Maximized

I am impressed with Ford's interior designs lately. First it was the F150, then the 05 Stang, and now the 500. Someone is doing some great work over at Ford. The only problem that I have is that the vehicle should have been RWD. Offer RWD standard and AWD as optional. Ford would have gotten a more dynamic vehicle.

gavriil

gavriil

I am still confused about what or who Ford is trying to target with this car.

gavriil

Source: Autoweek

gavriil

Rest of official pics here:

http://www.acura-cl.com/forums/showt...hreadid=126124

gavriil

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY FORD


REDEFINING THE NORTH AMERICAN SEDAN


DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 26, 2003 - Ford Motor Company is launching the Year of the Car by introducing six new car and crossover models in 2004. One of the five that will wear the Blue Oval badge is the most significant all-new sedan the industry has seen since the 1980s – the Ford Five Hundred.
The Five Hundred represents no less than the reinvention of the family car. It is a four-door sedan that boasts many of the advantages associated with sport utility vehicles and crossovers, including cargo capability, versatility, command-of-road seating and all-weather confidence.

Five Hundred accomplishes this by marrying the body of an upscale, contemporary sedan to an all-new, purpose-built crossover vehicle platform. The result is much more than a typical passenger car.

Five Hundred packages a big-car interior in a midsize body and includes one of the largest trunks available anywhere. It redefines comfort with highly flexible, upright command-of-road seating that positions drivers as much as four inches higher than traditional mid-size cars. And it offers Ford’s industry-leading safety technology – including state-of-the-art side-impact and rollover protection.

Five Hundred’s all-new continuously variable transmission and six-speed automatic provide an unprecedented combination of performance and economy. Its European-inspired chassis delivers a satisfying, responsive driving experience on North American roads

New Ford Flagship

The all-new Five Hundred is designed to be the flagship sedan in the Ford stable, setting the stage for a complementary lineup of all-new Ford vehicles that will roll out over the next few years. As the only car in its competitive group offering all-wheel drive, Five Hundred is expected to draw new customers to the Ford brand, including some who might otherwise have purchased an import.
Among Five Hundred’s features are:

· A contemporary, upscale design, both inside and out

· Interior volume that surpasses all others in its class

· Surprising cargo room with versatile, fold-down seats and the largest trunk of any Ford vehicle

· Available all-wheel drive for all-weather traction – a feature noticeably absent from many direct competitors

· High-package seating for all-day riding comfort and maximum visibility

· Industry-first high-volume application of a fuel-efficient, continuously variable transmission

· A new six-speed automatic for front-wheel-drive applications offering outstanding fuel economy in a conventional step-gear transmission

· Brisk acceleration by a powerful Duratec 30 V-6 engine and continuously variable or six-speed automatic transmission

· Energy-channeling frame and body structures by Ford and Volvo

· A optional safety package that includes side air bags and industry-leading Safety Canopy™ for protection in side impacts and rollovers

· Total Vehicle Geometry engineering protocol that improves quality and enhances the car’s overall value

Five Hundred Latest in Ford’s Product Barrage

The Five Hundred is one of five new cars and crossovers set to enter Ford showrooms in 2004. Joining it are the all-new Ford GT supercar, the 2005 Focus, the all-new Freestyle crossover and the all-new Mustang.

Added to the recent Ford F-150, Freestar and Mercury Monterey launches – and next year’s debut of the Mercury Montego and the Ford Escape Hybrid – this amounts to one of the most far-reaching product lineup renewals in Ford Motor Company history.

Comfort a High Point

Five Hundred’s high package interior brings SUV-like command seating to the premium sedan segment, giving drivers and passengers a clear view of the road.

“Customers say one of the things they love most about our SUVs is the way they can see the road without feeling overwhelmed by other vehicles,” said Jan Vulcan, chief nameplate engineer for the Five Hundred. “With our high-package interior, they can get this same feeling and still have the low step-in height and driving dynamics of a car.”

