Ford: No Mustang Line / Mustang based Sedan Concept at NAIAS

[igor]

http://media.ford.com/article_displa...&make_id=trust

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 15 – Ford Motor Company today made clear that recent media speculation concerning an expanded Mustang line – including a sedan and wagon model to be sold in global markets – is not true. Mustang is an icon and will continue in its current form: a unique, two-door, rear-wheel drive, 2+2 performance car.

At the 2007 North American International Auto Show, Ford will unveil a four-door, rear-wheel-drive concept car. The concept, known as “The Interceptor”, is based on the Mustang’s rear-wheel-drive architecture but it is not a Mustang and no production plans have been announced. Additional information on the Ford rear-drive concept will be available December 31, 2006.

Igor

[suburbanfoo]

thats good

[Amorica]

Ah, good. But now what? Even though it was silly, the idea at least got me excited about the possibility of an American Falcon-based Ford.

Inteceptor - hrmm...as in CV Interceptor?

[igor]

Originally Posted by Amorica

Ah, good. But now what? Even though it was silly, the idea at least got me excited about the possibility of an American Falcon-based Ford.

Inteceptor - hrmm...as in CV Interceptor?

it still does not rule out future Falcon federalization - no one has denied that .. it is just not happenig just yet.

And it is possible the Interceptor might infact hint on Panther replacement - and might be presented as a police vehicle ..

after all - it is quite likely, that is cops fdo not bite on Ford's new RWD, they will keep Panthers alive, just because of LEO's ...

Igor

[Ach]

So does this contradict the Businessweek article about the concept Lincoln sedan based off the next Falcon platform?

[DetroitWonk]

FoMoCo was very firm, telling us that AutoWeek was wrong:

http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/detroit...gon-222237.php

Ray @ Jalopnik

[igor]

Sorry Ray - repost:
Ford: No Mustang Line / Mustang based Sedan Concept at NAIAS

Igor

[FoMoCo Fan]

It's his freakin site! It's can't be a repost! Geez!

[igor]

Originally Posted by Ach

So does this contradict the Businessweek article about the concept Lincoln sedan based off the next Falcon platform?

yes ...

right now, Ford has no vehicles in preparation built on the falcon platform.

Ford will likely unite those two platforms eventually, but probably will task Ford AU with complete overhaul of the falcon platform fist ,, very much alike to GM's Zeta program ... it would not make sense to federalize a platform that dated back 25 years ...

the Lincoln Concept (and the Ford Concept) will both be based on upgraded Mustang platform.

Igor

[johnny smallblock]

Ford: No Mustang sedan or wagon...unless GM does something like that, then we'll do it a year after they do.

[FoMoCo Fan]

Originally Posted by johnny smallblock

Ford: No Mustang sedan or wagon...unless GM does something like that, then we'll do it a year after they do.

LOL!!! You can't be serious. You know the history of Mustang---> Camaro back in the 60's, and we now see how history repeats itself again. Ford was in the lead, and still is.

[likearock00]

I guess this was just a way to get people talking about future Fords...or to remind people there will be a future for Ford!!

[MalibuMaxxSS]

was there ever a doubt..I mean come on, hey how bout a wagon Camaro....Convertible even WEEEeeEEEeeEE

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by johnny smallblock

Ford: No Mustang sedan or wagon...unless GM does something like that, then we'll do it a year after they do.

GM won't do anything like that.....with IRS and that nifty 3.6, the Camaro is inherently more expensive to develop than the Mustang (MT or C&D has stated as such)........so anything stupid or far fetched would definitely skirt the realm of realism.

The Mustang came out first, was the only one to never interrupt production and given the state Ford is in, I don't think they'll let a segment competitor leap-frog them like that, even if it is far-fetched....

[ford&holden]

Originally Posted by igor

yes ...

right now, Ford has no vehicles in preparation built on the falcon platform.

Ford will likely unite those two platforms eventually, but probably will task Ford AU with complete overhaul of the falcon platform fist ,, very much alike to GM's Zeta program ... it would not make sense to federalize a platform that dated back 25 years ...

the Lincoln Concept (and the Ford Concept) will both be based on upgraded Mustang platform.

Igor

The reality is the falcon platform is NOT 25 years old. The EA of 1988 was almost all new, while the 1998 AU falcon was a development of the EA.
The 2002 BA was a massive re-engineering of the AU platform.

The BA platform was a big break through for Ford AUS, having double wishbone fornt suspension and control blade independant rear suspension.
It's actually more modern than the panther platforms...and it has the fuel tank ahead of the rear axle.

The latest word is that Ford AUS will be making the next falcon 08 orion LHD capable, wheather it meets US standards remains to be seen.

Holdens Zeta platform was actually playing catch up to the BAs platform.

Well all this hoopla over pure speculation...i knew Ford would not dilute the Mustang reputation.
I guess we can all calm down now!