New more affordable Ford 'Viper fighter' for 2007

[Ming]

Ford 'Viper fighter' for 2007
AMY WILSON
Automotive News

Ford Motor Co. is one step closer to building another high-priced, low-volume sports car after GT production ends.

Ford has prepared a concept that will be shown Aug. 12 at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California. The coupe concept is an evolution of the two-seat Shelby Cobra roadster project shown at the Detroit auto show in January.

Ford product chief Phil Martens sent the Detroit concept back to the design shop this year, saying it didn't "grab my soul."

But he describes the new concept as "droolski," adding: "We're very happy with it."

The company has not said whether it will build the car. But even if Ford has approved the plan, it's unlikely to announce that decision soon. Ford doesn't want to detract from the launch of the GT, which goes on sale this month.

Ford intends to produce about 1,500 midengine GTs during each of the next two model years. The car cannot meet regulatory standards for the 2007 model year.

Ford could introduce a sports car as the GT's halo car successor for the 2007 model year. The Cobra shown in Detroit was based partially on the mechanicals of the GT. Producing a second vehicle with those components would help Ford amortize its GT investment.



FULL Article Here

[PontiacDriver123]

Hopefully the new concept will have a more sporty front and back because the front and back of the shelby made me fall asleep. It also reminded me of the first gen. sunfire it didn't have a sporty appeal in the front.

[LegendNH]

I see no reason why the old body style could not be used

[Hudson]

Buick:

There are emissions regulations coming on stream for 2007...which also marks the end of the Thunderbird.

Legend:

No reason? Frontal impact....side impact...they don't own the molds....

[tgagneguam]

I guess making more practical and reasonable cars like a more advanced Focus to adequately challenge the new Cobalt, the existing Civic, and the Corolla isn't as important as another halo vehicle. Focus (verb), Ford.

All this crap about how a halo vehicle helps a company is hogwash. Some of the most successful companies in the industry these days (e.g., Toyota) seem to be focusing on more mundane family cars, minivans, and compact cars (and subsequently cleaning house with them) while others choose to make future plans around low-volume, presumably high-status niche vehicles.

Thinking to GM, Cadillac's renaissance has been led by a luxury SUV and an entry-level luxury car. As much as I would love to see a Cien or Sixteen(!), it appears the more practical folks choose to channel limited cash to more important projects: I assume an expanded-line CTS is not too far off in the future. And that's fine with a majority of the driving public.

[xellow]

This is exciting stuff. I see nothing wrong with this plan.
I can't wait to see the future! Go Ford!


Mustang, Shelby Cobra, GT.

Chevy has a simmular line up plan, So why is ford the stupid one of the two performance lineups?

(SSR, Corvette, zo6)

[giagastormer]

Oh wow, thats all we need is another retro design on the road.

[Redneck]

Originally posted by xellow@Aug 3 2004, 04:21 PM
This is exciting stuff. I see nothing wrong with this plan.
I can't wait to see the future! Go Ford!


Mustang, Shelby Cobra, GT.

Chevy has a simmular line up plan, So why is ford the stupid one of the two performance lineups?

(SSR, Corvette, zo6)

I've noticed that patern before on here, ford does have a simular in some aspects lineup, but is foolish for doing it.....sometimes GM is wise for doing the same, or a fool.....

But maybe if i stay here long enough perhaps i will figure out the logic of the people on here................

[samy1691]

Hey where is the GM entrance into this frey.......oh yea, there isn't one!!!!!!!

[Darc Requiem]

Originally posted by Redneck+Aug 3 2004, 05:18 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Redneck @ Aug 3 2004, 05:18 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteBegin-xellow@Aug 3 2004, 04:21 PM
This is exciting stuff. I see nothing wrong with this plan.
I can't wait to see the future! Go Ford!


Mustang, Shelby Cobra, GT.

Chevy has a simmular line up plan, So why is ford the stupid one of the two performance lineups?

(SSR, Corvette, zo6)

I've noticed that patern before on here, ford does have a simular in some aspects lineup, but is foolish for doing it.....sometimes GM is wise for doing the same, or a fool.....

But maybe if i stay here long enough perhaps i will figure out the logic of the people on here................[/b][/quote]
Well its stupid in Fords case because you have $30k car, 80k car, and a 150k car. Add to that they spent all that cash on the GT and its only gonna have a two year production run? Doesn't seem sensible to me. Have you seen the performance numbers of the 2005 Vette? The GT isn't much faster than the 45k base Vette. What do you think the Z06 is going to do to it?

Darc Requiem

[Hudson]

Halo cars are designed to attract attention to a brand that has been sliding. You don't see a Toyota halo vehicle because they haven't had any problems. Dodge's resurgence was punctuated by the Viper. Ford's with the GT. Nissan's with the 350Z. Chevrolet's with the SSR. You get the point.

IF the Cobalt were to vault its way into the top-10, then Ford's Focus would seem dated. But I don't see it happening. GM hasn't planned for enough capacity for the Cobalt to be a runaway success...besides, small cars are for CAFE reasons only...not to (directly) make money.

As for the performance numbers of the Ford GT, that's not what the car is entirely about. The current Z06 pushes track numbers in the range of Ferraris, but you don't see Ferrari sales being impacted. The Ford GT isn't all about numbers...it's about image in the way that the Dodge Viper is...in the way that Ferrari and Lamborghini and Maserati are. There are more reasons than just quarter-mile times and skid pad numbers to buy a six-figure vehicle.

[leafs_fan]

Originally posted by samy1691@Aug 3 2004, 05:46 PM
Hey where is the GM entrance into this frey.......oh yea, there isn't one!!!!!!!

:lol: umm.... Ever heard of the Corvette? How aboutt he new C6 Z06 that is rumored to have around 450-500hp. or the Blue Devil that GM is devolping that has 700-725hp according to the latest issue of Motortrend.

later
-matt

EDIT: Spelling

[Carguy]

I do hope they do build this new car and call it the Cobra. It would be a ((MUTCH BETTER)) model to call Cobra then another (STUPIDLY NAMED) Mustang Cobra. Call the super Stang the BOSS and leave the Cobra name to a (REAL) sportscar!

[Ultimate]

I thought the concept looked good.

[mjd1001]

I agree there are too many retro designs on the road already. I'm not saying there shouldn't be any, but please pick and choose and don't overdo it.
The Mustang is a good example. While I'm sure there are some exceptions to this, I have found two groups of people who like the new 05 retro mustang design...people who have ALWAYS loved mustangs, and people who are in their 50's and 60's..the ones that remember the styling cues from the Mustangs of their youth.
The Thunderbird was similar. Ford sold them the first few months to everyone who wanted a car that looked like the Thunderbird they remembered growing up, then sales plumeted. Now we have the HHR coming, the PT cruiser, we have the SSR already, the list goes on and on.
I understand there are only so many things you can do with a design for a car, but the Corvette I think is a good example of a modern design. Are there any retro styling cues? No, not really. It's just an evolution of the current design, but more modern.