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Ford Motor Company has just churned out their 5-millionth EcoBoost engine!  This comes in a relatively short time span too.  Ford started putting out these trademark engines back in 2009 and have averaged production of about 1 million per year. Other automakers had the technology that makes up an EcoBoost engine before; however, no one else came up with a marketable name like Ford did.  There are basically two technologies that make up an EcoBoost engine: turbocharging and direct injection.  When it's put in laymen terms like that you probably realize that you've heard of many other vehicles that have turbocharged, direct injected engines, but unless they're a Ford, then they're not EcoBoost. 2015 Ford Mustang 2.3-liter EcoBoost Engine While people see the positives of getting the extra Eco (fuel economy) and extra Boost (acceleration), criticisms have come up that say the various engines don't deliver as much on the fuel economy.  As a general consensus people have found EcoBoost Ford's to be more successful at delivering performance than fuel economy.  Evidently, Ford sees their performance potential because they're planning on putting an EcoBoost V-6 in the upcoming Ford GT Supercar. Ford 1.0-liter 3-Cylinder EcoBoost Engine Now, EcoBoost engines are offered in every single Ford and Lincoln model - apart from the SuperDuty pickups and hybrid-only C-Max.  Check out the run down of the current EcoBoost engines. 1.0-liter three-cylinder, 123 hp (Fiesta, Focus) 1.5-liter four-cylinder, 181 hp (Fusion) 1.6-liter four-cylinder, 178 hp (Escape, Transit Connect); 197 hp (Fiesta ST) 2.0-liter four-cylinder, 240 hp (Escape, Fusion, Taurus, 2015 Explorer, MKC, MKZ); 245 hp (Edge); 252 hp (Focus ST) 2.3-liter four-cylinder, 270 hp (est., 2016 Explorer), 285 hp (MKC), 310 hp (Mustang) 2.7-liter V-6, 315 hp (Edge), 325 hp (F-150), “330+” (2016 MKX) 3.5-liter V-6, 310 hp (Transit); 365 hp (Taurus SHO, Flex, Explorer, F-150, Expedition, MKS); 380 hp (Navigator)

Want to drive a new 2015 Mustang GT but can’t afford one?  How about one of the new style, 2015 Ford F-150’s?  Well here’s your chance. The Ford EcoBoost Challenge Tour is coming to FedEx Field in Washington, DC.  Local Events will take place throughout the week of March 23 rd at various locations around DC.  The Tour will culminate with the main event at FedEx Field on March 28 th from 9am-6pm where you’ll be able to drive what everyone’s been talking about and be entered to win a 2015 Edge (which isn't even out yet!). There will be several vehicles to drive and things to do such as learn how to drive a manual transmission, test your skills on an ultra-high performance Fiesta or Focus ST, and much more as detailed below. More information and consumer registration can be found at http://ecoboostdrive.com/register.html.  Come out to this free event and drive some amazing cars to see why Ford is America’s most popular brand!

The Ford Focus RS, which has typically been exclusively sold in Europe, is now coming to the US for 2016! The Focus RS is currently in Geneva, Switzerland, for the Geneva International Motor Show. The RS is the latest unveiling in a new era of Ford performance that will bring more than 12 performance vehicles to global customers by 2020. It won't be in the US until next year, however, there was more exciting news revealed concerning its performance capabilities that came out in Geneva. Besides having a very powerful 2.3-liter Ecoboost Engine and over 315 horsepower, it is now known that it will feature "Drift Mode". Drift Mode is pretty much what it sounds like - it is a mode that enables you to drift easier by a certain set of processes. To understand those processes you have to know that it has All-Wheel Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control.  That is a lot of big words but basically torque vectoring is a new technology employed in automobile differentials. A differential transfers engine torque to the wheels. S0, torque vectoring technology provides the differential with the ability to vary the power to each wheel. The ability of the twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system to channel up to 70 percent of the RS’s torque to the rear wheels, and then up to 100 percent of that output to either side to enable torque vectoring, makes it relatively easy to persuade the Focus RS into power oversteer (aka Drifting). Ford understands that it can't just give regular people like you and me this tremendous capability without installing some safety features. So what they did was put in a system to help you, which is explained by Chief Engineer Jamal Hameedi. "It knows how fast the car is yawing (tilting through the drift for lack of a better phrase) and what you’re doing to catch it. The more you stay ahead of the car, the more the system will let you rotate the car. But if the computer sees you falling behind, your steering inputs not keeping up with the yaw rate, then it steps in and rescues you." In case you think you are a world-class drifter, then to answer your most pressing question: yes, you will be able to turn off the stability control system. But Ford does warn that it will always be easier to control in "Drift Mode". Check out Ken Block testing out the drift mode like a true pro: And as if you would need anymore convincing, here's another video demonstrating all that the Ford Focus RS can do. This will certainly be a special car when it finally comes to the US. The Preston Automotive Group sure is excited especially after all these new features keep getting revealed. Keep up with our blog for more information on the Focus RS release date and other automotive news!