To create this environment, Ford engineers designed the seating around a high “H-point,” which is ergonomic terminology for the pivot point of the human hip joint. Legroom statistics are important, but unless H-point dimensions are considered, they don’t tell the whole story.

For Five Hundred’s front-seat passengers, the distance between the H-point and the vehicle floor is up to four inches higher than in other midsize sedans. The distance is even greater for second-row passengers. And overall headroom is best in class for both front and rear occupants.

That emphasis on roominess extends to Five Hundred’s trunk. Not only is it the biggest in its class – offering 50 percent more room than most competitors – Five Hundred’s trunk is larger than that of Ford’s full-size Crown Victoria sedan, a vehicle measuring nearly a foot longer overall.

Premium features include 17-inch wheels (18-inch wheels are standard on SEL and Limited), entry keypad, one-touch “up” front power windows, plus a host of options like all-wheel drive, leather seating with power adjustments (including power recline for the driver), fold-flat front passenger seat, reverse parking assist and moon roof.

Design Statement: Five Hundred a Premium Sedan
Five Hundred’s exterior design, with its clean geometric lines and stately proportions, makes it clear this is a confident, capable sedan.

“The Five Hundred has definite road presence,” said J Mays, Ford Group vice president, design. “The design is authoritative and well-proportioned, and the large wheels and great stance help underline the connection between the consumer and the driving experience.

“With Five Hundred’s upscale materials, colors, textures and graphics, we could infuse this segment of the car market with a bit of ‘guilt-free luxury’ – actually making many people’s dreams of driving an elegant European-inspired sedan accessible to them,” he added.

Classic Ford design cues include the trapezoidal, diamond-patterned grille, the window graphic with elegant chrome surround and, of course, the blue oval Ford badge centered along the rear of the trunk lid.

The interior styling builds on the same theme, with inviting materials and surface treatments – from smooth metal door handles to soft-touch paint finishes and high-quality fabrics or leather surfaces. SEL and Limited models have burled wood pattern appliqués on the instrument panel and doors, while the SE edition features carbon-fiber appliqués.



Performance Plus Efficiency

The Five Hundred’s two innovative transmissions – including one of the industry’s largest applications of a continuously variable transmission, or CVT – deliver strong performance from an engine that also is designed for fuel efficiency and low emissions.
The CVT is standard on all-wheel-drive and some front-drive versions of the Five Hundred. It uses two variable-size pulleys – one for input from the engine, the other for output to the drive wheels – connected by a metal chain. It constantly varies the effective sizes of the two pulleys to meet the driving demands of the moment. Electronic powertrain controls, including a sensor on the electronic throttle, constantly monitor the demand for power. When more torque is needed for acceleration or to maintain speed up a steep hill, the transmission seamlessly responds by creating the right gear ratio from an infinite number of possibilities, allowing the Duratec 30 engine to operate at optimum speed.

“No matter what speed you’re driving, the CVT will always seek out optimal torque,” said Ray Nicosia, manager of vehicle engineering.

Both transmissions offer overall wide spans from the lowest to the highest gear ratios. That translates into strong off-the-line acceleration, as well as high mileage on the highway.
The improved Duratec 30 3.0-liter V-6 engine also is designed to meet California Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV) II standards, which call for 55 percent less smog-forming pollutants than California Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) rules. New vibration damping makes this the quietest Duratec 30 engine ever and a fitting complement to the smooth-operating CVT.

Dual-piston aluminum front brake calipers and large front and rear brake rotors provide strong stopping power and fade-free performance. Five Hundred’s fully independent suspension, stiff body structure and precise rack-and-pinion steering contribute confident ride and handling.

