Into the Arctic | 2015 F-150 Truck | You Test: Episode #4

See what happens when the new 2015 F-150 tows at maximum payload over the Dempster Highway – a rough, desloate, 900-mile stretch of gravel road that goes through the Arctic Circle.

Ford and Thor Livin Lite Team to License Ford-Branded Recreational Products for All-New 2015 F-150

• Recreational vehicle builder Thor Livin Lite and Ford have agreed to license Ford-branded recreational products for the all-new 2015 F-150 pickup, the smartest, toughest, most capable F-150 ever
• Thor Livin Lite worked with Ford designers to adopt design cues from the aluminum-bodied F-150 into the aluminum campers
• The 2015 F-150 is up to 700 pounds lighter than the 2014 truck, and Thor Livin Lite campers are typically 30 percent lighter than the competition – this weight-saving combination is designed to improve fuel efficiency for RV customers

Looking to spend some time exploring the countryside in the all-new 2015 F-150? Now it’s possible to sleep comfortably inside a Ford-branded camper, thanks to recreational vehicle builder Thor Livin Lite.

Thor Livin Lite and Ford have agreed to license Ford-branded recreational products for the all-new 2015 F-150 pickup – the smartest, toughest, most capable F-150 ever.

“I can’t tell you how excited we are to work with a company as prestigious as Ford and bring their iconic brand name back into the RV industry,” said Scott Tuttle, president of Thor Livin Lite. “Ford believes enough in our unique aluminum construction to allow us to carry the ‘Built Ford Tough’ label, which says a lot.”

Teaming with Ford designers

Beginning in 2013, Thor Livin Lite began working with Ford designers to adopt design cues from the aluminum-body F-150 into their aluminum campers.

The 2015 F-150 is up to 700 pounds lighter than the 2014 truck, and Thor Livin Lite campers are typically 30 percent lighter than the competition – this weight-saving combination of unique, aluminum body is designed to improve fuel efficiency for RV customers.

The debut Ford-branded camper model design will appear next month at the National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Kentucky. Thor Livin Lite plans to release other models in time for sale in 2015. The lineup of Ford-branded RVs will include tent campers, travel trailers, truck campers, toy haulers and fifth wheels for sale through Thor Livin Lite dealers.
 
In the 1970s, Ford had a dedicated RV division with a team of engineers and marketing professionals. Today, Thor Livin Lite licenses Ford trademarks and is fully responsible for designing, engineering and manufacturing Ford-branded recreational products with input from Ford Design.

Ford EcoBoost Police Interceptors Repeat as Quickest Accelerating in State Testing in Michigan, California

• Ford EcoBoost^® Police Interceptor sedan repeats top performance in Michigan State Police and Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department testing of 2015 model, retaining its title as quickest-accelerating pursuit vehicle
• Ford EcoBoost Police Interceptor utility vehicle acceleration faster than competition’s all-new utility vehicle and all base V6 competitors
• Ford Police Interceptor maintains segment sales leadership for 17 consecutive years

Ford Motor Company, manufacturer of the best-selling police vehicles since 1996, trumped the competition in recent instrumented acceleration testing conducted separately by the Michigan State Police and Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.

The EcoBoost^®-powered Ford Police Interceptor sedan bested all V8-equipped competitors’ sedans in testing by both Michigan and California authorities, while Ford Police Interceptor utility with EcoBoost out-accelerated the competition’s all-new V8-equipped utility and all base V6-powered sedans.

“We are thrilled to repeat as having best acceleration,” said Arie Groeneveld, Ford Taurus, Explorer and Police Interceptor chief engineer. “Quickly closing the distance between an officer and a target vehicle is key to safely avoiding high-speed pursuits. Our police vehicles are built around officer safety, and outstanding performance is yet another demonstration of that commitment.”

Michigan State Police testing results

Preliminary results of Michigan State Police testing show the 2015 Ford Police Interceptor sedan with all-wheel drive is fastest of the fast – posting a 0-60 mph time of 5.85 seconds, compared to 6.31 seconds for a competing 5.7-liter V8 sedan with all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is standard on Ford Police Interceptor sedan, optional on the competing model.

The Ford EcoBoost-powered sedan also topped a competing 6.0-liter V8-equipped sedan, which clocked a 0-60 mph time of 6.17 seconds.

“Ford Police Interceptors are the only police vehicles to be pursuit-tested for three years in a row by both Michigan State Police and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department with traction control and electronic stability control safety systems fully engaged,” said Jonathan Honeycutt, marketing manager, Ford police vehicles. “Our safety philosophy entails testing our vehicles as our agencies will drive them.”

