Osahar
Working on the swing
Just got home tonight from an overnight trip to Detroit for our 2010 Ford Dealer Intro Show. I had an absolute blast. Was able to meet 15 of my dealers that attended, and got to see a lot of what's coming for the company. Lots of big changes in the works, both from a product standpoint as well as technology and customer experience plans.
The highlight of the trip, though, was the first day. All morning and afternoon we were out on Belle Isle for a driving event.
First, I hit the Mustang Comparison Drive. First, I drove a 2011 Mustang V6 (305hp, 31mpg) through an autocross layout. After that, switch to a 2010 Camaro to compare (I had a V6, but there were a couple V8's as well). Then finish it off with a spin around the course in the 2011 Mustang GT (412hp, 27mpg). Also got to watch Ken Block toss a European Focus RS (300hp) through the course. My impressions: The Mustang V6 was the best on the course - lots of power and a great cornering balance. The GT was great as well, but I was a little tooo aggressive with the acceleration so had to do some hard braking...but can you blame me? By comparison, the Camaro felt heavier and didn't like to corner like the Mustangs did. On a more wide-open road track, the GT would be a LOT of fun.
Next, I did the Fiesta Timed Autocross. One of our execs set the "time to beat" and they let us loose to see if we could beat it, 2 attempts. That little car will go pretty good on the tight course they had set up with the cones. I beat the time, and left plenty of rubber in the corners. Lots of grinning after running it through the twists!
Third up, I hit the Fiesta Comparison Drive. I ran a 2011 Fiesta sedan through another cone course that had a slalom section, an "emergency lane change" spot, and a nice bumpy section. Then I took a Honda Fit through the same course: My impressions: The Fiesta really has no competition in that class. The Fit is currently supposed to be the best of the "B" class subcompacts, and it had a lot of body roll and I thought I was going to take out cones on the emergency lane change, it didn't want to straighten back out after I tossed it over. The Fiesta felt solid all the way through the course. About time we brought over some of our European designs that are so loved across the Atlantic!
Fourth I went over to the Truck drive area. Got to drive a Super Duty with both the 6.7L diesel and the 6.2L gas engines. Then drove the new engine lineup for the 2011 F-150, but since they haven't been announced yet mum's the word here. I'll just say that they were a very nice surprise, since I hadn't even heard all the details yet. The new 6.7L diesel is a beast of a motor, and super quiet. No louder than te 6.2L gas was, even at idle. No cones or anything, just drove around a portion of the roads out on the island.
Finally, I headed over to the 2011 Edge drive. Same drive layout as for the trucks. We had the Limited with the new 3.5L V6 (285hp 27mpg), but not the Sport or EcoBoost models. They also had the new MyFord Touch system, which was just amazing. If you've used SYNC, this is the next generation. 2 multifunction screens beside the speedo operated by a pair of 5-way controllers on the steering wheel and an 8" touch screen in the center stack. And everything can be voice operated as well. Great vehicle, great ride.
After not having a show last year, it was good to see all the dealers together and excited about all the good things that have been happening for the company over the past year. :clapp:
The highlight of the trip, though, was the first day. All morning and afternoon we were out on Belle Isle for a driving event.
First, I hit the Mustang Comparison Drive. First, I drove a 2011 Mustang V6 (305hp, 31mpg) through an autocross layout. After that, switch to a 2010 Camaro to compare (I had a V6, but there were a couple V8's as well). Then finish it off with a spin around the course in the 2011 Mustang GT (412hp, 27mpg). Also got to watch Ken Block toss a European Focus RS (300hp) through the course. My impressions: The Mustang V6 was the best on the course - lots of power and a great cornering balance. The GT was great as well, but I was a little tooo aggressive with the acceleration so had to do some hard braking...but can you blame me? By comparison, the Camaro felt heavier and didn't like to corner like the Mustangs did. On a more wide-open road track, the GT would be a LOT of fun.
Next, I did the Fiesta Timed Autocross. One of our execs set the "time to beat" and they let us loose to see if we could beat it, 2 attempts. That little car will go pretty good on the tight course they had set up with the cones. I beat the time, and left plenty of rubber in the corners. Lots of grinning after running it through the twists!
Third up, I hit the Fiesta Comparison Drive. I ran a 2011 Fiesta sedan through another cone course that had a slalom section, an "emergency lane change" spot, and a nice bumpy section. Then I took a Honda Fit through the same course: My impressions: The Fiesta really has no competition in that class. The Fit is currently supposed to be the best of the "B" class subcompacts, and it had a lot of body roll and I thought I was going to take out cones on the emergency lane change, it didn't want to straighten back out after I tossed it over. The Fiesta felt solid all the way through the course. About time we brought over some of our European designs that are so loved across the Atlantic!
Fourth I went over to the Truck drive area. Got to drive a Super Duty with both the 6.7L diesel and the 6.2L gas engines. Then drove the new engine lineup for the 2011 F-150, but since they haven't been announced yet mum's the word here. I'll just say that they were a very nice surprise, since I hadn't even heard all the details yet. The new 6.7L diesel is a beast of a motor, and super quiet. No louder than te 6.2L gas was, even at idle. No cones or anything, just drove around a portion of the roads out on the island.
Finally, I headed over to the 2011 Edge drive. Same drive layout as for the trucks. We had the Limited with the new 3.5L V6 (285hp 27mpg), but not the Sport or EcoBoost models. They also had the new MyFord Touch system, which was just amazing. If you've used SYNC, this is the next generation. 2 multifunction screens beside the speedo operated by a pair of 5-way controllers on the steering wheel and an 8" touch screen in the center stack. And everything can be voice operated as well. Great vehicle, great ride.
After not having a show last year, it was good to see all the dealers together and excited about all the good things that have been happening for the company over the past year. :clapp:
