Leveraging a longstanding partnership between two of the biggest names on the open road, Ford has again teamed up with one of the world’s iconic motorcycle brands to deliver the most powerful, most capable Harley-Davidson F-150 ever.

Introduced at this year’s Sturgis Rally—that all-American celebration of life on two wheels—the 2011 version features an authentically Harley-esque design scheme both inside and out. Drivers can choose between two different exterior colors, either Tuxedo Black or Ingot Silver, while the truck’s sheet metal also wears striking graphics done with an engine-turned finish, as well as dimensional “Harley-Davidson” lettering.

It’s a bold appearance that’s made even bolder by the truck’s integrated deployable running boards, along with its massive 22-inch Euroflange wheels. Up front, there’s also a model-specific fascia sporting a big billet-style satin-chrome grille with satin-chrome Harley-Davidson badging, while a complementary upscale interior, with Tuxedo Black trim panels and satin-finish chrome accents, helps put the finishing touches on this F-150’s custom-look appearance.

There are plenty of comfort and convenience features, too, ranging from a power moonroof to a rear-view camera to heated seats and the Ford-only SYNC system, which offers an unparalleled approach to hands-free in-car connectivity. With SYNC, both cell-phone calls and audio-system functionality can be handled with voice commands, and the system can also audibly replay incoming text messages from Bluetooth-enabled cell phones. Perhaps most importantly, phones can be simply and easily paired to the SYNC system to automatically help drivers reach local 911 operators if an airbag deploys.

But Harley-Davidson wasn’t about to lend its name to just any pickup poser. With this in mind, Ford stuffed its mighty 6.2-liter V8—the same one available on the F-150 SVT Raptor—under the Harley edition’s hood. The fire-breathing mill rocks out to the tune of 411 horses and 434 lb-ft of torque, enough power to help the truck earn a maximum tow rating of 9,300 lbs.

“This engine has tons of torque and already has been proven in the field with both the F-150 SVT Raptor and Super Duty,” said Mike Harrison, Ford V8 engine program manager. Even “the exhaust for the Ford Harley-Davidson edition has been specially tuned to feature a throaty V8 rumble customers will love.”

And with a truck this good—and good-looking—you can be sure that won’t be all that drivers will love about the 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150.

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Thanks to a tremendous effort from the entire Ford team, the completely redesigned Explorer SUV is going to set new standards for fuel efficiency in its segment, boasting fuel-economy improvements of more than 30 percent. But that’s just one way—albeit an important one—that the Blue Oval is taking an environmentally friendly approach to this important new vehicle.

For example, instead of wasting the leftover steel from the door stampings of the F-150 pickup, Ford is using it to make the Explorer’s noise-dampening fender baffles, which go between the vehicle’s outer shell and its inner structure. That saves some 238,000 lbs. of virgin steel each year, which, in turn, reduces the CO2 emissions that come from smelting new steel by about 119 tons annually.

The Explorer also relies on 25 percent recycled fiber for its interior fabrics, including those used in the SUV’s seat upholstery, bolsters and carpeting—contributing to an estimated 20 percent cut in energy consumption, a 17 percent drop in waste and a 14 percent reduction in CO2 emissions as compared to manufacturing new fiber. And speaking of seats, the Explorer will become the newest Ford product to feature 40 percent soy polyurethane foam in its seat cushions and seat backs.

Since the automaker began using soy foam in the 2008 Mustang, Ford has seen its oil consumption drop by 10,500 barrels a year and cut the CO2 emissions from making seat foam by 11 million pounds.

Finally, it’s worth pointing out that not only has Ford put a lot of green into the new Explorer, but it also designed the groundbreaking SUV to let people get a lot of green out of it, too. The bottom line according to Ford: When you add up all the eco-friendly pieces that go into the 2011 Explorer, the result is a vehicle that is fully 85 percent recyclable.

“By increasing the use of recycled or renewable content in our vehicles whenever possible, Ford is helping reduce waste to landfills by millions of pounds – and the new Explorer is no exception,” said Amy Marentic, group marketing manager, Ford Motor Company. “We believe customers will value these green features, as they help the environment without sacrificing the Explorer’s capability, utility and safety.”

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It’s another record for the Blue Oval: Beginning in August, the company began packing its 2011 F-Series Super Duty with the most powerful diesel engine every used in a heavy-duty pickup. But not only has the big truck’s turbocharged 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 been upgraded to produce 400 hp and a ground-shaking 800 lb-ft of torque—best-in-class numbers in both measures—but it will also deliver 20 percent better fuel economy than the outgoing engine.

Even better? For those who have already purchased a 2011 Super Duty, which went on sale in April, Ford will offer an industry-first loyalty campaign to upgrade their engines to reach these numbers as well. The loyalty program kicks off August 31 and will implement the same software adjustments to the trucks’ powertrain control modules as received by the pickups now coming off the assembly line.  This is pretty exciting stuff claims Brian Chapman, General Manager, at Homer Skelton Ford in Olive Branch, MS, a Memphis Area Ford Dealer. 

“These numbers are impressive, yes, but that is not why they matter,” said Barb Samardzich, vice president of powertrain engineering for Ford. “These numbers matter because our customers say they do. The higher torque means that fleet operators, such as Florida Power & Light, can plow through deep swamps and get to downed power lines faster and more confidently. It means that oil and gas crews in the Northwest can tow up an 8,000-foot grade maintaining a steady speed and using less fuel.”

The story behind the Power Stroke’s new-found power, according to Chris Brewer, chief engineer on the 2011 Super Duty, is that when it was originally released this spring, “We took a conservative approach that ensured that the new Power Stroke would be absolutely bulletproof while delivering significantly improved power.” Then, “Our testing procedures proved to us we could push the hardware a little harder,” while still making “absolutely sure our customers received an engine that was outstanding in all the key attributes: durability, reliability, power, performance and fuel economy.”

Specific benefits of the Super Duty’s diesel include:

• A compacted graphite iron block, the first in the Super Duty’s class in North America, for reduced weight and maximum strength.
• A unique inboard exhaust and outboard intake architecture that produces better throttle response and improved NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) performance.
• An enhanced overall engine design that’s easier to service.
• The industry’s first turbocharger to feature a dual-sided compressor wheel that works in a single housing, delivering the benefits of a twin-turbocharger system in a smaller, more efficient package.
• B20 fuel compatibility, allowing greener fueling options of up to 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel.

These Ford-only advantages will mean further changes in one of the most important HD pickup segments, where the F-350 dual-rear-wheel models will get upgraded to deliver best-in-class—and Chevrolet-topping—maximum payload and fifth-wheel towing ratings. The former will go from 6,520 lbs up to 7,070 lbs, while the latter increases from 21,600 lbs to a full 22,600 lbs.

“Customers of the F-350 dual-rear-wheel configuration push their trucks to the limit and are the ultimate payload and towing users,” said Brewer. “And like with the diesel upgrades, we’ve found we can push the Super Duty even harder and bump up the ratings. The fact we have more torque and horsepower makes the job that much easier.”

And it also makes the 2011 Super Duty that much better for customers.

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For the past three years, Ford has helped support the “Gathering of Eagles” charity event, sponsored by the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA), by providing unique aviation-themed Mustangs for auction. These have been some pretty high-flying rides, and they’ve netted similarly high-flying bids: Last year’s “AV-X10 Dearborn Doll” Mustang, built to honor the iconic Mustang P-51 fighter plane from World War II, earned $250,000 for the charity. But while that’s no doubt impressive, it pales in comparison to both this year’s car and this year’s winning bid: Paying homage to the supersonic Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird spy plane, the SR-71 Mustang went home with one lucky buyer for the stratospheric sum of $375,000.

Of course, in this case, the “SR” designation holds a further special meaning for Mustang fans, as it also refers to Shebly and Roush—as in noted Mustang masters Carroll Shelby and Jack Roush. The former is renowned as the driving force behind classics like the Shelby Cobra and today’s Shelby GT500, while the latter helped found NASCAR’s Roush Racing team and one of the premier Ford aftermarket houses, Roush Performance.

The SR-71 is their first joint project, and it more than lives up to expectations. The foundation of this amazing muscle car is a glass-roof 2011 Mustang GT, which packs Ford’s advanced 5.0-liter all-aluminum V8. In production guise, this mill is good for a healthy 412 hp, but the SR-71 adds a Ford Racing supercharger and enough other “go fast” goodies to tack on another hundred horses. Also in the mix: a Ford Racing handling pack, tuned exhaust and custom exhaust tips.

But what really distinguishes this one-off wonder is its SR-71-themed exterior, which showcases aero-style front and rear fascias, performance wheels, an integrated spoiler/wing, and a stunning paint job. It’s a subtle mix of black and grey matte with reddish-orange accents, set off by bold SR-71 graphics and a special screen-print design on the car’s glass roof. The SR-71’s complementary interior holds just the passenger and one driver, and it features, unsurprisingly, a cockpit-style approach, with custom gauges and instrument-cluster graphics, a roll cage, racing seats, and a fire extinguisher.

