Ford Motor Company Global Auto Shows

At the 2008 Chicago Auto Show Ford unveiled new “smart” features for truck customers, announcing a collection of industry-exclusive technologies for F-Series trucks and commercial E-Series vans. Ford Work Solutions will be available this fall on the 2009 F-150, F-Series Super Duty, and E-Series vans. Transit Connect vans will join Ford’s commercial vehicle lineup with this technology in mid-2009.

Ford Work Solutions delivers four innovative features:
• An in-dash computer developed with Magneti Marelli and powered by Microsoft Auto that provides high-speed Internet access via the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network and navigation by Garmin. It’s the first broadband-capable in-dash computer in production. This allows customers to print invoices, check inventories and access documents stored on their home or office computer networks or from the job site.
• Tool Link, a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) asset tracking system developed
in partnership with DEWALT, and ThingMagic, the industry expert on embedded RFID technology. This enables customers to maintain real-time inventory of the tools or equipment stored in the pickup box.
• Crew Chief, a fleet telematics and diagnostics system, which allows small fleet owners to efficiently manage their vehicles, quickly dispatch workers to job sites and keep detailed vehicle maintenance records.
• Cable Lock security system developed in partnership with Master Lock®, the industry-leading lock manufacturer, to discourage theft of expensive tools too large to fit in the cab.

Ford Work Solutions features were developed through hands-on research with contractors and skilled tradespeople in multiple markets around the U.S.

Ford is drawing on its success in Europe to introduce innovative, fuel-efficient alternatives to full sized vans to the North American market. Transit Connect is designed, engineered, and manufactured by Ford of Europe and was named International Van of the Year when it first launched in 2003. Transit Connect makes its North American debut at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show.

“Ford Transit Connect is built on a dedicated, commercial vehicle platform to meet the rigors business use demands,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president of Global Product Development. “The Transit Connect is yet another way Ford can deliver the flexibility and durability that many small businesses are looking for in a compact, fuel-efficient package.”

With its standard, 2.0L four-cylinder engine and automatic transmission powerpack Transit Connect will deliver excellent fuel economy, estimated at 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. This could represent a savings in fuel of more than 40 percent compared with a full-size van. In addition to its obvious commercial applications, the Transit Connect is so flexible that it makes an ideal personal-use vehicle with potential seating for five people.

“It drives like a car, works like a van and is engineered to be as tough as a truck,” said Rob Stevens, Chief Engineer of Ford Transit Connect in the U.S.

The 2009 Edge Sport makes it debut at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show. Designed appeal to customers who want a sportier custom look and feel, Edge Sport keeps up with customers’ interest in personalization and industry shows like the Specialty Equipment Market Association Show in Las Vegas.

The Sport model – which joins the SE, SEL and Limited models in the range – makes the Ford Edge the first vehicle in its segment to offer a customized model. Its design and features like VistaRoof™ and SYNC helped make Ford Edge the nation’s top-selling crossover.

Edge Sport stands on available 22-inch polished aluminum wheels or the standard 20-inch premium painted wheels with branded center hubs. 40-series Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires complete the look. This marks the first time that a 22-inch wheel-and-tire combination has been offered on a crossover. The eight-piece Edge Sport body kit includes a unique front air dam, side skirts, lower door caps and a rear skirt, all finished in body color, instead of the dark lower on other Edge models. The front air dam features integrated fog lamps and a lower grille insert.

“The aftermarket industry has grown to a $40 billion annual business, and crossovers are the fastest-growing vehicle segment in the U.S.,” said Mark Fields, president of The Americas. “We want customers to know that Ford can customize their Edge – right at the factory.”

The 2009 Ford Edge Sport will be available in the fall of 2008.

Land Rover’s 2008 Range Rover further updates the completely redesigned interior from the 2007 model, adding enhancements like ribbed metal door sill plates, a storage slot for the entertainment system’s remote control, and a leather dash top cover round out the improvements.

As of last year, Land Rover’s Terrain Response™ standard equipment, A control dial positioned on the center console automatically adjusts powertrain and chassis systems to suit driving conditions. Five available positions optimize normal dry-pavement driving, snow, mud, sand and rock crawling.

