Autoblog

Bret Michaels selling family truckster and more at Barrett-Jackson

Jeff Sabatini — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:02:00 EST

As the Poison frontman is wont to sing, every rose has its thorn. Indeed, if the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Bret Michaels sold at the 2011 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction was that flower, his latest consignments are as painful as pricked fingers.

Michaels will be offering three vehicles at the sale, to be held January 15-22, 2012. The first (and the only marginally interesting one) is a 2004 Bentley Continental GT. The other two are Blue Oval SUVs that might more appropriately be found on a used car lot: A 2004 Lincoln Navigator and a 2011 Ford Explorer.

Clearly, it was nothin' but a good time for Michaels at last year's Barrett-Jackson, where his non-original Camaro fetched a remarkable $200,000. That's about five times what it might have sold for without playing the celebrity card. But hey, at least it was a '69 Camaro and Bret even threw in an autographed guitar.

This year, however, Michaels' consignments look like what the cat dragged in. While Barrett-Jackson is known for its unabashed embrace of celebrity cars of dubious quality and provenance, these offerings just hit a wrong note.

Continue reading Bret Michaels selling family truckster and more at Barrett-Jackson

Bret Michaels selling family truckster and more at Barrett-Jackson originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Explorer hits 100,000 sales mark

Chris Shunk — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:14:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Ford

The 2011 Ford Explorer is a massive improvement over the last-generation model, and the Blue Oval's sales tally supports this claim. Ford tells us that the the Explorer is flying off store shelves, with 100,000 units sold so far in 2011. Those numbers are up 290 percent compared to 2010 totals, making the Explorer the fastest-growing mid-size utility vehicle in the country. This is the first time the Explorer has hit the 100,000 mark since 2007, and there are still over two months left in the year.

The Explorer appears to be selling quite well in spite of mixed reviews. While the vehicle came in for 2011 North American Truck Of The Year laurels, it hasn't fared as well in a number of comparison tests. Cars.com recently ranked the Explorer sixth in its $37,000 SUV Shootout, and earlier in the year, Consumer Reports ranked the Explorer as the 17th best utility vehicle out of 19 models, with complaints centering on the CUV's MyFordTouch infotainment system.

Ford would likely counter that the company is more concerned with what CUV buyers think, and those customers appear to be giving their vote of approval with their pocketbooks, and they might also note that the Explorer's 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder model is only hitting the market as a 2012 model now (though it's already claiming about 15 percent of the model mix). Hit the jump to read Ford's official press release.

Continue reading Ford Explorer hits 100,000 sales mark

Ford Explorer hits 100,000 sales mark originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford reports Vista Roof sales are through the... ceiling

Aaron Richardson — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Ford, Earnings/Financials

Ford's Vista Roof option has been selling well recently, and the automaker says this is, in part, to the little shot of Vitamin D it gives to drivers' everyday commutes. The split glass roof also has UV protection comparable to SPF-50 sunscreen, which should satisfy even the fairest-skinned buyers. So far this year, the Vista Roof option is checked on 48 percent of 2011 Ford Explorer sales, 56 percent of 2011 Ford Edge sales and 32 percent of all 2011 Ford Flex sales.

The numbers are staggering when you consider that the Vista Roof is a standalone option in most cases, and an expensive one at that. It costs $1,595 to let the sun shine in on the Edge and Explorer, and $1,495 on the Flex. The available all-glass roof on the Mustang is the most expensive at $1,995.

The Vista Roof is certainly a great way to work on your tan before you ever hit the beach, but it ain't exactly your dad's Vista Cruiser. Follow the jump for Ford's official press blast.

Continue reading Ford reports Vista Roof sales are through the... ceiling

Ford reports Vista Roof sales are through the... ceiling originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge Durango smacks around Ford Explorer in latest TV ads

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Crossover, Chrysler, Dodge

We have to imagine that Chrysler is pretty upset with the 2011 Ford Explorer. After all, when it came time to name the 2011 North American Truck of the Year, both of the Pentastar's latest offerings - the Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee - held two of the final three finalist spots, only to be beaten out by Ford's new seven-passenger crossover.

Dodge, for one, isn't going down without a fight.

