'06 Option Info

[MarkDawn Houlahan]

Sorry if this has already been posted. Been so busy I haven't been on here lately...



Mark



PIONEER OEM NAVIGATION SYSTEM OFFERED IN SEVEN

2006 FORD VEHICLE MODELS

Pioneer Navigation System in Ford Vehicles Enhance Driving Experience



FARMINGTON HILLS, MI (August 16, 2005) – Pioneer Automotive Technologies Inc., a leading supplier of mobile entertainment products to the auto industry, was selected by Ford as the supplier of its next generation DVD-based navigation and entertainment system for selected Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. The advanced system will initially launch in model year 2006 on seven of Ford’s most popular vehicles including the Ford Explorer, Ford Freestyle, Ford Five Hundred, Ford Explorer SportTrac, Mercury Montego, Mercury Mountaineer and Lincoln Zephyr. The all-inclusive component that features turn-by-turn route guidance navigation that pronounces all street names, precise touch screen display, AM/FM tuner and an integrated 6-disc compact disc player with MP3 playback, marks Pioneer’s first OEM navigation system in North America.



“We’re thrilled to have developed a system specifically for Ford automotive buyers. Our leadership in navigation technology and our unique capability for integrating audio and GPS features made us a natural fit for this project” said Steven Moerner, president and COO, Pioneer Automotive Technologies Inc. “Ford consumers demand products that support their driving lifestyle and we intend to uphold that expectation. We feel this all-in-one navigation and entertainment system will enhance their driving experience with increased convenience, sense of security and entertainment.”



Identical in functionality, the navigation system for each vehicle brand shares the following features:

§ Combined audiophile radio and DVD-ROM based GPS satellite navigation

§ Intuitive user interface that was co-developed from the ground-up by Ford and Pioneer human factors engineering teams

§ Voice guided directions – announces next maneuver with specific street name

§ Valet mode: Security lock-out for personal information

§ Comprehensive map coverage include U.S., Hawaii, Canada and Puerto Rico

§ Crisp, bright 6.5-inch TFT display with touch screen

§ Motorized flip-down faceplate for accessing the DVD-ROM drive (for map)

§ Sirius Satellite Radio ready



Although consistent in function and overall button layout, each brand has uniquely optimized software and hardware including:

§ Splash screen identifying the Ford, Mercury and Lincoln logos

§ Button shape and color

§ Bezel button and finish

§ Button back lighting

§ THX-II Certified ® audio (only available on the Lincoln Zephyr)

 

[Rich Stern]

Mark, thanks for the info. There will be no 2006 model year for the Sport Trac, so they may be referring to the early release 2007 model.

 

[Travis Munday]

I hear differently about the '06 model year now...how reliable it is is questionable, as I've not been able to find any info confirming an '06 year, but some at Ford think that there will be one.

 

[Greg Cheek]

I thought I was the only one who had heard this...I made the comment that I'd have to wait for the 07 St before I considered trading in my Jeep since the 06 wouldn't be produced for the all new 07 to come out midyear. The dealer laughed and asked me where I'd heard that-and that the new bodystyle would be out as soon as the 06's hit the dealers lots AS the '06 year model. I mumbled that it was general knowledge I thought and he assured me that I was wrong on that. I thought maybe I just got a "know it all", but maybe its true?

 

[JohnnyB]

Anyone have any experience with that Nav system?

Sounds like an expensive option. Price?

 

[ReggieMRegalOne05 Legaspi]

Johnny B,

The installed Nav System is indeed an expensive option since you can only use it when you driving that vehicle, if you drive your other vehicle(s) without that option you don't have a NavSys. I would opt for the plug-in type GPS enabled unit w/o DVD, you can carry into any vehicle like the Garmin StreetPilot c320 which is with voice prompts also. I got one as an incentive from Ford, the last day of which was when I signed the purchase papers. It was priced at least $900 then. Very handy for we can use it in the DW's vehicle, or the sons' or daughter's.

There are more selections also from Cobra, TomTom Go, etc.

 

[JohnnyB]

Thats true. I have looked into some of those stand alone units over the last couple years. The screen looks kinda small to be able to see without having to take your eyes off the road for too long. I do like the portability alot but I dont like having wires hanging all over the place.



After looking at some of them, the Garmin looks like a good one, I could not make up my mind. I sometimes take the handheld Magellan Sport Track Pro with me when venturing into area's that are not familiar to me but id is not really a "street" atlas type program.



How did you get the Street Pilot as an incentive from Ford?

 

[David Torres]

I think Rich is right. I was at a Sears Auto center and for some reason they had a book titled Ford 2006 Fleet Model Preview Edition sitting on the counter. It had every car/truck Ford made (with info on each) including Saab, Jaguar, Mercury, Lincoln, etc. It even had the Ford heavy duty commerical trucks like the F450. However there was no '06 Sport Trac in it. There was a 2006 Fusion (smaller car than the 500) which hasn't come out yet.

 

[Tom Schindler]

DavidT,



Saab wasn't listed. Saab is owned by GM.





Tom