Preston Automotive Group donates time and money to several charities and organizations throughout the year, and coming up in March, Daria Wilson, Daughter of the Preston Automotive Group President Dave Wilson Sr., will be Dancing for the Dogs.  This annual event raises awareness and money for local animal shelters and animal rescues of Talbot and Caroline County of Maryland. Daria Wilson will be one of the local celebrity's to compete in the fundraising event and Preston Automotive Group is helping her raise money!  This Friday and Saturday, February 27th and 28th, the Preston Autoplex and Denton Ford will donate $100 for each vehicle purchased!  We are expecting the weather to warm up slightly, so come out and look for the car you've always wanted and support a great cause at the same time.  Even if you're not in the market for a car at the moment, you can still donate to help Daria win!  Simply go to http://bit.ly/VoteDaria to vote for Daria!  You can also check out Daria's Dancing for the Dogs Facebook page to see more details. This is a fun event set for March 14, 2015 and will take place at the historic Tidewater Inn of Easton, MD.  She is excited and we are all glad to help promote her endeavor!  The Talbot Humane, Caroline County Humane Society, and Tom Cat Solutions are very worthy organizations that do all sorts of good for our local community.  Be sure to at least check them out and donate if you can!

Great news out of Maryland and Delaware automotive dealerships: Preston Automotive Group is now the exclusive Dealer of Saleen Racing vehicles! Out of the entire two states of Maryland and Delaware, Preston’s Ford Dealerships are the only ones that will be selling these iconic Saleen package cars. To understand the significance of Preston Automotive becoming part of an exclusive group of Saleen dealers in the US, it is important to get a brief overview of Saleen cars.  With a focus on handling and performance, Saleen cars are shipped directly from automakers to Saleen headquarters and converted to Saleen cars with the company’s trademark Racecraft suspension system. These special cars also receive larger tires, specific body work, and various other performance enhancements before being shipped to authorized Saleen dealers around the country like Preston Automotive Group. Specs on even the most basic Mustang model, White Label, include a 302 cubic inch V8 engine which will produce 450 naturally aspirated horsepower, staggered 20” wheels and Z-rated tires (safe up to 149mph), high volume intake grille, and high downforce rear wing. Preston Automotive Group, which sells Ford, Lincoln, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan, and pre-owned vehicles to the entire Eastern Shore of Maryland and Delaware and beyond, recently became part of an elite group of Saleen dealerships throughout the country.  As the ONLY Saleen Dealerships of Maryland and Delaware, auto enthusiasts will now be able find a converted Mustang on any given one of our Ford lots after the official release date of March 20th, 2015. Although supply is limited, Preston Automotive expects to continue receiving shipments from Saleen throughout the year. Visit Preston Automotive online at www.prestonmotor.com for more information about the new Saleen cars available soon on the lot or call us at 877-898-2470!

The Ford Fusion, redesigned in 2013, looks great for another model year and gives you the performance you’d expect out of a family sedan.  The Fusion has been a top choice in the midsize sedan category for several years, and aims to continue that in 2015.  However, its eye-catching design is only the beginning of what the 2015 Ford Fusion has to offer. This four-door, five-passenger midsize sedan comes in three trim levels: S, SE, and Titanium.  The most notable feature that has become standard across the board this year is a rearview camera.  The rearview camera makes backing up a breeze without having to cram and twist your neck around.  While the camera comes standard on all models, the S features include a 2.5L engine with 16-inch wheels, automatic headlights, keyless entry, cruise control and much more!  The middle model, the SE, comes standard with an exterior keypad entry, heated mirrors, rear air ducts and more.  It is also eligible for optional equipment such as the Appearance package and Luxury package. Finally, the Titanium model comes with a larger 18-inch wheels, a sport suspension, keyless ignition and entry, remote start, as well as everything featured in the SE model.  The most exciting part about the Titanium model is perhaps the Turbocharged 2.0L engine, which churns out 240 horsepower.  That will give you tremendous thrust in a family, midsize sedan. The 2015 Ford Fusion, as you can see, is a fantastic vehicle and is one you should at least try before making any car purchase.  We have a total of Five Ford Dealers as a part of the Preston Automotive Group and between all the dealerships we have over 100 of these new 2015 Fusions!  You can check out these great vehicles on our website by clicking these links.  The best thing is we’ll deliver them right to your door!  If you don’t live close to one of our various locations we will have our runners bring the car to you.  That is how we make it easier to buy from us than your local dealer.  Call us at one of our Ford locations on the Eastern Shore or visit us on the web at www.prestonmotor.com.

