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Modern technology means that parental controls are now spreading to cars as factory equipment, and the automaker leading the charge is Ford. Using the latest version of the company’s MyKey system, parents can now block their children from listening to certain radio stations – say, for instance, Howard Stern or Playboy Radio on satellite. In fact, there are a dozen stations listed as explicit by Sirius, and all of them can be blocked using MyKey starting in 2011.

Also seeing an upgrade for 2011 is MyKey’s speed-limiting technology. Previously, the top speed of a properly equipped Ford vehicle could be capped at 80 miles per hour (with chimes sounding at 45, 55 and 65). Now, users can preset a desired speed limit at any of four different settings – 65, 70, 75 or 80 mph. While an obvious safety feature, the technology can also dramatically improve fuel efficiency.

Already, Ford’s MyKey allows parents to limit audio volume, encourage seatbelt usage by muting the radio until front occupants buckle up and provide earlier low-fuel warnings. All of these could be considered important safety features, considering that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that teens are more likely to speed (a contributing factor in 30 percent of fatal accidents) and are less likely to use their safety-belts.

Ford contracted the firm Penn, Schoen & Berland to conduct a survey regarding its new MyKey features, and the results aren’t terribly surprising: 85 percent of parents believe the speed limiting controls are important and 60 percent say the same regarding the radio content controls. Even 45 percent of teen drivers themselves say they approve of the technology… just as long as it means they get extended driving privileges from their parents. Of course, said teens can also simply circumvent the MyKey safety leash by listening to CDs or their MP3 players, but we digress.

Check out a video and full press release after the break to learn more about how the system works.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford MyKey now allows parents to block Howard Stern, Playboy Radio [w/video]

Ford MyKey now allows parents to block Howard Stern, Playboy Radio [w/video]

Going Back to the Future in a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

We take Mercedes’ gullwinged supercar back to the theater to right a childhood wrong.

Former Shell boss predicts $5/gal gas in 2012

With fuel prices in a lofty spot thanks to the holidays, it’s hard to think of the price of gas as a bargain, but according to the former president of Shell Oil, that’s exactly what it is compared to what we’ll see just one short year from now.

Toyota, BP top list of biggest blunders in 2010

What were the biggest blunders of 2010? BP and Toyota top the list.

Also of interest:

• Ford Fusion will be brand’s first 200,000-unit car since 2004
• Donkervoort teases new D8 GTO in Christmas card
• Lotus versus Lotus: Chapman’s son picks a side
• Videos: Ford’s 2011 Explorer and 2012 Focus go off the wall
• 2012 Ford Focus equipped with brake-based torque vectoring

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 12.28.10

After surviving some of the most heinous abuse that the engineers at Ford cold dream up, the same 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6 engine that pulled logs, raced in Baja and towed 11,300 pounds for 24 hours straight will be dissected in front of the crowds at this year’s Detroit Auto Show. The stunt gets started on January 15 at 11 a.m., and Ford is hoping to be able to show off exactly how well its new V6 workhorse held up against the equivalent of 160,000 miles of torture.

Ford has come out with a bare-knuckle advertising campaign to prove that it’s smaller-displacement, turbocharged engine can not only dish out equivalent power while using less fuel, but that it can stand up to the kind of work that pickup trucks are meant to endure. After wrapping up competition in the Baja 1000, Ford pulled its Ecoboost engine to perform dyno tests, and found that even after all of the beatings, the lump still churned out the same 365 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque that it left the factory with. Not too shabby. Stop by the Ford display at the 2011 Detroit Motor Show to check out the dissection, and hit the jump to see the press release.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford showcasing live teardown of F-150 EcoBoost engine during Detroit Auto Show

Ford showcasing live teardown of F-150 EcoBoost engine during Detroit Auto Show

We’re recording Episode #210 of the Autoblog Podcast 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 #210

• Toyota recalls named blunder of 2010
• BYD coming to Detroit show with two cars
• Hyundai Sonata is our informal COTY
• Camaro outsells Mustang
• Cuda comeback?

Subscribe to the Autoblog Podacast and hear your questions asked:
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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #210

According to Ward’s Auto, Ford is about to stride past a production figure that it hasn’t hit since 2004. The 2011 Fusion is on the cusp of motoring past 200,000 sales this year – an annual number that a FoMoCo passenger sedan hasn’t managed to exceed since both the Focus sedan and Taurus did the deed back in ‘04. In 2010, Fusion sales were up 21.5 percent through November compared to 2009 – hitting 196,590 units. Given that the Blue Oval has been easily knocking off more than 10,000 Fusion sales per month, Ward’s is betting that Ford will easily manage to overtake the 200k mark.

