USA - The all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid electrifies the minivan segment with up to 80MPGe possible !

• 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid lineup offers two well-equipped models, starting at $41,995 U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)
• With available $7,500 federal tax credit, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid pricing starts as low as $34,495, not including any state or local incentives
• Pacifica Hybrid’s transferable warranty is among the best compared with other hybrid vehicles – up to 15-year/150,000-mile on emissions components and 10-year/150,000-mile on battery
• All-new Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid’s advanced powertrain delivers a seamless, efficient driving experience, with 30 miles of all-electric range, 530 miles of total range and an estimated 80 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) in city driving
• Hybrid-exclusive technology features, including a smartphone app, deliver relevant vehicle information, such as charge status and scheduling, charging station locations and an “efficiency coach” for more efficient driving
• Re-engineered from the ground up on an all-new platform for class-leading ride, handling and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH)
• Offers more than 100 standard and available safety and security features, including 360-degree Surround View camera, ParkSense Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Hold and Forward Collision Warning-Plus 

The all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid electrifies the minivan segment, adding an innovative, advanced hybrid powertrain to the Pacifica’s no-compromises combination of functionality, versatility, technology and bold styling – all starting for less than $35,000 with the available federal tax credit.

The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid lineup features two highly equipped models, starting at $41,995 U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), not including destination. With the available $7,500 federal tax credit, customers can get the Pacifica Hybrid is for as low as $34,495, not including any state or local incentives.

The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is the only hybrid minivan, offering an innovative and advanced powertrain that delivers a seamless, efficient driving experience – plus an estimated 30 miles of all-electric range, 530 miles of total range and 80 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) in city driving.

Not only does the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offer the segment’s only hybrid powertrain, it also offers many of the same features offered by the gasoline-powered Pacifica, including tri-pane panoramic sunroof, 10-inch seatback touchscreens, ParkSense Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist, 360-degree Surround View camera, ventilated seats, rotary e-shifter, capless fuel filler, handsfree sliding doors and liftgate and KeySense programmable key fob.

In addition, the Pacifica Hybrid’s transferable warranty is among the best compared with other hybrid vehicles, offering:

• Bumper to bumper: 3-year/36,000-mile
• Powertrain: 5-year/60,000-mile
• Emissions components: Up to 15-year/150,000-mile
• Battery: Up to 10-year/150,000-mile

“The all-new Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offers an estimated 80 MPGe in the city, 30 miles of all-electric range, 530 miles of total range, plus many of the well-loved features that make the gasoline-powered Pacifica the most awarded minivan of the year,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands, Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and Fiat, FCA - North America. “With a starting price under $35,000 after the available $7,500 federal tax credit, the Pacifica Hybrid provides efficiency, versatility, technology, an advanced hybrid powertrain and is priced in the heart of the segment – a combination that no other seven-passenger vehicle delivers.”

Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Premium

The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Premium offers the key comfort, convenience and safety features minivan customers want, including perforated leather seats, heated first-row seats, remote start with cabin pre-conditioning, three-zone automatic temperature control, projector headlamps, fog lamps, chrome trim accents and power liftgate. The Pacifica Hybrid Premium also features the SafetyTec Group as standard, which includes ParkSense rear park assist with stop, Blind-spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path detection.

Other standard features include Active Noise Cancellation, LED signature lighting, six-speaker audio system, SiriusXM satellite radio with 1-year trial, 17-inch aluminum wheels, ParkView rear backup camera and passive entry on all doors.

The Pacifica Hybrid Premium also includes as standard a 7-inch full color driver information display (DID), unique to the Pacifica Hybrid models. The customizable cluster’s display changes color to indicate whether the Pacifica Hybrid is operating in electric mode (teal) or hybrid mode (blue), while both the battery level and fuel level are always displayed. One of the available cluster displays is the “efficiency coach,” which guides owners to drive more efficiently and maximize the time spent in battery mode.

Also standard on the Pacifica Hybrid Premium is the Uconnect 8.4 system, which includes an 8.4-inch touchscreen, available Uconnect Navigation and Uconnect Access connected services. The Pacifica Hybrid also includes the all-new Hybrid Electric Pages, providing owners with helpful vehicle information, including access to the vehicle’s charging schedule and a summary of miles driven in both electric and hybrid modes.

The all-new Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Premium has a starting U.S. MSRP of $41,995 (plus $1,095 destination).

Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Platinum

The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Platinum builds on the Premium model, adding Nappa leather seats, ventilated first-row seats, heated two-tone steering wheel, 13-speaker Alpine premium sound system, 3-D navigation, handsfree sliding doors and liftgate and 18-inch aluminum wheels.

Packed with content inside and out, the Pacifica Hybrid Platinum also includes the best-in-class Uconnect Theater rear seat entertainment system and KeySense programmable key fob to promote safe driving habits.

Additional safety content includes the Advanced SafetyTec Group with advanced brake assist, Forward Collison Warning-Plus, rain-sensitive windshield wipers, auto high-beam headlamp control, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Hold, LaneSense Lane Departure Warning-Plus, 360-degree Surround View camera, ParkSense Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist, and ParkSense front park assist and rear park assist with stop.

