New Gentex Mirror Used By Ford Edge

For the Ford Motor Company, it is important that they do spruce up their vehicles with the best Ford auto parts that they could create. Plus, it is also important that they do mount the best parts they could take their hands on so that they could start building up and regain their losses during their most recent financial fright.

What Ford has actually done was to choose one of the industry's leading suppliers of rearview mirrors. And they would be using this supplier's products to dress up the new 2007 Ford Edge. The company has chosen Gentex Corporation for such a role, and it looks like one real good idea for Gentex is currently the leading supplier of rear view mirrors that are auto dimming. Gentex would be the company to supply Ford with the mentioned type of rearview mirrors.

The 2007 Ford Edge is the Ford Motor Company's very popular yet still very new crossover vehicle. And it would be coming with a Gentex auto dimming mirror in its interior. It will come as a standard piece of equipment on the Ford Edge's SEL trim. What the mirror does is it darkens automatically so much so that the glare from the sun or headlamps from other vehicles would be reduced from the rear. And if you would like to own this one, then you can start anticipating for it would be coming on sale this fall season. Then you can be sure that when you do drive this vehicle, you would be safer for you would not be bothered by any kind of light coming harshly from the vehicle's rear.

Enoch Jen is the senior vice president and chief financial officer of Gentex and he does say, "The Ford Edge is the newest crossover vehicle in the Ford lineup and is considered a key model for the 2007 model year." Jen also adds, "We continue to see our mirrors being offered in crossover vehicles and we are excited to continue building a closer relationship with Ford."

The Ford Edge is assembled in the company's plant in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. It will be coming as an entrant to the mid sized crossover SUV segment and it has been manufactured as a wagon that holds five doors.

2011 Ford Edge - Beyond a Nip-Tuck

For the 2011 model year, the Ford Edge crossover receives a major mid-cycle refresh, changes that go beyond a nip here and a tuck there. Yes, the outside gets a nice refresh, but the inside and what is found underneath the hood is certain to inspire interest in this popular midsize crossover.

Popular Edge

And popular the Ford Edge is. Through August 2010, sales of the Edge have pushed past 400,000 units, not bad for a vehicle on the market just under four years. The Ford Edge is the best-selling crossover in its segment and, to date in 2010, has seen sales rise by 30 percent.

But, Ford is not resting on its Edge laurels. New for 2011 is an exterior remake which includes a fresh grille, updated headlamps, new hood and windshield, new tires and updated tail light treatments.

Ford says that the 2011 Edge's shocks, springs and stabilizer bars have been modified to tighten handling. An important characteristic are the shock's high-flow piston, allowing engineers to tune for both road loads and driving dynamics, without taking away from handling or ride. Effectively, drivers will note a more even response through turns and over hills without compromising on a ride comfort.

Inside, the 2011 Ford Edge gains a more absorptive sound pack to help dampen exterior noise and improve acoustics thanks to a new headliner. Interior trim has received several updates including aluminum pedals and metallic leather seat inserts.

Engine Choices

Under the hood, the Ford Edge now offers three powertrain choices including Ford's first application of its all-new 2.0-liter four-cylinder Ecoboost engine. Ecoboost is technology that blends turbocharging with direct fuel injection to squeeze more power, better fuel economy and emit fewer emissions from a smaller engine. That engine is optional; a 3.5-liter V6 is standard; a 3.7-liter V6 is the other option.

All three engine choices are available with either the front- or all-wheel drive versions of the Ford Edge. And, each engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with optional paddle shifters offering a more engaged driving experience.

The Next Generation Ford Mustang: Global Design Input

What will the next generation Ford Mustang look like? Expect that the styling cues of the current generation model will find its way to that vehicle which should hit the market sometime in 2014. However, instead of relying solely on its U.S. design team to craft what will be the golden anniversary model, the Ford Motor Company will be soliciting input from designers around the world, keeping in line with its current practice of developing cars suitable for most any market.

Global Design

A radical change may be coming for the Ford Mustang if international design input holds sway. Expect that the next generation pony car to be smaller and lighter, making use of an EcoBoost four and optional V-6, perhaps losing its V-8 engines completely. That's to be expected given that Ford and other manufacturers are facing stiffer EPA fuel economy regulations come 2016, with fleets expected to average 35.5 mpg. No Mustang comes close to that magic number right now, but future models may achieve what is currently not possible.

Ford Mustang enthusiasts may be shuddering at the thought that their beloved pony car might be eviscerated. That thinking is premature and likely inaccurate: the U.S. design team will still spearhead development, with global designers offering their input according to Automotive News.

Lighter Mustang

What seems likely is based on personal speculation, but the possibilities include reducing the Mustang overall size by a foot, losing several hundred pound and, gasp, switching to front-wheel-drive. That latter prospect may be anathema to the 'Stang, but it isn't the first time Ford seriously considered making that move. In the late 1980s, the FWD Ford Probe nearly replaced the Mustang, but the pony car was rescued from certain doom by Dear born faithful. Instead, Ford sold both models before the Mazda-built Probe was discontinued.

Expect that at least one version of Ford's EcoBoost engine will find its way under the hood of the next generation Mustang. A 2.0-liter four sounds small, but with direct fuel injection and turbocharging working in tandem, the power derived from this motor may surprise enthusiasts. Four cylinder engines have been used in the Mustang before, but those earlier engines were weak and mostly ineffectual. An EcoBoost four would deliver V-6 equivalent power and four cylinder fuel economy. A similar V-6 EcoBoost might also be considered for those drivers demanding V-8 equivalent performance.