Sure-Footed All-Wheel Drive

The all-new Ford Five Hundred is available with all-wheel drive inspired from a proven Volvo system. This application uses an electronically controlled, electro-hydraulic Haldex limited-slip coupling positioned just ahead of the rear differential to transfer torque to the rear wheels as needed whenever front wheels begin to slip. Electronic controls, which gather information from Five Hundred’s anti-lock braking system and other sensors, allow the all-wheel-drive unit to react within 50 milliseconds, much faster than competitive viscous coupling devices. When all-wheel drive isn’t required, Five Hundred functions in front-drive mode.
Available traction control (standard on all-wheel-drive models) uses selective braking to provide similar torque transfer side-to-side. The all-wheel-drive Five Hundred also features self-leveling rear shocks to assure the appropriate ride height, no matter how many people or how much gear is on board.

For Customers Who Carry People and Cargo

Five Hundred is not only a driver’s car, it’s also a passenger’s car, with exceptional comfort at all seating positions. It fits above Focus and the upcoming Futura in Ford’s all-new car lineup. Five Hundred is about 3 inches longer than a Taurus but roughly a foot shorter than the Crown Victoria. Despite its size, Five Hundred’s efficient packaging provides exceptional rear-seat knee room and more trunk space than any sedan on the market.
Five Hundred is expected to attract customers who appreciate the upright command seating, flexible storage space and all-wheel-drive capability of an SUV, but who want the comfort and drivability of a sedan. Five Hundred’s mix of premium features and affordability thought to be appealing to buyers who want to reward themselves for success, but who don’t require the pretentious trappings of some luxury cars. Many, including those cross-shopping competitive domestic and import brands, will be choosing Five Hundred for its ability to carry friends and family – and their cargo – for spontaneous weekend outings.
Three familiar series will be offered:

· The value-leading SE, well equipped with premium features such as 17-inch wheels

· The midlevel SEL, which adds appearance features, dual-zone air conditioning, an electronic message center, premium sound system and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob

· The top-of-the-line Limited, which includes even more appearance features, like a painted bright grille, and amenities like an Audiophile sound system, heated exterior mirrors, leather seating surfaces and heated seats for driver and front passenger

Safer by Design

Acknowledged safety leader Volvo made a key contribution to the technology packed into the new Five Hundred. To begin with, the Volvo-inspired platform is engineered to offer class-leading stiffness with relatively soft crush zones designed into impact areas. When equipped with Ford’s Safety Canopy™ and side air bags, Five Hundred is expected to earn top crash test ratings.
In frontal impacts, energy is absorbed by the frame rails, where an innovative bumper plate design – submitted for patent protection by Ford in North America – is employed. Excess energy is transferred around the passenger compartment into a high-strength safety cage. A patent-pending new design tailors the steering col’s collapse to the driver’s size and safety-belt use for optimum protection.

Rear-impact performance is so advanced that it is designed to meet proposed future federal crash standards. Side-impact protection is a particular strength of the new Five Hundred, thanks to a combination of Ford’s industry-leading air-bag technology and structural features that safeguard occupants from intrusion by channeling crash energy away from the passenger compartment. An innovative cross-car beam under the front seats reinforces the structure between the B-pillars while directing energy away from passengers to an engineered failure point under the center console. As a bonus, seats are mounted on top of this beam, creating more foot room for second-row passengers.

Frontal impact performance will meet the revised Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208, which requires the restraints system to automatically adjust to the front-seat passenger. The air-bag controller uses occupant classification sensing to determine if the seat is occupied and if so, whether the passenger is an adult, a child or a child in a child safety seat. Air-bag deployment is tailored – or altogether suppressed – to provide the proper protection.

The lower anchors and tethers for children, or LATCH system, provides mounting points for compatible child seats in the second row.

