Quick Lane located at Apple Valley Ford Lincoln and Apple Ford Shakopee: How are we different?

Life doesn't stop when your vehicle needs service.  At Quick Lane located at Apple Valley Ford Lincoln and Apple Ford Shakopee, this fact drives everything we do. 

Our mission at Quick Lane is to provide convenience with confidence throught express auto service that's backed by Ford and fits around our customers' lives. 

How are we different than our competition?

At Quick Lane located at Apple Valley Ford Lincoln and Apple Ford Shakopee, we offer a synthetic blend oil which provides longer mileage range between oil change intervals.  Also, we provide the expertise of Certified Technicians that fix all makes and models. Also, we provide service while you wait, comfortable stress-free waiting areas, vehicle check-up reports detailing current and future service needs, fast and convenient oil changes with no appointment necessary, and personnel that is friendly, honest, and professional. 

Life is better at the Quick Lane located at Apple Valley Ford Lincoln and Apple Ford Shakopee!!!

Quick Lane FAQs

How often do I need to change the oil in my vehicle?

There are many variables that determine how often an oil change is needed (climate, drive time, highway or city street driving, etc.) You should refer to the Scheduled Maintenance section in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.  Most vehicles should get their oil change every 5 months or 5000 miles which ever comes first.

Should I consider using synthetic motor oil in my vehicle?

Synthetic motor oil can be a good choice for high output, turbocharged or supercharged engines. Or for vehicles that are used for towing (especially during hot weather), and vehicles that operate in extremely cold or hot climates. Although more expensive than mineral-based oils, synthetic motor oils can improve fuel economy and provide longer intervals between changes.

How often should I rotate my tires?

Your tires should be rotated every oil change, or every 5000 miles. Neglecting to rotate tires is a major cause of premature tire wear.  You should also have your alignment checked every 12 months or 12,000 miles.  This will help you get the most mileage out of your tires.

Is it really necessary to replace my timing belt at the recommended interval?

YES. The failure of a timing belt in many cars can result in major engine damage. The cost of repairing an engine with a broken timing belt is much greater than the cost of a timing belt replacement.

I have a belt making a very loud squeal on my car. Should have it changed?

Inspect & replace belts regularly. The belt system in your car helps such things as your alternator and air conditioning compressor to operate correctly. When a belt breaks, they can cause costly damage. To avoid this, inspect them regularly for wear. If they are showing signs, go ahead and replace them before they become a problem.

What does it mean if my "check engine" or "service engine soon" light comes on?

There are many sensors and computerized components that manage your vehicle’s engine performance and emissions. When one of these fails, the "check engine" light is illuminated. Although your car may seem to run fine, it is important to have the issue addressed to prevent long-term problems.

What should I do if my car starts to overheat?

This is a very serious problem – if your car overheats for too long, you can damage your engine. As soon as possible, find a safe place to pull off the road and shut the engine off! Do not attempt to check the fluid level in the radiator; the hot fluid can cause severe burns. The best thing to do is have your car towed to your local dealership so a trained professional can look at your concern.

Why is engine oil milky brown?

Milky brown engine oil is an indication of coolant in the oil. This can be caused by a blown head gasket (or other gasket), a failed transmission cooler, or cracked casings. This condition is very serious and needs to be checked by a professional technician immediately.

How do I make sure my car battery has a good electrical connection?

Battery cables and terminals should be cleaned and inspected periodically to make sure they provide a good electrical connection.

When should I replace my car’s fuel filter?

To help ensure dependable, trouble-free performance, replace your car's fuel filter approximately every 30,000 miles or as recommended in your vehicle's owner's manual.  This helps ensure that your fuel pump isn't geting over worked, and helps keep your fuel injectors clean.

When should I change my spark plugs?

For maximum fuel economy and peak engine performance, your spark plugs should be replaced every 60,000 miles.  The newer engines uses a platnium plug that last longer then a conventional plug.  Driving style can also effect this mileage interval, but for most applications 60,000 miles is average time to have the plugs replaced.

