Ford Escape 2013

Technical Specifications for the 2013 Ford Escape

All-new for 2013, the Ford Escape is smaller and lighter than its predecessor, delivering best-in-class fuel economy and many modern touches including Ford's telematics system. This five-passenger crossover sport utility vehicle offers three engine choices, a vehicle that is based on the European Ford Kuga model. Available in front- and all-wheel-drive, the technical specifications of this vehicle are presented here for your review.

2.5-Liter Four

The standard engine for the 2013 Ford Escape is the same motor found in the 2012 edition. This 16-valve four is of aluminum construction and makes 168 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 170 foot-pounds of torque at 4,500 rpm. It has a 9.7 to 1 compression ratio and measures 3.50 inches bore by 3.94 inches stroke. This engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

1.6-Liter Four

One of two EcoBoost engines available, Ford's 1.6-liter engine makes 178 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 184 foot-pounds of torque at 2,500 rpm. This 16-valve four is of aluminum construction and has a 10.0 to 1 compression ratio. This engine measures 3.11 inches bore by 3.20 inches stroke. This engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

2.0-Liter Four

The larger of two EcoBoost engines, utilizing the same direct injection and turbocharged combination of the small engine, displaces at 2.0 liters. This 16-valve engine is of aluminum block construction and makes 240 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 270 foot-pounds of torque at 3,000 rpm. With a 9.3 to 1 compression ratio, this engine measures 3.44 inches bore by 3.27 inches stroke and is also paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Escape Dimensions

The 2013 Ford Escape sits on a 105.9-inch wheelbase and measures 178.1 inches long by 72.4 inches wide by 66.3 inches tall. This model has a 7.9-inch ground clearance and weighs from 3,515 to 3,732 pounds.

Total passenger volume measures 98.1 cubic feet. Cargo value measures 34.3 cubic feet behind the second row and 68.1 cubic feet with the second row folded down. Towing capacity ranges from 1,500 to 3,500 pounds.

Ford 2013

2013 Ford Taurus SHO Revealed

Ford unveiled their 2013 model of the Ford Taurus SHO at the pre-New York Auto Show event and made quite a spectacle of it. After building suspense amongst the crowd, the model was uncovered and Ford executives explained the latest and greatest additions to the new SHO. Train, a famous pop artist, then took the stage and rocked the Ford party attendants for an hour worth of hits.

Ford Taurus Super High Output enthusiasts are going to have to wait until spring 2012 to get their hands on the 2013 Ford Taurus SHO, but that won't stop them from salivating over the recent release. The design, technology additions and improvement to performance have kicked the 2013 Taurus SHO up a notch to battle with the large sedan powerhouses.

Ford utilized their resources and tapped into their loyal SHO enthusiasts and forums for guidance on what to put into the latest model to take it to the next level. "Listening to SHO buyers and enthusiasts encouraged us to strengthen the design and the driving quality for the new 2013 model," explained Gordon Platto, Chief Designer at Ford. "For us, this was a clear indication that SHO customers have passionate feelings about aesthetics and design as well as performance."

Ford design members took that information and put their heads together to construct the 2013 SHO that improved the design and performance of the car. Ford's approach with the SHO brand typically had the higher performing model blend in with the standard model. The only difference you would typically see was when the turbocharged engine revved up and took off on the streets. Ford switched their stance slightly with the 2013 Taurus SHO and took a subtle step to differentiate itself in looks from the regular model.

A performance, black mesh grille exclusive to the SHO model, and high-powered headlamps give a sporty front edge to the new SHO. Rocking unique, 19", premium all-season tires give the SHO a more sporty but muscular attitude to the car. Ford also replaced the taillights with new LED lights and kept the two chrome exhaust tips on the back side. On the interior, Ford reworked the cabin layout to provide a brand new center stack, steering wheel and instrument panel display.

