Ford Australia has released its version of the Freestyle called the Territory.
The pictures that go with this release show a cleanly-styled vehicle that is less cluttered than the Freestyle shown in Detroit. I don't know how it will do in Australia, but it looks like a winner here.
I just saw the Freestyle at the Cleveland Auto Show. I looks much better in person than from what I've seen in the photos. The model on display was was an orange color that looked better than the gray one in all the photos.
The COOLEST feature, however, was the retractable roof that converts the back of the car onto an open bed similar to a Subaru Baha. I may be wrong, but as far as I can tell, this feature won't make it into production and this would be a BIG MISTAKE! The retractable roof could make this car incredibly versatile and really make it stand out from the competition. And there is going to be a lot of competition in this category over the next several years. Without the retractable roof, you've just got a tall station wagon. Ford needs to keep this feature to really make the Freestyle unique. If they don't do it, someone else eventually will. FORD- IF YOU'RE LISTENING -KEEP THE RETRACTABLE ROOF!
I would seriously consider trading in my 2000 Subaru Outback for one of these if they become available.....the FX that is. If it looks like the Australian version, no thanks. In my opinion, it looks like a cross between an explorer and Focus Wagon. In fact, I think those are the same wheels from the current Focus line.
The gray FX at the autoshow is down right sharp. The retracting roof is a neat idea, but depending on the cost, I doubt I would be willing to pay a premium for it. FORD, BUILD IT LIKE THE VERSION AT THE DETROIT AUTO SHOW (with or without the roof) AND YOU HAVE A NEW CUSTOMER, presuming crash ratings are good!
I wrote to Ford suggesting my interest in the FX, and this is the response I received, which suggests that car companies, at least in part, decide on whether a concept will go to production based on consumer reaction. So, if you like the FX and want to see it built, write Ford:
Here's the response to my suggestions and question whether the FX will go into production.
"Thank you for contacting Ford of Canada on 3/11/03. We appreciate the time you have taken to write us.
We are pleased to hear of your interest in the Ford Freestyle. It helps to reaffirm our belief in the importance of exceptional products and services.
Concept vehicles are intended to gauge the public reaction to new vehicle innovations.
Based on the reaction that a particular vehicle receives, it may be introduced in some form at a future date.
At this time, there are no immediate plans to include this vehicle in the current model line-up. However, your feedback is collected and used in the decision making process for future model years.
For more information regarding Ford's line-up of concept vehicles, we invite you to visit www.fordvehicles.com and type in the desired vehicle in the search engine.
At Ford of Canada, we consider the satisfaction of our customers as one of our most important objectives. If you have any other inquiries or concerns, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to address them."
I've never bought a Ford, but if they built the Freestyle FX, I would definately be in the showroom laying down money for one. This is pretty much my dream car - I've always owned wagons for their versatility, but always wanted a sedan as well. This is the ultimate vehicle! Please build it, Ford!
If you ask me, It kinda looks like a modified Escape. But it looks really cool with the automatic opening back. Glad they are going o start building these in 2004-2005.
make it into production? That's a concept car, so I would not be surprised to see that the production model does not have the opening back (which I think might be a nightmare from a reliability standpoint).
I think it should have limited towing capability. Maybe in the range of the Escape with the Duratecs.
In terms of size, there aren't any specifications out but I'm thinking inbetween Escape and Explorer in terms of length and width. Height may be about Escape height, from what I can guess in the images and videos.
I highly doubt the folding rear hatch will make it into production. I agree it would be a reliability nightmare. Maybe as a one piece removable shell it could work...but I highly doubt it.
The Freestyle is based on heavily modified Volvo P2 platform. Under Jac Nasser's reign, he had planned to use that same platform for the next Taurus, but considering how sophisticated it is, it wasn't possible. Which is why the Ford 500, which is based on the same platform, will start at a high price point. The Escape is based on a heavily modified Mazda 626 platform. Look for the next Escape/Tribute/Mariner to be built on the current Mazda6 platform.
