2014 Ford F-150 Rumored to Make Extensive Use of Aluminum Body Panels

For decades, America's best-selling pickup trucks turned a collective blind eye to what were foreseeable technological advances in most areas of their construction as Detroit's Big Three preferred simple solutions that significantly hiked up their profit margins.

However, these past few years, automakers like GM, Ford and Chrysler are slowly trying to modernize their trucks mostly in the name of fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions, especially now that the U.S. Corporate Average Fuel-Economy standards are getting stricter.

We've already seen some advances on the engine front including the availability of Ford's EcoBoost V6 on the F-150 and GM’s hybrid lineup, but there's more to come in different areas than you'd normally expect.

Citing two independent sources, Ward's Auto reported that Ford’s next-generation F-Series full-size pickup truck, code-named P552, will feature extensive use of aluminum body panels including doors and fenders. This will be a first for the F-Series as in the current model, only the hood is crafted from the lightweight material.

While Ford declined to comment on the matter, Doug Scott, the Detroit company's truck marketing manager told the news site that the Blue Oval is always looking for ways to improve its vehicles.

“We know our customers, and it’s all about the truck being a tool and they want it to be more productive and more efficient,” said Scott. “So we have to keep moving the needle if we want to be king of hill. We’re always looking at all the ways of doing that going forward and we have a great strategy.”

Ford's produce chief Derrick Kuzak has previously said that the company plans to shed up to 700 lbs. (318 kg) per model before 2019.

The extensive use of aluminum panels would help Ford shave several pounds off the next F-150 and in turn allow for lighter components in other areas.

"When vehicles weigh less you may need a smaller engine, or the brakes you need are going to be different, and that goes throughout the entire vehicle,” Kevin Lowery, spokesman for aluminum supplier Alcoa, told Wards Auto.

The next generation of the F-150 is scheduled for launch in 2014.

2012 FORD F-150

Read More

Ford Begins Production of 2012 Focus Electric

Having already released its first all-electric car, the Transportation Be connected Electrical in December 2010, Ford declared these days that it is commencing generation of its first plug-in traveler car, the Concentrate Electrical.

The all-electric, zero-emissions edition of the Concentrate will be built at Ford’s Mich Set up Place from this 30 days – and the Pink Square is making some really daring promises about its EV.

It promises that it is the first five-passenger electric car in the world with a usage equal of 100 mpg (MPGe) – that is 2.3 lt/100 km.

According to Ford, the Concentrate Electrical needs just three hours to completely ask for its power supply using a 240V receiving place, or almost the rest of the Nissan Leaf and provides increase the single-charge variety of its Japanese rival, with up to 30 distance (50 km) of generating variety per receiving time.

“The Concentrate Electrical is a beautiful example of the best gas mileage Ford provides for each new vehicle”, said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s v. p., International Product Progression. “Whether people want a multiple, plug-in multiple or full battery-electric car, we have a family of automobiles for them to consider, supplying a variety of options to best match their needs and assistance their generating routines and way of life.”

A small number of Concentrate Electrics will first be available in Florida and the New York/New Jacket places, while availableness will develop in 2012 to the other 15 release places as generation raises.

The 19 release places include: Atlanta; Austin, tx and Dallas, Texas; Boston; Chicago; Denver; Detroit; Los Angeles; San Francisco; San Diego; New York; Holiday, Fla.; Arizona and Tucson, Arizona.; Tigard, Ore.; Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; Richmond, Va.; Seattle; and Oregon, D.C.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

Ford Debuts 2012 C-MAX Energi Plug-in Hybrid and C-MAX Hybrid at Detroit Show

Ford is certainly going “green” at this year's Detroit Auto Show with the world initial of its first ever development plug-in cross energy automobile, the C-MAX Energi, and the more traditional C-MAX Hybrid. Both designs are based on the Western market five-seater C-MAX and not the longer, seven-seater Fantastic C-MAX with the raise dropping opportunities to be provided in the Claims.

“[The] C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid will be perfect for family members looking to increase their cross car experience”, said Nancy Gioia, Honda home of International Electrification. “Thanks to the flexible inner, these motors are going to attract environment friendly individuals who need room to grow”.

The C-MAX Energi is directed at an AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology Part Zero Pollutants Vehicle) position, by partnering a high-voltage lithium-ion energy and website unit with an Atkinson-cycle energy website. Honda says that this create allows the eco-friendly people service provider to run in energy method before using the car program.

The Energi is said to provide more than 500 distance (800 km) of overall driving a car a vehicle variety, which is nothing short of outstanding, and better charge-sustaining gas usage than the Chevy Present.Other rewards include potential benefits on energy and energy costs and enhanced energy flexibility, just to name a few.

“A plug-in cross owner may make less visits to the pump motor to refuel because of its all-electric method capability”, said Derrick Kuzak, Honda v. p. of International Product Development. “Conveniently, they will be able to charge their plug-in cross at home immediately. And they will never have to think about the vehicle’s energy variety, because the plug-in cross effortlessly changes to energy power when needed”.

The C-MAX Hybrid’s primary aim for is to achieve better usage compared to the Union Hybrid’s 41 mpg. For this it will depend on Ford’s powersplit structure, enabling it to work in fuel-saving energy method beyond 47 mph (76 km/h).

The website unit provides energy in low-speed and low-load conditions and works together with the energy website at higher rates of speed. The latter also can work on their own, getting the energy or behind the motivated tires as needed.

Both motors use lithium-ion (Li-ion) energy created in-house by Honda, providing a number of rewards over nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) remedies. They are small, light and can be updated to provide either more energy for better speed or enhanced energy to improve driving a car a vehicle variety.

According to Honda, the Energi’s energy supply “easily” restores immediately on a 120-volt store.

The Energi and Hybrid will come with superior information systems, which will help people to better handle the getting process and path planning, check energy fee and increase energy proficiency. Together with Ms, Honda also created a value-charging feature that will help South U. s. Energi customers to increase their home's energy use and automobile getting routines.

The new designs will hit U.S. showrooms in 2012, while Western sales are set to start in 2013.

By Csaba Daradics

_________________________FORD C-MAX ENERGI________________________



_______________________________________________________________________

_________________________FORD C-MAX HYBRID________________________

Read More