2011 Ford Edge

 

Nashville, Tenn.—Ford pioneered new territory in 2006 when it introduced the Edge, a racy two-row crossover. The Edge forsook the Explorer's pretense of bushwhacking off-road capability without surrendering to the jacked-up-station-wagon persona of the Freestyle. Customers responded by sending the Edge to the top of the crossover segment, where it has tallied some 400,000 sales.

At first glance it is quite obvious that the new Edge has received a thorough reworking of the entire front fascia, as well as changes to the rear of the vehicle. The new grille immediately brings back memories of the original Ford Sport Trac Adrenaline concept, although with a modern Fusion-esque style. Standard halogen headlamps are gone, replaced with projector headlamps for function and cosmetic appeal – HID projectors optional. Below, the traditional fog lamp housings have been replaced with LED light bars, similar to those found on the Taurus SHO or Ford Fiesta.

The Specs

Dearborn's engineers started by junking the outgoing powertrain. The Edge now relies primarily on a more powerful and efficient 285-hp 3.5-liter V-6. Backed by a six-speed automatic transmission, the V6 achieves EPA ratings of 19 mpg city / 27 mpg highway in front-wheel-drive form.

Hot-rodders, or at least five-seat crossover shoppers who imagine themselves in a flat black model with a flame paint job, can opt for the Edge Sport. That was mostly an appearance package on the old model, but the new Sport gains a 305-hp 3.7-liter V-6 borrowed from the Mustang.

The Sport rolls on standard 22-inch aluminum wheels and has tauter shock tuning for more responsive handling. Despite the big wheels and stiffer shocks, the ride doesn't prove as jarring as the combination would suggest, and gas mileage slips only slightly to 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

The most interesting news, however, is the Edge's use of Ford's new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, which is slated to become available early next year. According to Ford, this power plant will deliver 10 percent better gas mileage than a comparable V-6 with similar horsepower and torque, which means gas mileage of 30 mpg. We'll find out more details when this engine debuts in the 2011 Explorer this fall.

Out back, the cheap looking chrome housing in the tail lamps has been dropped for a more conventional red style, complete with uniquely stylized indentations in the tail lamp housings which have "EDGE" embossed into the plastic. Other changes to the rear of the crossover include minor changes to the general shape of the rear bumper and lower fascia, as well as the addition of an external handle and chrome 'wings' on either side of the Ford oval.

Although the outgoing Edge's interior was generally considered ergonomically sound and modestly appealing to the eye, hard plastic and a lack of design language kept the Edge's interior from being particularly memorable. For the latest model, Ford says it made considerable improvements to overall design, layout and particularly to materials. The new Edge enjoys a more upscale look and feel, along with simplified controls via new interfacing technologies.

Gone is the rock hard door panel plastic, here are soft touch materials with special acoustic dampening properties to help make the Edge one of the quietest interiors in the class. Ford says that the new Edge will benefit from an extensive combination of changes aimed at reducing noise in the cabin, including: a new and more absorptive sound pack throughout the interior, an acoustic headliner, a new robust engine cover, several subframe mount additions and upgrades, a laminated windshield, underbody shields and a re-tuned exhaust system.

There are fixes to the Edge's fundamental hardware too. The old Edge had a vague, sloppy feeling to its steering, a problem Ford has corrected by upgrading to a steering rack with reduced internal friction. Additionally, according to vehicle engineering manager Rich Kreder, testing showed the Edge's steering was uncommonly sensitive to the valving of the rear shocks, so Ford tuned the rear shocks' low-speed damping to improve the steering response.

Edge owners complained bitterly about the outgoing model's mushy, confidence-sapping brake pedal. In response, the company installed stiffer brake calipers, brake pads that grab more aggressively and changed the motion ratio of the pedal assembly to provide a firm, responsive brake pedal. "It was embarrassing that the old brakes were so bad," Kreder says.

The Bottom Line

The Edge finally delivers on the dynamic driving experience promised by its design, with a trio of powertrains that let customers choose an engine that best suits their needs. A sumptuous cockpit and increasingly functional electronic gadgetry‚ details that have contributed to the Taurus increasing its residual value, are bonus features that will boost customer satisfaction. These upgrades effectively distance the Edge from competitors like the dismally cheap Toyota Venza and should fend off the strong challenges of the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sportage.

2011 Ford E-350

America's best-selling full-size van for 31 years running, Ford E-Series marks its 50th anniversary in 2011 by offering premium technology to better serve customers. These technologies are designed to help customers manage their fleets more efficiently and track and secure tools.

Available technologies like Ford Work Solutions, SYNC voice-activated communications and entertainment system and a navigation system with HD Radio technology add up to a formidable package for both productivity and customer satisfaction.

Since 1961 the time-tested E-Series has proven itself as always being there for customers and their family or business needs with smart innovations and the right equipment to get the job done.