This latest set of Michael C. Hall-voiced advertisements puts the 2011 Durango head-to-head with the new Explorer, showing off the Dodge's best-in-class towing and more powerful powertrain options. Be sure to note the fine print in the first ad where it says, "2011 Dodge Durango Citadel and 2011 Ford Explorer Limited equipped with their most powerful engines available." In defense of the Explorer, it's perhaps unfair to compare top-end powertrains when you're putting a 360-horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi V8 up against a 290-hp 3.5-liter V6, but, hey... Ford doesn't offer anything more powerful.

Follow the jump to watch both ads starring the 2011 Dodge Durango, and watch as it shames the award-winning Explorer with its brute force.

Continue reading Dodge Durango smacks around Ford Explorer in latest TV ads

Dodge Durango smacks around Ford Explorer in latest TV ads originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Optima edges Accord in CR test, Altima still favorite; Explorer lambasted *UPDATED

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 10 May 2011 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, SUV, Ford, Honda, Kia

2011 Kia Optima 2.0T - Click above for high-res image gallery

The mid-size sedan battle rages on year after year. Perennial kings are dethroned while new challengers emerge boasting fresh styling and a bountiful list of standard features. Consumer Reports launched its June issue today, inside which the institute's testers have pitted four-cylinder versions of the Kia Optima and Honda Accord against each other to determine which is top dog, and then ranked them both against their peers.

As it has here at Autoblog Towers, the 2011 Kia Optima drew big praise from the Consumer Reports crew. In fact, the Korean squeezed out a higher rating than the veteran Honda Accord. It may have only beat the Honda by one point (81 to 80), but this represents a significant win for Kia. The opinion of Consumer Reports is highly valued by a large number of car shoppers, and this victory ought to push the Optima further onto the radar of the American car-buying public. Despite beating the Accord and earning a "Very Good" rating, however, the Optima is still nowhere near the top of the heap in Consumer Reports' ratings of four-cylinder mid-size sedans. The Nissan Altima (a perennial CR favorite) still holds the top spot with a rating of 91, neatly trumping the Optima in sixth place and the Accord in seventh.

One vehicle that didn't do so well in the June issue of Consumer Reports? The 2011 Ford Explorer. Three mid-size sport utility vehicles were rounded up for testing: the Explorer, Volkswagen Touareg TDI and Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Of the 19 mid-size SUVs that Consumer Reports has rankings for, the Explorer came in at 17 with just 65 points. The Touareg TDI, meanwhile, landed in fourth place with a score of 82 and the Highlander Hybrid beat all with a top rating of 89.

If you won't get the latest issue of CR in your mailbox, check out the official press release after the jump for more details.

UPDATE: The information in this article has been corrected concerning which vehicles were compared against each other in the June issue of Consumer Reports and where they ranked overall.

Continue reading Optima edges Accord in CR test, Altima still favorite; Explorer lambasted *UPDATED

Optima edges Accord in CR test, Altima still favorite; Explorer lambasted *UPDATED originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 May 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Ford, JabbaWockeeZ compare the V6 and V8 Explorers

Aaron Richardson — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford

JabbaWockeeZ and the 2011 Ford Explorer - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Ford has called on the JabbaWockeeZ dance crew to illustrate that the V6 in the 2011 Ford Explorer can handle the same tasks that last year's V8 did while netting better fuel economy along the way. For those of you who don't know, JabbaWockeeZ are perhaps the best hip-hop dance crew around right now.

If their routines describing the performance of Ford's engines are anything to go by, 2011 Ford Explorer owners won't be able to tell any appreciable difference between their car's 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and the 2010 model's 292-hp V8.

Even with two fewer cylinders, Ford was able to pull the new six to within two horsepower of its older sibling. Impressive, especially when you consider that the 2011 Explorer nets 17/25 miles per gallon city/highway while the 2010 model only mustered up 14/20 mpg. We'll let JabbaWockeeZ explain the rest. Follow the jump to watch the video.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Ford, JabbaWockeeZ compare the V6 and V8 Explorers

Video: Ford, JabbaWockeeZ compare the V6 and V8 Explorers originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Nelly shows off Ford Explorer audio system, commercial director adds unnecessary zazz

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:34:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Crossover, Ford, Celebrities, Humor

Nelly disapproves of back-up dancers and falling snow - Click above to watch video after the jump

The audio system in the 2011 Ford Explorer was created by Sony and features Dolby Pro Logic II Surround Technology being pumped through 12 speakers, including a subwoofer. The crisp-sounding system can pick up HD Radio channels and tag songs so you can buy them later with iTunes. Ford tapped multiple Grammy Award-winner Nelly to discuss the virtues of this setup.

