Connected World Selects 2013 Ford Fusion Energi as Connected Car of the Year
The 2013 Ford Fusion Energi named midsize World Connected Car of 2013… that’s right! According to Ford, in an announcement at the 2013 International CES, Connected World Magazine has awarded the all-new Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid the midsize Connected World Connected Car of the Year.
Calm, Cool, Connected!
The all-new 2013 Ford Fusion offers the most complete array of advanced connectivity and driver assist features of any mainstream sedan. The Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid includes standard SYNC® with MyFord Touch® and compatibility with the MyFord® Mobile smartphone app.
“SYNC has helped us evolve as an automaker, to think and act more like a technology company, with a new level of openness and access that has forever changed how we look at our business and respond to our customers,” said Paul Mascarenas, chief technical officer and vice president, Ford Research and Innovation. “Ultimately, SYNC embodies one of the many things Ford is all about: going further to transform innovative ideas into products that are affordable, attainable and valuable for millions of people.”
The award-winning SYNC system, which is available on all Ford vehicles, allows a driver to connect a phone, tablet and digital media player via Bluetooth® or USB for hands-free calling and media playback using simple voice commands. SYNC with SYNC Services offers a multitude of services powered by the mobile data connection drivers already have. These services include: Traffic, Directions and Information, Vehicle Health Report, 911 Assist among others.
Mobile Power
All Ford plug-in vehicles, including Fusion Energi, C-MAX Energi and Focus Electric, feature the MyFord Mobile app that helps give owners the ability to use any connected mobile phone with a data plan or computer with Internet access when not operating a vehicle to:
1. Find current and projected state of charge information including estimated range and the amount of charge time necessary for additional travel distances
2. Program vehicle charging with utility input, allowing the car to start charging immediately or when electricity prices are lowest with the value charging feature, powered by Microsoft
3. Using features powered by MapQuest® drivers can:
– Locate charging stations and get the destination sent to the vehicle
– Know if the vehicle can reach a specific charge station from its current location with the current charge level
– Create a journey with multiple stops, and determine the likelihood the car has adequate charge for the full journey
– Find the car by creating a route from a mobile phone to the vehicle
4. Receive alerts if the vehicle isn’t charging when it’s scheduled to, or if charging stops unexpectedly due to a power outage, plug removal or other event
5. Receive alerts during recharge when the vehicle has reached a particular preset charge level or has the ability to reach a particular destination
6.Engage remote vehicle preconditioning, using grid power to heat or cool the battery and vehicle interior
7. Remotely lock/unlock doors
8. Use the built-in GPS system to locate the car
9. Download performance and system data
10. Earn various achievements for driving and ownership milestones that can then be posted to your Facebook or Twitter account
11. Fun ways of understanding your driver behavior, with ratings from “Zen” to “zippy”
12. Receive information personalized, depending on which key used
The MyFord Mobile app is available for Apple iOS and Google Android.
To read the full story and learn about ways Ford is helping keep drivers more aware, including using new technologies such as: Lane-Keeping System, Driver Alert System, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS ®), active park assist, cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, collision warning and a rear view camera, visit: http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=37574. You can also learn more about the Fusion at: http://FordFusionStory.com.
When you’re ready for a test drive, take the short drive down I-45 to Spring, Texas for your next new Ford! We offer superior selection, service and savings for the Spring, The Woodlands and the Houston greater area. Visit www.PlanetFord45.com to see and save, today!