The available tri-pane panoramic sunroof adds to the feeling of spaciousness with a dual-pane panoramic sunroof over the front- and second-row seats and a fixed glass pane over the third row.

The all-new Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Platinum has a U.S. MSRP of $44,995 (plus $1,095 destination).

USA - Ford to display more than 50 builder concepts at SEMA, including a host of winning race cars and a vast collection of Ford Performance Parts

• New Ford Performance smartphone app bringing track-based data-logging, advanced analysis, sharing capability and video capture to the most popular platforms
• Race-prepped Mustang GT4 to provide customers around the world access to turn-key Mustang eligible for competition in several motorsports series
• Ford to display more than 50 builder concepts at SEMA, including a host of winning race cars and a vast collection of Ford Performance Parts

Ford Performance debuts an all-new data-logging app and a global turnkey Mustang GT4 race car today at the 2016 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show. Ford is also showcasing more than 50 builder concepts based on its vehicles and winning race cars, including the Le Mans-conquering Ford GT and a vast collection of Ford Performance Parts. 

The all-new Ford Performance App^® brings track-based data-logging, advanced analysis, sharing capability and video capture to a user’s smartphone. It leverages the latest capability of Ford SYNC^® 3 and provides intuitive controls allowing users to record and share their track accomplishments. The app will be available for the most popular smartphone platforms in 2017.

“Ford Performance wants to provide our customers a simple, shareable way to capture their track exploits,” says Dave Pericak, global director, Ford Performance. “The ability to take their track sessions with them everywhere they go and easily share their footage and data with friends is a huge benefit of our new app.”

The Ford Performance App is based around the user’s smartphone, giving them easy access and portability to their data. Using a smartphone’s built-in camera offers mounting flexibility, letting users decide which perspective best captures the action.

The Ford Performance App features multiple recording modes and provides a host of vehicle performance data. The latest SYNC 3 technology communicates with the app – integrating performance data with course overlays, timing statistics, and on-screen virtual gauges to be shared via a user’s smartphone.

Data and video can be shared over social networks or exported easily for analysis on a personal computer. The new app launches in 2017 on the all-new Ford GT, and will migrate to other Ford products.

All-new Global Mustang GT4 racecar

The all-new Mustang GT4 turnkey race car builds on the legendary nameplate’s global reach. Mustang is one of the most prominent automobiles in the history of North American motorsports, including the SCCA Shelby GT350R of the 1960s, Trans-Am Boss 302 of the 1970s, the more recent FR500, Boss 302R and 2016 championship-winning Shelby GT350R-C. The all-new Mustang GT4 expands the pony’s stable to a global audience.

The car is based on the Shelby GT350R-C, which won its class this year in the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge – its first full season of competition. Featuring a 5.2-liter V8 and six-speed Holinger paddle-shift transmission, the Mustang GT4 is ready to enter any GT4 series in the world. The car can run in the Grand Sport class of IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, Pirelli World Challenge GTS and European GT4, to name a few.

The all-new Mustang GT4 features chassis mods from Multimatic Motorsports, including dampers, lower rear control arms and stabilizer bars. Forgeline 18- by 11-inch wheels with racing slicks put the power to the pavement. Aerodynamic aids are applied to improve downforce, including a rear wing, aggressive splitter, additional hood venting and new rear diffuser.

The interior includes a full FIA-compliant roll cage, and features motorsports engine control and an antilock-braking controller, along with a Motec dash logger.

“The new Mustang is a global vehicle,” says Mark Rushbrook, motorsports engineering manager, Ford Performance. “Now, its growing fan base has a GT4 competition model to race and support around the globe.” 

USA - Ford launching tech packed NEW Escape; More connectivity & innovative features makes driving safer & easier.

• New Ford Escape gives SUV customers even more of what they want – additional innovative features to make their daily drive safer and easier, greater connectivity, two new EcoBoost^® engines and technology that saves fuel in heavy traffic
• Escape is first Ford vehicle in the world with SYNC^® Connect – customers can unlock and lock their doors, start engine, even locate vehicle through smartphone app
• Driver-assist technologies including enhanced active park assist, lane-keeping system, and adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning with brake support make driving easier and safer
• Environmentally friendly Auto Start-Stop standard with Escape’s two new EcoBoost engines – a 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter twin-scroll; technology shuts off engine in common stops so the vehicle uses no gas, improving fuel economy by 4 percent to 6 percent in stop-and-go traffic

The popular Ford Escape SUV is newly engineered to make customers feel unstoppable – with even more driver-assist technologies to help enable safer and easier driving, new mobile connectivity that allows owners to interact with their vehicle from anywhere through a smartphone app, and two new efficient EcoBoost^® engines.

The new Escape is the first Ford vehicle in the world with available SYNC^® Connect, allowing users to unlock doors, check fuel level and even locate where a vehicle is parked.

