Vehicle Profile: The 2013 Ford Taurus

Vehicle Profile: The 2013 Ford Taurus

The Ford flagship shines brighter than ever.

Plenty of large sedans boast abundant power, but the redesigned 2013 Ford Taurus lineup couples an array of high-performance engine choices with undisputed best-in-class fuel mileage. Along with its segment-leading blend of performance and economy, Ford’s new full-size flagship leaves competitors looking like specks in the rear-view thanks to enhanced technology, sharper driving dynamics, refined styling inside and out and a broader swath of standard and available features.

Honoring the status of the Taurus as the carmaker’s signature sedan, the designers and engineers at Ford approached their work on the new 2013 Taurus as something far greater than a mere mid-cycle refresh, ultimately delivering levels of quality, craftsmanship and content buyers expect from high-priced luxury sedans. From cutting-edge driver aids such as Active Park Assist, to the intuitive technology of SYNC with MyFord Touch, to up-level exclusives like heated and cooled multi-contour front seats with Active Motion Massage, the new Taurus outclasses segment rivals at every turn.

Buhler Ford at the Jersey Shore in Eatontown, NJ offers the Taurus in four versions: The SE, the sporty SEL, the luxurious Limited and the road-conquering SHO.

The big news for 2013 can be found under the hood where the Taurus becomes the first Ford car to offer the hyper-efficient 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. Benefiting from turbocharging and gasoline direct injection, the 2.0-liter EcoBoost cranks out 237 hp and 250 lb/ft of torque – figures that compare favorably to larger-displacement V6 engines. Even more surprising, the new four-cylinder EcoBoost is expected to return a class-leading 31 mpg highway, fuel economy on par with many sedans with less power.

The standard 3.5-liter V6 engine also receives an increase in power and efficiency for 2013 thanks to the addition of twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT). Output climbs to 290 hp (up from 263 hp) and 255 lb/ft of torque while fuel economy improves over last year’s 28 highway mpg.

The top-of-the-line Taurus SHO (Super High Output) continues to feature the most powerful EcoBoost engine in the Ford family – the twin-turbocharged, 365-hp EcoBoost 3.5-liter V6. Credit direct fuel injection for helping the SHO V6 deliver its 350 lb/ft of peak torque at a low and lag-free 1,500 rpm. Despite its bullish output, the EcoBoost V6 stays true to its fuel-sipping mandate, returning an EPA-estimated 25 mpg on the highway.

The three Taurus engines are each paired with a six-speed automatic transmission tuned to maximize off-the-line punch while bolstering fuel mileage at cruising speeds. AdvanceTrac with Electronic Stability Control is on hand to help keep the miles worry free on every road you travel. Instilling an extra degree of confidence no matter the weather, all-wheel drive is standard on the SHO and available throughout the lineup.

Looking to keep its flagship a showcase for the latest in driver aids, Ford has equipped the new Taurus with such advanced technology as Curve Control, which automatically reduces engine torque and applies the anti-lock brakes at all four wheels to slow the car when you enter a corner too quickly. Exclusive in this segment, the new Torque Vectoring Control system mimics the effect of a limited-slip differential by applying a slight amount of brakeforce at the inside front wheel to help you hold the line when accelerating out of a corner.

The list of available driver-assistance technology would look right at home on high-priced imported luxury sedans. Collision Warning with Brake Support employs the Adaptive Cruise Control system to alert the driver to slower traffic ahead, then boosts brake pressure to help shorten stopping distances. Cross-Traffic Alert uses the Blind Spot Information System to sense oncoming vehicles and warn the driver during backing maneuvers.

Ride and handling benefit from larger brakes, revised spring and damper rates and a quicker steering ratio on the Electronic Power-Assisted Steering, which is now standard throughout the Taurus lineup. Family security also comes standard on the Taurus, as proven by the current model’s selection as a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Climb inside and you’ll appreciate a new level of craftsmanship underscored by superior fit, new switchgear and upgraded soft-touch materials. Comfort takes center stage thanks to available power front seats with leather-trim, a heated steering wheel and a power rear sunshade. Ford has also upped the ante on available convenience technology with high-demand items including keyless entry, remote start, ambient lighting and a rear-view camera.

Crowning the slate of innovative technology on the new Taurus is the MyFord Touch connectivity system, which features a touch-screen mounted in the center stack and two supplemental screens fitted inside the instrument cluster. Working with the SYNC voice-activated entertainment and communication system, MyFord Touch lets you monitor vehicle systems, request turn-by-turn directions, text and make calls hands-free and even turn your Taurus into a WiFi hotspot for your family.

