Tony Alonso

Thank you for all you've done. Wishing you the best as you forge ahead. You are in my prayers.

The GT/CS-specific wheels don't clear the 14" brake calipers.

Sounds nice! Do you get to drive it?? What's next on your Mustang list? The S197 Mustangs are great daily drivers. I've enjoyed my 2007 since last August, putting on 22,300 miles since that time. Enjoy!

Which ones? Which ones? Which ones and what parts? Which ones? I submit it's because they do not need the volume of vehicles at the current market share level, not because of lack of them. I agree that perks like this seem counterintuitive with Ford in crisis mode. I also agree the people who left were significantly affected by decisions from people who were most likely in roles well above them in the management hierarchy. Many did get buyouts while some were let go without any safety net. Ford's biggest challenge is to get products to market FASTER than they do today. Also, since we here in the US don't often consider the global picture, I would add that the market does include other areas where they do have success already. Less perks would make a statement.

Excellent question and response that follows! This type of coversation hopefully continues and increases more frequently as Ford looks over its global portfolio. I suspect that a particular application like this for a certain market must drive product planners crazy because it becomes hard to justify a major investment if the profits are used to subsidize other vehicle lines. I wonder if this is the case. Also, I would be curious to see how the Dodge Charger police cars would do in this regard, since they are derived from a unibody Mercedes Benz platform.

And it is excellent, relative to the previous 4-link live axle suspension set-up of the SN-95 It's all about the "positioning"!

Fully agree! Specious - nifty SAT word! On bumpy curved roads when trying to put the power down, there is definitely a difference. If the surface is smooth, then there is a comparison. I have autocrossed both IRS and live axle RWD cars. When hitting a tight corner and getting on the power, the feel was similar. Of course, there are cases where you can overload the wheels and get axle hop, but that is another dynamic. My suspicion is the live axle got the nod definitely because of price since the additional development time and cost to make it work for the GT500 might have come up against deadline and budget limits, respectively. At any rate, I think we could see an IRS in this car and possibly the next Mustangs, but obviously nothing is certain.

Great job! I like the changes you made - looks more "production viable".

Nice job! That helps the remove some of the "weightiness" of the front end.

This is a distinct improvement in styling over the current version of the Malibu. The rear end, to me, looks similar to the Acura TL and TSX, which have been generally judged as positive in the styling department..

I also think there is a strong possibility that something like this gets built, especially since it is sitting on the Mustang platform. To accomplish the design they have on an extended version of a chassis that underpins a more affordable car than T-Bird or LS shows a seriousness in the intent to produce. Assuming they do, I suspect that it would be a wonderful way to amortize the costs of a potential IRS since there is this and the Lincoln concept.

I will have to see it in person to get the full effect but I like it so far. It could use maybe just a bit more work on the front to tighten up it up a bit.

The outside view just might be the thing that is needed to spark the momentum. I wish Alan the best of luck. As a side note, I find the Bill Ford/Mark Fields animated GIF amusing.

According to this USA Today article, the answer is 'yes'.

Why do you say that?