ANN ARBOR, April 22, 2010 -- Ford has unveiled a new feature to its navigation systems that attempts to calculate the most fuel-efficient available route for a driver. The system is part of Ford’s new in-vehicle information system called “MyFord Touch.”

After a driver enters a route into the navigation system, MyFord Touch can calculate the fastest or shortest route, or an “Eco-Route.” The system uses historical information, real-time traffic info, posted speed limits, type of roads to calculate each route.

“We have learned that when we provide drivers the information and tools in an interactive and entertaining way, they want to drive more fuel efficiently,” said Jim Buczkowski, director of Global Electrical and Electronics Systems Engineering. “MyFord Touch provides an unprecedented level of information and interaction so drivers can make the choice to be more fuel efficient.”

Eco-Route favors major roads where there is not a lot of stop and go traffic, and it avoids crowded freeways. Using Eco-Route during their testing methodology, Ford of Europe engineers achieved up to a 15 percent improvement in fuel economy.

“When drivers use Eco-Route – particularly in combination with MyFord Touch’s fuel-economy feedback and fuel-efficient driving techniques – they can achieve a noticeable increase in fuel efficiency,” said Jennifer Brace-Mezigian, Ford user interface design engineer.

The Eco-Route feature isn’t the only feature in MyFord Touch. The system also lets drivers monitor and track real-time fuel economy performance and mile-per-gallon averages for the past five, 10 and 30 minutes. The information is displayed in a bar chart next to the fuel gauge on the display.

“MyFord Touch not only gives drivers information they can use to improve their driving habits, but also expands on that capability by engaging the navigation system to give drivers a variety of options,” said Brace-Mezigian said.

MyFord Touch launches this summer on the 2011 Ford Edge and will be available globally on the 2012 Ford Focus. MyLincoln Touch will be standard equipment on new Lincoln vehicles beginning with the 2011 Lincoln MKX.