Ford also got a hold of a director that thinks Nelly and the 2011 Ford Explorer are not enough to make a stand-out commercial. He decides to add some pizazz, and Nelly feels it's not needed. The premise sounds iffy but the results are surprisingly hilarious. Check out the clip for yourself by clicking past the jump. Now if you'll excuse us, we're going to go brush up on our Country Grammar...

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Nelly shows off Ford Explorer audio system, commercial director adds unnecessary zazz

Video: Nelly shows off Ford Explorer audio system, commercial director adds unnecessary zazz originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AdSpotting: Ford Explorer gets funny with Kevin Hart

David Kiley — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 14:46:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising

Kevin Hart's 2011 Ford Explorer commercial - Click above to watch after the jump

Company: Ford Motor Co.

Brand: Ford

Medium: TV

Ad Agency: The UniWorld Group,

Product: Explorer

Campaign: "Crazy Kevin."

What We Like: Humor often works better than painful earnestness to spotlight certain vehicle features in a typical SUV. Kevin Hart has a certain poor man's Chris Rock likability. The ad has a story, with a beginning and an end instead of a prattle of feature benefits.

What We Don't Like: Not much except the ad could be funnier to really take advantage of Hart's talents. The jokes aren't quite sharp enough. There was probably funnier stuff that came out of working with him, and that may have been left on rejected storyboard. Ford has a habit of smoothing out what might have been an edgy idea creative because it's too afraid of being risky with ad content.

Strategy: Ford wants to capitalize on Kevin Hart's brand of humor, which typically centers on his life as a husband and father. The ads will extend into TV, radio, print and digital. Each ad is meant to play up some aspect of the redesigned 2011 Explorer, such as its "Terrain Management System" (TMS) and inflatable rear seatbelts. The kickoff features Hart showing up shockingly late for his brother's wedding in a 2011 Ford Explorer. As he speeds into the wedding he creates a disturbance where the Explorer steals the spotlight from the bride and groom. During the ad, Hart highlights TMS and how he traveled through sand and mud to arrive at the wedding. He also shows off Explorer's seven-passenger seating capacity by packing the entire rear of the vehicle with wedding gifts - all while cheering on the "crazy" factor of the SUV.

Grade: B

What do you think? Watch the ads for yourself after the jump.

Continue reading AdSpotting: Ford Explorer gets funny with Kevin Hart

AdSpotting: Ford Explorer gets funny with Kevin Hart originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 14:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2011 Ford Explorer Limited

John Neff — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Ford, New Car Reviews

Wait 'Till They Get A Load Of This

2011 Ford Explorer Limited - Click above for high-res image gallery

They call it a reboot. It happens all the time in Hollywood when a movie franchise falls flat. After a blockbuster wears out its audience with a string of lesser sequels, the studio starts over, retelling the story from an entirely new angle.

The best example is Batman. The combination of Michael Keaton and director Tim Burton produced critical acclaim and big box office numbers for the first two Caped Crusader films in 1989 and 1992. Then came a new director, Joel Schumacher, who just about killed the franchise with Batman Forever in 1995 and Batman & Robin in 1997. Eight years passed before someone in Hollywood realized the Dark Knight's name could still fill theater seats, and the franchise was rebooted in 2005 with the dark and gritty Batman Begins.

The totally redesigned 2011 Ford Explorer is the Blue Oval's Batman Begins. Ford's most famous sport utility vehicle has desperately needed a reboot ever since the Firestone tire recall in 2000 made it Rollover Enemy Number One. Rising gas prices haven't helped either, but the tire debacle hurt the brand badly, with the Explorer going from this country's third best-selling vehicle in 2000 with 445,157 sold to just over 60,000 bought in 2010. But just like Batman, the Explorer name had value that Ford couldn't let go to waste. And so the 2011 Explorer is the sport utility story retold by Ford from an entirely new angle. The question is whether or not the Explorer's name can still put butts in seats.

Continue reading...