Should that happen, the Fusion will find itself in heady company. Only a handful of other sedans have managed to topple the 200,000-unit barrier this year, and all of those are from Asia. Not surprisingly, the Toyota Camry is expected to walk away from 2010 with the sales crown, with 296,581 deliveries through November, while the Honda Accord has already notched 253,073 sales under its belt. Following up in third place is the Toyota Corolla with 244,024 units sold. Also through November, the venerable Honda Civic has tallied 231,955 units, the Nissan Altima found 206,247 garages, and just last week, Hyundai announced that its redesigned Sonata had eclipsed 200,000 sales for the first time ever – a massive 90,000 unit improvement year-over-year.

Photos Copyright (C)2009 Chris Shunk / AOL

[Source: Ward's Auto]

Ford Fusion will be brand’s first 200,000-unit car since 2004

First, we’d like to go on the record as saying that we appreciate the people who keep our streets clean as much as the next guy. But let’s face it: working for a sanitation department doesn’t always require a finely honed intellect. Still, the incident caught in this video footage sinks to new lows.

With storms ravaging New York City and its surrounding areas, one rather large front-end loader somehow managed to get stuck in the snow and had to be pulled out by a tow truck, so city workers got to it. Just one problem: it was on a city street in between parked cars. But as you can see from the video, that didn’t seem to concern the sanitation department personnel on the scene, to the unfortunate destruction of one snow-covered Ford Explorer parked adjacent. Follow the jump to watch the cringe-inducing footage for yourself, just be mindful of the explicit language. Thanks for the tip, Stan!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: How not to clean up from the NYC snow storm

Video: How not to clean up from the NYC snow storm

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

The 2012 Ford Focus is set to hit dealers early next year, and in addition to a cadre of standard and optional features, Ford is equipping every new Focus with its new breed of “torque vectoring control.”

For the uninitiated, torque vectoring systems actively split power between the two driven wheels to maximize traction and increase performance. Some higher-end systems manipulate the output to each wheel through a set of electronically controlled gears, while others apply a subtle amount of braking to the inside wheel, causing more power to be sent to the outside wheel, thus helping rotate the vehicle through a turn. Ford is using the latter on the 2012 Focus, the first implementation of its kind on a Blue Oval model in North America.

Thanks to the continued implementation of standard traction control systems, these torque vectoring setups are becoming more common and have finally reached the compact segment. While the benefits generally outweigh the negatives, we’ve found other brake-based systems have a tendency to overheat the pads, rotors and fluid when flogged long and hard enough (ahem, GTI). We’ll be able to test it out for ourselves soon, so look for a full driving report in just over a month. In the meantime, get the full details in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading 2012 Ford Focus equipped with brake-based torque vectoring

2012 Ford Focus equipped with brake-based torque vectoring

	Opinion: Why early electric vehicle adopters deserve tax credits Just in case Fox News is listening…		Nissan: “Everyone in their Leaf” by end of summer Will this promise come true?
	Detroit Preview: BYD bringing two new plug-in vehicles Let’s get ready to meet the e6 Premier and the S6DM plug-in SUV.	Other news: Tesla Motors share price dips as IPO lock-up period ends 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class consumes 15% less fuel than current model Ford expanding start-stop technology to non-hybrid models

AutoblogGreen for 12.28.10

Quick Spin: 2010 BMW 760Li

Commanding a $66,000 premium over an entry level 7 Series, the BMW 760Li better be more than a luxobarge with a biturbo V12.

Porsche to live stream new concept reveal in Detroit

Porsche has something ’spectacular’ planned for the Detroit show and you can watch the live reveal in a few week’s time.

Mulally tops Motor Trend Power List for 2011

MotorTrend has compiled its Power List for 2011 and Ford’s dynamo CEO stands at the head of the pack.

Also of interest:

• Rumored Toyota FT86 logo shows off boxer heart
• Texas man becomes human speed-trap warning sign
• Saudi university to start $500 million carmaking enterprise
• Marussia bringing seven new models to Frankfurt
• General Motors closes historic Willow Run plant

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 12.27.10

Does a Sport Utility Vehicle belong in the city? Environmental officials in Paris certainly don’t think so and they’ve taken the first steps toward an outright ban of the SUV. While not strictly aimed at SUV owners, the Parisian officials are looking to implement restrictions on gas-guzzling vehicles.

It’s not clear yet what types of restrictions will be set in place for SUVs (and older diesel-powered cars as well), but officials hint at limitations on vehicle type by neighborhood and time of day. Penalties for breaking these restrictions have yet to be established.

