Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

The Fairlane does use a stretched Falcon platform.

Automotive News reported several months ago that Ford was studying basing the next generation Crown Vic on the Falcon platform, but the insiders say that the next Crown Vic will use the Five Hundred platform.

CAFE standards are one reason the Crown Vic does not use the 5.4. I don't think that the 5.4 fits in the Crown Vic.

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

I generally agree with ehasse on this with the exception of the Crown Victoria successor. The eventual replacement to the Crown Vic hasn't been officiated yet and probably won't be for quite some time (Ford has trouble letting go of the Panther platform because it costs so little to produce now). The Australian Falcon platform was considered as a potential replacement but that idea was abandoned some time ago last I heard, bearing the rumor was even true to begin with. Using the Five Hundred's Volvo-sourced platform seems like a logical step but not one that I'd like to see; I prefer RWD cars. However, the general consensus thus far is that Ford's leaning in the FWD direction for Lincoln as it is with a potential replacement to the Town Car, which could be indicative of a similar move with the CV and Grand Marquis. Again though, this won't happen, if it happens at all, for a few years. Word has it that the Crown Victoria et al will receive a restyling for 2006 and a new 6-speed auto may accompany it. No word yet on the engine being changed to a 24-valve 4.6L V8 like the Mustang, though the Town Car may get AWD (for such an "outdated" platform it seems that Ford is finding a lot to do with it all of a sudden).

As for the 5.4L V8, no, it will not fit into a Crown Vic without rengineering on account of being too tall, that's what I heard. But, then again, I don't think it's absolutely necessary. It would be nice, yes, but I think a 24-valve 4.6L SOHC V8 mated to a 6-speed auto will yield a substantial improvement while maybe even improving fuel economy at the same time. Anyway, the 24-valve 5.4L SOHC V8 used in the Aussie Fairlane produces 220kW@4750RPM, that's about 295HP. Torque is 470Nm@3250RPM, that's equivalent to about 346lb-ft. The same engine is used in the Falcon but more powerful versions are available.

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

O ya, i knew that the 5.4 doesn't fit in the CV now, but I was talking about maybe when it gets redesigned. I heard about it maybe going on the Five Hundred platform also, but I don't know, I think they should keep the RWD. And until the 3.5 Duratec comes out, it just sounds a little underpowered to me. I've heard mixed opinions about the 3.0 Liter on the 500. I just don't picture a Crown Vic as FWD w/V6. And what engines would they put in there? V6's only, maybe the V8 from the XC90? Don't know. And for the restyle, the Mustang 4.6 definitely sounds great if they put it in the CV. Just wondering, any possibility of DEW-98? I think thats everything.

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

You know, nobody's really mentioned it before but the Mustang's D2C platform, not DEW98 (DEW98's losing favor, it seems), could be a potential successor to the Panther platform of the Crown Victoria et al, albeit in an extended form. It makes sense because in this day of platform sharing why should a high-volume vehicle like the Mustang be allowed to hog D2C? Though I am reluctant to mention it, I have seen a source that mentions some vehicles thought to eventually use the D2C platform. The source is an online encyclopedia, which seems like an atypical source for car information but it happens to be quite detailed and hard to deny in some cases. If nothing else, the information is intriguing. Read the "Future models include the following" part.

http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionar...d+D2C+platform

I especially like the "Ford Thunderbird 2+2" part; sounds like it could be a real successor to my generation Thunderbird.

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

It is going to be very interesting a year or two from now to see what was more successful - Ford developing a new large FWD sedan or Chrysler developing a new RWD car. I have read on some of the message boards that the Mustang platform is not adaptable for other products, but I don't understand why. Ford could have developed a RWD sedan companion to the Mustang that would have shared a lot of parts, but chose not to. I think that the Five Hundred was really designed as a sedan companion to the Freestyle. I would love to see the Thunderbird return as a personal luxury 4 seater using a stretched Mustang platform, but there may not be much demand for such a car anymore. I don't think that a FWD Crown Victoria will be very successful, as the Five Hundred is roomy enough.

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

The most recent plans have the Crown Vic/Grand Marquis moving to a RWD platform developed for the Australian cars. While the Lincolns are moving toward the Volvo-based FWD/AWD platform, the current plans do not have the same thing happening for the Ford and Mercury full-sized cars.

By the way, the AWD setup for Panther was cancelled a while back.

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

Fairlane is stretched version of Falcon of coz...

mind you, there's a 5.4 quad cam tuned to almost 400hp thanks to Ford Performance Vehicle... only for Ford Falcon GT or GT-P

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

I am not buying it. You have the Focus Sedan, Fusion Sedan, 500 Sedan. I do not see another sedan in the Ford lineup, it makes no sense at all. I believe Ford has made a decision to go with FWD/AWD cars for Ford/Lincoln/Merc. The RWD cars will be specialty items like Mustang/T-Bird type cars for each division. I think Ford believes that the general auto consumer is not interested in RWD.

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

You read too much Motor Trend. There has been no talk of an awd (fwd-based) Town Car out of Ford in quite a while. Indeed, this rumour only seems to still have any legs because Motor trend keeps it on their very inaccurate "prediction" sections.

That said, Ford has already as much as said that there will be one more TC on the Panther chassis, as well as one more Vic and Marquis for that matter . From that point on, nobody on the outside is certain because apparently Ford is not certain or even close to it.

