheels and LED lighting up front.

The front-wheel-drive concept is equipped with a 153-horsepower 2.2-liter Duratorq TDCi diesel engine linked to a six-speed manual transmission. The model range will include short- and long-wheelbase variants." [Read more]

2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel: More Details Released By GM

  

"Until now, there wasn't much official information about the upcoming diesel version of Chevy's Cruze compact sedan beyond the fact that it existed.

Lots of reporters--us included--covered the diesel Cruze model that's been sold in Europe for a while now.

We described that car's 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine, power (161 horsepower) and torque (266 pound-feet), and where the U.S. diesel Cruze will be built (Lordstown, Ohio).

Now, we have a very small amount of additional information from General Motors. It's not much, mind you.

But then, advance product promotion is all about dribbling out little bits and pieces of info to keep early fans wishing and hoping, planning and dreaming, isn't it?

Boiled down, here's what Chevrolet says about the diesel Cruze model:" [Read more]

Drive Your Way to the Summer X Games with Ford Focus ST Challenge

"Ford Motor Company is giving fans of the new Focus ST a chance to put the upcoming high-performance hatchback to the test virtually and before it goes on sale in a competition that will send the winning driver to the ESPN summer X Games.

The competition puts drivers into the seat of a Focus ST driving simulator at auto shows across the country. The participant with the fastest lap time will win a host of awards, including an invite to the ESPN summer X Games for a meet-and-greet with drivers of Ford’s Octane Academy. Additional prizes also will be awarded to top times on a regional basis.

“This is the perfect way to generate awareness for our ST brand since we know our enthusiast customers love gaming,” said Lisa Schoder, ST Marketing manager. “The Focus ST simulator is tuned with the specs from the actual car, so people can get a true feel for the dynamics of ST performance.”

The challenge will live on the Focus Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/fordfocus, where a leaderboard will be posted from each show the challenge visits. When the challenge wraps in May, the best times from each show will be entered into an overall sweepstakes to determine the grand prize winner.

The Focus ST simulator is part of Ford’s interactive auto show display, and is designed to emulate driving the all-new Focus ST. Complete with seats, screens, a steering wheel and pedals, the hydraulic system moves up and down and tilts front to back for a virtual driving experience." [Read more]

Super Bowl XLVI MVP Takes Home Chevrolet Corvette

 "Chevrolet, the official sponsor of the Super Bowl XLVI MVP Award, presented New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning with a 2012 Corvette Grand Sport Convertible Centennial Edition in recognition of his tremendous effort on the field in the Giants’ 21-17 win over the New England Patriots.

A media panel and fan vote on www.superbowl.com determined the MVP Award winner, announced during the Super Bowl Postgame Show on NBC, presented by Chevrolet.

The Corvette Grand Sport Convertible sports car features a 6.2-liter small-block V-8, with 436 horsepower and 424 pound-feet of torque. Capable of accelerating from 0-to-60 mph in less than four seconds, and reaching more than 1g of cornering force, it’s one of the most potent convertibles on the market. For 2012, all Corvettes are available with the black-on-black Chevrolet Centennial edition, commemorating 100 years of Chevrolet history.

The Super Bowl MVP receives the Pete Rozelle Trophy, a silver trophy made by Tiffany & Co., and the Corvette Grand Sport Convertible." [Read more]

Chevy Silverado "2012" | Super Bowl XLVI Ad

Ford to Triple EcoBoost Vehicle Production Capacity in 2012

"Now that record sales of 127,683 EcoBoost^™-equipped vehicles in 2011 are on the books, Ford aims to more than triple production capacity of cars, utilities and trucks using this fuel-efficient technology in 2012.

 

Ford will expand its portfolio of fuel-efficient offerings this year withthe fuel-saving 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine in the high-volume Escape compact utility vehicle and Fusion sedan nameplates, five new electrified vehicles, as well as with the introduction of auto start stop technology paired with the convenience of an automatic transmission.

 

“EcoBoost expansion and availability in high-volume nameplates such as the all-new Ford Escape and Fusion will take this affordable, fuel-saving technology to the heart of the market,” said Ford Group Vice President of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering Sue Cischke. “Ford is committed to delivering class-leading fuel economy for our customers, which benefits the environment and helps the U.S. move toward greater energy independence.”

 

The full-size Taurus sedan becomes the first Ford vehicle to offer customers a choice between two EcoBoost engines. It will offer a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder making an estimated 237 horsepower and giving customers up to an anticipated class-leading 31 mpg, while the iconic Taurus SHO sport sedan features a 365-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 delivering 25 mpg highway.

 

The green and mean Focus ST arrives this year as a high-performance – yet fuel-efficient – sport compact EcoBoost application.

 

Additionally, Ford offers an EcoBoost-powered Police Interceptor for 2012. It is the first-ever turbocharged law-enforcement vehicle offering.

 

Ford’s lineup of fuel-efficient cars, trucks, SUVs and crossovers underscores the company’s commitment to continually improve fuel economy.

 

By the end of 2012, nine Ford models will deliver or are anticipated to deliver an EPA-certified 40 mpg highway or higher, with still more fuel-efficient vehicles on the way.

 

Of the 11 market segments in which Ford competes, the company leads in fuel economy customer satisfaction in six, according to the latest J.D. Power and Associates APEAL study, a third-party measure of buyer attitudes concerning recent vehicle purchases." [Read more]