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Ford's latest generation Mondeo has won a Caravan Club Towcar Award for the second year in a row.
The Mondeo Titanium X Estate triumphed against tough competition in the £25,000 to £32,000 category at the Caravan Club's ceremony, the UK's longest running towing vehicle competition.
Caravan Club Chairman, Grenville Chamberlain, said: “The returning champion, Ford Mondeo, had a lot to live up to, but it triumphed again. The estate model’s huge load space makes it a very practical caravanning car. The five-cylinder turbo petrol engine has tremendous pulling power, the gearbox ratios (six-speed manual) are just right and both brakes and steering inspire confidence. The icing on the cake is great build quality.”
Roelant de Waard, chairman and managing director of Ford of Britain, commented: "We are delighted the Ford Mondeo’s outstanding practicality, versatility and quality have once again been acknowledged and rewarded by the Caravan Club. This is a hugely prestigious award which pitched us against some tough competition. The independent judges’ decision confirmed what the growing number of Ford Mondeo owners already know about this exceptional family car."
The Caravan Club is the largest touring organisation of its kind in Europe and claims over half the UK caravanning population as members. The Towcar of the Year Awards were launched 26 years ago.
For more information about the Ford range please visit Lifestyle Ford
Ford Kuga drivers can park and manoeuvre more safely thanks to a high-tech miniature rear-view camera system which reduces blind spots behind the car. The tailgate-mounted camera – a Ford first on a passenger car –shows objects that would otherwise be hidden on a large 7-inch colour display. The system is activated whenever reverse gear is engaged and the camera’s wide-angle view clearly shows obstructions within its field of vision such as low obstacles, animals or even children. The camera system in Ford's new compact crossover is enhanced by special graphics that are superimposed onto the camera image. Two yellow lines indicate the total width of the vehicle including mirrors. A third line marks the vehicle’s centre line to assist line up a tow hook with a caravan or trailer. The lines move to show the path of the vehicle based on the current steering angle. Joerg Luemmen, Ford systems engineer, said: “Many customers lack confidence when manoeuvring in tight spaces or hitching a caravan to their vehicle. The Ford Kuga rear-view camera helps drivers to reverse safely and accurately, providing a clear view of that critical area immediately behind the vehicle.” The rear-view camera, located near the tailgate's Ford badge, is fitted as standard to the Ford Kuga when customers specify the optional premium DVD touchscreen navigation system. If the Kuga is also fitted with Park Assist sensors, the display graphics help the driver judge exactly how far objects are behind the vehicle by providing additional coloured bars which indicate distances of 0.3m, 1.0m and 2.0m.Kuga rear view camera:What is it? Tailgate-mounted camera system providing safer and more accurate reversing.How to get it Rear view camera system is fitted as standard to Ford Kuga Zetec and Titanium when customers specify the optional premium DVD navigation system with 7-inch colour displayWhat's the cost? Optional cost of DVD navigation system including rear-view camera, dual electronic automatic temperature control and heated front seats:£1,500 on Kuga Zetec£1,000 on Kuga Titanium To find out more about the Ford range please visit Lifestyle Ford
Smart driving tips save £325 a year and improve mpg by over 33 per cent
Ford Focus ECOnetic returned 78.5mpg on Challenge
Figures achieved by 500 drivers in the Ford Focus ECOnetic Smart Driving Challenge show how much money, fuel and CO2 can be saved by using eco driving techniques.
The Energy Saving Trust, which ran the Ford Smart Driving Challenge with low CO2 Ford Focus ECOnetic models, has reported:
- Fuel saved after deploying smart driving tips equated to £325 per year for the average motorist
- Drivers improved their miles per gallon by 33.4 per cent
- Associated CO2 impact improved by 22.5 per cent
- Best fuel consumption recorded for Ford Focus ECOnetic was 78.5mpg (compared with official combined figure of 65.6mpg)
Ford's summer Smart Driving Challenge ran at seven locations across the country, including the British International Motor Show in London. Other regional challenge events were at Murrayfield, Scotland; Tynemouth; Knowsley, Merseyside; West Midlands; Longleat, Wiltshire; and Cornwall's Eden Project.
The 500 drivers taking part tackled a three-part test. The first was to establish existing smooth driving skills, with fuel consumption/CO2 output recorded.
