silvrsvt Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 I'm slightly disappointed with it, but it is an improvement over the old model. I'm not expecting a huge increase in sales with it, more or less along 200K cars a year between all 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterstern Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 (edited) Dammit... Why didn't they just copy the front end of the Fusion? At least the inexcusably bland eggcrate grill is gone and there is now a powertrain that is competitive with all competitors. Also, does this model change mean the end of the CVT? Edited January 8, 2007 by peterstern Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
01FOCI Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 The FuglyDuckling has come home to roost at Ford... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchdevil Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 (edited) Obviously we didn't get the connection after everyone on the design team was made to spend time with classic Fords by getting a feel for them by hand washing and waxing them.... I think they spent time washing and waxing a 1990 Ford Tempo when they came up with the new front end for the Five Hundred.... Edited January 8, 2007 by Watchdevil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblood Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Obviously we didn't get the connection after everyone on the design team was made to spend time with classic Fords by getting a feel for them by hand washing and waxing them.... I think they spent time washing and waxing a 1990 Ford Tempo when they came up with the new front end for the Five Hundred.... Ford design is lost... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wescoent Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 I like it... Ford got this one right. The new engine and trans will make the difference. The styling looks good to me... It is at least as good and the new Buicks... If the car had the 3.5/6 speed back in 2005, I would have bought it over the Mariner for my company car... I suspect that people who want somthing bigger than a Camry or Accord, might take a look... One word of caution: if this thing takes 150ft to haul down from 60 like the new Escape and Edge, Ford might have some big problems... Agreed. Although not a lot was changed, what was changed makes a huge difference in looks and driving. I look forward to tests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblood Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 This monstrosity is being ripped all across the internet.. Ford needs to learn that that 3 bar grill is already dated looking, and making every car use the same exact grill is a dumb idea. At least if it was brushed aluminum like on the 427 concept or painted body color like the green Edge I took a picture of below it wouldn't be so bad. And the fact that it looks exactly like it is (cheap ass plastic chrome) is even worse.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBadBflo Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 I think the 3-bar is a nice design element, but it is lost in the cheap execution and placing the big blue oval in the center on a big block of plastic connecting all the bars. It ruins the whole flow of it. Get rid of the large oval, recesss "FORD" to the side of one of the bars (middle or lower) and give it a different surface finfish. The Tempo is a nice comarison actually. Before I saw that reference I was ready to comment that the front end looked 1990ish with the simple rectangle grille/headlight assembly opening. I also prefer the old front end to this one. The body shape overall is hard to overcome. But like always, I await to see it in person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brightdani Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Overall I like the look of the redesigned 500, but I think that if the front end had more of an "Edge" treatment, it would look more substantial, it seems to me that the lights and 3-bar grill all being the exact same height all the way across makes the front end a little more bland than it could be. The 500 has enough sheet metal to get creative with, I'm surprised at how conservative still that the styling is, but overall, having driven a few and being impressed by the smoothness and power (even with the 200 hp v-6) I think that it's a step in the right direction, and more than I had anticipated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Overall I don't think it's too bad. Doesn't go far enough visually, but the powertrain and NVH/suspension/safety improvements are always welcome. I noticed it finally gets projector headlights. Yippy. I'm not completely against the 3-bar grille, but Ford's use of it has been kinda half-assed. It looks great on the Fusion and Edge, but the way the bottom bar on the Five Hundred doesn't mesh with the bottom of the headlamp bezels just annoys me. It looks like one of the crappy photoshops I did months ago trying to tack the Fusion grille onto the FH and not stretching it enough vertically to account for the vehicle's increased size. I also agree that the 3-bar grille would looke MUCH nicer if they used the one from the Fusion prototype builds that had the floating Ford oval in the center bar instead of the mush of chrome jello surrounding the oval and connecting all 3 bars. Ford should have used a more Edge-type grille on the FH instead of the style the Fusion uses. A little disappointed to see no major changes to the interior as well. Hope it's enough to keep Chicago running. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordowner Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 agree new focus is more impressive - though that was a far older design and for a younger market. Want to see the 500 in person but those links with the large pics did make the new front end look better as did the darker color. Notice the hood has new full length lines to match the grill and the fenders are recut with the bumper to lower the center of the new front - I suspect it may add an inch or so to the length? It will be interesting to see it in person. Also on the edge and the 500 I've noticed the new fog lights look tacky in pics, i suspect, hope they look better in person when its the difference in the actual fog light and the surround is easier to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old_fairmont_wagon Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 I love everyone praising Ford for the suspension changes. Those changes were neccessary since Ford had to redo the front subframe / unibody to get the 3.5L plus 6F tranny combo in the same place that the D30 + CVT combo once lived. That change resulted in dimension and geometry changes, which neccessitated suspension modifications. While it should be an improvement, I await the reviews. Another change that may be going unnoticed is the AWD system change. They're leaving Volvo's Haldex design for another one. I don't know much about the new one, but, I know that ford did advertise the advantages of the volvo/Haldex setup, especially with the Freestyle, when they first went on sale a few years ago. They had a freestyle drive up a loose dirt road on a rather steep incline and the AWD effortlessly got it up the hill. They followed it with an AWD pacifica that got stuck a third of the way up due to the fact that it takes far longer to engage the rear wheels and can opposite spin the wheels and not get anywhere. I wonder if this went to rear drum brakes as well. Seems to be the trend at ford these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suv_guy_19 Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 You Know I'm not sure what everyone was expecting from this whlole update. When you think about it, the FH is not supposed to be a sporty car like the fusion and the altered design language reflects that. The new front end and tail lights make it more noticible and the engine will do a great deal in chnaging peoples perceptions. The interior tweaking also seems to add a more luxurious feel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchdevil Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 This monstrosity is being ripped all across the internet.. Ford needs to learn that that 3 bar grill is already dated looking, and making every car use the same exact grill is a dumb idea. At least if it was brushed aluminum like on the 427 concept or painted body color like the green Edge I took a picture of below it wouldn't be so bad. And the fact that it looks exactly like it is (cheap ass plastic chrome) is even worse.. The whole point of the 3-bar grille on the 427 concept was to look like a precision milled billet type grille with a brushed aluminum finish. The bends on the ends are properly radiused and end deep in the grille opening. The exact shape (stretched horizontal and short in height), spacing of the bars (with detail in between them) and exact radius and bend of the ends, plus the depth in which they bend in towards the headlamp bezels is what made it look good on the 427 Concept. Instead the grille design has been stretched, skewed, chromed, flattened with no radiused bends (just slightly angled back ends) to the point that it is ridiculous. Ford has turned a grille that looks Chip Foose custom into a silly funhouse mirror. The front end design of the Fusion is still very good in my opinion. I would prefer the grille bars be satin finish and have a little more curved radius on the bent ends. The hood sculpturing and headlight shapes of the Fusion are great. I like the the Fusion headlamps are seperate front the grille and have stepped squircle shapes for the beams. The parking/turn lamps are nicely integrated into the lamp housings. It is also clean, and the lines flow into the hood and edge of the fenders. What is a disappointment for the rest of the Ford cars is that they do not follow a consistancy using that design themme which gives the Ford family of cars a unified design. Just throwing three grille bars on everything is not enough when the rest of the vehicle looks like it was designed by a comittee. It just irks me that at the very least they could have come up with a front end very similar to the Fusion since they had to change the hood and fenders to accommodate the Five Hundered restyle. As for the Focus, it is a lame excuse they have for not being able to make three bars work on the front end when I can photochop them and they fit just fine. Anyway, the Mustang and Fusion are still the best looking cars in Ford's lineup, while Lincoln takes the cake on the MKZ and Mercury the Milan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edstock Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 From http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm/count...undred-revealed "One of the most significant changes is how the engine is mounted in the vehicle. Previously, the engine was mounted to the front subframe. On the new model, the engine and transmission are bolted to the body with hydraulic mounts to reduce vibration. By moving the roughly 600-pound powerpack off the subframe, engineers were able to better tune the suspension and, ultimately, create an even better ride." This is quite a heavy-duty change. For what it's worth, I heard an Edge idling in Park, outside the detailing dep't. Amazingly quiet engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LincolnFan Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 I don't quite understand.. they took off 600 pounds?