New 2011 Ford Explorer will be available with 4-cylinder engine

New 2011 Ford Explorer will be available with 4-cylinder engine

2011 Ford Explorer (Photo: Ford)

The 2011 Ford Explorer features front- all four-wheel drive with unibody construction and three rows of seats. The engine choices include standard 3.5-liter V6 with Twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) and available advanced 2.0-liter 237-hp EcoBoost turbocharged and intercooled 4-cylinder engine with direct injection. Either engine will be paired with 6-speed automatic transmission.
Among other innovations, the 2011 Explorer will feature electric power steering, variable-displacement air-conditioning compressor and the world's first second-row inflatable rear seat belts.
Available Explorer safety features include Adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support and BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with cross-traffic alert.
Explorer V6 models can be equipped to tow up to 5,000 pounds.
The 2011 Explorer will be assembled at Ford's Chicago manufacturing facility. Production begins late this year, and Explorer will be available in dealerships this winter. It will be equipped by 6-speed automatic transmission.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco: Most efficient Chevrolet 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco. Click for larger picture (Photo: GM) Chevrolet Cruze Eco, introduced at the 2010 New York Auto Show is designed to be the most fuel-efficient model in the lineup, delivering an estimated 40 mpg on the highway with the standard six-speed manual transmission. The Cruze Eco will feature: - 1.4L Ecotec turbocharged engine with variable valve timing. - lower front grille air shutter that closes at higher speeds to improve aerodynamics and opens at lower speeds to optimize engine-cooling airflow. - The upper grille has more “closeouts” to improve aerodynamics. - A lower front air dam extension, extensive use of underbody panels and a rear spoiler enhance aerodynamics. - A lowered ride height improves aerodynamics. - Unique 17-inch lightweight aluminum wheels. - Ultra-low rolling resistance 17-inch Goodyear tires. The Cruze Eco will be available in the fourth quarter of 2010.

2011 Ford Edge Featured Technology 2011 Ford Edge Click for larger picture (Photo: Ford) The new 2011 Ford Edge features a number of new interesting technologies, including MyFord Touch™ and industry-first HD Radio™ technology with iTunes® Tagging capability. With MyFord Touch, you can control various car features using either voice, touch or two steering wheel-mounted five-way button controls. MyFord Touch displays information on two 4.2-inch full-color LCD screens on both sides of the speedometer and an 8-inch touch-screen LCD at the top of the center stack. MyFord Touch interface and graphics are powered by the next generation of Ford SYNC®, built on Microsoft’s Windows Embedded Auto platform. Also available on the 2011 Ford Edge is the implementation of iTunes® Tagging in a factory-installed HD Radio receiver. With a simple push of the “TAG” button on the MyFord touch screen display, the song information will be stored in the radio’s memory. Once a song is tagged, you can connect your iPod® to the SYNC system and the “tagged” song information will transfer to that iPod. Up to 100 tags on SYNC can be stored until the iPod is connected. When the iPod is then synced to iTunes, a playlist of tagged songs will appear. You can preview, and if desired, purchase and download tagged songs from the iTunes Store. ↑

Ford introduces the industry’s first inflatable seat belts (Video: Ford) Ford Motor Company is bringing to market the world’s first automotive inflatable seat belts for the rear seat occupants. The advanced restraint system is designed to help reduce head, neck and chest injuries for rear seat passengers. According to Ford, the new inflatable rear seat belts spread crash forces over five times more area of the body than conventional seat belts; this helps reduce pressure on the chest and helps control head and neck motion for rear seat passengers. Ford will introduce inflatable rear seat belts on the next-generation Ford Explorer, which goes into production next year for the North American market. Over time, Ford plans to offer the technology in vehicles globally.  ↑

Ford Introduces All-new V-8 Turbocharged Diesel Engine Click for larger image (Photo: Ford) Ford introduces all-new Ford-engineered and Ford-manufactured 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel engine. The new engine will have stronger compacted graphite iron (CGI) engine block. The intake moved to the outer sides of the engine, while the exhaust with the turbocharger is placed inside of the V-valley to reduce the noise. The single-sequential turbocharger has two compressor wheels driven off one turbine impeller. The high-pressure Bosch fuel injection system uses piezo injectors to spray the fuel into the cylinders at up to 30,000 psi. The new engine will employ an aftertreatment system with the use of urea-based Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF). According to Ford, the new engine will deliver significant improvement in torque, horsepower and fuel economy. The new V-8 will debute in the 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty®.

Nissan Introduces New Dual Injector System

(Photo: Nissan Motor Co.)

TOKYO - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announced the development of a Dual Injector system designed to improve fuel efficiency in gasoline engines. The new fuel system uses two smaller injectors - one for each port, rather than one per cylinder. According to Nissan, this reduces the diameter of the fuel droplets by about 60%, resulting in smoother, more stable combustion. The system also adds continuous valve timing control on the exhaust side in addition to conventional intake-side control.