Tri-County Ford Blog

by Chris Woodyard | United States (Copyright 2011) |USA Today, Feb-21-2011

Ford says its small Fiesta is the first car in its subcompact segment to earn top crash-test ratings in each of the world’s largest auto markets that perform safety testing: the U.S., China and Europe.

In the U.S., that means the 2011 Ford Fiesta is a “top safety pick” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety under its new test standards. Winning safety awards around the world is a big deal, because Ford is trying to show how it can build a single model that can sell globally. In the past, it made different models for different markets.

“Ford is committed to safety, including our efforts to deliver top crash test ratings that customers look to when choosing new vehicles,” said Sue Cischke, group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety. “Fiesta is the latest example of that safety commitment.”

Ford says testing agencies in the U.S., China, Europe and Australia/New Zealand rate the Ford Fiesta at the top of the list for crash ratings. The automaker adds that Fiesta’s latest maximum five-star safety rating was awarded by the China Automotive Technology and Research Center under the China New Car Assessment Program, or C-NCAP.

Just in case you missed it, Ford Motor Company made it a 1-2-3 finish yesterday during the 2011 Daytona 500. With Trevor Bayne, driver of the #21 Quick Lane/Motorcraft car winning the race in dramatic fashion after two late caution flags.  Trevor becomes the youngest NASCAR driver to win the Daytona 500, turning 20 years old just a day before the big race (record previously held by Jeff Gordon 24yrs old).

You asked, and Ford Motor Company answered: 70 percent of F-150 customers said better fuel economy is what they’d like improved most in their truck. And that they got – the 2011 Ford F-150 is projected to be the most fuel-efficient full-size pickup of any manufacturer, thanks to a projected 23 mpg highway (pending final EPA certification) with the new 3.7-liter engine. The new 5.0-liter V8 engine is projected to deliver 21 mpg highway, pending EPA certification.

“The all-new engine lineup for the 2011 Ford F-150 is focused on delivering what matters most to truck customers – best-in-class power, capability, durability and fuel economy,” said Barb Samardzich, vice president of Powertrain Engineering. “Each engine offers an unequaled combination of these attributes.”

The new 3.7-liter V6 is projected to deliver 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway in 4×2 configuration. Projections for the new 5.0-liter V8 are 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway in 4×2 configuration. No manufacturer offers better fuel economy numbers in these respective segments.

Also new for 2011 are the 6.2-liter V8 and 3.5-liter EcoBoost™. The EcoBoost will be available in early 2011; trucks with the 3.7-liter V6, 5.0-liter V8 and 6.2-liter V8 will arrive in dealer showrooms later this year. The new V6 and V8 make up half of an all-new powertrain lineup for the 2011 Ford F-150, part of the most extensive engine makeover in the 62-year history of F-Series. This versatile new powertrain lineup enables F-150 customers to choose the engine that best suits their needs.

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