NEW F-150 RAPTOR WRAPS UP INITIAL DESERT DURABILITY TESTING

 JUL 7, 2015 | DEARBORN, MICH. From Ford Media Blog

 – The 2017 F-150 Raptor – Ford’s toughest, smartest, most capable off-road truck ever – recently completed more than 1,000 miles of testing in the southwestern United States.

Over 1,028 miles of desert trail designed to parallel the Baja race course in Mexico, the 66-mile route featured a wide range of surfaces including fast sandy washes, deep-rutted silt beds, steep climbs in deep sand, and slow meticulous crawls through tight trenches. The truck topped speeds of 100 mph in places, slowing to 10 mph in others, for an average speed of approximately 50 mph. The 2017 Raptor is 25 percent faster than the current truck based on lap times.

At the end of each lap, the new Raptor completed a tabletop jump consisting of a steep ramp up to a two-foot plateau, then a step-off back to level ground. The vehicles tested were early build prototypes made from a mix of 2015 F-150 and 2017 F-150 Raptor components.
As is the case with all Built Ford Tough trucks, Ford engineers pushed the new Raptor harder in a few days than it will be pushed over the lifetime of a typical vehicle – far exceeding what an owner would do on the trail.

Testing of the next Raptor, first revealed earlier this year, continues into 2016. The 2017 F-150 Raptor goes on sale in fall 2016.

What Makes The New Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 So Good At The Track | New & Used Auto Dealer

On the previous generation Mustang—and particularly with the Boss 302 Laguna Seca Edition—Ford Motor Company engineers demonstrated just how capable they could make a vehicle with a live rear axle.

And while current Mustangs sport independent rear suspension, the Ford Performance team took the setup another big step forward. Its Ponies will now pack the potent MagneRide system—developed by Delphi Automotive and first used on the Cadillac Seville STS—which uses dampers filled with iron-infused hydraulic fluid and electric current to make thousands of tiny suspension adjustments per second. Today, MagneRide is seen on everything from the C7 Corvette and Cadillac's ATS-V, to uber exotics like the Ferrari 458.

That's a big step up from a bit of kit which wouldn't be out of place on a farm truck.

To insure drivers get all the performance the trick tech can offer, Ford Performance went and made the Mustang's already-stiff chassis even stiffer by adding an aluminum tower brace and carbon reinforcements in the grill opening. Of course, if you're going to go, you're going to want to stop, so beefy Brembo calipers—six-piston in the front, four in the rear—are mated to massive cross-drilled rotors—394- front, and 380-millimeter rear—at each corner. According to the press material, they're "the largest rotors Ford has ever put on a production Mustang."

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Chevrolet Impala’s Dark Side: Midnight Edition Heads to Production | New & Used Auto Dealer

Chevrolet announced today it will sell a special edition blacked-out package for the Chevrolet Impala based on a concept shown at the 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Arriving in dealerships early this summer, the Impala Midnight Edition is outfitted to give the full-size sedan a more dramatic, sinister look.

“Since its introduction in 2014, Impala has become a benchmark for Chevrolet car design,” said Steve Majoros, Chevrolet director of car marketing. “The Midnight Edition further strengthens the Impala’s dramatic, head-turning styling.”

The Midnight Edition includes:
Jet Black exterior, including body color mirrors
19-inch machine-faced aluminum wheels with black accents
Black grille and surround
Front and rear black Chevrolet bowtie
Jet Black interior
Sport pedals
Black rear spoiler.

Customers can purchase the Midnight Edition package on 1LT, 2LT and LTZ trim levels. Package prices range from $995 to $1,595 above the starting retail price.

The Impala Midnight Edition will be available with a choice of two powertrains – the standard 2.5L iVLC with stop/start technology and a 3.6L V-6 that is the most powerful naturally aspirated engine in the segment.

The Midnight Edition will be available for the 2016 model year, although a small number of 2015 Midnight Editions will be produced in the 2LT trim level with the standard 2.5L engine.

Since the Chevrolet Impala’s redesign in 2014, it has been named the Cars.com Best Car of 2014 and one of Kelley Blue Book’s 12 Best Family Cars for 2014.

Buick Introduces 2016 Enclave Tuscan Edition | New & Used Auto Dealer

 

Bronze accents distinguish crossover that ignited brand’s renaissance

Buick today introduced the 2016 Enclave Tuscan Edition – a more distinctive expression of the popular crossover, highlighted by a bronze-tone grille and 20-inch chrome-clad wheels with bronze accents.

The Enclave sparked Buick’s renaissance eight years ago and continues to fuel its momentum, with 2015 sales building on record sales of 62,300 in 2014.

“Buick’s quality, refinement and style continues to attract more customers and this modern resurgence started with Enclave,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick. “It was a pioneer for three-row luxury crossovers and remains one of the segment’s most popular. The new Tuscan Edition celebrates Enclave’s achievement and rewards owners with a higher level of distinction.”

