94stangcobra

The MKC looks much better to me in blue. BTW, nice chops, timmm55!!

I sure do hope Ford develops a new GRWD platform or platforms. It seems inconceivable that Ford can continue on without a modern RWD platform simply because of the Mustang and Falcon. Those cars mean a lot to their markets and to do anything different would alienate a lot of loyal customers. It's a high risk game to completely change a car's identity and expect to keep the customers. I realize that MKS and Taurus will more than likely remain FWD/AWD vehicles and I think I am OK with that. I must say that I would LOVE to see the MKR go into production and would love to see the return of the Thunderbird as a sleek, 2 seat performance halo vehicle for the Ford brand. I am all excited just thinking about the prospects of the MKR and a new Thunderbird.

Hey, everyone! It's almost time for the 2010 NAIAS and I have heard almost nothing about what Ford plans to show in Detroit. I'm sure we can expect to see the new 2011 Edge and MKX based on recent spy pics that I've seen. Anyone have word of any other new products that we might see? 2011 Focus?? 2011 Explorer?? 2011 Mustang GT w/ 5.0?? How about concept vehicles? Let's hear what anyone knows. Thanks!!

Thanks, rmc523. I'll be on the lookout for a new thread and I'll create new threads if I have requests in the future.

I'm sure this doesn't belong in this forum, but can any of you Photoshop experts try to put the MKT concept grille and headlamps onto the MKR concept. I realize that they are very similar, but I think the proportions on the MKT grille and headlamps would look better on the MKR. Just a request because I don't have Photoshop and don't know how to do that stuff. Thanks in advance!!

Is it, in fact, true that the MKR is actually coming? I certainly hope so and I hope that they are able to translate that great styling into production. I realize we probably won't see the transparent roof, but that's fine with me. Lincoln needs this car bad. Hopefully, it remains a 4 door coupe. I think it is a unique opportunity to produce a car like that because the competing 4 door coupes are much more expensive. Besides, the 4 door coupe stlying was dramatic and expressive. I think FoMoCo made a huge mistake in attaching the "flagship" moniker to the MKS. While I don't doubt that it's a great car, it is not a flagship. A true flagship would be a car like the MKC that was mentioned by another poster.

Unfortunately, I understand the way it works. I just hope they have designers and engineers who see our ideas on the boards and try to run with them using their product development knowledge. I've seen a lot of crazy ideas on these message boards, but this seems like a slam dunk. Basically, the MKR design was just too good to be thrown away or abandoned. Simply grafting a simlar front end onto the MKS does not a flagship make. This design needs to evolve into a real Lincoln or a new T-Bird. Those are my thoughts. I also wanted to make a comment based on what another poster added earlier in the thread....it is GREAT to have a good thread going where everyone is excited and nobody is arguing or name-calling.

Also, the interior MUST use high quality materials to give a true premium appearance and feel. A great example, IMO, is the interior of the new CTS. The wrapped upper portion of the IP is very nice and the rest of the interior is clean and intuitive. Our dream 'Bird is really taking shape here. Maybe we should just submit a design to Ford and make it easy for them. LOL!

RWD cars are typically heavier than FWD cars. They are usually package protecting for larger powertrains that deliver higher torque than those found in FWD's. Then, the body structure needs to be able to accomodate the added mass and torque that comes from that larger powertrain. All that extra mass needs to be able to be supported and stopped, therefore larger chassis components are necessary, adding more weight. All the added weight would hurt the fuel economy. These are all factors that all of the automakers are weighing (no pun intended) as they try to decide whether or not they proceed with big investments on new RWD architectures. This next 'Bird has to be RWD to be right and to retain the dramatic dash-to-axle proportion that we all love about the MKR. Personally, I would never even come close to comparing this dream 'Bird with a Fusion. It might end up to be a similar length or wheelbase, but I would bet that it is wider. If it were to be a FWD car, I would say don't bother. Additionally, Ford sells so many trucks, SUVs, and crossovers, that it is going to have to move a hell of a lot of Verves (or whatever it will be called in NA), Foci, and 4 cylinder Fusions in order to justify a new RWD architecture that spawns a variety of new cars like the 'Bird, Interceptor, and next gen 'Stang. The next 'Bird would more than likely be a lower volume car, which is good for the corporate fuel economy average, but bad for justifying the investment. Even the Interceptor will have trouble because the volume expectations would be a bit higher and that would count against the corporate average fuel economy. It will be very interesting to see how the automakers deal with the new fuel economy standards. There is an interesting article here (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=123984) that talks about this a little bit, although it's a lot of speculation. Lastly, I personally would want a V8 in the 'Bird, but I would be perfectly content with the Twin Force being the top engine if that's what it takes to get the car on the road. This is just my $.02. Anyone else have thoughts? I am just excited that this thread is still kicking like this because it shows me that there is a lot of interest in this car. Is anyone from Ford's product planning department reading this? :yup:

