Heavy Hauling and High-Speed Racing: Hajek Motorsports Breaks Two Land Speed Records with Ford F-250 Super Duty

August 19, 2011

Ford F-Series is known for its unparalleled capability and power, but now it’s found a place in the history books: Hajek Motorsports has broken two land speed records using both a diesel and biodiesel-powered 2011 Ford F-250 Super Duty at the famed Bonneville Salt Flats. Using a mostly stock truck with the new 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V8, the team achieved a speed of 171.123 mph on regular diesel and 182 mph on B20 biodiesel.

The Ford truck broke the B Production Diesel Truck record of 166.850 mph by a Duramax diesel GMC. This class is normally comprised of race vehicles with extensive aftermarket modifications. The F-250 that Hajek Motorsports ran is something of a rarity as it used extensive production parts to perform at high speeds.

Underscoring that the 2011 Super Duty is the cleanest Power Stroke ever, a land speed record was also set using soy-based biodiesel fuel. The truck broke the biodiesel land speed record of 130.614 mph.

Every 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo-diesel can operate on a mixture of diesel up to 20 percent biofuel. This capability is significant for the Hajek Motorsports team given its history and support for sustainable farm-based fuels and desire to prove that speed and performance are not compromised by using fuels like E85 and B20 biodiesel.

“Racing is part of Ford Motor Company’s DNA so it’s only natural for us to build a race vehicle that demonstrates Ford’s leadership in the diesel and biodiesel truck market,” said Brent Hajek, Hajek Motorsports owner. “The F-250 is an excellent truck with amazing capabilities. I’m amazed at how, with very few changes from stock, we were able to accomplish this.”

Hajek, a soybean and corn farmer from Oklahoma, knows a thing or two about Ford F-250s and biodiesel fuel. He owns six for use on his farm, with his 1997 Ford F-250 having accumulated more than 400,000 miles.

“Super Duty has always been the leader in the heavy-duty truck segment,” said Brian Rathsburg, Ford Super Duty marketing manager. “Breaking these records reinforces our leadership position, allows us to raise awareness around the truck’s biodiesel capabilities, and gives us an opportunity to reach out to enthusiasts in a fun and engaging way.”

Ford engineers teamed up with Hajek Motorsports to design and install the modifications to the production-level truck. Changes were made only to the top-end components of the engine including the high-pressure fuel pump, fuel injectors and turbochargers for more fuel flow. The compression ratio was modified as well.

“The engineering that went into the base engine provided us with a rock-solid foundation to start from,” said Paul Niessen, powertrain engineer. “And it worked out great since we increased the output of the engine by more than 50 percent over production with just a few changes.”

Work on a chassis dynamometer before the attempt proved the engine was able to adapt to biodiesel fuel and deliver on both horsepower and fuel economy. It also verified the performance of the production transmission and drivetrain.

Components were added for safety purposes, including a full roll cage and five-point harness.

Delivering more 

The 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbocharged diesel produces best-in-class 400 horsepower and 800 lb.-ft. of torque with best-in-class fuel economy, further strengthening Super Duty’s best-in-class towing and payload capabilities. The Ford-engineered diesel engine uses inboard exhaust architecture, an automotive-industry first for a modern production diesel engine.

Key features of the new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbocharged diesel engine:

• Compacted graphite iron engine block
• Aluminum cylinder heads
• Single-sequential turbocharger with double-sided compressor wheel mounted on a single shaft uniquely center-mounted on the engine block
• Unique inboard exhaust and outboard intake architecture
• High-pressure fuel system – new Bosch 29,000-psi common-rail fuel-injection system
• Standard biodiesel compatibility up to B20

E85 performance

In 2009 Hajek Motorsports propelled an E85-powered Mustang to a land speed record at Bonneville with a record-breaking run of 255.764 mph and an exit speed of 258.410 mph with Danny Thompson, son of motorsport icon Mickey Thompson, behind the wheel.

In 2010 Hajek Motorsports, Ford Racing, Wood Brothers, Bud Moore and NASCAR driver Bill Elliott teamed up to establish a closed-course speed record on E85 with the reconfigured Bonneville land speed Mustang at Talladega Super Speedway. On the second attempt Elliott ended the day with a crash, but not before establishing an E85 record of more than 170 mph.