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer Limited 4WD: Review

Continue reading Review: 2011 Ford Explorer Limited

Review: 2011 Ford Explorer Limited originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 2011 Ford Explorer plays on seesaw at Chicago Auto Show

Zach Bowman — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:10:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, SUV, Videos, Crossover, Ford

Click above to watch Autoblog Short Cuts: 2011 Ford Explorer demonstrates Terrain Management

Ford has set up a display to show off the multiple Terrain Management modes on the 2011 Explorer at this year's Chicago Auto Show. As you may recall, the tech keeps an eye on a laundry list of parameters, including specs like engine speed, throttle position, transmission shift patterns and the stability and traction control systems.

Visitors can ride shotgun over a number of surfaces, including a seesaw that transitions from a steep, slippery incline into a similarly aggressive descent and a deep sand section. The multiple surfaces are designed to flex the Explorer's all-terrain muscles, at least in the climate-controlled comfort of McCormick place.

Our own Drew Phillips cooked up a quick video of the ride along for your viewing pleasure. The clip after the jump includes all of the gravity-defying action of the Explorer all-terrain system when viewed from both the cabin and from the safety of the show floor. Follow the jump to check out the video for yourself.

Continue reading Video: 2011 Ford Explorer plays on seesaw at Chicago Auto Show

Video: 2011 Ford Explorer plays on seesaw at Chicago Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago 2011: Ford's Farley talks Apple Genius Bars and the push to "democratize technology"

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 18:57:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Ford

2011 Ford Explorer - Click above for high-res image gallery

Jim Farley, Ford's Group Vice President, Global Marketing, Sales and Service, gave the keynote speech at the Chicago Auto Show this morning, and the only way it could have been more on-topic is if he had given his speech via Facebook chat.

Before Farley announced the new "What Would You Go Do?" campaign for the 2011 Ford Explorer, he laid out how the Explorer's Facebook launch set a new tone for how Ford has conversations with its customers, and even set a new tone for the company itself. Follow the jump for more and Ford's press release on the Explorer competition.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer: First Drive

Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Chicago 2011: Ford's Farley talks Apple Genius Bars and the push to "democratize technology"

Chicago 2011: Ford's Farley talks Apple Genius Bars and the push to "democratize technology" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How Mulally put the Ford Explorer on a crash diet

Zach Bowman — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 18:57:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Technology, Crossover, Ford

2011 Ford Explorer - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to Bloomberg, the Ford Explorer can thank Alan Mulally for its stay of execution. When the former Boeing executive took the helm at FoMoCo, the powers that be urged him to make a decision on the then-ancient SUV. Mulally said that the nameplate could live on, but only if the company's engineers could find a way to seriously cut weight and increase fuel economy at the same time. The new vehicle was not only able to meet those demands, but was able to offer a larger package with much of the same off-road ability as well.

That meant sacrificing the body-on-frame blue print for a unibody design and exploring alternative engine solutions - engines like the upcoming Ecoboost four-cylinder. In the end, the Blue Oval boys were able to shed 100 pounds off the platform.

Ford has since interpreted that same quest for svelteness into a company-wide strategy, and Bloomberg says that the Dearborn automaker is now on par with automakers like BMW when it comes down to aggressively stripping weight from a vehicle. You can read the full story on how Mulally's obsession with reducing weight changed Ford for the better here. Thanks for the tip, Andrew!

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer: First Drive

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Bloomberg]

How Mulally put the Ford Explorer on a crash diet originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford Explorer faces recall for seat recline mechanism

Chris Shunk — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 11:40:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Crossover, Ford

2011 Ford Explorer - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Ford Explorer has gotten off to a hot start here in the States, with January retail sales up 244 percent. That's good news for Ford, but a recall for their new baby is not.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a notice on its website that Ford is recalling 1,658 new Explorers equipped with manual recline second row seats. The potential defect, which covers some Explorers built between July 15, 2010 and December 13, 2010, is the manual recliner mechanism on the 60 side of the 60/40 split second row bench seat. NHTSA says that the components are "out of dimensional specification," and that in the event of a crash the seat back may not provide the required strength to protect second row occupants.

