Archives for March 2014

2015 Ford Mustang Aerodynamics | Lamarque Ford | Kenner, Metairie, New Orleans

March 28, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

When buying a new car, most of us don’t think about aerodynamics. In fact, most of us don’t know what aerodynamics really are, and why should we? After all, we just want a smooth ride, great performance and outstanding gas mileage. However, aerodynamics play an important role in almost everything your car does, from better handling to a more comfortable ride.

Aerodynamics are nothing but the way airflows interact with your car, or according to NASA, “the way air moves around objects.” In other words, as your car accelerates, it displaces the air around it creating forces that work for or against it, depending on the design. Ideally, a vehicle with good aerodynamics uses air in its favor for several things including cooling the engine and breaks, ‘planting’ the car to the ground, and improving maneuverability at high speeds. Car manufacturers use drag coefficient to measure how aerodynamic a car is based on it’s shape.

For 2015, Ford engineers have completely redesigned the Mustang, allowing them to put a great emphasis on aerodynamics. With a more muscular look, Ford designers were able to bring the hood lower to the ground, which improves the air flow and puts less wind resistance. The Ford team went as far as redesigning the Mustang’s underbody to keep it closer to the ground. The all-new design also uses door-mounted mirrors to reduce wind noise when driving at highway speeds.

Although aerodynamics play an important role in a vehicle’s efficiency, the 2015 Ford Mustang keeps a balance between design and performance. We understand it’s not easy to have both good looks and aerodynamics, as some of the cars with the best drag coefficients turned out to be really hard on the eyes. Regardless, Ford design and engineering teams worked closely together to ensure the legendary Mustang was as attractive as ever.

Also, remember there’s nothing like test driving a new car to really understand what’s been put into it. Get in touch with us to get a feel for the 2014 Mustang, as you’ll have to wait until fall for the 2015 model. Stay tuned!

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Lamarque Ford is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in New Orleans, LA. Located in Kenner, LA, Lamarque Ford is committed to providing you the best customer service and vehicle service for the life of your vehicle. Whether you’re on the market to purchase, finance, or service a new or used Ford vehicle, you’ve come to the right place.

Cop Car Reinvented | Lamarque Ford | Kenner, New Orleans, Metairie

March 26, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

In 1899, when most police fleets consisted of bicycles and horses, the Akron (Ohio) Police Department decided to break out of the ordinary and got the very first motorized police cruiser. Although it was technically an electric buggy equipped with lights and a gong, it paved the road for a new type of vehicles: the police interceptor. Today we’re all familiar with the iconic Ford Crown Victoria of the late 90’s, which was the most popular choice among police departments and cab companies across the U.S. However, after a very successful nine year run, Ford ceased production of the interceptor in 2011. Based on a fuel-hungry V8 engine and a heavy large frame, the Crown Victoria wasn’t exactly the most fuel efficient car out there.

Ford started offering two new options in 2011: a leaner and meaner interceptor sedan and a high performance SUV, based on the Taurus and Explorer models respectively. After only two years, these new options proved to be a success and Ford’s new police vehicles now account for almost 50% share in this segment.

Ford’s latest models were first met with skepticism, since they were a big departure from the oversized frame of the Crown Victoria. The SUV turned out to be just what police officers were looking for, as it allows them to carry more equipment without sacrificing fuel economy. Both models come with standard all-wheel-drive and EcoBoost engines, improved acceleration and better handling. Thanks to the new improvements, police departments across the U.S. can enjoy improved fuel efficiency and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

As the role of police officers changes, so will the future cop cars. Ford continues to innovate and bring breakthrough products across all segments, including public safety.

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Ford C-MAX Solar Energi Tech Redefines Electric Car | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans

March 25, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

It’s been over a hundred years since the introduction of the automobile, and although our cars are smarter than ever, they still share a lot of technologies with their predecessors. Most cars today, as they did in the early 1900’s, rely on fossil fuels to operate gas engines and diesel engines, and the ones that don’t, still require some sort of human input to re-charge.

We’re always hopeful for a leap into the future – things like self-driving or flying cars, teleporting vehicles; figments of someone else’s imagination popularized by science fiction. What if we take fueling, the one trait cars have shared for decades, out of the equation? New innovative car technology is letting us do just that.

The Ford C-MAX Solar Energi Concept is a glimpse of the future. Yes, it does require you to fill-up at the gas station, but unlike plug-in hybrid cars, you’ll never have to plug to an external power source like ordinary electric cars. That’s because the C-MAX’s roof is a giant solar panel, and it constantly recharges the batteries that power the electric car’s engine. This is a big deal when you consider this is free, clean, 100% renewable energy over using fossil fuels for gas and diesel engines.

