range Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 (edited) Notice it is a hybrid. Edited November 7, 2006 by range Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sixcav Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 :boring: :boring: :boring: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchdevil Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 It looks like it is sharing most sheetmetal surfaces with the Escape?Mariner now. Looks like those taillamps will be an easy swap now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fllcobra Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 Can someone please point me to the Dodge dealership? I am looking for that new Nitro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrlandoGuy80 Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 (edited) Ladies and gentlemen, we officially have a red-headed stepchild in the Mazda family. Edited November 7, 2006 by OrlandoGuy80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swenson88 Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 Someone on another site made a good observation - the fact that this is a hybrid might show the motivation behind allowing a true rebadge into the Mazda lineup. Right now Mazda has no hybrids so by keeping a version of the Escape/Mariner they can sell a hybrid vehicle in their dealerships. Otherwise this vehicle doesn't fit in with Mazda at all, especially since they now have the CX7 and 9 available. I agree on the styling though, pretty damn boring. I guess that shape just didn't translate to Mazda's current sleek design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgey Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 (edited) Hmmm, poor Mazda! Ford and Mazda design just don't work well together, especially the interior. It doesn't surprise me that there is no sheet metal differentiation since the expense isn't really justified now that Mazda has two other CUV alternatives. Actually, the Mazda looks a tad like a boxier Saturn Outlook. Edited November 7, 2006 by Edgey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 Arf...even the Mariner looks better then this. The only good thing is their are rumors that the Escape is getting a new platform in the next 4 years or so Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgey Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 (edited) Arf...even the Mariner looks better then this. The only good thing is their are rumors that the Escape is getting a new platform in the next 4 years or so The Escape was based on the 626...so the Edge is really riding on some antique parts. I'm not sure it really matters, but improved drive trains would really help. A better body design would also be really welcome! Edited November 7, 2006 by Edgey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 Ford doesn't replace, they reposition. Well something is up at KCAP, they have rumors that the Escape is going away from them and they are going to close in 2012, something I find really unlikely, but who knows, there is a good chance the Escape will move over to a C2 platform during that time, since the Focus is moving to the C2 in 2010 or so. Why not combine the two at the same plant? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgey Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 Well something is up at KCAP, they have rumors that the Escape is going away from them and they are going to close in 2012, something I find really unlikely, but who knows, there is a good chance the Escape will move over to a C2 platform during that time, since the Focus is moving to the C2 in 2010 or so. Why not combine the two at the same plant? C2 is a good 4-5 years away so the timing is about right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 The Escape was based on the 626...so the Edge is really riding on some antique parts. ?? Escape or Edge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waymondospiff Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 (edited) ?? Escape or Edge? I'm guessing it was a slip-up. CD2 - based (loosely, we'll say) on the Mazda 626 - (loosely) dates back to 1993 Escape, Mariner, Tribute CD3 - based on the Mazda6 - dates back to 2003 Fusion, Milan, MKZ/Zephyr, MKX, Edge, CX-9, & soon the 2008 Mazda6 I actually prefer the smooth styling of the Mazda to the overdone fussiness of the Mariner. The Escape vs. Tribute, eh. Toss-up, but I still like the five-pointed grille more than the Escape's rectangular piece. The one question I have - is this real? The Tribute name was supposed to die and become CX-5 to fit into Mazda's new nomeclature. If it really stays named the Tribute either Mazda is very optimistic about the Tribute's brand recognition or Mazda's got something up their sleeve and the new Tribute is a stop-gap. Given the E/M/T's total lack of worthwhile upgrades in this facelift (Paging 3.5L Cyclone. 