Next came eco driving instruction from the Energy Saving Trust before a second mpg/CO2 measure was produced –expressed as an annual fuel saving. Smart driving techniques deliver environmental, financial and safety benefits by reducing fuel consumption thanks to a smoother driving style aimed at eliminating wasteful acceleration and braking.
Nigel Underdown, Energy Saving Trust's head of transport advice, said: "These are great results proving that a few simple smart driving techniques make a huge difference to fuel consumption.
"Typical annual savings equate to £325 or 650kg of CO2 per car. If all drivers reduced fuel consumption by the same proportion, more than 15 million tonnes of CO2 emissions would be avoided every year."
The Ford Smart Driving Challenge featured Ford Focus ECOnetic TDCi models, which combine aerodynamic styling, low rolling resistance tyres and enhanced engine oils to achieve CO2 output of 115g/km. Ford Mondeo ECOnetic (139g CO2) and Fiesta ECOnetic (98g CO2) models have also been launched.
Independent analysis by cleangreencars.co.uk shows that if customers continue their move into such lower CO2 and higher mpg Ford models, 83,818 tonnes of CO2 a year could be avoided – equivalent to annual emissions from around 13,000 homes.
Roelant de Waard, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said: "The combination of economical cars driven frugally can have a dramatic impact, as our Ford Focus ECOnetic Smart Driving Challenge has highlighted. Our sales of low CO2 cars are up 42 per cent this year so far as Ford meets the modern day imperatives of family motoring – lower fuel costs and CO2 emissions from affordable vehicles."
What is eco driving?- Change up through the gears at between 2,000 and 2,500 rpm
- Ease your speed. Driving at 70mph uses around 15 per cent more fuel than at 50mph
- Anticipate to avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking
- Use auxiliary equipment selectively, eg air conditioning
- Switch off the engine whenever safe to do so
- Check and adjust tyre pressures regularly, according to load and speed driven
- Remove unnecessary cargo from the car to reduce weight
- Reduce aerodynamic drag whenever possible, eg close windows or remove roof racks
What are the benefits?
- Reduced fuel consumption
- Lower fuel bills
- Less CO2 emissions
- Lower accident rates as a result of improved anticipation
For more information about the Ford please visit: Lifestyle Ford
The all new Ford Fiesta van has made its public debut at the 2008 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover, bringing practicality, style and fun to the light commercial vehicle segment.
- World premiere of the all new Fiesta van at Hanover Show
- Fiesta van delivers 110g/km CO2 and 4.2l/100 km (67.3mpg)*
- On sale Spring 2009 in the UK
- New for Transit: 2.2-litre 115PS Duratorq TDCi engine and 6-speed manual transmission
Based on the all new Ford Fiesta hatchback which is about to go on sale in Britain, Fiesta van is designed to meet the needs of professional and personal use customers and will be available in the UK in Spring 2009.
"A commercial vehicle is not just a tool that has to deliver goods in a reliable and cost-efficient way – it's also a business card," said Steve Kimber, Ford of Britain's Commercial Vehicles Director. "The all new Fiesta van shares many of its key qualities with the car on which it is based. From its driving quality to the latest technologies, this is a practical van for today's image-conscious business world."
The sturdy yet lightweight three-door body shell is a solid foundation for a safe and agile driving experience, high levels of durability, low fuel consumption and emissions, and good payload capacity.
These attributes make it the ideal choice for urban express delivery, service fleets and artisans thanks to its van practicality and car-like styling.
The rear side windows are replaced by body coloured solid panels, and the rear passenger seats are removed to provide space for a clean and step-less load box area.
Preliminary technical data shows that the load box volume is targeted to exceed 1,000 litres, with a maximum useable load length of round 1,300mm, as well as a maximum load box width of 1,278mm (1,004mm between the wheel arches) and a height of up to 936mm. Final measurements will be confirmed closer to launch. A half-high bulkhead and solid DIN-compliant tie-down hooks are standard.
Low Cost of Ownership
The new Fiesta van is available with a choice of engines: 1.25-litre 82PS Duratec 16V petrol unit, a frugal 1.4-litre 68PS Duratorq TDCi turbo diesel, and a top-of the-range 1.6-litre 90PS Duratorq TDCi turbo diesel with standard closed-loop coated DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter).
The fuel economy figures of the Fiesta van are targeted to match those of the Fiesta three-door passenger car. With a combined fuel consumption of just 4.2 l/100 km (67.3 mpg)* and average CO2 emissions of just 110g/km on the diesel engines.