timmm55, I like it a lot with the Thunderbird emblems on the C pillars. 2 doors or 4, this MKR-based 'Bird design is hot and I think it would sell. The biggest thing working against us is this damned fuel economy legislation which threatens our beloved RWD products for the future. Hopefully, they can find a way to bring us these exciting vehicles and work through the government induced fuel economy pains.

timmm55, that looks really good as a coupe. The only thing I would change is the "Thunderbird" text on the c pillar to a Thunderbird emblem. Hopefully, there is a car like this in our future.

Any of you photo-choppers want to turn this pic into a 'Bird?

I like it a lot. Looks good in black. Got any more views?

As far as the # of doors go, I have to admit that I am torn. I personally have always loved the larger coupes. One of my favorite cars still is the 89 T-Bird SC. However, lately, it seems that the market for large coupes is not very lucrative for a large volume manufacturer. I also have 2 little ones and would truly appreciate a stylish 4 door coupe that has the fast roofline with the accessibility of the rear doors. Plus, I kinda like the idea of being innovative and introducing a bodystyle that nobody else offers in the price range. I realize there are other sporty 4 doors, but I am referring to the low, fast roof and frameless doors. In any case, I'd be happy with either scenario.......2 door coupe or 4 door coupe. I just don't want to see another totally retro floater roadster like the 02-05 'Birds. No more tugging at the heartstrings of boomers......let's be progressive and show the world why a T-Bird is cool. The car always evolved with the times. This is another opportunity for that IMO. BTW, I am loving all these MKR-Bird chops. Keep 'em coming and let's try a black one.

Looks good, Black Manta. Do we have anyone on the boards that is "in the know" about the MKR? It just seems too obvious that the taillamps resemble the T-Bird emblem.

If nothing else, it appears that many of think that the styling should be based on the MKR. Don't get me wrong, because I do think the Iosis is a beautiful car with FWD proportions and is a little too similar in appearance to cars like the Euro Focus and Mondeo. The T-Bird needs to have distinctly RWD proportions and some real American flair, which the MKR provides IMO. I guess it's pretty obivous that I'M an MKR lover. :D

Very well said, Watchdevil. From the moment I first laid eyes on the MKR concept, I kept seeing a lot of "Thunderbird" in it, especially obvious in the taillamps. Then, I started to think that maybe it's a good idea for the 'Bird to return as a "4 door coupe" so as not to overlap so much with the Mustang. I am in full agreement with you that the MKR is perhaps a next gen T-Bird in disguise. If that's true, sign me up. The TT V-6 sounds exciting and I think I am the perfect customer for a stylish 4 door coupe. Besides, with the exception of the upcoming VW Passat 4 door coupe variant, there are no 4 door coupes in the $35k-$50k price range. All of the others are or will be catering to the higher price range of the market (ie: MB CLS, upcoming Porsche Panamera, upcoming BMW CS/8-Series). I heard a little rumor from a friend that Ford is planning several show vehicles for NAIAS and I am hoping that one of them is an MKR-derived T-Bird concept. My fingers are crossed.............

To me, the answer is in strong and distinctive global products. GM is on the right track with becoming a truly global product development team. True global platforms that can be tailored to specific regions are a necessity going forward. Also, Ford Design needs to get its act together. They need to accelerate their plans for a cohesive global Ford identity. Some of the more recent efforts are enbarrassing, such as the new NA Focus. That car is awful and not competitive with the best of its segment. I agree with the previous posts about advertising the hell out of the recent quality gains and showing direct comparisons to competitors. That will help in the short term. However, there is no substitute for standout new products. Product, product, product.