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"January's Detroit auto show is shaping up to be a colossal event for North American manufacturers. Ford is preparing to unleash a new range of wagons and freshened SUVs to cap its displays, which will also include the first brand-new Mustang since 1979. But in the wagon spotlight for Ford will be the Freestyle, a new crossover wagon built off Volvo's front-drive platform and sporting a V6 engine coupled to a continuously variable transmission. The Freestyle will also be offered with all-wheel drive."
I like the AWD part. After having AWD on my current wagon, I'll never go back to 2WD.
Initially it'll be offered with a 3.0L tuned to make more than the Taurus/Escapes basic 200HP. Look for 220+ in Duratec 30.
And like all upcoming Fords, it has a clean and substantial look that, unfortunately, is utterly forgettable and without much style. Ford will still probably sell a ton of them. Just my $0.02. For my money, the Pacifica is infinitely more attractive, but costs much more.
Bret
The rear definately pics up styling cues from Ford's SUV's, notice the pillars, their design and slants, as well as the hatchback and those are definately Ford cues. As for the front, it's very Audi like, which will be more prominant on it's cousin the Ford Five-Hundred debuting around the same time.
When the 86 Taurus came out, I had my Niece leave me one to babysit for a week. I was driving a T-bird at the time, and really happy with it. But after a week in the Taurus, this one was an LX, loaded all the way, I was way in love! Bought an 87, 88, two 89's and a 90 for my business. Bought an 87 Sable for me personally.
When the 96 came out with the overdone oval look, I was turned off completely. The redesign looks better to me now, but so much decontenting has been done, the seats are no longer world class, they are pretty ordinary cars today. No fun there anymore.
I agree with all posts. Clean and modern, but utterly forgettable. It'll be a solid "double" and sell respectably.
Regarding the Pacifica interior:
I actually happen to think it is quite high quality, although I'm not thrilled with the actual design. I wonder when automakers will realize we look at the center console multiple times a day and you can't "cheap out" that part of the interior. I'm surprised they didn't learn from their LH sedan experience here.
Regarding the original Taurus:
I actually had a second gen Taurus SHO (the V6 auto version of the refined first gen) and have to say that was a great car. It felt like it all came together. Handling, packaging, mechanics, quality, etc... As one business magazine put it, how badly must Ford be managed to mess up a car that was a best seller so badly that it is now dropping it?
Regarding the Contour:
I'm actually selling my SVT Contour and let me say that this might have been the best car Ford made in the last 15 years. It feels only a hair less capable, comfortable, and put together than my BMW 330I. It was one of the best performance bargains! Ford, of course, never replaced it here in the U.S... Now I own a 330I... Thanks Ford... If Ford had brought the Mondeo ST220 here, I definitely would have bought that instead.
Bret
Bret
The interior looks good. Enjoy!
Odie
My Homepage
http://media.ford.com/products/model.cfm?vehicle_id=1054
Source: Ford Media
wsag26
freestar-dull
freestyle-superdull
and I'm a ford fan (3 fords in a row)
time for ford to get a clue and start making stylish cars again.
Fords sales are astronamical compared to any other single brand, and once you get that big you are forced to go conservative. Conservatism is the only way to gain sales when you already have an extremely high amount of sales. Just look at Toyota, any of their products scream style?
Ford took a chance on its first 80's model Taurus and they hit it big. They got lucky. Instead of going conservative the second time around they went and took another chance, that time they lost.
I applaud ford for making some class leading interiors because when it comes down to it, i live in my car, not outside of it.
The freestyle will not make it on my short list (will be trading in my Outback at end of '04/early '05), but I will keep an eye out for a Freestyle FX (the one that was displayed as concept at last years show).