To differentiate the SHO even further from its siblings, the sportiest Taurus receives a wealth of exclusive upgrades for 2013. The new black mesh grille flanked by High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps conveys restrained aggression while the rear decklid spoiler, subtle SHO badges mounted in the front-fender coves and 19-inch premium painted alloy wheels (20-inch alloys are optional) speak of countless high-speed runs yet to come.

Once at speed, the new SHO gives you the confidence to test your mettle with a new SHO Performance Package that includes such highlights as a sport-tuned suspension, extreme-duty cooling system, performance brake pads and calipers and an Electronic Stability Control “Track Mode” with a true “Off” selection for freer wheeling when the rubber hits the raceway.

Enthusiasts are also sure to appreciate the reconfigured paddleshifters mounted on the steering wheel, another SHO exclusive. Based on feedback from SHO enthusiast clubs, the paddles now offer more intuitive operation with one paddle dedicated strictly to upshifts and the other to downshifts.

The new 2013 Ford Taurus line of full-size sedans reaches showrooms this spring. Be sure to contact us to schedule a test drive at Buhler Ford at the Jersey Shore in Eatontown, NJ.

Ford Invests in Production of Electrified Vehicles

Ford Invests in Production of Electrified Vehicles

A $135 million investment will help create new jobs and more fuel-efficient options for customers

Ford is America’s largest domestic producer of hybrid vehicles. The brand that launched the Escape Hybrid in 2004 and the Fusion Hybrid in 2010 recently announced that it would be investing $135 million in the design, engineering and production of key components for next-generation hybrid-electric vehicles that are going into production this year.

The $135 million investment will help Ford create new green jobs, double its battery testing capabilities and send more hybrid and electrified vehicles to market up to 25 percent faster. More specifically, Ford plans to double its battery-testing capabilities, to 160 individual battery-test channels, by 2013; this will include using more of the specialized machines that test and simulate power, performance, battery life and thermal behavior over a wide range of potential operating conditions and temperatures.

Additionally, a 285,000-square-foot research and development lab in Dearborn, Michigan, will be dedicated solely to Ford hybrids and electrification. This lab, which houses most of the 1,000 engineers working on electrification and hybrid programs, was formerly known as the Advanced Engineering Center but has been renamed the Ford Advanced Electrification Center. Ford added 60 engineers to its electrification team in the last year and expects to fill dozens more positions this coming year.

By bringing research, development and production of hybrid and electrified vehicles in-house, Ford has been able to make hybrid engines more efficient and more affordable. Expanded battery-testing capabilities will allow Ford engineers to collect, analyze and apply large amounts of data quickly and modify tests when necessary; the result will be completed projects in 25 percent less time than what was necessary for previous-generation hybrids.

Buhler Ford’s investment will give customers the benefit of more fuel-efficient choices and even better value. Compared to the cost of the previous-generation hybrid system, Ford’s current hybrid system will cost 30 percent less. Ford will have five electrified vehicles this year as part of its “Power of Choice” strategy to produce leading fuel economy across its lineup and triple its production capacity of electrified vehicles by 2013. These five electrified vehicles are:

Focus Electric: America’s most fuel-efficient compact car with 110 miles per gallon equivalent, or “MPGe,” city, the Focus Electric has a four-hour charge time with its available 240-volt charging station, nearly half the charge time required by the Nissan Leaf. Production began in late 2011.

C-MAX Hybrid: This model is EPA-certified to deliver 47 mpg highway, 47 mpg city (at least three mpg more than Toyota Prius v) and 47 mpg combined, and features more technology and better performance at a base price that is $1,300 lower than the Prius v.

C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid: Projected to achieve 95 MPGe with a total range of 550 miles, this model’s MPGe is more than three times that of the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid, per EPA testing methods, and is coming this fall.

All-new Fusion Hybrid: Also coming this fall, this model beats out the Toyota Camry Hybrid by five mpg highway, with an expected 47 mpg.

Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid: Ford aims to make this model the most fuel-efficient midsize car in the world; production will begin by the end of 2012.

“The good news for customers is that they not only have more choice, but they have faster access to Ford’s latest and greatest in fuel-saving technologies and vehicles,” stated Ford Vice President of Powertrain Engineering Joe Bakaj. “This stems directly from our decisions to deliver true power of choice by expanding our dedicated electrified vehicle team and further investing in our facilities.”

