Hiring

While stopped at an intersection I noticed a man standing on the corner
in front of a Burger King.
He was holding a sign that read "Will work for food."
If he had only looked up, he would have noticed that the Burger King
sign directly a above him read "Now hiring."

First Look: 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 6.2

From: Mike Levine

Sent: Monday, August 09, 2010 9:48 PM

Subject: First Look: 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 6.2

By Larry Edsall for PickupTrucks.com, photos courtesy of Ford

The 411-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8 engine that ignites Ford's already-fabled F-150 SVT Raptor pickup truck will be installed in the ninth version of the Ford Harley-Davidson F-150, which will be unveiled Tuesday at the 70th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota.

In addition to the enlarged power plant, the 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 features a unique front end with a six-bar, billet-style, satin-finished chrome grille, satin chrome Harley-Davidson badging and a fully integrated and deployable running board that gives the truck the look of a lowered stance.

Standard equipment also includes 22-inch Euroflange forged wheels with polished center cap, low-profile tires and the buyer's choice of Tuxedo Black or Ingot Silver paint.

Inside, the new truck shows trim panels in Tuxedo Black with an engine-turned finish on the door scuff plates and center console lid. All interior chrome surfaces are satin-finished. The leather-trimmed seats have colored inserts and cloisonné badges.

A voice-activated navigation system with an 8-inch touch-screen, Sirius satellite radio, power moonroof, rearview camera and remote starter are standard. Even the second-row seats are heated.

All 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150s also come with a new 4.2-inch information display, which debuted in the 2011 F-Series Super Duty. Controlled by a steering wheel-mounted five-way button, this screen, located between the speedometer and tachometer, provides information ranging from fuel economy to towing performance.

The nav system, information screen, power moonroof and remote starter are new to the standard equipment list for 2011.

"The new 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 perfectly blends the flexibility and capability of F-Series trucks with the free spirit of Harley-Davidson motorcycles," said Eric Kuehn, the chief engineer for the truck's development. "Both companies have a passion for the road, which shines through in our specialized truck."

"Overall, we're trying to reduce the complexity of ordering F-150s," said Marc Lapine, F-150 consumer marketing manager. "Historically, the Harley-Davidson F-150 has been a premium truck and they've tended to be loaded up. We decided to make many of those features standard that were so predominantly being ordered."

Pricing for the 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 won't be announced until Ford shows its full 2011 truck lineup in September.

The 2010 Harley F-150 with the legacy 5.4-liter V-8 started at $43,355. The 2010 Ford F-150 Raptor with the 6.2 engine carried a $3,000 premium over the 5.4 version, so we wouldn't be surprised if pricing for the 2011 Harley F-150 starts around $46,000 or higher.

Though a limited-production vehicle, Lapine said sales volume may increase because of the use of the 6.2-liter engine, which also is used in the Raptor and the Ford Super Duty. The 2011 Harley version will get the same horsepower and torque ratings as in the Raptor. That means 411 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque. That also means a bump in towing capacity to 9,300 pounds -- from 5,300 pounds in the 2010 Harley F-150.

In the Super Duty, the 6.2-liter V8 is rated at 385 horsepower and 404 pound-feet.

"This engine has tons of torque and already has been proven in the field with both the F-150 SVT Raptor and Super Duty," said Mike Harrison, V-8 engine program manager. "The exhaust for the Ford Harley-Davison edition has been specially tuned to feature a throaty V-8 rumble customers will love."

The 6.2 mill features a single-overhead-cam valve train with roller-rocker shafts to enhance low-speed torque and engine breathing; dual equal-variable cam timing to optimize fuel economy and engine performance across the rev range; two spark plugs per cylinder for more efficient air/fuel mixture and combustion, thus increasing torque and fuel economy; and dual knock sensors to optimize spark timing.

Preliminary pics of the 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 show a much more subtle graphic look. Instead of lots of bold orange paint, the 2011 model features hot rod style "speed scallops" that trail back from the front wheel flares. The flares are defined by orange borders around a satin-finish design. There's a similar scallop on the hood.

"We ensure Ford Harley-Davidson trucks exude the same bold personality as the legendary motorcycles," said Brad Richards, design manager for the Ford/Harley project.

"We take two brands that are undeniably unique and forge a product that embodies the best qualities of both," he added.

In addition to the 2011 F-150, Ford and Harley-Davidson have cooperated in the past on F-150, Super Duty F-250, F-350 and F-450 edition trucks.

The 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 is expected to go on sale this winter.

Ford: F-150 delivers the mpg buyers want

Ford: F-150 delivers the mpg buyers want

Charles Child
Automotive News | August 16, 2010

DETROIT -- Even with gasoline prices stable and below $3 a gallon, pickup buyers want good fuel economy, Doug Scott says.

"Fuel economy is the No. 1 unmet need" for owners of full-sized pickups, said Scott, Ford Motor Co. truck group marketing manager, at a media event last week.

Citing Ford research, he said 70 percent want better fuel economy and about a third of those say they would change brands for a "significant improvement" in mpg.

