Your Ideal Ford Lineup!

[AmericanRevolution]

Alright, well, I personally don't feel like making a Ford lineup (just see my sig, lol), so I'll let that fun to you FoMoCo people! Have fun!

[SVT2888]

All they really need to add is an MN-12 style T-bird for when my current car gets too old.

[RWD60]

ohh... this one'll be fun...


here's my go: 2008 Ford N.A. lineup

(only Fe name i could think of)
Ferrium: smaller current focus, sedan, wagon, hatch, 10-18k
SE: 120hp 2.0L I-4, 6 speed M or A
ST: 150hp 2.4L I-4, 6 speed M or A
SL: 145hp 2.4L I-4, 6 speed A
SH: 155hp 2.0L I-4 hybrid, 6 speed A or CVT
SVT: 200hp 2.0L SC I-4, 6 speed M or A

Focus: FWD sedan, 5 or 3 door hatch, Euro platform, 12-22k
SE: 135hp 2.0L I-4, 6 speed M or A
ST: 165hp 2.4L I-4, 6 speed M or A
SL: 160hp 2.4L I-4, 6 speed A
SH: 170hp 2.0L I-4 hybrid, 6 speed A or CVT
SVT: 220hp 2.4L SC I-4, 6 speed M or A

Fusion: F/AWD sedan or wagon, 16-26k
SE: 165hp 2.4L I-4, 6 speed M or A
ST: 205hp 3.0L V-6, 6 speed M or A
SL: 200hp 3.0L V-6, 6 speed A
SH: 210hp 2.4L I-4 hybrid, 6 speed A or CVT
SVT: 260hp 3.0L SC V-6, 6 speed M or A

Escape: AWD crossover, Fusion chassis, 18-28k
ST: 205hp 3.0L V-6, 6 speed M or A
SL: 200hp 3.0L V-6, 6 speed A
SH: 210hp 2.4L I-4 hybrid, 6 speed A or CVT
SVT: 250hp 3.0L SC V-6, 6 speed M or A

Five Hundred/Freestyle: AWD sedan or crossover, 20-30k
SE: 205hp 3.0L V-6, 6 speed M or A
ST: 255hp 3.5L V-6, 6 speed M or A
SL: 250hp 3.5L V-6, 6 speed A
SH: 250hp 3.0L V-6 hybrid, 6 speed A or CVT
SVT: 320hp 3.5L SC V-6, 6 speed M or A

Mustang: RWD coupe or convert, 20-60k
SE: 255hp 3.5L V-6, 6 speed M or A
ST: 345hp 5.0L V-8, 6 speed M or A
SVT: 445hp SC 5.0L V-8, 6 speed M or A
Shelby GT500: 500hp SC 6.2L V-8, 6 speed M

Fairlane: R/AWD sedan or wagon, 120in wb mustang platform, 24-34k
SE: 255hp 3.5L V-6, 6 speed M or A
ST: 310hp 5.0L V-8, 6 speed M or A
SL: 305hp 5.0L V-8, 6 speed A
SH: 300hp 3.5L V-6 hybrid, 6 speed A or CVT
SVT: 400hp 5.0L SC V-6, 6 speed M or A

Thunderbird: RWD sports coupe, 114in wb mustang platform, 28-34k
ST: 310hp 5.0L V-8, 6 speed M or A
SL: 305hp 5.0L V-8, 6 speed A
SVT: 400hp 5.0L SC V-6, 6 speed M or A

Ranger/Explorer: based on current explorer, incuding IRS, 17-29k/22-34k
ST: 255hp 3.5L V-6, 6 speed M or A
SL: 250hp 3.5L V-6, 6 speed A
SH: 250hp 3.0L V-6 hybrid, 6 speed A or CVT
SVT: 305hp 5.0L V-8, 6 speed M or A

F-150/Expedition/Excursion: F-150 updated, Excursion is LWB and +10hp, 24-36/29-41/32-44k
ST: 320hp 5.0L V-8, 6 speed M or A
SL: 315hp 5.0L V-8, 6 speed A
SH: 300hp 3.5L V-6 hybrid, 6 speed A or CVT
SVT: 400hp 6.2L V-8, 6 speed M or A

now i feel obligated to do a mercury and lincoln (is there a lincoln thread??) lineup....