3.5L Cyclone please report for duty.) I'm hoping that Mazda's got a new crossover up their sleeve in two years or so. Scott Editted to add: left out of the original post was the link to autoblog's report (with additional computer shots of the interior) http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/06/exclusi...te-pics-leaked/ Edited November 7, 2006 by waymondospiff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old_fairmont_wagon Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 I'm thinking that this is a Hybrid stop-gap for Mazda and a companion to the B-series (is that thing still sold?) and a replacement for the the ugliest vehicle in their lineup, the old MPV. I believe that when the GEN-2 hybrid package is released by Ford, it will be fitable in the Cx-7 (remove existing 4 cylinder and turbo, insert new 4 cylinder and generator/motor). I can imagine that, in the future, the Escape will become a decontented version of the LR2. It would make a LOT of sense to design a global lite SUV platform for Mazda, Land Rover, Volvo, and Ford NA based off of C2. That one platform can share a whole lot of stuff across the world and become very economical. After all, the size of all the possible vehicles will be very similar (XC-50, LR2, Escape-Mariner-MKT?, CX-5). Nah, that would make too much sense... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 Can someone please point me to the Dodge dealership? I am looking for that new Nitro. That Nitro is definitely nice looking....and on top of that it is produced on the same platform as the jeep liberty....now that is what I say are unique vehicles that have successfully shared a platform along with the same manufacturing facility. That mazda looks terrible-very disappointed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waymondospiff Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 That Nitro is definitely nice looking....and on top of that it is produced on the same platform as the jeep liberty....now that is what I say are unique vehicles that have successfully shared a platform along with the same manufacturing facility. That mazda looks terrible-very disappointed I'll disagree with the Mazda comment, but remember, the Nitro is the "next-generation" Liberty. Wait until Detroit or New York when the new Liberty debuts...then comment on the differentiation. I'm not saying it won't be, but I'd hold my comments on that for now. Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCK Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 I'll disagree with the Mazda comment, but remember, the Nitro is the "next-generation" Liberty. Wait until Detroit or New York when the new Liberty debuts...then comment on the differentiation. I'm not saying it won't be, but I'd hold my comments on that for now. Scott Even if the Nitro and Liberty look exactly the same like hjow ford does there products, there are a ton more examples out their that show how to do it correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 LR2 is on EUCD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old_fairmont_wagon Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 I may have mis-typed. I was thinking the next LR2. Just thinking with the renewed focus on having a single platform across more divisions, that LR2, Escape et al, and the supposed XC50 are all in the same size class. They could all technically share the same platform and two drivetrain sets (a PAG set and a Mazda/Ford set). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgey Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 Indeed I meant Escape, not Edge. I'm cosntantly slipping on those names. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
630land Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 The Escape is not 'based on 626', it is all its own. Uses no parts, nor platform. OTOH Some Contour fans claimed it was a 'Contour SUV'. Logic is then the wheel dates back a zillion years, so all cars are that old then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Transpower Posted November 20, 2006 Share Posted November 20, 2006 Can someone please point me to the Dodge dealership? I am looking for that new Nitro. The Nitro is more style than function. The Mariner/Escape/Tribute is more function than style. All of the reviews I've read say that the Nitro doesn't handle very well. I think the new 2008 Mariner looks pretty good, though, and I'll be checking one out on December 4th at the Reading Terminal in Philadelphia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
focalxplosion Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 That Nitro is definitely nice looking....and on top of that it is produced on the same platform as the jeep liberty....now that is what I say are unique vehicles that have successfully shared a platform along with the same manufacturing facility. They also share the same pitiful fuel economy and weak 4spd auto. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smok Posted April 6, 2007 Share Posted April 6, 2007 Weak. Boring. That cluster is one of the ugliest I have seen. I think it shares all exterior metal with the escape, but somehow menages to look much worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted April 6, 2007 Share Posted April 6, 2007 I'll disagree with the Mazda comment, but remember, the Nitro is the "next-generation" Liberty. Wait until Detroit or New York when the new Liberty debuts...then comment on the differentiation. I'm not saying it won't be, but I'd hold my comments on that for now. Scott Eh, they turned out to look pretty darn similar, actually. Still a better rebadging job than a lot of Fords, but still surprisingly similar. On a similar note...I saw a Nitro on the way to work this morning. It definitely has presence!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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