2015 Ford Edge Sport first drive

More fun than you’d expect, just ditch the tech and learn how to park

What is it?
The 2015 Ford Edge is a two-faced crossover. A double-bladed axe if you will. Have…to…resist…saying double-edged sword. On the one hand, it offers lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, parallel and perpendicular parking help for the non-interested driver. On the other hand, the 315-hp, 350-lb-ft, 2.7-liter EcoBoost-equipped all-wheel drive Edge Sport is a straight-up blast to drive. Ford brought us out to the winding roads outside of Scottsdale, Ariz. to get behind the wheel of the now-in-its-second-generation mid-sized crossover.
That mid-sized moniker is important, to Ford at least. The company sold about 100,000 Edge CUVs last year, which puts it ahead of competitors from Hyundai, Kia and Toyota. Still the Edge was still roundly trounced by Ford’s more popular Escape and Explorer.

For 2015, the Edge adds Enhanced Active Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning, a 180-degree front camera system with a washer, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assist, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, two 2-amp USB chargers and a few other bits.

We tried both the perpendicular and the parallel park assist functions outside our host hotel. The new perpendicular system can back your car into a perpendicular spot, with the driver only taking control of the brakes. The Edge will back up a little, pull forward to straighten, back up again, and so on until you’re in the spot. If cars are waiting for you, prepare for some honks, and possibly a middle finger or two. The same goes for the parallel system: It’ll get you in there, even a super tight space, but it takes several minutes to do it properly. Just go practice parking with some cardboard boxes and save yourself a lifetime of backing up, beeping, straightening out, beeping, backing up, etc.
In contrast, we absolutely think the front 180-degree view system could become a mandatory feature. It has three cameras, one in the middle of the front bumper and two on the sides, which allow drivers to see around corners. This works when pulling forward out of a perpendicular spot, pulling up to a blind intersection or when your view is blocked by mountains of melting snow. Ford jokingly put two baby strollers with teddy bears on the street to drive the point home.

Buyers will be able to choose from three engines. The new standard 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4 delivers 245 hp, 275 lb-ft of torque and returns 20 mpg city, 30 highway. The aging 3.5-liter V6 makes 280 hp, 250 lb-ft and returns 18 mpg city and 26 on the highway. Finally, the go-to mill—the one we recommend—is the new 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6. That powerhouse lays down 315 hp, 350 lb-ft of torque and actually gains 1 mpg over the 3.5-liter with ratings of 18 city and 27 highway. Note that those mileage numbers are for front-wheel drive models; all-wheel drive is offered with all powertrains, and sucks down a mile or two per gallon.

The new Edge is only a few inches bigger on the outside, but with new sculpted seats, tighter door panels and other interior massaging, it arrives with 7 more cubic feet of space behind the second row. It also translates to more head and shoulder room, and more leg room in the back. We checked out those back seats and found plenty of room for adults -- at least ones that measure 5’10” or less.

What’s it like to drive?
We got behind the wheel of the 2.7-liter-equipped Edge Sport for a few hours and found it way more fun than we expected.
Power from the twin-turbo V6/all-wheel drive setup shoots you off the line. It doesn’t feel quite as fast as say, a Subaru WRX, but BMW I6 lovers will be surprised. Throttle tip-in is smooth with no lag, and the brakes are nice and firm in the first inch or two of travel. The Edge now comes standard with paddle shifters, which are quick to change gears both up and down, and Ford’s standard six-speed SelectShift automatic remains smooth when it's left to do the shifting.

In front, the 2015 Edge gets MacPherson struts and L-shaped lower control arms with a stabilizer bar. The rear gets a multi-link setup with coil springs and an antiroll bar. The Edge Sport keeps the same setup, but with front and rear antiroll bars that are 15 percent stiffer, larger monotube dampers and stiffer coil springs. Overall, drivers will experience 20 percent less body roll around corners. Twenty-inch wheels are standard, 21s are optional. Ford unfortunately didn’t set us up with any off-road driving, so we can’t be sure of its performance on the dirt. But over lightly cracked desert roads, it's fine.

The thin steering wheel uses Ford’s EPAS electronic power steering system. It’s nice and easy in the parking lot—a good thing when going parallel—but tightens up significantly on the highway. Even in high-speed corners, the Edge feels supremely, and surprisingly, planted.