Safe and Enjoyable
Using the three-door all new Fiesta passenger car as the basis for the Fiesta van means that commercial customers can benefit from a wide range of technologies and features designed to ensure a safe and enjoyable working environment for their drivers.
The balanced chassis setup with MacPherson struts in the front and a rear twist-beam suspension is designed for a safe and controllable ride under all loading conditions. The new EPAS (Electric Power Assisted Steering) system delivers high levels of steering accuracy and contributes to lower fuel consumption thanks to the absence of a hydraulic device that would increase inertia and raise fuel consumption.
The safe and agile chassis setup is complemented by standard active safety features like ABS anti-lock brakes including Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). ESP is available as an option with all engines and includes Emergency Brake Assist (EBA). The passive safety feature list includes standard front airbags.
All new Fiesta van is equipped with the acclaimed Ford EasyFuel capless refuelling system which is clean and easy to use and also has a mis-fuel inhibitor that prevents the wrong fuel filler nozzle being inserted. This feature is a major benefit to commercial customers, particularly for mixed fleets and vehicles that are used by multiple drivers.
In addition, a wide range of options and accessories is available to make the Fiesta van a tailored professional tool. Options include various audio systems such as Bluetooth® wireless mobile phone interface. Different levels of security systems can be specified, including remote controlled double-locking and a perimeter alarm.
New TDCi Transit Engine
For all front-wheel-drive (FWD) Transits, a new 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi engine with a maximum power output of 115PS and standard six-speed manual transmission is now available, succeeding the previous 110PS/five-speed combination. The new 115PS engine reaches its peak power at 3,500 rpm, and delivers maximum torque of 300Nm at 1,800-2,000rpm – an improvement of 15Nm over its predecessor.
The transmission fitted as standard with the new engine is the well-proven Ford Durashift six-speed manual (VMT-6), a compact three-shaft design. This transmission offers a wider range of available gear ratios, allowing greater potential for optimisation of fuel economy, while the power and torque upgrade offer rewarding performance on demand.
The 'shorter' gearing in first gear allows for improved pull away performance and increased towing capacity (up to 5,500kg GTM), while the 'longer' gearing in top gear provides improved highway fuel economy of around five per cent with reduced engine revs for a given vehicle speed, further reducing cab noise for more relaxed motorway cruising.
As an additional aid to drivers on this and all Transit TDCi models, a shift indicator lamp is now integrated in the tachometer and shows the optimum time for gear changes to deliver best fuel economy, reduced engine wear and smooth driving.
DPF Availability
As a further contribution to a cleaner environment, from October 2008 all TDCi versions of the Transit can be ordered with a closed-loop coated Diesel Particulate Filter (cDPF).
Thanks to the special coating on these cDPFs, the filter devices are targeted to be completely maintenance-free during normal operating conditions, while the closed-loop design and link to the engine management system provide a very high filter efficiency of around 95 per cent.
The offering of cDPFs for all Transit TDCi diesels builds on the cDPF availability for all Transit Connect and Tourneo Connect vehicles with 90PS and 110PS diesels that was introduced in February 2008.
For more information about the Ford range please visit: Lifestyle Ford
Replacing the iconic original, the all-new Ford Ka is stylish, modern and great fun to driveExpressive styling combines Ford’s latest kinetic design language with the youthful and cheeky spirit of the original KaSuspension, steering and chassis have been meticulously tuned by Ford engineering specialists to deliver the most exciting driving dynamics of any small carEfficient to run and environmentally friendly with two economical, low emission enginesBoth petrol and diesel models available with sub-120g/km CO2 emissionsAvailable in the UK by late 2008/early 2009
The all-new Ka retains all of the qualities which made the Ka brand so popular – compact size, great looks, lively dynamics and fun personality – but presents them in a fresh all-new package.
With its striking interior and exterior design, outstanding dynamics and unique character, the all-new Ford Ka sets a new standard for affordable small cars. Practical, safe, cheap to run, and friendly to the environment, this bold new model starts a new chapter of the Ka success story.
Production of the all-new Ford Ka commences in the autumn of 2008, and the vehicle will go on sale in the UK in late 2008/early 2009.
Stylish and fashionable
With the introduction of all-new Ka, Ford has extended its kinetic design language to the smallest car range.
The all-new vehicle has a stylish, fashionable appearance which combines Ford’s latest design thinking with some of the youthful and cheeky spirit which made the original Ka so popular.