Nearly a year ago, Ford Motor Company gave the world a sneak peek of the 2015 Ford Edge.  As we swing around to February 2015, it seems that people are anxiously awaiting the 2015 Edge’s release which is set for the spring of this year.  While all the other 2015 Ford models are basically out already, people have had to wait for even the specs of the Ford Edge.  That is, until now. The 2015 Ford Edge Sport will be getting one of the most exciting SUV engines out there.  The Edge will get Ford’s new direct-injected, twin-turbocharged, “Nano” 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6.  This mouthful is rated at a massive 315 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque.  This puts it 10hp and 70 lb-ft of torque above last year’s Sport Edition.  These numbers may not seem too impressive at first, but for reference, the 2015 F-150 puts out only slightly more with 325hp and 375 lb-ft of torque.  That is truly saying something about this amazing SUV. The 2.7L EcoBoost engine is small while outputting tremendous power; however, if you think that is more power than you need you can get the 2.0L EcoBoost 4-cylinder.  It still has 245hp and 275 lb-ft of torque which is more than enough for most people.  By deferring to this standard engine you lose two cylinders, thus gaining better fuel economy.  While the jump is only a couple miles per gallon, that can make a difference over time. Preston Automotive Group is ready to receive these sporty SUV’s in the coming months at our various Ford Dealers across the Eastern Shore! As you may or may not know, we have Ford Dealers in Preston, MD, Pittsville, MD, Denton, MD, Georgetown, DE and Lewes, DE.  As soon as we get ‘em you’ll know!

As if America didn’t already know the 2015 Ford F-150 was an amazing truck, Car and Driver confirmed it.  In a recent comparison test by Car and Driver Magazine, the 2015 F-150, 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2015 Ram 1500 and 2014 Toyota Tundra all went head-to-head and the 2015 Ford F-150 was the victor! This comparison test was very extensive and took a ton of factors into account.  They really put these cars through the ringer and it’s all to show you, the consumer, which is the best full-size truck of 2015.  There were some startling statistics and numbers you have to see to believe, so let’s get right into it! The first thing we noticed when we were looking over the numbers is the fact that the 2015 Ford F-150 was the only V6 going up against three V8 engines.  That is a very important detail to keep in mind through this whole test.  Along those same lines, the F-150 also had the fastest 0-30, 0-60 and 0-100 times even though it technically had the smallest engine of the four.  With a 3.5L V6 EcoBoost Engine, the 2015 Ford F-150 was able to reach 30 mph in 1.7 seconds, 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, and 100 in 16.4 seconds.  These times are pretty outstanding for any truck let alone a full-size beast.  For instance, the Silverado 1500 can’t even reach 100 mph – it topped out at 99.  To give you another reference point, the fastest 2015 Ford Mustang will hit 0-60 in 4.4 seconds, so a difference on 1.2 seconds versus one of the best American sports car on the market isn’t too shabby.  The 2015 Ford F-150 was even able to brake in the shortest amount of time going from 70-0 in a mere 179 feet.  The next closest competitor braked in 186 feet; and while 7 feet doesn’t seem like a big difference, it could very well be the difference between a wreck or not if there is a vehicle 180 feet in front of you.  The F-150 also had the lowest curb weight after losing an estimated 700 pounds by receiving a Military Grade Aluminum Body.  Finally, its max towing capacity came in at an insane 11,500 pounds.  That blew away the competition with the next closest at 9500 pounds – a 2000 pound difference!  We can jam all these numbers down your throat but just take a look at the charts below and you’ll see! If you look at the Final Scores you will see that the Ford F-150 got a total score of 196/240.  In second place was the Chevy Silverado with a score of 193.  Third was the Ram 1500 with 177, and finally limping to the finish line with a score of 164 was the Toyota Tundra.