Range Rover is also more comfortable. A high-capacity evaporator increases cooling ability by 15 percent. Two vents at the top of the instrument panel enhance circulation and reduce the noise level when the HVAC fan operates at high speed. Three-zone climate control is standard. An acoustic windshield is laminated with a triple-layer polymer capable of reducing the transmission of exterior noise by up to six decibels. This is in addition to Range Rover’s improvements to the interior’s entertainment and climate control systems.

Range Rover’s 4.2-liter DOHC 32-valve V8 delivers 400 bhp. The 420 lb.-ft. of available torque provides passing acceleration and highway cruising. The Range Rover HSE is powered by a 4.4-liter DOHC 32-valve V8 engine delivering 305 bhp and 325 lb.-ft. of torque. Nine air bags, a body structure designed to absorb energy during a collision, and head rests configured to help protect against whiplash injury are just three examples of the Range Rover’s comprehensive safety systems.

The 2008 Range Rover will be on display at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show and The 2008 New York International Auto Show.

Last year Land Rover’s LR3 was upgraded by incorporating popular features – leather upholstery, a power glass moonroof, a 240-watt Harman/kardon® sound system, and steering wheel touch controls – as standard equipment. Now, the updated 2008 LR3 has a 4.4-liter 32-valve V8 engine and an eight-way power passenger seat as standard equipment and improved finishes for both the SE and HSE interior trim.

Land Rover’s offering two models: the SE and the HSE, both powered by a 300 bhp 4.4-liter 32-valve DOHC V8. Three-row, seven-passenger seating, four-corner independent height-adjustable air suspension, and Land Rover’s exclusive Terrain Response™ system are all included as standard LR3 equipment.

Specific 2008 refinements are:
• A new painted finish for the center console H-shaped molding and end caps.
• Improved finish for the speaker and air vent bezels, shift knob insert, and glove box release.
• The front passenger seat has a new eight-way power adjuster.
• A power steering wheel adjuster with memory is new for the HSE.
• Straight-grained walnut wood trim is now standard for the HSE’s center console. Grand black lacquer wood trim is available at no extra cost.
• The premium leather trim included with the optional Luxury Package has a new ruched (pleated) treatment for all three seating rows. A pocket has also been added to the driver’s-side seat cushion.

Range Rover Sport announces refinements to the 2008 model year. Sporting V8 power, a tidy wheelbase, a low build, and a wide stance, the Range
Rover Sport is available with Land Rover’s Dynamic Response suspension system, The Dynamic Response suspension system is standard on the Supercharged edition and optional on the naturally aspirated HSE. Brembo® front disc brakes are included in the Dynamic Response Package.

Land Rover’s exclusive Terrain Response™ system provides the Range Rover Sport with improved off-road capability. There’s a choice of two V8 – Supercharged and naturally aspirated – four-corner independent air suspension, an electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission, permanently engaged all-wheel drive, plus a long list of premium cabin features.

Improvements for the 2008 model year include:
• Power-folding exterior mirrors.
• An eight-way power seat in the front-passenger position.
• Power tilt and telescope steering wheel adjuster.
• A tray with a rubber mat bottom surface located in front of the navigation screen.
• New finish for areas of the center stack, console, and glove box release.
• Leather door inserts are improved on the HSE.
• On the Supercharged version, interior trim is now straight-grained walnut.
• HSE models equipped with the optional Luxury package also have Straight-Grained Walnut trim

The 2008 LR2 went on sale in the United States in April 2007 and equipped with a long list of standard equipment. The dual-zone automatic climate-control system has a humidity sensor and a pollen filter for improved comfort. The dual-panel sunroof opens wide to provide a panoramic sky view. A single touch of the control switches will open or close the side windows and the sunroof.

The standard LR2 Alpine AM/FM/CD stereo system includes an eight-channel, 320-watt amplifier playing through eight speakers and one subwoofer plus a six-disc CD changer. Automatic volume control raises the sound system’s output as road speed increases. An audio input socket located on the center console plays MP3, iPod, and other material through the sound system.

The 3.2-liter, 230-hp engine powering the LR2 accelerates from rest to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds and excels in three critical categories: power delivery, responsiveness, and fuel efficiency (EPA estimated 23 mpg highway/16 mpg city). An inline-six-cylinder layout was selected to take advantage of that configuration’s inherent smoothness. The design of the LR2’s engine is so compact that a transverse mounting arrangement was possible, yielding improved cabin space and collision performance.

“The LR2 is a revelation on-road,” says Land Rover’s chief engineer Mike Cross.