And while the SR-71 Mustang can’t quite match its namesake’s ability to break Mach 3, it’s still much, much more than just a plane old hot rod.

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In many instances, opting for a larger engine will typically provide more power and thus better performance. However, that’s not always the case, as seen with the 2011 Ford Edge crossover.

This updated model comes with two V6 options, a 3.5-liter and a 3.7-liter. The power difference is substantial, with the smaller engine producing 280 horses and 253 pound-feet of torque and the larger engine producing 305 horsepower and 280 lb-ft. According to the folks at Motor Trend, the Edge with the smaller engine can sprint from 0-60 mph in just 7.1 seconds compared to the 7.6 seconds required by the more powerful Edge Sport.

The 2011 Ford Edge Sport, which also features all-wheel drive, is a bit heavier than the base Edge, which is where the base Edge really has the advantage. That said, the Edge Sport, with its 22-inch wheels and wide tires and added traction can easily out maneuver the base model in the corners.

What’s also important to note is that Ford’s latest powerplants are not merely about power, but are designed to balance performance with fuel economy and emissions. That’s also why in just a few months the 2011 Edge will be available with a third engine choice, an ultra efficient EcoBoost four-cylinder.

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Ford has answered the prayers of Ford Mustang owners by adding more power (and greater efficiency) to the 2011 model. However, if that improvement just wasn’t enough, Ford Racing will also being offering a new supercharger package for the 5.0-liter V8 engine found in the Mustang GT.

In total, three supercharger packages will be available, but all will be based on the same setup, with a 2.3-liter Whipple twin-screw supercharger, air-to-liquid intercooler and 47 lb/hr fuel injectors. The base package will feature an attractive warranty as well as long as it’s installed by a Ford or Lincoln dealer.

“Superchargers are the ultimate in power upgrades for Mustang enthusiasts,” says George Goddu, Ford Racing Performance Group Manager. “Calibration for a modern V8 engine, especially one with twin-independent variable cam timing, is incredibly complex. Production calibration for the 5.0 engine took 19 months. Having that knowledge base to work from is a huge advantage.

The base package will be able to deliver 525 horsepower and 470 pound-feet torque. Upgrading to the middle package will deliver a staggering 624 horsepower and 536 pound-feet of torque. Finally, the last option for owners is to choose a tuner kit that allows for greater customization.

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With all apologies to the folks at General Motors, it turns out that what’s good for Ford is pretty darn good for the country, too! That’s because not only is the all-new 2011 Ford Explorer expected to help boost sales for the automaker, but it’s also helping boost the economy in at least 23 states across the country.

In fact, according to Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas, “The economic impact of the new Explorer will benefit hundreds of American communities by fueling jobs and new investments.”

The math behind this claim? Ford itself has invested $400 million to launch Explorer production at its Chicago Assembly Plant, adding 1,200 new workers to the facility. When you consider that every single automotive job leads to another 10 indirect hires (according to the Center for Automotive Research), the Explorer could easily be responsible for at least 12,000 new jobs in America. And this includes the more than 600 people slated to be hired by major suppliers in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois to support the vehicle’s assembly. Among these suppliers are companies like Dakkota Integrated Systems, Johnson Controls, Key Safety Systems, Lear Corporation, Piston Automotive, Tower Automotive and ZF Lemforder.

The newly revealed SUV also will help assist in meeting President Barack Obama’s efforts to double U.S. exports by 2015. The Explorer has long been the leading Ford export from North America, and the all-new model should keep that role alive since it offers major upgrades in fuel efficiency, capability and performance as compared to the current Explorer. Ford says its groundbreaking sport utility vehicle will be exported to up to 90 countries once production begins.

Offering the best fuel-economy numbers in its class, several breakthrough safety features, the latest cutting-edge automotive technologies, and world-class fit and finish throughout, the 2011 Explorer will go on sale this winter, but it’s already making a difference for Ford—and the rest of the country—today.

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It’s a whole new world out there for the auto industry, and Ford is setting the pace with a whole new approach to SUVs—thanks to the completely redesigned 2011 Ford Explorer.

“The all-new Explorer will deliver today’s SUV buyers the attributes they really want and value, and a few they might not even have dreamed of,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas.

