Tag Archives: 2013

Pantone Colour of the Year 2013

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Pantone Colour of the Year EmeraldPantone has announced the Colour of the Year and…drum roll please…it’s Emerald aka 17-5641. “A lively, radiant, lush green, a colour of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony” says Pantone.

“Green is the most abundant hue in nature – the human eye sees more green than any other colour in the spectrum,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “As it has throughout history, multifaceted Emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate. Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world. This powerful and universally appealing tone translates easily to both fashion and home interiors.”

The colour data for Emerald is here, giving RGB and CMYK values for illustrators and designers who want to be in with the cool crowd. There are several tie-in products, including Pantone’s Fashion Colour Report for Spring 2013, which showcases Emerald incorporated into the collections of several well-known designers, such as Tracy Reese and Nanette Lepore. From February, Pantone bedding, pillows, bath towels and accessories in Emerald will be available exclusively at JC Penney stores and on online. There are plenty of other accessories, including iPhone cases, in Pantone’s online store.

Last year’s colour, Tangerine Tango, is now out.

All New 2013 Ford Escape – First Drive

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I got a chance, this week, to drive the 2013 Ford Escape that will be at dealers in late April or early May. The all-new design of the Escape has a more streamlined look than past Escapes. It’s more “car-like” instead of truck-like.

The engine choices are a 2.5L 4 cylinder non-turbo with 168hp, a 1.6L EcoBoost with 180hp and a 2.0L EcoBoost with 237hp. These engines get better fuel economy than the outgoing engines. The 2.0L engine (the one I drove) have a 3500lb towing capacity, which is the best in the compact SUV class. With the 2.0L EcoBoost, the car felt as if it had a much bigger engine. You would never know you had a 4 cylinder under the hood, until you get to the gas pump. I averaged 25mpg on my test drive, which was over 180 miles in hilly Northern California (San Francisco area). On the highway, the 2.0L is estimated to get around 30mpg.

The new Escape brings many new technologies to the small SUV class that were not available before. Of course, there is SYNC with My Ford Touch and the active park assist that are found on many other Ford products. There is an available hands-free tailgate option that is really handy. All you have to do is have the key in your pocket or purse and you simply kick your foot under the back of the car and the lift-gate opens so you don’t have to put your stuff down to open the door. It will also close the same way if you are unloading your car and you have your hands full, it keeps you from having to go back to the car to close it up. VERY COOL in my book!

Speaking of capacity. The new design of the Escape has more room then past models. Enough room to put 4 golf bags and take you and 3 friends golfing. Try that in another small SUV.

The interior was very roomy and has more drink holders than I’ve ever seen in one car. The fabrics inside the car feel very rich and are made of a lot of recycled materials. The carpet in each Escape, for instance, is made from 25 20-ounce water bottles. So even if you get a red one, it’s green.

I really enjoyed driving the new Escape and would put it on my short-list of new cars if I were in the market. The 2013 Ford Escape starts at around $22,000 and will be available soon.

For more information about the new Escape, go to ford.com/suvs/escape or see your Ford dealer this spring.

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