[SobeSVT]

Nice!! You gave a SVT version to each line. Ford could certainly use your advise.

[2b2]

Hey AR, please get the Lincoln thread up! I want to see RWD60's lineup!!

[AmericanRevolution]

RWD60, would you be able to expand a bit on what these cars would be like? Some discriptive info would be nice...

[RWD60]

most of them are out now, just minor restyling/new engines etc... these aren't exactly all new vehicles by and large... only the Ferrium (please, someone give me a better name...) is really new, and it's a subcompact sedan from Ford (only good this time), so it should be easy enough to imagine. The Escape is like the Freestyle is to the 500, only taller and more agressive looking, to the Fusion. Fairlane is basically the 427 concept for production... Ranger is a small F-150... T-bird is MN12ish, big and bold...

[SVT2888]

Since Ferrium is a subcompact try Feliz(Happy in spanish). Sub compacts always have quirky names.

[yoblues]

I think Ford is on the right track. Just add a T-Bird on a longer Mustang platform, dump the mini van and add the Fairlane concept. Add the Fusion look to the 500, add the Fusion style sheetmetal and a revised interior to the Crown Vic with a more powerfull V8 and a six speed auto. Add the (Fairlane, T-Bird and updated Crown Vic) to Merc as a Monarch, Cougar (Meteor) and updated Marquis. Add SVT versions as needed or demand dictates. GET THAT 3.5 DURATEC INTO THE **************** CARS and it's done.

[AmericanRevolution]

Originally Posted by yoblues

I think Ford is on the right track. Just add a T-Bird on a longer Mustang platform, dump the mini van and add the Fairlane concept. Add the Fusion look to the 500, add the Fusion style sheetmetal and a revised interior to the Crown Vic with a more powerfull V8 and a six speed auto. Add the (Fairlane, T-Bird and updated Crown Vic) to Merc as a Monarch, Cougar (Meteor) and updated Marquis. Add SVT versions as needed or demand dictates. GET THAT 3.5 DURATEC INTO THE **************** CARS and it's done.

Well, Ford does have the T-bird... I'm assuming you mean an all new one? If so, details please... :p

[MN12Fan]

Originally Posted by AmericanRevolution

Well, Ford does have the T-bird... I'm assuming you mean an all new one? If so, details please... :p

Thunderbird is effectively gone...again. A final date has already been set for its discontinuation. It's in the summer sometime, May or June I think. This means that the Thunderbird nameplate is officially up for usage on a new car in the future. My personal guess is that we'll hear something significant well before the end of the decade. Actually having a car built before the end of the decade is a much greater stretch but is still very possible, though something would have to be heard within the next year or two. As for what that car might be, my guess is as good as anyones' but I see three distinct possibilities.

One, the most likely possibility I think, the Thunderbird goes back to a design formula like that of the '80s Fox body and '90s MN12 Thunderbirds. Something a little more luxurious and roomier than a Mustang but not without noteworthy performance. GTO-esque in a way maybe. Base it on a stretched Mustang platform but give it an IRS. I know Ford's people decided that an IRS wouldn't have given the Mustang a great advantage in handling over going without but this is for the Thunderbird. A smooth ride is just as important as handling and the added feature gives something major to differentiate the car from the Mustang, just as it was from 1989 to 1997.

Two, the Thunderbird goes back to the formula of the original, and no, not in styling. The Thunderbird becomes a true sports car again, being a competitor to the likes of the Corvette. It almost isn't a real stretch of the imagination to use the fruits of those high performance concepts (Cobra, GR-1 concepts) Ford's been working on as a basis for a new Thunderbird. Someone could say "it wouldn't look like a Thunderbird" but then what does a Thunderbird look like? Throughout the decades, the only thing that has remained consistent on the Thunderbird has been RWD, a two-door coupe design, some kind of upscale look or set of features, a performance element, often in the form of an available V8, and, perhaps above all else, some kind of version of this symbol:



The Thunderbird has had no truly consistent styling theme and many fundamental features have changed in availability over the years. Overall, the Thunderbird seems unlikely to become an all-out sports car for one reason or another, but, at the same time, I feel like I shouldn't rule it out.

