Ford Rocks The 2014 Edmonton Motor Show

2015 Ford Mustang

As I enter the hall of the Edmonton Expo Centre I was not sure I was in the right place. I Know I arrived a bit early but last year there was quite a bit more waiting. I was hoping this would not be the way the complete show went. An Hour passed and confirmed that there was a lot more to be seen and heard as a Maserati Ghibli strutted her stuff down the corridor, and ever so gently tickled my eardrums with a beautiful exhaust note!

2014 Raptor

Bob Villa took to the podium and after he thanked the many manufacturers for attending and displaying their fine wares he filled us in on what I wanted to hear, this was the second largest auto show in Canada! Today there were 25 2015 Models showing off there goods and well Ford, they brought us a good chunk of that.

Upon entering the Ford booth I was not drawn to what so many have been waiting to see, no I went straight for my one and only true love, The Raptor! ( I can say that as my wife never reads my blogs ) She was sitting pretty in its lovely Ruby Red paint, I could so see myself in one in the future.

2105 F-150

2015 F-150

The bell of the ball though would be a tie here today, a 3 way tie no less. Today Ford Canada was showcasing the eagerly awaited 2015 F150 in all of its military grade aluminium alloy splendor. That's right, Ford has raised the bar yet again and shed 700 pounds in the process, not bad at all, but not quite enough. They have also added the new 2.7 l EcoBoost engine, but this cute little engine knows that it could. It could save you gas, it could give you loads of power, it could benefit you in the weight savings of the whole truck, it could even be one of the best Ford engine designs yet, lets wait and see!

2015 Expedition Platinum

Ford also brought along the new 2015 Expedition, looking quite stunning in it's Platinum trim, with some mild restyling and a change of the engine to a 2.7 l EcoBoost they are following suit of the F-150. They have also given it a new instrument cluster, steering wheel, and a center stack that holds Ford's latest Sync and My Ford touch tech. Add on some other great convenience features like the Ford Truck Apps to help with any mode of off roading or trailering you might have to deal with and this is sure to be a winner.

Mustang tail looking very hot

2015 Mustang

2015 will all where this dash plaque

Then there was this car called the 2015 Mustang. Well the folks in Calgary were none to happy that we saw it here first, but we all know we deserved it. The new mustang was not a disappointment either, with it's European styling fused together with some original Mustang heritage...this one is worth the wait. They paid great attention to the details, the tri-bar lights, the roof line, and the gauge cluster will all take you back. It was no coincidence that this car was redesigned for this year, it was April 9th 1964 when the first Mustang rolled off the assembly line, we are celebrating Mustangs 50th Birthday, and this one came to celebrate with Edmonton!

2015 Lincoln MKC

Lincoln has a looker

Lincoln has a lot to show off also, the all new MKC which was mighty fine. Not wanting to be left out of the quickest growing luxury market segment, the small premium utility segment, Lincoln dove in with the MKC. With the long list of features and some very techie toys I think they should get a fair chunk of the market.

Make sure you stop on by at the Ford Canada booth and check out some of the great things they have going on, the kids can have a talk with Hank and the adults can take a spin around Laguna Seca in the Ford Atlas show truck.

Stephanie CornforthAssistant Product Marketing Manager showing me the much talked about 2014 Fiesta ST

the Tremor is new for this year

you can't say Ford without thing Shelby

Have You Eaten A Ford Lately?

As odd as it sounds, you most likely have eaten something that Ford is using. To streamline efficiency and lessen the carbon footprint they leave behind along with supporting the economy by utilizing by-products that might just go to waste, Ford has stepped in to make use of things you never thought of. Have a look at this and see if you recognize any?

Henry Ford test a Soy Plastic Panel

It all started back in the 40s when Henry Ford built the “Soybean Car.” Creating a project that combined industry with agriculture, he believed that plastic panels made the car safer than traditional steel panels. It didn't hurt that there was a shortage of metal at the time the car was built. Once again, Henry was looked upon as a hero to the people, but then the war broke out and things came to a halt. 