The 2016 Buick Enclave Tuscan will be on display at the New York International Auto Show and goes on sale this summer on the Leather (1SL) and Premium (1SN) trims. It is offered in three premium exterior colors: White Frost Tricoat, Dark Chocolate Metallic and Ebony Twilight Metallic.

2015 Ford F-150 Earns 5-Star Top Government Crash Rating | New & Used Auto Dealer

2015 FORD F-150 EARNS 5-STAR TOP GOVERNMENT CRASH RATINGS FOR ALL CAB CONFIGURATIONS AND CRASH TESTS

 

The all-new Ford F-150 has earned the government’s highest possible crash safety rating – adding to the F-150’s strengths as the toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 ever.

The 2015 F-150 is the only full-size, light-duty truck to earn NHTSA’s highest rating, a 5-star crash test rating, for the driver and passenger for all crash test modes and cab configurations – SuperCrew, SuperCab and Regular Cab.

F-150’s improved performance is enabled by up to a 700-pound weight savings through the use of high-strength steel in the frame; high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy in the body; and smart engineering.

A cross-functional group comprised of Ford truck product development veterans and researchers worked to optimize vehicle weight savings and manufacturing design to deliver improved durability, capability, fuel economy and crashworthiness. The team created 31 safety-related innovations including new structures, materials and joining methods that were tested virtually with supercomputer simulations, then retested in Ford’s advanced laboratories to engineer the safest F-150 ever.

When Driving in Wintry Weather, Not Panicking is Key

Helpful tips to prepare inexperienced drivers for winter’s worst conditions.

Our engineers bring their experiences and knowledge with them to every stage of vehicle testing, from the Milford Proving Ground to the climatic wind tunnel. For engineers like Robb Bolio, that means thinking of their experiences with their kids as well.

Robb, who has been with GM since 1991, underwent a change in perspective when his daughter, Kaely, received her learner’s permit. Through both his background in chassis development and integrated chassis controls and his years of experience as a driver, Robb felt he had lots of wisdom to pass on to his daughter Kaely.

Now that Michigan, like many other areas of the country, is covered with snow, many of Kaely’s driving lessons have centered on how to stay safe and calm in wintry driving conditions.

“Kaely is learning to drive on our Chevy Silverado,” said Robb. “The most important thing that I have taught her is not to panic.”

In winter weather, not panicking is critical. It is important to understand your vehicle and how it will respond on roads made slick by snow and ice. To work on this, Robb has his daughter practice on snowy and icy surfaces so she understands how the truck will feel and how she should respond.

All new GM vehicles in the US are equipped with standard Anti-lock Brakes (ABS), Traction Control (TCS), and Electronic Stability Controls (ESC). These systems maximize the control capability of the vehicle on slippery surfaces such as snow and ice by maintaining steering capability during panic braking or evasive driving maneuvers. Understanding what these systems do and how you should react as a driver are key lessons for new drivers.  Often times when these systems are active there alerts: chimes, noises, and flashing messages on the dashboard. It is important to show drivers – especially new ones – what these signals are trying to tell them.

It’s important to understand the performance differences in front wheel drive, rear wheel drive and all-wheel drive systems. People driving FWD or AWD vehicles often think they are invincible on the roads in snowy and icy conditions. While these systems do provide improved driving traction, they do not provide better stopping capability. Reducing speeds and allowing for longer braking distances can help drivers of all types of vehicles avoid a dangerous situation.

Specifically, it is important not to panic during what we call “stability events” – wheels slipping or sliding while driving over slippery roads. Keep steering the vehicle, don’t pump the brakes, and be sure to leave adequate space between your vehicle and other vehicles on the road.

Other good things you should do to do to make sure your vehicle is ready for winter driving include

• Check tire pressures. Tire pressures drop during cold temperatures.
• Make sure windshield washer solvent is topped off and that fuel tank has plenty of fuel.
• Use remote start to not only make sure cabin is heated but more importantly the coolant temps are adequate for good windshield defrost performance.
• Keep extra warm clothes, gloves and boots in the vehicle.

Ram Named Medium-duty Truck of the Year

March 5, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Work Truck magazine today announced that the Ram 4500/5500 Chassis Cab truck has been named its 2015 Medium-duty Truck of the Year.

The announcement marks the second time in five years that the Class 4 and 5 Ram Chassis Cab has earned the publication’s top honor.

“Fleet managers today are looking for medium-duty trucks that deliver and the Ram 4500/5500 meets that requirement hands down,” said Sherb Brown, publisher of Work Truck magazine. “The truck is tough and functional, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s great to drive. Congratulations to Ram on this well-deserved award.”

The winner of the Medium-duty Truck of the Year award is selected by readers of Work Truck and Heavy Duty Trucking magazines. Those readers are comprised of more than 100,000 operators of medium-duty trucks.