Paris is not alone in moving to implement these changes either as Lyon, Grenoble, Aix-en-Provence and a handful of other French cities are joining in this movement. Elsewhere in Europe, London and Berlin already have such restrictions in place in the form of Low Emission Zones with varying levels of success. However, the biggest question is: How do you define an SUV?

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Report: Paris takes first step to ban SUVs

Sure, Ford has a whole slew of crossovers here in the United States, but what we don’t have is a Blue Oval-branded CUV based on rear-wheel drive architecture. For that, you’ll have to travel to Australia or New Zealand (or South Africa or Thailand, exported from Oz), where Ford offers the Territory.

Like all Territory models since its introduction in 2004, the 2011 model will be based on the Falcon that we’re dying for in the States. Fortunately, as we’ve seen in previous spy shots and renderings, the next-gen Territory will feature styling that continues to separate itself from the Taurus X-ish looks of the first-gen model, with a completely new front fascia featuring twin gaping maws with bright horizontal chrome strips.

Two powerplants are expected: the turbo-diesel 2.7-liter V6 that can currently be found in the Land Rover Discovery 3 (a.k.a. LR4) and the well-loved 4.0-liter inline six offered in the Falcon. Thanks for the tip, TriShield!

[Source: Drive.com.au]

Ford Territory spotted completely naked and production-ready

Motor Trend has compiled and released its annual Power List. This is the seventh year in which MT ranks the names of heaviest hitting personalities in the automotive industry. They’re all ranked in order of just how much juice they hold, and sitting at the top of this year’s list is Alan Mulally.

Ford’s CEO was previously ranked No. 10 in 2009 and rose to No. 2 last year, but this year, MT has him sitting in the pole position. Their argument? Mulally has moved Ford into a place of profitability as well as quality in both design and engineering. In the magazine’s words, “every Ford competitor needs a leader like Alan Mulally.”

Ford didn’t just see a win with Mulally earning the top honor. The automaker saw 10 of its employees in total make the 2011 Power List. General Motors is right behind them with nine folks earning recognition. After those two, the nearest competitor is Volkswagen with six people spread out across VW, Audi and Porsche.

The last few years have seen a flip-flopping trend between domestic and import bosses rising to the top spot on the power list. The 2010 edition saw VW’s Ferdinand Piëch as the numero uno automotive player and he’s still strong for 2011 with a fall of just one spot to claim the number two position. In 2009, Rick Wagoner was number one before free-falling off the list, and in 2008, Takeo Fukui of Honda sat at the Power List peak.

It’s not just team leaders like Mulally and Piëch who make the annual Power List. Well-regarded Hyundai USA CEO John Krafcik checks in at No. 10, five spots down from his boss, Chung Mong Koo, Hyundai’s global chairman. Peter Schreyer, head of design for Kia is ranked 13th overall and climbed way up from last year’s rank of 44th. Doug Parks is GM’s vehicle line executive for the Chevrolet Volt, and making sure that car arrived on time and in impressive fashion has landed him in the No. 20 spot.

You don’t even need to work for an automaker to make the list because Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson is ranked the 49th most powerful automotive figure… in the world.

The top 10 are as follows:
1. Alan Mulally (CEO, Ford)
2. Ferdinand Piëch (Chairman of Supervisory Board, Volkswagen AG)
3. Carlos Ghosn (President/CEO, Nissan/Renault)
4. Martin Winterkorn (Chairman of the Board of Management, Volkswagen AG)
5. Chung Mong Koo (Chairman, Hyundai)
6. Mark Reuss (President, GM North America & Vice President, GM)
7. Lewis Booth (CFO, Ford)
8. Derrick Kuzak (Group VP Product Development, Ford)
9. Sergio Marchionne (CEO, Fiat/Chrysler)
10. John Krafcik (Hyundai USA, CEO)

Head on over to Motor Trend to read about all 50 players on their 2011 Power List, and then stop by the comments to leave your two-cents about what you think of the list.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Mulally tops Motor Trend Power List for 2011

General Motors’ enormous Willow Run plant built B24 Liberators that helped win World War II, but after 68 years, the historic facility has hit the end of its run. Willow Run built its last automatic transmission on December 15th. The site was originally set up by Henry Ford on a piece of his farmland, but has been owned by General Motors since the company purchased it from Kaiser-Frazer.

