Just how far do I go?
As far as I want! Far into the future, in fact, thanks to the newly available flux capacitor, which “literally makes time travel possible.”
No, it doesn’t. Not really.
But, the latest marketing gimmick from Ford is certainly getting some laughs and marking the anniversary of the Back to the Future film franchise, not to mention successfully steering attention in the direction of two of its refreshed 2016 models. And isn’t that the point of marketing gimmicks, after all?
In the second installment of the Back to the Future trilogy, Marty McFly inputs October 21, 2015, as his future target and so Ford has decided to offer an upgrade, a la Doc Brown’s flux capacitor.
I feel the need to reiterate here that the flux capacitor is fake. Kids, this doesn’t actually work and your Ford dealer doesn’t sell this stand-alone option. But, the commercial is funny.
Take a look…
Back to the Future in a Ford…
Okay, so in the second movie of the Back to the Future trilogy, Marty McFly, played by Michael J. Fox, targets October 21, 2015, as his future destination.
In honor of that date, Ford has released the flux capacitor option on its “Build and Price” page, available for $1,219,390 and loaded with 1.21 gigawatts of energy (whatever the flux that means). Ford reminds viewers and consumers that the flux capacitor upgrade is “For recreational use only…interfering in major historical events is illegal and could have unintended consequences for all of humanity.”
Even better is the cautionary directive: “Avoid your past self at all costs, as this could potentially cause a rift in the space-time continuum.”
Ain’t that the truth?
Now, it’s important to bear in mind that time travel via the fake flux capacitor is only available in the 2016 Ford Fiesta and 2016 Ford Focus hatchback models.
And for those of you who have forgotten, the magic speed for time travel occurs at 88 mph.
Setting the fictitious flux capacitor aside for the moment, let’s take a look at the future Ford models, the 2016 Fiesta and 2016 Focus, available now at your Irwin NH Ford dealer.
First Stop – The 2016 Ford Fiesta ST
I do love a party and the Ford Fiesta is one worth celebrating.
New for the 2016 model year, check out the Fiesta’s available Sync 3 infotainment system, which replaces the old MyFord Touch. The entry-level S trim now has remote keyless entry and an anti-theft system as standard fare, while the SE can be outfitted with the available Black package and optional “Sport” body kit.
Exterior color options on the 2016 Ford Fiesta are ready to rock in Blue Candy, Magnetic, Ingot Silver, Ruby Red, Oxford White, Electric Spice, Kona Blue, White Platinum Metallic, or Shadow Black. Any one of these nine shades sets off beautifully against the interior single shade of Charcoal Black.
Part of the subcompact car segment, the Fiesta comes in two body styles, the sedan and the hatchback. The two styles share a trio of trim levels: the S, the SE, and the Titanium. If you’re interested in high-performance (which you obviously must be if you’re considering time travel), you’ll want to check out the ST, which is available exclusively as a hatchback.
The hatchback ST starts with features like dual exhaust tips, a sport-tuned suspension, a bigger spoiler in the back, more responsive steering, keyless entry and ignition, enhanced brakes, special bodywork, and 17-inch wheels wrapped in summer performance tires. Equipped with Ford’s turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, the hatchback ST is able to generate 197 horsepower and 202 lb.-ft. of torque, operated exclusively by a six-speed manual transmission.
So equipped, the ST made Edmund’s zero to sixty mph performance test in 7.1 seconds, with an outstanding EPA-estimated return of 26 city, 35 highway, and 29 mpg combined.
As zippy as it is, the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST earned steadfast safety ratings, thanks to its standard passive and active safety features. Brake testing resulted in a solid stop from sixty mph in 112 feet.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 2016 Ford Fiesta the agency’s top rating of “Good,” which means you can push the frontier of future travel with confidence.
Starting at the base MSRP of $14,880, the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST is a super affordable vehicle, ideal for pushing boundaries, today and tomorrow.
But for added performance and power, check out the 2016 Ford Focus ST, the rally-inspired Ford Focus four-door hatchback.
The 2016 Ford Focus ST – One Hot Hatch
Just like its party animal sibling, the 2016 Ford Focus also gets the brand’s Sync 3 infotainment system as an option, along with carbon-fiber interior trim on the ST3 package (more on that soon).
When you opt for the 2016 Ford Focus ST, you get standard equipment in the form of performance brakes, LED daytime running lights, keyless entry and ignition, cloth upholstery, sport seats up front, cruise control, a rearview camera, and a six-speaker sound system, along with a USB port and CD player, to name just a few.
Additional features and customization come from the available packages, like the ST2, which enhances the hatch with dual-zone automatic climate control, xenon headlights, cloth and leather interior, and Recaro front “Sport” seats, in addition to an upgraded 10-speaker Sony sound system with two USB ports, satellite, and HD radio.
Moving up to the ST3 package gets you complete leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, complemented by heated front Recaro seats, multicolor interior lighting, a navigation system, and the new for 2016 carbon-fiber interior details.
Extra bells and whistles exist in the form of all-season tires, a sunroof, 18-inch dark gray alloy wheels with red brake calipers, and available black or red racing stripes that run bumper-to-bumper and match the mirror caps.
Power comes from Ford’s turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, which is able to produce 252 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque, operated by a six-speed manual transmission, supported by hill-start assist functionality.
According to Edmunds, the 2016 Ford Focus ST made the zero to sixty mph dash in 6.4 seconds, with a solid EPA-estimate of 23 city, 32 highway, and 26 mpg combined for fuel economy.
Although cargo room isn’t necessarily a huge priority when we’re talking hot hatch performance, the Focus ST boasts considerable space with 23.8 cubic feet, which extends to 44.8 cubic feet once the 60/40-split seats are folded down.
Similar to the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST, the 2016 Ford Focus ST hot hatch comes in some sizzling shades like Kona Blue, Magnetic, Oxford White, Race Red, Shadow Black, and Tangerine Scream Metallic Tri-coat, any of which can be matched to one of four available interiors, including Charcoal Black, Charcoal, Charcoal/Tangerine Scream, and Smoke Storm.
Priced slightly higher at the base MSRP of $17,225, the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST is still a steal, not to mention seriously fun, whether or not time travel is your focus.
Look, regardless of whether or not you appreciate the finer cinematic stylings of the Back to the Future film trilogy, and regardless of whether you kick out of well-timed marketing gimmicks, both of these Ford models mean business when it comes to performance, safety, and fun behind the wheel.
Ford has a legacy of manufacturing reliable cars and these two hatchbacks are just the latest examples of that reputation at work.
Time waits for no one! Get to Irwin NH Ford and test drive the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST or 2016 Ford Focus ST.
See how far you can go in a Ford…
