Ford Aust future model line up- What do you want - Page 4

chevypower · 13-10-2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irlewy86

I'm warming to the US's current range of Lincoln's. Even though LWB is dead I'd love to see a true LTD (lincoln type design). Even if it is based on SWB it would add another bow in Ford's upmarket models and could make more sense than a G8E (hint V8 power).

I'm not 100% convinced LTD ever really stood for Lincoln Type Design - perhaps someone at Ford Australia just thought that's what it meant... kind of like rice now stands for race inspired cosmetic enhancement. Ford US has used LTD and Limited on numerous cars, I think LTD was Limited, at least in the US. The Crown Vic LTD, looked nothing like a Lincoln, despite sharing the same platform.
I could be wrong of course..... It has happened once before :-)

Partman33 · 13-10-2009, 04:11 PM

Keep the straight 6 for performance V6 is not the answer.

Powdered Toast Man · 13-10-2009, 04:41 PM

I'd love them to make a mid size rear wheel drive sedan / wagon, which when powered by the ecoboost 4cyl would be a ripper of a car.

I'm dreaming though as it's not economically viable. I guess I'll have to save up for a 6cyl 3 series BM (yeah like I can afford one of them!).

Funny how the OPs prediction of a 290kw XR8 actually came true.

irlewy86 · 13-10-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevypower

I'm not 100% convinced LTD ever really stood for Lincoln Type Design - perhaps someone at Ford Australia just thought that's what it meant... kind of like rice now stands for race inspired cosmetic enhancement. Ford US has used LTD and Limited on numerous cars, I think LTD was Limited, at least in the US. The Crown Vic LTD, looked nothing like a Lincoln, despite sharing the same platform.
I could be wrong of course..... It has happened once before :-)

Some of the LTD's actually had the lincoln badge from memory. Wouldn't be the first time the name hasn't matched the product. I don't think Ghia ever actually produced a single Fairlane anyway.

Bossxr8 · 13-10-2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevypower

I'm not 100% convinced LTD ever really stood for Lincoln Type Design - perhaps someone at Ford Australia just thought that's what it meant... kind of like rice now stands for race inspired cosmetic enhancement. Ford US has used LTD and Limited on numerous cars, I think LTD was Limited, at least in the US. The Crown Vic LTD, looked nothing like a Lincoln, despite sharing the same platform.
I could be wrong of course..... It has happened once before :-)

It actually did stand for Lincoln Type Design. I've seen photos of the original LTD design concepts and it says that on them.

**TUF_302** · 13-10-2009, 07:01 PM

A Turbo Diesel Territory, with bigger ground clearance, make it a bit more capable off the beaten track, also bring back the XR wagons!

LeadFoot81 · 13-10-2009, 07:04 PM

Id like to see a Falcon G8E with flappy paddles at least (I know they just wouldnt do a manual) and the Kuga added to the range.

ltd · 13-10-2009, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

It actually did stand for Lincoln Type Design. I've seen photos of the original LTD design concepts and it says that on them.

Agreed, it is in fact 100% Lincoln Type Design.
Fairlane was also the name of Henry Fords massive home and property.

ltd · 13-10-2009, 07:11 PM

Actually, I'd love to see them make a modern day coupe. I was waiting at a set of lights the other day and in the shop windows the g6 looked like a coupe/roadster. It looked pure horn. If I was any good at that choppy photo thing I'd give it a "fair crack of the sauce bottle".

**Burnout** · 13-10-2009, 07:29 PM

Bring back the RTV!

Franco Cozzo · 13-10-2009, 07:43 PM

Ford F150 brought over here by Ford, as long as its a reasonable price.

snappy · 13-10-2009, 07:53 PM

I want a v8 that sounds like a v8 a goes like a bat out of hell .
I want more reliable vechicles . Bring back built for tough
I want good looking cars , mean looking ones

XR6_190 · 13-10-2009, 08:50 PM

The things I want, and think Ford need:
G8 and G8E, to compete with Holdens Calais and Calais V V8, also because there are people out there that want affordable V8 luxury, sales of V8 Calais are proof of this.

FG RTV, Was pretty popular with the BA and BFs, and a lot of RTV owners would be looking to update. R+D couldn't be to much for these

Kuga, such a big slice of the new car market, and Ford's best answer at the moment is what? a 10 year old Escape? You must be joking?

Diesel Territory , Yes I know it is on it's way, but fact is, it should have been here 4 years ago. STOP HESITATING FORD!

Stronger Mondeo range Ford could sell many more Mondeo's if the local range wasn't so restricted, I can't get a manual unless I get an XR5, I can't get a diesel wagon, I can't get a manual diesel.

chevypower · 14-10-2009, 08:34 AM

Thanks guys regarding Lincoln Type Design - I'd read that in a Ford book years ago, but thought the author could have made a mistake. I am more convinced now.

I think Ford should have a global lineup of vehicles under the three brands Ford, Mercury (if they overhaul the whole brand) and Lincoln.

Ford - trucks, SUVs, crossovers and cars
Mercury - upper level cars and crossovers
Lincoln - premium level cars and crossovers

Ford cars: Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, Taurus, Falcon (Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, Taurus all available in hatch and sedan) Taurus and Falcon available in sedan and wagon.
Ford crossovers - Kuga, Edge, Territory, Explorer
Trucks: F-100, F-150, F-250 (f-100 replaces Ranger)
SUVs: Bronco (SWB Expedition), Expedition (Ford global competitor to LC200, Patrol)
Commercial: Transit Connect, Transit (make more like the Sprinter), E-series, Chassis Cab versions of F-100, F-150, F-250

Mercury
(completely overhaul the whole brand or drop it) - when i think of mercury, i picture a dinosaur.