The day after the Super Bowl is for talking about the big game at work, recanting the crucial plays, and maybe best of all discussing everyone’s favorite Super Bowl Commercials.  This year there were some pretty powerful spots; including two from Nissan, one controversial ad from Nationwide Insurance, a PSA by coalition No More, and several others.  Serious was the name of the game, and we were right in line with our three spots on NBC – WRDE. Our spots were based around thanking our valued customers of the Delmarva area and beyond.  Our message even got picked up by those at Edmunds.com, who wrote an article about us and what we were trying to accomplish.  Our commercials spots also got great reception with people liking, sharing, and commenting on them via Facebook during and after the game.  Some of the top comments included things like, “THAT is a GREAT commercial – thank you!” and “What an awesome local commercial from Preston Frogz!”  We were even able to use pictures and video of local people in the ads.  Whether it was military or EMS personnel or members of the community at our various events, we got to connect our message back to them.  You can view all three of our spots below or on our Preston Frogz YouTube page. Thanks for supporting us Delmarva!

It’s that time of year again for the big game – Super Bowl XLIX.  As you know this game will be played between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks on Sunday February 1, 2015.  We know there will certainly be a ton of viewers glued to their televisions on Sunday night.  Last year 167 Million people watched the big game, making it the most watched television broadcast in U.S. history, overtaking the Super Bowl from two years prior by approximately 200,000 viewers.  Bottom line, this year’s game is projected to set a new record and advertisers have certainly taken notice. Historically, people watch the broadcast for the Super Bowl Commercials as much as the actual game sometimes.  The commercials have been getting funnier and more creative each and every year.  This year Preston Automotive Group will have three Super Bowl Commercials featured on NBC – WRDE.  We were inspired this year by the service men and women in our communities.  From Firefighters to Police Officers, EMS to Military Personnel, we wanted to form our message around you; thanking you for everything you do for us.  We created Preston Cares in order to convey this message to you. Preston Cares is our way of saying thank you to our local community.  It is because of you that we are still in business.  “Our customers give so much to us that we are happy to give back to the community,” says Dave Wilson, Preston Automotive Group President, “We were excited to produce these special Super Bowl Commercials to thank all of you on Delmarva and beyond.”  Not only do we love our customers, we love our local communities and try to be involved as much as possible.  Preston Cares supports the local communities that each of our dealerships live in.  From Little League Baseball teams to Supporting the Fight Against Breast Cancer, we truly believe that together we can do more. So, when you see our Super Bowl Commercials this year be sure to remember that you, our valued customers, are of key importance to Preston Automotive Group’s success.  Thank you again!

There’s a certain negative connotation that has followed around the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) for as long as they’ve been in existence; but why?  Gearheads seem to cringe before you can even finish the acronym CV… but whatever started this perception?  We take a look at how the CVT works, what its benefits are, and why people judge it so harshly. First of all CVT is a type of transmission that doesn’t actually have gears in the sense that we would think of gears.  A CVT’s “gears” are “Continuously Variable” meaning that they don’t have teeth like traditional gears – they are always changing.  In laymen’s terms there are two cones that are held together with a rubber or woven metal belt.  Those belts will start out at the tips of both cones while the car is at or near zero RPMs, and as the RPMs increase, the belts will simultaneously move outward to the thickest parts of the cones.  Think of it as a 21-speed bicycle with a gear boxes on the front and back, but now replace the gears with fat-ish cones and you suddenly would be able to hit “gears” such as twelve-and-a-half or ten-and-three-quarters.  This creates for seamless shifting (in most vehicles) and less wear and tear on mechanical parts that you would have in a regular manual or automatic transmission. Can you spot where the CVT "cones" are located in this expanded picture? There are several benefits to a CVT and we’ve even named some, but the main thing that seems to draw consumers in is the fuel savings that accompanies these debated transmissions.  It’s one thing that everyone can pretty much agree upon.  The way it does this is keep the revolutions per minute down while under light acceleration and thus maximize fuel economy by constantly shifting “gears” rather than raising RPMs.  It’s a benefit that can actually be seen at the pump.  Another benefit would be the ease of maintenance because instead of multiple gears to potentially replace, essentially all you have to worry about is the belt (mostly woven metal chain now-a-days) and the two cones.  Benefits to a CVT also include the ability to maximize acceleration by holding an engine at peak output. Now, there are doubters out there (and plenty of them), but with recent advancements CVTs are becoming more mainstream.  Even still, people still have a negative perception of these transmissions.  For instance, because of the way a CVT holds constant engine speed, often-times drivers complain that a poorly calibrated CVT can feel like applying the throttle on a motorboat.  It’s been described as “droning” or “lagging,” but more and more people are coming around and these innovations are being put into more cars every year. It’s difficult to give you an idea just how many cars have CVTs in them without just listing them, but it should get the point across that this is the way the world is turning.  For example, just about every Nissan has a CVT and most have had them since the mid-2000s (although they’ve seen much improvement since then).  A handful of Ford vehicles are on the list as well including the Fusion and Escape Hybrids.  There are plenty other manufacturers utilizing the power of the CVT such as Audi, Lexus, Subaru, Honda and Toyota.  While there are more, this should give you plenty of an idea about how popular they are becoming sooner rather than later. Like them or not, it seems as if CVTs are here to stay.  So, the question becomes, when will all the “haters” come around and change their attitudes on these fuel saving transmissions?  There will always be the regular manual and automatic transmissions for those hardcore gearheads and people who actually need them, but the CVTs are here for those who want a seamless transmission that saves them money at the pump!

