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Say Hello to the New 2014 Ford Fiesta

The 2014 Ford Fiesta has been redesigned for the 2014 model year. It was on display at the 2013 Canadian International Autoshow in Toronto and will be on our roads this summer. Great for city driving, it will provide drivers with a versatile, fuel-efficient way of getting around.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Fiesta is its engine options. Standard on the Fiesta is a 1.6L I4 engine, with 120 horsepower and 112 pound-feet of torque. For even better fuel-economy, you can opt for the game-changing 1.0L EcoBoost engine, which is expected to help make the 2014 Fiesta one of the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid cars in North America. This engine will provide 123 horsepower ? so drivers won't have to sacrifice power for fuel efficiency!

Here are some pictures of the sleek car in the eye-popping "Blue Candy" colour. Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Also, to read about the 2014 Fiesta's performance-oriented sibling, click here.

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Atlas Concept Premieres To Canadian Truck Lovers In Edmonton

By Mark McKay and Ammar Khan - Ford Blue

Click to see video

It was an exciting day for Jack Palazzolo, Ford Canada's Vice President of Marketing, as he proudly introduced the Ford Atlas Concept to Canada in the heart of truck country at the Edmonton Motor Show.

For several decades, Ford has been a leader in trucks with the world famous F-Series, and the new Atlas Concept is an extension of that history. Pairing tried and tested design concepts from previous Ford truck models with new technologies and performance-enhancing features, the engineers at Ford have created a concept vehicle that has truck enthusiasts excited about the future of the brand and their trucks.

Features

The Atlas Concept presents amazing features like Trailer Backup Assist and Dynamic Hitch Assist to make towing and parking easier and more efficient. There's also a 360 degree camera and centre screen display that allows drivers a bird's eye view of their truck and surroundings in all situations. With these additions to the quality and performance that Ford trucks have always been known for, it's no wonder truck lovers are looking forward to what the Atlas Concept is bringing to the table. For a more comprehensive look at the concept's features, check out our blog post on the future of pick-ups.

Built Ford Tough

Upon unveiling Atlas to the truck country crowd, Palazzolo offered these words about what it will deliver: "A preview of innovations that will transform what people expect from pickup trucks in the future, the Altas Concept showcases Built Ford Tough with design, capability, fuel efficiency and smart technology."

However, the engineers at Ford did not stop there. Fuel efficiency remains a concern for all drivers and with that in mind, Atlas wowed the crowd with its active grille, wheel shutters and power-deployable front spoiler and running boards that change the look of the truck. All this while making it more aerodynamic as you tow or cruise down the highway.

"My first reaction to the Ford Atlas is I'm really impressed with the aerodynamic improvements, the active aero, the smooth underbody, (and) the active wheel shutters," offered Peter Dushenski of carenvy.ca. Add to all of that the next-generation twin-turbocharged EcoBoost engine and this truck is definitely more than just a good-looking package to be excited about.

Excitement abounds

The energy at the Ford Canada booth in Edmonton was infectious with people vying for a look at the Atlas Concept and asking when they will be seeing these new features on their Ford trucks.

When you've been building the best trucks in the world for several decades, it may seem that it can be hard to get too excited about the latest models and developments. But with Atlas, there is warranted excitement for both truck lovers and members of the Ford family.

Paul Letourneau, of imaguy.ca, may have said it best when he told us, "I think there's going to be a lot of guys that love this truck."

We totally agree with Paul and can't wait to see the Atlas Concept continue to drum up the same reactions and excitement from truck lovers all over the country!

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Ford's Rouge Factory Is Focused On Green

By Frederic Mailloux and Ammar Khan- Ford Blue

Click to see video!

How do you make a factory greener? Just ask the people at Ford's Rouge Factory, located in Dearborn, Michigan.

When our team was in Detroit for the North American International Auto Show, we made sure to take a side trip to the Rouge Factory to see what they've done to make this iconic factory more environmentally friendly.

