Ford SYNC AppLink – in-car voice control for phone apps?

Ford’s SYNC is getting a new feature to debut on the 2011 Fiesta and its called the SYNC AppLink. It basically allows you to use the Fiesta’s voice control feature to control apps on your smart phone. But no, iPhones are not supported, probably because SYNC is built on Microsoft software. But AppLink will definitely talk to your Blackberry and your Android phone as those are the two app platforms it supports. 

And of course not all apps are supported – the apps have to talk to the Sync app installed onto the phone and at launch time, three apps will support this – Pandora internet radio, Stitcher internet radio and OpenBeak, a Twitter client formerly known as TwitterBerry.

“The growth in smartphone mobile apps has been explosive, and Ford has worked hard to respond at the speed of the consumer electronics market. SYNC is the only connectivity system available that can extend that functionality into the car. AppLink will allow drivers to control some of the most popular apps through SYNC’s voice commands and steering wheel buttons, helping drivers keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road,” says Ford Connected Services director Doug VanDagens.

Ford Start Concept features 3-cylinder EcoBoost

The Ford Start Concept will be Ford’s Beijing International Auto Show show car. It has Audi A1-like cues and most likely previews a next generation Ford Ka type of car. It’s exterior shell is built with a lightweight composite and are snap-fitted onto an aluminium safety cell structure. It’s got laser-cut LED headlamps too.

“With the Ford Start Concept, we didn’t set out to design some sort of utilitarian concept to save the world, nor were we interested in following the competitive trend toward an overly noisy design language. What we did set out to do was design a personality driven car that exudes warmth, charm and aspiration – to design a car worth bonding with,” said J Mays, Group Vice President Design and Chief Creative Officer of the Ford Motor Company.

Limited edition Ford Fiesta S1600 revealed in the UK

Ford has announced a sportier variant of the Fiesta supermini for the UK market. Called the S1600 it is inspired by the previous Fiesta Zetec S and is offered with two engine options from both ends of the fuel spectrum. 

The petrol unit is a 120 PS 1.6 liter Ti-VCT Duratec while the diesel front is made up by a 95 PS 1.6 liter Duratorq TDCi. These engines can be tuned up further via Mountune, Ford’s performance tuning partner although the press release did not mention anything about potential power figures.

The Fiesta S1600 can be treated to either Frozen White with blue stripes or Performance Blue with white stripes. There is a body kit that includes a unique front bumper with flared lower valence panel, extended side skirts, large rear spoiler and a rear diffuser. The petrol model features 17 inch alloys while the diesel unit gets 16 inch wheels.

Inside you will find heated sports seats with side airbags, leather steering wheel, and hand brake cover and gear knob along with Motorsport-branded floor mats and scuff plates.

As stated in the title the S1600 will be based on a limited production run where only 650 units will be made available. Each is priced at £16,665 OTR

Ford Mondeo gets new 2.0 liter EcoBoost and uprated diesel range in Europe

Ford’s European division has announced a new 2.0 liter EcoBoost gasoline engine along with upgraded 2.0 liter Duratorq diesel engines for the Mondeo mid-sized sedan. 

The turbocharged EcoBoost 4-potter with direct injection makes 203hp at 5,500 rpm and 300Nm of torque between 1,750 rpm and 4,500 rpm. This model is offered standard with Ford’s 6-speed PowerShift dual-clutch transmission.

The Mondeo would take 7.9 seconds to hit 100 km/h and can offer a top speed of 232 km/h. Combined fuel consumption is figured at 7.7 liters per 100 kilometers which sounds pretty good. The 2.0 liter Duratorq diesel engine has been upgraded to match higher emissions standard and is offered in three forms including 115hp, 140hp as well as a 163hp version. 

Us Malaysians get the 2.3 liter Duratec HE petrol engine which produces 159hp at 6,500 rpm and 208Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm. It would be nice if we can have the EcoBoost unit mentioned above as the Mondeo could use more power. The Duratec does its job well but more kick is always better. 

A diesel Mondeo would be nice as well. I had a go in the Focus TDCi recently and its a cracking drive! A 140hp 2.0 liter Duratorq for the Mondeo perhaps?

Fords records US$2.1 billion profit in the first quarter of 2010

This is definitely a very good year for Ford. Locally Ford is now offering more than just pickup trucks and SUVs. Potential buyers now have another option in the D-Segment with the Mondeo and the Focus now has diesel power with its TDCi engine. Worldwide Ford has just recorded a US$2.1 billion profit in the first quarter of the 2010. This figure compares to a US$1.4 billion loss a year ago.

Analysts expected the Blue Oval to hit the US$1 billion mark in profits but the company surpassed that expectation with a profit figure that is about double. The bump in profits is mainly due to a 37% rise in US sales. 

In Europe Ford recorded a pre-tax operating profit of US$107 million compared to a US$585 million loss a year ago. “Our plan is working, and the basic engine that drives our business results – products, market share, revenue, and cost structure – is performing stronger each quarter, even as the economy and vehicle demand remain relatively soft,” CEO Alan Mulally revealed.

The company aims to sell between 11.5 million and 12.5 million units this year in the US while sales in Europe is expected to hover over the 15 million-unit figure. The net income figure above excludes the losses of Volvo since the company is being sold to Geely. 

Henry Ford’s grandson and the company’s executive chairman Bill Ford said that he has “seen this movie before” and indicated that the company cannot risk being complacent and arrogant with its financial achievements. “I know how quickly self-satisfaction can turn into self-destruction,” he added.