This can be considered a fun special project even for adults. One Ford Explorer rolled off the assembly line this week with lots of differentiation. The outer-skin shape and design of a traditional Explorer, this one was crafted not from steel but rather 382,858 LEGO bricks. Below are some comparison of specifications between actual version and LEGO version.
The special Explorer was a collaborative effort between the motor and toy company and marks the beginning of a long-term alliance between Ford and LEGOLAND Florida theme park.
Even, our very own local automotive company, PROTON doesn't have any alliance with LEGO Corp., that doesn't stop them to collaborate furthermore to build one of Proton model line-up at soon to be opened LEGOLAND theme park in Johor targeted by next year (2012).
As for references, Legoland Malaysia is a theme park scheduled to open in Nusajaya, Johor, Malaysia in 2012 with over 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions. It will be the first Legoland theme park in Asia upon its establishment. It will be the centrepiece of a 5,500,000 sq ft (511,000 m2) integrated complex in the Nusa Cemerlang industrial park, within the Iskandar Malaysia economic region, consisting of a lifestyle retail centre, offices, hotels, service apartments and residential units. Legoland Malaysia targets 1.5 million visitors when it opens its doors.
What was called the Vertrek Concept at auto shows should roll off the assembly line in Louisville, USA next spring as the next Ford Escape.
The current Escape is ancient, going without a design overhaul to its boxy body since 2001. Whatever can be saved from the Vertrek Concept will be, and it's safe to say that the next Escape is going to get a carlike ride more fitting for the dogfight in the crowded five-passenger crossover segment. Likely to be roomier and more refined, the new Escape should also get the 180-hp, 1.6óliter four-cylinder EcoBoost motor that's already deployed in a few models in Europe and is set to spread to production in the U.S.
The current Escape is ancient, going without a design overhaul to its boxy body since 2001. Whatever can be saved from the Vertrek Concept will be, and it's safe to say that the next Escape is going to get a carlike ride more fitting for the dogfight in the crowded five-passenger crossover segment. Likely to be roomier and more refined, the new Escape should also get the 180-hp, 1.6óliter four-cylinder EcoBoost motor that's already deployed in a few models in Europe and is set to spread to production in the U.S.
As described in my ealier post: Ford Mondeo and S-Max with EcoBoost launched in Malaysia, EcoBoost is a family of turbocharged direct injection, with six-cylinder and four-cylinder gasoline engines produced by Ford Motor Company. Engines equipped with EcoBoost technology are designed to deliver power and torque consistent with larger displacement, naturally aspirated engines while achieving approximately 20% better fuel efficiency and 15% reduced greenhouse emissions than these same engines. Relative to the power output and fuel efficiency of hybrid and diesel technologies, Ford sees EcoBoost as an affordable and versatile alternative and intends on using it extensively in future vehicle applications.
A sample cut-off photo of a transmission
Normally, rather than the transmission, engine get more attraction by the peoples. Mindset is that performance much depends on the engine, while transmission only delivering the engine power to the wheel by drive shaft. But in the case of the new tranmission that Ford rolled out in a recent tech briefing here in Dearborn, Mi., the in-house designed and manufactured cog-swapper is worth a close look where the new concept can deliver better performance and better fuel economy for Ford's small cars of the future.
EcoBoost concept
To accompany its new 1.0-liter, 3-cylinder turbo engine for upcoming compact and midsize cars, Ford announced an all-new 8-speed automatic transmission. Even though auto transmission seems quite odd compare to dual clutch plate transmission and CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), this traditional hydraulic planetary-style layout 8-speed AT has no remarkable advantage. However, it comes with one newly impressive feature: the real-time engine-torque sensor. In typical AT, electronically controlled transmissions rely on rough calculation of the engine torque based on throttle position and rpm. Then, TCU (Transmission Control Unit) uses the information to help select the gear automatically, shift points and shift speed. But Ford's new creation directly measures and reports real torque output, according to chief engineer for new transmissions Craig Renneker, who wasn't shy in touting the new creation: "This is being called the holy grail of transmission control." To get real-time data, the system magnetizes an approximately 1-inch section of the transmission input shaft and uses a fine-resolution magnetic field sensor to determine angular deflection along that section. The system knows how much torque is needed to twist the input shafts certain distances; that produces instant torque data that can be fed to the transmission controller.
