Hi-Tech and Lo-Tech winners from the Blue Oval

The big news this week is about Ford's MyFord Touch and SYNC system revieled at the CES.
I'm very happy with my SYNC in the Mariner and I'm not even using half of the features.
Go to Autoblog's latest piece (linked in title) to read and see their videos.
But here's a piece of lo-tech gear that's really impressed me....

I've forgotten what Ford calls it, the "Easy Fill" capless fuel system?
What's in a name. The funny thing about this, is that I was soooooo unimpressed when the press release came out so long ago. And when I bought my Mariner, Frank the salesman pointed it out but again color me unimpressed.

Now, just about 2 months into ownership it really hit me just how f@#*ing great this is!
It's cold out there! And having one less step to fill up with gas and not having to look for the cap are huge benefits.

Quick update on the Mariner, just about 1,500 miles, still averaging 19.5 mpg on a mostly urban loop and no issues. I'm really loving this little SUV. The AWD doesn't seem to hurt the MPG or drivability and as I pointed out with the big storm a few weeks ago, it's very effective. It's not like my Ranger, with the hi/low range transfer case, manual trans and offroad tires, but if there's any flaw it's the rubber not the AWD.

From Top of the line to Bottom of the range, FoMoCo goes after tech savy buyers who want quality. From MKT to Fiesta with Sync and more

As you probably know, I attended a meet and greet with Lincoln Engineers and marketing people yesterday and test drove the new MKT ( review to come later ) and MKZ. And these are two well fitted vehicles, tech goodies out the wazoo. Both cars featured a great blind sport warning system, the MKT has parking assist and of course there are the THX audio and Sync technology integration system, version 3.0 was installed on both the Lincolns I drove. And I will remind you that if you already have a Sync equipped FoMoCo vehicle, fear not, free downloads are available. These are the type of tech gadgets you'd expect on top of the range flagship models. And then it dawned on me, I know I'm slow, but Ford Lincolln and Mercury models across the range are available with some of the best technology available on wheels. Even the lower range cars. The Focus currently has Sync, the Fusion, Taurus, Flex, Edge and on and on until you get to........

Even the Fiesta will have Sync. And not just Sync, but even the lower end models will be tech heavy. And from what I saw when I sat in one at the New York Auto Show, this will not be the crap boxes of yesteryear.

I'll come back to this topic over the weekend, I want to look into more of the amazing tech available.

Update, video from Ford on YouTube showing some of the neat technology

Ford gets DOE loans, not "Bailout" money, GM & Chrysler didn't becaause they weren't "viable companies"

Ford received $5.9 Billion in loans from the Department Of Energy and I want to stress that this is not a "Bailout" this program was initiated in 2007 under the Bush administration and the appropriations were made in 2008 before the industry meltdown.

This money will be used to further develop more fuel efficient cars, including Battery Electric and Plug In Hybrids. But there's more, it will be used to develop technologies that will reduce weight across the model lineup. You can read the article linked in the title at Edmunds.com Green Car Advisor. And more at Car Scoop

Here's FoMoCo's statement from their website;
DEARBORN, Mich., June 23, 2009 – “Ford Motor Company is proud to be among the first automakers deemed by the government to be among the best companies with the best technologies in American manufacturing and fuel efficiency. This green partnership between Ford and the U.S. government will help accelerate the development of advanced technologies for even better fuel efficiency and emissions. Ford is absolutely committed to fuel economy leadership with every new model we introduce. In fact, we plan to invest nearly $14 billion in advanced technology vehicles in the next seven years. Our partnership with the Department of Energy also will help retool our U.S. plants more quickly to produce fuel efficient vehicles and help meet the new, rigorous fuel-economy requirements.”

I've been critical of Electric, Hybrids and especially Plug In Hybrids, but they are part of the new reality. And with the improvements FoMoCo has made to the Escape and the new Fusion Hybrid I've become a fan. Many of the faults have been addressed and the Fusion Hybrid's 41 mpg city just can't be argued with. I'm also a huge fan of the other technologies such as EcoBoost and the weight reduction.