Ford is replacing the F-150's entire engine lineup for the 2011 model year. A V-6 will be standard. Also available: two V-8s and an EcoBoost V-6 with turbocharging and direction injection.

Ford says the new lineup will be 20 percent more fuel efficient than the current lineup of three V-8s. Currently, the standard engine is a 4.6-liter V-8 that gets 19 mpg on the highway.

Ford has not released EPA mileage figures for the new engine lineup.

Fuel economy is more important to buyers now than it was before the 2008 price spike, Scott said. And Ford still believes gasoline will jump to $4 to $4.50 a gallon in 2013 or 2014, he said.

Gasoline peaked at a national average of $4.05 a gallon in July 2008. Last week, it was $2.74.

Dealers can order 2011 models in October. Sales of vehicles with three of the four engines begin in December. The EcoBoost engine will be available in the first quarter of 2011.

 

The F-150's new engine lineup

• 3.7-liter V-6, standard
• 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6
• 5.0-liter V-8
• 6.2-liter V-8
Source: Ford Motor Co.

When jumpstarting a car

How to jumpstart a car;
might seem like a simple task but using incorrect procedures can result in damage to the car and driver.

When jumpstarting a car, consider safety first. If at all possible,
wear safety glasses.
Also, never smoke or use matches while jumpstarting a car or handling a
battery.
Batteries can release explosive gases.

First, make sure that the cable connectors to the dead battery are not
damaged, broken or have frayed wires. This could also be a reason that
the car is getting no power, since a charge cannot freely pass through
damaged cable ends. If this is not the problem, follow these ten easy
steps to jump start a car properly and safely:


(1) Move car with the "live" battery as close as possible to the car to
be jumpstarted without the cars touching.
(2) Switch off power to both cars and make sure that they are in park.
Set the brakes.

(3) If any corrosion is present, scrape this off with a small knife or
other object. Do not let corrosion come in contact with bare hands. If
possible, wear safety gloves.

(4) Connect the metal clamps of the red cable to the positive posts of
each battery. The positive posts are marked "+" or "POS". The negative
posts are marked "-" or "NEG". Make sure you do not allow the metal
clamps of the red and black cables to touch each other.

(5) Connect the clamp from the black cable to the negative post on the
car with the live battery. Connect the other end of the black cable to
bare metal on the frame of the car with the dead battery, the grounding
connection. This is safer than connecting the black cable to the
negative post of the dead battery.

(6) Keep the cable clear of the fan and fan belt at all times.

(7) Be sure that the ignition is off in the car with the dead battery
and start the car with the live battery, revving the engine lightly to
charge. Attempt to start the car.

(8) When both engines are running, remove the cables by first taking off
the black grounding connection on the body of the car and then the other
end of the black cable. Remove the two red cable ends last. Make sure
that no objects are let under the hood of either car before closing the
hood.

(9) Do not turn off the engine to the car with the dead battery until
you get to where you were going. If possible, let the car run for half
an hour to make sure the battery has a full charge.

(10) An incorrect battery connection could cause an explosion so make
sure to connect red to red and black to black.

If these instructions are followed and the battery will not charge or
loses its charge, take car to a mechanic. The problem might be elsewhere
in the ignition system.

BEST SELLING 2011 FORD F-SERIES SUPER DUTY DIESEL BOOSTS POWER, CAPABILITY, FUEL ECONOMY AND VALUE

BEST SELLING 2011 FORD F-SERIES SUPER DUTY DIESEL

BOOSTS POWER, CAPABILITY, FUEL ECONOMY AND VALUE

Current 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty diesel owners can get the increased performance through a free dealer-installed software upgrade to the truck's powertrain control module.
Click here to download related images.

• The 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V8 turbocharged diesel is now rated at best-in-class 800 lb.-ft. of torque and 400 horsepower, an increase of 65 lb.-ft. of torque and 10 horsepower. Current 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty diesel owners can get the increased performance through a free dealer-installed software upgrade to the truck's powertrain control module
• Super Duty reclaims F-350 towing and payload leadership vs. Chevrolet Silverado 3500. When it comes to capability, Super Duty offers uncompromised choice - whether it's F-250, F-350, F-450 or F-550
• The 6.7-liter Super Duty diesel now has 20 percent better fuel economy compared with the outgoing engine based on Ford drive-cycle tests of comparably equipped 2011 Ford and 2010 Ford models

For more news from the CAR Management Briefing Seminars, please click here.

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Aug. 3, 2010 - Ford Motor Company will begin production this week of the most powerful diesel engine ever installed in a heavy-duty pickup, Barb Samardzich, vice president of powertrain engineering, announced today at an international auto industry conference.

Introduced in April 2010, the 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbocharged diesel powering the 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty will be upgraded to best-in-class 800 lb.-ft. of torque and 400 horsepower, Samardzich said at the Center for Automotive Research's annual Management Briefing Seminars.