Source: ford.com

About Parker Ford Lincoln, Inc. Parker Ford Lincoln Inc., is a multi-President Award-winning dealership in Murray, Kentucky offering new Ford and Lincoln Cars, Trucks, SUVs and Crossovers. Visit us online at http://www.parkerford.com.

Consumers in Driver’s Seat on Ford F-150 EcoBoost Challenge; Free Fuel, National Bragging Rights Up for Grabs

August 17, 2011

The 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost® has survived a series of torture tests – racing in the Baja 1000 and towing a maximum 11,300 pounds at high speeds around a NASCAR track for 24 hours straight – and this month, eight truck fans will put the truck to the test in their own communities.

Up for grabs: bragging rights tied to a week-long fuel-efficiency driving challenge, the satisfaction that comes from inspiring community members to give back and, ultimately, two free gasoline giveaway events for the winner’s city.

The challenge goes live today on the EcoBoost Challenge tab on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ford.

“This challenge is a great way to highlight the capacities of the F-150 EcoBoost – a truck specially engineered to deliver the capability people need and the fuel efficiency they really want,” said Raj Sarkar, F-150 marketing manager. “Plus, this challenge speaks to the spirit of our F-150 owners, who work hard for their families as well as their communities.”

Each driver will represent a city, driving an F-150 EcoBoost truck for one week. The first five days of the challenge involve a real-world fuel efficiency competition, with the average miles per gallon monitored via Ford’s Crew Chief™ system installed in each truck.

Challenge cities are Louisville, Ky.; Pittsburgh; Houston; San Diego; Orlando, Fla.; Denver; Kansas City, Mo.; and Raleigh-Durham, N.C. The EcoBoost Challenge drivers come from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from a middle school biology teacher to a Twitter user with more than 40,000 followers.

The community service piece of the contest teams drivers up with their local communities to create a goodwill project on Aug. 27 that includes public support. Drivers will create their own community projects, using the F-150 EcoBoost trucks to carry materials to their project sites.

The winning driver will be determined through a blended score measuring the highest average miles per gallon achieved throughout the week, the most votes on the Ford Facebook page and how many volunteers participated in the community improvement project.

The winning driver receives a year’s supply of free Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasoline. Plus, Shell will provide free regular-grade gasoline (up to 15 gallons per vehicle) at two local stations in the winning driver’s hometown on Sept. 2 for two hours and 22 minutes – in honor of the 22 mpg the F-150 EcoBoost delivers on the highway.

“We are proud to be a part of the Ford F-150 EcoBoost Challenge because we understand that consumers are looking to stretch their fuel purchases without sacrificing the quality of their ride,” said Dan Little, North America fuels marketing manager for Shell Oil Products U.S. “That’s why all three grades of Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasoline help clean and protect critical engine parts, so the engine can perform at its best.”

Powerful choice

The Ford F-150 is breaking new ground with its available EcoBoost engine, delivering a combination of fuel efficiency, performance and towing that beats all other trucks. The Ford F-150’s official 2011 EPA ratings certify that 4x2 models equipped with the 365-horsepower 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo engine and six-speed automatic transmission achieve 22 mpg on the highway and 16 mpg in the city.

“This truck uses advanced technology to deliver both power and efficiency,” said Sarkar. “The EcoBoost trucks are our most capable F-150s and the fact they also offer exceptional fuel efficiency means our customers don’t have to compromise.”

The 3.5-liter EcoBoost truck engine produces 365 horsepower and a class-leading 420 lb.-ft. of torque, helping enable best-in-class maximum towing of 11,300 pounds and maximum payload of 3,060 pounds – all with unsurpassed fuel efficiency.

EcoBoost is fundamental to Ford’s strategy to provide technologically advanced, high-output, smaller-displacement powertrains that deliver uncompromised performance and fuel efficiency. Ford EcoBoost engines deliver fuel efficiency gains of up to 20 percent and reduction of CO2 emissions of up to 15 percent, compared with larger, less-efficient engines.

By 2013, Ford plans to offer EcoBoost engines in up to 90 percent of its North American nameplates, supporting global sales of 1.5 million EcoBoost-powered vehicles per year.

Source: ford.com

About Parker Ford Lincoln, Inc. Parker Ford Lincoln Inc., is a multi-President Award-winning dealership in Murray, Kentucky offering new Ford and Lincoln Cars, Trucks, SUVs and Crossovers. Visit us online at http://www.parkerford.com.