Apple Auto Group Vehicle Exchange Program

Apple Auto Group invites consumers to participate in our Vehicle Exchange program.  The Apple Auto Group Vehicle Exchange Program promotes consumers to inquire about trading their current vehicle for a newer model with the opportunity to keep a similar payment or even less.  Rather than paying professional buyers fees to buy vehicles at auctions, we would prefer to purchase locally owned and maintained vehicles from our local customers, their friends and neighbors. 

Some benefits to you could include above market value for your vehicle, low monthly payments, better financing terms, longer and more comprehensive warranties, lower fuel costs, lower maintenance and repair costs, lower cost of driving, increased saftety and security, Key Care, Dent Care, and Personal Assistant. 

New 2013 Ford Fusion

New 2013 Ford Fusion Brings More Technology, Expected Triple Crown of Best-in-Class Gas, Hybrid, Plug-In Efficiency

2013 Ford Fusion
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• New Ford Fusion is the first sedan to offer gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, each with expected top fuel economy, underscoring Ford’s commitment to give customers the power of choice

• With seven must-have technologies, including a Lane Keeping System, adaptive cruise control, active park assist and MyFord Touch^®, the all-new Ford Fusion shows how Ford is delivering features customers truly want and value

• Customers can choose from Fusion’s widest-ever portfolio of fuel-efficient powertrains including EcoBoost^™, hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines; automatic and manual transmission offerings; and auto start stop technology

• Revealed in North America as the midsize Fusion sedan, this all-new car signals the next-generation Ford Mondeo for world markets

Soundbites: All-New Ford Fusion

 

DETROIT, Jan. 9, 2012 – Ford’s all-new Fusion brings alive the next generation of more expressive vehicles from Ford and is the first sedan to offer gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions – each expected to deliver top fuel economy and an engaging driving experience.

 

Featuring a sleek silhouette and fresh face, the all-new Fusion is the latest in a series of vehicles from Ford – following the 2011 Fiesta subcompact and 2012 Focus small cars – developed to satisfy customers everywhere who want leading fuel efficiency, helpful technologies and game-changing looks.

 

“Our vision for Fusion was clear – deliver the very best of what One Ford stands for,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president of Global Product Development. “We brought our global teams together around a blank slate with the charge to develop a midsize car with groundbreaking design and jaw-dropping fuel economy – one that featured technologies to help make our customers safer and better drivers. This car is the result.”

 

Fusion is revealed in North America in S, SE and range-topping Titanium series and points to the next Ford Mondeo for world markets.

 

For more information on the importance of the midsize car market, please follow this link: http://youtu.be/7C2ipp5A7gQ.

 

Triple-crown fuel efficiency

The new Fusion is expected to deliver best-in-class fuel economy across customers’ choice of gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid sub-segments, following through with the commitment by Ford to be the fuel-efficiency leader – or among the leaders – with each new model brought to market.

 

Fusion brings the broadest selection of fuel-efficient powertrains in the midsize car segment. It offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid alternatives, a pair of EcoBoost^™ four-cylinder engines, a normally aspirated four-cylinder engine, an automatic start stop system to shut off the engine at stationary idle, front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive applications, and a choice between automatic and manually shifted six-speed transmissions.

 

The 1.6-liter EcoBoost is expected to deliver best-in-class four-cylinder non-hybrid fuel efficiency of 26 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine – paired with a paddle-shifted six-speed SelectShift Automatic^™ transmission, available 19-inch wheels and tires, and all-wheel drive with the ability to send additional torque to the rear – is the Fusion performance option.

 

2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid
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The Fusion Hybrid – 2010 North American Car of the Year – continues to innovate and evolve with all-new lithium-ion batteries that save weight and generate more power than previous nickel-metal hydride batteries, while raising maximum speed under electric-only power from 47 mph to 62 mph.

 

Fusion Hybrid also features an all-new 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder gasoline engine, significantly downsized from the previous 2.5-liter unit while maintaining performance standards. This innovative powertrain is anticipated to deliver best-in-class fuel economy of 47 mpg in city driving and 44 mpg on the highway.