Of the "replacement" rumours listed above the only one that every got any confirmation from Ford is that D2C was (and apparently still is) a candidate to replace Australia's Falcon and longer wb Fairlane. At the same time that this was originally being discussed rumours were eminating from within Ford that the Crown Vic/Grand Marquis would likely be using D2C as well. That part is accurate in your post, but to be fair it is largely a no-brainer too as exactly what else is Ford going to replace the Aussie "Falcons" with? The Aussies will not accept fwd as Ford admits, and the current Falcon chassis is all but done.

Arm-chair automotive quarterbacks are getting that one right because it is essentially the only option, as the Falcon is pretty much a lock for D2C eventually. The current Falcon may have one more redo left in her, although I would be surprised to see Ford go that route. But, even if it does not go to D2C during the next re-design it will certainly make the move the redesign after that...so it is a lock either way.

As for the CV/GM replacements, it is pretty obvious that Ford either has to use a stretched 500, a revised Panther, or D2C to continue these cars. The "lwb 500" rumour never had much in the way of legs and the current thought seems to be one more Panther-based car and then on to D2C. It is worth mentioning that Ford has been considering one other replacement for the CV/GM twins...nothing. Panther would continue on for fleet/police duty, but 500 would fully take up the civilian market mantle.

The only rumour I don't get is the "awd full-size Lincoln". Of all the rumours surrounding these cars that one had the shortest life span and there was never anything remotely official from within Ford to remotely confirm it....just a "we are considering it" D2C has had waaaaaay more vindication than this, as the 500-based awd TC has been sheer speculation at every point in it's life, moreso now.

The future possibilities for the TC are simple. Either look for Panther to continue on even longer than Lincoln indicated, D2C to spawn a larger Lincoln, or a new full-size platform to be created which seems very unlikely. The smart money is on D2C or a very heavily revised Panther IMHO.

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

Rummors will always be free. . . about the D2C platform

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

Ford is a contender in the police car and taxi car market because of their rear drive CVs and GMs. If they cut out the Panther platform, they'll lose most or all of their business to Chrysler. Personally, if they drop the Panther cars for FWD replacements, I'll lose that much more respect for the Blue Oval. The only thing redeeming that though is the fact that IMO the Fusion and Five Hundred are good cars.

A Fairlane platform car would be great, or an extended DEW platform wouldn't be so bad either, or at least a brand new RWD platform that maybe they're developing. But to drop the CV, GM and TC for FWD cars, I'll be really disappointed.

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

Not a bad link, but there are a couple of relatively major inaccuracies in it for those who are interested. Both are in regards to where the chassis comes from stangely enough.

The new D2C chassis did indeed start out as a revised DEW98, but ended up being altered so significantly it essentially became an entirely new chassis. However, the article says that they were originally going to start with DEW98, which is true, but then abandoned this idea to create a clean-sheet chassis, which is not true. There is a significant difference between a totally clean sheet design and a design that ends up so heavily altered as to be essentially all-new, D2C is the latter.

Also, the article indicates that the Mustang's rear trailing-arm's are Mazda "C1" inspired. The chassis undoubtedly uses componentry similar to C1 as this is a Ford design theme now, but to act as though C1 is the inspiration for this is akin to ignoring over a decade of Ford chassis development.

First of all, C1 is a Ford corporate/global chassis plain and simple. It is an updated version of the original Focus chassis, (and not that heavily updated either) and it's unique "trailing arm" rear suspension which the article cites as the Mustang's "inspiration" is simply a development of the "control blade" IRS pioneered on the Australian Falcon. What portion of this made C1 a "Mazda" chassis is lost on me. If the trailng arms on the Mustang are going to be credited to anything, it should be the Falcon.

And, for a bit of an off-topic rant.....I don't know what amazes me more, that Ford tries so hard to convince people these are "Mazda" chassis, or that people who write these articles are naive enough to buy it.

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

I'd prefer keeping the Current Panther Cars. They should give them a Face-lift and everyone will be happy :)

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

You are very right syr74. Wikipedia basically compiles rumors and is fed by users and what they hear. None of the info there is Ford sanctioned.

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

My information is much better than any magazine. Believe me...don't believe me. Makes no difference to me.

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

I've seen that info too, but no mention was made of Lincoln models. Hudson, do you know anything about RWD Lincolns? Maybe 1 or more Marks & a Continental?

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

Automotive News has also said that the large Lincolns are moving to a Five Hundred derived platform, and Automotive News is the most accurate publication. Motor Trend has basically just repeated what AN originally said.

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

Guys, calm down. At this point no body knows for sure.

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

Why not just keep them on Panther? Just tighten it up a bit and save a ton of money. I don't see why Ford would give up tons of profit for marginal returns by putting it on an expensive new platform.l

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

I have seen no plans for future Lincoln products (at this point) to ride on RWD platforms...aside from the Navigator. Automotive News is just a newspaper...they can be lead by rumors just as much as any other publication...but they did get a good lead on the Volvo-based Lincolns coming.

Panther is ancient. I'm all for platforms evolving, but this is the case of a dinosaur walking around Manhattan. Keep it as a fleet (police, taxi, limo) platform, replace it with something more modern, or scrap it.

And there was work done to explore making Panther AWD-ready. This I know.

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

Which are? Man, tell us something more!!! :D

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

He cannot tell you more because this is all there is and no more. This rumour is old (really old) and has never had legs beyond the initial leak. Ford never did more than confirm that they were thinking about it.

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

I thought so.

Re: Crown Vic, redesign on next gen Fairlane Platform?
 

That's lovely, but it is not as good as mine.