Fusion Sport 2nd gen (2017-2019) requires 150 lb ft.  I think it's the only Fusion that does. I think the 3.0 AWD MKZ which is similar also requires the same 150 but I own the FFS so I'm not 100% sure.

Also - most of these new casting techniques weren't feasible until the last few years.

That's actually a valid point. Why are so many cars in their initial release photos shown from the perspective of an ant, and not at a more realistic eye level? Especially when as you pointed out, a lot of designs look worse from that angle. 

This, there's a way to offer new escape and edge replacements, even sedan and hatchback replacements as well, that makes them more profitable to produce, and aligns with Ford's strategy of no boring cars. There's a way to do an escape size and edge sized crossovers that are bolder, and more desirable than what they replaced. There's a way to do a hatchback with fun, expressive styling.    Yet Farley seems to be incapable of considering this. I give him credit on a lot of things, but I'm expressed my disappointment with Ford just killing off everything that's even vaguely boring instead of try to find ways to make said products more aspirational.    The frustrating thing is Ford seems to want to avoid overly saturated segments, but also go where the most profit is. The issue is the most profitable and lucrative segments of the industry tend to attract the most competition. What Ford really needs is a kickass series of platforms that makes them profitable and sustainable, even in segments where there's a ton of competition, instead of just running from competition once it gets hard. Hopefully CE1 is the answer on that front. 

The Coyote V8 is a great motor , would be more bullet proof / longer lasting with a mechanical driven oil pump over the wet belt drive. Looking at new trucks and the super duty is the only series that has robust engines like the Godzilla and Minizilla that have a singe cam with pushrods , chain driven internal accessories and far easier maintence. Not a fan of the variable output oil pumps on all of them , make is straight mechanical oil pump for solid oil pressure at idle. The minimum fuel savings is not worth potential engine damage from low idle PSI.   Was going to buy an F150 with the Coyote V8 but will likely get a Super Duty gas when I replace my 2016 3.5 NA truck.

I think the whole point is that Ford needs competitive vehicles to sell in Europe and Asia, not just those commodity vehicles that Farley cringes over, so yeah make your next global utility and pickup something with character that are d-e-s-I-r-a-b-l-e and something that people will pay more to own.

That's possible, but I believe if Ford were to make a small, BS based pickup, it would just be the next gen maverick with even more rugged styling cues. Especially considering the fact that the boxy styling has proven to be such a big draw with the mav, I could see Ford doubling down on that with the next iteration.    It's possible that what Ford is also trying to do is have a more consistent design language, at least across their off-road products. We get a next gen BS and a maverick that more closely resembles it's styling, maybe saving Ford money by letting them share body stampings in some areas. Then you get a next gen full sized bronco, and full sized bronco truck to replace the ranger.

yeah but even then it’s stupid simple. You just need to remove 2 screws and pull the trim panel back. I’ve done it once, it’s a lot easier than it was in my Focus. More room to work. 

Yes an much of that I suspect was encouraged by the way vehicle platforms were financed, much easier to get funding by using an existing platform develop a new vehicle.   Recently Farley shared that a certain high selling vehicle had something like 150 modules that are controlled by supplier software…….Ford’s quest to reduce costs by outsourcing  much of what it used to engineer would seem to be locking them into deals that it now has no choice but continue without completely redesigning vehicles…   So yeah, I see why CE1 skunkworks was a breath of fresh air that ignored Ford’s rules and concentrated on a much simpler way of doing everything…..

You have the correct answer to your question jpd80. 🙂 When I worked at Ford in the 1990s and 2000s, engineering was characterized by a culture of not invented here and groupthink, which resulted in unnecessary complexity.