Ford also took top honors in Michigan State Police 0-100 mph testing: Police Interceptor sedan turned a 14.19-second 0-100 mph time, while a competing 5.7-liter sedan posted 15.63 seconds and a rival 6.0-liter sedan took 14.69 seconds.

The results are similar for utility vehicles. Ford Police Interceptor utility with standard all-wheel drive hit 60 mph in 6.55 seconds and 100 mph in 16.13 seconds. A competing all-new utility vehicle powered by a 5.3-liter V8 posted a 0-60 mph time of 7.31 seconds and a 0-100 mph time of 18.99 seconds.

Additionally, Ford Police Interceptor utility repeated with fastest lap time around Grattan Raceway among police utility vehicles.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department testing results

Results from Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department tests are even more dominant for Ford Police Interceptor. For the first time, the department conducted testing with a “key on and drive” policy – meaning stability and traction control settings were in default mode as when the vehicles are first turned on. 

Ford Police Interceptor sedan repeated as the quickest-accelerating vehicle overall in Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department tests, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds. The EcoBoost-equipped Ford Police Interceptor utility not only out-accelerated its competition, but was quicker at 0-60 mph than all base model (V6-powered) sedans.

At Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, where testing was conducted, Ford Police Interceptor sedan with EcoBoost placed first overall, posting a fastest lap of 1:20.47. The EcoBoost-equipped Police Interceptor utility also placed first and posted best-in-class stopping distances.

Through October 2014, the most recent data available, Ford has commanded more than half of the new police vehicle market – 56 percent – hitting a high of 66 percent market share for July.
 
For more information on Ford Police Interceptor vehicles, visit www.FordPoliceInterceptor.com.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing You and Your Family a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

The #Holidaze: Too Many Chefs

Whichever way you make your mashed potatoes –You can always count on a loving family member to offer their expertise.

Ford performance: the all-new Shelby® GT350® Mustang

Performance is our business and the story continues with the introduction of the all-new Shelby GT350 Mustang, one of the most iconic performance Mustang nameplates of all time. The Shelby GT350 Mustang is a thoroughbred capable of tackling the world’s most challenging roads and racetracks.

A Road Trip with a View

Ride along with Elizabeth down memory lane as she thinks back on the trips she took with her family and how those vacations inspired her love of travel.

Car and Driver Magazine Names All-New Ford Mustang GT to Its 10Best List

• Ford Mustang has appeared on Car and Driver’s 10Best list nine times since 1983
•  With three available engines, each producing more than 300 horsepower, and a new independent rear suspension, the 2015 model is the best all-around Mustang ever built
• Car and Driver editorial staff compares driving the 2015 Mustang through aggressive turns to “wearing wheels”; reminds readers that “driving a great car can be play”

The all-new 2015 Ford Mustang GT has been named to Car and Driver’s 10Best cars list for 2015 – the ninth time Mustang has made the list since the award’s inception 33 years ago.

Car and Driver’s 10Best list recognizes the best new cars available in the United States for under $80,000. Mustang has been honored four of the last five years.

“Dive into a series of challenging turns in the Mustang and you're not driving a car, you're wearing wheels,” Car and Driver commented.  “It reminds us that driving a great car can be play, something that even grownups enjoy.”

“It’s a huge honor to have the Mustang GT recognized on Car and Driver’s 10Best list,” said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer. “The substantial amount of time and effort our engineering team put into Mustang has paid off; we’re hopeful that the car has a substantial presence on the 10Best list for years to come.”

When Mustang made its first appearance on Car and Driver’s 10Best list in 1983, editors praised the pony car’s performance and styling, saying, “[E]verybody we know who’s bought one thinks it’s the greatest thing since draft beer.” 

“With the vast improvements we’ve made to the 2015 Mustang GT’s powertrain, suspension and styling, we hope Car and Driver editors and our customers feel the same way this time around,” said Pericak.

50 years of Ford Mustang

More than 9.2 million Mustangs have been sold since the car’s 1964 debut.

With more options to choose from, there is a Mustang to fit any lifestyle. The upgraded V8 in Mustang GT – now delivering 435 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque – is joined by a 300-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 and an all-new 2.3-liter EcoBoost^® engine that brings state-of-the-art technology to Mustang.

The 2.3-liter EcoBoost uses direct injection, variable cam timing and a twin-scroll turbocharger to deliver the performance Mustang drivers expect, with an output of 310 horsepower and 320 lb.-ft. of torque.
 
In addition to being the most-liked vehicle on Facebook, with 8 million likes, the all-new Mustang is turning on U.S. dealer lots in an average of six days.