The new, optional lane keeping system will come bundled with adaptive cruise control, though our testers were pre-production and weren’t so equipped yet. The lane-keeping system has three settings. Low nudges the wheel a little bit when you approach the lane marker, medium nudges a little harder and high nudges and vibrates, hard, so hard the passenger felt it. The system can also use audible beeps to keep you in line.

The system is a blessing when you’re cruising through beautiful countryside and your eyes start to wander. But when you’re in turns and it nudges you, sometimes to the outside of the bend, it’s a little unsettling. Like most of these systems, if you take your hands off the wheel and let it do its thing, it tells you to put them back on. We left the system on for our test drive, but probably wouldn't specify it on the option sheet. The same package, however, adds the heated and cooled seats, park assist, that 180-degree camera and some other goodies for $3,700. It’ll have to be a game time decision for the buyer.

Inside the cabin, drivers are treated to a clean dash layout with a few carbon fiber bits to set things off. There are more soft points -- almost everywhere your arms rest when driving -- and everything else is just a little better than the last model. Like most new Fords, the instrument cluster behind the wheel is infinitely customizable. Complementing it, the Edge will be the first Ford to get the third version of Sync. It wasn’t in our testers, but we played with the setup at Ford HQ a few months ago and found it to be a full step ahead of the last version, which was a full step ahead of the first.

Do I want one?
The base Edge SE trim starts at $28,995 including destination. That nets you the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, front-wheel drive, the basic Sync system, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, power windows and locks, push-button start, projector headlamps and a few other bits. The SEL trim ($32,395) adds dual-zone climate control and different seats. Titanium ($36,495) replaces the former Limited trim and adds Sync with MyFord Touch, a hands-free power liftgate, which works well, and a Sony audio system. Finally the Sport trim ($38,995), the only one available with the 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6, adds 20-inch polished wheels, heated front seats, a piano black grille and integrated exhaust. All-wheel drive will cost you about $1,500 on any trim.

Lots of additional features are available too, including a panoramic moonroof, bigger wheels and summer tires, leather seats, navigation, adaptive cruise control and more. Of course, if you tick all of those boxes, you’ll be near 50 grand. That’s almost German luxury SUV territory.

Both the Kia Sorento and the Hyundai Santa Fe start at about $25K -- a few grand less than the Edge SE, but gas mileage is down a tick or two. The Edge also feels more solid than either of its Korean competitors. If you want something that’s easy to drive and park without much effort, grab the 2.0-liter SE and the tech package. It has just enough power not to be annoying and enough cameras to shoot a Michael Bay epic. If you’re more a fan of spirited driving, then go with the Edge Sport and ditch the fancy options. Either side of the coin, we think you’ll be pleased.

Reference Links:
1) Article Source: Autoweek

Lamborghini Huracan Turbo by Mansory

Mansory revealed recently a turbo package for the Lamborghini Huracan, which also includes a new body kit and some interior upgrades. Mansory's turbocharger package for the Lambo Huracan includes the turbo, obviously, a reprogrammed ECU, a new fuel pressure control system, new intake manifold fuel injectors, and a high-performance exhaust system. The standard Huracan 5.2-liter V10 engine develops 610 hp and 560 Nm of torque. Mansory's turbocharged version of the Huracan puts out 850 hp and 780 Nm of torque. In terms of performance, the Mansory Huracan Turbo is able to accelerate from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.9 seconds. This is just 0.1 seconds slower than the Aventador Superveloce, which is the fastest one ever produced.

The top speed of the Mansory Huracan Turbo is rated at 205 mph (330 km/h). Apart from the turbocharger package, Mansory is also offering a new carbon fiber body kit for the Lambo Huracan. It includes a new front splitter and splitter, side skirts, a modified rear bumper with an integrated diffuser and a rear wing. The package also includes a new set of light alloy wheels and various interior upgrades. Mansory did not disclose the price of their turbo package for the Lamborghini Huracan.

Reference Links:
1) Article Source: Zercustoms

2015 Mercedes C63 AMG Extensive Review

Here is a new and extensive review of the new generation 2015 Mercedes C63 AMG. For the purpose of this test, the 2015 Mercedes C63 AMG is being driven on both the race track and on public roads. As you know, the 2015 C63 AMG comes with a completely new 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine and a range of other novelties.

