Last year was a great year for us. And with 2013 underway, we’ve carried the momentum into the New Year.
At the 2013 Canadian International Autoshow in Toronto, we caught up with Dianne Craig, president and CEO of Ford Canada. She shared a few things to look forward to from the blue oval this year.
Fiesta/Fiesta ST
The 2014 Fiesta and Fiesta ST will make their way onto our roads this year.
The stylish Fiesta will be loaded with impressive technological features, including MyFord Touch and MyKey. However the car’s superb fuel economy – courtesy of the new 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine – is perhaps its most exciting feature.
Available for the first time in North America, this EcoBoost will be a game-changer. It’s expected to contribute to making the Fiesta the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid car on the continent. The 1.0-litre will provide an expected 123 horsepower, so drivers won’t have to sacrifice power for fuel efficiency.
Our EcoBoost engines are now featured on a variety of other Ford models, including: Escape, Edge, Explorer, Fusion, Focus ST, Flex, Taurus and F-150.
For those looking for even more power from their Fiesta, the Fiesta ST has you covered. This bad boy is a legitimate performance car. It was introduced at the Los Angeles auto show in November by professional rally driver Ken Block, who previously made headlines when he raced a suped-up 2012 Fiesta through the streets of San Francisco. Check out the video here.
The 2014 Fiesta ST and its 1.6-litre EcoBoost delivers a whopping 196 horses – the best performance of any car in its segment. The car is a beauty and with its lowered stance and 17-inch alloy wheels, it really looks like it belongs on the racetrack.
Transit/Transit Connect
The 2014 Transit and Transit Connect will provide Canadian business and commercial fleet customers with a number of different options to suit their specific needs, whether it’s delivering packages, moving products and tools, or shuttling people around.
The all-new Transit will be available in early 2014 while the next generation Transit Connect is set to be on the roads by the end of this year. With a long history in other key global markets, Transit and Transit Connect combine manoeuvrability and efficiency with cargo space and durability. Both are Built Ford Tough.
The Transit, which is brand new to Canada, will offer best-in-class fuel numbers.
- It will achieve an average of 25 per cent better fuel economy and haul at least 300 pounds more than today’s E-Series.
- Available with three engine options, three body lengths and roof heights, along with the ability to fit 8-15 passengers, it will prove to be a versatile vehicle.
The Transit Connect will be available in two variations, a van and wagon. The van will appeal to small business owners and commercial fleets of every size; the wagon, which seats seven passengers and boasts a stylish appearance, will offer retail customers the same comfort and convenience as traditional minivans. At the same time, it will also garner attention from the commercial vehicle market.
The Transit Connect will receive a number of improvements from previous editions, including:
- A 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine or an optional 1.6-litre EcoBoost.
- An available factory trailer package that can tow up to 2,000 pounds.
Up to 1,600-pounds of payload and more than 130 cubic feet of cargo space, depending on the trim.
Living green with the C-MAX
Last year saw the introduction of the C-MAX, which is Ford’s first all-hybrid nameplate. With fanfare growing for the new vehicle lineup, you can expect to see its continuing rollout in 2013.
In addition to offering 15 innovative technologies, including the foot-activated liftgate, the C-MAX Hybrid and Energi take fuel efficiency to new levels for the blue oval.
The C-MAX Energi, which is a plug-in hybrid, offers an amazing 1.9Le/100 km in EV mode and 4.5L/100 km in hybrid mode. With a fully charged battery, it provides 195 horsepower. And speaking of amazing fuel economy, keep your eyes open for the 2013 Fusion Energi, which will complete the all-new lineup of 5 electrified vehicles launched by Ford this year!
Now that we’ve told you what you can expect from us in 2013, tell us what you’d like to see in 2014! Leave your answers in the comments below and we may use them in a future post!