Actually some car manufacturer's are studying and seeing for themselves that European vehicle dynamics are being favored by a growing number of american consumer's. The next Mondeo, we will receive here under the Futura nameplate. It's a shame that it couldn't have been done sooner, as in bringing over the current Mondeo, but even with that thought was first studied, it would still have taken 3 years to make the car certified and federalized for american roads. Hence, start from scratch on a vehicle that can also be the next Mondeo... Hence, Futura.
Ok, I'll bite. What's so great about the Falcon? By the time we get it, if it is so great, it'll be old won't it? I'm not impressed by the Holden becoming the GTO, and everybody thinks it's so "new". I had some relatives who lived in Austraila for a while, they drove a Falcon there, and didn't rave about it, but then again, they drive a Grand Am here..... Nuff Said.
When it comes here, it won't be "old". Let's say, when it reaches AU, it'll be old to us, new to them. So far it's still being studied. Think what the current Mondeo is to us, and what the next Futura will be to Europe when we have it first.
I've driven the Falcon XR-8 when I was in Austrailia visiting relatives. And it is a rocket. It was about the same size a the contour but RWD and had a V-8.
We have a question (a gripe, actually) going over on the Aviator board, about the self-dimming mirror, or lack thereof on this car. Makes no sense when there is one on my Mountaineer.... Any info as to why this has been left out of the lineup on the Aviator? We feel it's a Lincoln, and should not be made without it. Where are the product guys on this? Can you enlighten us any?
Hasn't been released yet, my questimate, look at $28K+. Why? Mainly because of the platform of the vehicle, and I know personally it's only profitable at beyond that price level.
You'd have to start at $26K to be competive with the Honda Pilot. The Pacifica is a different story, as it's purpose is to bring up Chrysler's image from rebadged Dodge to premium cars worthy of your time and money.
Unfortunately though (for Chrysler), they are learning that their approach wasn't a slam dunk. In our local Sunday paper, Pacifica's listing at $34k are being sold for $26k. In other words, the Pacifica and the Pilot and the Freestyle will be cross-shoped.
Porknbeans
Grand High Poobah The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
Many crossovers are being sold today... and it is truly the latest fad (under the SUV segment). Many people buy Ford SUV's even after the scandal. Even with Chevrolet, there still buying there SUV's after the scandals, but after Lexus is topping the sales along with Infiniti, Chrysler, etc. will Ford be able to make success with this vehicle. I like it a lot and I'm confident Ford will buzz the headlines with this vehicle, but will it sell good... Hope the price isn't that expensive... That isn't like Ford. If you have any updates, update me...
from what I've heard from mult. car dealership's is that the freestyle w/o the power sliding hatch will start about $24k, fully loaded will top out about $28k - $30k. Some have even said the freestyle will be a model of the Escape (XLS, XLT, Limited, Freestyle)(ex. 2005 Ford Escape Freestyle). I was also told that Mazda won't have the added model. IMHO - I guess that's why the Freestyle looks alot like the escape in size and style.
here's a site with some good shots... just click on the pics to make full screen shots. The Interior looks interesting, including the OH S--T! bar taken from the Jeep Wrangler heritage. I hope that Ford doesn't change much in the way it looks or acts. And from the article in the link on post #92 (thanks to nextmoon) it says there will be a 5-spd manual. http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.mv?file=car.mv&num=1575
The Freestyle will not be a trim of the Escape. It'll be built off the Ford Five-Hundred model, which is larger than whatever the Escape is basd on. (Focus, Escort????)
The Escape is based on a modified platform of the last Mazda 626 sedan. In the future, it's moving to the C1 platform, which will underpin the next generation Focus, LR Freelander, Volvo S40, Mazda3.
Nope. Although Ford does plan to introduced a midsize SUV based upon the new Mazda6 platform, while the next Escape will be C-1 platform (Euro Focus) based.
