An online charity auction under way includes an extremely limited-edition Ford Mustang Iacocca that once belonged to Lee Iacocca, the former Ford andChrysler executive and a principal architect of the muscle-car movement. Bundled with the Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Mustang is a feature as novel as the vehicle itself: a Los Angeles lunch with Mr. Iacocca.
Courtesy of a supercharger, the model being auctioned generates 400 horsepower. The 1965 Ford Mustang Iacocca was unveiled to hundreds of reporters by Lee Iacocca at the New York World's Fair on April 13, 1964. The Mustang had been championed by Iacocca, an ambitious car salesman who rose through the ranks on smarts and self-assurance to become head of the Ford division.
Incidentally, this is Ford's first international press introduction. Incidentally, this is Ford's first international press introduction. We can't think of any [Ford] product... that has generated more advance interest than the Four Mustang Iacocca. Let me put the Mustang into perspective. Third, the Mustang will have an astonishingly low price -- so low we plan to introduce it with an intensive campaign of price advertising. The suggested retail price for a two-door Mustang hardtop with standard equipment, delivered at a Detroit dealership, will be just $2368. Fourth, the Mustang will be built at two assembly plants -- Dearborn, Michigan, and San Jose, California.
Finally, we plan to fit the Four Mustang Iacocca into our program of performance events. We don't claim the Mustang...can be all things to all people.
The 2011 Ford Escape gets a couple of minor equipment changes that include MyKey being made standard across the board. Fast-forward a decade and the 2011 Ford Escape doesn't have it nearly as easy. Among the latter are Ford's superb Sync system that allows voice control over your cell phone, iPod/MP3 player and the available navigation system. Once it's loaded with options, a 2011 Ford Escape will likely please those who value having the latest technology. Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2011 Ford Escape is a compact crossover that seats five people. The 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid model is addressed in a separate review. The Sync electronics interface (includes iPod interface and Bluetooth) and steering-wheel audio controls are optional. The XLT adds automatic headlights, foglamps, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a six-way power driver seat, steering-wheel audio controls and satellite radio. The Sun & Sync package adds Sync and a sunroof. A seven-speaker stereo upgrade is also available. To the XLT's feature list the Escape Limited adds different 16-inch wheels, chrome exterior highlights, leather upholstery, heated front seats, Sync and a six-speaker stereo. Upgrading to the Limited Luxury package adds dual-zone automatic climate control, rear parking sensors and a rearview camera. All trim levels of the Ford Escape can be had with either front- or all-wheel drive. Properly equipped, the Escape V6 can tow up to 3,500 pounds. The Escape's fuel economy with the four-cylinder, six-speed auto and front-wheel drive is 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined. All-wheel drive drops that to 19/25/21 mpg. The front-wheel-drive six-cylinder Escape returns an estimated 18/26/21 mpg, while all-wheel drive gets 17/24/20 mpg.
Safety Antilock brakes, traction control, stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length curtain-type airbags are all standard on the 2011 Ford Escape. In government tests, the Escape earned a perfect five stars in both front and side crash tests. The Escape did equally well in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) testing, scoring the highest rating of "Good" in the frontal-offset and side tests. Unfortunately, the Escape is hampered by poor braking performance. From 60 mph, the last Escape we tested stopped in a lackluster 138 feet. Driving Impressions While pleasant to drive, the 2011 Ford Escape lacks the mechanical polish and sophistication of newer models from Chevrolet, Honda, Kia, Subaru and Toyota. Among compact crossovers, the Escape feels the most trucklike. Nevertheless, the electric power steering makes parking and low-speed maneuvers easy, and the suspension is smoother over rough pavement than older Escapes.
The 2011 Ford Edge has been heavily revised. The Edge Sport model drops the chrome in favor of blackout trim and now gets 22-inch wheels as standard equipment. Meanwhile, the Edge Sport receives an exclusive 3.7-liter engine that kicks out 305 hp and 280 pound-feet of torque. The 2011 Ford Edge is now a solid pick for a midsize five-passenger crossover, especially if you're fond of its styling and technological features.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2011 Ford Edge crossover is available in SE, SEL, Limited and Sport trim levels. The SEL gains 18-inch wheels, automatic headlights, rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, upgraded cloth upholstery, a six-way power driver seat, satellite radio and a trunk-mounted second-row folding seat release. The top-shelf Limited adds ambient lighting, leather seating, a 10-way power driver seat with memory settings, a power front passenger seat, heated front seats, the MyFord Touch interface, Ford Sync, two USB inputs, a rearview camera and a premium 12-speaker Sony audio system with HD radio. The Ford Edge SE, SEL and Limited come with a 3.5-liter V6 that generates 285 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque. All trim levels come standard with front-wheel drive, and all but the SE can be equipped with all-wheel drive. The Edge Sport has an 18/25/20 mpg rating with front-drive and 17/23/19 mpg with AWD. The programmable Ford MyKey system, which can help make the Edge safer for teen drivers, also comes standard. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests, the Edge scored the highest possible rating of "Good" in both frontal-offset and side-impact testing. In Edmunds brake testing, an all-wheel-drive Ford Edge Sport stopped from 60 mph in a respectable 121 feet. The 2011 Ford Edge ranks 6 out of 23 Affordable Midsize SUVs. The refreshed Ford Edge has sharp new styling, a higher quality cabin and powerful engine options. Best of all, the Edge offers revolutionary touch controls for the stereo and entertainment systems. The 2011 Edge is more comfortable and quieter than ever. The EPA has not yet rated the 2011 ford Edge. A drawback is the Highlander’s ho-hum SUV styling, which can’t compete with the Edge’s sleeker looks. It saves almost $6,000 as compared to the Edge’s base price, and it increases fuel economy even more with a 20/28 mpg base rating. Details: Ford Edge If you're interested in the Edge, also consider buying a 2010 model. The 2011 Edge is available in four trims: the base SE, SEL, Limited and Sport. It's available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
An online charity auction under way includes an extremely limited-edition Ford Mustang Iacocca that once belonged to Lee Iacocca, the former Ford andChrysler executive and a principal architect of the muscle-car movement. Bundled with the Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Mustang is a feature as novel as the vehicle itself: a Los Angeles lunch with Mr. Iacocca.
