atvman Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 (edited) Now that NAIAS is over, Chicago is the next big show on the calendar. Are there any plans for new Ford debuts? The MKS is due for an update in 2012, there are rumors of an updated Taurus as well. The Flex is also due for an update as well. Then there's the possibility of a C-Segment Lincoln as well. Should we expect any of these to debut? Is there anything else? Edited January 31, 2011 by atvman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 heard rumors here about something Shebly related at Chicago...would make sense to see a new GT500 with a boosted (in some form) 5L V8. Maybe what Ford is planning on building out at KCAP to replace the Escape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moosetang Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Supposedly there is at least one Lincoln which had been scheduled for Detroit and they pushed it back to Chicago pretty late last year. Don't know if that was the Compact or the refreshed MKS. I haven't seen any camo'ed Flexes yet, might be too soon for the refresh. The Livery market MKT could show up. The 2-row Town Car replacement variant would be a good thing to have on display for journos and consumers to sit in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2b2 Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Supposedly there is at least one Lincoln which had been scheduled for Detroit and they pushed it back to Chicago pretty late last year... ...The Livery market MKT could show up. The 2-row Town Car replacement variant would be a good thing to have on display for journos and consumers to sit in. Oooooooooooooh :D Thanks for that, Moosetang! I'd be very interested in seeing the 2rowMKTlivery! (MKTwoRL?) (& that shouldn't be toooo progressive for Ford's "Crush the Lincoln Dealers" routine ] now will it be Chicago or wait for the "Home of the Black Car" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 I haven't seen any camo'ed Flexes yet, might be too soon for the refresh. It should be about time for a Flex refresh, IMO. I'm not expecting too much as far as exterior updates go (new grille, new front bumper, revised headlights, LED running lights in place of foglights, etc, slightly modified rear bumper), but the interior could use a good freshening - what was the greatest in the Ford lineup is starting to lag behind the rest of them. This is what I'd do exterior-wise (yes, many of you have seen these before, but too bad!) : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moosetang Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 It should be about time for a Flex refresh, IMO. I'm not expecting too much as far as exterior updates go (new grille, new front bumper, revised headlights, LED running lights in place of foglights, etc, slightly modified rear bumper), but the interior could use a good freshening - what was the greatest in the Ford lineup is starting to lag behind the rest of them. Sorry, language failure on my part. By "too soon" I meant because we haven't seen any prototypes we might not see the refresh yet. I absolutely agree that in a product-cycle sense the time for a refresh is NOW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLPRacing Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Sorry, language failure on my part. By "too soon" I meant because we haven't seen any prototypes we might not see the refresh yet. I absolutely agree that in a product-cycle sense the time for a refresh is NOW. We didn't see any Focus prototypes either. I sure hope the update the Flex soon. It's still sporting the first gen 3 bar grille and it's looking pretty dated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ds91776 Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 I REALLY hope we get to see something more interesting than a new version of the SVT Mustang. Let's see the MKS update, an updated Expedition/Navigator.....anything really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Sorry, language failure on my part. By "too soon" I meant because we haven't seen any prototypes we might not see the refresh yet. I absolutely agree that in a product-cycle sense the time for a refresh is NOW. Gotcha - as NLP said, we didn't see Focus prototypes, either - and with the minimal changes that I presume they'll make, I don't know how much testing they'd really need to do. We didn't see any Focus prototypes either. I sure hope the update the Flex soon. It's still sporting the first gen 3 bar grille and it's looking pretty dated. It still looks good (IMO, lol), but it's definitely do for a redo inside and out, especially with the new vehicles Ford is coming out with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzcat Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 I'm hoping for 400hp software upgrade for SHO and MKS.... but maybe not. Some sort of official announcement on Focus wagon for US/Canada. 2.0 Ecoboost Edge. More details on power output for US Spec 1.6 Ecoboost. Some type of Mustang and F-150 special editions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang84isu Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 The Ford brand is in good shape at the moment, but Lincoln needs to show a refreshed MKS, a future vehicle, or a concept...anything really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 I'm hoping for 400hp software upgrade for SHO and MKS.... but maybe not. No way. The transmission can't take it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moosetang Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Some sort of official announcement on Focus wagon for US/Canada. I gotta imagine that's not gonna happen this MY. I believe FIN heard that it's coming, but if Ford was going to put the Wagon out this year surely they would have said so at launch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MY93SHO Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 No way. The transmission can't take it. It was already stated by someone at Ford that 365hp is good, 400 is better. http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/20/ford-hints-at-400-hp-taurus-sho-and-more-during-annual-conventio/ Besides, the tuners are already past that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atvman Posted February 2, 2011 Author Share Posted February 2, 2011 No way. The transmission can't take it. With the addition of TiVCT, Ford could tune the engine to max-out torque at the transmission's limit and still make 400hp. The power peak will be higher in the RPM range, but that's fine as long as it still has great torque down low. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 It was already stated by someone at Ford that 365hp is good, 400 is better. http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/20/ford-hints-at-400-hp-taurus-sho-and-more-during-annual-conventio/ Besides, the tuners are already past that. According to an insider that was nothing more than a comment to gauge reaction made by the engine guy. And we know it's easy to get the engine to 400 hp. If they make that type of change they'll have to make drivetrain upgrades which is why I said no way to just a software upgrade. And just because a tuner maxed out the engine output doesn't mean the rest of the drivetrain will survive long term. There was a reason they limited the engine output in the first place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 There was a reason they limited the engine output in the first place. The Transmission can survive 400HP, it has issues with Torque down low, which is why the engine output was limited. The engine has computer managment to help limit the amount of Torque down load so it doesn't strip the transmission. I don't see a major issue with adding more HP and limiting the Torque. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLPRacing Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 What's the chances of seeing an Explorer SHO or maybe even a new SVT vehicle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLPRacing Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Gotcha - as NLP said, we didn't see Focus prototypes, either - and with the minimal changes that I presume they'll make, I don't know how much testing they'd really need to do. It still looks good (IMO, lol), but it's definitely do for a redo inside and out, especially with the new vehicles Ford is coming out with. Don't get me wrong, I like it as well. I was just pointing out that it is the only Ford left sporting that original version of the 3 bar grill. Of course it was the last to get it as well, but it stills need updating ASAP, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 The Transmission can survive 400HP, it has issues with Torque down low, which is why the engine output was limited. The engine has computer managment to help limit the amount of Torque down load so it doesn't strip the transmission. I don't see a major issue with adding more HP and limiting the Torque. It has issues with torque - period (not just "down low" whatever that means). Do you even understand how hp is calculated? There are only 2 ways to increase HP - increase torque or increase RPM. The 3.5L EB in the SHO is flat-lined at 350 lb/ft from 1500 to 5500 RPM. After 5500 the torque drops considerably so adding RPM by increasing redline won't do it. Therefore the only way to get 400 hp is to increase the torque and the current drivetrain can't handle it. If it could then the computer would allow more than 350 lb/ft right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 If it could then the computer would allow more than 350 lb/ft right now. Ever consider the fact that they might be intentionaly limiting the engine to allow future growth of power? Or they wanted to more fully develop/test the power train at higher powerlevels but couldn't do that the time with the release date? Its like the new 5.0..its offically rated at 412HP, when its actually putting out much more then that. Look that the Boss Mustang...not much done to the engine (if anything AFAIK), but its rated at 440HP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atvman Posted February 2, 2011 Author Share Posted February 2, 2011 Ever consider the fact that they might be intentionaly limiting the engine to allow future growth of power? Or they wanted to more fully develop/test the power train at higher powerlevels but couldn't do that the time with the release date? Its like the new 5.0..its offically rated at 412HP, when its actually putting out much more then that. Look that the Boss Mustang...not much done to the engine (if anything AFAIK), but its rated at 440HP. The Boss engine is heavily revised. It has CNC ported heads, unique camshafts, a box-type short runner intake, and forged pistons. It is rated at 444hp, but it will probably be at least as underrated as the GT's 5.0L. That said, the FWD 3.5L EB does not have TiVCT, odds are any future changes will include it. TiVCT could allow the engine to extend the torque band up to 6000rpm, which would result in awfully close to 400hp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Ever consider the fact that they might be intentionaly limiting the engine to allow future growth of power? Or they wanted to more fully develop/test the power train at higher powerlevels but couldn't do that the time with the release date? Nope. They would have done that already - the SHO has been out for almost 2 years now. If not on the Taurus then at least on the MKS. And it's not just the tranny - it's the entire drivetrain including the rear diff and the front subframe. When they first put the EB 3.5L in the D3 chassis it tore apart the front subframe rather quickly which led to "D4". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Nope. They would have done that already - the SHO has been out for almost 2 years now. We also aren't talking about the computer or eletcronics industury either. I seriously doubt that Ford is going to let the 365HP EBV6 to stay at those numbers in the next refresh next spring. That would be downright stupid to release something with no room for future upgrades in performance etc...I don't think the number is stuck in stone with no recourse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 We also aren't talking about the computer or eletcronics industury either. I seriously doubt that Ford is going to let the 365HP EBV6 to stay at those numbers in the next refresh next spring. That would be downright stupid to release something with no room for future upgrades in performance etc...I don't think the number is stuck in stone with no recourse Nobody said it couldn't be done or that it wouldn't be done - all I said was that you can't just make a software change to the current platform. They'll have to beef up the chassis and drivetrain which I'm sure they're working on - if not for D4 then for CD4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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