To make this possible, Ford partnered with Georgia Institute of Technology, home to some of the nation’s highest regarded experts in the solar field. This will allow Ford to thoroughly test the C-MAX and get the feedback they need when this solar powered, electric hybrid car goes into production. Ford also partnered with SunPower, which provides the top of the line solar panels used in the C-MAX Solar.

We’re hoping to see this new generation of self-sustainable at Ford dealerships in the near future, when fueling becomes a thing of the past. In the meantime, we can watch this technology grow and expect to see more competition in the solar field.

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Lamarque Ford is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in New Orleans, LA. Located in Kenner, LA, Lamarque Ford is committed to providing you the best customer service and vehicle service for the life of your vehicle. Whether you’re on the market to purchase, finance, or service a new or used Ford vehicle, you’ve come to the right place.

F-150 Brings LED Tech to Trucks| Lamarque Ford | New Orleans, Kenner

March 21, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

Headlights were first introduced in vehicles in the late 1880’s. The first generation of headlamps were acetylene or oil based, and they came as a response to the high number of accidents that occurred at night. In 1898, the first wave of electric lamps debuted, but proved to be a failure due to the short life of the filaments and lack of power to keep them on. However, in 1912, Cadillac introduced the first good enough electric lighting system, which served as the cornerstone of modern day headlights.

Today, all vehicles that operate in public roads are required to have headlights. Modern lamps generate light from different sources like tungsten, tungsten-halogen, HID (high intensity discharge) and LED (light emitting diode). Although LED technology has been around for some time (christmas lights, anyone?), it wasn’t until 2007 that their performance was on par with other technologies. The first production vehicle with factory installed LED headlamps was the 2007 Lexus LS 600h, one of Lexus flagship cars.

Seven years later, however, LED technology is still not widely adopted in the automotive industry. LED lights have proven to be brighter and more energy efficient than other lamps, but they are still cost prohibitive for non-luxury cars. That’s why in 2015, Ford is taking a leap forward and bringing that very technology to their 6,000 lb workhorse, the new 2015 Ford F-150. Let’s take a look at the reasons behind this decision.

While redesigning the F-150, Ford engineers realized traditional headlights have to be replaced very often, so it was a natural choice to go with the long lasting LED option. LED lights also offer superior light quality and range, which translates into better visibility. Ford is the first manufacturer to bring LED lights to a truck, leaving competitors (and halogen lamps) in the dust.

Remember that along with airbags and seat belts, headlights play an important role in your vehicle’s safety. Statistically, most auto accidents happen at night, and better headlamps can significantly improve your chances of avoiding one. Stop by your local dealership so you can see the difference for yourself, as other high end vehicles are already using LED technology.

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Flagship Cars | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans, Kenner, Metairie

March 19, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

For years, car manufacturers have tried to differentiate themselves from their competition. Flagship cars, namely the Shelbys, Camaros and Corvettes of the world, serve as an appealing image that attracts new buyers to those brands. At first glance, flagship cars are all about speed, sex appeal and youthfulness, traits car brands use to connect at an emotional level with potential customers. But there’s more to it.

This phenomenon is known in psychology as the halo effect, hence ‘halo cars’, and is nothing but our perceptual generalization of attributes. In other words, consumers associate these glorified vehicles with the brand as a whole, thus buying into aspirational goals. The halo effect is present in every industry and applies to products and services alike.

Halo or flagship cars are often criticized for luring buyers into the dealership, which then end up buying affordable options with lower quality standards. However, quite the opposite is true. Halo cars have a tremendous positive effect on brand recognition and new technology development, which bring in better options for consumers in the long run. Let’s explore the benefits cars like the Shelby 500 bring to the table.

As you may have guessed, flagship cars have bigger development budgets than their entry level counterparts. This allows for designers and engineers to explore new manufacturing techniques and materials. For instance, The Ford Motor Company just developed a new prototyping process for their concept cars, which could eventually be used for mass production; the 2007 Lexus LS 406 required Toyota to create the world’s strongest stamping press; countless of today’s in-car technologies were first introduced in high end vehicles, then trickled down to affordable ones.

From a marketing perspective, the halo car gives brands the opportunity to show off their latest innovations. It also gives consumers better visibility in terms of what’s coming in the following years. If we take a car like the next generation Ford Expedition, which features blind spot assist and rear view cameras, we can then assume such technology will be available in coming entry level vehicles.

