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More Ford C-MAX Hybrid Details Revealed!

Anyone out there remember when you could utter the phrase, “I’m just going to put a couple bucks of gas in the tank” and you could scrounge around for those spare bucks in your pockets and pretty much end up with a quarter of a tank or more to work with? Nowadays? Those couple bucks get you one notch above running on fumes! The point is, fuel economy is a priority for many of us today.

That’s why Ford is beyond stoked to talk about its new hybrids, the C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, both of which go on sale in the second half of 2012. The C-MAX Energi is expected to deliver a better fuel economy equivalent in charge-depleting mode than the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid with a 500-mile overall driving range, more than Chevrolet Volt. The new C-MAX Hybrid is targeted to achieve better fuel economy than the Toyota Prius v. The C-MAX hybrids will be the company’s first dedicated hybrid vehicle line and the first MAV (multi-activity vehicle) line in North America.

And, by the way, you think great fuel economy is important to you? Ford might have you beat with its near-term electrification plan; it intends to triple production capacity of its electrified vehicle range by 2013. The C-MAX vehicles will be built on the company’s global C-segment platform and are two of five electrified vehicles Ford plans to launch in North America in 2012.

C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi get their power through the combination of a gasoline engine and a battery-driven electric motor. When powered by gasoline, the two C-MAX vehicles use the all-new 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine – a powerful and fuel-efficient engine and among the most advanced non-turbocharged four-cylinder powertrains Ford has ever offered.

The electric motors of the C-MAX hybrids are powered by advanced lithium-ion (li-ion) battery systems designed to maximize use of common, high-quality components, such as control board hardware. Li-ion battery packs are more efficient than nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries. They also are 25 to 30 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter than NiMH batteries used in today’s first-generation hybrid vehicles.

The C-MAX line has plenty of other cool attributes beyond crazy-good fuel economy. For example, there’s the new and innovative hands-free liftgate appearing on some new Ford vehicles, allowing for easy access to the cargo department without the need for keys to open it; a kicking motion under the rear bumper opens and closes the liftgate. The newest version of SYNC® with MyFord Touch® is another feature, as is the next generation of SmartGauge® with EcoGuide, giving instantaneous fuel economy info and tips for optimizing regenerative braking for driving range. For the Energi, there is also MyFord® Mobile, a smartphone app that gives you the ability to monitor charging, receive alerts, find charging stations and more via phone or computer. Other available technology for C-MAX includes active park assist, push-button start, AM/FM/CD/MP3 Sony® Audio, HD Radio™ and voice-activated Navigation System.

In the safety department, the C-MAX hybrids offer standard technologies such as the MyKey® teen safety feature, SYNC 911 Assist™ and seven airbags. SYNC 911 Assist uses hands-free phone capabilities to connect the driver directly with a local 911 operator through the paired phone should an accident occur in which an airbag deploys. The C-MAX hybrids also have driver-assist technologies, including Curve Control, designed to slow the vehicle when it’s cornering too fast, and Torque Vectoring Control to help accelerate through a turn when necessary. AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™ (RSC) and electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) also are standard.

Motor Trend picks 2012 Ford F-150 as its Truck of the Year

Motor Trend magazine named Ford's 2012 F-150 its Truck of the Year, edging out the Nissan NV commercial van, the Ram HD Laramie Longhorn and the Toyota Toacoma.

The magazine's editors presented the award Monday to Mark Fields, Ford president of the Americas, at a ceremony at the company's headquarters in Dearborn.

"We are proud to receive this award and even more pleased that our F-150 customers have additional validation of their choice," Fields said in a statement.

With 516,639 trucks sold in the U.S. this year through November, the F-150 is again the nation's best-selling vehicle.

Motor Trend tested versions of the pickup with a 5.0-liter V8 engine, but it was Ford's 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine that helped capture the award.

Ford officials now expect 45% of F-150 buyers to select the EcoBoost V6.

Truck owners traditionally have expected their rigs to be outfitted with a V8 engine, but Ford's EcoBoost V6 is changing that perception.

Automakers are pushing for better fuel economy in the pickup segment, where muscle had been measured in displacement until volatile gasoline prices and a shaky economy changed priorities for many consumers.

The EcoBoost-equipped F-150s average 18 m.p.g. in combined city and highway driving, according to federal government ratings, compared to 14-17 m.p.g. for eight-cylinder models.

The turbocharged V6 gives the truck more towing power than the larger 5.0-liter V8.

"It mastered every task we subjected it to, acing our instrumented tests at the proving grounds and swaying opinions during our real-world road evaluations," Motor Trend editor-in-chief Ed Loh said of the F-150 in an announcement.

Each year, the staff of Motor Trend assesses a field of contenders for the Truck of the Year Award.

The weeklong process includes a full complement of performance tests, both with and without payload, on straight-aways and twisty mountain roads, as well as in day-to-day driving.

Trucks are evaluated against six judging criteria, resulting in a final winner.

The F-150 also took top honors from Motor Trend in 2009, 2004 and 1997.

Visit http://www.winnerforddover.com/ford-f~150/  to see Winner Ford Dover's complete F-150 inventory.

Learn Some Great Car Buying Tips From Winner Ford Dover!

The Ford Motor Company has recently upgraded just about every vehicle in the lineup, and more redesigns are on the way. If you want to learn more about the great cars, trucks, and SUVs offered by Ford and how to finance one for yourself, then take a look at these helpful links: 

• Take a look at this guide from CarBuyingTips.com for help buying your next new car. 
• Learn the ins and outs of auto financing in this article from HowStuffWorks.com. 
• Read this thorough overview of the many trim levels of the 2012 Ford Flex from Edmunds.com. 
• Check out Yahoo Autos for a collection of consumer reviews of the new Ford Flex. 
• Take a look at this brilliant new Ford concept car that is said to be similar to the next generation Fusion. 

For more information, call Winner Ford Dover at (800) 671-8708.

Understanding Your Financing Options When Looking to Purchase a New Ford

Buying a new car is one of the most significant financial decisions that a person can make. Even after all of the research to choose the perfect car, there is still the matter of how to pay for it. Here is a brief overview of some of the options for financing a new Ford car, truck, or SUV: 

Bank Loan

One fairly common choice for auto financing is the option of a bank loan. Using your credit score, a bank will be able to qualify you for a loan. Once you have qualified, you can negotiate the terms based on your credit score and other factors. The great resources of banks allow them to offer large loans with competitive rates. Another benefit of bank loans is the option to tie the loan to other accounts for convenient payments.

Dealership Loan

Getting a loan through the financing department at a dealership also has its benefits. Dealerships are able to factor in specific considerations related to your trade-in and the new vehicle for price negotiation. A bank cannot offer a cash discount or any special rebates for a particular car. Dealership financing is incredibly convenient, as all paperwork can be done onsite the day you want your car.

 Car Lease

For some drivers, leasing is a better option than purchasing. Leased cars allow the driver to have a brand new car for a few years, never committing to any one model for too long. The payments for a lease are low, and nearly all maintenance needs are covered. However, these costs will add up as leases are replaced while purchased cars will be paid off. 

If you are looking to buy or lease a new Ford car, truck, or SUV, then come to Winner Ford Dover. We specialize in the sales and service of high-quality new and used Ford vehicles in Delaware and eastern Maryland. Call us at (800) 671-8708 or contact us online for more information.