T'Cal

I had hoped that the Fusion and Milan would be available as coupes (Torino/Cougar) when they were freshened up for 2010. The GT and XR-7 models would be the same as the Fusion Sport with the 3.5L V6 and optional AWD. I would've bought one. Sedans are way too stogey.

I'll take one in bright red with a black interior. I loved my 03 Marauder but the black exterior was a royal pain to keep clean and scratch-free.

I have so missed midsize coupes! This looks very interesting. Back in the 90s, I had hoped that Ford would base the T-Bird off of the Taurus since the 89-97 T-Bird was so heavy and not as quick as the SHO. I really like the idea of ressurecting the Torino name, although since Mercury will be dropping the Sable, a new Cougar would be cool. Ford needs to build this car in some form. I'd buy one.

Some equipment can be used on different brand cars but certainly not all. Also, lightbars, consoles, computer mounts, long gun mounts, printers, video systems all mount differently and use different hardware. The CVPI is the largest of the three pursuit-rated sedans but they are getting smaller with all the stuff that goes in the passenger compartment and trunk. We need larger police cars not smaller ones.

Make a two-door Milan with unique C-pillar and different front and rear ends. The Cougar LS (luxury model) would be FWD or AWD with the 2.5L I4, a Hybrid, and a 3,0L V6. The XR-7 would be AWD only with a 3.5L V6.

A Cougar based on the Milan could work alright. The luxury model would come in FWD or AWD with a 2.5 L I4, Hybrid, or a 3.0L V6. The XR-7 would come with AWD and the 3.5L V6.

I was hoping that Mercury would build a new Sable for 2010 (based on the next Taurus) and they would add a coupe called the Marauder. This big two-door would sport the eco-tech 350hp V6 and AWD. Of course it would come in any color you want as long as it's black...

Where to begin? If you buy into all of the reasoning you cited, you are underinformed, ignorant, or apathetic. Your derisive attitude toward "small town cops" displays ignorance more than the other traits. These brave men and women have earned your respect even if you lack the ability to recognize that. Pity. I find it hard to believe that your chief had "reliability" as his only good answer. Perhaps that's all you heard. But, for argument's sake, let's say he did offer only that reason. Shame on him and the councilmen for not doing their homework on this topic. They are displaying a 'penny wise and dollar foolish' attitude. Reliability is one good reason but another is rising maintenance costs, which climb rapidly as squad cars get higher mileage on them. Still another is that going more than 75K miles on a police car is a severe liability to the community because these vehicles, even when well-maintained and driven responsibly (which the vast majority are), experience a lot of hard use. Components on high mileage cars could fail in emergency use causing accidents that result in costly property damage or worse, serious injury or even death. All three of those outcomes almost always result in expensive litigation. As a taxpayer, maybe this will hit home more than the other reasons. In addition, most intergovernmental risk management companies (municipal insurers) won't cover vehicles past a certain mileage and accreditation standards for law enforcement prohibit the use of non-police spec vehicles as line cars. As for the remark about cabs, they simply aren't called on to respond quickly to emergency situations like police cars are. This apples and oranges comparison is ludicrous. With all of the latest electronic equipment in them (radios, mobile computers, printers, video systems, RADAR, lights, sirens, etc.), police cars must remain running throughout each tour of duty they are in use to prevent draining battery and damaging the rest of the electrical systems. Sometimes that's 16 - 24 hours or even longer as they are usually shared with other officers. They are often idling while officers monitor traffic, write reports and tickets, protect crime scenes in the roadway, or just provide presense. They are frequently and suddenly put into action for emergency calls in which they are run hard for short periods and then are left to idle for a while before the next stressful call. Despite what Hollywood might want you to think, pursuits are rare these days but even without them, urban and suburban use is taxing on the engines, transmissions, suspensions, brakes, wheels, tires, cooling systems, electronics, etc. Plus, the average squad car trunk is filled with equipment such as spike strips, carbine rifles, less-lethal weapons, flares, traffic cones, accident investigation kits, radio and video equipment, computer modums, fire extinguishers, etc. Your Fiesta idea tanks right here. You couldn't fit half of this necessary equipment in this vehicle even if you folded the back seat down. And then where do you put arrestees? You obviously haven't had to put large, uncooperative and intoxicated arrestees in the back of a CVPI. I have. It gets really tight back there even with the cusions removed and a molded plastic seat installed. Imagine trying to do this in a compact Fiesta as opposed to a fullsize CVPI. Impossible. Oh, and while not a musclecar, CVPIs are hardly slow. In addition, nothing is faster than Motorola. On a related and admittedly less defensive note, so many other professions have vehicles that are specifically designed for their intended use. There are purpose built fire trucks, ambulances, construction vehicles, military vehicles, mail trucks, etc. Yet, there are no purpose built police cars. There are only civilian vehicles that are adapted for police use but ultimately they are poor compromises. Carbon Motors is working to fill this need with their E7, a purpose built police car. Google Carbon Motors E7 and check it out.

The Panther platform is unbelievably dated. Ford has taken the foolish "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach with these three cars. Ford relies too heavily on fleet purchases and elderly buyers, a dwindling market. At the very minimum, Ford should've completely updated the styling, drivetrain, and suspension on these three cars. It could've used a revised 4.0L V6 (3V with DI for starters for about 260 HP) and the Mustang GT's 3V 4.6L V8 as an option. It should've scrapped the 4 speed auto and offered at least the 5 gear auto for the V6 and the 6 gear auto for the V8. The it should've added an IRS plus sleeker styling in and out and this car might've lasted another 8 years.

My hope: the 2014 will be a smaller and substantially lighter fastback coupe and a convertible. It'll have a very recognizable Mustang look. Powertrains will include a 225HP 2.5L DI V6 in the base model with a 325HP 4.0L DI V8 in the GT and a 400HP 5.0L DI V8 in the Mach 1.

I'm guessing the Fusion coupe that was rumored by Ford two years ago is dead. Pity. I would've looked long and hard at a coupe based on that platform especially with th 3.5L V6 and AWD.

Had to be aftermarket. Is it possible they used a kit that's available for the Mustang? I'm thinking of the one used on the '02 (?) Mach 1.

I saw the 2010 Taurus pix and believe that the Taurus has really become a replacement for the CV. The Fusion is actually pretty close in size to the original Taurus of the mid 80s. The Taurus has more passenger and cargo space than the CV not to mention it's probably a better all around performer (braking, accelerating, handling, fuel economy, etc.). The Taurus with AWD would be a good choice to replace the CVPI as long as it holds up to the rigors of police use. Squad cars often idle for extended periods and then go balls out for brief periods. They're tossed around pretty hard while loaded with a bunch of heavy equipment some of which draws a lot of amperage. And they are usually shared by 2-4 different officers who have different driving styles. All of this takes its toll on a vehicle, which is why most urban/suburban police departments keep them in service for only 75k miles.

While I'd like to see Ford bring out another T-Bird convertible, perhaps it would be better if it was marketed as an upscale Lincoln. I loved the last T-Bird and get the itch every now and then to pick up a low mileage 2005, which are going for the low $20K range.

Looks like it's based on the Pontiac Vibe (Toyota matrix twin). It looks great.

Can you make it a two door??

Wasn't the Fusion supposed to be available as a coupe? Two years ago Motor Trend discussed it. Too bad. I would've bought an AWD Sport if it was available as a coupe.