Owners of the Explorers in question will be contacted by Ford and asked to bring their vehicle to the nearest Ford dealer for free of charge repairs. Ford dealers will reportedly be equipped to repair the compromised part beginning February 14, 2011. Hit the jump to read over the NHTSA press release.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer

[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

Continue reading 2011 Ford Explorer faces recall for seat recline mechanism

2011 Ford Explorer faces recall for seat recline mechanism originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TRW develops electronic turn signal stalk

Dan Roth — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 08:27:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology, Ford

TRW, supplier of systems and components to automakers, has introduced its latest generation steering column control module for the Ford SuperDuty and F-150, Edge/MKX and Explorer. Why is this news, and what the heck is a steering column control module?

In the old days (the 1990s), a bunch of individual pieces were fastened to the steering column. Turn signals were a separate part from the airbag system's clockspring, which was a unique piece from the multifunction switch. Each of those bits cost something to produce and procure, not to mention the wiring required to integrate the functions into the car. Supplier problems with just one piece could idle the supply of the whole assembly for days.

Modern serial communication and control systems have created a solution for these problems, and that's the steering column control module, a single component that integrates all the functions of those many individual pieces. The amount of wiring is reduced, reliability is up thanks to new electronic techniques supplanting older wear-prone designs and with fewer contracts to secure and pieces to ship and inventory, a better per-unit cost can be negotiated. TRW's new module includes all sorts of stuff like headlamp switches, turn signals, tilt/telescope control, hazard lamps, steering angle sensor and electronic turn signal cancel, which is unique to the new Ford modules. Tuning to customer preferences reduces complaints and increases satisfaction, too. It may sound a lot more complex, putting a computerized module in place of what was once simple switches and relays, but this is a case of newer being clearly better. Full press release posted after the jump.

Continue reading TRW develops electronic turn signal stalk

TRW develops electronic turn signal stalk originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevrolet Volt, Ford Explorer named 2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 08:31:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Crossover, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

The competition for this year's North American Car and Truck of the Year was certainly stiff, but at the opening ceremonies for the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, the winners have finally been crowned. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt and 2011 Ford Explorer take top honors as the Car and Truck of the Year for 2011.

We aren't necessarily surprised by either winner, especially the Volt, which has taken the automotive industry by storm in recent months. General Motors' range-extended EV has already been named Motor Trend Car of the Year and Automobile of the Year, and regardless of the sedan's shortcomings, it is no doubt an impressive engineering feat for GM. The Volt also won the Green Car of the Year award and the Detroit Free Press' Car of the Year title.

Thomas Stephens, GM's vice chairman of global product operations, said that the Volt represents the soul of the new General Motors, so critics (we're looking at you, Rush Limbaugh) will probably continue to have lots to complain about in the coming years.

With the Explorer's win, Ford has now taken the North American Truck of the Year award for the past three years, with the Transit Connect and F-150 winning in 2010 and 2009, respectively. The new Explorer's transition from a traditional body-on-frame SUV to a modern crossover certainly hasn't weakened its appeal to both the media and consumers alike, and with an EcoBoost version arriving within the next few months, the Expy's market share will undoubtedly get larger.

Congratulations to both the Volt and Explorer, and a tip of the hat to runners-up Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Leaf, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt: First Drive

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer: First Drive

Continue reading Chevrolet Volt, Ford Explorer named 2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year

Chevrolet Volt, Ford Explorer named 2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevrolet Volt, Ford Explorer named Detroit Free Press Car and Truck of the Year

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 14:14:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Crossover, Chevrolet, Ford, GM, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

As more and more Car and Truck of the Year awards pour in from a variety of major publications, it's no shock that the 2011 Chevrolet Volt continues to take home top honors as the best car of 2011. Both Motor Trend and Automobile have deemed the Volt their Car of the Year, and General Motors' high-profile EV is even a finalist for the prestigious North American Car of the Year award. (Our readers, however, would apparently rather see that honor go to the 2011 Hyundai Sonata). Thus, it's no surprise that the Volt was just named Car of the Year by The Detroit Free Press.

Similarly, the 2011 Ford Explorer is in the running for North American Truck of the Year, and the Detroit Free Press is honoring it as the best 'truck' of 2011. Freep auto critic Mark Phelan states that in the road ahead, automakers must choose the "right shade of green" for each type of vehicle. Phelan explains:

"The Volt allows most owners to go weeks or months without stopping at a gas pump. The Explorer recasts America's best-selling SUV in a fuel-efficient new form based on the same chassis as the Ford Taurus large sedan."

