New 2011 Ford Models

The engineers and designers at Ford have spent the last several years introducing new products and revamping older models in an effort to completely modernize the brand's offerings. For 2011, there are four automobiles which stand out due to the significant changes that have been made to their platforms and styling, as well as one all-new vehicle joining the Blue Oval lineup. Let's take a look at the new Ford models for 2011. Photos courtesy of Ford

2011 Ford Super Duty

The heavy duty work truck market is one of the most competitive in the industry, and the new Ford Super Duty line of pickups offers fresh, aggressive styling along with upgraded drivetrain choices that are well-suited for towing and hauling. Available in F-250, F-350 and F-450 editions, the 2011 Ford Super Duty trucks can be had with either a 6.2-liter gasoline-powered V-8 generating 385 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque, or a 6.7-liter turbodiesel engine featuring 400 horsepower and 800 lb-ft of torque. Each motor is matched to six-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive is also available. With that amount of power on tap, it is no surprise that the new Ford Super Duty can tow between 14,000 (F-250) and 24,400 lbs (F-450) with dual rear wheels and a fifth-wheel trailer hitch installed. Payload capacity maxes out at just under 5,000 lbs. The 2011 Ford Super Duty trucks can be ordered as barebones XL models or luxury-laden King Ranch trims depending on the amount of daily driving comfort required.

2011 Ford Mustang

The new Ford Mustang benefited from a substantial restyling effort for the 2010 model year, but 2011 editions add a pair of redesigned engines to the mix that offer improved power and fuel economy. The entry-level 2011 Ford Mustang now features a 3.7-liter V-6 engine that is smaller than the 4.0-liter unit it replaces but offers up almost as much power as the V-8 found in the previous year's GT - 305 horses and 280 lb-ft of torque. Mated with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, the V-6 also returns fuel economy numbers of 19-mpg city and 31-mpg highway, which are head and shoulders above the 2010 edition. The new Ford Mustang GT also sees a substantial power boost for 2011 thanks to the inclusion of an all-new 5.0-liter V-8 engine that takes the place 2010's 4.6-liter, eight-cylinder motor. The GT now grinds out 412 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, numbers which are good enough to launch the two-door muscle car to 60 miles per hour in just 4.8 seconds. Transmission choices match those of the V-6, and fuel economy checks in at 18-mpg around town and 25-mpg highway.

2011 Ford Fiesta

The 2011 Ford Fiesta is a new Ford model that aims to fill the subcompact niche in the Blue Oval stable. The new Ford Fiesta can be had in both sedan and four-door hatchback editions with the latter offering up a maximum of 26 cubic feet of cargo space. The 2011 Ford Fiesta features a lightweight chassis and is motivated by a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine that makes use of 16 valves and Twin-Independent Variable-cam Timing (Ti-VCT) to squeeze out 120 horsepower and 112 lb-ft of torque. The frugal power plant is also good for fuel mileage of 29-mpg in stop and go driving and 38-mpg during highway cruising, making it one of the most efficient options available from Ford. A five-speed manual and a six-speed automatic represent the transmission choices that can be paired with the new Ford Fiesta.

2011 Ford Explorer

The new Ford Explorer keeps the name familiar to SUV drivers but adopts an entirely new platform that abandons the 2010 model's truck-based frame for a more compliant unibody design. As a result, the 2011 Ford Explorer now offers more sedan-like handling and comfort while maintaining the same level of utility found in previous editions. Longer and wider than the SUV it is replacing, and with an entirely fresh look, the new Ford Explorer offers three rows of seating and a maximum of 80.7 cubic feet of cargo space. The 2011 Ford Explorer features a 3.5-liter V-6 as its standard engine, generating 283 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission sends that output to the front or all four wheels if optional four-wheel drive is installed. 4WD also comes with a Terrain Management System to help the vehicle automatically adapt to changing road conditions.

2011 Ford Edge

The new Ford Edge has seen its exterior look sharpened and its interior trim upgraded for the 2011 model year. Featuring a bulkier front fascia and more upright styling than the first generation crossover, the 2011 Ford Edge also offers seating for up to five passengers and a maximum of 69 cubic feet of total cargo room with the second row of accommodations folded forward. Also newly available for 2011 is the MyFord Touch interface system, which offers three customizable LCD display screens that can be used to access a wide range of vehicle functions and information. Mechanically, the new Ford Edge can be ordered with either a 285 horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 or a 305 horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 when option for the Sport trim. Each edition makes use of a six-speed automatic, although the 2011 Ford Edge Sport throws in manual shift control. All-wheel drive remains an option on all models above the entry-level SE.