That's a pretty amazing change, without changing everything.
I think they did a much better job with this than with the Fusion last year.
Especially inside.
Although we'll have to see and feel the real thing. I was quite disappointed with the interior feel of the plastics inside the 2010 Mustang.
But the new "revised" Edge does look great.
At it is the 1st model offered with the all new 2.0 Liter Ecoboost engine.
The 3.5 Liter V6 is still available, now with 285hp.
Some of the official words"
"In addition to delivering customer-focused technology, the new Edge also showcases Ford's impressive drive to bring new powertrain options to the customer. Both the Edge 3.5-liter V-6 and Edge Sport 3.7-liter V-6 use advanced engine valvetrain technology (Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing, or Ti-VCT) and clever control strategies to increase horsepower and torque to best-in-class levels. This beats competitors such as the BMW X5, Lexus RX350 and Audi Q5, all while delivering unsurpassed fuel economy of 27 mpg (3.5-liter V-6 highway).
The 3.5-liter V-6 produces 285 horsepower and 253 ft.-lb. of torque while the 3.7-liter V-6 delivers 305 horsepower and 280 ft.-lb. of torque – all on regular fuel. Edge's unsurpassed fuel economy is not at the expense of power and performance. For example, the 3.5-liter V-6 with Ti-VCT technology delivers highway fuel economy that is 15 percent better than the Nissan Murano but produces 20 horsepower more.
Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The SelectShift Automatic™ transmission is standard on the 2011 Edge SEL and Limited series, with class-exclusive paddle activation of the SelectShift standard on the 2011 Edge Sport.
In addition, the arrival of the new 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4 engine in the months ahead will give customers still more choice and will deliver class-leading fuel economy with impressive power and torque.
The new EcoBoost I-4 will be mated to a six-speed transmission that will help channel the impressive performance from the new EcoBoost engine. With the introduction of the 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4, fuel economy on the new Edge will be 30 percent better than it was in 2006. Plus, Ford's newest EcoBoost engine will deliver on the promise of 15 percent fuel economy improvements versus the Edge's current 3.5-liter V-6 engine while offering the performance feel of a six-cylinder."
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
2011 Ford Edge
2011 Ford Edge Sport
More black, less chrome. 305hp...
"The 2011 Edge Sport is powered by a 3.7-liter Ti-VCT V-6 engine that produces 305 horsepower and is similar to the one added to the 2011 Ford Mustang. The 2011 Edge Sport includes all of the content found on Edge SEL as well as a specially tuned suspension, paddle shift transmission and its own unique style.
The Edge Sport's class-exclusive 22-inch polished aluminum wheels have distinctive Tuxedo Black spoke accents. Other unique styling cues include a Tuxedo Black grille, smoked headlamp and taillamp treatment, body-color rocker moldings, oval chrome exhaust tips, body-color door cladding and revised body-color lower front and rear fascias.
Key interior differentiators are liquid silver smoke appliqués that are echoed in the silver smoke metallic leather seat inserts, aluminum pedals and class-exclusive paddle shifters, which activate the six-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission to give customers the option of a fun-to-shift manual experience.
In SelectShift mode, the transmission doesn't second-guess the driver, offering total control over gear selection and performance feel. Upshifts, for instance, are not commanded at redline, and downshifts are allowed at the lowest gear possible as defined by the engine speed.
When the system is in manual mode, engine speed matching provides faster and smoother downshifts, and customers get the gear they request within the limits of the rev limiter.
When a lower gear is selected while descending a long downhill grade, the 2011 Ford Edge Sport in SelectShift mode will hold that gear until the driver manually upshifts or returns to the fully automatic setting. To ensure safe shifting, the transmission will downshift to the lowest acceptable gear, based on a calculated maximum speed. That means if a vehicle were traveling at highway speeds, the driver could not downshift to first gear in SelectShift mode."
New Volvo S60 video
In action. And not...
That really dark wood on the console still seems out of place to me.
More Lexus and Buick than Volvo...