Interestingly, The Detroit Free Press details its second and third place choices for Car of the Year, with the Hyundai Sonata and Nissan Leaf taking those spots, respectively. These two vehicles are finalists for the North American Car of the Year award, and we're wondering if the Free Press' predictions foreshadow the decisions that the NACTOY judges will make (Note: Phelan is a member of the jury). We'll have the answer to that in just a few weeks, but for now, we tip our hats to the Volt and Explorer on taking home the Detroit Free Press awards.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt: First Drive

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer: First Drive

Photos copyright (C)2010 Chris Paukert and Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Chevrolet Volt, Ford Explorer named Detroit Free Press Car and Truck of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Videos: Ford's 2011 Explorer and 2012 Focus go off the wall

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Videos, Crossover, Ford

2012 Ford Focus plays tag with a wall - Click above to watch video after the jump

Ford has been testing its upcoming 2012 Focus extensively, and it's already put the compact through 12,000 crashes in both the virtual and real worlds. Ford says that the Focus features advanced restraint systems as well as next-generation airbags that feature upgraded chest-protection technology. The C-Segment car is not stealing all the focus (*ahem*), however, because the all-new 2011 Explorer has clearly received plenty of attention from the safety engineers. For the first time in the Explorer's history, it has landed on the IIHS list of Top Safety Picks.

Enough talking, because you're ready for some automotive snuff films, right? Hop the jump to watch a 2012 Ford Focus and 2011 Explorer make out with a wall. While you're over there, be sure to check out Ford's official press release.

[Sources: Ford, YouTube]

Continue reading Videos: Ford's 2011 Explorer and 2012 Focus go off the wall

Videos: Ford's 2011 Explorer and 2012 Focus go off the wall originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #208 - Explorer, Compass, Ward's Engines, and a German trio

Dan Roth — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:10:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Volkswagen

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Episode #208 of the Autoblog Podcast is manned by the terrible trio of Chris Shunk, Dan Roth, and Zach Bowman. We start with the Autoblog Garage and then move on to cover the official-ness of the BMW 1M, Ward's ten-best engines, the 2012 Audi A6, the Volkswagen Golf R and wrap by coming back to the States to mull the 2011 Jeep Compass and 2011 Ford Explorer. We finish with your questions at the end for an hour and twenty-four minutes total. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #208 - Explorer, Compass, Ward's Engines, and a German trio

In the Autoblog Garage:

2011 Range Rover Sport Supercharged
2011 Kia Optima

News Topics:

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman,
Runtime: 1:23:58

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
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[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #208 - Explorer, Compass, Ward's Engines, and a German trio originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #208

Dan Roth — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:44:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Jeep, Volkswagen

Click above to subscribe to The Autoblog Podcast in iTunes

We're recording Episode #208 of the Autoblog Podcast is being recorded tonight, and we've put some topics below. Drop us your own feedback and questions or vote on your fellow readers' submissions to help determine what we discuss this evening. You can subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already to hear your question answered.

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #208

Subscribe to the Autoblog Podacast and hear your questions asked:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #208 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Ford Explorer

Chris Paukert — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Ford, First Drives

Don't Call It A Comeback...

2011 Ford Explorer - Click above for high-res image gallery

At least a few eyebrows were raised when Ford first let on that it was bringing the Explorer back in a radically different form for 2011 - but not all of the quizzical looks were for the same reasons.

For one thing, the Explorer franchise had been seriously damaged because of the very public Firestone tire rollover controversy of the early 2000s, something that ostensibly made the 2011 model a prime candidate for a new name. In addition, early rumors had the Blue Oval transitioning the vehicle to a unibody chassis and away from the very body-on-frame architecture that helped establish it as the archetypal sport utility vehicle for two decades. It simply wasn't clear that a crossover-based vehicle would still be able to make an authentic claim to the same core values that helped the previous four iterations of Explorer sell millions of copies. Finally, Ford already had a very competent three-row CUV in its arsenal - the Flex. Were its dealers really looking for another one?

And yet... here we are, with a spanking-new and very different sort of Explorer for 2011. Have Alan Mullaly and Co. made the right call? Click through the jump as we try to find out.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer: First Drive

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First Drive: 2011 Ford Explorer originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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