Ward’s Auto is a website all about providing information about the global auto industry to consumers, so they can make more informed purchases.  Every year, Ward’s most anticipated award is its 10 Best Engines list.  They don’t rank them from 1-10, but rather give out the same award to all of the top 10.  These don’t have to be the biggest engines either; and this year they are saying this list is “by far the most diverse and technically advanced pool of honorees in 21 years.”  Ward’s 10 Best Engines competition pits the latest engines available in the U.S. market against the returning winners.  Four engines returned from last year and one of them is a Ford! As the only Ford Engine to make the list, this 1.0-liter EcoBoost 3-cylinder beauty has a big job to do representing the biggest American Motor Company all by itself.  This is in fact the third year in a row this engine has made it onto Ward’s list of powertrain excellence.  This tiny but capable engine belongs to one car and one car only: the Ford Fiesta.  This car can’t compete with others on this list when it comes to horsepower and speed, but it does take the cake on top fuel economy. This extraordinarily small engine only has three cylinders but packs a punch on fuel economy by getting an EPA estimated 31 mpg city and 43 mpg highway, with 36 mpg combined!  That is truly unmatched in a strictly gasoline fueled vehicle.  This engine is optional on the 2015 Ford Fiesta SE Sedan or Hatchback models only and Preston Ford has two of these tiny monsters at the moment which you can see by clicking on the above link. Another Preston Automotive Group brand, Hyundai, had one of their Crossovers make it onto Ward’s 10 Best Engine list.  This vehicle runs completely on a fuel cell battery and creates zero emissions.  It’s only available in Southern California at the moment, and the vehicle we’re talking about is the 2015 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell!  This is Hyundai’s first-ever hydrogen-powered vehicle. It runs on a 100 kW (max) fuel cell electric motor and is consistent with most gasoline powered vehicles in terms of the amount of miles that can be traveled on one charge.  It gets an estimated 265 miles per charge, which is comparative to what other similar crossovers achieve in miles per tank of gasoline.  It also is years ahead of other Electric Vehicles (EVs) in terms of time it takes to charge.  The Tucson Fuel Cell will completely charge up from nothing in less than 10 minutes, whereas the next closest EV takes over three hours!  The only problem for us is that this revolutionary crossover will be stuck in Southern California until the country’s fueling infrastructure expands to fit the up-and-coming demand. Preston Automotive Group loves when the brands we sell get recognized on a national level.  We believe we sell truly exceptional vehicles and all of these awards keep proving us right!  The full list of Ward’s 10 Best Engines of 2015 can be found by clicking the link or scrolling down.  Enjoy! 127-kW Electric Motor ( BMW i3 electric vehicle) 6.2L OHV V-8 (Chevrolet Corvette Stingray) 6.2L Supercharged OHV V-8 (Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat) 1.0L Turbocharged DOHC 3-cyl. ( Ford Fiesta) 100-kW Fuel Cell ( Hyundai Tucson FCV) 1.5L Turbocharged DOHC 3-cyl. (Mini Cooper) 3.0L Turbodiesel DOHC V-6 (Ram 1500 EcoDiesel) 2.0L Turbocharged DOHC H-4 (Subaru WRX) 1.8L Turbocharged DOHC 4-cyl. (Volkswagen Golf) 2.0L Turbocharged DOHC 4-cyl. (Volvo S60)