Ford Escape Hybrid flex-fuel vehicles go to Illinois

Ford has delivered first seven out of twenty hybrid-powered Ford Escape SUVs capable of working on E85 flex-fuel. The vehicles have gone to the State of Illinois, Illinois Corn Growers and Commonwealth Edison.




There are more than 140 E85 refueling stations in Illinois so Ford has a good opportunity to field-test its flex-fuel hybrids in real conditions.

First introduced in January at the Washington, D.C. auto show, the Ford E85 Escape Hybrid produces about 25 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a gasoline-fueled Escape Hybrid. Another advantage of the car is that it runs on a completely renewable fuel, helping reroute some money from the Middle East to the Middle West.

See also: Twenty Ford Escape Hybrid E85 SUVs go to six states

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Ford Ranger Wildtrak courts buyers with extra comfort

At the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham, UK, Ford has unveiled its new Ford Ranger Wildtrak special edition mid-size truck. Equipped with new diesel engine and all sorts of appearance extensions, the Wildtrak just has to improve sales of the already popular workhorse.



The truck is motivated by a new 3.0-liter TDCi engine, producing up to 156 PS and 380 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission.

Available in August 2007, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak will feature rear box rail extensions, aerodynamic sports bar, lower sports cladding and tail lamp protectors, as well as rather pretentious side intake 'gills' and new door mirrors with integrated indicators.



The Wildtrak's looks are further enhanced with new alloy wheels, a new sports front grille, side steps, an aluminum style front over rider and roof rails, an integrated bedliner and a rear protection bar with integrated park distance control.

Inside, you'll meet heated seats in leather and perforated Alcantara, new sports steering wheel, dash-mounted off-road 'information centre', and footwell lighting.



Prices to be announced in August

See also: Twenty Ford Escape Hybrid E85 SUVs go to six states

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Twenty Ford Escape Hybrid E85 SUVs go to six states

A bunch of the latest demonstration Ford Escape Hybrid E85 small SUVs will be delivered to six, not yet designated, states. Ford touts the vehicles as being the world's cleanest and most fuel-efficient in its class, producing about 25 per cent less CO2 than the gas-fueled Ford Escape Hybrid SUV.

The new Ford Escape Hybrid E85 SUV will be presented to the public at the 2007 Washington Auto Show starting today, and is planned to be available to fleet customers this spring. The vehicle is motivated by a combined powerplant, running on electric power and flexible fuel, such as 85 per cent ethanol blended with 15 per cent gasoline.


Source: press release

Photos: Ford Motor

See also: New Ford Edge crossover SUV will possibly be delayed

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New Ford Edge crossover SUV will possibly be delayed

Ford is planning to delay the launch of its long-awaited Ford Edge crossover SUV by "a few extra weeks" to tackle some logistics and assembly issues at its renovated Oakville, Ontario, factory where the Edge and its Lincoln MKX sibling will be built. Although originally scheduled to be shipped to your local dealer by the end of this month, both the Edge and the MKX will actually arrive only in mid-December. But, if you seriously dreaming of getting one of these I would strongly suggest you not to hold your breath until the beginning of January.


Citing Ford's vice president for North American manufacturing Joe Hinrichs, USA Today is saying that the delay is due to "some disruptions" in the supply chain and the money-loosing company just can't begin shipping of first lot till the process is smoothed out.

See also: Ford Edge crossover-SUV officially launched

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Ford Edge crossover-SUV officially launched

The 2007 Ford Edge will go on sale in November, Mercury News is saying, and will start at humble $26,000. Ford hopes that the crossover will help the company to compensate for the slowing down sales of large SUVs, which market position has been severely damaged by record-high oil prices. Although being much smaller than a real truck, the Edge will offer significantly better mileage.

The Ford Edge crossover will come in two trims.



The basic Ford Edge SE will feature front-wheel drive, rear spoiler, dual exhaust pipe, second-row 60/40 split fold-flat seats, MP3 audio input jack on the central console, and 17-inch painted aluminum wheels. There will also be such standard safety features as AdvanceTrac with RSC, ABS, Safety Canopy with rollover sensor, front- and front seat side-impact air bags, occupant classification system, adjustable head restraints and LATCH system.

Range-topping Ford Edge SEL will offer such additional features as all-wheel drive, chrome tipped dual exhaust, a 6-disc CD changer, body color rear spoiler and fog lamps. Of course, the CUV will be more expensive than the basic trim: expect to pay a minimum of $27,990 for front-wheel drive models and $29,640 for all-wheel drive models.



Both models will share the same 3.5-liter V6, featuring a maximum of 265 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque and married to a six-speed automatic transmission.

See also: Audi Q7 TDI tuned by B&B

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