The wait is over: Ford's long-awaited product onslaught is finally becoming a reality

Automotive Industries, Sept, 2004 by John Peter

The Year of the Car has finally come around for Ford Motor Company, as it launches the new product that it has been promising for sometime now.

Ford will introduce six new nameplates for 2005. The first examples of the 550 hp, 205 mph, mid-engine, Ford GT super car, built to compete with the best from Maranello, are being delivered to customers.

An all-new Mustang combines state-of-the-art technology with retro-heritage styling, continuing the heritage of the original American pony car (AI, June 2004). Mustang owners can choose from either a 210 hp 4.0L SOHC V-6 or a 300 hp 4.6L, 3-valve MOD V-8 with a whopping 315 lb.ft, of torque. And the future looks brighter for SUVs as a hybrid version of the Escape winds its way to showrooms this fall (AI, June 2004).

Ford will also have fresh faces for the Focus and Escape, new powertrains and upgrades for the Lincoln Navigator, Ford Expedition and F-150, plus II new engines and five new transmissions.

"We've been promising a product onslaught and this is just the start of it," says Greg Smith, Ford executive vice president and president of the Americas.

Ford is midway through the launch of nine new products this year alone--more than its ever launched in one year in the firms 100 year history.

Smith says that by the end of 2004, 60 percent of all Ford products will be new or refreshened. Ford will also have three more flexible manufacturing plants on line--Dearborn Assembly in Dearborn, Mich., which builds the F-150; Chicago Assembly, the new home of the Five Hundred, Freestyle and Mercury Montego; and AutoAlliance in Flat Rock, Mich., Mustang's new home, plus a new product development system that will allow Ford to double the number of new products coming down the pipeline.

The January 2005 Detroit Auto Show mark the unveiling of the companies new midsize car line-up that includes the Ford Fusion Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr.

The highlight of the Year of the Car for Ford will be the introduction of its new flagship sedan, the Ford Five Hundred and Ford's first purpose-built crossover, the Freestyle.

Both vehicles will share the same D3 platform (adapted from the Volvo P2 platform found under the Volvo S8 sedan and XC90 SUV), Ford's 3.0L Duratec 30 V-6 mated to an Aisin planetary 6-speed automatic of ZF CVT transmission and an optional all-wheel-drive system. From the sills up, both vehicles are very different.

The Ford Five Hundred (and its upscale Mercury Montego cousin) is just 3-in. longer than a Taurus and 1 ft. shorter than a Crown Victoria but boasts a larger interior volume than both at 21.2 cu.ft. Ford's trademarked Command Sealing puts the driver 4-in. higher than the average sedan which offers an SUV-like view of the road.

The Five Hundred boast the largest trunk of any sedan at 21 cu. ft., enough room for eight golf bags. The sedan was built off of the crossover platform using the same brakes and an HAVC system designed for the larger Freestyle.

Freestyle is the first true crossover from Ford Ford's COO, Jim Padilla, says that the focus was on package, package and package--space galore for people and things. Freestyle can seat six or seven, depending on your choice of second row seating, folding buckets or a 60/40 split bench at the same price. An optional console that snaps in between the second row buckets will cost you more.

The third row seat comes in bench or optional 50/50 split fold-down and offers comfortable seating for 6-foot adults while still maintaining a cargo area behind the seat that's 60 percent bigger than Chrysler Pacifica and 40 percent bigger than the Ford Explorer.

All seats with the exception of the driver's seat fold flat for added cargo hauling flexibility.

Freestyle is available with Ford's Safety Canopy system that covers all three rows.

Freestyle and Five Hundred ride on 17-in. wheels and tires, a MacPherson strut front and multi-link independent rear suspension and offer 4-wheel disc brakes with dual-piston aluminum front calipers. ABS is standard on all vehicles.

Ford's Focus small car gets a face lift for '05 with a new front and rear sheetmetal, headlamps, tailamps and fog lights and an undated interior. New powertrains include a 136 hp, 2.0L Duratec 4-cylinder and a PZEV version of the same engine. Ford has added the performance ZX4, an evolution of the European ST170 and SVT Focus with an improved suspension and 151 hp 2.3L all-aluminum Duratec 14.

While Ford may be touting the Car of the Year, it hasn't forgotten what pays the bills these days.

The successful Ford F-150, launched last year, will add a 4.2L 202 hp, V-6 version to its portfolio, built in Oakville, Ontario.

The Escape SUV gets a facelift inside and out, a new 2.3L Duratec 1-4, a new IP and floor-mounted shifter, automatic intelligent 4WD system, Ford's Safety Canopy air bag system and an upscale Mercury Mariner sibling. 20,000 lucky folks will own the first North American-built hybrid as Ford offers a hybrid version of the Escape.

All of Ford's medium- and full-size SUVs will come standard with Advance Trac and Rol Stability Control from Continental Teves.