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Ken Block reveals possible Fiesta special edition collaboration with Ford in the works Wednesday, 28 July 2010, 6:31 pm

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Hatchback, Ford

Ken Block isn’t a World Rally Championship legend by any stretch, but thanks to his immensely entertaining Gymkhana videos, the glorified shoemaker can definitely lay claim to the title of YouTube Legend. And with Ford working the Internets hard during the launches of its new products like the Fiesta and Explorer, it made total sense that Ford would want to partner with the new media star.

The duo of Fiesta and Ken Block is less than a year old, but already there are some rumblings that Block edition Fiesta could be in the works. How about a DC Shoes edition Fiesta? In a recent radio interview with KROQ, Block was asked if there was a KB Fiesta on the way, and he responded with “we’re discussing those types of things but there’s nothing set in stone at this point.” Block went on to add that for now, he wants to concentrate on racing and developing new competition cars.

So, no definitive news on the Ken Block edition Fiesta front, but the two parties are at least thinking about a special model. We can’t see how this is a bad idea, considering that 30 million potential car buyers waiting patiently for Gymkhana 3 – we couldn’t think of a better way to announce a special edition Fiesta than by starring in another Block-buster internet flick (sorry, we couldn’t resist). Head over to the KROQ website to listen to the interview. Hat tip to Joe B!

[Source: KROQ]

Ken Block reveals possible Fiesta special edition collaboration with Ford in the works originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog | Chris Shunk

Autoblog Podcast #188 – with Mike Spinelli of 0-60 magazine Tuesday, 27 July 2010, 9:30 pm

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Audi, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Hyundai, Porsche, Toyota, Design/Style

Chris Shunk, Alex Nunez and Dan Roth are joined this week by Mike Spinelli, editor-in-chief of 0-60 magazine. Topics for Episode #188 of the Autoblog Podcast are the 2011 Ford Explorer, Audi’s A7 Sportback, the announcement of the Hyundai Equus coming to the U.S. market, hybrid/electric Porsches and zombie-like rumors of a new Ford Ranger for North American showrooms. We also pepper poor Mike with our impressions of his fine publication. It’s an hour-and-ten of stellar repartee this week, thanks for listening, see you next time!

Autoblog Podcast #188 – with Mike Spinelli from 0-60 magazine

In the Autoblog Garage:

Dodge Challenger R/T
Toyota Avalon
Toyota Sienna Limited AWD

News:

• Mulally unwittingly confirms next-gen Ford Ranger for U.S.
  
• 2011 Ford Explorer unveiled
  
• Audi A7 Sportback images leaked ahead of Monday reveal
  
• Hyundai reveals 2011 Equus details
  
• Porsche testing three electric Boxsters in 2011

Hosts:
Dan Roth, Alex Nunez, Chris Shunk

Runtime: 86:17

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Autoblog Podcast #188 – with Mike Spinelli of 0-60 magazine originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog | Dan Roth

Videos: 2011 Ford Explorer shows off its tech Tuesday, 27 July 2010, 8:01 pm

Filed under: SUV, Technology, Videos, Crossover, Ford

Unless you’ve been in seclusion for the past 24 hours, you know Ford officially unveiled the 2011 Explorer yesterday. (Be sure to read Part One and Part Two of our deep dive for the full details.) The new Explorer is a pretty drastic departure from the generations preceding it – Ford has opted to use a unibody construction and a car-based platform rather than a traditional body-on-frame SUV, and naturally aspirated V8 power has been ditched in favor of more fuel-efficient four- and six-cylinder powerplants.

So while the Explorer seems to fit better in the crossover classification, Ford is confident that traditional SUV shoppers will still be pleased with what the new Expy has to offer. There are a host of new technology features on the 2011 model, including things like blind spot monitoring, trailer sway control and a terrain management system (similar to what you might find on a Land Rover). These features will be attractive selling points to SUV-oriented customers, and they get detailed in the videos after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Videos: 2011 Ford Explorer shows off its tech

Videos: 2011 Ford Explorer shows off its tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog | Steven J. Ewing

2011 Ford Explorer unveiled live from coast to coast Tuesday, 27 July 2010, 12:58 am

Filed under: SUV, Ford

It’s been quite a day for the new 2011 Ford Explorer. After teasing, more teasing, and even more teasing, Ford finally unveiled what it thinks will “reinvent the SUV for the 21st century.” At 12:01 EST this morning, we presented an in-depth look at the new Explorer, providing details on the new exterior and interior as well as some of the safety features, and at noon we went over the new powertrain options, including the 2.0-liter EcoBoost inline-4 that will deliver 30 percent better fuel efficiency than the previous V6 model. Ford has even put up a configurator for the 2011 Explorer, allowing you to build your own.