 

Fusion Hybrid fuel economy stands to outperform the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid by 4 mpg city and 5 mpg highway and the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid by 12 mpg and 4 mpg, respectively.

 

2013 Ford Fusion Energi
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Topping the fuel-efficiency ladder is the Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid, aiming to be the most fuel-efficient midsize car in the world. Arriving this fall, Fusion Energi is anticipated to deliver more than 100 MPGe, a mile per gallon equivalency metric for electrified vehicles. This is 8 MPGe more than the Chevrolet Volt and 13 MPGe more than the projected efficiency of the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid model.

 

The next-generation Fusion 1.6-liter is the first automatic-transmission Ford product offered with an automatic start stop system. It shuts off engine power smoothly when the car is stopped and seamlessly restarts as the driver releases the brake pedal, helping Fusion to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by approximately 3.5 percent.

 

Fusion looks out for you

The all-new Fusion offers an unprecedented portfolio of driver assistance and convenience technologies based on sensors, cameras and radar that enable the car to see and respond.

 

Fusion can help drivers maintain proper lane position, adjust vehicle speed to changing traffic conditions, identify suitable parking spaces and help park, even aiding drivers backing out of parking space where visibility is obstructed. Specific technologies include:

 

• Lane Keeping System: This class-exclusive technology consists of three elements to help a driver maintain proper lane position. Using a small, forward-facing camera behind the inside rearview mirror, the system “looks” down the road, monitoring lane lines to determine that the car is on course. The system will alert a driver if drowsiness or erratic lane-keeping is detected. The second element warns a driver with a steering wheel vibration if the Fusion drifts too close to lane markings. Finally, lane keeping aid will actually apply pressure on the steering to help bring the car back into proper lane position

• Adaptive cruise control: Using forward-looking radar, this system “looks” down the road when activated, slowing the Fusion when slower traffic is detected ahead. Adaptive cruise control enables collision warning with brake support to help slow the car if the potential of a crash is detected

• Active park assist: Employing sensors, this technology can identify a suitable parallel parking space, calculate the trajectory and steer the car to properly position it within the spot. All a driver need do is operate accelerator and brake pedals

• Blind Spot Information System (BLIS^®) with cross-traffic alert: Sensors in both Fusion rear quarter-panels are able to detect traffic in a driver’s blind spot, providing both audible and visual warnings if traffic – unseen by the driver – is detected. BLIS technology enables cross-traffic alert, warning the driver of oncoming traffic when backing out of a parking space with obstructed views, such as between two large vans

The power of voice

The all-new Fusion offers the latest iteration of Ford’s award-winning, industry-exclusive SYNC^® communications and entertainment system, which enables voice-activated communication through a driver’s mobile phone and interaction with the car’s audio system.

 

Fusion also offers the latest version of MyFord Touch^®, allowing a driver to interact with vehicle systems through voice control, a touch screen tap or a conventional button.

 

Both SYNC and MyFord Touch – powered by SYNC – help reduce the potential for driver distraction through voice-controlled functionality, allowing drivers to keep hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

 

Different, by design

“The previous Fusion was an easy purchase for a customer to rationalize,” said Chris Hamilton, chief exterior designer for the next-generation model. “Our design goal for the new car was to give the mainstream sedan buyer a top-drawer visual experience, adding some emotional appeal to an already sensible choice.”

 

These five elements provided direction for the design team behind the all-new Fusion:

 

• Silhouette innovation: Fusion’s sleek profile sets it apart from the powertrain/cabin/trunk “three-box” designs synonymous with midsize sedans

• Perceived efficiency: Fusion character lines sweeping to the rear and thin roof pillars suggest the car is nimble and light on its feet

• Refined surface language: Fusion demonstrates that a tasteful, well-executed design does not require add-ons or visual clutter

• Technical graphics: Fusion’s functional design elements such as headlamps, LED taillamps and polished exhaust tips communicate enhanced technological capability

• New face: Fusion signals the next evolution in Ford global design language for midsize cars and smaller

Inside, the new Fusion offers a sporty, driver-oriented environment with next-generation seating that brings expanded functionality. A higher center console supports the driver-centric theme and yields clever storage for items a driver wants to keep handy.