E-350 and E-350 Super Duty
Available in regular and extended lengths, the 350 Super Duty van has a maximum gross vehicle weight rating of 9,500 pounds. Single- and dual-rear-wheel trims are available. The E-350 passenger wagon can seat seven, eight, 11 or 12 people; extended-length vans seat 11, 14 or 15 occupants.

The standard E-350 engine is a 5.4-liter V-8, and E-350 models with this engine come standard with an electronic stability system. A 6.8-liter V-10 that generates 305 hp and 420 pounds-feet of torque can be installed with a five-speed automatic transmission in either model.

    255-hp, 5.4-liter V-8 with 350 pounds-feet of torque
    305-hp, 6.8-liter V-10 with 420 pounds-feet of torque (E-350 van/wagon)
    Standard five-speed automatic

Comfort and convenience built into the interior
The 2011 E-Series features a tough, functional interior that reflects its exterior design. Key features include:

•Functional, user-friendly instrument panel and center console
•Storage, cleverly integrated throughout:
•Door trim panels feature integrated second-bin compartments; a contents-retention strap helps secure items in the driver's door
•Instrument panel has a storage tray above the passenger airbag
•Center console includes three large cup holders that can accommodate a wide variety of cup sizes, an integrated clipboard holder and space for a laptop
•Four optional user-defined switches on the dashboard and an efficient wiring harness make it easy for upfitters to integrate aftermarket features such as auxiliary lighting
•Optional audio input jack on the instrument panel connects E-Series to MP3 players and other portable audio devices
•Large glove box provides still more storage and a second power point
•Available message center in E-Series vans and wagons features engine hour meter and standard vehicle maintenance information as well as miles-to-empty and fuel economy numbers
E-Series safety technologies

2011 Ford E-250

Exterior
The Ford E-250 features a large front grille and squared-off headlights. Also, the rear doors can swing out a full 178 degrees. Swing-out 60/40-split doors are installed on the passenger side, but a sliding cargo door is available as a no-cost option. Swing-out doors are the only choice in the rear. Exterior features include:

    Standard 16-inch steel wheels
    Available chrome bumpers and aerodynamic headlights

Interior
Aimed at commercial applications, the cargo-hauling van is fitted with two bucket seats up front. Passenger models have seating for eight occupants on two front buckets and a pair of three-passenger bench seats. Optional captain's chairs, reduce seating positions to seven. Interior features include:

    Standard air conditioning
    Available cruise control
    Available power windows, locks and mirrors
    Available in-dash computer with high-speed internet access; mouse and printer can be connected
    Available navigation system now with real-time traffic data and fuel prices

Celebrating 50 years of answering the call of professional contractors and light cargo commuting, the 2011 Ford E-Series Cargo Van presents itself as the E-150, E-250 Super Duty or E-350 Super Duty coming in XL and XLT trim levels. Regular and extended length models of the 2011 Ford E-Series Cargo Van are available allowing for a maximum 309.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Besides standard convenience equipment including keyless entry and ABS with electronic stability control, 2011 E-Series Cargo Vans offer optional Tool Link under the Ford Work Solutions package.

Two flex fuel compatible V-8 power plants can move the E-150 Cargo Van in 2011 starting with a 225 horsepower, 4.6 liter Triton V-8. An optional 5.4 liter Triton V-8 flexes more muscle with 255 horsepower and 350 pounds feet of torque. The larger Triton V-8 is standard on the 2011 E-350 Cargo Van with a 6.8 liter V-10 engine now available for 305 horsepower and 420 pounds feet of torque. Gone from the 2011 Ford E-Series Cargo Van is the 6-liter powerstroke diesel power plant. Four-speed and a TorqShift five-speed automatic gearbox channels the 2011 E-Series Cargo Van's power.

2011 Ford E-150

If you need to haul people around or if you need a van that can fit just about anything inside, then it’s a good idea to have the 2011 Ford E-150 is at your disposal.  The E-150 is extremely flexible; it can be had in an eight-occupant configuration with two-bucket front seats and two rows of benches in the back for those looking to transport the crew.  Conversely, if you have a ton of equipment you need to move, then the E-150 can be had as a cargo van with only the front bucket seats and an open cargo area in the rear.  The cargo van maxes out at 120.6 inches behind the front seats allowing for approximately 10 feet of floor-space to work with.

Since 1961 the time-tested E-Series has proven itself as always being there for customers and their family or business needs with smart innovations and the right equipment to get the job done.