Finally, possibility three, the most simple possibility to describe, the Thunderbird takes on a totally different form becoming something no one would expect (as in something that isn't a coupe, RWD, etc.).

All of these possibilities work on the assumption that another Thunderbird will be built to begin with. One can never truly say what will happen but I think another Thunderbird is imminent. The name has a rich heritage and has brought Ford success on many occasions.

[AmericanRevolution]

Originally Posted by MN12Fan

Thunderbird is effectively gone...again. A final date has already been set for its discontinuation. It's in the summer sometime, May or June I think. This means that the Thunderbird nameplate is officially up for usage on a new car in the future. My personal guess is that we'll hear something significant well before the end of the decade. Actually having a car built before the end of the decade is a much greater stretch but is still very possible, though something would have to be heard within the next year or two. As for what that car might be, my guess is as good as anyones' but I see three distinct possibilities.

One, the most likely possibility I think, the Thunderbird goes back to a design formula like that of the '80s Fox body and '90s MN12 Thunderbirds. Something a little more luxurious and roomier than a Mustang but not without noteworthy performance. GTO-esque in a way maybe. Base it on a stretched Mustang platform but give it an IRS. I know Ford's people decided that an IRS wouldn't have given the Mustang a great advantage in handling over going without but this is for the Thunderbird. A smooth ride is just as important as handling and the added feature gives something major to differentiate the car from the Mustang, just as it was from 1989 to 1997.

Two, the Thunderbird goes back to the formula of the original, and no, not in styling. The Thunderbird becomes a true sports car again, being a competitor to the likes of the Corvette. It almost isn't a real stretch of the imagination to use the fruits of those high performance concepts (Cobra, GR-1 concepts) Ford's been working on as a basis for a new Thunderbird. Someone could say "it wouldn't look like a Thunderbird" but then what does a Thunderbird look like? Throughout the decades, the only thing that has remained consistent on the Thunderbird has been RWD, a two-door coupe design, some kind of upscale look or set of features, a performance element, often in the form of an available V8, and, perhaps above all else, some kind of version of this symbol:



The Thunderbird has had no truly consistent styling theme and many fundamental features have changed in availability over the years. Overall, the Thunderbird seems unlikely to become an all-out sports car for one reason or another, but, at the same time, I feel like I shouldn't rule it out.

Finally, possibility three, the most simple possibility to describe, the Thunderbird takes on a totally different form becoming something no one would expect (as in something that isn't a coupe, RWD, etc.).

All of these possibilities work on the assumption that another Thunderbird will be built to begin with. One can never truly say what will happen but I think another Thunderbird is imminent. The name has a rich heritage and has brought Ford success on many occasions.

You have a good point. Good post too!

[SHOwned]

My ideal Ford lineup?

oh, and tachometers on all vehicles...

Focus:
-Sedan
--S Duratec 20 with variable valve timing, 5 speed manual or automatic
--SE same as above, just nicer stuff available
--SEL same as above, just nicer stuff available
--hybrid SE or SEL, Duratec 20 + electric motor, maybe even an atkinson cycle on the Duratec 20


-Wagon
--SE same as SE sedan
--SEL same as above, just nicer stuff available


-Hatch (3 and 5 door)
--SE same as SE sedan
--SEL same as above, just nicer stuff available
--ST an SEL with only the 5 speed manual, the Duratec 23 with variable valve timing, and a stiffer suspension
--SVT Top of the line, same as an SEL in features, much sportier suspension, SVT reworked version of the Duratec 23, razor sharp handling, optional factory turbocharged version similar to the Mazdaspeed 6's engine, AWD optional. 6speed manual only transmission.