 

Additional passenger space was designed-in by moving the instrument panel toward the windshield, contributing to the cabin’s airy, open environment. Thinner, lighter frames support the comfortable next-generation seats trimmed with fabric using recycled sustainable yarns.

 

Craftsmanship plus dynamics equals feel

Fusion design delivers on the promise of high visual quality, with improved materials, elevated levels of craftsmanship and attention to detail.

 

Interior surfaces are softer to the touch and interior and exterior gaps are minimized, while extra care has been taken to upholster or cover each edge and every surface a customer can touch. When the trunk lid is opened, for example, a spring-loaded cover automatically conceals the trunk latch hardware.

 

“The holistic goal of our craftsmanship process is to see that Fusion not only delivers a superior visual experience but also feels like quality to the customer,” said Adrian Whittle, Fusion chief engineer.

 

Key contributors to how the Fusion feelsare the ride and handling components that maximize vehicle dynamics.

 

“This really is a driver’s car,” said John Jraiche, program manager. “Fusion is even more fun to drive with specially tuned electric power-assisted steering (EPAS), a MacPherson strut front suspension and an all-new premium-level multilink rear suspension – comparable to Audi and BMW configurations.”

 

Careful tuning by Ford’s vehicle handling and ride team has yielded a Fusion with a dynamic character that will please a well-seasoned enthusiast while increasing the confidence level of less-experienced drivers.

 

Fusion interior quiet reaches a new level with acoustic underbody shields and weight-saving sound-absorption material; both minimize road and powertrain noise while boosting aerodynamic efficiency to help save fuel. The all-new model adds content such as a full-perimeter hood seal to be among the midsize sedan segment leaders in giving drivers a quiet ride.

 

Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi models also are equipped with active noise control. This feature uses the audio system to mitigate extraneous road noise while enhancing powertrain sounds.

 

Strength and safety

Fusion is designed with customer safety in mind. Engineers increased its body strength by 10 percent, using more high-strength steels such as boron, and added dual first-row knee airbags and adaptive front airbags that vent and tether to conform to a specific occupant’s size, position and seatbelt usage.

 

The Fusion safety team targeted top-of-the-line ratings in each public domain safety benchmark, including National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ratings, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick and top ratings in world markets where the car will be sold.

 

The most prominent example is Fusion’s front-end architecture, as the same car must face simultaneous – and seemingly conflictive – standards across regions. The car’s front end is equipped to meet head-on and offset barrier standards for North America while still conforming to European standards for pedestrian protection – thanks to hours of computer modeling and 180 validating crash tests.

 

Fusion will be produced at Ford’s Hermosillo, Mexico, manufacturing facility, soon adding production at AutoAlliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Mich. The car will appear in Ford showrooms in North America and South America later this year. Mondeo will be introduced next year in Asia and Europe.

 

The story behind the new Fusion

For more on the new Ford Fusion, check out http://FordFusionStory.com, a special mobile site featuring plenty of unique content including articles, videos and graphics that are easily shareable directly from your smartphone, tablet or computer browser to Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or blogs.

 

 

 

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 166,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com

What is the Motor Trend Certified Advantage Program?

Apple Auto Group has been awareded one of the first Motor Trend Certified Advantage Dealerships in the United States!

MOTOR TREND^® Certified Advantage Program:  A Better Way to Buy A Better Car!^SM
With the MOTOR TREND Certified Advantage program, two of the nation’s biggest automotive brands, MOTOR TREND and EasyCare, guarantee that you will drive away from the dealership confident - and stay confident- in your pre-owned vehicle. Apple Auto Group has been awarded one of the first Motor Trend Certified Advantage Dealerships in the United States! 

Before You Buy

Each Apple Auto Group MOTOR TREND Certified Advantage vehicle has been Inspected, Repaired and Guaranteed: Every vehicle undergoes a rigorous, industry-leading inspection covering hundreds of critical components, conducted by a trained, certified mechanic to make sure that Apple Auto Group MOTOR TREND Certified Advantage vehicles are in like-new condition.

While You Buy
Shopping for a car can and should be fun! The MOTOR TREND Certified Advantage 7-Point Performance Pledge was built based on consumer feedback, and helps create the fair, friendly and fun buying experience that you deserve to expect from a Motor Trend Certified Advantage dealer. You will be treated with respect, and will be given the time, space, and information you need to make the right vehicle decision for you and your family. Take a look at what other Motor Trend Certified Advantage customers are saying!

After You Buy   

The MOTOR TREND Recommended Best Buy EasyCare® benefits included in the MOTOR TREND Certified Advantage Program make your Pre-owned Apple Auto Group vehicle a pleasure to own and drive.

Mechanical Repair coverage is included, so you don’t have to worry about unexpected repair bills

EasyCare Dent Repair Paintless Dent Removal Coverage1

EasyCare KeyCare Key and Key Fob Replacement Coverage

EasyCare Personal Assistant 24/7 Concierge Service

72 Hour Exchange Policy – Maximum of 300 miles

 

EasyCare® Dent Repair

EasyCare Dent Repair removes those unsightly shopping cart dents and car door dings (as well as other types of dents and dings) on vertical panels. It uses a paintless dent repair process, an innovative way to virtually erase small dings and dents from painted sheet metal surfaces without harming the vehicle's factory finish.

EasyCare® KeyCare

EasyCare KeyCare provides 24/7 emergency assistance protecting you and your family from being locked out of your car or home. With KeyCare, you receive the following benefits:

-24 Hour Lock Out Assistance – Simply call the 24 Hour EasyCare KeyCare Assistance toll-free number (800) 230-2434 and someone will come out to unlock your car or home.

-Replacement Coverage – EasyCare picks up the cost of replacing lost or stolen keys/fobs, including home or other keys that were lost.

-Recovery and Identity Protection – Keys are recovered without putting your identity or location at risk. With KeyCare, you’ll receive a key tag with your EasyCare member number and postage-paid return address. Anyone who finds the keys can drop them in a mailbox for return to the secure KeyCare Return Center. You’ll be contacted immediately, and the finder will never know your name or address.

             -Taxi, Loaner, Towing and Driver’s Valet Assistance – If replacement keys can’t made at the lock-out location, KeyCare will provide you with a taxi or rental car, and even towing coverage.

EasyCare® Personal Assistant

EasyCare Personal Assistant is your own Anything, Anytime, Anywhere™ personal concierge service. Simply call a

toll-free number from your mobile phone, and you’ll speak with a LIVE person, your EasyCare Personal Assistant who is ready to provide you with real-time information. EasyCare Personal Assistant can provide you with:

-Driving Directions

-Price Comparisons

              -Phone Numbers and Addresses

MOTOR TREND® Magazine is a registered trademark of SOURCE INTERLINK MAGAZINES, LLC ©2010. All Rights Reserved.

2010 Suzuki Kizashi GTS

Unsung Hero: We hope the Kizashi's goodness is writing on the wall.

• December 2011
• BY MULTIPLE AUTHORS
• MULTIPLE PHOTOGRAPHERS

Given our previous experience with Suzuki Sedans and the giddy hype that accompanied the Kizashi’s launch—“a unique blend of dynamic performance attributes with premium design aesthetics and craftsmanship yet to be experienced in this category”—we were inclined to be skeptical when this car joined our long-term test fleet.
The handoff took place in February 2010 at the Dallas–Fort Worth airport, with 333 miles on the Kizashi’s odo. In the ensuing 42,361 miles, the logbook entries can be summed up as mostly positive, reflecting a range of reactions from pleasant surprise to outright enthusiasm.
Mostly positive. We’ll get back to that.

Tastefully designed inside and out, the Kizashi promises a refined driving experience. It’s a promise this Suzuki largely delivers on.