Ford’s new airbag design and Mustang engineers recognized at SPE Automotive Innovation Awards

Ford Motor Company and its employees were honored this week at the Society of Plastics Engineers’ Automotive Innovation Awards. Ford took top honors, for Grand Innovation of the Year for its innovative airbag design available in 2015 Mustang and Edge, and for Engineering Team of the Year for Mustang. Ford also won in five other categories including safety, body interior, environmental, materials and enabling technologies.

Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center, Ford Motor Company and Feeding America Team Up to Tackle Hunger

• Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center, Ford Motor Company and Feeding America^® are joining together for a text-to-donate and online campaign to help solve hunger, which affects one in six Americans
• Ford is providing up to $250,000 in matching donations, part of $1.3 million in hunger-related assistance the company and its charitable arm, Ford Fund, are contributing this fall
• Campaign culminates at Ford Motor Company’s Quick Lane Bowl, Dec. 26, at Ford Field in Detroit

Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center, Ford Motor Company and Feeding America^® are teaming up this fall to tackle an issue that affects one in six Americans: hunger.

Starting Nov. 14, supporters can make a $10 donation to Feeding America by texting MEAL to 50555*. The campaign will culminate at the Quick Lane Bowl, which takes place at 4:30 p.m. EST, Dec. 26, at Ford Field in Detroit. Ford’s Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center is title sponsor for this inaugural college football game, which airs nationally on ESPN.

With a network that services all 50 states, including 200 local food banks and 60,000 pantries and meal programs, Feeding America is the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization. A $10 donation helps Feeding America provide 100 meals on behalf of member food banks.

Ford will provide up to $250,000 in matching donations, ensuring a minimum donation of $150,000. The donation is part of $1.3 million in financial support, grants, vehicles and other assistance Ford Motor Company and its philanthropic arm, Ford Fund, are contributing to hunger-relief organizations this fall.

“Each year, 49 million Americans – including 16 million children – struggle with hunger,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “We are proud to use the national stage of the inaugural Quick Lane Bowl to build on Ford’s long history of addressing hunger issues.”

Each donation will appear on a person’s phone bill through the respective mobile service carrier. People can make multiple text donations, as well as donate any denomination online at www.feedingamerica.org/QuickLane. Donations are tax deductible.

“Ford Motor Company has been a long-standing partner in the fight against hunger,” said Nancy Curby, vice president of corporate partnerships at Feeding America. “At a time when many of us will be surrounded by our own families, this campaign with Quick Lane and Ford Motor Company provides a simple, easy opportunity for everyone to help provide meals for families in need this holiday season”.

Ford will promote the Feeding America campaign through its more than 700 Quick Lane Tire & Auto Centers across the United States. Operated by Ford dealers, Quick Lane offers fast, no-appointment, routine vehicle maintenance such as oil and filter changes, light repair services including brake repair, and tire replacements on all vehicle makes and models.

The Detroit Lions will work to encourage fans to support the campaign as part of their ongoing hunger-relief and wellness programs with Ford. The Lions are hosting the 2014 Quick Lane Bowl, which features teams from the Big Ten Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference.

Ford Performance Heritage (video 1 of 5)

Ford has a legendary performance heritage that spans almost every racing series around the world. Lessons learned on the race track help influence Ford’s lineup of performance vehicles for consumers.

Exclusive Pilot Program with Wind Energy Corporation Brings Clean Energy to Select Ford Dealers

• For the first time ever, Ford Motor Company is partnering with Wind Energy Corporation to deliver an innovative new source of clean energy to its dealers
• Wind Energy will invest nearly $750,000 to install wind sail and solar panel systems at four Ford dealerships; each Windy System™ will help power dealership facilities, electric vehicle charging stations and lot lighting
•  A Windy System is expected to deliver 20,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to power two average-sized homes for a year or charge Ford Focus Electric 870 times, Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi 2,600 times each

Ford Motor Company is collaborating with Wind Energy Corporation to bring a new and innovative source of clean energy to its dealers. Under a pilot program exclusive to Ford, Wind Energy will install wind sail and solar panel systems at four Ford dealerships, a nearly $750,000 investment, to help power dealer facilities.

Each Windy System™ includes highly efficient wind sail technology that harvests wind energy and an integrated 7-kilowatt solar array. Ford dealers will use the electricity to power their buildings, electric vehicle charging stations and lot lighting. The wind sails will be emblazoned with the Ford blue oval logo and the name of the dealership – serving as a bold statement by Ford and its dealers’ to their commitment to sustainability.

A Windy System is expected to deliver 20,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. That is enough energy to power two average-sized homes for a year or charge a Ford Focus Electric 870 times, Fusion Energi 2,600 times and C-MAX Energi 2,600 times. Using one Windy System will offset nearly 14 tons of greenhouse gases per year.