Ford using customer feedback to develop Focus Electric display

August 19, 2011

Ford is putting its customers to work by giving them a chance to help develop the final in-dash display for the Ford Focus Electric through the use of a specially designed driving simulator.

Inside the simulator, drivers see same information that would appear in the real Ford Focus Electric, including two 4.2-inch full-color LCD screens flanking the speedometer in the center. Then the simulator takes drivers on an 11-mile circuit through a variety of terrain such as hills, cities and flat land.

The screens in the simulator provide details to the driver such as battery charge, distance to the nearest charge point, and expected range surplus.

"These screens are an integral part of Focus Electric and we thought the best way to make sure they would do their job is to have people come in and try them out for themselves," said Ford HMI engineer Paul Aldighieri in a press release. "The only true way to get a feel for what the screens are telling the driver is by actually getting behind the wheel."

According to Ford, about 30 participants have participated in the simulator exercise and offered feedback. Then that feedback was evaluated by engineers and incorporated back into the simulator.

Engineers simplified the Brake Coach, for example, after participants said the original offered too much information that wasn't easily understood.

The Ford team also worked with members of the Michigan Electric Auto Association. "The concepts were well received by the group, who considered the information thoughtful, particularly for people who are not familiar with the electric vehicle experience," the automaker said in a press release.

The group chose butterfly graphics to represent the additional range beyond a charge destination. "Butterflies are a safe image that doesn't alienate people," Aldighieri said. "Not everyone thinks windmills and solar panels are desirable."

Source: cnet.com

About Parker Ford Lincoln, Inc. Parker Ford Lincoln Inc., is a multi-President Award-winning dealership in Murray, Kentucky offering new Ford and Lincoln Cars, Trucks, SUVs and Crossovers. Visit us online at http://www.parkerford.com.

2012 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 Offers the Ultimate in Performance, Style with New Features, Class-Leading Power

August 10, 2011

The 2012 Ford Harley-Davidson™ F-150 delivers on the custom cool design the lineup is known for, with new snakeskin leather interior accents and a stylized bodyside graphic. Also new are the wheel design and a premium paint color. Combine that with a standard 6.2-liter V8 engine and plenty of technology, and it delivers power, capability and style like no other.

“This is a great pairing of two icons of the open road: Ford and Harley-Davidson. Both brands appeal to truck owners and motorcycle enthusiasts alike,” said Marc Lapine, Ford F-150 marketing manager. “For 2012 we worked with Harley-Davidson to continue to push the styling envelope while still delivering the durability and power that F-150 is known for and that our collective customers expect. It perfectly captures both brands.”

The successful collaboration between Ford and Harley-Davidson has produced 10 F-150 models, as well as six Super Duty F-250 and F-350 models, and in 2009 the first Harley-Davidson F-450 edition truck. Ford has sold more than 70,000 Ford Harley-Davidson F-Series trucks since the brands teamed up in 1999.

Design in the details

The exterior of the 2012 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 offers a bold front fascia and six-bar billet-style bright chrome grille, and it boasts “Harley-Davidson” bright chrome badging. The truck also has a lowered appearance with a standard, fully integrated deployable running board.

Also standard are new 22-inch machined-aluminum wheels with painted accents and Harley-Davidson bar and shield logo on center cap. The paint selection is classic Harley-Davidson – Tuxedo Black and White Platinum Tri-Coat; this is the first year white has been offered.

New graphics on the bodyside of the truck are executed in a unique snakeskin texture, while “Harley-Davidson” dimensional lettering is featured on the box side. The snakeskin is inspired by tank inserts on premium-level Harley-Davidson motorcycles and also comes into play on the interior.

“This is the first time we’ve captured the full spectrum of light to dark on the exterior,” said Mike Massara, F-150 program manager. “The graphic flows and accents the design curve of the truck, yet brings the texture of the snakeskin into the vehicle, which is something that’s very difficult to do.”

Interior trim panels are covered in high-gloss Tuxedo Black paint, while the console lid and upper steering wheel carry the snakeskin leather. The scuff plate features brushed aluminum with snakeskin texture. All interior chrome surfaces feature a satin finish. Premium snakeskin leather-trimmed seats come with accent color inserts and unique cloisonné badge.

The 2012 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 interior is customized to appeal to the truck buyer who appreciates the attention to detail for which both Ford and Harley-Davidson are renowned.