Let’s start with the totally positive. There were five scheduled service visits over the course of the test, at 7500, 15,000, 22,500, 30,000, and 40,000 miles. All were for routine maintenance and added up to $587.
There was only one unscheduled stop—a recall—just past 10,000 miles, to replace the storage box located at the bottom of the center console. The concern was that a portion of the box might detach in a crash and become a potential source of injury. Pretty unlikely, but in any case it didn’t add to the bottom line. Nor did the replacement of the car’s serpentine drive-belt tensioner, suggested by a tech service bulletin, which was handled at no charge during the 40,000-mile service.
There were other costs: our usual tire swaps—summer to winter to summer, $264—and $1715 of aftermarket hot rodding [see below]. But in terms of dependability and durability, the Kizashi stacked up very well indeed.

When we became bored, we took the Kizashi to Road Race Motorsports in the Los Angeles suburb of Santa Fe Springs. The company has a history of making performance mods for the Mitsubishi Evo; more recently, it has built some SEMA hot rods for Suzuki and is also doing a line of parts for the Fiat 500. Road Race has a small parts catalog for the Kizashi, including a thicker rear anti-roll bar ($239), a lightweight crank pulley for faster rev-up ($139), a cold-air intake ($259), a computer “fuel calibrator” that helps pull a few more horsepower out of the Kizashi’s conservative fuel/air map ($429), and a catty cat-back exhaust ($649) that eliminates the rear silencers. We said, “Yes, please” to everything. With the add-ons, the car ate on-ramps with a little more steering bite and a little less body roll. It also merged with traffic at a quicker pace, although that may have been 9/10ths perception. While the formerly innocuous exhaust note became a chain-saw yowl of rice-burner badness, measured launch time to 60 mph remained the same 7.5 seconds as when we first tested our Kizashi in stock form. We did see some top-end improvement, however, with a 0-to-100-mph time cut by 0.8 second to 21.5 seconds (all aftermarket parts were removed before our final test). We love the way the exhaust tucked behind the stock bumper diffusers, making the car look entirely innocent. The parts are well-crafted, considering the prices, and installable by any shade-tree mechanic with reasonable skill. A Kizashi owner should be glad somebody has bothered to tool them, considering the car’s relatively low sales volume. Bemused stares were common, and the exhaust rip had a lot of heads turning at the gas station and subsequent “whatisits?” from the many, many people who had never before seen a Kizashi.

It also stacked up well with long-distance travelers. High marks for comfort (particularly the front buckets), high marks for the quality of its interior appointments, and pretty good marks for fuel economy—25 mpg average for the duration of the test and well above 30 mpg on some open-road stretches.
This Kizashi spent a fair percentage of its career in California, in the care of our man Aaron Robinson, who became the car’s biggest booster.
The paint job is amazing on this car,” he noted. “Every bit as good as the Benz S-class’s that’s also in my driveway.”

Following a 900-mile blitz, Robinson observed that the Suzuki’s “steering is as good or better than a Mazda 3’s, the ride is compliant, and after 12 hours in the saddle, I have no aches or bodily complaints.”
Indeed, most drivers were pleasantly surprised by the Kizashi’s blend of smooth ride and prompt responses; but for all of its trouble-free operation, the Kizashi did draw a few complaints, most of them minor. The keyless ignition, for example, provoked exasperation because it required a determined push on the button to start or stop the engine. “Must push start/stop button two or more times to kill engine,” noted one driver. Another bemoaned the absence of heated seats in a car with a good many comfort/convenience features. How we do suffer, eh?
Several drivers found the speedometer to be optimistic, two whacked their heads on the trunklid (requires awareness when leaning in), and for a time there were notes about a persistent pull to the left in straight-line travel, though this seems to have been cured at about 26,000 miles.