Ford’s increased investment in electrified vehicles has resulted in a rapid growth in the number of people working on them, and has brought together talented engineers and innovators from diverse backgrounds. Many of these professionals have experience in the field of aerospace, working on rockets, jets, satellites, missiles and unmanned aircraft.

“We know what it takes to build world-class hybrids and are building on that expertise,” stated Ford Electrification Programs and Engineering Director Kevin Layden. “We’re continuing to invest so Ford can continue to lead in the delivery of top fuel economy, durability and driving dynamics in our electrified vehicles.”

Stop by Buhler Ford at the Jersey Shore in Eatontown, NJ for a test drive!

Ford Launches Global Manufacturing System

Ford Launches Global Manufacturing System

“One Manufacturing” will improve efficiency and lower total cost of production

Ford Motor Company, already one of the world’s leading automakers, is launching its largest global expansion in 50 years as it introduces a single manufacturing operating system meant to drive improved efficiencies, increase capacity utilization and put the company in the lead for lowest total cost production.

“The global One Ford plan is making it possible for us to deploy One Manufacturing, a single Ford production system that will pay tremendous dividends through standard processes, greater flexibility and improved investment efficiency,” stated Ford Executive Vice President of Global Manufacturing John Fleming, at the Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars in August.

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Ford is boosting capacities around the world, including a significant expansion in Asia Pacific Africa (APA), where nine new plants will be built. These new facilities will increase the region’s capacity to produce 2.9 million vehicles a year, part of Ford’s global plan to meet its goal of selling eight million vehicles a year by 2015.

With the addition of these new facilities, Ford is also expanding the use and application of common manufacturing processes and standard systems for tracking material, delivery maintenance and environmental costs so that both existing and new plants operate the same. Ford is also expanding the use of virtual tools to lower the cost of new plants and improve the efficiencies of new-model changeovers.

Ford’s One Manufacturing system will include:

Better flexibility: The percent of flexible body shops in Ford’s operations will increase from 55 to 65 percent in 2012. Each new plant launched will have a flexible body shop. Additionally, the number of vehicle derivatives that can be assembled in one single factory is also increasing; by 2015, Ford will be capable of producing 25 percent more derivatives per plant than in 2011. Some of the new plants in APA will have the ability to produce six and seven vehicles from one factory.

Process/quality Improvement: Buhler Ford is increasing the use of virtual tools that simulate vehicle assembly. By studying the best way for operators to build each part of the vehicle, Ford can create assembly lines that improve quality while reducing accidents and injuries.

Investment efficiency: The investment it takes to assemble a vehicle has been reduced by more than 20 percent since 2009 thanks to virtual tools. Additionally, Ford has reduced the investment to produce a vehicle derivative by 60 percent. By expanding the use of virtual tools and standard processes, total vehicle investment is expected to drop by eight percent per year.

Capacity utilization: With the launch of new plants, Ford is reducing the number of platforms from which vehicles are developed. When paired with more efficiencies and improved flexibility, Ford will be able to take advantage of global economies of scale and drastically improve capacity utilization; the brand’s global capacity utilization on a two-shift basis will increase 27 percent by 2016, compared to 2011.

Buhler Ford’s One Manufacturing process will allow assembly operations to work using the same language, regardless of where they are in the world, and will produce high-quality vehicles in a way that is both safe and efficient.

Ford Helps Deliver Fresh Food Across America

Ford Helps Deliver Fresh Food Across America The automaker combats hunger with two partners and a fleet of refrigerated trucks.

For the 11th consecutive year, Ford Motor Company is teaming up with Newman’s Own® Inc. and Feeding America to distribute food to communities in need across five regions of the country. Over the past decade, more than 100 refrigerated Ford trucks have carried perishable foods to these communities; thanks to a recent donation of five more vehicles, every state will get a visit from a Ford truck or van filled with nutritious Newman’s Own food.

The Partnership for Hunger Relief started when actor, entrepreneur and humanitarian Paul Newman contacted Bill Ford who was then the chairman and CEO of Ford Motor Company. Newman’s mission was to improve the distribution of healthy, perishable food including fresh produce to hungry, hard-to-reach communities throughout rural America. Eleven years later, Ford vehicles have delivered more than 176 million meals in both urban and suburban areas, covering approximately 6.7 million miles. Many states even have multiple trucks.