Founded in 1917, the Rouge is now known as the home of the F-150. In more recent years it has also become popular for its environmental initiatives. Previously, the land suffered from many of the typical environmental drawbacks found at most factories, including a runoff problem that added significant pollution to the nearby Rouge River. But when Bill Ford Jr. (who shared a passion for the environment in addition to his love of automobiles) took the reins of the company, he decided to do something about it.

According to Ford Rouge Factory Tour manager Cynthia Jones, that includes the world's largest green roof, which is seeded with a variety of plants.

"It's about a 10.4-acre roof, or the size of a nine-hole golf course," said Jones. "It provides insulation for the factory ? and also helps with some of the air pollution issues in this area."

It also includes "porous pavement" in the parking lots around the plant, which allows water to run right through the pavement, where it's redirected to ponds and treated naturally, instead of running directly into the Rouge River.

Ford has also planted thousands of trees and bushes on the factory land as part of the environmental reclamation of the land, and that's promoted the return of wildlife to the area.

"We've seen a huge return of animals," Jones noted. "We're a bird nesting site now. We have the monarch butterfly migration that comes through here. We've even spotted coyotes on the site, which is really incredible, considering we're just a few miles from downtown Detroit."

If you want to see it for yourself, there's a public tour at the Rouge Factory. The tour is split into five segments:

Legacy Theatre: A short video featuring a look at the history of the Rouge.
Art of Manufacturing: A look at how automobiles are made.
Observation Deck Tour: Take a look at the "world's largest living roof" and check out other exhibits explaining the environmental initiatives at the plant.
Assembly Plant Walking Tour: A self-guided look at the advanced assembly line where the new Ford F-150 trucks are made.
Legacy Gallery: A look at some historic vehicles made at the plant.

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Busting the Hybrid Myths

By David Singh and Steve Ross - Ford Blue

If you've ever watched one of those shows that examine myths and facts, you know there's nothing more satisfying than seeing a myth dispelled.

In the automotive world, there are plenty of myths that need to be busted. Take hybrids for example. These vehicles have been plagued by myths since their inception, some of which include:

All hybrid cars need to be plugged in.
Hybrids don't hit high speeds in electric mode.
Hybrids are only for city driving.

Let's take a closer look at these myths.

All hybrid cars need to be plugged in

Not true. There are some hybrids that need to be plugged in to an energy source ? these are called Plug-in Hybrids. However, basic Hybrids can create energy for themselves, without a plug. Take the C-MAX Hybrid for example, a vehicle that uses regenerative braking to charge its battery. This technology ? also used in other Ford vehicles such as the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid ? takes energy created from applying the brakes and returns it to the battery. So, with the C-MAX hybrid, you don't actually have to plug in to charge the car. It's got an electric battery and a gas engine, so you're covered.

Hybrids don't hit high speeds in electric mode

There's still a misconception that hybrid cars, when running in battery mode, can't reach highway speeds. You can take your C-MAX hybrid on the highway and cruise along at a top speed of 100 km/h in battery mode. Need to go on a road trip? Your C-MAX can take you on the highway at regular speeds, so you won't be stuck in the slow lane the whole trip.

Hybrid range is limited by the battery size

Wrong. Hybrids aren't all-electric cars ? a fact that confuses many people. Unlike all-electric vehicles, which run on battery power alone, hybrids use a traditional gas engine that is coupled with a battery. It's designed in such a way to help you maximize your fuel efficiency while you drive. Once you run out of battery power and fuel, you can simply stop at a gas station, fill-up and be on your way ? you'll never have to worry about the dreaded "range anxiety."

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News from Jacobson Ford

Say Hello to the New 2014 Ford Fiesta

Atlas Concept Premieres To Canadian Truck Lovers In Edmonton

Ford's Rouge Factory Is Focused On Green

Busting the Hybrid Myths

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