Examples are the seats and the console lid featuring handmade cloisonné badges that are produced by the same company that makes badges for Harley-Davidson motorcycles; the console has limited-edition serialization plates, which include laser-engraved VIN and build numbers.

Nearly every member of the Harley-Davidson F-150 team at Ford is a Harley-Davidson owner.

Superior convenience 

The 2012 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 offers plenty of technology options to meet customer needs. Key to helping customers take advantage of all the capability offered by the Harley-Davidson F-150 is a standard 4.2-inch LCD (liquid crystal display) productivity screen.

This screen offers a range of menu options, giving the customer important information on everything from fuel economy to towing performance. The menu is navigated through a five-way button on the steering wheel; the screen is positioned between the tachometer and speedometer.

Additionally, the 2012 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 comes equipped with a standard voice-activated Navigation System that integrates several functions, including voice-recognition destination entry, climate control and SiriusXM Satellite Radio into one easy-to-use system, displaying them on an 8-inch touch screen.

For the customer who wants more control of transmission gear selection, SelectShift Automatic™ transmission functionality is standard. A toggle switch located on the console shift lever engages the mode, where the transmission doesn’t second-guess the driver, giving total control over gear selection and performance feel.

Other standard features on the 2012 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 include:

• Power moonroof
• Rear view camera
• Second-row heated seats
• Ambient lighting
• Remote Start System
• 110-volt power inverter
• Power-adjustable performance pedals

Potent power

Ford tapped into a bit of its proud racing heritage to create the 6.2-liter V8 gasoline engine, which uses big-bore architecture to produce impressive horsepower and torque. The gasoline engine delivers a best-in-class 411 horsepower and 434 lb.-ft. of torque and provides maximum trailer towing capability of 7,500 pounds.

Customer benefits of the 6.2-liter V8 gasoline engine include:

• SOHC valvetrain with roller-rocker shafts: The single overhead camshaft (SOHC) per cylinder head design results in a stiff valvetrain that allows optimized camshaft lift profiles and results in great low-speed torque. The roller-rocker shafts allow valve angles to be splayed, resulting in optimized intake and exhaust port layout for better breathing.

• Dual-equal variable cam timing: Intake and exhaust valve opening and closing events are phased at the same time to optimize fuel efficiency and performance throughout the engine speed range and throttle positions.

• Two spark plugs per cylinder: Due to the large bore size, two spark plugs per cylinder are used to more efficiently burn the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber, enabling better fuel economy and increased engine torque. The twin plugs also help the engine maintain a smooth, stable idle.

• Dual knock sensors: A knock sensor on each bank of cylinders of the V8 engine allows the spark timing of each cylinder to be individually optimized real-time, throughout the engine speed range. The engine learns the optimum timing via an adaptive algorithm

F-Series firsts

Harley-Davidson F-Series trucks have continuously been pushing the envelope of innovation, bringing a variety of features to F-Series for the first time, including:

• 20-inch wheels
• 22-inch wheels
• Wet-on-wet paint
• Superchargers
• Badges as interior ornamentation
• All-wheel drive
• Power deployable running boards
• High-gloss painted interior

Source: ford.com

About Parker Ford Lincoln, Inc. Parker Ford Lincoln Inc., is a multi-President Award-winning dealership in Murray, Kentucky offering new Ford and Lincoln Cars, Trucks, SUVs and Crossovers. Visit us online at http://www.parkerford.com.

August 7, 2011

The Ford F-150 is the highest ranked large pickup in the annual J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Initial Quality Study (IQS).

The F-Series was introduced in 1948 and has been a perennial sales leader in its class. In 2011 the F-150 came out with an all-new line of engines, including the 3.7L Ti-VCT V6 and the optional innovative twin-turbocharged EcoBoost™ engine.

The 2011 IQS is based on responses from more than 73,000 buyers and lessees of new 2011 cars, trucks, crossovers and SUVs surveyed after 90 days of ownership (between February and May 2011). The study involved 228 survey questions concerning problems in two categories: design-related problems; defects and malfunctions.

Source: ford.com

About Parker Ford Lincoln, Inc. Parker Ford Lincoln Inc., is a multi-President Award-winning dealership in Murray, Kentucky offering new Ford and Lincoln Cars, Trucks, SUVs and Crossovers. Visit us online at http://www.parkerford.com.

