ZanatWork

Ford can shave weight, but crash standards and other safety issues will add weight.

About 43K for my GT hardtop in Guards...which is a color I really want to see on the car. Otherwise, it'd be in "magnetic".

Constant increases in safety regs and customer expectations of creature comforts make it very hard to make light cars, anymore. Lotus and Alfa Romeo can do it, but their lightest vehicles are cramped, largely devoid of comfort items, and otherwise impractical as hell.

http://jalopnik.com/the-2015-mustang-gains-less-than-a-hundred-pounds-1590194961?utm_campaign=socialflow_jalopnik_facebook&utm_source=jalopnik_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow A dealer sent Jalopnik a page from the dealer source book, apparently. Mustang GT-3704 lbs. The others weight less, naturally.

The LS-and I agree, it was a tragic example of mis-managemeent-was a true victim of the Nasser and PAG-era stupidity, the same mindlessness that lost all focus on the American brands because playing with the high-profile "toy marques" was more fun. Meanwhile, Mercury was run straight into the ground, Lincoln became a puffy trim option, and the one unique product-the LS-was released without a real business case to support its expansion. That whole period, including the Firestone debacle and the horrid quality, made me sick. The memories are still awful, because the Taurus had become a rental fleet queen, two of Ford's cars were on platforms initially from the Carter era, and only Ford's capacity for building great trucks really kept things rolling...at least, in the USA. As much as I harp on about Lincoln's need to make poised drivers' cars, I am actually relaxing a little because all luxury vehicles are assumed to have power and impressive performance. BMW is selling well, but their cars don't win comparisons like they used to. Audi is rolling right now, even beating BMW in steering feel and similar tactile response categories that had long been the Bavarians' strongest qualities. How much of that is due to Audi improving vs. BMW slipping, it's hard to say. Benz is Benz, and looking determined to succeed in all facets of the luxury market...and it's working. The point is that Lincoln, just to play in this arena, will have no choice but to build increasingly powerful and capable vehicles that can be worthy competitors/alternatives to the standard-bearers of each given segment. Lincoln basically cannot be anything like its previous self, excepting perhaps an eventual flagship sedan. Named Continental.

I thought msnbc humor required some mention of dropping a deuce in someone's face?

I take this with a grain of salt, as the weight savings were a big deal...and the "add lightness" approach is supposedly company-wide going forward. I'll wait for real reviews before getting too worried.

With that much torque and at a reasonable rpm, a smart driver could likely meet or beat the EPA ratings...of course, that means knowing how to drive to the powertrain's strengths.

I did, but it was still eye torture. I think this would have been a better video for the mainstream Fiesta or Focus, not a 420+ hp performance car.

So, we assume that all involved are incapable of learning, and that we only had one functional member of management since Nasser's departure? That seems excessively bleak.

Fields-and Bill Ford-got seemingly no credit for many important steps away from the Nasser debacle...including quality improvements, getting the CD3 program rolling, the redesigned F-series, and other successful steps away from the brink. Seriously, folks...the company survived Trotman and Nasser. That fact should instill all the faith anyone needs.

Ford competes with Renault very directly in Europe, where most of F1 racing takes place. Mark Fields recently stated that they want to make Lincoln a "first rate luxury brand", so they'll be battling with Mercedes more than they have so sar. F1 would show where Ford is heading, not simply where they are.

That kind of wild, unbackable over generalization makes it impossible to take anything else seriously. By claiming to know minds of people you've never met, you make your own points a waste of time and bandwidth.

Acura is possibly the most "guilty" marque of rebadging in the automotive world, and has been almost as schizophrenic as Lincoln in terms of identity. Toyota had a modern rwd chassis to work with, along with the Camry. I don't like Toyota/Lexus, but their spread across fwd/rwd/awd platforms looks smart enough as a broad approach. Every luxury company is also embracing a strong "sport" element, which will inevitably be dismissed by some hereabouts...but Audi cares enough about it for "S" and "R" lines, BMW has various "M" things going on, Benz with AMG, Lexus with F...and the brands benefit. I'd like the Red Label to show up...hopefully without the huge silent period that came with the mishandled rollout of the Black Label.

BMW is reportedly eyeing a return, and Honda's a known quantity. Cosworth has proven to be a good little engine-tech partner in the past. I think it'd be a positive.

As Trans-Am likely can't pull the viewership in a season that NASCAR gets at a single Daytona race, it's a good thing they aren't following your advice. As for the F1 angle...people evolving specialty vehicles in high-stress competitive environments will find problems and solutions that won't occur in a typical office environment. It may have less value, but it certainly has enough value that BMW and Honda are looking to get back in...and they, along with Daimler, consider their steps very carefully.

Hopefully, they can have another long and happy relationship together. Cosworth helped further Ford's engine tech overall in the 90's, and probably before that. Seeing "Ford/Cosworth" on cam covers in racecars has been a joy for much of my life, I'd like some more of that.

I didn't know we were talking about P/S, it barely gets any headlines. I can't blame Ford for pulling support, as it's basically an advertising expense. As for the NASCAR championships, one specific Chevy driver has spoiled the show for everyone else for most of that time. Kurt Busch won the drivers' championship in 2004, then JJ went on his streak. With the Petty and Penske programs showing better and Roush gaining some momentum, I think Ford is doing all they can. NASCAR will always support its current "golden boy", and it's JJ right now.

Ummm...Fords have won 3 races in Sprint Cup this season, and it seems like they're winning constantly in NHRA drag racing, too. I'm pretty iffy on "half assed".

I think it could be a fantastic opportunity to globally push "Ecoboost", plus it'd get Ford back into some hallowed ground in terms of perception. Ford was raking in money during their best high-profile years in racing...which wasn't the only reason, obviously, but it speaks to corporate health and there's technological benefits to be reaped. Oh...and I can't imagine any "real car guy" only caring about cars going straight for a handful of seconds. Sorry, had to get that off of my chest. All-around performance says "real car guy" to me much more.

I'm curious about the definition of "real" guys....

I think they'll strictly be in engine/powertrain supply, not trying to do a full Stewart/Jaguar effort again.

I admit some selfish joy in this, as some of my favorite racing eras included the 80's and early 90's, in which I'd get to watch Fords in NASCAR, IMSA, SCCA, and with Cosworth in F1 and CART. Some weekends, I'd get to watch Fords win in several big series...and I loved it. Plus, being able to cheer for Alessandro Nannini in his Benetton B189 and Bill Elliott in his T-Bird was a fun kind of surreal...and would come after cheering for Roush Mustangs, Merkurs, or Cougars the day before. It's been a long time since I could have that much Blue Oval racing in a weekend.

http://grandprix247.com/2013/05/30/report-links-ford-with-f1-turbo-era-return/ I truly hope Ford is dipping its toe back into the deep end of the motorsport pool. With turbo V6 motors in both F1 and Indycar, the chance to push the Ecoboost image is obvious...!

That car stresses me out, partially because I love those late Shelbys...even their ridiculously ducted hoods. That's a gorgeous beast, and I hope the eventual buyer does wring it out properly on a regular basis.