Lincoln
whole range, but make new Town Car on Falcon platform, give it a new name... like MKL?

ltd · 14-10-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevypower

Thanks guys regarding Lincoln Type Design - I'd read that in a Ford book years ago, but thought the author could have made a mistake. I am more convinced now.

I think Ford should have a global lineup of vehicles under the three brands Ford, Mercury (if they overhaul the whole brand) and Lincoln.

Ford - trucks, SUVs, crossovers and cars
Mercury - upper level cars and crossovers
Lincoln - premium level cars and crossovers

Ford cars: Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, Taurus, Falcon (Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, Taurus all available in hatch and sedan) Taurus and Falcon available in sedan and wagon.
Ford crossovers - Kuga, Edge, Territory, Explorer
Trucks: F-100, F-150, F-250 (f-100 replaces Ranger)
SUVs: Bronco (SWB Expedition), Expedition (Ford global competitor to LC200, Patrol)
Commercial: Transit Connect, Transit (make more like the Sprinter), E-series, Chassis Cab versions of F-100, F-150, F-250

Mercury
(completely overhaul the whole brand or drop it) - when i think of mercury, i picture a dinosaur.

Lincoln
whole range, but make new Town Car on Falcon platform, give it a new name... like MKL?

Agree with that 100%.
Also, as a fan of the towncar I think they'd be on a winner here; even though they'd have to stretch the falcon by another 50cm. Give americans an I6 (which has more power and torque than the 4.6 SOHC now) and let them option the turbo motor too. Give towncar owners a slightly sportier version. Many, many a time I have tried overtaking in a towncar on the highways and am constantly amazed at the lack of grunt this thing has. Ever tried taking a car over the Rocky mountains through Colorado on the interstate? The poor little V8 revs its nuts off as it can't breathe and is hauling about 2 tonnes of metal. Now, imagine that same drive with an I6T and a ZF. It would probably only drop one gear for the really steep bits.
Let ford USA do the bodywork and the seats (designed flat for the wide american behinds) and the interior, and it'll be win win.

High_Octane · 14-10-2009, 04:37 PM

Australian focus RS or similar. Spec above the XR5 to compete with STi`s and Evo`s.

irlewy86 · 14-10-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevypower

...

Mercury
(completely overhaul the whole brand or drop it) - when i think of mercury, i picture a dinosaur.

I find a little humorous that people talk of Mercury as a "nothing brand" a sort of awkward step between regurlar Ford models and top spec Lincoln's. It is the same sort of thing they said about Edsel's.

Personally I think Mercury could be the test bed for "one Ford" models or other low volume niche vehicles.

chevypower · 14-10-2009, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irlewy86

I find a little humorous that people talk of Mercury as a "nothing brand" a sort of awkward step between regurlar Ford models and top spec Lincoln's. It is the same sort of thing they said about Edsel's.

Personally I think Mercury could be the test bed for "one Ford" models or other low volume niche vehicles.

Yes, they have a rebadged Crown Vic at their top end, a rebadged Explorer, a rebadged Escape, and all three of those just seem ancient. I think Grand Marquis will be gone with the CV, Explorer goes unibody for 2011, so maybe there will be a new Mountaineer to go with it, and the Escape/Mariner - i doubt that will get a replacement - Mercury needs an Edge/MKX based vehicle. Mercury Milan (Fusion based) is the most modern car in the lineup. Perhaps the G6E, G8E could replace the Grand Marquis, and an MKS-based vehicle.
The bottom line is, Buick has gone global, the Buick cars are pretty nice now, Mercury is Ford's direct competitor, it's not a lost cause, but it is riding on the Titanic, and if they don't do anything, thinking the ship is unsinkable, then it will go down! (Sorry, I couldn't think of a better analogy). :-)

Oh I should add, i think Mercury needs a nice convertible, maybe on the Mustang platform - something that doesn't look like the Mustang though. Something a bit softer and more plush. Something to add sportiness to the brand image. A more affordable version of the Lincoln MKT in the Mercury lineup would do wonders also.

csv8 · 14-10-2009, 06:04 PM

Bring in FOCUS RS, MONDEO TITANIUM Wagon and XR5 Wagon.

Partman33 · 14-10-2009, 06:23 PM

Falcon should go global it leaves anything in the states for dead. They wouln't know what hit them after the dinosaurs they have been driving.

chevypower · 14-10-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Partman33

Falcon should go global it leaves anything in the states for dead. They wouln't know what hit them after the dinosaurs they have been driving.

Oh, I don't think that's a fair comment. The old Taurus was a dinosaur, the old Falcons were dinosaurs... the new Falcons are world class, the new Taurus is world class. Just an example

**SSD-85** · 15-10-2009, 12:06 AM

Bring back the Galaxies! (keeps on dreaming)

**Elks** · 15-10-2009, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XCPWSF

Ford F150 brought over here by Ford, as long as its a reasonable price.

+1 Such a handy device. It's not the worlds best selling vehicle for no reason.

Quote:

I want a v8 that sounds like a v8 a goes like a bat out of hell .
I want more reliable vechicles . Bring back built for tough
I want good looking cars , mean looking ones

I do struggle with your "more reliable" comment. I've not owned an unreliable Ford since the departure of our EA (that was rubbish) and we have 8 other new ones since then.

However I too, love the old school V8 rumble, love the tough look, think Interceptor concept car ( pic below) Imagine that with FG dynamics and functionality, maybe the Oz version could run a stylised retro XY grille..