Racing cars make an excellent ‘halo car’ example. As car manufacturers push technology to the limit, we get to see our everyday sedans in action. Nascar teams use modified versions of Camrys, Fusions and Impalas to show off the engines; Subarus and Minis compete in rally races to show off their steering and suspensions. This again, brings consumers closer to the brand and allows for a more honest relationship.

So don’t forget to stop by your local dealership and experience the latest technology available today.

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MyFord Touch Car Radio | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner

March 18, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

For over eighty years, consumers have had access to in-vehicle entertainment systems. It all started in 1930, when Motorola introduced the first commercially available car radio. As with most technologies, it was just a matter of time for this new category to explode. In 1965, Ford and Motorola introduced the first eight-track car player, and as music formats evolved, so did car stereos. Today’s future automobile’s in-car entertainment systems combine old and new technologies right on our dashboards.

Modern car entertainment systems bundle different audio formats (am and fm radio tuners, CD player, mp3 playback, satellite radio, etc) and navigation (GPS) under a unified interface. For years, we’ve interacted with these devices through buttons and dials, and only luxury cars offered solutions that went beyond the volume and tuner knobs. But today, thanks to the commoditization of some technologies, like touch screens and bluetooth, car manufactures can offer smarter alternatives. Let’s take a look at today’s top in-vehicle entertainment systems.

Present-day configurations rely on a touch screen as an input method and a layer of software takes care of the rest. Some car manufacturers, like Ford, Kia and Fiat, use a Microsoft proprietary system and then fine tune it to best fit their needs. Ford’s solution, MyFord Touch, includes voice commands, traffic and directions, wifi internet, vehicle health report and other connectivity features such as bluetooth, SD card slots and USB inputs. Other systems include Hyundai BlueLink, Kia Uvo, Fiat Blue&Me, BMW Assist, Mercedes Mbrace and Toyota Entune., which share similar capabilities.

Other technology companies have attempted to enter the auto entertainment system with little or no success. Recently, Apple announced its own software, with a whole new approach to the connectivity paradigm. CarPlay (which is what Apple calls its new system) uses your iOS device as the brains of your system, as it can already handle calls, music, internet, contacts, messages and other apps. The new system will be available for select 2014 Ferraris, Hondas, Hyundais, Mercedes Benz and Volvos. CarPlay is also coming to your favorite Ford vehicles in the near future.

In the mean time, take advantage of the great selection of driving apps available on your smartphone and stop by Lamarque Ford to try out MyFord Touch.

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Know Ford Mustang: V6, GT, Shelby GT500 | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans

March 14, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

So we introduced the various models to choose from in the Ford F-Series line including the popular Ford F150’s, but now we’d like to introduce another line of Ford vehicle for our hardcore horsepower fans – the Ford Mustang family. If you’re in the market for a new car, you probably already know what you’re looking for: the perfect combination of usability, price, safety, fuel economy, and eye-catching style. What you might not know, is that the legendary pony car might meet your needs, and add a lot of fun to your driving. That’s right, the Ford Mustang has come a long way and it’s now available in a wide array of trims, engines and prices. From the fuel efficient V6 to the top of the line Shelby 500, there’s plenty to choose from. Let’s take a look at the different options.

To call it the base model would be unfair, because this entry-level Ford Mustang comes standard with amazing safety features and equipment that you probably won’t find in other cars in this price range. It comes standard with a 305 HP V6 engine, 6-speed state of the art manual transmission, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, HID headlamps and LED tail lamps and stainless-steel dual exhaust tips. Believe it or not, this car makes the perfect choice for the daily commuter with a need for speed, as it gets up to 29 MPG. Also part of the V6 family are the V6 Premium (which adds an upgraded audio system, color lcd display, and optional leather seats), V6 Convertible (pretty self explanatory) and V6 Convertible Premium.

Now here’s where things start to get interesting. 5 liter V8 engine. That’s it. That’s THE feature of this model. The GT trim also unlocks a myriad of other options and upgrades like the Brembo Break Package, GT Track Package (upgraded BOSS radiator, breaks and wheels) and FP8 appearance Package (19-inch Machined painted black aluminum wheels, black painted outside mirrors, black painted decklid spoiler). In addition, you can pick from GT Convertible, GT Premium or GT Convertible Premium. Amazing, isn’t it?

Shelby GT500

So if you thought the 420 HP 5L V8 engine of the GT was overkill, wait until you read this. The Shelby GT500 comes standard with a V8 5.8L. That’s right, this car boasts an engine bigger than ones found in full-size pickup trucks and it peaks at 662 HP. While is not made for the environmentally friendly, this Ford Mustang was born to race.