To help drivers feel more confident behind the wheel, driver-assist technologies available for the new Escape include adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning with brake support, a lane-keeping system and enhanced active park assist. That’s all packed in a vehicle that has been redesigned from the inside out, including a driver and front passenger area upgraded with more storage space and mobile device charge ports.

“The compact SUV segment is the largest and most competitive in the United States, and the new Escape delivers even more of what our customers want – more technology they can really use to make their daily drive safer and easier,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, The Americas.

SYNC Connect keeps drivers in touch with remote vehicle access

Need to lock your new Escape from across town? There is an app for that.

With SYNC Connect, owners can remotely start their vehicle and schedule future starts, as well as lock and unlock their Escape using their smartphones. The technology provides vehicle location, as well as key vehicle information such as tire pressures, battery and fuel levels.

SYNC Connect, available with SYNC^® 3 for the new Escape, comes with complimentary activation for five years. A user enables the system through a two-step authentication process designed to protect personal information. SYNC 3 features faster performance, conversational voice recognition, intuitive smartphone-like touch screen and easier-to-understand graphical interface.

Driver-assist technologies SUV drivers want

Other driver-assist features available help make the daily commute safer and easier for drivers of the new Ford Escape:

• ·Adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning with brake support: Sensors detect when Escape is approaching a slow-moving vehicle, and adjust cruise control accordingly
• Enhanced active park assist: Provides steering assistance to park the vehicle in a parallel or reverse perpendicular parking spot, and pull out from tight parallel parking spots; driver controls brake, accelerator and shifter. Technology includes side park distance control
• Lane-keeping system: The system includes lane-keeping alert, which alerts drivers when they drift unintentionally from their lane, and lane-keeping aid, which provides steering assistance to guide an unintentionally drifting vehicle back into its lane 
• Driver Alert System: Using data from the lane-keeping system, the Driver Alert System can detect signs of fatigued driving and provide a warning on the instrument cluster

Already available driver-assist features for the new Escape include:

• Blind Spot Information System with cross-traffic alert: BLIS^® can alert drivers when a vehicle enters the defined blind spot in a neighboring lane. An indicator light provides a warning in the side mirror corresponding to the side on which the vehicle is approaching
• Hill-start assist: The feature holds the vehicle stationary on a hill long enough for the driver to transition from brake to gas pedal
• Auto high-beam control: System automatically switches from high to low beams, and vice versa, depending on ambient lighting
• Hands-free, foot-activated liftgate: Opens liftgate with the simple kick of a key fob-carrying customer’s foot beneath rear bumper – perfect for those whose hands are loaded with gear

Two new EcoBoost engines with Auto Start-Stop

Escape is the first Ford vehicle to make Auto Start-Stop standard with either of two EcoBoost engines new to the model – a 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter twin-scroll. The technology senses when the vehicle is sitting idle and shuts off the engine to conserve fuel, resulting in a 4 percent to 6 percent improvement in fuel economy in stop-and-go traffic. The engine restarts automatically – in less than half a second – when the driver releases the brake pedal.

“Auto Start-Stop is the equivalent of turning off the lights when you leave a room, or turning off a water faucet when you’re done washing dishes,” said Milton Wong, Escape chief engineer. “It’s a high-tech approach to more efficient driving.”

Escape SE and Titanium trim levels come standard with the new 1.5-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost, while the powerful new twin-scroll 2.0-liter EcoBoost is optional. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard across the line, with new paddle-shift technology available for Escape SE and Titanium.

The twin-scroll turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost delivers 245 horsepower and 275 lb.-ft. of torque, along with greater efficiency and improved noise, vibration and harshness performance. New pistons provide a higher, more efficient compression ratio, and a newly designed, integrated exhaust manifold is optimized for the twin-scroll turbo system.

The aluminum-block, twin-cam 1.5-liter EcoBoost with integrated exhaust manifold is projected to deliver horsepower and torque output comparable to the 1.6-liter – an expected 180 horsepower and 185 lb.-ft. of torque.

Along with the new EcoBoost offerings, the 2.5-liter i-VCT four-cylinder engine carries over as standard equipment for the Escape S series.

Three trim levels, with new Sport Appearance Package

Escape customers can continue to select from S, SE and Titanium trim levels, as well as a new Sport Appearance Package available for SE and Titanium.

Charcoal Black with subtle Deep Space black trim is available for Escape Titanium. Salerno leather seats feature a unique horizontal pattern. Titanium customers can also opt for Medium Stone seats to contrast with the black interior.

Escape will be offered in three new colors – Canyon Ridge, White Gold and Lightning Blue. Six new wheel designs are also available.

Built to lead in a growing segment

Overall SUV sales continue to trend higher – both in North America and around the world. SUVs now account for about one third of the U.S. auto industry, a number Ford projects will grow to 40 percent by 2020. In the United States, SUV sales are expected to exceed 5 million units in 2015 for the first time ever.

Small SUVs play an increasingly larger role, and Escape remains one of the most popular. Since its launch in 2000, more than 3 million units have been sold in the United States, including a record 306,212 Escape vehicles in North America in 2014. Ford expects Escape sales this year will exceed that figure.