2005 Ford Five Hundred Preliminary Specifications

(Subject to change prior to on-sale date)

VEHICLE TYPE
4-door, 5-passenger sedan

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
(in inches / mm unless otherwise noted)

Exterior
Length 200.7/ 5,099
Width 73.7 / 1,873
Height 60.1 / 1,527
Wheelbase 112.9/ 2,867
Track width, front 64.6 / 1,640
Track width, rear 65.0 / 1,650
Ground clearance 5.1 / 130
Fuel capacity 19.0 gallons / 72.0 liters

Interior
SAE passenger volume 107.1 cubic feet / 3,032 liters

Headroom
1st row 39.4 / 1,001
2nd row 38.6 / 981

Shoulder room
1st row 57.9 / 1,470
2nd row 57.6 / 1,462

Hip room
1st row 54.2 / 1,376
2nd row 54.1 / 1,374

Legroom
1st row 41.3 / 1,048
2nd row 40.9 / 1,040

H-point height
1st row 22.7 / 577

Trunk volume 21.0 cubic feet / 595 liters

Total volume 128.1 cubic feet / 3,627 liters

WEIGHTS (in pounds / kg)

Base curb weight
Front-wheel drive, six-speed 3,643 / 1,652
Front-wheel drive, CVT 3,664 / 1,662
All-wheel drive, CVT 3,815 / 1,730

Maximum towing capacity 1,000 / 455

POWERTRAIN

Engine
Engine type 60-degree V-6, aluminum block and heads
Displacement 182 cu in / 2,967 cc
Power 200 hp @ 5,650 rpm
Torque 200 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm
Bore 3.5 in / 89 mm
Stroke 3.1 in / 79.5 mm
Compression ratio 10.0:1
Intake manifold Composite integrated air-fuel module
Exhaust manifolds Cast iron
Valvetrain DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Fuel injection Sequential multi-port fuel injection
Ignition Coil-on-plug
Oil capacity 6.0 quarts / 5.2 liters
Emissions level LEV II
Recommended fuel 87 octane unleaded

Transmission
ZF-Batavia Continuously Variable Transmission
Chain drive
Ratio range 2.47:1-0.41:1
Final drive ratio 4.98:1 (FWD)
5.19:1 (AWD)

Aisin AW six-speed automatic
Gear ratios
I 4.15:1
II 2.37:1
III 1.56:1
IV 1.16:1
V 0.86:1
VI 0.69:1
Reverse 3.39:1
Final drive ratio 3.46:1

CHASSIS
Front suspension Independent, MacPherson strut, rearward-facing lower L-arms,
stabilizer bar
Rear suspension Independent, multi-link coil-over-shock, stabilizer bar

Brakes
Front 12.5-in (315 mm) x 28 mm vented disc, dual-piston aluminum caliper
Rear 13-in (330 mm) x 11 mm solid disc
Swept area, front 63.3 in2 / 408 cm2
Swept area, rear 58.4 in2 / 380 cm2




Assist type Vacuum, standard ABS and electronic brake force distribution


Steering
Type Power rack-and-pinion
Overall 16:1
Turning circle, curb-to-curb 40.0 feet / 12.2 meters

Tires
SE and SEL P215/60R17 BSW
Limited P225/55R18 BSW

Wheels
SE 17-inch seven-spoke painted aluminum
SEL 17-inch seven-spoke bright aluminum
Limited 18-inch eight-spoke bright aluminum

SAFETY AND SECURITY
Air Bags Dual-level driver and passenger front air bags
Optional seat-deployed side air bags for driver and front passenger
Optional Safety Canopy side curtain rollover side air bags

Safety belts Height-adjustable lap and shoulder belts for front outboard seating positions; front seat has digressive load-limiting retractors and pillar-mounted pyrotechnic pretensioners
Three-point safety belts for all seating positions
BeltMinder™ safety belt reminder for driver and front passenger
Adaptive steering col

Child safety Childproof rear door locks. ISOFIX anchors (2 in 2nd row)

Fuel Inertia activated shutoff switch for fuel pump

Security SecuriLock™ passive anti-theft system, remote keyless entry and keypad standard on all series
Optional approach lamps (perimeter lamps)
Optional anti-theft perimeter alarm