Do It Yourself Car-washing Tips From Ford

August 4, 2011

Here are some great car care tips from the people at Ford!

Source: ford.com

About Parker Ford Lincoln, Inc. Parker Ford Lincoln Inc., is a multi-President Award-winning dealership in Murray, Kentucky offering new Ford and Lincoln Cars, Trucks, SUVs and Crossovers. Visit us online at http://www.parkerford.com.

Ford CEO Joins Industry, Government Leaders for Fuel Economy Standards Framework

July 29, 2011

Today, U.S. President Obama announced the next phase in One National Program for fuel economy standards that will help significantly improve fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while protecting jobs and the economy.

Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally, along with other industry and government leaders, joined President Obama in Washington today for this announcement on a framework for standards for 2017 through 2025.

The following is a statement from Mulally: “We are absolutely committed to continuously improving the fuel efficiency of all of our vehicles. We support today’s agreement in principle on one national program for fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions for the 2017-2025 model years.

"We are pleased to have worked together with all the stakeholders to be a part of a solution that benefits the environment while protecting jobs and providing customers with a full range of affordable vehicle choices. This agreement provides the regulatory certainty we need to design and build fuel-efficient vehicles during the next 14 years.

“We also appreciate the President’s leadership in driving a solution that brings together all of the stakeholders and the bipartisan leadership of the Michigan delegation in advocating for a balanced approach that protects the environment and the economy.”

Source: ford.com

About Parker Ford Lincoln, Inc. Parker Ford Lincoln Inc., is a multi-President Award-winning dealership in Murray, Kentucky offering new Ford and Lincoln Cars, Trucks, SUVs and Crossovers. Visit us online at http://www.parkerford.com.

J.D. Power: Ford’s Quality Vehicles Earn High APEAL Rankings from Customers for Fuel Efficiency

July 27, 2011

Customers increasingly are demanding top fuel efficiency, and they are rating Ford highly for delivering, according to the J.D. Power 2011 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study released today.

All of Ford’s newer retail vehicles earned fuel efficiency ratings above their segment averages, according to the J.D. Power 2011 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout study.

“Ford is an industry leader in fuel efficiency, and customers are pleased with the way we are helping them at the pump,” said Bennie Fowler, group vice president, Global Quality and New Model Launches. “Ford also is absolutely committed to the highest vehicle quality, delivering vehicles that surprise and delight customers while eliminating defects.”

The new Ford Fiesta and F-150 were first-place segment winners in the survey, which measures customer satisfaction in design, content and vehicle performance. The 2011 Ford Taurus and Flex were rated second in their segments. The new Ford Explorer, F-Series Super Duty, Expedition and Mustang scored third-place segment rankings.

Ford vehicles excelled in many areas of the study, particularly fuel efficiency. Specifically:

• All of Ford’s newer retail vehicles earned fuel efficiency ratings above their segment averages

• Fiesta performs particularly well in the area of fuel efficiency in the subcompact car segment

• New F-150 outperforms industry average for fuel efficiency

APEAL surveys customers on what they like about the performance, execution and layout of their new vehicle after the first three months in service.

Customers rate their level of “gratification” on a variety of vehicle attributes, including safety, fuel efficiency, cargo space, roominess and exterior styling.

“Customers are falling in love with Ford vehicles at first sight and growing even fonder of them over time,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “Customers increasingly are saying our fuel efficiency leadership is a reason to buy a Ford vehicle.”

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Ford Motor Company today has 12 vehicles that lead their sales segments in fuel efficiency – including four vehicles with EPA-certified 40 mpg or higher ratings – a claim no other full-line automaker can match.

The company also is introducing five new electrified vehicles in North America by the end of next year.

Smart technology

The study also ranked customers’ happiness with smart new technologies and features, including MyFord Touch™, multicontour massaging seats, changeable ambient interior lighting and refined sound quality.

“MyFord Touch is helping to define the future of automotive interiors, and Explorer and Edge customers rank this new technology very highly,” said Kuzak. “Customers also told us where they have questions, and we have been improving the ownership experience with software upgrades, dealer training and even more support to address their concerns.”

Source: ford.com

About Parker Ford Lincoln, Inc. Parker Ford Lincoln Inc., is a multi-President Award-winning dealership in Murray, Kentucky offering new Ford and Lincoln Cars, Trucks, SUVs and Crossovers. Visit us online at http://www.parkerford.com.