w w w . o a kv ill eb ea ve r.c o m O A KV IL LE B EA V ER W e dn es da y, Se pt em be r 8 , 2 01 0 2 6 Taking the heat - all-new Ford Focus breezes hot weather test Metroland Newspapers Carguide Magazine The next generation Ford Focus has been tested in some of the most extreme locations on the planet, over frozen lakes, across the hottest deserts and up and down high Alpine passes to ensure impeccable reliability and dependability wherever it is sold. While many of these tests focus on how such climate extremes affect the perform- ance of the vehicle, the comfort of the driv- er and passengers in these tough conditions is equally important. Ford's climate control test team travels the world to ensure that the car's EATC (Electronic Automatic Temperature Control) system can handle any conditions. The system needs to be able to cool the occupants down quickly and comfortably in scorching sun and warm them up just as rapidly when the temperature drops. In the next generation Focus, which goes on sale early next year, the EATC system cools occu- pants more comfortably and efficiently than ever before. The fans are quieter and are capable of moving cool air through the cabin more quickly. The teams task is to fine- tune this system. One of the team's regular testing locations is Antequera in Southern Spain. In the height of summer this is one of the hottest places in continental Western Europe, with temperatures regularly rising above 40 deg C. One of the main challenges for the team is that cus- tomers in North America have different preferences to their European counterparts, so the two test vehicles have different calibrations. North American customers generally like to feel a strong cooling effect while the European customer pref- erence is for the cabin to be cooled but not to feel chilled. This is where the team's experience in subjectively evalu- ating the system comes in. The sensors can monitor actu- al data, but the human experience is just as important. Other tests carried out by the engineers include an alti- tude test and a control curve, where the temperature set- tings are changed and the team monitors how it feels as the system adapts. As they drive the engineers can direct- ly make changes to the EATC calibration. Introducing the all-new 2011 Dodge Durango Metroland Newspapers Carguide Magazine Dodge is expanding its presence in the crossover seg- ment with the all new 2011 Dodge Durango. The Durango is a three-row vehicle spacious enough to carry the entire crew and performance-tuned to thrill anyone who truly loves to drive. Durango will lead the Dodge brands new product onslaught for 2011. From its sleek exterior design to its modern, spacious interior, and intelligent, fuel-efficient and powerful pow- ertrain options, the 2011 Dodge Durango is all new from the inside out. And the changes are more than skin deep. The Durangos stiffened unibody structure is engineered with the driving enthusiast in mind. The end result is a vehicle that delivers premium driving performance combined with SUV capability and crossover versatility. The all-new Durango features two engine options: the standard fuel-efficient and powerful 3.6-litre 24-valve Pentastar V6 engine and the available 5.7-litre Hemi V8 engine with fuel-saving, Multi-displacement system (MDS) four-cylinder mode. Both engines feature variable-valve timing (VVT) and come standard with all-wheel drive. In addition to great efficiency, the engines provide exceptional V6 and V8 towing capability with standard trailer sway control (V8 - 7,200 lbs. and best-in-class V6 The all-new 2011 Dodge Durango also offers consumers 45 safety and security features, including standard front seat-mounted side air bags and standard side-curtain air bags that cover passengers in all three rows, as well as all- new standard active head restraints. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with ABS and trac- tion control and All-Wheel-Drive are also standard. Other available safety and security technologies include Blind- spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path detection, Forward Collision Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control and Keyless Enter-n-Go. The best part is, consumers will get all of the all-new Durangos capability, functionality and flexibility and still get excellent fuel efficiency.