Soy Seats

Fast forward to the present day and his wisdom and ingenuity still shows through in everything Ford produces. With all of the sustainable products Ford is using like soy-based polyurethane foam for seat cushions, seat-backs and headliners, wheat straw and other plant fiber-reinforced plastics are used for vehicle storage bins and interior door panels you would think that is enough, but not for Ford. You will find engineered wood technology (recycled and renewable) used for interior trim, yarns made into seat fabrics, cotton from blue jeans made into interior padding, nylon carpeting made into resin for cylinder head covers and sugars made from corn, beet and cane are examined for use in biodegradable plastic parts. I guess it doesn't matter what Ford you chose, you can rest assured knowing you have done your part in preserving the earth for your children and loved ones. 

When it comes to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Ford has made it Job 1!

I think I will go and dig into a Super Duty Steak, feel free to eat your Ford however you chose. 

Thanks to Ford Of  Canada for the great information and to the culinary class at Nait Culinary Arts Class for the excellent meal. 

2014 Fiesta SE

2014 Fiesta SE

Have you ever noticed when you are out cruising for parking stalls how small they are? I know I want to park a bit closer than I do but for fear of the imminent door ding I end up walking a block or so. Often I think I need a smaller car just so I could potentially fit in one of the stalls, either that or a vehicle I just don’t care about - but as a car lover I know that won’t happen in this lifetime.

Ford gave me the opportunity to drive a vehicle that could possibly answer that issue. The Fiesta!

When given it to drive for a week, I was wondering how I would even fit in it, after all it is about as large as a toaster oven. All I remembered of the Fiesta was a little 1978 Fiesta my friend had that he wedged a 5.0L mustang engine in. Went like a scared rabbit, but there was no room to move once you wedged yourself in it.

I figured an open mind was the best way to go. As I approached the Fiesta, it was indeed a very small looking car as I suspected, but the surprise came when I opened the door. There was more than ample room as I dropped myself into the driver’s seat;  it was actually not bad for comfort. I was very impressed with the amenities this car is equipped with such as the heated seats, the large sunroof and even a cute little navigation screen. When I say cute little, I meant it, you would not think that knocking 1.5 inch off the size a touch screen makes a big difference, but it really does, I found it difficult to operate with my fat fingers.

So now here I was in the driver’s seat and I have set the power mirrors, dialed up some rock and roll music on the great My Ford Touch System. Now what? I turn to my phone and ask SIRI, my brain as I call her. “I am in a Fiesta, what would Ken Block do?” she responds with a few links to Gymkahna...oh that is tempting.

I decided instead to head for a mall and find a parking stall; I figure having a small car must have some benefits. It did indeed. There was no issue finding parking stalls and this was good being so close to Christmas as it was. I wandered inside to gather up some presents and as I came out I remembered I was in the Fiesta, where would I fit all of these goodies? Turns out it was not a problem, I opened the hatch and it devoured some pretty big gifts - color me impressed. I thought I could go grab more but my wallet said otherwise.

So as I head home on one of the nastiest days of winter we had seen in a while, I am noticing my other fear of small cars.

Small cars are generally very unstable in the snow and are often tossed about with every bump. This one is very stable on snow covered roads. It actually impressed me - I guess some modern day suspension tweaks and you can have a controllable little car. With the traction control on it wasn't bad at all, I can only imagine how impressive it would be with a good set of winter tires on it rather than these 16 inch 50 series donuts.

Another misconception I had was that it would have no room for people in the back seat; once again it proved me wrong. Although the car does say it seats five, if you want anyone in the back to be comfortable stick to two rear passengers. They will have a semi comfortable ride as long as they are not 6-footers.

I guess what it did for me was restore my faith in what small cars can be, they are no longer just puddle jumpers. The 1.6L engine actually felt peppy and somewhat responsive but I am sure the 5-speed manual gearbox had something to do with that. Rated at 6.9 L/100km, I was pleasantly surprised by the smallish petrol bill I had when it came time to return it, almost as if it was creating its own fuel somehow.

The pros very much outweigh the cons but in the society we live in where bigger equals better my ego would take over and suggest getting something more substantial, maybe a Focus or even a Fusion (My Ego is generally wrong). What I found in the end was something I would consider owning, a car that I could make use of, a car that suits some needs I have, and after all, why would Ken Block have one if they were not fun! 

Disclosure: this vehicle was provided by Ford of Canada