“We are pleased to be working with Wind Energy Corporation to offer a pioneering, clean energy option to Ford dealers,” said John Felice, vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service for Ford. “This is yet another innovative tool to help Ford and its dealers address a global sustainability challenge.”

Participating dealers are electric vehicle-certified and were selected by Ford and Wind Energy Corporation for both their exceptional commitment to clean energy and their wind and solar-efficient locations. Installations of the systems are set to begin in early 2015 and be completed by spring. Once installed, the dealerships will keep the systems permanently.

Participating dealers are:

• Dana Ford Lincoln, Staten Island, New York
• Tom Holzer Ford, Farmington Hills, Michigan
• The Ford Store, Morgan Hill, California
•  Fiesta Ford, Indio, California

“The Windy System was created in concert with world-class partners and we are thrilled to bring this innovative renewable energy solution to Ford and its dealers, including our beta site at Boggus Ford in Harlingen, Texas,” said Jim Fugitte, CEO.

“What sets the Windy System™ apart is its combination of wind, solar, and market impact.  It is a branded beacon of sustainability that delivers both energy and a point of view,” said Jack Phillips, COO of Wind Energy.

Building the Future Tough: The All-New F-150

Production of the all-new, 2015 Ford F-150 - the toughest, smartest, most capable and most efficient F-150 ever - started November 11, 2014, at the historic Ford Rouge Center. In just eight weeks, its manufacturing facilities were transformed to build a better truck for Ford customers, featuring an all-new high-strength steel frame and a high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy body and bed.

The Most Powerful Super Duty Ever® | 2015 Ford Super Duty® | Built Ford Tough®

See what makes the 2015 Ford Super Duty the most powerful Super Duty ever - delivering over 31,200 lbs. of towing power, for maximum towing capacity.

How does it do it? With an available second-generation 6.7L Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel. 440 horsepower. 860 lb.-ft. of torque. And it gives you best-in-class fuel economy to go with it.

Plus, it features:
• Larger turbocharger for greater on-demand performance
• New fuel pump and injectors for more power and reduced emissions
• New temperature control system for enhanced turbo efficiency and performance

*Class is Full-Size Pickups over 8,500 lbs. GVWR.
**Based on Ford simulated city-suburban drive-cycle tests of comparably equipped 2015 Ford and 2011-2013 competitive models, consistent with SAE Standard J1321.

ICON50: Ford and Zagat Celebrate 50 Years of Mustang, Its Influence on Pop Culture, and the Power of Food in America

• Celebrating 50 years of Mustang, Ford Motor Company and Zagat name 10 teams of innovative chefs who embody the spirit of the iconic pony car while shaping the future of the culinary scene in America
• ICON⁵⁰ culinary innovators include April Bloomfield, David Bouley, Roy Choi, Dominique Crenn, Curtis Duffy, Nick Kokonas and Grant Achatz, Barbara Lynch, Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette, Nancy Silverton, and Mike Solomonov
• Launched in September, ICON⁵⁰ unites the all-new Ford Mustang with cultural experts from a variety of fields. Along with Zagat, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, ESPN The Magazine and Mashable are working to identify cultural drivers in music, sports, and technology and design

Ford Motor Company and Zagat are working together to name 10 teams of up-and-coming chefs who are shaping the future of the culinary scene in America. This is the second installment of the ICON⁵⁰ program – an ongoing celebration of the 50th anniversary of Ford Mustang and its influence on popular culture.

From discovering exciting new eateries located off the beaten path and fresh tastes that awaken the palate, together, Mustang and food have the power to push boundaries and encourage a sense of adventure and exploration, unveiling aspects of culture that inspire and delight. In collaboration with Zagat, the leading provider of consumer-generated restaurant reviews, Ford is inviting culinary enthusiasts to destinations around the country that are making their mark on America’s food culture.

“For 35 years, Zagat has inspired us to go out and explore new restaurants and culinary destinations, helping to shape the food map of America,” said Melanie Banker, Mustang brand manager, Ford Motor Company. “This sense of freedom and exploration is synonymous with Ford Mustang, and what the car has represented over the last five decades. We’re excited to be working with Zagat on this unique program taking a look at the future of the culinary scene, and we invite Americans to get a taste of what’s next.”

ICON50 chefs are:

• April Bloomfield of The Spotted Pig, New York • David Bouley of Bouley Restaurant, New York
• Roy Choi of Kogi Korean BBQ Truck, Los Angeles
• Dominique Crenn of Atelier Crenn, San Francisco
• Curtis Duffy of Grace, Chicago
• Nick Kokonas and Grant Achatz of Alinea and Next, Chicago
• Barbara Lynch of No. 9 Park, Boston
• Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette of Toro and Coppa, Boston
• Nancy Silverton of Mozza, Los Angeles
• Mike Solomonov of Zahav, Philadelphia


“There was a time when fine dining meant eating on china and crisp, white tablecloths, but that’s no longer the case,” said Tim Zagat, cofounder of Zagat. “From local taquerias to food trucks, some of the best food can be found in the most unexpected places. We’re thrilled to be working with Ford to inspire people to hit the road and explore what’s next in the culinary industry.”

