xgman Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 (edited) First impressions of my test drive. The car was a per-production silver hybrid premium package model with the normal moon roof. The 2 main things I noticed as dramatically different than my 2011 Hybrid MXZ were the seats and the steering. Both are in another league compared with the current model. The seats and cockpit feel more like a sports car than a sedan, but the seats are not hard like so many German cars tend to be. They are in fact very soft and comforting, yet supportive in all the right places. One of the best seats I have ever driven in. The car definitely wraps you in the cockpit. The Gear buttons were closer than I had imagined and easy to use. I fou7nd that starting and parking had me reaching for a non existent gear shift knob. Most of the controls are now touch. The hybrid 10" display is all new although there are so many display options as to be a bit overwhelming. The controls for radio vol, temperature etc have been moved to a touch bar in the console. Cool, but I actually prefer a round knob. The trunk space is quite different. Good and bad. The good is that even the hybrid now has a fold down seat option. The bad is the trunk is nowhere as deep as the current model, although it is longer with the upper shelf. The auto trunk open close works much better now. The driver door has a touch sensor to open the locks and the hidden combo is on the black pillar like on the MKT. The new touch nav system will take some getting used to but looks very capable. The high end radio sounded ok, but not blown away. The hybrid engine seemed to me to growl a bit more than I am used to with my current Hybrid, which also sounded like it was going into gas mode more than I would have liked. The car that had come across the country for these demos had only mid/high 30's gas mileage, mostly due to likely aggressive test drives and maybe some to pre-production status. I only tried the "normal" ride setting, nut it was delightful to drive. Handling was superb and effortless. I found it very hard to give up the wheel and get back in to my 2011 MKZ Hybrid. felt like a truck in comparison. The demo person told me that he had heard that the dealers will get some production run first (Late Dec) and then after the pre-orders would start to build. I am not at all happy with that since that puts current pre-orders well after New Years. I mean what is the purpose of pre-ordering then. You could just buy one off the dealer lot? I'd rather they kept the Wiskey gift and delivered my car or give me a rebate or something. Anyway, the car looks great live although I did notice some very ill fitting trunk seams on the pre-production unit. Hopefully they will improve the quality control on launch. Driving the car gives you a very clear view of the road out the front which gives you more of angular towards the front impression than the current squarish one. Rear visibility seems a bit improved as well. The car seems from the outside to be wider especially from the rear and a bit taller than the current model. One thing I did not like at all was the black rounded trunk lid where the cell phone antenna sat on. It looked out of place and plasticy. I didn't seem like it belonged at all. I've seen it on some pictures and not on others. I can't understand what they were going for there.I have to say I almost hate that thing and hope they reconsider it at the last minute. Also, side mirrors are noticeably smaller than the current model. But overall way more positive than negative. I'll try to upload some pictures a bit later. Edited October 18, 2012 by xgman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgman Posted October 16, 2012 Author Share Posted October 16, 2012 pics from today's test drive. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 The demo person told me that he had heard that the dealers will get some production run firts (Late Dec) and then after the pre-orders would start to build. I am not at all happy with that since that puts current pre-orders well after New Years. I mean what is the purpose of pre-ordering then. You could just buy one off the dealer lot? I'd rather they kept the Wiskey gift and delivered my car or give me a rebate or something. We've explained this before. All cars that are built before the OK to Buy order are held for inspection until the plant produces cars with no defects for 5 consecutive days. At that point the OK to buy is given and cars are shipped directly from the assembly line. All of the cars built before that have to be inspected and possibly repaired before being shipped. If your car was first off the line it might be the last one to be inspected and repaired and that could possibly take weeks. Holding the retail (presold) orders until OK to Buy insures a better quality car without the potential for a long delay. In the long run it's a much better process even though it means you could see dealer inventory arriving before yours is built. That only applies to Job 1. Once the line is up and running all retail orders have priorities of 10-19 which puts them ahead of stock orders (20-99). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgman Posted October 16, 2012 Author Share Posted October 16, 2012 (edited) We've explained this before. All cars that are built before the OK to Buy order are held for inspection until the plant produces cars with no defects for 5 consecutive days. At that point the OK to buy is given and cars are shipped directly from the assembly line. All of the cars built before that have to be inspected and possibly repaired before being shipped. If your car was first off the line it might be the last one to be inspected and repaired and that could possibly take weeks. Holding the retail (presold) orders until OK to Buy insures a better quality car without the potential for a long delay. In the long run it's a much better process even though it means you could see dealer inventory arriving before yours is built. That only applies to Job 1. Once the line is up and running all retail orders have priorities of 10-19 which puts them ahead of stock orders (20-99). Hope you are right. The demo rep indicated it would be many weeks later and the opposite priority you mentioned which is what concerned me. Edited October 16, 2012 by xgman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 Hope you are right. The demo rep indicated it would be many weeks later and the opposite priority you mentioned which is what concerned me. I guarantee what I posted is correct. It's been corroborated by many dealers and Ford employees over the years. Your rep was wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoveTaurus Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 Nice! Thanks for the first review... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 We've explained this before. All cars that are built before the OK to Buy order are held for inspection until the plant produces cars with no defects for 5 consecutive days. At that point the OK to buy is given and cars are shipped directly from the assembly line. All of the cars built before that have to be inspected and possibly repaired before being shipped. If your car was first off the line it might be the last one to be inspected and repaired and that could possibly take weeks. Holding the retail (presold) orders until OK to Buy insures a better quality car without the potential for a long delay. In the long run it's a much better process even though it means you could see dealer inventory arriving before yours is built. That only applies to Job 1. Once the line is up and running all retail orders have priorities of 10-19 which puts them ahead of stock orders (20-99). batch and hold.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elmy311 Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 It's amazing to me how much more "substantial" the new MKZ looks. It looks huge compared to the current model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddysystem Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 The tail end view really shows how much this car has improved. It's not even funny. Finally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danglin Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 "The controls for radio vol, temperature etc have been moved to a touch bar in the console. Cool, but I actually prefer a round knob." I am with you there! Another minor gripe, The speedometer has no imagination/style. Why not use a classy looking background instead of plain black (A layered and textured metal looking finish?) Not really sure, but, I would know it when I see it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 "The controls for radio vol, temperature etc have been moved to a touch bar in the console. Cool, but I actually prefer a round knob." I prefer the steering wheel controls to knobs or touch bars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgman Posted October 17, 2012 Author Share Posted October 17, 2012 I prefer the steering wheel controls to knobs or touch bars. Well there are lots more steering wheel controls and customizations. More pics from the test drive crew in red: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Sweet pics....great comparison shots.....gives "substance" to comparing old vs new... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 More pics from the test drive crew in red: Looking at the rear shot, I can't help but think... In a good way. Nice to have a real style again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Wish they had done more with the IP. Like danglin said, that speedo looks very dull for a luxury car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Unless for some reason the pre-production models are different, I find it interesting that the Fusion and MKZ use different wiper setups. The Fusion has the "minivan style" that the new Focus and Escape also have (both sweep up and out in opposite directions from the middle), whereas the red MKZ pictured above has a normal setup (both sweep toward the driver's side of the car/in the same direction). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Unless for some reason the pre-production models are different, I find it interesting that the Fusion and MKZ use different wiper setups. The Fusion has the "minivan style" that the new Focus and Escape also have (both sweep up and out in opposite directions from the middle), whereas the red MKZ pictured above has a normal setup (both sweep toward the driver's side of the car/in the same direction). Only stalk I can clearly see in any of those pictures appears to be coming from the right side of the column? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Only stalk I can clearly see in any of those pictures appears to be coming from the right side of the column? I think he means the wiper arms themselves... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Only stalk I can clearly see in any of those pictures appears to be coming from the right side of the column? Wipers, not wiper controls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Wipers, not wiper controls. Ah. Nevermind then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgman Posted October 17, 2012 Author Share Posted October 17, 2012 (edited) The one I drove operated the same (wipers) as the current model. Tapping the turn signal stalk though blinked several times after letting go as opposed to the once in the current model. Edited October 17, 2012 by xgman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Tapping the turn signal stalk though blinked several times after letting go as opposed to the once in the current model. That's the newer stalk design. I think it first appeared in the '11 Edge. If you tap it once it'll flash 3 times. You can also hold it partly in one direction for as long as you want to keep the flasher on. You push it all the way over and it'll hit past a notch and then rebound back to center for a full signal. Just tap it again in either direction to cancel. Took getting used to compared to traditional designs, but I really like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Ah. Nevermind then. Yeah, the arms themselves. Sorry for the confusion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackManta Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 (edited) I had a top line Black one yesterday. Nice! Edited October 18, 2012 by BlackManta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 And of course, you just can't help it and think...when will we see the first one with the Landau Roof...because we all know SOMEONE, will retrofit it with that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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