Something that wasn’t cured was the vague action of the six-speed manual transmission. More than one driver reported difficulty getting the car into reverse, often experiencing partial engagement and consequent gear grinding. And the shifting in general became increasingly sloppy as the miles wore on.
We should note here that we haven’t experienced this problem with other Kizashis that have come our way and that the manual gearbox is eminently preferable to the optional CVT automatic. We’ve characterized the function of the latter as “soggy.”
The most persistent lament concerned acceleration, as in lack thereof. There’s an asterisk here: This complaint seemed to occur primarily in connection with highway cruising in the Kizashi’s very tall sixth gear. Tramp on the throttle without a downshift, and the reward is an accumulation of mph that could be timed with a calendar.
But in basic sprints, the Kizashi’s 2.4-liter, DOHC aluminum four—185 horsepower, 170 pound-feet of torque—acquits itself respectably: 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds in our first instrumented test. We recorded 7.5 seconds to 60 in our initial trials (at 1744 miles) with this car, 16.2 at 88 mph in the quarter-mile.

The Kizashi’s poise makes us yearn for more speed. The optimistic speedo apparently wants more, too.

Not bad, but as senior editor Tony Quiroga put it, “There’s nothing here a turbo wouldn’t fix.” Or different gearing, perhaps, even if it would have a deleterious effect on mpg.
Unlike most (though not all) long-term test subjects, our Kizashi’s performance deteriorated slightly as 40,000 miles rolled over: 0 to 60 in 7.8 seconds, though the quarter-mile elapsed time was unchanged. Braking distances lengthened a bit—177 feet from 70 mph versus 172—and skidpad performance slipped from 0.86 g to a still-respectable 0.85.
The only other major complaint had nothing to do with the car, at least not directly. Suzuki has been struggling in the U.S. market, and to improve per-outlet profitability has trimmed its dealer count to just 260 nationwide. That means a Kizashi owner will probably be looking at a fair amount of driving to take in his car for routine service. This doesn’t seem to be a problem for Mini, which has only 110 U.S. dealers. Then again, whatever its virtues, the Kizashi is not a Mini.
Then there’s the question of size. Suzuki markets the Kizashi as a mid-size sedan, but it’s actually a large compact (according to SAE-based EPA measurements), almost exactly the same size as the Chevrolet Cruze and Volkswagen Jetta. Moreover, there’s no V-6 or turbo option. Suzuki does offer all-wheel drive, but it comes only with the CVT automatic.


Numerous practical deterrents. On the other hand, based on our experience, the Kizashi has a surprisingly high fun-to-drive index, it looks good, its level of fit and finish compares favorably with the best in this class, and it should deliver the kind of reliability that’s essential in this or any category.
This is the best Suzuki sedan we’ve seen, bar none. But the truth is we had pretty low expectations going in. We’re hoping for more Suzukis like this one. Continued...

Apple Brand Promises

Best Price Philosophy
We want to make shopping for a vehicle as easy as it can be by giving you the lowest price we'll sell the vehicle for, right up front. It's called our nice price. Our sales consultants aren't paid a commission based on how much they sell. They are compensated based on your satisfaction, which takes all the uncomfortable negotiation out of the process and allows them to focus on finding you the best possible car or truck for your needs.

Relaxed Shopping Experience
We feel that it is very important for you to be relaxed and have fun when shopping for a vehicle. That's why our entire staff works together to put you at ease. Our store is open, bright, clean, and inviting. We care about how you feel in our dealership and we want you to be comfortable here.

Financial Solutions for Today and your Future
We want to make financing your new or used car or truck easy and understandable. We'll examine all your options and create an affordable payment plan. If you are currently in an unfavorable position on what you owe versus what your trade is worth, we'll develop a plan to correct that situation as you move forward with your new car or truck. Our intention is to always put you in a better position to buy or lease your next car or truck when that time comes.

Real Cash Value for your Trade
We'll always offer you the real cash value for your trade in. It's the amount we'd be willing to buy your car for, whether you buy from us or not. We'll pay you as much as we can for it and its value will never affect the price of the new, or used, car or truck you are purchasing.

Right Vehicles at the Right Time
Our large and continuously changing inventory ensures that we can offer you the car or truck you want, at the right value for your money. If we don't have the car or truck you are looking for, we'll find it for you.