Launched in September, ICON⁵⁰ will continue over the next several months, working to identify cultural drivers helping to define a new generation in music, food, sports, and technology and design. The unique program encourages Americans to rekindle their sense of adventure behind the wheel of the all-new Mustang. Along with Zagat, experts from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, ESPN The Magazine and Mashable are curating a list of 50 innovators and designing themed driving routes across America. The next list and driving route will be released with ESPN The Magazine in early 2015, focused on sports.

Cooking up what’s next

From the release of Julia Child’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” in the 1960s to the birth of the farm-to-table movement in the 2000s, the food industry is continuously turning new corners. Through experimentation and creativity, chefs are pushing culinary boundaries and reinventing the dining experience. According to a recent survey commissioned by Ford as part of ICON⁵⁰, more than half of Americans are looking to experiment when it comes to what they eat, with 55 percent believing they would be among the first to try new food.

Zagat and Ford have developed a foodie road map to encourage consumers to hit the open road and try new experiences. The map outlines two unique driving routes featuring must-try culinary destinations.

Along the East Coast, the route begins in Boston, with stops at restaurants offering a range of unique styles and experiences, from rustic-Americana cuisine to “haute backyard” dining. The route then turns south – through New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. – then heads for Chicago in the Midwest before turning south again, to New Orleans.

From San Francisco to Los Angeles, the route along the West Coast offers delicious dishes from bakeries, cantina-style dining and more. An interactive map featuring this route and key points of interest can be found at http://www.fordmustangicon50map.appspot.com/#.

Why Mustang is a pop culture icon

Early on, Mustang’s unique combination of style, performance and affordability established an entirely new class of sports car. Its impact goes well beyond the more than 9.4 million cars sold in its 50 years of continuous production.

On sale now, the 2015 Ford Mustang is the most advanced pony car yet, featuring an all-new, sophisticated design and a host of innovative new technologies and connectivity systems.
Next year for the first time, Mustang will go on sale globally to customers in more than 120 markets, including right-hand-drive markets.

Cruisin' Mustang Alley - Mustang Countdown

For more than half a century, summertime in Detroit has meant cruising season when drivers hit the streets in their favorite rides. In mid-August Ford takes over a major chunk of the city of Ferndale, Michigan for Mustang Alley where pony cars of every vintage are gathered so their owners can show off and swap stories.

A Water Wheel Powered by the River Helps Clean Baltimore Harbor| Go Further | Everyday Heroes

John Kellett was inspired to develop the Water Wheel by his daily sighting of trash in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. His goal is to make the harbor swimmable by 2020.

“Wigged Out” Helps Women with Breast Cancer Feel at Home| Go Further | Everyday Heroes

As part of its ongoing breast cancer initiative, Ford Warriors in Pink® helps amplify the voices of survivors who go further by reaching out after their own treatment to help others. These "Models of Courage" use their own time and resources to make a difference.

Surfers Healing Makes Big Differences Through Small Acts of Teaching | Go Further | Everyday Heroes

From the surfer who gives special children a reason to smile, to the Ford dealer who leaves his job to fight a fire, there are people around us who go further every day. Ford salutes all owners, dealers and employees who embody the meaning of Go Further.

2014 SEMA Award - Hottest Car - Ford Mustang

2015 Ford Mustang received SEMA Award top honors in the Hottest Car Category.

The SEMA Award winners represent the models that industry experts—the SEMA Show exhibitors—most often feature in their booths as the hottest rides for the enthusiast market.

Ford Racing Introduces King Cobra Parts Package for 2015 Ford Mustang GT

• New “King Cobra” parts package 2015 Mustang GT concept unveiled at SEMA Show.
• King Cobra package can be replicated by any Mustang owner with the help of Ford Racing’s extensive parts catalog.
• Highlights Ford Racing’s first performance packages available for the 2015 Mustang. It is equipped with Ford Racing’s “Drag Pack,” “Handling Pack,” and “Super Pack” supercharger kit that helps the King Cobra produce 600+ horsepower.

Ford Racing is excited to introduce a special 2015 Mustang GT built exclusively with Ford Racing performance parts.  Named the “King Cobra,” there is no question this custom machine has some serious bite.

Built to be a high-performance street-and-drag strip car, the King Cobra can be replicated by any Mustang owner with the help of Ford Racing’s extensive parts catalog.