But let's be very cleaar, this is not a bailout! I especially found this line concerning GM & Chrysler amusing; Both companies applied for financing last year but their financial distress disqualified them from consideration in the first round of financing. The $25 billion program is only open to viable companies.

Ford continues to inovate, patent articles show "Driving Inovation"..

Ford Motor Company has a long history of inovation. And a few years ago, when Bill Ford coined the new moto Ford "Driving Inovation" it was signaling that history would be repeating itself yet again. First some highlihts, Ford was the first to use the assembly line process for manufacturing automobiles. When Ford came out with it's flathead V-8 in 1932, that was a huge leap in lightweight, relatively powerful technology that was available to "everyone". Sure there had been V-8's prior to 1932, but this was indeed an inovation, because it put a reliable, powerful powerplant within reach of the average buyer. Ford was also the first to use Safety Glass.
Henry Ford, the tinkerer, was famous for his exploration of alternative fuel and alternative material technology. So, it should be no surprise that........

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is the most patented car in history, as seen in the article linked in title from AutoBlog. I love the quote from Christine Wren, director of business development for The Patent Board - "Ford's patented technologies are closer to the cutting edge than its competitors" I would bet that she doesn't just mean Domestic competitors. Ford has been working on Hybrid Technology, alternative fuel techonology and other fuel saving techonologies such as EcoBoost as a direct result of Bill Ford's vision as he stated when he took over in 2000.

So it was a bonus find on the below

motorauthority has an article on the upcoming "Scorpion" V-8 from FoMoCo, a 4valve per cylinder pushrod engine with inboard exhaust feeding a turbo charger and outboard intake.

We've seen this idea before, I believe GM and BMW among others have explored this reverese flow idea. The article states it could be used for Gasoline or Diesel applications, but I believe this is going to be strictly Diesels, but who knows.

So young Bill Ford is following in his great grandfather's footsteps by Driving Inovation at the Plant that Henry built.

The Car Connection has story about Ford offering SYNC updates to customers for free

Don't you hate when you're the first one on the block to buy that hi-tech gadget and then they release an improved version that blows yours away? Well Ford recognizes this and wants customers that have bought SYNC equipped vehicles already and those contemplating a purchase now to rest easy. They're offering free updates/upgrades via Inernet downloads.

When did cars become i-Phones? Updates, apps and such are new ideas to a dinosaur like me, but we evolve or die. And this is the type of news that gives me confidence that when I buy my new Ford I won't have regrets every six months ( or less these days) when the next new fangled gadget is available.

Sync improvements may allow me to get my Mojo on the run!

There's been a lot of buzz about Ford and Microsoft's new SYNC system, including the story about CEO to CEO delivery of a new Ford Fusion Hybrid, which Scott Monty corrected me on, was a real purchase that Steve Balmer made. And not being a real Tech Guy, SYNC originally didn't appeal to me.

But of course I now have an MP3 player, a Bluetooth Cell Phone and having seen all the rave reviews I look forward to experiencing SYNC in my next Ford purchase. I have a portable hard drive that will plug right into the USB port and give me days of music, never mind just the MP3 or Flash Drive, I'll be bringing the digital equivilent of my entire CD collection and then some!

But there's more! SYNC now will rival OnStar with their 911 assistance and of course it's integrated into the Nav system as well.

There's been a lot of buzz about SYNC being able to stream Internet Radio as well.

And Pandora is mentioned in quite a few pieces I've read. I checked Pandora, it's ok, I guess.

It's a "music discovery" service. You plug in artists or songs you like and it creates a playlist just for you. No really my cup of tea. If Im going to listen to Internet Radio, I'd prefer something just a little more unique.

And if SYNC can stream Pandora, I'm sure it'll be able to stream KMRL Mojo Radio Live as well.

I've been listening to KMRL for years and it's got a default rotation, but it's also got DJs, you remember those right? On Air Personalities if you prefer, but no commercials. It's free and it's fun. Pandora is so impersonal, Mojo Radio Live has that certain fun factor you can't get from an MP3 or other Internet "music discovery" services.

So, as I ponder my next Ford purchase ( maybe a Kuga? ) I'll be checking the SYNC system and contemplating getting my Mojo on the next road trip!