Ford Interceptor concept

[red05bullitgt]

Not that car - I'm looking forward to / hoping to see make it to production

Which car are you hoping will make it to production ? the Lincoln MKR or the Interceptor ?? I'm not quite sure as to which one your referring to I'm hoping it's the Lincoln MKR that makes it for 3 reasons .. 1 it has a very unique and fresh design..2 it's built from the current Mustang D2C platform..3 goes to demonstrate that a RWD sedan can be built off the current D2C platform while at the same time keeping production and tooling costs down..

 

[srothfuss]

Sorry - the MKR is the one I want to see (more so than the interceptor) but if I were to really get my way, I'd like both cars.


And I don't want to sound all harsh and stuff... we are both arguing the same points I think. And I'll give you the fact that the 300 does look similar to the 427. It's just too bad Ford didn't build it as Chrysler went on to win MotorTrends COTY award, a couple other awards, and sold the 300C model at almost an 80% take rate

 

[red05bullitgt]

No question, Ford definitely screwed up big time when it didn't put both the 427 and Ford 49 concepts into production ? as we now know both vehicles could have been built off the current Mustang D2C platform..Let's just hope that Ford has learned from it's prior mistake ? and will hopefully put both the Lincoln MKR and Interceptor into production..Although I like the MKR over the Interceptor ?? I do believe that both vehicles have a lot of potential..and who knows ? perhaps there's still a remote chance for the 49 concept as well..

 

[metroplex]

However the Hemi V8 LX platform cars aren't selling too great and lack aftermarket support.

The Ford Interceptor Concept may not go over too well with the BUYING public. It will generate a lot of hype and interest at the auto show, much like the Marauder accomplished. Once the Marauder actually went on the market, it had dismal sales figures.

Female buyers won't be interested in a 500 hp V8 RWD 4-door sedan. Young buyers cannot afford the Interceptor (my guess: $30k-$40k easy). Older buyers will buy a Cadillac CTS instead, or a Charger SRT-8 / Challenger SRT-8.

BTW the tail lights almost look like they are from the 94-96 9C1 Caprice.

 

[srothfuss]

However the Hemi V8 LX platform cars aren't selling too great and lack aftermarket support.

I'm glad you bring this up - because it is one area that I do think Chrysler screwed up in after the first couple years of major success. They simply overbuilt (oversaturated) the dealership lots with these cars so now most people probably think they can get one when ever they want to.

The issue with the aftermarket - Chryslers ECU is a learning computer, so any changes you make for performance are negated after a few weeks. Another screw up

The Ford Interceptor Concept may not go over too well with the BUYING public. It will generate a lot of hype and interest at the auto show, much like the Marauder accomplished. Once the Marauder actually went on the market, it had dismal sales figures.

I was thrilled to hear about the Marauder when it was first supposed to be released, but then I saw the price of entry...

Female buyers won't be interested in a 500 hp V8 RWD 4-door sedan. Young buyers cannot afford the Interceptor (my guess: $30k-$40k easy). Older buyers will buy a Cadillac CTS instead, or a Charger SRT-8 / Challenger SRT-8.

That is why you need to offer the V6 options in the mid level cars, just as Chrysler has. Make it get 30MPG on the highway and 20 in the City's and it'll probably sell as long as Ford understands that the Factory should pump out about 100K units / year.

And Ford doesn't have an SVT division (that I see right now)anyway so there probably won't be a competing model for the SRT8 cars. Which you should at least get a ride in one day! They are amazing for a 4300 pound vehilce

 

[metroplex]

I thought about buying a Charger R/T (can't really afford the SRT-8) but Chrysler does not offer a manual transmission for any of the LX cars. If you could slap a whipple blower on the SRT-8, it could give the stock GT500 a good run for its money on the 1/4 mile!

Just as a comparison, the 03-up Crown Vics are about 4300 lb race-ready w/ driver but have only 239-250 hp (239 for LX Sport, 250 for 04-up CVPI). The GT500 coupe has a curb wight of 3950 lb, just about the same as the 98-02 Crown Vics!

When we ran a supercharged 99 CVPI at Englishtown, it weighed about 4136 lb with a 160 lb driver, and ran 14.0x (capable of 13.8-13.9).

The 4-door RWD V8 sedan has its appeal but only to, should I dare say, a niche market? The target audience that would consider a V6 "Interceptor" would only buy it if it was FWD or good in the snow. For the gearhead/V8/manual transmission/gear oil-in-our-veins buyer, we wouldn't be satisfied with anything short of a 400+ hp V8 RWD sedan, preferably firebreathing and loud. :SNSign:

 

[GT-03]

The side shots at a distance really make it look like a 300C.