Don’t forget to check out other configurations for the Mustang, and be sure to test drive one at Lamarque Ford.

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Ford Ramps Virtual Crash Computing Power | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans

March 12, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

In an effort to keep up with the increasing demand of virtual crash test data, Ford is increasing its investment in computing capabilities by 50% in hopes of maximizing the overall number of virtual crash tests. Just in the past 10 years alone, there have been over 2 million virtual crash tests.

Currently, a virtual crash test can take up to a full day to conduct. By further increasing this technology, Ford hopes to not only increase the number of virtual crash test but also obtain data more quickly as a result. The technological advancement can mean the difference in Ford further exceeding industrial safety standard in global markets. With the technological advances introduced in recent Ford vehicles like the new F-Series and the 2015 Ford Focus that introduced the new Sync AppLink System, Perpendicular Parking, Park-Out Assist, etc., there’s no surprise that safety is important. Stop by your local Ford dealership to check out the new safety features and test drive your new future Ford.

In regards to physical crash tests, Ford has been conducting crash tests from a variety of areas since 1954 including frontal, side, and rear impact tests with speeds ranging from less than 20mph to more than 55 mph. Preparation for a physical crash test can take anywhere from a few days to weeks depending on the circumstances of the test. These vehicles need to be mounted with special equipment for capturing information such as special mounts, cameras, and sensors to capture crash force, displacement, and pressure. Once the test has been conducted, Ford safety engineers review the crash data to determine the safety quality of the vehicle.

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2015 Ford Expedition features EcoBoost | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans

March 10, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

Last week we introduced the new, redesigned 2015 Ford Focus featuring Ecoboost. Today, we introduce the 2015 Ford Expedition and what it has in store for the Ford Expedition fan base. The new Expedition will feature twin-turbocharged Ecoboost engine, commonly seen in Ford F-Series, to deliver the most powerful, fuel efficient Expedition yet!

The Expedition made its first debut in 1996 as Ford’s largest utility vehicle. Today, the Expedition has come a long way in becoming the leader in interior space, performance, and the only full-size non-luxury independent rear suspension vehicle.

Top features for the 2015 Expedition include the Ford F-Series popular 3.5 liter Ecoboost engine, a new high-trim Platinum series, blind spot information system, and SYNC with MyFord Touch. Two variations of the 2015 Expedition will be available: the standard 119-inch wheelbase (3 seat rows and 108.3 cu ft. of cargo space) and the 131-inch wheelbase (3 seat rows and 130.8 cu ft. of cargo space).

Don’t think that just because the new Expedition will feature the Ecoboost engine that it has lost any power. Quite the contrary, the new Expedition will have increased torque and horsepower, combined with an advanced suspension making driving more exciting. The XLT sporty model and the urban Platinum models will each feature unique finishes customized to reflect your lifestyle and desires. Other featured versions include the Limited and a new King Ranch edition that will further encompass the unique custom designs Ford fans are looking for. Best to stop at your local Ford dealership quickly because with these specs and brunello (red wine) leather, the 2015 Expedition is going to go fast.

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2015 Ford Focus Debut with EcoBoost 3-Cylinder Engine

March 7, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

While we have been focusing on the new upcoming 2015 F-Series, we can’t leave the new 2015 Ford Focus out on the water. Introducing the stunning new 2015 Focus with a new face-lift that is reminiscent of the Ford Fiesta and Fusion with Ford Ecoboost technology.

The new 2015 Ford Focus will be available in two stunning types: the 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine with six-speed manual gearbox and the 2.0-liter GD114 engine available in either manual or automatic. The 2.80 liter four-cylinder is sure to pack a punch with 160 horsepower and 146 lb.-ft of torque and the 1.0-liter engine is sure to save you big with an estimated 40mpg highway. The new vehicle will also feature two parking assistance systems (one in US): Perpendicular Parking, a hands-free system that assists drivers in backing into spaces, and Park Out Assist, assists drivers to exit a parallel parking position.

The new sleek design for the 2015 Ford Focus will allow feature improved drag coefficient coupled with that new luxurious design. The new Sync AppLink system will allow drivers to utilize their smartphones to access onboard vehicle data including speed, acceleration, location, and odometer readings. Rest assured you won’t drive off the road with radar-based lane departure warning and blind-spot monitoring. The interior of the car will feature a new, more modern look with new seat trims, chrome detailing, and an available heated steering wheel.-

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