Ford’s commitment to fuel-efficiency leadership has paid off once again. In determining which full-size pickup would merit a place on their list of Top 10 Winter Cars for 2012, the folks at Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com website reported that: “The 2012 Ford F-150 in 4WD configuration won our votes for its smart blend of style, comfort and, yes, even fuel economy, thanks to the available 365-horsepower EcoBoost V6—which has become the most popular engine in the entire F-150 lineup.”

That makes sense, since the EcoBoost powerplant delivers both a best-in-class 420 lb.-ft. of torque and unsurpassed EPA numbers, even when mated to Ford’s cutting-edge four-wheel-drive system. And by combining the truck’s highway rating of 21 mpg with its new-for-2012 36-gallon fuel tank, Ford also delivers the segment’s longest cruising range—756 miles. That’s enough to go from Atlanta to Detroit without refilling even once.

The F-150 EcoBoost 4X4—like all four-wheel-drive F-150s—also gains other enhancements for 2012, including:

• Standard Hill Start Assist, which helps prevent the truck from rolling backward when stopped on an incline
• “Neutral tow” capability, allowing the F-150 to be flat-towed
• An available electronic locking rear axle
• A new two-speed automatic 4X4 system for Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum trim levels; the system provides traditional “high” and “low” modes, and adds an auto mode that can automatically route torque to the truck’s front wheels if wheel slippage is detected

“These changes are centered around making F-150 an even more useful tool for our customers,” said Jackie DiMarco, F-150 chief engineer. “We’re continuously raising the bar when it comes to capability, and these upgrades and new technologies push us even further.”

It’s already a Happy New Year for Ford, as two of the automaker’s vehicles were recently named among the Boston Globe’s Top Drives of 2012—making Ford the only brand with multiple entries on the prestigious annual list.

Taking home blue ribbons for the Blue Oval were the Ford Focus and Ford F-150 EcoBoost.

The Focus wowed Globe writers, proving that “small cars can be great cars” and earning praise like:

• “From the deft handling to the well-insulated cabin, the Focus sets the bar for the compact class. “
• “Its dynamics, all the way to the grip of the manual shift lever, are near-BMW in response.”
• “The elegant bodies are delicately formed, especially in hatchback form, and the soft-touch dash and attractive plastics set new quality standards for cars under $20,000.”
• “The Focus just feels right. It looks and drives like a much more expensive car.”

And remember, the dynamic-driving Focus also is capable of up to 40 mpg highway in its thrifty SFE configuration, while also delivering 160 hp—that’s over 20 hp more than the Chevy Cruze and the most power of any 40-mpg compact in the country. That same combination of efficiency and performance is on display in Ford’s other Best Drive, too. The F-150 EcoBoost combines 365 hp and a best-in-class 420 lb.-ft. of torque to post best-in-class max trailer tow ratings (11,300 lbs.) and best-in-class payload capability (3,060 lbs.), while still returning up to 22 mpg on the highway.

That’s why, even though Boston Globe experts were impressed with the entire F-150 roster, they considered the EcoBoosted model to be “the gem in the lineup” and also lauded its interior finish, quietness and refined ride.

For the fourth time in its long and storied career, the Ford F-150 has been named Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year. It’s a fitting honor for a pickup that’s well on its way to its 35th straight year as the best-selling truck in the country, with more than 500,000 units sold through the end of November.

“The 2012 F-150 is a no-compromise solution that can be tailored to fit virtually every customer’s needs, and the Motor Trend Truck of the Year award further reinforces that this is truly the best choice for America’s truck owners,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. “We are proud to receive this award and even more pleased that our F-150 customers have additional validation of their top choice.”

A perfect example of its ability to meet owner preferences? The 2012 F-150 is available with four different powertrains, offering a mix of best-in-class fuel-economy and best-in-class capabilities.

Among standard V6s, the F-150’s 3.7-liter engine with twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) delivers 302 hp, 278 lb.-ft. of torque, 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway and a 6,100-lb. max tow rating—marks none of the competition can beat.

Its 5.0-liter V8 with Ti-VCT and double-overhead cams (DOHC) boasts best-in-class power—360 hp and 380 lb.-ft. of torque—as well as a best-in-class max tow rating of 10,000 lbs., an unsurpassed 15 mpg city, and 21 mpg highway.

The big 6.2-liter single-overhead cam (SOHC) V8 pours out 411 hp , 434 lb.-ft. of torque and 11,300 lbs. worth of max tow rating, again, all best-in-class figures.