The 2011 Explorer was also introduced live in various parts of the country, from the middle of New York City to Detroit to Los Angeles. We were in attendance on both ends of the coasts to cover the unveilings, each of which had an entirely different feel. The Discovery Channel’s Mike Rowe was on hand with CEO Alan Mulally to make the introductions in the Big Apple, while Ford’s President of the Americas Mark Fields did the honors amidst huge sand sculptures alongside the famous boardwalk in Venice Beach. You can see photos from both unveilings in the galleries below.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / Alex Nunez / AOL

2011 Ford Explorer unveiled live from coast to coast originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog | Drew Phillips

2011 Ford Explorer configurator already up and running, pricing starts at $28,190* Monday, 26 July 2010, 8:00 pm

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Ford

It’s been less than 24 hours since Ford took the wraps off of the 2011 Explorer, but in an effort to keep the buzz going about the all-new crossover due to hit dealerships later this year, Ford’s online configurator is already up and running.

At the moment, only models equipped with the 3.5-liter V6 can be optioned, ranging from the base $28,190 front-wheel drive Explorer (*Don’t forget to add $805 for delivery fees) all the way up to the top-trim Limited 4WD ($39,190 plus destination). A fully decked-out all-wheel drive configuration will set you back $48,075* – and that’s before the optional accessory list is looked over.

If you have some time to waste, head over to Ford’s configuration page and spec out the Explorer of your dreams. Additionally, be sure to scroll through our gallery of color choices, showing the nine available paint jobs.

[Source: Ford]

2011 Ford Explorer configurator already up and running, pricing starts at $28,190* originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog | Steven J. Ewing

2011 Ford Explorer puts four-cylinder EcoBoost engine above V6 in pecking order Monday, 26 July 2010, 4:57 pm

Filed under: SUV, Technology, Crossover, Ford, Off-Road

For part two of our in-depth look at the 2011 Ford Explorer, we’ll take a look at its new powertrains and improvements in fuel efficiency, as well as how well it can still tow a trailer. But first let’s see what kind of techno-goodies Ford has applied to this new SUV.

Technology

This being 2010, technology has to play a big part in any major new vehicle introduction. On the inside, the Explorer joins the new Edge, Focus and Lincoln MKX in adopting the MyFord Touch interface. We first saw this new touch sensitive interface when the MKX and Focus were unveiled at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show in January. Much like modern smartphones, the center stack has a smooth surface with capacitive touch buttons to manage the audio and climate controls. Continue reading after the jump or check out part one of our introduction to the 2011 Ford Explorer first.

Continue reading 2011 Ford Explorer puts four-cylinder EcoBoost engine above V6 in pecking order

2011 Ford Explorer puts four-cylinder EcoBoost engine above V6 in pecking order originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog | Sam Abuelsamid

Video: Mulally unwittingly confirms next-gen Ford Ranger for U.S. market? [*UPDATED] Monday, 26 July 2010, 2:57 pm

Filed under: Truck, Videos, Work, Ford

Our trusty spy photographers have captured the next-generation Ford Ranger out testing several times now, but speculation continues to swirl over whether or not this trucklet will be available for U.S. consumption. After all, there’s been talk of a more entry-level F-150 that would sort of fill the void of not having a dedicated Ranger replacement, but Ford has never ruled out the possibility of an all-new small pickup.

While talking about the new 2011 Explorer on CNBC’s Squawk Box this morning, Ford’s president and CEO, Alan Mulally, appears to have unintentionally confirmed a new Ranger for North America. While discussing the whole lineup of Stateside Ford products, Mulally specifically says “new Ranger,” which leads us to believe that all of these test mules we’ve seen might not just be for our overseas friends (something that we’ve been wondering about anyhow, as we’ve seen more Stateside evaluations of this ‘overseas’ truck than any other foreign market vehicle in recent memory). No, Mulally doesn’t come right out and say that an all-new Ranger is headed our way, but we’ve continued to hear scuttlebutt about just such a truck from our sources, and given that his remarks were otherwise confined to North American products, we’re beginning to think that a new Ranger is all but confirmed.

To see what we’re on about, follow the jump to watch the CNBC interview, and pay close attention beginning around the five-minute mark for Mulally’s Ranger remark. A big ol’ tip of the cap to Dan!

*UPDATE: Ford continues to tell Autoblog that the new global Ranger is not planned for North America. As we’ve previously reported, the new F-150 will receive an EcoBoost powertrain that should deliver similar economy figures to the Ranger while providing improved size and capability, thereby negating the need for bringing a smaller pickup in this market.

[Source: CNBC]

Continue reading Video: Mulally unwittingly confirms next-gen Ford Ranger for U.S. market? [*UPDATED]

Video: Mulally unwittingly confirms next-gen Ford Ranger for U.S. market? [*UPDATED] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog | Steven J. Ewing