“At Ford Racing, we like to push cars to their absolute limit,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing.  “This is something we have been doing for 113 years and why we were so excited to get our hands on the all-new, 2015 Mustang.

“We wanted Mustang enthusiasts to be able to open up the Ford Racing parts catalog and get one of everything and see what they could get.  We think the King Cobra package is it.  But none of this great work would be possible if Team Mustang had not built the best production Mustang yet.”

This one-off concept is a showcase for Ford Racing’s first performance packages available for the 2015 Mustang. It is equipped with Ford Racing’s “Drag Pack,” “Handling Pack,” and “Super Pack” supercharger kit that helps the King Cobra produce 600+ horsepower.

The Drag Pack includes heavy-duty half shafts, and a rear sub-frame kit with pre-installed high-performance bushings to improve traction and put optimum power to the ground under hard acceleration.

The Handling Pack lowers the car approximately one inch with front and rear lowering springs – the front springs on pre-assembled struts. The Handling Pack also includes rear shocks and a stabilizer bar kit.

The key component of the Super Pack is a 2.3L Twin Vortices Series (TVS) supercharger assembly, co-developed and co-branded by Ford Racing and ROUSH Performance. Accompanying the supercharger is a six-rib belt drive system, intake manifold, electronic throttle body, air inlet system, fuel rail and high-flow fuel injectors, complete air-to-liquid intercooler system and the Ford Racing performance computer calibration.

Ford Racing recently took an early version of King Cobra package on a 2015 Mustang to Michigan’s Milan Dragway, where the car proved its performance capabilities with a stunning quarter-mile elapsed time of 10.97 seconds.

Ford Racing chose the name King Cobra for this parts package because of its long association with high-performance Ford vehicles. The King Cobra moniker was first introduced by Carroll Shelby in 1963 for the high-performance Cooper Monaco sports racing cars he built with mid-mounted, 289-cubic-inch Ford V8 engines.

Ford used the name again in 1970 for an aerodynamic prototype NASCAR stock car, based on the Ford Torino which never raced. The most well-known King Cobra was an option package that could be equipped to a 1978 Mustang II.   This model was the first Mustang to sport the “5.0” designation for the metric equivalent of the V8 engine’s 302 cubic-inch displacement.

Now, it seems fitting for the sixth-generation Mustang’s first “5.0” ultra-high-performance concept to carry the King Cobra name.

Turning a Culinary Passion into a Profession | 2015 Ford Mustang | Musta...

Bernhard Schonsee dreams of opening his own restaurant one day. This is the chance he’s been waiting for — to collaborate with one of the Bay Area’s greatest chefs.

A life change is on the menu for Bernhard. He’s a urologist with dreams of opening his own restaurant. Can he turn his simmering passion into a taste of success … after taking a ride in the new 2015 Ford Mustang with Charlie Hallowell, one of the Bay Area’s greatest chefs? Check out Bernard’s story here.

What does it feel like to drive a Mustang? In Mustang Moments, award-winning director Alex Gibney captures people on the brink of a personal breakthrough as their dreams meet opportunities with a chance to pursue their passion—all while they’re behind the wheel of a new 2015 Ford Mustang.

Ford Selected to Participate in Festival at Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Ford Motor Company will participate in a two-day festival celebrating American innovation presented by the Smithsonian Institution in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Patent and Trademark Office. Ford is one of 10 companies selected to exhibit a technology product for the Innovation Festival, Nov. 1-2, at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The festival will allow the public to see breakthrough, patented American technologies developed by corporations, academic institutions, the federal government and the independent inventor community. It will include innovation-related programs and hands-on educational events. “Ford has a rich history of developing industry-first technology,” said Bill Coughlin, president and CEO, Ford Global Technologies, “and for that effort, and to be recognized by such a prestigious institution, is a great honor for our team.” The Innovation Festival is part of a five-year agreement between the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the Smithsonian Institution to develop programs and exhibitions celebrating American innovation.

Technology Co-Developed by Ford and Telogis Aims to Improve Police Officer, Public Safety

• Industry-first technology co-developed by Ford Motor Company and Telogis is intended to encourage safe driving behavior, reduce vehicle maintenance costs and municipal liability, and defend against complaints and litigation
• New technology encourages more widespread safety belt use, and can help prevent collisions involving police officers
• New system integrates vehicle telematics and law enforcement technology
  

Ford has a new way to help police agencies save lives, prevent injuries and potentially help save millions of taxpayer dollars.

As agents of law and order, police officers monitor driving behavior to ensure the safety of the motoring public. But until now, unless investigators removed a police vehicle’s black box and pulled the data after a traffic crash, no one has been able to monitor police vehicle operating conditions.