Under the hood, the 2013 Ford SHO is powered by the fuel-efficient, 3.5L, twin turbo, Ecoboost V6 engine expected to unleash an estimated 365 horsepower and equipped with the all-wheel drive system. Ford enhanced the SHO's Electric Power Assisted Steering system (EPAS), responsible for driver control, response and cornering on the road. The new optimized EPAS system helped to boost the efficiency for the 2013 SHO on the highway to 25 mpg and added the new active park assist technology that allows the car to park itself.

Pick Up Truck

The things that my kids and I love the most about pickup truck campers are boon docking and what my daughter calls "sudden camping". Like many dad's of divorce, I don't get to see my kids nearly as much as I would like to. Our new/used pickup truck camper has done nothing but help us to make the most out of the time we do get to spend together.

When I found myself single again, the cab-and-a-half half-ton pickup seemed like a good deal. It doesn't exactly sip fuel, but I have owned rigs that are thirstier but less versatile. When I pick up the kids for our weekends together my son claims the jumpseat in back for his own while my daughter wants to be up front where she can be close to the stereo controls (Dad cannot be trusted with the stereo).

When I saw the old pickup camper on Craiglist it seemed like too good of a deal. Frankly, it was. Most of the lighting fixtures didn't work, I was afraid the stove was going to explode, and the bathroom was questionable. Surprisingly, the refrigerator worked. My years of tent camping taught me that the picnic coolers I was used to were only useful for keeping stuff cold, but not for getting stuff cold. On our first trip with the camper, the lettuce froze! Fixing up the rest has been a fun project.

Any way, as much of a wreck as the old pickup truck camper was, it was too cheap to pass by, so I loaded it into the truck and hauled it home. The kids and I had done a lot of tent camping the summer before, so I pretty much had every thing I needed. I loaded the kids' stuff in before I went to pick them up, and boy, were they surprised. That first weekend we drove to the lake just outside of town, one of our favorite spots for picnicking if we didn't want to go for a full blown camping trip. It is just far enough of a drive that it is usually late when we get home. This time we got to enjoy the sun going down and the stars coming out. Just as the evening was getting cold enough that my daughter decided it was time to give up and go to bed, she stood up, looked around and said "Wow, suddenly, camping."

Honda Accord 2013

The Honda Accord 2013 is, without a doubt, simply the best version of this popular nameplate available in the market today. So, if you are looking for a highly efficient yet ultra-comfortable, stylish and fun to drive mid-size sedan, then you would never go wrong by choosing the Honda Accord 2013.

So, what makes the new Honda Accord a cut above the rest? Here are some of the new features that make it stand out from the rest of the competition.

It is more fuel-efficient as compared to earlier models.The new Honda Accord comes with two engine choices so you can either go with a fully re-engineered four-cylinder model or with a newly improved version of its V6 model. Both engines receive a power boost of about 278 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque and 185 hp and 182 lb-ft for the V6 and the four-cylinder models, respectively.

More importantly, fuel efficiency is improved to 21 mpg (city) and 34 mpg (highway) for the sedan while the CVT-equipped models are said to have a fuel efficiency rate of about 27 mpg (city) and 36 mpg (highway). Honda is also expected to come up with its first plug-in hybrid Accord sedan by the early part of 2013 while a conventional hybrid is expected to debut by the summer of 2013.

It sports a fresh, new exterior design.The new Honda Accord can best be described as stylish and sporty with an undeniable touch of elegance. While it retained its previous shape, the new Honda Accord 2013 now features a slightly lowered beltline, a bolder look and sharper lines.

It features a luxurious and comfortable interior.Although the Honda Accord 2013 has been streamlined on the outside, it has gained more leg room and cargo space on the inside. It has also been fitted with ultra comfortable seats so you will never feel cramped or fatigued even after driving for a considerable distance.

It throws in a lot of modern technology into the package. The new Accord features state-of-the-art LaneWatch Blind Monitoring System that helps the driver see what is happening on the rear right side of the car, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning System, adaptive cruise control and a dual-zone automatic climate control. This model also features Bluetooth connectivity, satellite navigation and a cloud-based infotainment system that can help keep you entertained for hours on end.