EQUIPMENT
Cupholders
1st row Two in center console, bottle holders in both door panels
2nd row Two in armrest, bottle holders in door panels

Power points One in instrument panel, one in center console storage bin

Convenience Storage bin in instrument panel
Map pockets in all four doors
-Optional heated side mirrors
-Message center with compass on SEL and Limited
-Automatic headlamps on SEL and Limited
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob on SEL and Limited

Standard features
• Six way power-adjustable driver’s seat
• Drivers manual lumbar
• Four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes
• Traction control
• Electronic speed control
• Tilt steering col
• Body side moldings
• Chrome grille surround and window trim
• Keypad entry on driver’s door
• Autolock
• Folding power side mirrors
• Remote keyless entry (key fobs)
• Interval wipers
• Two 12-volt power points
• Air conditioning
• Front console
• One-touch automatic driver’s window (up and down)
• Floor mats
• Solar tinted glass
• Overhead console
• Power-assist steering
• Premium AM/FM Stereo System with single disc CD
• Decklid Trim





Options
• All-wheel drive
• Power-adjustable pedals with memory
• Leather seating surfaces
• Power moonroof
• Reverse sensing system
• Side Impact Air Bags and Roll Over Air Safety Canopy (package)

Trim levels
SE
• With standard equipment above

SEL adds
• Six-speed automatic transmission (CVT in all-wheel-drive only)
• Heated side mirrors
• Fog lamps
• Chrome accents on body side moldings
• Automatic headlamps
• Electronic message center with compass
• Electrochromic interior mirror
• Outside temperature display
• Eight-way (in lieu of six-way) power driver seat, two-way power passenger seat
• Fold flat passenger seat
• Six-disc in-dash CD changer and MP3 capability
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
• Redundant audio on steering wheel
• Woodgrain interior appliques
• Remote perimeter lighting with puddle lamps
• Dual-zone air conditioning with Automatic Temperature Control
• Adjustable rear head restraints
• Unique 17-inch bright aluminum wheels with exposed lugs
• Deluxe sound insulation
• Second Row A/C registers







Limited adds
• 18-inch aluminum wheels
• Bright grille texture
• Chrome mirror caps
• Leather seating surfaces in first and second rows
• Wrapped console armrest with French stitching
• Analog clock
• Memory function for heated side mirrors, eight-way power driver’s seat and power adjustable pedals (if equipped)
• Audiophile stereo system with subwoofer, six-disc in-dash CD changer and MP3 capability
• Trunk cargo net
• Homelink Trainable garage door opener
• Four-way (in lieu of two-way) power passenger seat
• Passenger manual lumbar
• Heated driver and passenger seats (cushion and back)
• Cream-colored instrumentation dial faces
• Storage compartment in second row armrest

Exterior colors
• Dark Shadow Grey Clearcoat Metallic
• Titanium Green Clearcoat Metallic
• Dark Blue Pearl Clearcoat Metallic
• Redfire Clearcoat Metallic (SE, SEL only)
• Pueblo Gold Clearcoat Metallic
• Silver Frost Clearcoat Metallic
• Ebony Clearcoat
• Oxford White Clearcoat
• Merlot Clearcoat (Limited only)
Interior colors
• Pebble
• Shale (SE , SEL only)
• Black (Limited only)

http://www.autonews.com/files/2004NA...d/500/info.doc

DISRUPTV

i guess they are tryna target the avalon market

DISRUPTV

btw its such a6 ripoff in so many ways that audi should think of suing ford

heyitsme

Looks like a nice car, but the engine is lacking for a 3600-3800lb car. Ford seems to be on a role.

Infamous425

that center console looks very hyundai-ish. they shoulda just made this a taurus replacement (or is it?)

chungkopi

wow that interior looks like a hyundai.

cusdaddy

200/200 isn't enough for a car this size/weight IMO

gavriil

Yes. And Ford recognizes that. They already have decided the details about where and when to produce a new 3.5 liter V6 which will make about 265HP. Coming in about a year unfortunately.