Topping all expectations, the available 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with Ti-VCT—now responsible for some 40 percent of all F-150 retail sales—showcases 420 lb.-ft. of torque, more than all V6 and premium V8 competitors; 365 hp, available at 5,000 rpm using regular fuel; and best-in-class max tow and payload ratings of 11,300 lbs. and 3,120 lbs., respectively. And best of all, the F-150 EcoBoost delivers all that while still achieving 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway.

And for 2012, Ford has fine-tuned the F-150 even further, adding a new two-speed automatic 4X4 system that improves all-weather traction in the Lariat, King Ranch, Harley-Davidson and Platinum models; a 36-gallon fuel-tank that offers a best-in-class 756-mile highway driving range on the F-150 EcoBoost 4X4; and Hill Start Assist, to help keep the F-150 from rolling backward when stopped, especially on a hill or incline.

All of which helps explain why Motor Trend editors wrote that: “F-150s are built to work and felt better the more they were challenged. Ford offers an enormous variety of configurations and designs, making the truck tailorable to just about any need. It’s the combination of advancement in design, engineering excellence, efficiency, safety, value, and the performance of intended function that has earned the Ford F-150 the title of Motor Trend’s 2012 Truck of the Year.”

The Ford F-150 was previously named Motor Trend Truck of the Year in 1997, 2004 and 2009, and has won the honor more times than any other truck in America.

When 57 members of the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) recently put 48 of the top trucks in the industry through a rigorous two-day competition to see which were the best in the west, one particular company stood out from the herd: Ford. According to Used Cars Asheboro NC, The Ford F-150 and Edge, as well as the automaker’s innovative EcoBoost powertrain technology, combined to earn top honors in eight separate categories at the event, including the signature “Truck of Texas” honor.

“Texan consumers put their trust in TAWA’s automotive journalists. After lining up vehicles from major auto manufacturers, our members determined Ford simply had the best trucks and crossover,” said Mike Herzing, president of TAWA. “But the real winners here are Texas’ truck buyers. Ford delivers the trucks that fit their lifestyles.”

In addition to the F-150 earning the Texas Truck Rodeo’s top prize, the company also was honored for:

• Truck Line of Texas: Ford Motor Company
• CUV of Texas: 2012 Ford Edge
• Heavy-Duty Pickup Truck: 2012 Ford F-250 King Ranch Super Duty
• Luxury Pickup Truck: 2012 Ford F-150 Platinum EcoBoost
• Full-Size Pickup Truck: 2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
• Mid-Size CUV: 2012 Ford Edge Limited
• Outstanding Feature: Ford EcoBoost Engine Technology

PA RV Dealers said the latter performance is particularly fitting, since EcoBoost engines are available in both the F-150 and the Edge, helping each ring up best-in-class fuel-economy numbers—and score new customers. In fact, a Houston Ford Dealer tells us that drivers are buying so many EcoBoosted Ford products that the company is running near full production just to keep up with demand, and now expects to sell some 100,000 F-150 EcoBoost models alone this year.

“These honors show Ford trucks still reign supreme in Texas, and it is rewarding to see that the truck-savvy Texas auto writers appreciate just how innovative our F-Series pickups are,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. “These awards validate what our customers have been telling us about our ‘Built Ford Tough’ F-150, and we are honored by their recognition of the strength of our truck lineup as well as our crossovers and EcoBoost engines.”

Kansas City Ford says the best-in-class 400 hp and 800 lb.-ft. of torque on tap in Ford’s 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbodiesel is regularly recognized for its impressive hauling capabilities, but usually that’s as regards trailers—not top speeds. Yet Brent Hajek and Hajek Motorsports recently proved the engine is more than up to the challenge of the latter, especially when it’s firmly ensconced in a 2011 Ford F-250. That’s because Hajek just piloted said combination to two new land speed records in the B Production Diesel Truck class during “Speed Week” at the famed Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. The top-speed bottom line: Running on traditional diesel fuel, Hajek and the F-250 hit 171.123 mph for one record, then used B20 biodiesel to up the ante to 182 mph for another new benchmark.

And significantly, although Hajek’s truck was running in a class that’s usually home to race vehicles with extensive aftermarket modifications, according to Dayton Ford Dealers, the F-250 was essentially stock. Changes were limited to things like the addition of safety equipment, modifications for increased fuel flow, and use of a higher compression ratio.

“The F-250 is an excellent truck with amazing capabilities,” said Hajek. “I’m amazed at how, with very few changes from stock, we were able to accomplish this.”