"These numbers are impressive, yes, but that is not why they matter," Samardzich said. "These numbers matter because our customers say they do. The higher torque means that fleet operators, such as Florida Power & Light, can plow through deep swamps and get to downed power lines faster and more confidently. It means that oil and gas crews in the Northwest can tow up an 8,000-foot grade maintaining a steady speed and using less fuel."

In an industry-first customer loyalty program, Ford will provide the power upgrades free of charge to all current owners of a 2011 Super Duty diesel pickup. Customers will receive letters explaining the procedure, a 30-minute software adjustment to the truck's powertrain control module, and inviting them to visit their dealerships for the upgrade.

The upgrade program will begin by Aug. 31 and continue for the next 12 months. The 2011 Super Duty diesel pickups in dealer inventory will receive the upgrade as well.

A rigorous testing protocol that included computer, laboratory and on-road validation ensured 250,000-mile durability in the new Power Stroke's components and systems. This strict testing opened the door for the 2011 Super Duty's increased capability.

"We know that durability and reliability is uppermost in the minds of our Super Duty customers, along with torque and horsepower, so we took a conservative approach that ensured that the new Power Stroke would be absolutely bulletproof while delivering significantly improved power," said Chris Brewer, chief engineer of the 2011 Super Duty.

New Ford design and engineering methods enable strong platform from which to build
The new Power Stroke is a "clean sheet" that combines the best of proven technology with new, patented approaches backed by an extensive laboratory and real-world testing regimen to assure customer satisfaction. Benefits of the new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbocharged diesel engine include:

• First use of a compacted graphite iron (CGI) engine block in a Super Duty-class vehicle in North America; stronger than cast iron, Ford has successfully used CGI in engine blocks in products around the world. The block structure was optimized for reduced weight and maximum strength to meet the demands of higher torque and horsepower.
• Unique inboard exhaust and outboard intake architecture, an automotive-industry first for a modern production diesel engine, reduces overall exhaust system volume, which leads to better throttle response for the customer; additionally, reduced exhaust system surface area minimizes heat transfer to the engine compartment and improves NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) performance.
• The new engine architecture enables easier service work for all major engine components, potentially reducing downtime. On turbocharger service, for example, the body/cab no longer has to be removed from the frame to access the turbo; also, the high-pressure fuel pump, EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) components and thermostats are directly accessible from the front of the vehicle.
• The turbocharger features an industry-first dual-sided compressor wheel that works in a single housing. The unit is uniquely center-mounted on a pedestal low in the back of the valley for improved NVH. This turbocharger design allows the single unit to deliver the benefits of a twin-turbocharger system in a smaller, more efficient package, combining the advantages of a small turbocharger (faster response) and a large turbocharger (ability to compress and force more air into the engine for more power) in one unit.
• The high-pressure fuel system injects fuel at more than 29,000 psi. The system delivers up to five injection events per cylinder per cycle using eight-hole piezo injectors to spray fuel into the piston bowl. The direct-injection system is calibrated and phased for optimum power, fuel efficiency and NVH performance.
• Aluminum cylinder heads for reduced weight; the mid-deck construction with dual water jackets provides increased strength and optimal cooling; also, six head bolts, instead of four as found on other engines, help improve sealing and maintain cylinder integrity.
• Compatible up to B20 fuel, allowing greener fueling options of up to 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel.

The new Super Duty debuted not only with a new diesel engine, but with a new heavy-duty TorqShift^TM six-speed automatic transmission. As experience was gained building the new powertrain, engineers continued to test components, check data and seek optimizations.

More power and better fuel economy, too
Fuel economy is expected to improve at least another 2 percent, making the 2011 F-Series Super Duty 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel a full 20 percent more fuel efficient than the 2010 model. The improved torque and horsepower, for example, means a customer can get to a higher gear faster and stay in it longer, both of which aid fuel economy.

"Our testing procedure proved to us we could push the hardware a little harder," said Brewer. "Again, we wanted to make absolutely sure our customers received an engine that was outstanding in all the key attributes: durability, reliability, power, performance and fuel economy."

The increased performance will be evident in situations such as improved passing capability on the highway or when towing a heavy load up a steep grade. When towing, the increased engine torque will let the vehicle stay in high gear more often, reducing transmission shifting frequency and keeping engine speed low for better fuel economy and lower noise. 

Best-in-class capability reclaimed for F-350 models going forward
Going forward, the F-350 dual-rear-wheel (DRW) model will add vehicle upgrades to bring maximum payload and maximum fifth-wheel towing to best-in-class levels. Higher-strength steel in the frame will boost the payload and towing ratings as follows:

• F-350 DRW maximum payload to 7,070 pounds, from 6,520 pounds
• F-350 DRW maximum fifth-wheel towing to 22,600 pounds, from 21,600 pounds

"Customers of the F-350 dual-rear-wheel configuration push their trucks to the limit and are the ultimate payload and towing users," said Brewer. "And like with the diesel upgrades, we've found we can push the Super Duty even harder and bump up the ratings. The fact we have more torque and horsepower makes the job that much easier."

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 159,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

Thank you,
Thomas Ieracitano

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