joelijoi

Looks great, call it the MK CGR. Can you try a roofline of a 67 Cougar but with a slant like the GT-R then change the rear quarter side window like a 87 Cougar. Just wonder what that would look like. Flare the fenders like the current MKC. Aggressive front end is sharp.

bring back the cat

history of XR http://www.coolcats.net/welcome/xr7series.html

for all your Mercury concepts including the Cougar II http://www.wingedmessenger.net/ConceptFuture.htm

Just wondering what a 3 bar chrome mesh grill would look like and and a monochromatic with a 3 bar black chrome mesh grill.

Nothing like a luxury sport coupe with a V-8. http://www.coolcats.net/mn12/ http://tccoa.com/

Thanks JLadioF150 and Watchdevil. Since J Mays is still doing his "homework" and he has done a Lincoln and Ford concept on the Mustang platform, it is time to see what Mercury can do with that platform. Just only a concept and see what kind of public reaction it gets. Now everyone bashes Mercury since they are rebadged Fords. Mercury used to be a volume seller until Ford took interest in Volvo, Mazda, and so on. The Lynx, Tracer, Sable, Cougars, etc, of the 80's and early 90's were volume sellers. But since Ford has grown, no one division wants the other divisions to take aways sales. Why do you think that BMW, Audi, and others have entered the entry level market to draw young professionals since that will bring brand loyalty. I agree wih JLadioF150 about what a Cougar should be, an American luxury sport coupe, like the original. As far as Mercury goes, I also agree with Watchdevil about Mercury should go the same direction as Saturn. Same global platforms as Ford of Europe, then use some of that design on Mercury.

Something from a few years ago.

My question is it time for a Cougar concept? Here is the quote from J Mays when he was interviewed by Autonews.com last April: "Lincoln Mercury dealers have wanted a sporty coupe. They would love to have a next-generation Cougar. But we've got homework to do with that brand before we get to the recess. I look at a brand as you do your homework and then you have your payoff with something that's a little bit more indulgent. And coupes are very indulgent. We've got a lot of homework to do, and I want to get that out of the way first. We hear you're exploring something off the Mustang platform for Lincoln. Well, we're exploring multiple directions. But Peter knows that Mark (Fields)'s focus and my focus is on getting the homework done. A brand has to have a solid foundation on which to build. And a solid foundation is the slightly higher volume products with more longevity." Homework? Is J Mays still doing his homework? Meanwhile, what have we seen BMW came out with a new 3 Series Coupe with all wheel drive and 300hp, Audi devloping a new A5, refreshened 350Z and Inifiniti G, new Nissan Altima coupe, Pontiac G6, Honda Accord concept to name a few. What more homework is there to do? Ford has just shown what they can do with the Mustang platform by streching it and developing 2 new concepts with inependent rear suspension. How hard would it to be strech the wheelbase, let's say 3 inches and then through in the independent rear suspension. Whether the car should be retro or an all new design, I would like to see what they can come up with. What would work? A base LS-X with 3.5 and all wheel drive and a XR-7 with the 4.6 and rear wheel drive. At least tease us a little. If there is to be no new Cougar, then please just kill Mercury.

http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=23670 Info on the 2007 model lineup. You can click on the overview and specs to get the info. What you do see is AWD for the Fusion/Milan. What you don't see is the 3.5 for the Fusion/Milan and Five Hundred/Montego. Also, there is no new grille for the Five Hundred. When is Ford going to get with the program? Meanwhile Toyota launches a new Camry with 268hp and Nissan Altima with 265hp. Also, Fields comments on Mercury, “We are repositioning Mercury as the ‘Metro Cool’ brand that appeals to people who we define as savvy individualists. They want a vehicle that is differentiated by sophisticated styling and offers features that keep them connected to the world.†Mercury used to be a mass seller but now Ford is concentrating more on Volvo and Mazda. Why can't Ford follow the examples used by Dodge/Chrysler and Volkswagen/Audi, they can design cars with the exact same mechanicals but have a completely different body. Ford is dying a slow death and they are doing it to themselves.

How accurate is this? Is Ford too late? http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=109773

SVT is no more. Just read this on Edmunds. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Colum...rticleId=109512

I have to agree with NickF1011 and timmm55, a retro Cougar would not work. A new Cougar design should evolutionary by using design cues from past Cougars and combining those with the Mercury Messenger and Ford Iosis. For example, the roof could be designed similar to that of the original but with a slight slant downward. The rear window should be somewhat like that of a 2001 Audi A4 since this goes with the shape of the rear of the Messenger. The side rear quarter panel could reflect that of a '87 with a character line going down the side of the car and flair upward at the rear quarter window like that of the original and of the new Charger. The side should have some type of scoop like that of the Messenger or Iosis. Also, the Iosis front could be used with a Mercury grille with the Cougar head and on the front of the bumper have the aluminum trim like the Mariner or Moutaineer with the original full bodied Cougar engraved in it. Just an idea.

If there is to be a Mustang based Cougar, then Ford needs to totally commit to this. The original Cougar was the "gentleman's sports car", now it should be marketed as the "young professional sports car". The car should be more of a cousin to the Mustang but a sister to the rumored Lincoln coupe sharing the engine of the Mustang but a Lincolnesque interior. Since Mercury is focused on more of an "urban" lifestyle, a Cougar should be equipped with the all-wheel-drive from the Sport Trac Adrenalin and the independent rear suspension and stability control from the LS. Also, the design should evolutionary by using design cues from past Cougars and combining those with the Mercury Messenger and Ford Iosis. Also, something to think about is freestyle doors like the Mazda RX-8. A new Cougar would fit nicely between the Mustang and the rumored Lincoln coupe.

The Cougar has been many different things over the years, a luxury sports car, front wheel drive hatchback, 4 door sedan, and even a station wagon. Since Mercury is focused on more of an "urban" lifestyle and the trend is toward more crossover vehicles, Ford should try something a little different like a crossover coupe based on the Mustang platform. This way it does not intrude on the Mustang market. Stretch the wheelbase, use the Mustang engine, independent rear suspension and stability control from the Lincoln LS, and the all-wheel-drive system that is being developed for the new Lincoln coupe. Also, the coupe should be designed with freestyle doors like the Mazda RX-8. A new Cougar should be an evolutionary design, not retro, by borrowing design cues from past Cougars and combining those with the Mercury Messenger and Ford Iosis. The car could fit between the Mustang and Lincoln coupe for around $28,000. Just an idea.

Found this on autonews.com J Mays being interviewed by Amy Wilson at the NAIAS. http://autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?...4/1011&refsect= "Lincoln Mercury dealers have wanted a sporty coupe. They would love to have a next-generation Cougar. But we've got homework to do with that brand before we get to the recess. I look at a brand as you do your homework and then you have your payoff with something that's a little bit more indulgent. And coupes are very indulgent. We've got a lot of homework to do, and I want to get that out of the way first. We hear you're exploring something off the Mustang platform for Lincoln. Well, we're exploring multiple directions. But Peter knows that Mark (Fields)'s focus and my focus is on getting the homework done. A brand has to have a solid foundation on which to build. And a solid foundation is the slightly higher volume products with more longevity."