Crazy Bimmer

i think i just tasted my lunch.... the 2nd time

blackmagiCL_S

The exterior of that car is BORING BORING BORING. The inside looks bland too. Maybe it is aiming at the rental market? I can't imagine anyone loving that car enough to buy it.

Sypher

Maybe the police will by them with an Interceptor package? Other than that, I'm confused about the market, too, Gav.

N.O.6speed

that is terrible!!!! Looks like rental car material to me.

chef chris

Too Taurus-y.

They missed the boat here...big time.

Joe5.0

I think they are doing this the right way. The Taurus is being replaced with the 500 and the Futura. The 500 will appeal to older folks who just want a cushy ride and good looks and a nice interior. The Futura will go after the Accord/Altima buyer who wants a bit more sport to their family car. It is to be built alongside the Mazda 6.

In the end I think it's a better setup than trying to make the Taurus appeal to the 2 types of people, there's just too many compromises made.

If they keep the 500 below $30k fully loaded I think it'll sell well.

soopa

would make a nice fleet car.

nice unmarked cop car... other than that..

ruski_RENAMED

why didn't they recognize it from the get go?

cusdaddy

You hit the nail on the head. The car will be very boring and uninteresting for most of the people on this message board, as well as most people below 45 I'm guessing. But it's a great competitor for the Buick and Avalon crown.

It also frees Ford from trying to make their sedan be all things to all people, and allowing them to sell a Mazda 6 based sedan for the more enthusiast crowd (Futura). Now I think the name Futura is stupid, but I hope that a more interesting car than this is

DISRUPTV

but its such a blatant a6 ripoff...thats what bothers me sooo much abt it!

chef chris

Maybe I'm the only one who noticed this...but...

This car cannot replace 2 different vehicles in their line up. We keep comparing it to the bland Taurus...but it replaces the Crown Vic...which is a much more Luxo-oriented car. If this replaces the Crown...what will replace the Taurus?

kansaiwalker1

Trying to out Avalon the Avalon....

Should be a great rental car/fleet vehicle...

Joe5.0

It will not replace the Crown Vic. There will always be old people who want V8 + RWD and a full body on frame vehicle. And to be honest, the Crown Vic is a steal for what you get (if thats what you're lookng for).

chef chris

So what replaces the Crown Vic...the Futura?

Cause the Crown Vic is done with.

kansaiwalker1

From this weeks autoextremist.com

Ford desperately needed a big-time hit with its Five Hundred sedan - a car that was supposed to lead Ford out of the wilderness and finally give them a passenger car entry to compete with the best family sedans out there. But the Five Hundred (and its Mercury Montego cousin) couldn't be any more bland and any less memorable. Some pundits claimed it was very "Audi-like" - and that might have been fine if they weren't referring to five-year-old Audis. And since Ford chief designer J Mays was working on Audi five years ago it makes some sense. Some even commented that "it's light years better than the Taurus," but that isn't exactly saying much, either. Mays has coined Ford's future design look as "urban toughness," although the new Five Hundred hasn't received the benefit of that new thinking yet - so we'll just call it "urban blandness." Ford's problem with the new Five Hundred is that this business is in game-changing mode right now. Just showing up and being "competent" isn't going to cut it. Although the Five Hundred is competent and has a presentable interior (and it holds eight golf bags too - halle-frickin-luja!), the fact that it doesn't offer any design "reach" in the least means it will blend into the woodwork from the moment it hits the showroom floor. It doesn't help that it's a fairly large five-passenger car with only a 200HP V-6 to propel it either, with power improvements a long way off. Get four or five adults in one, and you'd be lucky if it gets out of its own way.