You can't buy the wrong vehicles
Our goal is to make sure everyone drives home in the right car or truck but we know things can change. That's why we offer a 30-day exchange guarantee on pre-owned vehicles. If within 30 days you decide the car is not right for you we'll exchange it, for the full purchase price, toward any car or truck at our dealership. We also offer a 3 month 3000 mile power train warranty on pre-owned vehicles.

Dependable Service to Meet your Needs
When you bring your car or truck to us for service, we treat it as if it was our own. We offer flexible service hours to meet your busy schedule, highly skilled technicians, and competitive pricing. We also offer a courtesy customer shuttle to take you where you need to go while your car or truck is in for service, and we'll pick you up when your service is complete.

MyFord Touch Performance Upgrades
 
Ford will launch performance upgrades and new features for MyFord Touch® Simpler graphics, faster touch-screen response and easier-to-use controls are among the many enhancements to the voice-activated in-car connectivity system DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 7, 2011 – Ford customers said MyFord Touch® could be faster and feature simpler graphics that are easier to use and that’s exactly what Ford plans to deliver with a broad set of performance upgrades to the system – launching first on the new 2013 Ford Escape, Flex, and Taurus.® has clearly been a game-changing technology, and now we’re changing the game.

While owners reported that they love the system, there were distinct areas where they wanted improvements. Earlier this year, Ford started delivering on their requests, beginning with more instructions and information on how to best utilize the capabilities of the system.

Ford launched two programs modeled after what consumers experience when purchasing a new electronic device. First, the company added a new MyFord Touch owner support website featuring how-to videos at  training sessions for new owners are now offered through Ford dealers – scheduled at customers’ convenience.

“The keys to continuous improvement are simple: Listen, learn and respond. That’s how we’re going to keep our customers happy,” said Gary Jablonski, manager, SYNC Platform Development. “Evolving the software with meaningful enhanced features was part of our plan from the very beginning. It’s no different than the experience with our smart phones and laptop computers – except now, it’s your car that gets better.”

www.syncmyride.com. Second, free “SYNC My Ride” personalized.

New look

The visual enhancements to MyFord Touch are based on simplifying the graphics with larger, bolder fonts, removing low-priority visual content, and designing screens based on a consistent pattern. More than 1,000 screens in total have been updated with the improved look.

“Our goal when designing the upgrade was to simplify the screens and give customers a fast and easy way to get information at any given moment,” said Jennifer Brace, user interface Design engineer for Ford. “That meant removing buttons, relocating high-use controls closer to the driver’s reach, simplifying tasks and improving font size.”

The new fonts are as much as 40 percent larger on some redesigned screens. The fonts also are wider and bolder to provide easier legibility, particularly among the rapidly increasing number of drivers age 60 and older.

New features

Ford also took the opportunity to update the performance of the system and add new features for customers to help them keep pace with the fast-moving consumer electronics market. Faster touch-screen response time, for example, was a key request from owners. Initial testing shows that touch and voice response is at least two times faster than the current system.

Also, the software upgrade includes the following enhancements:

– Inclusion of the latest music meta data available enhancing the music playback

experience

– Improved voice recognition for music search allowing drivers to pinpoint artists

with hard-to-pronounce names or nicknames beginning with 2013 models – no-charge upgrade will be available to existing owners. 

Available early next year – and also offered at no charge to existing MyFord Touch owners – the software upgrade enhances the ownership experience as it was developed by listening and responding to customer feedback.

“SYNC again, showing how quickly we can deliver more of what customers really want,” said Graydon Reitz, director, Ford Global Electronics and Electrical Systems Engineering. “Our strategy to create the SYNC software platform and add the customizable screens of MyFord Touch gives us a level of flexibility and speed to respond to customer input like never before seen in the auto industry.”

The new touch-screen interface features new simpler graphics and controls that are easier to use. Customers will also experience significantly faster touch-screen response times, one of the top requests from owners.

New features include support for tablet devices and Audible.com audio books, improved navigation maps and enhanced voice recognition interaction.

Listening to customers

For news releases, related materials and high-resolution photos and video, visit http://www.media.ford.com/