[ausrutherford]

Ford Set to Launch "MyFord Select Drive"
Customization moves below the skin
FordInsideNews.com
August 4, 2011
By: Austin Rutherford

System as seen from a Ford competitor​

Ford is continuing its advancement in automotive customization. With interior and exterior choices covered over the past few years, Ford is now moving underneath the skin of the vehicle. This past week, Ford filed to patent its name for the new system, MyFord Select Drive (SN 85384935), with the US government.

With MyFord Select Drive, one will be able to change their vehicle's suspension and steering system electronically by choosing a selection on the dash. This system will allow for a car to allow for different drivers of the car to switch the nature of the driving experience to their favorite. Usually by changing the steering or suspension dynamics, transmission tweaks are involved as well.

It is unclear on what vehicle or vehicles this new technology will launch on for it has not been officially announced by Ford. It has been rumored that the all-new 2013 Lincoln MkZ will receive this system, but we bet it will carry "MyLincoln" instead.

This will compete with a similar system from General Motors as seen on the Buick Regal GS.

Stay with FIN for the latest news on MyFord Select Drive.

 

[MKII]

I would assume this feature to be a Lincoln exclusive in North America, but IMO should be available on the top trim Taurus and Fusion no?

click ^ for huge

Sorry for the huge image, maybe someone here can edit the size. (done)
Image is from the current Mondeo equipped with Interactive Vehicle Dynamics Control (IVDC) with Continuous Controlled Damping (CCD

 

[Andrew L]

It should be a Lincoln only feature

 

[2b2]

I was really *upset* when I read the news
since I agree it should be a Lincoln exclusive ... at least at first
...and for a good long time - a generation?, not just a year or so
but
now I'm hoping that what MKII pointed out is the real situation
where it'll JUST be a top trim option on some RotW Fords
(DON'T even want to see this on the SHO or EB-Flex or Mustang-GT...
until it's firmly perceived as LINCOLN TECHNOLOGY!)

 

[richmond2000]

I disagree and think it should be on ford top end cars/suvs as
A world wide models it already is and
B ford would benefit from adaptive drive being the first "non Luxury" brand
C buick has it in the regal GS which is fairly "entry LUX" and BELOW ford top end models
D ford has already proven to be "tech savvy" sync / my ford touch
E do you want Chevy / Toyota / Fiat-chrysler to offer "Lincoln level" features

 

[2b2]

rant below (cuz it was by typing it that I remembered the "Promises")
((pretty sure it was on Media.Ford.com too but I can't find a link))

Ford Aims to Breathe Life Into Lincoln
BY JEFF BENNETT
JUNE 9, 2011
WSJ

Now that Ford Motor Co. has escaped from the grip of recession and projects a doubling of vehicle sales by mid-decade, the second-largest U.S. auto maker is making a revival of its ailing Lincoln luxury brand its top priority.

Later this year, Ford will begin a sweeping make-over of the 96-year-old brand, to give staid Lincoln a new identity as a producer of high-tech, understated luxury cars, Ford executives said.

The first look at Lincoln's future will come in November when Ford unveils redesigned versions of its MKS sedan and MKT sport-utility vehicle, the first of seven new or redesigned Lincolns. The MKS will feature a sleeker design, self-tuning suspension system and hands-free controls and entertainment system.

Whizzy technologies that the auto maker is counting on to turn heads: retractable, all-glass roofs and computerized sound-reduction technology, similar to noise-cancelling headphones, to block road noise and make Lincoln interiors ultra quiet.

"Lincoln will give [customers] opportunities to tell a story about what is unique in their vehicle," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's head of global product development, in an interview. "You think of BMW as engaging to drive; you can think of Lexus as refined. Bring them together and it is a new experience no customer has ever had."

Lincoln will be aimed at technology-loving, upscale consumers that Ford believes make up an increasing portion of the luxury-car market, Mr. Kuzak said. Affluent professionals who tend to value experiences, such as exotic vacations, over the bling of big-name luxury goods can be lured away from other luxury car brands to Lincoln, Mr. Kuzak said.

Sub. required at link

just imho...
IF Lincoln had this for the past 5 years ...4 ... 3 ... 2.... 1 year?
I'd feel differently about it
or maybe
IF this is the LAST TIME Fomoco can't see a reason that Lincoln must have something more than Fords ... other than BOW Leather.

Afterall, this was promised for Lincoln not that long ago
& if I'm not mistaken as one of the features that would help make Lincoln 'special'
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
so imho
(and that's all it is)
this enforces Lincoln being nothing more than an AfterThought
for every market that Lincoln has been in

 

[BMuscl]

rant below (cuz it was by typing it that I remembered the "Promises")
((pretty sure it was on Media.Ford.com too but I can't find a link))



just imho...
IF Lincoln had this for the past 5 years ...4 ... 3 ... 2.... 1 year?
I'd feel differently about it
or maybe
IF this is the LAST TIME Fomoco can't see a reason that Lincoln must have something more than Fords ... other than BOW Leather.

Afterall, this was promised for Lincoln not that long ago
& if I'm not mistaken as one of the features that would help make Lincoln 'special'
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
so imho
(and that's all it is)
this enforces Lincoln being nothing more than an AfterThought
for every market that Lincoln has been in

I agree totally with you. They've already put BLIS/back up cameras, Adaptive Cruise control (Taurus?) and Park Assist in Fords let alone the new Terrain Mgmt in the Explorer... heck you can get it (Park Assist) in the Focus! Let Lincoln have this technology for a while to help set it apart from Ford. I'm sure that in time it'll trickle down to them just as navigation and Traction/Stability control has (They used to only be in luxury cars).

 

[richmond2000]

I agree totally with you. They've already put BLIS/back up cameras, Adaptive Cruise control (Taurus?) and Park Assist in Fords let alone the new Terrain Mgmt in the Explorer... heck you can get it (Park Assist) in the Focus! Let Lincoln have this technology for a while to help set it apart from Ford. I'm sure that in time it'll trickle down to them just as navigation and Traction/Stability control has (They used to only be in luxury cars).

so the ONLY reason to buy a Lincoln is to get options Toyota/Hyundai offer?
I think Lincoln SHOULD be better because they ARE BETTER BUILT with BETTER materials /Engineering NOT because of some "basic" electronic "features" that is offered on "LESSER" cars/suvs from the competition + FORD is more Valuable then Lincoln when it comes to sales # / "conquest" sales

 

[2b2]

^ imho, Lincoln needs to have as Many reasons for people to buy their vehicles AS Possible
including offering EVERY feature that comparably priced (OR CHEAPER) vehicles have...
...and probably More (like make a list of every feature on every vehicle including RR & exotics > as a Goal)
but
"features" as in Options/STD equipment won't be enough imho
BUT
it's even worse if the Ford Brand gets any of "Lincoln's" stuff that isn't already on mainstream competitors, which this SelectDrive sounds like to me (correction appreciated).

Afaik, Lincoln hasn't even offered everything available on the top-trim FORD Mondeo :yikes:


which ^ is all fine ... if what Fomoco really wants is to kill Lincoln :toetap: