Ford's Future Models and Platforms

[akirby]

I know the specs but the reality is there is a much bigger difference than either escape or focus compared to Fusion. I'm sure it has to do with the center stack and other things.

[atomcat68]

Would they use twist-beam in the new electrified vehicles based on the C3 platform?

 

That's a good thought. Maybe the installation of batteries can't be done with an IRS so the suspension change, making the car we're looking at a Model E mule.

[fuzzymoomoo]

 

That's a good thought. Maybe the installation of batteries can't be done with an IRS so the suspension change, making the car we're looking at a Model E mule.

Except the current hybrids (both C-Max and Fusion) and the Focus Electric all have IRS in them.

[bzcat]

I think the arguments are becoming circular.

 

We know Ford makes a compact car with twist beam. This is fact. The car is call Escort.

 

The current Escort is C2 and was NOT developed in China. This is fact. Escort was developed mostly in Australia by Ford APAC engineering in between the time they worked on Figo and Everest.

 

Ford likely has big plans for a cheap compact car based on C3 (existing Focus) that will sell in many markets in addition to China. This is speculation but it seems plausible. The next gen Escort could easily be part of the global C-car program and its development is probably done wherever the C3 and CD4/5 engineering are being done.

 

The example you need to follow is what happened at the B-car program... Figo and Ka were separate local projects that got elevated to a single global program. The new Figo/Ka and Ka+ is using the exiting Fiesta platform but with value engineering to strip out cost.

 

Similarly, you can easily envision that Ford is value engineering the C3 platform now to prep for the next gen Escort (and probably also cheap CUVs). Will they sell the cheapo version of the next Escort (and companion CUV) in mature markets? Maybe... if there is a reasonable business case. Look at Ka+ that is being introduced in mature markets. But it will be in addition to Fiesta, not replacing it. So if Ford does decide to sell a cheaper CUV or compact car in the US with twist beam, it will likely be in addition to Focus and Escape, which are in the premium end of the segment.

Edited July 13, 2016 by bzcat

[BORG]

The Small car segment is shrinking in the US and giving way to small crossovers, I don't think Ford would add a model below the Focus unless they were pulling the Fiesta from the US, which is unlikely considering the need for FE models which can't be achieved as effectively with larger cars.

 

And when it comes to arguing size differences, you are still ignoring the cost differences between platforms. You can't cut cost by cutting size alone and it's hard to pull expenses out of a platform which is why we still don't see shared platforms between C and B.

[silvrsvt]

You can't cut cost by cutting size alone and it's hard to pull expenses out of a platform which is why we still don't see shared platforms between C and B.

 

Tell that to Nissan...they sell the Versa as a B car when its on a C platform.

[630land]

Unintended result of higher CAFE, makes cars with lower roofs, and then buyers go to high seating position.

I'd like to see a higher roof on the Mk4 Focus, as it was on the Mk1.

[BORG]

 

Tell that to Nissan...they sell the Versa as a B car when its on a C platform.

 

The Versa is on the Bo Platform, which is a stretched Nissan B-Platform. The V Platform is the 2nd generation B-platform which underpins the Note and Sentra. So the foundation of Nissan small cars is in B, not C.

[silvrsvt]

Unintended result of higher CAFE, makes cars with lower roofs, and then buyers go to high seating position.

I'd like to see a higher roof on the Mk4 Focus, as it was on the Mk1.

 

The only problem with this that you'll have cars that look like the Ford Five Hundred.

[BORG]

I've been in allot of B-Cars that have better headroom and legroom because of their taller stature than something like the Focus which is longer but lower which feels far more cramped.

[2b2]

The Taurus and Continental were co-developed on CD4...

...The old C2 Focus upon which the Escort is based is just a parts bin car slapped together...

I'm still wondering if the Conti(U.S) and Taurus(Ch) could be seen as "parts-bin" cars

- not examples of new platform(s)

- not very related to eachother (separate supply chains)

- & neither even all that related to the Fusion/MKZ (nor the MKS/Flex-MKT (Conti has the same wlb as the FlexT))

 

I don't care what the tape measure says - there is way more than 1 inch of interior width difference in Fusion/Focus. I owned both.

I've never trusted the official interior Volume measurements;

wonder if numbers figured from B-pillar to B-pillar times the distance from the front dash to the rear seatback

might be revealing

[ehaase]

I'm still wondering if the Conti(U.S) and Taurus(Ch) could be seen as "parts-bin" cars

- not examples of new platform(s)

- not very related to eachother (separate supply chains)

- & neither even all that related to the Fusion/MKZ (nor the MKS/Flex-MKT (Conti has the same wlb as the FlexT))

 

Only you and your sidekick Bloggin say such things. Everyone else is convinced Continental is CD4.

[MKII]

I'd like to see a higher roof on the Mk4 Focus, as it was on the Mk1.

It already exists - C-Max

Edited July 14, 2016 by MKII

[fuzzymoomoo]

Only you and your sidekick Bloggin say such things. Everyone else is convinced Continental is CD4.

That's because it is....

