jamesmcameron

Now that the Explorer Sport Trac is on the same platform as the current Explorer, I think its time to start thinking about bringing the Ranger and next gen Explorer/Sport Trac back onto the same platform, with the same interior. With the SUV market slowing and Ford's CUVs coming in to take up the slack, the Explorer can return as a niche SUV with a Ranger brother. It'll also spread the platform money over three vehicles. That Explorer chop is a good look for a new Explorer/Sport Trac/Ranger trio.

Granted I think the 500 is a good car in need of a more lively face, and the 3.5L V6 or new Yamaha V8, I do agree that a cheap restyle inside and out, and an engine upgrade are doable interim steps. They even tried the restyle a few years ago with the Interceptor : http://www.autodeadline.com/detail?source=...684811&mime=JPG

Here are the firist official pics of the new Ranger. Too bad we're not getting this.

I agree my list is mostly because I said so. When it comes to the European Focus...Ford was able to do it with the last Focus, which is getting old. The Eurpean Focus is sold in multiple markets throughout Europe and Asia. The platform cannot be that expensive to build off of if Mazda can economically produce the Mazda3 for North American consumers. As for how deep the pricing issue actually goes, I don't know. When Ford has its new mini entry, there will be space for the Focus to be slightly upmarket as it won't have to serve as Ford's lowest price entry in the North American market. As for the 500 engines, I neglected to leave the 3.0 Duratec, but it should definitely stay as the entry level engine, and would most likely be the volume seller. The 3.5 seems a logical step up, and the V8 could be reserved for a high end model.

Here goes nothing Ford Sub Focus ... Mazda is already set to be building this. Call it the Flex? Focus.....European version, complete with Vignale Fusion Five Hundred....offer 3.5 V6 and 4.4 V8 only Crown Vic ... new rear-drive platform off Mustang ... 427 styling Escape ... new refresh coming, looks good Edge ... as is Explorer/Sport Trac... as is Expedition ... needs more substantial refresh than new clips, but that'll have to wait Fairlane ... just like the concept....3.5 V6 and 4.4 V8 Bronco ... new platform for both....Nissan Titan/Frontier is scalable...could the F150 be as well? Ranger... Mustang... base, GT, Mach 1 or Boss, Shelby ....make a 4 model line Falcon ... 4 door rear driove sport sedan...same Mustang/Crown vic platform F-150 - more agressive front end, dipped headlights ala Expedition Super Duty - probably going to look like Super Chief Econoline - needs some love dead....Freestyle, Freestar Mercury New small 2 door sports car....focus platform...Capri? looks like Reflex Milan ... as is Montego ... more agressive front end...more S90-like taillights to differentiate from 500 Monterey ... forget the Freesyle..call the Meta One this Maurader ... same as Ford Falcon platform Mariner ... as is Mountaineer...as is...bring in more of old Aviator suspension sophistication Marquis ... lose "Grand" moniker ... same new platform as Crown Vic Cougar ... Infiniti G35 to Mustang's Nissan Z? Lincoln Navigator (MK-N?) ... fix that grille...make more like MK-X..ie. tasteful MK-LT ... if they're going to keep it...at least give it its own headlights, bumper....try MK-X style grille MK-X ... looks good MK-Y ... already going ahead off new Fairlane MK-Z ... looks good MK-S ... 3.5 V6 and 4.4 V8 MK-V ...off rear platform...halo car Town Car (MK-T) ... off crown vic platform and by the way...pronounce the names Mark X, etc. Volvo C30, S40, V50, S60, C70, V70, S80, XC70, XC90 new....XC50... not 'allroad' V50 but similar to Freelander Mazda 3, 5, 6, MX5, RX8, CX7 new...2 (its comin), MX3 (Kabura), RX7, CX9 (replaces MPV), BX3 (pickup) Tribute...stay or go? Ford GT replacement.....Shleby GR-1....its the same platform-ish All new platforms: rear drive - Mustang, Cougar, Crown Vic, Falcon, Maurader, Marquis, MK-V small truck - Ranger, Bronco, BX3 SVT....Focus, Mustang, Fusion, Falcon MK-Z, MK-S, MK-V, MK-X Whaddya think?

E-Series + Super Chief front end = decent update

The Montego needs its own taillights to differentiate it from the 500....like the Milan from the Fusion. Here's and idea.

Now that they're keeping it around, it needs a mild facelift to go with its new engine.

Take a mustang, keep the front fenders, change the grille/headlight insert to look like the 60s cougar with the bodycoloured waterfall between the grilles, and add a quarter window like this. Just what mercury needs