The bottom line on the new Ford Five Hundred is this: Ford needed a "statement" sedan that would set the visual tone for the brand for the next decade. And J Mays failed to deliver one. Instead, he delivered a staid, middle-of-the-road sedan that is neither distinctive nor memorable - in short, we're talking instant rent-a-car here. And one more thing - the real measure of a great automotive designer is whether or not he or she can deliver great design to mass-produced vehicles. It's easy to design a beautiful show horse concept that gets a lot of attention and then disappears from view never to be seen or heard from again. It's quite another thing altogether to bring design "reach" and vision to an affordable mass-produced car. Bill Mitchell, the legendary GM designer, was an absolute master at it. On top of all the great concepts he presided over during his tenure, he was responsible for bringing to life some of the best-looking mass-produced automobiles ever produced. Before J Mays can consider himself a great designer, he has to prove that he can deliver a great mass produced car for Ford. He hasn't done it yet.

kansaiwalker1

From this week's Autoextremist.com

From this weeks autoextremist.com

Ford desperately needed a big-time hit with its Five Hundred sedan - a car that was supposed to lead Ford out of the wilderness and finally give them a passenger car entry to compete with the best family sedans out there. But the Five Hundred (and its Mercury Montego cousin) couldn't be any more bland and any less memorable. Some pundits claimed it was very "Audi-like" - and that might have been fine if they weren't referring to five-year-old Audis. And since Ford chief designer J Mays was working on Audi five years ago it makes some sense. Some even commented that "it's light years better than the Taurus," but that isn't exactly saying much, either. Mays has coined Ford's future design look as "urban toughness," although the new Five Hundred hasn't received the benefit of that new thinking yet - so we'll just call it "urban blandness." Ford's problem with the new Five Hundred is that this business is in game-changing mode right now. Just showing up and being "competent" isn't going to cut it. Although the Five Hundred is competent and has a presentable interior (and it holds eight golf bags too - halle-frickin-luja!), the fact that it doesn't offer any design "reach" in the least means it will blend into the woodwork from the moment it hits the showroom floor. It doesn't help that it's a fairly large five-passenger car with only a 200HP V-6 to propel it either, with power improvements a long way off. Get four or five adults in one, and you'd be lucky if it gets out of its own way.

The bottom line on the new Ford Five Hundred is this: Ford needed a "statement" sedan that would set the visual tone for the brand for the next decade. And J Mays failed to deliver one. Instead, he delivered a staid, middle-of-the-road sedan that is neither distinctive nor memorable - in short, we're talking instant rent-a-car here. And one more thing - the real measure of a great automotive designer is whether or not he or she can deliver great design to mass-produced vehicles. It's easy to design a beautiful show horse concept that gets a lot of attention and then disappears from view never to be seen or heard from again. It's quite another thing altogether to bring design "reach" and vision to an affordable mass-produced car. Bill Mitchell, the legendary GM designer, was an absolute master at it. On top of all the great concepts he presided over during his tenure, he was responsible for bringing to life some of the best-looking mass-produced automobiles ever produced. Before J Mays can consider himself a great designer, he has to prove that he can deliver a great mass produced car for Ford. He hasn't done it yet.

shaHn78

Front reminds me too much of a Mercury and the rest is all VW.

Its nothing if not


G'night!

gavriil

Ford announces pricing for new Five Hundred, Freestyle and Montego - - By AMY WILSON | Automotive News - - Source: Autoweek


Prices for the 2005 Ford Five Hundred, a new mid-sized sedan, begin at $22,795 for a front-wheel-drive model, Ford Motor Co. said.

The all-wheel-drive Five Hundred starts at $24,495.

CLBean

We got one or two in our garage. The trunk in the 500 is huge, you can easily fit 3 or 4 bodies in the back of that thing. Nice ride, but its a bit too smooth... I think they were targeting 50 years and up... rear seats have the adjustable headrests which is always a plus. Haven't gotten to take one home yet... I'm trying to get the 05 mustang first... the early prototypes were crap, but the vehicles we have now look so sweet.