Certainly helping matters is the strong foundation of the production engine, which features:

• The first use of inboard exhaust architecture on a modern automotive diesel
• A compacted graphite iron engine block
• Aluminum cylinder heads
• A single-sequential turbocharger with a double-sided compressor wheel mounted on a single shaft uniquely center-mounted on the engine block
• The new Bosch 29,000-psi common-rail high-pressure fuel-injection system
• Standard biodiesel compatibility up to B20

With all this and best-in-class fuel-efficiency, consider it yet another Power Stroke of genius from Ford at Dealer Greensboro Ford.

One of the industry’s most exciting partnerships is breaking barriers once again, with Ford recently debuting the 2012 Harley-Davidson F-150—A full-size pickup that offers a full-size dose of performance, style and power.

As is always the case when these two brands get together, the new H-D F-150 offers a bold and aggressive look, in this case highlighted by exterior details like a six-bar billet-style bright chrome grille with “Harley-Davidson” badging, 22-inch machined-aluminum wheels, deployable running boards, and a choice of two premium paint schemes: The traditional Tuxedo Black and, for the first time, White Platinum Tri-Coat. Especially eye-catching will be unique bodyside graphics that feature a snakeskin-like texture that echoes the real snakeskin inserts available on premium Harley motorcycles—and the snakeskin trim that adds a striking appearance to the truck’s interior.

The upscale cockpit of the Harley-Davidson F-150 also boasts standard technology that includes a 4.2-inch LCD productivity screen and a voice-activated navigation/climate/satellite audio system with an 8-inch touchscreen, as well as features such as ambient lighting, heated front- and second-row seats, handmade cloisonné badges, a rearview camera, power moonroof and more.

Of course, the truck wouldn’t be wearing the “Harley-Davidson” name on its sheet metal if it wasn’t wearing a potent powerplant beneath that sheet metal. In this case, the heart of the matter is Ford’s 6.2-liter V8—the same one found in the SVT Raptor. This high-performance engine makes a best-in-class 411 hp and 434 lb.-ft. of torque, courtesy of powertrain advances that include a single-overhead-cam valvetrain with roller-rocker shafts, dual-equal variable cam timing, two spark plugs per cylinder and dual knock sensors.

“This is a great pairing of two icons of the open road: Ford and Harley-Davidson. Both brands appeal to truck owners and motorcycle enthusiasts alike,” said Marc Lapine, Ford F-150 marketing manager. “For 2012 we worked with Harley-Davidson to continue to push the styling envelope while still delivering the durability and power that F-150 is known for and that our collective customers expect. It perfectly captures both brands.”

Hajek Motorsports has broken two land speed records with a diesel and biodiesel-powered 2011 Ford F-250 Super Duty. With its 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbo-diesel, the truck hit a top speed of 171.123 mph, setting a new B Production Diesel Truck land speed record. The truck also broke the biodiesel land speed record with a speed of 130.614 mph.

These new speed records were accomplished at the famed Bonneville Salt Flats, using a mostly stock truck. Every 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo-diesel can operate on a mixture of diesel up to 20 percent biofuel. Hajek Motorsports’ truck featured only modest modifications including a new high-pressure fuel pump, fuel injectors and turbochargers for more fuel flow. The compression ratio was also modified.

“Racing is part of Ford Motor Company’s DNA so it’s only natural for us to build a race vehicle that demonstrates Ford’s leadership in the diesel and biodiesel truck market,” said Brent Hajek, Hajek Motorsports owner. “The F-250 is an excellent truck with amazing capabilities. I’m amazed at how, with very few changes from stock, we were able to accomplish this.”

When he’s not racing, Hajek is a soybean and corn farmer from Oklahoma, so he knows plenty about Ford F-250s and biodiesel fuel. He worked directly with Ford engineers to design and install the modifications to the production-level truck, getting is ready for record-breaking speeds.

“The engineering that went into the base engine provided us with a rock-solid foundation to start from,” said Paul Niessen, powertrain engineer. “And it worked out great since we increased the output of the engine by more than 50 percent over production with just a few changes.”

The 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbocharged diesel produces best-in-class 400 horsepower and 800 pound-feet of torque with best-in-class fuel economy, further strengthening Super Duty’s best-in-class towing and payload capabilities. The engine is also the cleanest Power Stroke ever produced by Ford. New York RV Dealers said that Ford execs believe that racing is one way to get consumers excited about the promise of biodiesel.

“Super Duty has always been the leader in the heavy-duty truck segment,” said Brian Rathsburg, Ford Super Duty marketing manager. “Breaking these records reinforces our leadership position, allows us to raise awareness around the truck’s biodiesel capabilities, and gives us an opportunity to reach out to enthusiasts in a fun and engaging way.”

The Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 continues to offer a distinctive, custom look for 2012, but it’s also an extremely feature-rich pickup. Standard content includes the voice-activated Navigation System, a 4.2-inch productivity screen, power moonroof and Remote Start System, helping to make it stand out from other utilitarian trucks.