“As a full-line truck manufacturer, the commercial truck market is extremely important to Ram,” said Bob Hegbloom, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ram Brand, FCA - North America. “It’s an honor that the readers of Work Truck and Heavy Duty Trucking magazines have singled-out our Ram Chassis Cab trucks for this award. And we’re pleased to be recognized for delivering the attributes most important to business owners.”

Readers were asked to consider which models best fit their fleet requirements, including application effectiveness, durability, quality, servicing, maintenance and lifecycle costs. Eleven different trucks qualified for this year’s Medium-duty Truck of the Year ballot.

About Work Truck Magazine
Work Truck magazine, published by Bobit Business media, serves the needs of light- and medium-duty truck, van, and SUV fleet managers in commercial, delivery, service, vocational, utility, telecom, and public sector fleets. Visit www.worktruckonline.com for more information.

About Ram Chassis Cab Trucks
Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab trucks are the pinnacle of capability. Engineered and designed for extreme daily work, the Ram Chassis Cabs are products of a demanding environment and direct customer input.

Ram’s halo truck line focuses on delivering best-in-class capability and best-in-class total cost of ownership, a leading purchase reason among business owners. Ram Chassis Cab trucks offer the latest infotainment technology and exclusive upfit solutions, giving Ram Chassis Cab a competitive advantage. The Chassis Cab line goes further to offer an unsurpassed powertrain warranty of five years/100,000 miles.

“Chassis Cab trucks are the foundation of the Ram Commercial brands work-truck lineup,” added Ram Truck Brand President and CEO Hegbloom. “Ram Chassis Cab trucks are hard workers. They offer a best-in-class Gross Combined Weight Rating of 37,500 pounds, best-in-class towing capability of 29,600 pounds, best-in-class frame strength and best-in-class fuel capacity.”

The Ram Commercial Truck brand will continue to expand its presence in the vocation truck segment by enhancing the capabilities of Ram’s Tradesman series of trucks from half-ton to Class 5, establishing a network of 900 commercially focused dealers, expanding commercial and vocational marketing efforts and leveraging Fiat Professional to bring proven commercial vans to North America.

The 2015 Chassis Cab best-in-class capability ratings:

• Best-in-class Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
• Best-in-class towing (4500 and 5500)
• Best-in-class front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on 4500 and 5500
• Best-in-class rear frame steel strength of 50,000 psi
• Best-in-class crew cab “curb to curb” turning diameter for 3500,4500 and 5500

Features include a number of industry exclusives:

• Vehicle system interface module (VSIM) is capable of communicating between aftermarket modules and various Chassis Cab control modules
• Electronic stability control (ESC) on all models
• Best-in-class, dual fuel tank capacity of 74 gallons (52-gallon tank plus 22-gallon tank)
• Best-in-class 15,000-mile oil change intervals on Cummins diesel
• Largest-in-class brakes
• Best-in-class dual alternator systems up to 440 amps
• Exclusive backup camera and parking sensors for upfitter positioning
• Unsurpassed powertrain warranty – five years/100,000 miles

Ram Chassis Cab engineers design trucks for upfits and develop unique features to ease installation of multiple systems and bodies without interference or difficult relocation of components, including:

• Industry standard frame lengths of 60, 84, 108 and 120 inches
• No components or lines above the rear frame rails
• Through-the-frame plumbing and electrical
• Diesel exhaust fluid tank (DEF) refill port is conveniently located at the rear of the cab on the driver’s side to ensure easy access at fuel stations

About Ram Truck Brand
Since its launch as a stand-alone division in 2009, the Ram Truck Brand has steadily emerged as an industry leader with one goal: to build the best pickup trucks and commercial vehicles in the industry.

Creating a distinct identity for Ram Trucks has allowed the brand to concentrate on core customers and features they find valuable. Whether focusing on a family that uses a Ram 1500 day in and day out, a hard-working Ram 3500 Heavy Duty owner or a business that depends on its Ram ProMaster commercial van every day for deliveries, Ram has the truck market covered.

In order to be the best, it takes a commitment to innovation, capability, efficiency and durability. Ram Truck invests substantially in its products, infusing them with great looks, refined interiors, durable engines and exclusive features that further enhance their capabilities.

Moving into the 2015 model year, Ram continues to beat the competition in the two most sought-after titles, fuel economy and towing capacity:

• Best-in-class fuel economy with exclusive EcoDiesel – 29 mpg with Ram 1500
• Best-in-class towing capability – 30,000 pounds with Ram 3500 
• Best-in-class payload – 7,390 pounds with Ram 3500
• Best-in-class torque – 865 lb.-ft. with Ram 3500 equipped with Cummins 

Truck customers, from half-ton to commercial, have a demanding range of needs and require their vehicles to provide high levels of capability. Ram trucks are designed to deliver a total package.