By far, the MyFord Touch is definitely something that seems to be working.  It is actually a system that is built right into the wheel as well as the console and honestly, it is pretty awesome.  Not only can you control your stereo, but there are a slew of other things that you can control via MyFord Touch!

Ford is the cutting edge right now and while I might find that weird … it is still the truth and I need to accept that!

Basically, HOPS is the name of it and that stands for Human Occupant Package Simulator.  In real life – this basically means that there are human test subjects that are using this particular simulator in order to produce better quality cars and trucks.

Ford – to me is really taking the next step and I personally think that is absolutely incredible.

The figures make these Ford sedans the best of its class in terms of fuel economy. Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids best the hybrid variant of the Toyota Camry by a convincing 2 mpg on city highway driving and 8 mpg while cruising on city streets. According to company officials, the cars also edged the Honda Civic hybrid by 1 mpg on city driving.

The ratings were disclosed after the December testing of the vehicles in its grounds in Allen Park, Michigan.

The new hybrid cars from Ford can go as fast as 47 mph utilizing its pure electric power. It can travel as far as 700 miles if it will use up a single load of its gas tank.

The vehicles use a nickel-metal-hydride battery which is lighter and generates 20% more power than their previous configurations. The new power plant in its engine bay is a 2.5L with 4 cylinders that can output 155 horsepower. It has a torque of 136 lb-ft.

The hybrids from Ford make use of the regenerative braking system which helps recover a significant amount of energy.

The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan are also equipped with SmartGauge and EcoGuide which are innovative systems to help the driver monitor the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

*More Ford Car News & Ford Cars at Ford Car Talk!

A stock Ford 4.6 liter with a three-valve V8 powerplant received a major revamp by the Roush guys — replacing most of the internal parts with much stronger versions including the aluminum piston with increased dish, lowering the compression ratio. Steel fabricated crankshaft and connecting rods were added, with the output reinforced by a Roush supercharger. An improved high-capacity fuel-delivery system and an upgraded clutch were also added. Roush equipped it with its Stage 3T suspension for better cornering and handling. As for the external parts, it features a six-piece aero body kit that suggests the various metals used on the WWII fighter planes. The checkerboard design pays homage to the pilots of the 357th Fighters Group, Eighth Air Force.

Its forerunner, the Roush P-51A Mustang, was revealed at the 2007 SEMA Show. Improvements were added soon after its debut, including the six-piston brakes, painted on stripes, rear deck lid black-out panel, and new black chrome wheels, all of which brought out the new Roush P-51B.

Roush CEO, Jack Roush said that the 2009 Roush P-51B is closest automobile that can compete with the performance of real fighter planes. It’s Ford²!

In 2009, the Ford Fusion is due to have its mid-term facelift, after which it will be re-launched into the market as a 2010 model. J.D. Shanahan, the one in charge of model production, knows that it’s going to take more than just minor sheet metal changes and hardware upgrades if Ford wants Fusion to get back on top of the game. Shanahan says that even though Fusion beat Accord and Camry in 2006, they stilll have a lot of model upgrading and redesigning to do because Toyota and Honda will also be coming out with mid-term updates on their own models.

The 2010 Fusion range is being unveiled at the Los Angeles auto show, and includes a full hybrid car model that Ford claims will beat the competition in terms of fuel economy. Ford says that their hybrid model will be able to operate in an all-electric mode of up to 47 mph. One of Ford’s team leader, Nancy Goia, shares that the hybrid model can even cruise at 45 mph without engaging the engine. Compared with other Ford hybrid models, the Fusion uses a better battery that’s 23 percent smaller, lighter and more powerful than those of other Ford hybrids.

Aside from engine and hardware improvements, Ford has also redesigned the interiors and added in all-new instrument panels, blue lighting, revised switchgear, soft-touch surfaces and more ergonomic seats.