Blind spot, parking assist new features from Ford Motor for 2010

Although six weeks remain until the end of the this calendar year, automakers have been busily engaged introducing 2010 models for the past several months as they become available.

Each year, various automotive enthusiast magazines offer readers a unique service in covering products for the coming year. Today, we feature opinions expressed in Motor Trend, an old favorite of mine. Over the years, Motor Trend has expanded its auto coverage form the original magazine to such newcomers as online, TV, radio and auto shows.

Today we cover Motor Trend’s analysis of new offerings from Ford Motor Co., which includes the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury divisions:

FORD EDGE: Fuel economy improves on the six-cylinder, 265 horsepower engine by two miles per gallon. A new interior optional package offers leather trim. The Edge Sport will have 20-inch wheels as standard equipment.

FORD ESCAPE: For 2010, the Escape sports a new “integrated Blind Spot Mirror.” A new option for this series offers Active Park Assist for parallel parking. This could be a great assist for some of my friends who try to parallel park by heading into the space.

FORD EXPEDITION: This series, along with the EL, is now available with MYKey vehicle key that allows parents to limit speed, stereo volume, etc., for their teen drivers, and “trailer sway” control becomes standard equipment. Voice-activated Sync is an option.

FORD F-150: It was all-new for 2009. For 2010, King Ranch and Platinum models now come with second-row heated seats, power sliding windows and defroster. Some time in the future, the fuel-efficient 355-hp EcoBoost V-6 will become available.

FORD FLEX: A 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost engine is a new option available for 2010. Also new are the telescoping wheel, auto-folding second row, paddle shifters in clutchless manual mode, trailer-sway control and Active Park Assist. A cool fact: the Flex is available with a second-row refrigerator.

LINCOLN MKT: “You wouldn’t know by looking at it,” but Lincoln’s crossover is based on the same platform as the Ford Flex. Power comes from a choice of a 3.5-liter Duratec V-6 or 355-hp twin-turbo direct injection EcoBoost V-6, said to provide power of a V-8 with V-6 economy. It is available with adaptive cruise control, adaptive headlamps and the Active Park Assist.

LINCOLN MKX: New for 2010: Integrated blind spot mirrors, and fuel economy is boosted by 1 mpg. The Limited Edition includes cashmere-leather seats.

LINCOLN NAVIGATOR: The standard length Navigator and the 15-inch longer version are available for 2010 — one engine, one transmission and a choice of rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. By the way, the L model offers 24 cubic feet more storage space.

MERCURY MARINER: It was all-new for 2009, remember. For 2010, an integrated blind-spot mirror is added. MyKey is standard, and options include a rearview camera system, Active Park Assist and the newest version of Sync. The hybrid’s interior uses eco-friendly seat fabric made from 100 percent recycled materials.

MERCURY MOUNTAINEER: Most changes for 2010 are to the availability of features on the Premier trim level. The moonroof, premium radio, heated seats with perforated leather and power memory are now standard with the Premier package. Also of interest: Sirius Travel Link provides current weather, fuel prices, sports scores and movie selections.

Thank you, Motor Trend, for your excellent coverage of Ford’s new products for 2010. In future columns new offerings from Chrysler, General Motors and the imports will be examined.

For now, HAPPY MOTORING!

George Spaulding is a retired General Motors executive and distinguished executive-in-residence emeritus at the School of Business and Economics at the College of Charleston. He can be reached at 2 Wharfside St. 2A, Charleston, S.C., 29401.