2012 Ford Focus Electric
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Electric vehicles have upsides and downsides. On the upside, they crank out far fewer pollutants than their fossil-fuel-swilling cousins, and they may help ease dependence on foreign oil. On the downside, they're quiet. Too quiet. While some of you might find that a good thing, EV's lack of sound poses a real threat for pedestrians, especially those with impaired vision. Don't believe us? Just ask the National Federation of the Blind, which successfully lobbied Congress to pass the "Bell Bill" earlier this year, mandating that "silent vehicle technology" come with a distinct set of sounds to...
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2012 Ford Focus Has 'Torque Hole Filling' Auto Trans TechChanging gear is a necessary evil. Of course, for driving enthusiasts it can be a challenge and a pleasure, and in cars with automatic transmissions you can sit back and let the car do the work for you, but the downside with the shifting process is always the momentary pause in progress...
Antony Ingram -
2011 Detroit Auto Show Celebrity Sightings (And What They Mean For You!)
Pundits say that the economy is on the mend and that customers want to spend. (Sadly, they don't often say it in rhyme.) But while the recession may be behind us, there's still something not-quite-right about this year's Detroit Auto Show. Sure, we've seen fog machines and the mandatory strobe...
Richard Read -
Ford Learning From Fiesta In Upcoming Small-Car And EV Launches
Ford's U.S. lineup is about to change in a very significant way. And as the automaker emphasized in its Detroit Auto Show press conference, with several high-volume small car models expected to arrive this year and next, you'll soon see plenty of smaller and greener alternatives in Ford's lineup...
Bengt Halvorson -
CES 2011: 2012 Ford Focus Electric Live Shots
Leaf and Volt had better watch out, because the Blue Oval just let loose its EV contender, the 2012 Focus Electric, and if first impressions are any basis, it might just be the best of the bunch. Why? It looks like a normal, attractive hatchback, yet it packs all the EV-goodness of the Leaf (or...
Nelson Ireson -
CES 2011: Ford Focus Electric Live Photos
The Ford Focus Electric just rolled across the stage at the 2011 CES, and we have a small handful of photos of the car with CEO Alan Mulally. We'll have some more images and angles shortly, but for now, enjoy the show. For full details on the new Focus Electric, be sure to check out...
Nelson Ireson -
The Volt has its app, the Prius has one too. Now the Ford Focus Electric has joined the party with the MyFord Mobile app. Offering smartphone users the ability to monitor and control their vehicle remotely, the app also packs EV-specific features. Like what, you ask? Like "value charging," which allows Focus Electric owners to reduce the cost of the energy their car uses by simplifying the process of taking advantage of off-peak rates or EV-specific reduced rates. The app also uses MapQuest to help plan routes for minimum distance, charging stations along the way, and to determine if the...
