Skip to Content

Ford Performance Drives Innovation for Everyone #FordNAIAS

My friend and car enthusiast Matt who blogs over at Hot Rod Regal represented Ford during the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) this year.

Kelly requested I document the 2015 North American International Auto Show since I am an aircraft mechanic and car enthusiast. Ford Motor Company paid for my travel and accommodations at the the three-day NAIAS Digital Summit. I was not compensated in any other manner for my time. My opinions posted here are my own. -Matt McKahan 

Ford brought out the big guns this year at the 2015 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan. While most think the focus was on high performance, hot rod type cars and trucks; the message was actually performance driving innovation. The Ford Motor Company’s quest for the best innovation is what matters to me as a consumer with a family in mind. I only have a limited amount of funds and want to get the best possible vehicle when I purchase one. Ford focused on innovation that creates a vehicle with better gas mileage with the same or better power, convenient tech integration, smaller impact on the environment, safety, and ultimately better savings for my checkbook. Check out my 1st time experience at the Detroit auto show while I look for the very best and newest logic to help keep my family’s money in our pockets. Ford performance drives innovation for everyone!

Performance Drives Innovation #Ford NAIAS

In the past, Ford has participated in many types of motorsports. The competition naturally drives the quest to be the best and win. We as the general consumer benefit from these motorsports and high performance environments with the distribution of new technologies.

The push for ultra high performance combined with the desire for luxurious amenities packaged into one vehicle seems to be the current trend of all OEM car manufacturers. This is a very good thing for the consumer of all walks. We can have our cake and eat it too when it comes to getting a safe, responsible means of transportation, but satisfy our youthful desire for power and well appointed “cool” cars and trucks.

Ford wasted no time proving they were paying attention to detail by showing how their performance based vehicles incorporate some of the newest logic. This was evident by the 3 major press releases at the 2015 NAIAS seen in the next 3 short videos.

The 2017 Ford Raptor

The 2015 Shelby Mustang GT350R

The 2016 Ford GT

Pretty cool from a “Car Guy” perspective, but how do these top of the line purpose built vehicles help me as an everyday driver to a 40 hour work week? I observed that Ford has went all in on the EcoBoost technology on nearly every model they offer. The Raptor and the GT both use turbocharged v6 engines. Smaller displacement engines with exhaust driven turbochargers allow an engine to perform at the current power levels or better while using less fuel when paired with a matching drive train. This is important to me because I drive 25 miles one way everyday, M-F. I like the horsepower and torque of a sporty vehicle during this daily grind, but this typically requires more gasoline. A turbocharged engine does not necessarily require more fuel for the same power levels. Another nice feature the EcoBoost engine has is the recommended use of 87 octane gas. This is a real money saver when one does not have to purchase high octane fuel. The EcoBoost engines are just as happy running 87 octane as they are 91 octane. So, if I want to purchase a Raptor or other trim level F-150, and choose to put car seats in the back, I know that I can have fun driving it, keep the family safe, have a respectable work truck, and still save on fuel costs at that power level.

The next innovation I noticed Ford embracing were something called “Air curtains”. Nearly every Ford model had these aerodynamic enhancements. At first, I thought Ford was ducting air from the front of the cars/trucks into the brakes for cooling. This excited me as a performance minded car enthusiast. Upon further investigation, I discovered the ducting I noticed were aerodynamic improvements to gain fuel consumption efficiency. The inlet/exit ducts that construct the “Air curtains” take the smooth air from the front of the vehicle and moves it through the inner fender until it exits in front of the forward wheels and tires. The air exiting the inner fender over the wheel and tire promotes smooth air flow over the side of the wheel and tire that would normally be turbulent air. Turbulent air causes drag which causes more fuel burn. This is a HUGE innovation that I have not seen on any other type of vehicle. Check out the following photos to see how this concept works.

Turbulent air in tires #Ford NAIAS

Turbulent air created at the wheel and tire causes drag. Drag causes reduced fuel efficiency. The next photo shows Ford’s solution.

Ford Turbulent Air #Ford NAIAS

The High velocity air from the duct enhances the formation of smooth air flow (laminar air flow) around the wheel opening and continues along the body of the car. Thus reducing drag from turbulent air and overall increasing fuel economy.

Ford #Ford NAIAS

Ingenious use of the natural laws of science. Make the vehicle glide through the air better to use less power and burn less fuel. Seen in this photo is the air duct exit point that creates the “Air curtain” at the wheel opening.

Ford is incorporating this aerodynamic technology into nearly all the new model vehicles. They are way ahead of the game here, and I did not see any other car manufacture use this innovation. This last example was from the 2016 Platinum edition Ford Explorer.

As I show you the next set of photos, I have to be honest – I was also window shopping for a future family vehicle for my wife and I. Still interested in the performance and mechanical design of the cars, I was also taking notes on how convenient and safe they would be for a starting family.