Importantly, Willow Run’s owner is currently Motors Liquidation Corporation; “Old GM.” While other historic auto industry sites have been razed, Willow Run was named a Michigan historic site in 1980, and ownership will default to a trust if a new owner is not found by the end of 2010. Such large facilities are never easy to sell, but with southeast Michigan’s economic troubles even deeper than the challenges facing the national economy, finding a new owner looks to be a particularly challenging task.

[Source: AutoWeek Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]

General Motors closes historic Willow Run plant

When the FIA wanted to re-innaugurate the Formula Two championship, they turned to one man: Jonathan Palmer. A former F1 driver, Palmer raced in 87 grands prix for such teams as Williams and Tyrell, went on to commentate for the BBC, and owns and operates a handful of racing circuits around the UK. But his real qualification for the FIA contract was the Formula Palmer Audi series.

Palmer started the series in response to demand for a financially accessible but professionally-run feeder series for aspiring F1 drivers. Racing car constructor Van Diemen (now owned by Panoz) provided the spec chassis, and Audi its 20-valve 1.8-liter turbo four. The series ran for thirteen years, over the course of which such drivers as touring car champion Andy Priaulx and former F1/current IndyCar driver Justin Wilson found their footing, but it’s now come to an end.

Palmer will continue to organize the F2 and British Superbikes series through his MotorSport Vision company, along with managing Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Snetterton, Cadwell Park and the Bedford Autodrome. But aspiring racing drivers will have to look elsewhere to get their start in the big leagues. Details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Formula Palmer Audi shuts down after 13 years

Formula Palmer Audi shuts down after 13 years

It’s a good day for Ford Sync users. The Blue Oval has officially announced two big leaps forward for the company’s infotainment system for smartphone users. For the first time, Apple users will find that their iPhone is now fully compatible with Sync. Previously, the system was only usable with devices that used RIM or Android operating systems. What’s more, users can now control the applications on their smartphones using a hands-free, voice-operated system. So far, there are only a handful of apps that will gel with Sync voice activation, including Pandora internet radio, Stitcher news radio and OpenBeak (a Twitter client), though Ford says that there are more on the way.

The new and improved Sync will first show up in 14,000 Ford Fiesta models, though the free Sync application will eventually be equipped on every Sync-equipped Ford and Lincoln vehicle. Fiesta owners can get the ball rolling by logging into their Sync account online and pointing their browser toward the Update and Customize section of the site. Hit the jump for the full press release.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading AppLink software for SYNC comes to Fiesta first, adds iPhone

AppLink software for SYNC comes to Fiesta first, adds iPhone

Given the multifaceted approach to making more efficient vehicles favored by Ford, an automaker that employs everything from EcoBoost to hybrids, pure electrics to less thirsty gas models – it’s not that surprising to learn that the company is announcing that it is expanding use of stop-start technology to more U.S. vehicles in 2012. Stop-start, you’ll recall, is a technology that allows an engine to shut off automatically at stop lights to avoid wasting fuel while idling. As far as the green race goes, stop-start is a no-brainer: it’s not all that expensive to implement – especially compared to technologies like hybrid powertrains – and according to Ford, it can result in a jump in fuel economy of up to 10 percent.

Ford is following BMW, Fiat and other automakers in bringing stop-start to its vehicles, but along with Porsche, it is taking a leadership role with the technology here in the U.S. for non-hybrid vehicles. Ford notes that it has sold over 170,000 hybrids with stop-start in North America in the last six years, and 2012 will mark the first time it will be found on Ford’s “conventional cars, crossovers and SUVs in North America.” European Ford drivers are familiar with the technology, and Ford says stop-start “eventually will be offered in all of Ford’s global markets.” Thus far, however, the Blue Oval isn’t saying which non-hybrid models will be the first to receive the technology.

Stop-start technology has become an easy and effective way for automakers to register substantial economy gains in European models, but don’t expect official mile per gallon figures to budge much on America’s EPA-mandated test cycle. As of yet, the U.S. government’s testing methodology simply doesn’t reflect the benefits of stop-start, so while the effects of the technology may be self-evident in real world driving, they won’t necessarily be reflected on a vehicle’s window sticker in dealer showrooms. In other words, Ford is likely to have some consumer educating to do.

To school yourself a bit further on the Blue Oval’s stop-start initiative, check out their official press release after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford expanding stop-start technology to non-hybrid models

Ford expanding stop-start technology to non-hybrid models

Given the multifaceted approach to making more efficient vehicles favored by Ford, an automaker that employs everything from EcoBoost to hybrids, pure electrics to less thirsty gas models – it’s not that surprising to learn that the company is announcing that it is expanding use of start-stop technology to more U.S. vehicles in 2012. Start-stop, you’ll recall, is a technology that allows an engine to shut off automatically at stop lights to avoid wasting fuel while idling. As far as the green race goes, start-stop is a no-brainer: it’s not all that expensive to implement – especially compared to technologies like hybrid powertrains – and according to Ford, it can result in a jump in fuel economy of up to 10 percent.

