jpd80

Graceful cars like the panthers deserves a better end than fleet hacks. The world is changing and the era of the panther is almost done.

With dwindling retail sales, they will become like the Checker cabs. Do you want to see your favourite platform go out like that? The panthers deserve an honourable termination, not lingering death. If Ford won't spend the money on them, they should do the right thing.

1163 HP @ 6500 Ford XR6 turbo going nuts! Falcon F6 Typhoon vs HSV R8 (Pontiac G8 GT) Crosby Stills & Nash - Teach Your Children

I'm a kindred spirit, although not so rotund any more. Lap band in September = 28 kg lost.

340 lbft between 2,000 and 5,000 from 3.5 liters sounds rather torquey to me. I'm sure Ford has even more great engines coming but hey, by all means live in the past.

Now you're being kind, LOL.

By your figures that affects 30,000 retail customers (50% of Grand Marquis is fleet) That replacement RWD platform would be the the one Ford AUS and Ford NA are working on. And the V6 turd you're talking about is in fact a 400 HP version of the Ecoboost. There's are also the 5.0 version of the Jag V8 and the 6.2 liter DOHC V8 But go ahead and wallow in self pity.

Those words have been uttered on these boards many times by panther supporters. It's OK for you to insinuate I'm naieve I can take that on the chin. We replaced Explorer down here 5 years ago successfully with Falcon based Territory CUV. 'Nuff said. Good one! I was hoping it was RWD myself as we're due for a Territory replacement in 2010. Maybe you can call it Territory and retire the Explorer name. It was registered in the US by Ford last year by the way, I checked.

CD3 - 400,000 D3 - 131,000 + Flex + MKS + Lincoln Flex + Explorer See the pattern?

The market is changing to crossovers and car based utilities - that is why they aren't selling as much anymore, BOF in Explorer is not needed. It is naieve to think all the panthers and Explorers need is refreshening.

Just like the new Explorer replaces the BOF Explorer, D3 and the new RWD will supplant the panthers.

Not for long........within 7,000 sales. For 2007: Panther: CV 60,901 GM 50,664 TC 26,739 TOTAL: 138,304 D3: Taurus 33,032 500 35,146 Sable 10,366 Montego 10,755 Taurus X 18,345 Freestyle 23,765 TOTAL: 131,409 MKS and Flex/Lincoln Flex will put D3 over the top of panther - that's the turning point. If you combine sales from both platforms it's nearly 270,000/year.

Not for long....

That's OK, the opposition doesn't buy new Panthers anyway. Farleys best marketing trick would be to wind the speedos forward 50,000 miles and sell them for half price.

Just as everyone is going crazy over the unitary Explorer America concept so too will they marvel at the next FWD/AWD offereings and new RWD offereings. Ford are taking an evolutionary step with Ecoboost that will enable better packaging in smaller vehicles. As an example, a Mondeo is the same size as a Fusion but has the internal space of a Taurus. If it were 3" wider, it would near match a long wheelbased a panther. This is not meant as an attack on the panthers, just a reality check on where Ford is heading.

Wow, I stand corrected! Would this then be another D3 product from Oakville? I'm thinking production capacity here....

That front end is much shorter than Edge MKX.

Withdrawn - double post

The closest CUV to this is the Aussie Territory also developed to replace the BOF Explorer. It has a tow capacity of 5,000 lb (2300 kg). I'm thinking you're right about most Explorers and btw, Territorys can tow a 22' caravan in relative comfort.

This is much bigger than an Escape. Ford are calling it the replacement for the Explorer so maybe you should too.

I don't think you could make a FWD with that short nose:

Still a few concept gimmicks in there, product confirmation models usually arrive 12 months before release to the public, so there's probably much more we're not seeing yet.

Look for an upgraded version by Ecoboost 35's arrival. Meerly more clutch packs to improve torque capacity, at worst new input and output shafts. Also, I read that more power would be available for RWD models (ZF Auto?)

This is from Ecoboost article on BON's front page: Following that logic, the Ecoboost 2 liter should deliver 270 lbft from 2,000 to 5,000 rpm equalling the 4.6 V8 down low but fading slightly by 5,000. Not bad at all!

Care to re assess your view of the situation in the light of new Explorer by 2010. Things don't look nearly as gloomy when Ford brings some bloody good product ideas,Eh? Making me wonder with 275 hp I-4 and 340 hp V6 engines, what we'll see in FWD and RWD cars. Who said large RWD is dead? it just changes form. I think Fords new RWD cars will make GM's zetas look antiquated and thirsty. Ford Australia will be getting excited at the prospect of fuel efficient Falcons and Territorys.