The successful collaboration between Ford and Harley-Davidson has produced a total of 10 F-150 models. Overall, Ford has sold 70,000 Ford Harley-Davidson F-Series trucks since 1999.

Powering the Harley-Davidson F-150 is a potent 6.2-liter V8 gasoline engine producing 411 horsepower and 434 lb.-ft. of torque. With a maximum trailer towing capability of 7,500 pounds, this truck has plenty of power for hauling motorcycles or any other type of cargo.

While this truck certainly delivers power, it’s really more about offering unique style. That’s why Ford equipped the Harley-Davidson F-150 with a bold front fascia and six-bar billet-style bright chrome grille, graphics on the bodyside, 22-inch machined-aluminum wheels with painted accents, and an exclusive paint selection reminiscent  of classic Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

“This is the first time we’ve captured the full spectrum of light to dark on the exterior,” said Mike Massara, F-150 program manager. “The graphic flows and accents the design curve of the truck, yet brings the texture of the snakeskin into the vehicle, which is something that’s very difficult to do.”

Inside, this truck also offers plenty of technology options to meet customer needs. It comes standard with a voice-activated Navigation System that integrates several functions, including voice-recognition destination entry, climate control and SiriusXM Satellite Radio into one easy-to-use system, displaying them on an 8-inch touch screen. Other standard features include:

• Power moonroof
• Rear view camera
• Second-row heated seats
• Ambient lighting
• Remote Start System
• 110-volt power inverter
• Power-adjustable performance pedals

“This is a great pairing of two icons of the open road: Ford and Harley-Davidson. Both brands appeal to truck owners and motorcycle enthusiasts alike,” said Marc Lapine, Ford F-150 marketing manager. “For 2012 we worked with Harley-Davidson to continue to push the styling envelope while still delivering the durability and power that F-150 is known for and that our collective customers expect. It perfectly captures both brands.”

Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally pledged he would personally deliver a new truck to his friend, Rob Johnston, if he decided to purchase a new F-150. Staying true to his word, Mulally did deliver Johnston’s 2011 Ford F-150 to him at Satcher Ford in Aiken, South Carolina.

“The CEO of Ford brought my little truck down to me,” Johnston said with a laugh last week.

Johnson had previously owned an F-150 pickup and was eager to own one again. He had asked Mually to come to Satcher Ford Lincoln Mercury, where he was going to purchase the truck, and Mually did.

“If you buy this truck, I’ll come deliver it,” Mulally had said to Johnston. Turns out, Mulally’s true to his word.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently put this year’s roster of full-size crew-cab pickups through its 2011 “Top Safety Pick” testing, and just one Detroit truck earned that much-coveted recognition: The Ford F-150 SuperCrew.

It’s a significant accomplishment, as the IIHS recently implemented new, more rigorous testing procedures for the 2011 model year, including one that evaluates roof strength as a measure of rollover crash protection. To be named a “Top Safety Pick,” the F-150 SuperCrew scored the best possible rating in this test, as well as tests of front-, rear- and side-impact crash protection, and offers electronic stability control, too. The latter is standard on the popular F-150—it’s still the best-selling vehicle of any kind in America—as are a wide range of other safety features. Among them:

• A full complement of airbags, including dual-stage driver and front-passenger airbags, Ford’s Safety Canopy side-curtain airbags, and front seat-mounted side airbags
• An integrated shoulder safety belt for the front middle seat and a head restraint for the second-row middle seat
• An advanced safety structure that leverages high-strength steel
• The AdanceTrac with RSC (roll stability control) system
• Four-wheel anti-lock brakes
• The automaker’s SOS Post Crash Alert System, which automatically unlocks the truck’s doors, turns on its emergency flashers and activates its horn in the event of an airbag deployment
• The MyKey suite of safe-driving technologies, designed to help parents encourage safer driving in teens
• Trailer sway control, for safer towing

Notably, the F-150 SuperCrew is now the 11th 2011 Ford Motor Company vehicle to be named an IIHS “Top Safety Pick.” The others are the Ford Edge (built after February 2011), all-new Ford Explorer, Ford Taurus, Ford Fusion, Ford Fiesta (built after July 2010), Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKX (built after February 2011) and Lincoln MKZ. In Cincinnati, Ford F150 continues to be a top-seller.

“Safety ratings are important markers customers can use to evaluate vehicles, so we are proud Ford has the most top U.S. safety ratings of any automaker ever,” said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “The F-150’s innovative safety technologies and this new Top Safety Pick award further demonstrate Ford’s commitment to safety.”