Check the video here, 

 

Reference Links:

1) Article Source: Zercustoms

2) Purchase Mercedes C63 AMG Auto parts at here at low cost.

Muddy Monday: 2g Ram Runs through a Long, Deep Mud Pit

This week’s Muddy Monday(Mar 2nd 2015) video features a 2^nd gen Dodge Ram 1500 taking on a very long, very deep mud pit. All we know about this 2g Ram 1500 is that it is powered by the 5.2L Magnum V8, but as it passes the camera, it looks as though it has some aftermarket wheels and tires, as well as a ride height that leads me to believe that it has been lifted a bit.

Prior to the Ram splashing down into the deep, runny mud, the cameraman pans down the long mud course and back. The Dodge truck gives a flash of the headlights and the run begins, making short work of the shallow mud before hitting the deepest portions of the long trench. Fortunately, even with the repeated deep ruts, this Ram is able to blast from one side of the other in grand fashion.
This video should also serve as a reminder to turn your phone sideways when filming something. Computer monitors are short and wide – not tall and narrow.

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Reference Links:

1) Click here to purchase Dodge Ram 1500 parts  

2) Article Source: Dodgeforum

Check Out This Super Fine 1970 Chevy Chevelle!

In this video we get a look at a pristine 1970 Chevy Chevelle that will surely get any gearheads gears turning. This video offers a complete 360 review of this immaculate car from the interior, exterior, and under hood. This all silver car is fresh and clean from the rear bumper to the grille. Unfortunately this video doesn’t give any full car details, but you can hear the power when this Chevelle’s engine roars! Click the video below to check out this classic super car!

Reference Links:
1)  Purchase 1970 Chevy Chevelle Auto Parts at here
1) Article Source Legendaryspeed

Check Hoses and Belts - Car Summer Maintenance Tip - 4

The key to summer driving is keeping the engine cool. We're going to talk about the radiator and coolant soon, but first you need to check the hoses and belts. The hoses connected to the radiator help pump coolant to and from the engine block, and the belts run the fan that helps cool the system further [source: CBS News]. If the hoses crack or the belts snap, the radiator will quickly overheat, leaving you stranded.

Check hoses for cracks, leaks and loose connections. Hoses should be firm, never soft and malleable. Hoses suffer from a slow deterioration process called electrochemical degradation (ECD) that eats away at rubber hose material from the inside [source: Consumer Reports]. The most vulnerable parts of the hose are those nearest to clamps where the hose connects to the radiator or the engine.
Belts can also be visually checked for cracks and damage. Take note if the belt looks excessively slick or smooth. Remove the belt to make sure that the material hasn't started separating into different layers. Experts say the risk of belt failure rises dramatically after 36,000 miles (57,936 kilometers) [source: Consumer Reports].
Do you really need to replace your air filter every year? Keep reading to find out.

Reference Links:
1) Article Source: Howstuffworks(7)
2) Click here to purchase Hose
 

De-Winterize Your Car - Car Summer Maintenance Tip - 3

If you loyally followed our Top 10 Car Winterizing Tips, then there are several things you need to do to "un-winterize" your car for the summer weather. First of all, get rid of those snow tires. Snow tires are heavy and will lower your fuel economy.
If you haven't driven your car very much during the winter, or if you've had it in storage, then you need to check all of the fluid levels -- coolant, transmission, differential, power steering and brake fluid -- to make sure there weren't any leaks. You'll also want to change the oil, since oil gets thick and collects condensation if it sits in the engine all winter. If you haven't used your battery in a while, you might need a recharge or a replacement.

It's also important to really clean the undercarriage of the car after a long winter, especially if you live in a snowy climate. The salt that's used to melt snow and ice on roads can get caked on the underside of your car and begin to eat away at the metal. Lots of caked-on gunk will also make your engine and transmission run hotter, because heat has a harder time escaping through the bottom of the car.
You can clean the undercarriage yourself using a plain water hose or high-pressure cleaning system. Many professional car washes and detailing services can also perform a high-pressure steam clean for really nasty build-up.

Reference Links:
1) Article Source: Howstuffworks(8)