Audi A1 video
Watch Audi's head of design drool over his own work.
Almost embarrassing.
Not that the new A1 is a bad looking car.
But it's really nothing we haven't seen before.
2012/13 Ford Mondeo/Fusion?
Who knows...
But after seeing the current Taurus and the great looking 2011 Focus, I am sure the next Fusion will look great.
It does need a redesign. The current car looks really old to these other Ford sedans.
All new Audi A1
Finally official pictures of the smallest Audi model.
I guess this is kind of a modern version of the old Audi 50 from the 70's.
And more modern competition to the Mini Cooper.
So far, the top gas engine is a 1.4 Liter with 122hp.
So it's not competing with the S version of the Cooper. Yet...
Some official words on engines:
"Audi will initially offer the A1 with four engines. The two TFSI gasoline engines and the two TDI diesels cover a power range from 63 kW (86 hp) to 90 kW
(122 hp). Each of them is state-of-the-art.
All of the engines employ direct fuel injection and turbocharging. This downsizing concept coupled with technologies from the Audi modular efficiency platform give them tremendous power with minimal fuel consumption ranging from 3.8 to
5.4 liters per 100 km (43.56 – 61.90 US mpg).
The entry-level gasoline engine is the new 1.2 TFSI. It generates 63 kW (86 hp) and produces its peak torque of 160 Nm (118.01 lb-ft) already between 1,500 and 3,500 rpm. Coupled with a five-speed manual transmission, the four-cylinder accelerates the A1 from 0 to 100 km/h (0 – 62.14 mph) in 12.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 179 km/h (111.23 mph). In the EU driving cycle, it consumes only 5.1 liters of fuel per 100 km (46.12 US mpg), which corresponds to only 119 grams of CO2/km (191.51 g/mile)."
New Mini ad
At least new to me. I haven't seen it before.
I also don't think we'll see these as giant posters in our US streets anytime soon.
2011 Volvo S60
A good looking car that might be trying too hard.
The interior seems just a bit cheezy to me. Maybe it's too shinny or something.
It might be better in person.
A wagon is also due shortly.
Monday, February 08, 2010
European Honda CR-Z
With LEDs, rear seats and a glass roof!
What is wrong with Honda?!
None of these are available in the US version.
Why???
These should at least be options.
They just admitted a few days ago that the new Insight was not as successful as they had hoped in the US.
They say it's too small for our market.
More mistakes are being made with the CR-Z, by not offering any of the Euro features over here.
Plus the 35MPG rating isn't going to bring in Hybrid fanatics.
So close yet so far off....
2012 Kia Optima
It will becalled the K5 in other markets, but Ki seems to want to keep the Optima name in the US.
The new Sonata cousin looks like another nice looking sedan.
If it turns out close to this at all....
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Hollywood cars
Not everyone drives a Prius in Hollywood anymore.
The big thirsty classics like the Rolls Royce are back.
Can you guess who drives what?
2012 Hyundai Azera
Looking pretty nice, like most Hyundai designs lately.
But I am not sure why they would sill offer the Azera.
The current one has never been a hit by any mean. Just like the previous one.
I guess this will have the V6 the new Sonata isn't getting.
But is that enough of a difference?
The new Sonata tops at over $28 000 loaded.
Then the Genesis starts at around $33 000. I guess technically, there is room for another sedan in between.
Although the new larger Sonata is almost as roomy as the Genesis sedan...
We'll see...
Saturday, February 06, 2010
New Lancia Ypsilon to become a small Chrysler
No, this is not the current Lancia Delta, even though it does look a lot like it. This illustration shows what the next Ypsilon model could look like.
Pretty much like a smaller Delta.
Anf Fiat plans to sell it as a small Chrysler when it goes out sometime next year. Just in time to compete with the new Ford Fiesta, both in Europe and the US.
It could be called the Chrysler Java in the US.
The current Ypsilon design is from 2003. It got a new front end in 2006.
So a new one is long overdue.
It could give Chrysler the modern small car they never had.
If they're still around by then...