I agree, but at any distance, it sure looks more like a D-Chrysler product than a Mustang. I mean, its "DNA" suggests a D-Chrysler parentship more than a Mustang or even a Ford.

 

[red05bullitgt]

All of you bring up some very good points which is probably more than likely as to why Ford has stated there have been no plans as to whether or not the Interceptor will ever make it into production However ? I do hope that Ford will bring the Lincoln MKR concept into production, I really believe this car has real potential and would do well up against the Cadillac CTS it has a very fresh and modern design which Lincoln desperately needs to boost it's sales and uses the current Mustang D2C platform which just goes to show that the Mustang platform can be modified to build not only other rear wheel drive coupes ? but can also be used to build rear wheel drive 4 door sedans such as replacing the panther platform( Crown Vic) as well while at the same time ? keep production and tooling costs down...IMHO this would by far be a much better alternative over that Aussie Falcon or Orion platform which would require spending even more money in just import and shipping costs let alone increased production and tooling costs..

 

[metroplex]

which just goes to show that the Mustang platform can be modified to build not only other rear wheel drive coupes ? but can also be used to build rear wheel drive 4 door sedans such as replacing the panther platform( Crown Vic) as well while at the same time ? keep production and tooling costs down...

That is the whole point behind Ford's Global Shared Technologies program. The D2C chassis is currently used only for the S-197 Mustang, but can potentially be used all around the world in different variations (sedan, station wagon, utility vehicle, etc...) The D2C was developed with this in mind along with the Mk2 Focus and other vehicles. :SNSign:

 

[red05bullitgt]

Perhaps you can answer this for me ?? there was someone from another forum that claimed the Mustang D2C platform cannot be modified nor stretched out to build 4 door rear wheel drive sedans ?? but we now know from both the Interceptor concept and the Lincoln MKR concept that yes indeed, it can be done... Am I right or wrong about this ?

 

[metroplex]

I'd say that the D2C itself cannot be "stretched", but something like a D4S could be developed based on the D2C (4-door sedan vs 2-door coupe).

 

[red05bullitgt]

So if D2C itself cannot be stretched or modified into a 4 door sedan ? then exactly what platform is the Interceptor and Lincoln MKR concepts built upon ??? supposedly both concepts are built off the Mustang platform (D2C)

 

[351CJ]

Perhaps you can answer this for me ?? there was someone from another forum that claimed the Mustang D2C platform cannot be modified nor stretched out to build 4 door rear wheel drive sedans ?? but we now know from both the Interceptor concept and the Lincoln MKR concept that yes indeed, it can be done... Am I right or wrong about this ?

There is a big difference between making a concept car out of existing Mustang hardware and putting into production a 4 door model based directly off the Mustang.

I'm sure D2C could be redesigned to make it suitable for larger 4 door vehicles. But by the time it's production ready it will be far different from today's D2C.

Don't forget the Mustang and it's D2C platform are due for a major update for 2010. If the Interceptor and MKR concepts make it into production, they won't be out until 2010 and they will be using a version of the updated D2C platform, maybe something like an E4D.

 

[metroplex]

I don't want to sound like a broken record here, but last I read, the Ford Falcon was due for a re-design in 09 with a new LH drive Orion chassis for the Australian market and converted to RH drive for the Aussies (LH gets exported). Let's see: 4-door sedan, RWD, V8 engine, uni-body, LH drive for export markets... Sounds to me like a possible US Ford Falcon in 2010.

 

[red05bullitgt]

IMHO ? It would be far too costly if Ford were to scrap an existing platform like D2C which is still a very young platform, in favor of this Orion Aussie platform ?? first off if this were to take place ? there would be increased production costs along with increased tooling and then import costs on top of that ?? just these 3 reasons alone would put Ford further back in debt than it is now..Therefore from a financial standpoint ? this just wouldn't fly very well..And most of all ? do you realize how many angry Mustang enthusiasts Ford would have on it's hands if the Mustang were to be built in Australia ??? that alone would be the demise of Ford hands down...On the other hand ? I agree with 351 CJ's suggestion of re-designing D2C into something like an E4D platform as the replacement for the (Crown Vic) panther platform or perhaps even the E8 platform could also be a possibility ? while at the same time just update D2C for the Mustang and If Ford decides to build other RWD coupes ?? an updated D2C would work out very nicely as well..