I was asked to fly out to the Ford proving grounds in Dearborn, Michigan to preview the newest Ford products and to learn about the brand spanking new EcoBoost engine. This is the same engine that debuted in the new Ford Taurus SHO and revamped Ford Flex. This is the SAME engine that by 2013 will (according to Ford) live in 90% of Ford’s vehicles.
Yup - that’s NINETY percent!
Don’t worry – the EcoBoost is a direct injection engine with lots of new goodies including twin turbochargers. Think of these engines as upgrades to Ford’s current lineup of good power-plants. So far, they’ve proven remarkable. The bottom line is this - much more power and torque without sacrificing good mileage.
Ford brought out hundreds of automotive journalists and treated us to a well catered event. Unlike many automakers, Ford made their engineers and executives constantly available to the press. One of my friends asked me what the proving grounds were like. My reply was, “if you ever rode the Test Track in Epcot – you’ll get the idea.” Oddly enough, that particular ride is sponsored by GM.
The entire facility was constructed on an airfield that old man Ford originally had built. The testing grounds have several buildings dedicated to various forms of engineering (wind tunnels, telemetry etc). Several tracks orbit the entire facility simulating everything from rolling country roads to the interstate. I was impressed to say the least. It was obvious to me that Ford was flexing their muscles – and for good reason, they HAVE muscle. During the 24 hour event, I had access to some of the most 
accomplished high-rollers at Ford.
Of more importance to me, I had access to several new models of Ford.
Keep in mind that Ford is the only U.S. automaker that is debuting new vehicles beyond 2010 without a dime of our tax dollars. That in itself is commendable. What knocked my socks off was the sheer volume of new models Ford was about to unleash.
Yes, there are many significantly updated vehicles (like the Flex with EcoBoost) that are hitting dealerships soon; what I refer to are brand new machines. Here are some: the (already mentioned) Ford Taurus, the Lincoln MKT (which is, essentially a luxury Ford Flex), the Ford Transit Connect (a small FWD delivery van – I am rather excited about) and the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor (like a built-up 4X4 pickup except for it is built to take on the Baja 1000!).
There are lots of significant modifications that have been implemented in a majority of Ford products which I will address as I test each vehicle. Even though we were given access to do a lap in nearly every model (although, begrudgingly we were not given access to the King Kong-like Ford Raptor…bummer) it was just enough wheel time to wet our pallets.
Ford was keen to show us new (and in some cases, impressive) technology including their new hybrids, electric car (which I drove) and parking/safety devices that will be available on many Ford products about to hit the dealerships. I learned about new manufacturing methods, new “global” platforms and new Ford thinking.
As this year moves on, I will address more of what I witnessed and learned at the Ford proving grounds. Marketing makes no difference until the product is proven. Time will tell if the marketing folks at Ford can backup the bevy of information they want automotive journalists to convey.
So far, Ford is walking the walk and talking the talk.
Tomorrow, I will give you some highlights and a decent preview of the Ford Transit Connect.
http://www.ford.com/vehicles/vehicle-showroom
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