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suv_guy_19 Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 I don't quite understand.. they took off 600 pounds?! no, they just changed what it was bolted onto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalu Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 More distictive, and the new motor should help...now, if Ford will just, y'know, TELL PEOPLE ABOUT THE CAR..the possibilities are astounding! Why put a Fusion grill on everything, how will people be able to tell a distinctive difference, wrong direction for Ford if you ask me. Don't get me wrong, wife drives a Freestyle, it's a great car, they are all starting to look the same.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLLMTR Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 I also prefer the old front end to this one. The body shape overall is hard to overcome. But like always, I await to see it in person. I agree. The Achilles heel of the Five Hundred is its overall profile (i.e. the circa 1986 bubble top roof). This design totally clashed with nearly every well received concept Ford put out and what consumers want in 2007. When Ford could have taken a Bold Move and produced the 427, it now looks like it is following the 300C with the Interceptor concept. Mark my words, Fields, the Five Hundred will not sell any better until the roof flattens. However, the Focus looks much better than the previous design. I am so glad that the designers abandoned the overt fender flares. The car actually looks more evolved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
05fordgt Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 Why put a Fusion grill on everything, how will people be able to tell a distinctive difference, wrong direction for Ford if you ask me. Don't get me wrong, wife drives a Freestyle, it's a great car, they are all starting to look the same.. Have you taken a look at Audi lately. Every car has that large chrome grill that is basically the same on every car. It starts at the hood, and goes to the bottom of the front fascia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swenson88 Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 Have you taken a look at Audi lately. Every car has that large chrome grill that is basically the same on every car. It starts at the hood, and goes to the bottom of the front fascia. Most brands have a "family" front end that defines them. Why would Ford be any different? So the chrome-bar grille is polarizing - GOOD! Ford needs to not be anonymous in the background (cough . . .cough . . 500 . . .cough . . .Freestyle). They need products that are instantly recongnizable as a Ford. Every BMW is recognizable from a 100yds. Same with an Audi or VW. Same with many brands. I don't see the problem there. Granted, I don't want a Mustang with a Fusion grille just yet, but who knows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchdevil Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 I agree. The Achilles heel of the Five Hundred is its overall profile (i.e. the circa 1986 bubble top roof). This design totally clashed with nearly every well received concept Ford put out and what consumers want in 2007. When Ford could have taken a Bold Move and produced the 427, it now looks like it is following the 300C with the Interceptor concept. Mark my words, Fields, the Five Hundred will not sell any better until the roof flattens. However, the Focus looks much better than the previous design. I am so glad that the designers abandoned the overt fender flares. The car actually looks more evolved. One reason the Fusion sells well is that it provides a look that is attractive and more American in style. It is styled in a way consumers desire it. For the class car it is and being a FWD vehicle I find the Fusion totally acceptable. Now if Ford can just provide some larger cars that are attractive but have serious performance attributes... Something that become a legend in it's own time... Instead of something everyone wants to forget... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 (edited) Why put a Fusion grill on everything, how will people be able to tell a distinctive difference, wrong direction for Ford if you ask me. Don't get me wrong, wife drives a Freestyle, it's a great car, they are all starting to look the same.. Have you taken a look at Ford in the mid 1990s: Taraus Contour Escort All have that Oval "grill" with the Ford Badge in the middle. Another comment, if you take a look at the post 86 Era Fords, they also share the same grill. The Escort GT, Mustang GT, Thunderbird TC, Tempo and Taraus had the Frog Nose on them. The Thunderbird coupe, Mustang LX , Escort and CV had egg crates Talking about the Fusion and its 3 bar grill, anyone ever take a close look at the Grill opening? I'm almost willing to bet that the original design didn't have the Tribar design and the only thing ford did was take the mesh grill out and put in 5 bars between the grill and lower grill. Edited January 9, 2007 by silvrsvt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcsario Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 That was for airflow reasons. They decided it's best to have a retarded looking gap, than just have an agressive looking air intake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzhead Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 Sheesh, pcsario, some say the Five Hundred is boring, but I am bored to tears with your negativity fest. We get it, you don't like the car. Now move on to something else, for criminy's sake! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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