Past, Present, and Future to meet at Ford’s KLIMS13 booth
Ford’s display booth at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show will feature a meeting of its past, present, and future products. Themed ‘Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’, the Ford@KLIMS2013 booth is setup to highlight the Ford Motor Company’s progress over its 110 years in existence beginning with the Model A to current and future models.
Two cars making their Malaysian debuts will be the all-new EcoSport compact SUV and the new Fiesta 1.0L EcoBoost, both models slated for eventual introduction in Malaysia. These models will continue Ford’s current form in offering vehicles laden with segment-leading technology such as the voice-operated Ford SYNC infotainment system. Bookings will be accepted for both models at the motor show.
Boasting a revolutionary powertrain, the new Fiesta EcoBoost is a much-anticipated arrival for the Malaysian market, its turbocharged three-cylinder engine is only the third powerplant to ever win back-to-back International Engine of the Year Awards, a feat it accomplished only very recently in 2012 and 2013.
Delivering 20% improvements in fuel economy and 15% reduction in carbon emissions, the diminutive powertrain has outputs that rival naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre engines. Internationally, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost is available in 99hp and 123hp. Which of the two will be offered in Malaysia remains open to conjecture at this stage.
Looking further into the future, Ford will also be showcasing the Fusion Hybrid which mates a 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle engine with an 88kW motor to generate a net system output of 188hp. The Fusion is Ford’s new global D-segment vehicle launched in the USA in 2012, and was actually slated for European launch in 2013 as the fifth-generation Mondeo only to be delayed by production issues. There is a strong likelihood that the Fusion name will be adopted in the Malaysian market when Ford replaces the Mondeo here.
Other notable attractions at the Ford@KLIMS13 booth will include the 1928 Ford Model A pick-up, a unit believed to be one of the oldest in the country. The vehicle will be shown in its original condition with some minor restoration. Also not to be missed is the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, 662hp V8-powered monster capable of rocketing the century sprint in a supercar-beating 3.5 seconds.
“Ford is delighted to be at the KL International Motor Show this year as Malaysia is such an important growth opportunity for Ford within our Asia Pacific region, said David Westerman, regional manager, Asia Pacific Emerging Markets Group, Ford Motor Company.
“Visitors to the Ford@KLIMS 2013 stand will see how our plan and successful product-led transformation is helping to deliver even more segment-leading vehicles that reflect our commitment to serve our customers with cars and trucks they truly want and value,“ Westerman added.
Pictures: Official Ford release.