Fusion:
-S Duratec23 with variable valve timing, 5speed auto or manual
-SE Duratec 23 or Duratec 30, 5 speed manual on both, 5 speed auto on the 23, 6speed auto on the 30
-SEL Same as SE, just with more stuff
-hybrid SE or SEL with the Duratec 30, perhaps tuned to tradeoff some performance for efficiency, plus of course the electric motor
-SHO (ok ok..may not be practical, but I would like to see the SHO name revived and take the place of the ST for this model. This is MY ideal lineup. ) An SEL with the SVT suspension and the Duratec 35. 5sp manual only.
-SVT SVTatized suspension, high output reworked version of the Duratec 35, forced induction optional, 6sp manual only.


Five Hundred: (I like the current model trim namings, it isn't standard but feels more upclass even though it doesn't matter)
-SE Duratec 30 with variable valve timing (all Duratec 30's should be variable valve timing), 6sp manual
-SEL Same as SE but with more stuff, Duratec 35 optional, AWD optional
-Limited same as SEL but with more stuff, Duratec 35 standard, AWD optional

Mustang:

- base model mustang Duratec 35, 5 speed manual or 6speed auto
-GT 4.6liter V8. Perhaps by then tuned to make more horsepower through lighter construction/variable valve timing? 6 speed manual or 6 speed auto
-SVT Cobra The usual thing. Whatever SVT does with the cobra they do it pretty **************** good. Perhaps a little more emphasis and handling.
-Hybrid 1.6 liter Diesel from Europe with a 15hp electric motor to assist. 3spd automatic



I don't really have a lineup in my mind about the trucks and SUV's...

EDIT: Also I think it would be cool if we saw a new Mercury Cougar based off the Milan and Fusion. Bassically my Fusion SHO in the above lineup except of course with a nice sleek modern design like the last cougar was back when it came out, a sportier interior to go along with the exterior, only 2 doors, maybe a hatch in the rear if they can get away with it (they managed ok on the mazda 6 hatch and the corvette).

[BrickTamland]

This is good for me since I'm such a Ford fan.

Crown Victoria - Should be retained for police, taxis, and old people. It needs to be redone, but can be done on its current platform with some updates to make it more compsed. It needs a restyling that is still conservative but modern. It needs an all new interior. It needs the 3-valve treatment so it has 300 hp.

Edge - As is.

Escape - Should be redesigned for '07 or '08. It should have all the attributes that made the current one so great, but even better.

Expedition & Max - The new model looks to be fine.

Explorer - Give the six cylinder another 20-30 hp, but otherwise, as is.

Explorer Sport Trac - Concept as is.

F-150 - As is except the engines could use a boost in power to about 225 in the 4.2, 280 in the 4.6, and 330 in the 5.4. SVT model would be nice, but unlikely and impractical. But if there was, it needs 500+ hp.

F-Series Super Duty - The redesign coming up next year is fine except there is no styling change. Needs new styling reminiscent of the F-150.

Fairlane - As is in concept

Five Hundred - As is with the planned updates for next year.

Focus - Please, please, please, please give us the Euro model. PLEASE!

Freestar - dead.

Five Hundred - ditto Five Hundred

Fusion - Could use a wagon model, unless Edge is able to fill that space. We'll have to see. Needs an SVT model with at least 280hp.

GT - As is.

Mustang - Interior could use better materials, but otherwise, as is.

Ranger - Redesign needed, but probably unlikely. If there is no redesign, kill it after a few years.

Thunderbird - re-introduce as a coupe like the MN-12 generation. Could be built off the Five Hundred platform. Would have the 250hp 3.5 V6, 300 hp 4.6 V8, and 380hp+ 5.4 V8 SVT model.

Yet-to-be-named - sports coupe that fills the gap left by the Probe. Would be based of the Fusion and use its engines.

[SHOwned]

Originally Posted by BrickTamland

Yet-to-be-named - sports coupe that fills the gap left by the Probe. Would be based of the Fusion and use its engines.

Bingo, that is what I was thinking but sold as the Cougar.