  Standard on all E-Series vans and wagons, Ford's AdvanceTrac with RSC features unique functionality and a level of performance that competitive stability control systems can't match. Unlike competitor systems, AdvanceTrac with RSC uses a second gyroscopic roll-rate sensor to determine the vehicle's body roll angle and roll rate. If the unique roll-rate sensor detects a significant roll angle, the system applies additional countermeasures - such as applying brakes to one or more wheels or reducing engine power - to enhance vehicle rollover resistance
 
  Flex fuel-capable gasoline V-8 engines: All E-Series vehicles equipped with either the 4.6-liter or 5.4-liter V-8 engine are capable of running on E85 (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline), pure gasoline or any blend in between
    Compressed natural gas/liquefied petroleum gas: CNG and LPG fuel-capable engine available on 5.4-liter V-8 and 6.8-liter V-10
    Safety equipment: Includes an optional dash-mounted front passenger airbag cutoff switch on vans and cutaways and an optional factory-installed integrated trailer brake controller that permits direct operation of a trailer's electronic brakes

Even though the E-150 is a work van, it can still be loaded with features.  The top-of-the-line E-150 XLT Premium features privacy glass, power driver’s seat, running boards, leather captain’s chairs, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, audio input jack (iPod), SYNC, and a 6.5-inch in-dash display with DVD/CD/MP3 and navigation capability.

For those on the go, the Ford Work Solutions package consists of an in-dash computer, which includes available wireless accessories such as a printer and mouse to go with a wireless Internet connection.  Keep track of tools stored in the van with Tool Link and talk to other vehicles in your fleet with Crew Chief, which is a communications and diagnostics system that allows you can keep track of maintenance and employees whereabouts.

Safety is no laughing matter for the 2011 Ford E-150.  Dual front airbags and four-wheel-disc antilock brakes are standard on all trims, while traction control and an electronic stability control are only standard on recreational vans with gas-only engines.  A factory-installed integrated trailer-brake controller and rearview backup camera are optional.

Take control of your fleet and enjoy the flexibility of transporting passengers or cargo in the spacious and capable 2011 Ford E-150 van.

2012 Ford Shelby GT500

Shelby has no qualms about constantly upping the horsepower of its range-topping Ford GT500 Super Snake. When first introduced in 2008, the base Super Snake had a mere 605 ponies under the hood with an option for up to 725. That number increased to 750 for 2010, and now for the 2012 model year, Shelby is set to unveil the latest Super Snake with up to 800 tire-shredding horsepower on tap from its 5.4-liter supercharged V8.

With a price tag approaching $50,000, though, supremacy doesn't come cheap. That's more than double what the plenty capable 305-hp Mustang V6 costs and almost $20,000 more than the already raucous Mustang GT. That's a lot of scratch for a Mustang, especially one stuck with an interior not much different from a well-equipped Mustang GT. Unimpressive interior materials and a tilt-only steering wheel are even more glaring oversights at this price.

But on the whole, these are minor blemishes next to everything that's great about the 2012 Ford Shelby GT500. It's a quicker thrill than the Camaro and the Challenger, and its backseat makes it more practical than a Corvette. No doubt it will be a fond deathbed memory for those lucky enough to own one.

Exterior and Interior

The Shelby GT500 is distinguished from the other Mustangs in the line-up by a more aggressive exterior look with a signature coiled Cobra badge on the front grille and front fenders. It also separates itself with a unique aluminum power dome hood with functional heat extractors and unique Shelby front and rear fascias, rear diffuser, and decklid spoiler. Both coupe and convertible versions come with racing stripes on both the top and the sides with 19" painted forged-aluminum wheels rolling at the bottom.

The interior gets leather sport buckets w/racing stripes coordinated to the exterior stripes and Alcantara Suede accents. A new feature for the 2012 model year will be the new sun visor that features illuminated dual vanity mirrors.

Two new packages are added to the Mustang’s list of options. The new Electronics Package is priced at $2,340 and includes Navigation and Dual Zone Climate Control. The $3,995 SVT Performance Package includes upgraded, premium painted forged aluminum wheels that are 19″x9.5 in the front and 20″x9.5″ in the rear.

The Engine

The 2012 Shelby GT500 will feature the same engine as the 2011 model year: an all-new aluminum-block 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 engine, which produces 550 horsepower and 510 ft.-lb. of torque. This engine weighs 102 pounds less than the old motor. It’s mated to a six-speed manual transmission and delivers a fuel economy of 15 miles-per-gallon city and 23 highway.

The Competition

The Shelby GT500 takes on models like the BMW M3 , the chevrolet corvette, and the Dodge Viper SRT10. Now since the current Dodge Viper is out of production, the Mustang has one less vehicle to worry about in 2012.

The BMW M3 is powered by a V8 engine that develops a supreme 420 hp. Maximum torque of 400 NM or 295 lb-ft, in turn, comes at an engine speed of 3,900 rpm. The coupe version is priced at $58,400 and the convertible at $67,050. So we guess, in this case, the GT500 wins the battle being that it is more powerful and cheaper that the BMW.

As for the Corvette, the coupe is priced at $48,950 and the convertible at $53,600. Under the hood there is a 430-hp LS3 aluminum block V8 good for 190 mph on the test track. These two vehicles carry such a loyal fan base, that the decision of whether to buy a Corvette or a Mustang is really left up to customer bias. The Mustang is faster than the Corvette, but it is also a tad bit more expensive.