[BORG]

LOL, I left FIN because I couldn't take Bloggin anymore...nothing more infuriating than somebody who basically invents new conspiracies every post and then marches them around as fact which confuses the hell out of everybody who doesn't know better. Very irresponsible rumor mongering. He insists in his own little world that the new Continental is D3 and the Chinese Taurus is coming next year because of the booming full-size car segment and Ford is just trying to give Continental some breathing room first.

 

He also expects the MKS to return as a 3-series competitor, next Focus will be based on the Chinese Escort (it's actually based on the old Focus), and insisted the 2016 MKX was going to be a 3-row crossover even with me staring him down after I had actually SEEN the vehicle in person.

 

I've banged my head against the wall so many times with that guy...gah...the Internet.

Edited July 14, 2016 by BORG

[630land]

C Max is a mini-mini van. I meant would like to see more cabin room in next gen Focus. Ford already has plans for 'electric people mover' Model E planned.

 

Above post is hilarious, seen so many 'wishful' bloggers who "swear up and down" on false predictions and fantasies.

"A new Lincoln coupe!" "AUS Falcons are coming to US soon!" "Panthers will be built forever!"

[BORG]

The C-Max is a fairly crude bolt-in EV with much of that interior space taken up by the battery cargo, but it's nice to have the headroom in the front. The utility of it design is effectively compromised however, so you're left with an ungainly crossover poorly suited for efficiency or utility.

Edited July 14, 2016 by BORG

[akirby]

You said you wanted a higher roof Focus and Cmax is exactly that if you ignore the powertrain restrictions in NA.

[Biker16]

Would they use twist-beam in the new electrified vehicles based on the C3 platform?

 

That is a great idea, more space for batteries.

[Biker16]

Except the current hybrids (both C-Max and Fusion) and the Focus Electric all have IRS in them.

 

and they are compromised products, that sacrifice interior room for batteries.

 

The Small car segment is shrinking in the US and giving way to small crossovers, I don't think Ford would add a model below the Focus unless they were pulling the Fiesta from the US, which is unlikely considering the need for FE models which can't be achieved as effectively with larger cars.

 

And when it comes to arguing size differences, you are still ignoring the cost differences between platforms. You can't cut cost by cutting size alone and it's hard to pull expenses out of a platform which is why we still don't see shared platforms between C and B.

 

in the US not the world where the Focus is AFAIK Ford's best selling product.

 

 

The only problem with this that you'll have cars that look like the Ford Five Hundred.

 

or like the !st gen Focus, which was very roomy.

 

You said you wanted a higher roof Focus and Cmax is exactly that if you ignore the powertrain restrictions in NA.

 

I think there is room between the height of the C-max and Focus.

[BORG]

A twist beam suspension in an expensive hybrid would be an unfortunate and uniquely Ford compromise if that were the case.

Edited July 15, 2016 by BORG

[Harley Lover]

A twist beam suspension in an expensive hybrid would be an unfortunate and uniquely Ford compromise if that were the case.

 

i did a quick look up to see what the Prius has for rear suspension, and the new gen has double wishbones in the rear. The Volt, on the other hand, uses a "rear semi-independent, compound crank" in the rear.

 

I still think you're right on with your thought. The twist beam must be for third world markets.

Edited July 15, 2016 by Harley Lover

[jpd80]

Go back to what we know, Ka, Fiesta and Focus are all getting bigger and while those three may not be

jumping to the next segment, it's more than likely that all will have more internal room and feel much bigger.

 

In that respect, I would expect the next Fiesta will seem more like a C170 Focus in size but with less trunk space,

keeping it as a large B Car instead of a Compact. I expect Focus to grow in a similar fashion and be more like its

rivals, the LWB Corolla and Cruze. The Ka won't make it to North America but will probably be a big hit in Europe.

Edited July 15, 2016 by jpd80

[MKII]

COLOGNE -- In a radical shift, Ford Motor is repositioning itself in Europe's small car market by abandoning the minicar segment and focusing on subcompact customers with a larger Ka and a more upscale Fiesta

http://europe.autonews.com/article/20160617/ANE/160619959/ford-overhauls-small-car-strategy-in-europe

[jpd80]

Thanks for the Link MKII,

 

I Found this passage very interesting:

 

The Ka+ is 3930mm long compared with the current Ka's 3620mm, moving it into the subcompact segment,

and comes with five doors while the current model has three doors.

 

Using the Ka to attract practical, price-conscious car owners means that Ford can upgrade the Fiesta to better

appeal to buyers willing to pay more for an emotional design, improved quality, better equipment and a sporty

ride in a small package.

 

Ford will eliminate the Fiesta's base “Ambiente” trimline when the eighth-generation debuts early next year and

will offer more uniquely distinct versions such as the Ford Fiesta ST 200, the most powerful production version

of the car yet built.

Ka+ at 3930mm is 154.7" - that up from 142.5" and still about 6" shorter than the present Fiesta.

Fiesta mules also suggest that the wheelbase of the next gen is also growing to improve rear leg room.

 

I like the sound of this as I think those cars will be better aligned in bot only Europe but global markets too