Ford: RWD sedan could be ready for 2008

[nadepalma]

Source: http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/...ready-in-2008/

Ford: RWD sedan could be ready for 2008

In March, we told you about a Newsweek report that indicated Ford was working on a retro-styled rear-wheel-drive sedan to compete with the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger. The automaker later confirmed its development team in Australia was working on a new RWD platform for its Falcon and Territory models, as well as other future vehicles. In a conversation this week with Drive.com.au, Ford Australia boss Tom Gorman said a new sedan to replace the Fairlane and LTD models could be released alongside the the next-generation Falcon some time in 2008. It would be based on the Falcon, but be more luxurious. The vehicle could come to the United Sates, too, he said. "We want to be an exporter […] I think that now is a very good time for us to do that. […] And it's at a time where the US is looking and where it's going with its large rear wheel drive platform."

Gorman said the Ford Australia could export 15,000 to 30,000 vehicles per year — "not 100,000." It's unclear how well a rear-whee-drive sedan would sell in America, but that limited capacity would present an interesting problem if demand was strong.

While a specific timeframe has not been given, Gorman admitted developments were coming in the near future.

"Given the challenges being faced in the US it's a great time to bring our resources and technologies even closer so we can really leverage – so that two and two is five, instead of both of us going off and doing separate vehicles," said Gorman.

"The next year or so is going to be very exciting."

[gm_scott]

Interesting. A little bit of good news to start my day

It's unclear how well a rear-whee-drive sedan would sell in America

All you gotta do is make it look great and people will buy. Make it look like a turd.. and well, you got a sales turd

[kenman923]

I definitely think it would sell well. Chrysler's sedans are selling really well and GM is working on the Impala. I think the time is right.

[camaro_freak]

so will GM be last to the rear drive party?

[XCR440SP]

Originally Posted by camaro_freak

so will GM be last to the rear drive party?

If so will they be the lucky one's if every one else is RWD and we have a severe winter reminding everyone of what RWD does? Chryslers doing well around hear, but our winters have been a joke for several years in a row. One good winter and I think you'll see a lot of RWD cars for sale quickly.

They talk about how RWD is as good as FWD in the snow now, but I've driven them and although they are much better than before, they still aren't as easy to drive as FWD, particularly when parked nose downhill and having to back out

[coaster.n3rd]

^ I disagree. I drovea Charger last winter in one hell of a winter strorm and it handled very well. Way better than I expected... I think rear wheel drive w/ some sort of assist was finally done right.

[mrobsessive]

Originally Posted by XCR440SP

If so will they be the lucky one's if every one else is RWD and we have a severe winter reminding everyone of what RWD does? Chryslers doing well around hear, but our winters have been a joke for several years in a row. One good winter and I think you'll see a lot of RWD cars for sale quickly.

They talk about how RWD is as good as FWD in the snow now, but I've driven them and although they are much better than before, they still aren't as easy to drive as FWD, particularly when parked nose downhill and having to back out

'Tis a shame if that's so.............I learned to drive back in the mid '70's when there was nothing BUT RWD. FWD has it's place, but a good driver should know how to handle a car RWD or not in any weather.

We got along fine many years before FWD became the mainstream...............and ya gotta remember, companies like BMW and Mercedes never went to FWD and their sales do just fine.

[Ming]

Ford was working on a retro-styled rear-wheel-drive sedan

It's called the Crown Victoria LX Sport, and Ford sells it right now!

http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/crownvictoria/

Or is the Crown Vic only "retro" unintentionally by nature of being so...old? (Kinda like my 2004 Safari)

[jwrebholz]

Dude's got a point. Up until the 1980s the majority of the cars were RWD and nobody had any problems.

Unfortunately most people have forgotten how to drive like that, so there will be problems.

Or is the Crown Vic only "retro" unintentionally by nature of being so...old?

I don't think it counts as retro if they just haven't redesigned it in 10 years.

[DuSpinnst]

So basically this will be Ford's "GTO"

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

So basically this will be Ford's "GTO"

Perhaps, but I seem to recall an article forever ago that said that Lincoln had trademarked the name "MkC" and that there was much speculation that this might be a RWD offering for Lincoln. I don't doubt that Ford could sell a numer of RWD vehicles and it might do well -- but the volume they're talking about is quite small. I'd surmise that if they were to import such a vehicle here (and make a profit in light of the rising Aussie $), they'd have to sell it at a higher price point. As such, I'd imagine that the car might come here as a Lincoln rather than a Ford.

But that's just my opinion based on the bit of evidence and insight that we have.

[XCR440SP]

Originally Posted by mrobsessive

'Tis a shame if that's so.............I learned to drive back in the mid '70's when there was nothing BUT RWD. FWD has it's place, but a good driver should know how to handle a car RWD or not in any weather.

We got along fine many years before FWD became the mainstream...............and ya gotta remember, companies like BMW and Mercedes never went to FWD and their sales do just fine.

Yes, that was true years ago, but most people 30 years old and younger have never driven a RWD car in the winter, so they have no experience with it. And those older that have done it, haven't done it in many years and it would take a learning curve. Unfortunately in our "gota have it now" society, I don't see people taking the time to learn, but rather trading back to something FWD the first time the get stuck.

Don't get me wrong, I like RWD and would prefer it myself, but when I got married, my wife refused to drive my Cougar from November until spring because she was terrified of RWD.

[elderon]

Why not significantly update the Crown Vic for goodness sake. It certainly is overdue!!

[zaxxis]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

So basically this will be Ford's "GTO"

No, the Ford won't be a boring design and overpriced. (hopefully.... who am I kidding...)

-Z

[Ming]

One thing with older RWD cars without all of the stability control enhancements was that if you try to power through an intersection from a stop sign - where you consider you have ample time to get through safely - if there is even the slightest bit of ice on the ground and your tires aren't fantastic you WILL fishtail. My sister scared me witless once with this maneuver, as she was not used to driving the RWD Infiniti (J30) my parents owned. Basically we were almost backwards in the intersection with cars coming from both directions. Yeah, I can understand your wife's sentiment, XCR440SP.