The mazda 6 ford is called the CD33X... I think they're out in 2006.

1SICKLEX

THat is pretty aggresive pricing. I'd still go with the 300C.

titan

I really don't like either. The Ford is bland; the Chrysler overly brash, with to many Bently cues. That said, I'd go witht the 300. A car the 500's size needs more power too.

gavriil

Five Hundred may spawn Town Car; Ford considering awd, V8 sedan - - RICK KRANZ | Automotive News - - Source: Autoweek


CHICAGO -- Ford Motor Co. will decide within 12 months whether to replace the Lincoln Town Car with an all-wheel-drive, V8-powered sedan developed by stretching the platform for the 2005 Ford Five Hundred.

"We have a number of alternatives we are looking at, and that is one of the alternatives," said Paul Mascarenas, executive director for medium and large front-drive and all-wheel-drive platforms.

"We are not scheduled to decide until probably around the third quarter of next year, when we have to have a firm decision and an approved program," Mascarenas said. He was interviewed at a Ford event here.

The mid-sized, fwd 2005 Five Hundred sedan and Ford Freestyle sport wagon, and the 2005 Mercury Montego sedan, are based on Volvo vehicle architecture. All three go on sale next month, and each will offer awd.

Mascarenas did not reveal all of the alternatives. But he said keeping the Panther platform on which the Town Car is assembled is an option. That platform dates to 1978 and is shared by the Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis.

Suppliers familiar with the company's plans expect the redesigned Town Car, and possibly the LS replacement, to be developed on the platform shared by the Five Hundred, Freestyle and the Montego.

The new Lincolns are expected to be assembled at Ford's Atlanta assembly plant in 2007 or 2008, they say.

Longer wheelbase

A Lincoln model could be differentiated by extending the wheelbase and front and rear overhangs.

"I would think (the wheelbase could be extended) 100 millimeters (3.9 inches), 125 millimeters (4.9 inches) before you would need to start widening the vehicle to balance out proportions," Mascarenas said.

The three 2005 vehicles share a 112.9-inch wheelbase.

Mascarenas said a V-8 would fit the engine compartment.

While General Motors and the Chrysler group are expanding their lines with rear-drive models, Mascarenas said: "I'm not sure the customer needs rear-wheel drive."

But he said Ford will closely monitor response to the awd option on the Five Hundred and Montego.

"That will help us gauge customer reaction to the front-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive alternative, relative to a rear-wheel drive offering, and that in turn, strategic planning for the next generation of products," he said.

Tough competition

The Five Hundred and Montego will compete against the popular rwd Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum. Both offer awd.

But the mid-sized, rwd platform used by the Australian Falcon will not be adopted for Lincoln.

"We get better economies of scale, better manufacturing efficiencies, better engineering synergies by working with our available design architectures, our available power plants, our available cross vehicle line commodities," Mascarenas said.

For the Lincoln brand, he said the company is focused "on what is the best we can do with what we've got as opposed to looking for yet new, more different design architectures."

charliemike

If I was his boss and read that, I'd fire him on the spot. Don't pass go; don't collect $200. Someone can mail him his stuff out of his desk.

titan

I don't understand. The very latest concepts from Lincoln looked good. This brand deserves more attention than Ford is givinig it. I understand they're not exactly rolling the dough, but they really should consider a RWD patform that can be used exclusively for Lincoln (a la' Caddy CTS,STS,SRX).

Aquineas

Sounds like a decent car, saddled with an anemic engine. When are they ever going to finish their corporate 3.5 V6?

Ford Five-Hundred

charliemike

Completely inexcusable that the car gets a 203hp V6.

Hell the Contour SVT had 200hp Duratec V6 about 6 years ago ... What have they been doing to build new engines in the meantime?

Unbelieveable. I bet that car is a complete dog when accelerating.

boochieCL

2007 or 2008... not sure yet