2015 Ford Mustang at Chicago Auto Show

I wasn’t really blown away when Ford revealed the 50th anniversary Mustang with a complete redesign. Sure, moving away from the retro design was a huge challenge, but the new look didn’t really grab me at first when I saw the photos. I have to admit, however, that I like it much more having seen it in person at the 2014 Chicago Auto Show. The fastback, in particular, jumps out right away. And while I can’t get too excited about the new headlights, they do fit the new, more aerodynmaic design. Still, I would have preferred that the headlamps sloped down at the far edges instead of flaring up. That might have made the new design perfect, but overall, it looks like the Ford team was able to meet some pretty high expectations.

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Car Review: 2013 Ford Explorer Sport 4WD

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In the world of high performance SUVs, you have to be for real to be considered a legitimate player. With the first ever performance version of the Ford Explorer finally arriving in the 2013 Explorer Sport 4WD, it also boasts the highest fuel economy among gasoline engine-powered, high-performance SUVs. We were thrilled to test drive this “beast” for a week and came up with the following impressions.

EXTERIOR

The Explorer Sport’s unique grille is a low-gloss Sterling Gray mesh, with contrasting ebony high-gloss bars. The black front lower fascia features a functional opening for additional cooling. Explorer logotype in billet-like black adds a bold identity statement that is well received. Subtle Sport and EcoBoost badges at the rear finish the lift gate and reinforce this special ride. Sport builds on Explorer’s muscular, sculpted form with subtle cues to differentiate it from other models in the lineup. Available in four exterior colors Ruby Red Metallic Clearcoat (as tested), White Platinum Metallic Tri-Coat, Tuxedo Black Metallic and Ingot Silver Metallic Explorer Sport has unique 20-inch painted and machined wheels, features blacked-out headlamp and taillamp treatments, black roof rack rails, sideview mirror skull caps and a liftgate appliqué. The Sport also came with chrome door handles, fog lamps, securicode keyless entry, body color rear spoiler, chrome exhaust tips and much more.

There is no doubt that this Ford SUV is an attention grabber with the 20-inch painted and machined wheels as the leading eye-catcher. The Explorer Sport has apparently achieved that right balance between muscle and utility for a sleek looking high-performance machine!

INTERIOR

The interior design contrast was inspired by fashion, mirroring two-tones that are currently seen in leather accessories and apparel from design houses Balenciaga and Prada. Stitching is emphasized to lend a handcrafted appearance while highlighting Explorer Sport’s sculptured seats.

Explorer Sport also has unique steering wheel stitching, a technical look to instrument and door panel appliques, unique Sport-logo floor mats and illuminated scuff plates. As the top of the Explorer line, Sport offers a robust array of standard and optional customer focused technologies that make driving more comfortable, convenient and connected. These include 4WD with Terrain Management System, Dual-Zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control, 10-way power driver’s seat with power recline and lumbar, six-way power passenger seat with recline and lumbar, first-row heated seats, compass and exterior temperature display, rear view camera, SYNC with MyFord Touch driver connect technology, Sony Premium Audio System with HD RadioTM and 12 speakers. And that’s not all, as Ford really loaded up our test model with cabin features like Active park assist, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with cross-traffic alert, Inflatable rear seat belts, 110-volt outlet, Intelligent access with Push-Button Start, Remote Start, adjustable pedals with memory, power lift gate and some of the freshest leather trimmed seats you’ll find in a performance SUV.

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Car Review: 2013 Ford C-Max Energi SEL

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If you are a customer looking to optimize your hybrid car experience, the all-new 2013 Ford C-Max Energi SEL could be the right car for you. This impressive new offering from the Blue Oval has the potential to be another home run in the improving U.S. auto market.