Designed for a young target audience who enjoy making a bold statement in their choice of car, the all-new Ka has the same compact proportions as its predecessor, but with a chunky and expressive style all of its own.
A number of visual cues from the outgoing car ensure that the new design is recognisably a Ka, yet it has the dynamic qualities which mark it out as a member of the kinetic design family.
Bold, colourful interior
The interior of the all-new Ka has a stylish, dynamic design, just like the exterior. The same kinetic design philosophy used to shape the body is applied inside the vehicle, ensuring that the fresh and modern character of the external design is matched by the interior style.
Bold contrasts and expressive colours have been deliberately chosen to reflect the more adventurous tastes of the typical Ka customer. These are combined with some imaginative design details to give the interior a fashionable and fun personality which is quite unique in the B-car segment.
The all-new Ka is practical too, with generous interior space and comfortable accommodation for four adults and their belongings. The high seating position, carefully placed controls and excellent visibility make the all-new Ka a pleasure to drive for drivers of all ages.
Exciting driving dynamics
The original Ka was renowned for its go-kart like handling, and the all-new Ka has been designed to be just as fun and rewarding to drive, with the most exciting driving dynamics of any small car.
Ford’s own chassis engineering experts have tuned the suspension, steering, and chassis, with the same meticulous attention to detail which has made Ford a leader in vehicle dynamics.
Final testing was conducted using a combination of public roads, proving grounds and race tracks – including the legendary Nürburgring in Germany.
During the engineering process, information was exchanged with the team developing the all-new Fiesta, and certain components, such as the tyres, were jointly developed for both models.
Economical and environmentally friendly
The affordable all-new Ford Ka is designed to be both cheap to run and kind to the environment. It uses two economical, low emission engines: a 1.2-litre 69 PS Duratec petrol engine and, for the first time on Ka, a 1.3-litre 75 PS Duratorq TDCi turbodiesel.
Both petrol and diesel models are available with sub-120g/km CO2 emissions.
The 1.2-litre petrol model, which is expected to be the largest seller in the all-new range, has cut fuel consumption by 21 per cent compared to the previous 1.3-litre Ka.
The diesel model – available on the Ka for the first time – improves economy still further, achieving a combined fuel consumption of 67.2mpg.
Safe and secure
The all-new Ka may be a small vehicle, but it has been engineered to meet Ford’s strict in-house safety design guidelines.
At the heart of the vehicle is the bodyshell, which has been developed to provide an incredibly strong, stable crash structure to protect passengers in case of an accident.
The bodyshell is combined with an Intelligent Protection System (IPS), which integrates airbags, restraint systems and seating technologies to provide a highly effective occupant safety system.
Ka choice
The all-new Ford Ka is available in four series –Studio, Style, Style + and Zetec – each offering a combination of value and equipment. Option packs are available to provide customers with maximum choice when specifying their vehicle.
Specify the Bluetooth-enabled Connectivity Kit, and the Ka comes equipped with Bluetooth® mobile phone connectivity, a USB port to play music files through the sound system and steering wheel controls.
Combine this with the superb six-speaker CD sound systems, and the all-new Ka provides all the necessary equipment to keep its passengers connected and entertained.
Unique among vehicles in the small-car segment, the all-new Ka also offers heated windscreen and heated seats, invaluable for safe and comfortable driving in cold winter conditions.
Development and production
The all-new Ford Ka has been developed as part of a common project with Fiat. The vehicle is produced at the modern Fiat manufacturing plant in Tychy, Poland, sharing the production line with the Fiat 500 model.
Ka history
The original Ford Ka was launched at the Paris Motor Show in 1996. It was immediately acclaimed for its exciting “All-new Edge” styling and for bringing new levels of driving enjoyment to the class.
Sales soon took off across Europe, and the Ka gained the popularity which has stayed with it throughout its lifetime, with a total of over 1,460,000 vehicles produced. In the UK alone, the Ka has found 500,000 customers, and has been segment leader since 2000.
Derivatives, such as the exciting StreetKa and SportKa models expanded the Ka family, and helped to broaden and reinforce the model’s appeal.
The Ka has inspired tremendous loyalty amongst its customers, with many owners coming back to the model time and time again. Based on Ford research, Ka customers have the highest customer brand loyalty of any Ford model.
For more information about the Ford range please visit: Lifestyle Ford
Ford's latest generation Mondeo has won a Caravan Club Towcar Award for the second year in a row.