Newman’s Own, Inc. President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Indoe is proud of the program’s achievements. “More than 12 years ago, Paul Newman realized there was a great need to get nutritious food more broadly distributed. With 49 million people facing hunger, we are glad this program continues to help make a difference, especially in the current economic environment.” In fall 2011, the following organizations received trucks from the Partnership for Hunger Relief:

• Atlanta Community Food Bank (Atlanta, Georgia)
• Dare to Care Food Bank (Louisville, Kentucky)
• Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida (Fort Myers, Florida)
• Josephine County Food Bank (Grants Pass, Oregon)
• Inter-Faith Food Shuttle (Raleigh, North Carolina)

Feeding America is the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, and President and CEO Vicki Escarra notes that the strong relationship between the three organizations has helped meet the growing needs of communities. “We have seen a dramatic rise in the number of people seeking food assistance from the Feeding America network. Today, we are feeding 37 million people each year – a staggering 46 percent increase since 2006. The Ford Motor Company and Newman’s Own have been long-time generous supporters of our mission. We continue to build partnerships like this to help our food banks provide more donated food to more people in need.”

The recent donation of five additional Ford trucks is making a big impact in places like Louisville, Kentucky and nearby Indiana – a region often referred to as “Kentuckiana.” Brian Riendeau, Executive Director of Dare to Care Food Bank, feels that Ford’s most recent gift is timely for the area’s families. “We are in a period of unprecedented need for food assistance in our community. This investment by Ford in our capacity to serve Kentuckiana continues the tradition of community generosity that created Dare to Care over 40 years ago.”

At the Ford Louisville Assembly Plant, Plant Manager John Savona is pleased that his workplace has made such a positive impact on the surrounding area. “We are delighted that the truck donated to Dare to Care Food Bank was produced right here in Louisville at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant.”

The teamwork between Ford Motor Company, Newman’s Own and Feeding America has already improved the lives of millions of individuals across the country. Now into its second decade, the Partnership for Hunger Relief promises to continue bringing healthy, fresh food to Americans for years to come.

For more information, visit www.feedingamerica.org, www.newmansownfoundation.org, and www.buhlerford.com.

Ford Debuts New Method of Attaching Windshields

Ford Debuts New Method of Attaching Windshields

The patented process exemplifies clean technology at its best.

Ford Motor Company is commercializing a new process that makes attaching vehicle windshields simpler, eco-friendly and less costly. Two separate patents cover this cutting-edge technology. The first patent is for the process with the edge of the windshield glass that can be cleaned and activated in less than 10 seconds. The second patent involves the application of a plasma-reacted nano-coating that helps prepare the surface for the bonding of the adhesive that holds the windshield in place.

Ford Research & Innovation Technical Expert Larry Haack says this technology provides multiple benefits. “The new patented process has the potential to reduce costs because it requires far less material to create the ultra-thin bond coating, and the fully automated process is much less labor-intensive,” explains Haack. “This new process also lessens the use of chemicals including VOCs [volatile organic compounds], which is good for the environment.”

The windshield attachment method used by automakers now releases small amounts of highly undesirable solvent emissions. The glass is first wiped with a solvent cleaner, and then primer and adhesive are applied to secure the windshield to the vehicle. The new technology eliminates the use of solvents that contain VOCs and reduces steps such as wiping the glass clean.

The automaker has signed a nonexclusive, worldwide license agreement with Plasmatreat U.S. L.P. that grants the right to use Ford’s new patents and incorporate the technology into Plasmatreat equipment and patents. Ford will also provide technical assistance to Plasmatreat and its customers. The partnership is designed to help introduce the technology to a variety of markets. According to Ford Global Technologies L.L.C. Technology Commercialization Director Chris Danowski, the heavy truck, motor home and bus industries will be among the first markets to obtain the new process.

The partnership with Plasmatreat, based in Elgin, Illinois offers exciting opportunities for Ford. Danowski feels that companies like Plasmatreat can help commercialize new technologies and make them available to the market faster. He also notes, “Such relationships are very beneficial, as we are simplifying the manufacturing process and making it more environmentally friendly, too.”

Ford’s latest technological achievement is part of a long-standing, company-wide effort to reduce waste and develop more eco-conscious practices. Advanced methods like those used in the windshield-attachment patents set the bar high for both industry competitors and even Ford itself, as it continues to develop smarter ways to build quality vehicles.