EXTERIOR

Looks aren’t everything in a car, and that holds even truer when one is looking for fuel efficiency. But when a car looks good, there is no better starting point. With the 2013 Ford C -Max Energi SEL, we might have the first true hybrid that can boasts good looks as one of the main selling points. Ford was smart by taking the European Focus C-Max and transforming that car into one of the best cars on the market. Our test model sported 17-inch machined aluminum wheels, fog lamps, power lift gate and keyless entry. The ruby red metallic paint looked incredible on the C -Max Energi SEL, adding just enough bling to a car that is all about making smarts. The C-MAX line also features the company’s innovative hands-free liftgate, which allows quick and easy access to the cargo area without ever needing to fumble for keys. A gentle kicking motion under the rear bumper opens the liftgate when used in combination with a key fob the user keeps in his or her pocket or purse that tells the car it’s okay to engage. The same motion can be used to close the liftgate.

INTERIOR

C-Max Energi provides customers with plenty of interior versatility and flexibility along with the urban maneuverability of a smaller vehicle. The sight lines in the 2013 Ford C-Max Energi SEL are as good as any car or truck we’ve tested, and that makes us feel like better drivers on the road. The C-Max line features a high roof design that gives each vehicle an overall height of 64 inches along with a higher command-style seat position instead of a cockpit type. It also features five-passenger seating that includes a split, fold-flat second-row seat. In C-Max Energi, there’s 43.4 cubic feet behind the first row and 19.2 cubic feet behind the second row, which we found somewhat limited.

Our test model was equipped with ambient lighting, dual zone climate control, in-floor storage in the rear of the car, black leather trimmed seats with a 10-way power driver’s seat, leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel, premium audio and navigation package, hands-free technology package, rearview camera and automated parking system. The feel of the cabin materials were what you would expect in a luxury car, and the overall interior space was smart and stylish. Because of the multiple driving options regarding power source, the dashboard was easy to navigate and understand. There is a lot of Escape DNA in the interior of the 2013 Ford C-Max Energi, which adds some styling flair to this very cool ride.

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Car Review: 2014 Ford Fusion Energi SE

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Ford has been going gangbusters lately in both sales and market share, and much of that can be attributed to the Blue Oval’s relentless efforts to be one of the leaders in fuel efficient cars. The new and forward-thinking 2014 Ford Fusion Energi SE is just one of many vehicles that Ford is rolling out to keep the momentum going and the competition wondering what will be next. We were fortunate to drive this Fusion Energi for a week to really learn and appreciate how new technologies are moving the auto industry forward.

EXTERIOR

The exterior of the 2014 Ford Fusion Energi SE isn’t a whole lot different from the standard Fusion other than some badges. Our test model, however, looked very sharp with features such as 17-inch aluminum rims, auto halogen headlamps, easy fuel capless filler, fog lamps, integrated spotter mirrors, keyless entry key pad and power folding heated mirrors. The dark side paint was extra clean, and with the new, low front end and fastback rear, this Fusion was ready for action.

INTERIOR

The new cabin for the 2014 Ford Fusion Energi SE is something that can generally only be found in much more expensive cars, and that might have something to do with the big sales numbers coming in for this new Ford offering. Our test model was absolutely loaded with options, such as 10-way heated driver’s seat, leather seating all around, dual zone electric climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and Sirius satellite. The dashboard is unique with all of the electric and gas information in clear view to keep the driver up to date with the powertrain. With the large battery, trunk space is drastically reduced.

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Ford continues to push further

Alan Mulally and Steve Wozniak

We’ve seen many large companies, particularly automakers, rest on their laurels and become insular organizations. It’s easy to get into this rut when you measure profits in the billions and you have a huge bureaucracy.

But we’ve also seen how this attitude can lead to disaster, with the auto industry being just one example. Remember Atari? The flip side to measuring profits in the billions is measuring losses in the billions as well when things go wrong.

The culture at Ford seems very different today as the company tries to demonstrate each year in its Further with Ford conferences, where media members, bloggers and social media influencers from a wide variety of backgrounds are invited to hear from company officials, attend panel discussions from thought leaders, and of course get introduced to new Ford products and initiatives.

We were happy to attend the Further with Ford conference again this year, and CEO Alan Mulally kicked things off with an address on Monday night and was joined on stage by tech icon Steve Wozniak who would join the technology panel the next day.

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