Ford is following BMW, Fiat and other automakers in bringing start-stop to its vehicles, but along with Porsche, it is taking a leadership role with the technology here in the U.S. for non-hybrid vehicles. Ford notes that it has sold over 170,000 hybrids with start-stop in North America in the last six years, and 2012 will mark the first time it will be found on Ford’s “conventional cars, crossovers and SUVs in North America.” European Ford drivers are familiar with the technology, and Ford says start-stop “eventually will be offered in all of Ford’s global markets.” Thus far, however, the Blue Oval isn’t saying which non-hybrid models will be the first to receive the technology.

Start-stop technology has become an easy and effective way for automakers to register substantial economy gains in European models, but don’t expect official mile per gallon figures to budge much on America’s EPA-mandated test cycle. As of yet, the U.S. government’s testing methodology simply doesn’t reflect the benefits of start-stop, so while the effects of the technology may be self-evident in real world driving, they won’t necessarily be reflected on a vehicle’s window sticker in dealer showrooms. In other words, Ford is likely to have some consumer educating to do.

To school yourself a bit further on the Blue Oval’s stop-start initiative, check out their official press release after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford expanding start-stop technology to non-hybrid models

Ford expanding start-stop technology to non-hybrid models

Kelly Blue Book has compiled a list of the most researched new vehicles for 2010, as well as brands that hold the greatest market share of interest. The Honda Accord, Civic and Toyota Camry claim the top three spots — not a surprise if you’ve been reading this list the last few years. Since 2004, the same three vehicles have garnered the most attention at KBB.com.

While it’s not a surprise to see those three, it’s a nice change of pace for a few newcomers to the list. The Hyundai Sonata was 29th overall last year, but has risen 24 spots to claim the title of fifth most-researched vehicle for 2010. Not everyone rose this year, of course. Two notable vehicles, the Toyota Prius and Corolla, dropped a few spots compared to 2009.

It’s not all bad news for Toyota, however, because KBB.com also takes a look at each brand’s market share of interest among new car buyers. Toyota leads the way at 13.4 percent, with Honda, Ford, Chevrolet and Nissan rounding out the top five in that order.

Here’s how the Top 20 Most-Researched Vehicles for 2010 breaks down:

1. Honda Accord
2. Honda Civic
3. Toyota Camry
4. Honda CR-V
5. Hyundai Sonata
6. Nissan Altima
7. Honda Pilot
8. Ford Mustang
9. Toyota Highlander
10. Toyota RAV4
11. Toyota Sienna
12. Honda Odyssey
13. Chevrolet Equinox
14. Toyota Corolla
15. Ford Fusion
16. Ford Escape
17. Toyota Prius
18. BMW 3 Series
19. Chevrolet Camaro
20. Volkswagen Jetta

Be sure to click past the jump to read the full release from Kelley Blue Book.

[Source: KBB.com]

Continue reading KBB reveals 20 most researched cars of 2010

KBB reveals 20 most researched cars of 2010

The Smithsonian Institution’s collection of treasures extends far beyond what’s actually on display in its D.C. museums. Ranging from ancient artifacts to modern marvels, this bit is likely to interest automotive enthusiasts more than any other:

The National Museum of American History is preparing to put two of the most historically significant American automobiles on display from its archives. But instead of letting the curators pick the cars, they’re asking the public to vote in a campaign it paradoxically calls “Race to the Museum.”

The candidates include a 1903 Oldsmobile Curved Dash Runabout (the first car built on an assembly line in the U.S., well before the Ford Model T); an 1880 steam-powered trike built in Massachusetts; an 1894 Blazer (the first American-made automobile to hit New York City, built by a Tiffany-trained watchmaker); a 1948 Tucker (pioneering many advanced safety features and the subject of the 1988 Jeff Bridges film); a 1929 Miller supercharged Indy race car, which set a 143 mph speed record and prompted Detroit to press race organizers to ban superchargers; a 1953 Glasspar fiberglass sports car and two modern examples of green propulsion from General Motors: the EV1 and the 1987 Sunraycer solar-powered prototype.

So far the Tucker is in the lead, with the Miller and the Olds in a close race for the second slot. Follow the link to get your vote in before January 11, 2011.

[Source: Smithsonian via The Detroit News]

Smithsonian asks public to vote on cars for American History display