Jerry Robbin

Ford pricing right for 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

By Jerry Robbin

The 2011 Lincoln MKZ shows styling cues for the Lincoln brand, such as the front grille, and has a touch of elegance in the interior. However, there is enough evidence of its Fusion origins that Ford needs to take the MKZ to the next design level with some additional exterior styling cues.

The MKZ’s gas mileage is fantastic and the fact that Ford is not charging more for a hybrid version of the MKZ says a lot about this model.

Driving Experience

The MKZ has a lot of get up and go for a hybrid, and the car has excellent handling when taking hard turns.

The MKZ Hybrid can hold its own with its peers. The electric power steering is well tuned and provides a comfortable drive experience. The suspension gives a smooth ride over rough roads. With specs of 41 MPG City and 36 MPG Highway, it is fantastic for low speed, stop-and-go driving.

Safety Features

* 4-wheel ABS
* Front and rear head airbags
* Dual front side-mounted airbags
* Child seat anchors
* Remote anti-theft alarm system
* Ventilated front disc / solid rear disc brakes
* Rear door child safety locks
* Engine immobilizer
* Front fog/driving lights
* Auto delay off headlamps
* Dusk sensing headlamps
* 2 front headrests
* 3 rear headrests
* Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
* Rear center 3-point belt
* Front seatbelt pretensioners
* Stability control
* Traction control
* Electronic brake force distribution
* Emergency interior trunk release
* Front height adjustable headrests
* Rear height adjustable headrests
* Post-collision safety system
* Tire pressure monitoring

Under the Hood

The drive train is a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine, which produces 156 hp.  There is 106 hp when the electric motor takes over, such as when the car is stopped, and a net of 191 hp when the electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) is utilized. The MKZ Hybrid has acceptable acceleration.

Inside

The hybrid has a THX audio system bolstered by a 600-watt amp, 14 speakers, two subwoofers and a center-channel array at the top of the dashboard. The system uses a new digital signal processing technology called DTS Neural Surround, designed to transform the stereo audio from an MP3 player into surround sound.  There is 10 gigabytes of space on the hard drive for music storage.

The navigation system is excellent and calculates routes with ease. The maps are just OK, but the street labels are easy to read and it includes both 2D and 3D views. You can also access traffic information, gas prices  and movie times.

Sync also provides an automatic 911 call feature and a maintenance report on the car. A Sync Apps screen shows these services and includes slots for future apps.

The interior is elegant and the seats conform nicely to your body.

Outside

Lincoln offers a few driver-assistance features with the MKZ Hybrid. We had a rear-view camera and blind-spot detection on our car, and both features worked very well Other available features are rain-sensing windshield wipers and adaptive headlights, which are nice luxury touches.

Lincoln’s designers still have a way to go to create a separate identity for the MKZ. The average person can detect the Fusion underneath the MKZ sheet metal. The MKZ Hybrid has different sheet metal from the A-pillar forward.
More subtle fenders, a hood with fewer compound details and, of course, Lincoln’s baleen grille on the front fascia are additions that do well to differentiate the MKZ from its more common cousin. Likewise, splashes of chrome along the lower fascia, mirrors and windowsills also help to separate the Fusion and the MKZ.

Summary

For the same price as a gas-aspirated MKZ, you can purchase a 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The car really excels in cabin tech, like the Sync system. The MKZ is worth taking a look at if you are in the market for a nicely equipped hybrid.

Specifications

Exterior
* Width: 72.2 in.
* Height: 56.8 in.
* Length: 189.8 in.
* Front track: 61.3 in.
* Rear track: 61.0 in.
* Wheelbase: 107.4 in.
* Cargo capacity, all seats in place: 11.8 cu.ft.
* Maximum cargo capacity: 11.8 cu.ft.
* EPA interior volume: 110.8 cu.ft.

Interior
Front Seats
* Front headroom: 38.7 in.
* Front hip room: 54.0 in.
* Front legroom: 42.3 in.
* Front shoulder room: 57.2 in.
* Multi-level heating passenger seat
* 10-way power passenger seat
* 10-way power driver seat
* Passenger seat with power ad- justable lumbar support
* Multi-level heating driver seat
* Driver seat with power adjust-able lumbar support
* Height-adjustable driver seat
* Height-adjustable passenger seat
* Premium leather
* Bucket front seats
Rear Seats
* Rear hip room: 53.5 in.
* Rear head room: 37.8 in.
* Rear leg room: 36.7 in.
* Rear shoulder room: 55.8 in.
* Folding storage center armrest

Ford Fiesta a contender

By Jerry Robbin

With gasoline prices hovering at around $4.50 per gallon, Ford has the perfect vehicle for great gas economy and transportation. Ford has raised the bar for entry-level vehicles with the Fiesta.

The competition, such as Kia, Hyundai, Nissan and Toyota, should definitely be concerned, as the Fiesta is  a contender for the top entry-level vehicle.

Under the Hood
A 1.6-liter twin-cam four-cylinder engine that produces 120 hp and 112 lb-ft of torque powers the Fiesta. This four-cylinder DOHC produces fantastic fuel efficiency and power.

My test drive had the optional new automatic transmission, resulting in a great fuel economy of 30 mpg city/40 mpg highway.

Driving Impression
The Fiesta handles like a larger vehicle and the seating is very comfortable. The design and shape of the vehicle gives the illusion that it is bigger than it really is.

The Fiesta holds the road and has excellent driving dynamics when making quick hairpin turns. The steering is responsive and the four-cylinder drivetrain is adequate for city or highway driving. Electronic power steering is standard.