2016 Ford Explorer #Ford NAIAS

The new 2016 explorer also uses the EcoBoost engine. Along with aerodynamic improvements and the new Platinum edition trim level, this would make a very classy and environmentally responsible kid cruiser!

2016 Ford Explorer Interior #Ford NAIAS

Front cabin in the 2016 Platinum edition Explorer- I wish my family vehicles were this cool growing up!

2016 Platinum Edition Ford Explorer #Ford NAIAS

2016 Ford Explorer Platinum edition has some great features – check out the dual sun roof

2016 Ford Explorer Backseat #Ford NAIAS

The Explorer back seat area has great access to place a couple car seats. This is more the size of vehicle I am searching for when planning for the future family.

The 2015 Edge also has the “Air curtain” technology incorporated among other things. I was pretty much geeking out at this point in time by checking out all the features of each car. The 2015 Edge has acoustic glass, a twin turbo EcoBoost engine, all wheel drive, and active noise cancellation through the stereo.

2015 Ford Edge #Ford NAIAS

The lower, smaller black duct is for the Air curtain inlet on the Edge.

2015 Ford Edge Exterior #Ford NAIAS

Yet another example of aerodynamic innovations working with the EcoBoost drivetrain, the Ford Edge Sport. Sporty enough to have fun driving, and roomy enough to pack your friends and family. (And its not a mini-van)

EcoBoost Ford Edge Sport #Ford NAIAS

The Edge Sport interior was well appointed. I personally like center consoles in my vehicles. The center console keeps unwanted debris from becoming lodged under the gas or brake pedal. This is something to consider for occupant safety. One doesn’t want a toy or a baby bottle to get stuck under the brake pedal!

Ford Edge Sport Backseat #Ford NAIAS

The back seat in the Edge Sport has had several design improvements for back seat safety.

The 2015 Edge Sport has available inflatable rear safety belts. This is an “advanced restraint system that combines attributes of safety belt and airbag technologies. It is designed to reduce head, neck and chest injuries for rear seat passengers in frontal crashes by distributing crash force energy across five times more of an occupant’s torso than a traditional safety belt.” -Ford media release.

I have seen inflatable seat belt airbags only in commercial vehicles previously. This is another innovation Ford is leading the way on.

The newly redesigned 2015 Mustang was loaded with new innovative features also (click the link to see them)

2015 Ford Mustang #FordNAIAS

The 2015 Mustang uses the Air curtain technology also. If you can’t tell, I really like this innovation!

2015 Ford Mustang Front #FordNAIAS

The 2015 Mustang inlet ducts are low and nearly invisible unless your looking for them. If you have been reading my car performance blog, you may know I am in to high performance vehicles. Like the Mustang, the car I’m building also has a back seat. I’m not saying a sport coupe is the most convenient for car seats, but I think it can be done.

Even the F-150 trucks have the “Air curtain” improvements. I really like the way they hide the inlet duct here (seen in the next photo) – directly above the bumper. I bet this was a feature many people overlooked.

2015 Ford F-150 Platinum #FordNAIAS

The F-150 Trucks also use the Air Curtain technology. The inlet ducts are directly above the fog lights. Again, Ford is totally embracing the aerodynamic enhancements and I believe we will see other OEM manufactures emulate.

2015 Ford F-150 Platinum Front #FordNAIAS

The air curtain ducts are barely visible between the newly redesigned F-150 front fascia and the bumper.

2015 Ford F-150 Platinum Front #FordNAIAS

The Ford F-150 Platinum edition is a truck that I already know works for just about everything. Many of my friends (including Kelly) use Quad cab pick-up trucks as a family vehicle. The kids, seats, & supplies all fit. Trucks are definitely an option with their increased fuel economy and versatility. This is probably the direction I will go.

182015 Ford F-150 Platinum 3 #FordNAIAS

Check out the available room from the back. and the under seat storage is also a nice feature with flat floor board.

I was very impressed with what Ford brought to the table at the 2015 NAIAS. There were very visible and deliberate design improvements on all their models with concern to safety, performance, aerodynamics, digital integration and aesthetics. I am typically a GM guy, but Ford and the multiple engineering improvements across all models really stood out to me. The “Behind the Blue Oval” display booth was by far the most organized, informational, and spectacular with displays on manufacturing, history, and design. Ford really had the “Wow factor” on all levels! It is for these reason’s I think this was Ford’s year at the 2015 North American International Auto Show and I felt honored to be part of it.

As for shopping for the “Family vehicle” I still have a little time for that… The next step though is to go see these vehicles in person with my wife and experience the difference together.

Detroit auto show 2015

Monday 26th of January 2015

[…] greatest from the OEM auto manufactures. I was lucky enough to be requested by a my friend Kelly (www.TexasTypeAMom.com) to attend the Detroit auto show, the 2015 North American International Auto Show. While I was […]