Among these attributes is fuel efficiency that will shatter previous notions of how a full-size SUV can perform at the gas pumps. The ’11 Explorer will come standard with a new high-tech powertrain that leverages an advanced V6 with twin independent variable camshaft timing, mated to an advanced six-speed automatic transmission, to deliver fuel efficiency that’s 20 percent better than that of the 2010 model. And that’s just for starters. Packing an optional EcoBoost I4 engine, the Explorer’s fuel economy will get a higher, 30 percent boost, topping that of rivals like the Honda Pilot and the Toyota Highlander V6—while still making an estimated 237 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque.

Yet the Explorer remains a robust performer in traditional SUV measures as well. By taking advantage of Ford’s available terrain management system, drivers can easily optimize the Explorer’s four-wheel-drive capabilities to match a wide variety of driving conditions. In addition, the new Ford can also tow up to 5,000 lbs, enough to pull small boats and watercraft.

The same sort of capability carries over to the Explorer’s interior. Its cabin features comfortable three-row seating with more head and shoulder room than in previous Explorers, and it’s easy to reconfigure the vehicle’s seating to maximize cargo space. Of course, when it comes to interior functionality, there’s no beating the new MyFord in-vehicle connectivity system, boasting a wider range of hands-free, voice-activated functionality than ever before.

Then, the whole package is wrapped in a striking new design that’s both modern and immediately recognizable as being from Ford.

And when it comes to putting it all together, well, “crafting a high-quality vehicle is like preparing a gourmet meal,” said Peter Bejin, Ford craftsmanship supervisor. “You start with high-quality ingredients, execute your recipe with flawless preparation and finally, present it with flair and panache.”

Which means if you’re hungry for a ground-breaking SUV, your local Ford dealership is the right place to start.

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The latest Ford Taurus has been a tremendous success for the Blue Oval. As a replacement for the lackluster Five Hundred sedan, the current Taurus has rekindled the  popularity of this once beloved nameplate. In fact, sales of the Taurus have jumped 116 percent through the first seven months of this year.

Aside from new sales, Ford also says that the Taurus has found success is second hand sales. Resale value for the 2010 model has jumped an impressive 39 percent compared to 2009 model. Ford also said that the 2010 Taurus’ resale value commands a $2,500 premium over the resale value of the competing Toyota Avalon.

“The successful product launch of the 2010 Ford Taurus coupled with the vehicle’s best-in-class quality, upscale design and state-of-the-art technology has resulted in a sharp improvement for the brand,” said Rose Peng, manager, Ford’s Global Lifecycle Analytics Department.

While the Ford Taurus has yet to match the sales volume achieved by sedans like the Toyota Camry or the Honda Accord, it has yielded impressive results since its introduction. This is perhaps no surprise considering that the latest generation has received a much-needed injection of style and technology.

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Now that the Ford Fiesta has officially launched in the U.S., the automaker’s breakthrough “Fiesta Movement” social media campaign has moved on to new challenges—and so have the vehicles involved. In fact, Ford recently donated 43 of them to the Team O’Neill Rally School in Dalton, N.H., to kick off the only manufacturer-supported learning opportunity of its kind in North America: The Ford Racing Fiesta Rally Experience.

One- and two-day sessions will be available, for beginner and advanced students, with the focus on actual in-car, on-course learning experiences in rally-prepped Fiestas. It’s a perfect fit according to Jamie Allison, Ford’s director of North American Motorsports, because of the “Fiesta’s nimble driving dynamics and precise handling attributes.” And Allison isn’t just reading from an ad agency’s press release. The Fiesta is so agile and responsive that Ford Racing is campaigning it in the elite World Rally Championship series, where the company won manufacturers’ titles in 2006 and 2007, as well as in this year’s Rally America.

“Ford has always been very active in the rest of the world as far as rally goes. Driving the Fiesta is like driving an expensive German car. It is the coolest Ford I have ever driven and I have driven almost every Ford product in the world,” said Tim O’Neil, the five-time North American rally champ who oversees the O’Neil driving school. “To grow rally in North America, we need people who want to compete to have access to a light, reliable, strong car that is inexpensive, easy to maintain and easy to get parts for. I think Fiesta will be an affordable option for the clubs and drivers.”

Of course, the Fiesta will be an equally attractive option for owners who stick to the pavement, too. The all-new Fiesta starts with an MSRP as low as $13,320 and an EPA line as high as 29 mpg city/40 mpg highway/33 mpg combined—better than some hybrids—while offering impressive new technologies such as Ford’s PowerShift six-speed automatic transmission and the SYNC in-car connectivity system.

In other words, the new Ford Fiesta is an ideal choice for today’s customers regardless of whether they’re driving around the block or in training to become the next Ken Block.

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