To help address this issue, Ford and Telogis have co-developed an industry-first telematics solution that builds on Ford’s existing Crew Chief powered by Telogis and is designed specifically to help meet the monitoring needs of law enforcement agencies. The technology provides intelligent data and analytics law enforcement agencies need to dramatically improve officer safety and driving behavior, heighten situational and operational awareness, and help reduce vehicle maintenance costs.

With the addition of Ford Telematics on Ford Police Interceptor vehicles, police administrators can monitor officer location and vehicle operating conditions. While many agencies have policies that require officers to avoid excessive speed and that promote safety belt use, until now they had no visibility into the real-time driving habits of officers to enable training and encourage safe driving behaviors.

Ford Telematics for Law Enforcement builds upon the core design and engineering philosophy of Ford Police Interceptor for maximizing officer safety. And this is key to helping prevent police crashes by mitigating high-speed driving and encouraging safety belt use.

“We have a responsibility to the communities we serve and to our fellow officers to make safety behind the wheel one of our top priorities,” said Vartan Yegiyan, director of police transportation II and commanding officer, Los Angeles Police Department. “The collaborative process that exists with the LAPD, Ford and Telogis has allowed us to customize this solution to meet the unique demands of our organization and other Ford police fleets.”

“Vehicle accidents are the leading cause of officer fatalities, and even the slightest improvements in driver training and behavior within law enforcement organizations can potentially save lives,” said Bill Frykman, manager, business and product development, Ford Motor Company. “Whether in emergency operation or not, vehicle data from this technology, in context with different driving situations will help illustrate to police organizations where changes can be made that will have a profound effect on officer safety.”

“Working with Ford, we’re delivering a solution for training and visibility for police departments that will be a game changer for their safety programs,” said Greg Dziewit, vice president, OEM business at Telogis. “Combining exclusive Ford Interceptor vehicle data with the Telogis platform provides law enforcement agencies with unprecedented levels of intelligence about their fleet operations to drive safety, improve situational awareness during critical events and reduce overall costs.”

While firearm-related police fatalities often make headlines, police administrators know traffic fatalities and injuries represent a greater statistical threat to officer safety. According to data from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, from 2004 to 2013, an average of nearly 55 officers were killed each year as a result of a firearms-related incident. For the same time period, an average of 64 officers a year died in traffic-related incidents.

“Traffic-related incidents have been the leading cause of law enforcement fatalities in 14 of the last 16 years,” said Craig W. Floyd, National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund chairman and CEO. “Leveraging technology to improve law enforcement vehicle safety is integral to reducing the number of officers killed in traffic-related incidents each year.”

In addition to safety belt use monitoring, the new system builds upon existing capabilities of Ford Crew Chief powered by Telogis to provide visibility into police vehicle lateral acceleration, spins, yaw rates, pursuit mode, accelerator pedal position, brake pedal position, engine torque, antilock braking system events, and stability control and traction control events.

Agencies can also get individualized scorecards on police officers’ driving behaviors based on these inputs.

The system is another example of Ford’s work to help enhance police officer safety. Last year, Ford unveiled a surveillance mode feature that uses existing sensor technology to automatically roll up windows, lock doors and sound an alarm if, when parked, someone approaches the vehicle from the rear.

For more information on Ford Police Interceptor, visit the Ford Police Interceptor site.

Vandemonium: You Won’t Believe How Five Aftermarket Shops Designed the First Ford Transit Customized Vans for SEMA

• Custom-built project vehicles from five coachbuilders will showcase different expressions of Ford Transit van flexibility and capability
• The custom Transits will be on display at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas, Nov. 4-7
• A range of concepts will be represented, including Formula DRIFT, off-road adventure and high-end luxury versions

The first-ever all-new 2015 Ford Transit custom vans will debut at this year’s SEMA show in Las Vegas.

Five Transit project vehicles were crafted to showcase the van’s toughness and flexibility for customers looking for a vehicle that can fit a variety of needs – from high-tech luxury limo to sport exhibitions to off-road adventure.

“Ford Transit vans and passenger wagons are designed to be upfit-ready so customers have an easier time customizing the vehicle to work best for them,” said Yaroslav Hetman, brand manager for Ford Transit, Transit Connect and E-Series. “We are very excited about what our SEMA customizers have done with these vans. They preview the first of what is expected to be a renaissance in custom vans, led by the all-new Ford Transit.”

Customized Transit vehicles on display at the SEMA show Nov. 4-7 include:

Vegas Off-Road Experience Transit

Vegas Off-Road Experience in South Boulder City, Nevada, provides the ultimate adventure for those who have always wanted to drive an off-road desert race truck. The VORE group applied its expertise in preparing off-road trucks to the new Transit, creating a vehicle that provides luxury transportation with an off-road theme. This Transit, equipped with off-road wheels and tires, will be used for guest transportation at VORE events.