Well obviously they have a target price point they wish to work with. All this is on the planning stages of development, since they need to see if a vehicle will be profittable for their overall business plan. But the "specifics" of pricing haven't yet been worked out yet because there's some features that will be introduced after it's introduction, and also depends on the suppliers and if THEY are able to meet those targets for options, and the cost of those options. So the finer details won't be released yet. Pricing should be mention towards the end of this year, earlier next year.
Comments
The pictures that go with this release show a cleanly-styled vehicle that is less cluttered than the Freestyle shown in Detroit. I don't know how it will do in Australia, but it looks like a winner here.
http://www.autoweb.com.au/id_MTR/doc_mtr0302286/cms/news/newsarti- cle.html
The COOLEST feature, however, was the retractable roof that converts the back of the car onto an open bed similar to a Subaru Baha. I may be wrong, but as far as I can tell, this feature won't make it into production and this would be a BIG MISTAKE! The retractable roof could make this car incredibly versatile and really make it stand out from the competition. And there is going to be a lot of competition in this category over the next several years. Without the retractable roof, you've just got a tall station wagon. Ford needs to keep this feature to really make the Freestyle unique. If they don't do it, someone else eventually will. FORD- IF YOU'RE LISTENING -KEEP THE RETRACTABLE ROOF!
The gray FX at the autoshow is down right sharp. The retracting roof is a neat idea, but depending on the cost, I doubt I would be willing to pay a premium for it. FORD, BUILD IT LIKE THE VERSION AT THE DETROIT AUTO SHOW (with or without the roof) AND YOU HAVE A NEW CUSTOMER, presuming crash ratings are good!
http://www.ford.com/en/support/contactUs.htm#ford
or for fellow Canadians:
http://www.ford.ca/english/contact.asp
Here's the response to my suggestions and question whether the FX will go into production.
"Thank you for contacting Ford of Canada on 3/11/03. We appreciate the time you have taken to write us.
We are pleased to hear of your interest in the Ford Freestyle. It helps to reaffirm our belief in the importance of exceptional products and services.
Concept vehicles are intended to gauge the public reaction to new vehicle innovations.
Based on the reaction that a particular vehicle receives, it may be introduced in some form at a future date.
At this time, there are no immediate plans to include this vehicle in the current model line-up. However, your feedback is collected and used
in the decision making process for future model years.
For more information regarding Ford's line-up of concept vehicles, we invite you to visit www.fordvehicles.com and type in the desired vehicle in the search engine.
At Ford of Canada, we consider the satisfaction of our customers as one of our most important objectives. If you have any other inquiries or
concerns, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to address them."
http://www.ford-trucks.com/news/2003/news2003-3.html
If you ask me, It kinda looks like a modified Escape. But it looks really cool with the automatic opening back. Glad they are going o start building these in 2004-2005.
Odie
In terms of size, there aren't any specifications out but I'm thinking inbetween Escape and Explorer in terms of length and width. Height may be about Escape height, from what I can guess in the images and videos.
I highly doubt the folding rear hatch will make it into production. I agree it would be a reliability nightmare. Maybe as a one piece removable shell it could work...but I highly doubt it.
Odie
The next Mondeo, we will receive here under the Futura nameplate. It's a shame that it couldn't have been done sooner, as in bringing over the current Mondeo, but even with that thought was first studied, it would still have taken 3 years to make the car certified and federalized for american roads. Hence, start from scratch on a vehicle that can also be the next Mondeo... Hence, Futura.
Http://www.ford.com.au - Austrailia
Http://www.ford.co.uk/ie - United Kingdom
Odie
Odie
http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_047624
Grand High Poobah
The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
Hope the price isn't that expensive... That isn't like Ford. If you have any updates, update me...
IMHO - I guess that's why the Freestyle looks alot like the escape in size and style.
Odie
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.mv?file=car.mv&num=1575
Odie