Inside
The Fiesta has a futuristic interior with contemporary touches that make you feel like you are in a larger vehicle. The center stack has the controls for the door locks and  other creature features like stereo, air conditioning, phone – the list goes on.

The front seats are very comfortable; the rear seat is adequate for children and tight for adults. The Fiesta storage space is amazing in the hatchback or the sedan.

Outside
The Fiesta styling has a contemporary flare and bold design that does not look inexpensive.

The exterior has neat touches such as projector headlights, fog lights, LED tail lights and side-marker turn signals in the mirrors.

The Fiesta I tested had the optional 17-inch alloy wheels.

Safety
* Four-wheel ABS
* Front and rear head airbags
* Dual front side-mounted airbags
* Child seat anchors
* Ventilated front disc /rear drum brakes
* Rear door child safety locks
* Engine immobilizer
* 2 front headrests
* 3 rear headrests
* Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
* Rear center 3-point belt
* Front seatbelt pretensioners
* Turn signal mirrors
* Stability control
* Traction control
* Electronic brakeforce distribution
* Emergency interior trunk release
* Front height-adjustable headrests
* Rear height-adjustable headrests
* Post-collision safety system
* Tire pressure monitoring

Summary
If you are in the market for a commuter vehicle that has great gas mileage and is fun to drive, you should test-drive the Ford Fiesta. It’s a great vehicle for those with kids or for a second vehicle.

Measurements
* Width: 66.8 in.
* Height: 58.0 in.
* Length: 173.6 in.
* Front track: 57.7 in.
* Rear track: 57.7 in.
* Wheel base: 98.0 in.
* Cargo capacity with all seats in place: 12.8 cu.ft.
* EPA interior volume: 97.9 cu.ft.
* Curb weight: 2578 lbs.
Interior
Front Seats
* Front head room: 39.1 in.
* Front hip room: 50.6 in.
* Front leg room: 42.2 in.
* Front shoulder room: 52.7 in.
* Cloth
* Bucket front seats
Rear Seats
* Rear hip Room: 49.2 in.
* Rear head room: 37.1 in.
* Rear leg room: 31.2 in.
* Rear shoulder room: 49.0 in.
* Split-folding rear seatback
* Rear ventilation ducts

2012 Ford Explorer Offers Roomy Styling

By Jerry Robbin

The all-new 2012 Ford Explorer is worth taking for a test drive if you are in the market for a dynamic car-based CUV. The Explorer is elegant with great styling and drives just like a car.

Overview

Ford created the sports utility market with the first-generation Explorer back in 1991. They reinvented the vehicle in 2011 with the totally redesigned Explorer and refined it even more for 2012.

Safety and Security

* Four-wheel ABS.

* Front, rear and third-row head airbags.

* Dual front with head protection chambers side-mounted airbags.

* Child seat anchors.

* Front and rear ventilated disc brakes.

* Rear door child safety locks.

* Engine immobilizer.

* Two front headrests.

* Three rear headrests.

* Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation.

* Rear center three-point belt.

* Front seatbelt pretensioners.

* Stability control.

* Traction control.

* Electronic brakeforce distribution.

* Front height adjustable headrests.

* Rear height adjustable headrests.

* Post-collision safety system.

* Tire pressure monitoring.

Under the Hood

The 2012 Explorer has a 3.5-litre V-6 engine that produces 290 hp at 4800 rpm. It has a smooth-shifting, six-speed automatic transmission that can be manually shifted using a thumb button on the shifter.

The Explorer gets 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway, which is respectable for the vehicle’s size and weight. There is an optional 2.0 EcoBoost 4-cylinder turbo-charged engine available for the FWD Limited.

Driving Impression

The Explorer’s V-6 is adequate for city and highway driving, and the vehicle handles well when making turns. The steering is very responsive and the ride is smooth, yet lets you have a feel for the road. The handling is decent, with minimal body roll when you make a sharp turn.

The brakes are adequate and they handle sudden stops. Another great feature is the hill-descent control system for going down hills slowly, which works fine at angles of up to 45 degrees.

Inside

The new Explorer interior is highlighted with soft-touch surfaces on the dash and front door-panels. The quality is superb and detail is seen throughout the cabin. The interior has plenty of storage and ample headroom. The seats are comfortable and hold you firmly in place.

Access to the third row is easy and holds two adults or children. When the third row is not being used, it folds flat into the floor at a single press of a button.

My test Explorer was a Limited, which had a panoramic glass roof, intelligent keyless entry with starter button, a touch-keypad on the driver’s door, remote start, HID headlights with LED tail lamps, eight airbags, cross-traffic alert system, two rechargeable USB ports and power-operated third-row seats and tailgate.

My Explorer had Navigation “My Ford Touch” touch screen, which operates the stereo, Bluetooth phone, ambient lighting and a host of other functions.

I found the system confusing and once all the bugs are worked out, the average person may be able to operate it.

Seating for seven is the highlight of the Explorer and with both rows of seats down, you can store a ton of items.

Outside

The new Explorer has a personality of its own with its unique design cues such as LED tail lamps, and the Limited’s body-color grille and shiny 20-inch alloy wheels. It has a unique perforated grill that accents the front end. There seem to be some styling cues from the current Land Rover.

Summary

The new Explorer is selling like hotcakes and the new design has brought back the excitement that it had when it was introduced in 1991.

If you are looking for a family CUV with seven-passenger seating, great design, extensive safety features and a fuel-efficient engine, then you should test drive the all-new Explorer.