“Transit offered us so much capacity to work with that we were able to take our plans further than we could with a typical van,” said Mike Self, Vegas Off-Road Experience chief marketing officer. “It will be a great vehicle for taking guests out on course in high-end comfort.”
Off-road and premium features of the VORE Transit include:

• Custom LED interior lighting
• Five LED flat screens
•  60-inch LED flat-screen partition
• Large-screen TV for external viewing
• Video gaming station
• Touch-screen tablet controls
• LED light bars
• HID headlamps
• Extended fender flares
• Off-road wheels and tires
  
   

Designed Travel Transit

For long-distance road trips, Forest Lake, Minnesota-based Waldoch Crafts and 3dCarbon and Air Design of Newport Beach, California, customized a long-wheelbase, medium-roof Transit with a solid hickory wood floor and four reclining captain’s chairs with heating, cooling and massage functions, along with power headrests.

“The larger platform of Transit gives us room for creativity,” said Ernie Bunnell, vice president of sales for 3dCarbon and Air Design. “Transit provided us with a lot of capability, so we were able to include more technical features than the average conversion.”

Other features of the Designed Travel Transit include:

• Integrated front bumper with air dam and fog lamps
• Side skirts and lower rear skirt with integrated trailer hitch cover
• 20-inch wheels and tires
• Rear seat with fold-down sofa
• Tablet control system
• 4K ultra-high-definition 50-inch TV
• LED interior lighting
• Backup camera with 360-degree capability
  
   

Formula DRIFT Transit

This Formula DRIFT Transit is more than a concept – it is a functional vehicle that will be used at series events in 2015. The Formula DRIFT series, based in Long Beach, California, has taken a medium-roof, short-wheelbase Transit and transformed it into the ultimate track support vehicle. With high-horsepower vehicles sliding around at more than 100 mph in Formula DRIFT events, accidents do occur, and this custom Transit will be one of the first responders to help with fire and safety equipment at the accident site. Complete with a custom interior workspace with TV, LED lighting, a custom entertainment system from Clarion and a matching Kawasaki Mule support vehicle, this Transit will be a standout at the track.

”Track vehicles fulfill a lot of needs, and Transit is able to do it all,” said John Pangilinan, public relations director for Formula DRIFT. “The extra roof height Transit offers really adds a lot of usable space for all of our equipment, including the Kawasaki Mule.”
Formula DRIFT Transit highlights include:

• Matching Kawasaki Mule track support vehicle that will be housed inside Transit between events
  
• Storage bins for fire extinguishers, tools and cleanup equipment
• Workspace
• Fire suit and helmet racks
• Door-mounted flat panel monitor
• Performance air intake kit
• Performance exhaust system
• Performance suspension
  
   

Business Class Transit

This sleek, all-black Transit was created by Detroit Custom Coach of Oak Park, Michigan, and offers amenities for VIP travel, whether for business or a night out on the town. This long-wheelbase, high-roof Transit features seating for as many as eight people and a wide array of premium amenities, including cocktail stations.

“We are excited to show what the Ford brand can do when it comes to the VIP transportation industry,” said Detroit Custom Coach owner Chris Ramos. “We feel strongly that the new Ford Transit will give other vehicles in its class a run for their money.”

Premium and convenience features of the Business Class Transit include:

• Actuated passenger entrance step
• Wood-grain flooringLaptop station
• Cocktail station with glass holders
• Reclining, heated and massaging seats
• Color-changing LED lighting
• Flat-screen TVs
• Integrated iPad controls
• Wi-Fi
• Motorized privacy shades
  
   

Galpin Auto Sports Transit Skyliner

Transit Skyliner, created jointly by Ford and Galpin Auto Sports of Van Nuys, California, embodies the spirit of premium motor coaches and builds on the heritage of custom vans. The custom vehicle shows how Ford Transit can be transformed to fit the needs of limousines and high-end transportation services, as well as commercial fleets, shuttle providers and small-business owners.

Transit Skyliner features custom-designed “throne” seats that are controlled by a smartphone or tablet.

“We are sincerely excited to work with Ford in creating the future of travel,” said Beau Boeckmann, president of Galpin Auto Sports. “Tapping our history of creating the conversion van segment in the 1960s and ’70s, as well as our recent high-tech work, together with Ford we have brought the modern ultra-premium van to life.”

Premium features of the Galpin Auto Sports Transit Skyliner include:

• 52-inch retractable movie screen
• Focal Utopia 7.2 surround sound with custom-made speakers
• Satellite TVKaleidescape media server
• Integrated bar
• Matching luggage