The reason to go to all this trouble is simple: Real-time data cuts gear change times down to 200 milliseconds, twice as fast as Ford's best current hydraulic automatic transmissions. That rivals a dual clutch gearbox for speed. It means the new transmission will be smoother, exactly matching the correct gear to the correct engine speed with no hunting. And it's also important to remember that Ford's big-picture purpose of the new unit is to maximize performance of the Ecoboost engines. A wider spread of gear ratios will allow Ford to maintain the performance customers expect while drastically downsizing engine size and cylinder count. It doesn't hurt that the new 8-speed is up to 6 percent more efficient than the 6-speed it will replace.
Ford claims the new power plant will deliver the power and smoothness of a 1.6-liter 4 cylinder (about 110 hp) with considerably improved fuel economy. It should offer many of the same performance characteristics of other Ecoboost engines such as early torque delivery and flat torque curves. It's a completely clean sheet design that focuses on reducing friction losses and improving thermal management (cooling system). One of the key engine features is a water-cooled exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head. [It is not possible to air-cool the exhaust manifold due to the space limitation in the engine room]. While a reduction in parts and weight is important, the real benefit comes with the addition of a second cooling circuit. One circuit manages the temperature of the engine block, while the other takes care of the cylinder head and exhaust manifold. The engine computer regulates the various temperatures to ensure quick catalytic converter operation and optimum fuel mixtures to save fuel.
Below are the two models, Fiesta and B-Max which has been rumored to receive the EcoBoost 1.0L engine with 8-speed AT transmission.
More details such as fuel consumption, weight, performance and most importantly applicable model information are expected to be released soon by Ford officials.
Below are the two models, Fiesta and B-Max which has been rumored to receive the EcoBoost 1.0L engine with 8-speed AT transmission.
More details such as fuel consumption, weight, performance and most importantly applicable model information are expected to be released soon by Ford officials.
Ford Motor Company based in US has launched its bread and butter sedan model, MONDEO by 2009. Now, they are upgrading MONDEO and S-Max as well with EcoBoost engine. The upgraded version of Ford Mondeo is called Titanium. The booking is now open, and the car will be available by August this year onwards.
The Titanium version has been introduced few days ago with new looks ti remark the differentiation between previous version. It come with new bumper with LED day light, refine headlamps and rear combi lamps plus few more differentiation inside the car such as new IP panel, meter combi, and A/C vent at the B- pillar area.
What is EcoBoost?
"EcoBoost is a family of turbocharged and direct injected six-cylinder and four-cylinder gasoline engines produced by the Ford Motor Company. Engines equipped with EcoBoost technology are designed to deliver power and torque consistent with larger displacement, naturally aspirated engines while achieving approximately 20% better fuel efficiency and 15% reduced greenhouse emissions than these same engines. Relative to the power output and fuel efficiency of hybrid and diesel technologies, Ford sees EcoBoost as an affordable and versatile alternative and intends on using it extensively in future vehicle applications."
Ford is on the right track with the introduction of EcoBoost engine which is referring to turbocharging the engine to get more power with less fuel consumption. There are few major automakers in the world which already announced their plan for turbocharged engine. Same goes to Proton which is going to introduce new line-up of Campro engine with turbocharging concept for their coming model. Seems like our national car manufacturer, PROTON is up-to-date with current Powertrain technology. Bravo!
The new Ford Mondeo titanium booking is open from next week. The OTR price will be in between RM180,000 ~ RM185,000.