Ford Freestyle - Taurus X

got1b

With the glass slid forward, will anything divide the back area with the cabin area? All pictures show that area open. Also, has anyone seen the Tanneau cover used when the glass is slid forward? This vehicle has great potential!

jchan2

the open roof version sounds a lot like a more car like version of the GMC Envoy XUV. (or a larger Subaru Baja, however you want to put it)

immovable

I don't suppose the fully loaded gross vehicle weight would get to 6000 lbs?

I think the bar on the passenger side dash is silly, though. It doesn't speak of class to me. No one is going for serious off-roading in this thing - that's why they turned it into a wagon, not an SUV.

Can't wait for it to come out though! I'm really excited about this car! I hope there's a good amount of luxury available.

immovable

Thanks ANT! Also, I'm hoping for a manual transmission option. Any chance of that?

ANT14

Manual....Your pushing it The transmission selection has not yet been finalized, that's all I can say.

jchan2

The best Ford could probably do is the Lincoln LS's sequential shifter. Afterall, this is a family car.

ANT14

It's all pretty much the same info, just on different sites.

The vehicle is pased on the P2 (Volvo large) architecture. Although it's being tailored for Ford needs. As in, there's NO set standard, as to HOW much a platform can change, before it's no longer the original platform. But yes it's Volvo based.

As for transmission, they ALL missed one tranmission in there. A regular stepped automatic. There's current issues with the CVT and it's supplier, so don't be surprised if the tranmissions are changed, come closer to production.

As many know, the 3.0L CAN be available with a manual, as in the LS (notice that's gone this year). Therefore a manual that would work on a FWD/AWD configuration would be specially needed. There's only ONE transmission in the Ford family that fits that duty, but chances of it occuring are very slim because it's based on different PCM system then Ford brand.

The other tranny is a stepped automatic, 5 or 6 speeds, still being tested. Mainly because CVT has it's own issues at the moment.

Let's not forget a year after the Freestyle is introduced, a larger 3.5L DOHC Duratec 35 V-6 will be introduced. So you might see the CVT being used on the 3.0L, while the 3.5L received the 5-6 Speed auto.

That should give you an idea as to the progress, but again, all this is still being finalized because there's a few other issues to iron out. By early next year on the auto show circuit, you will definatly hear confirmation as to what tranny they will stick to.

Oh the whole 3.5L V6 engine thing...Your NOT suppose to know that

jchan2

I read about it in Motor Trend. Seems like the first year Freestyle will soldier on with the 3.0 Duratec built originally for the Taurus/Sable. The first year Freestyle should be a collector's item- it will be the one and only year the 3.5 duratec will not be on the car. Kinda like the 1992 Seville STS. The Northstar didn't premiere until 1993, making the 92 a rare find for a Seville.

ANT14

I'm all for improvement, I wouldn't see the 3.0L as a benefit, although it'll make more power than the 200HP that's in the current Taurus/Sable.

Ironically MT only mentions this AFTER Ford made an official announcement... MT should visit these forums, I would have given them more info than just that

stever

They may have known about it weeks ago but may have been under a press embargo. We don't suffer under such constraints on Town Hall.

Steve, Host

ANT14

That's why I say going independent sometimes is much more worthwhile.

Except for the internal spy that posted a bunch of Mustang pics out on Mustang forums and lost his job over it and is having espionage charges pressed against him. Now that's an extreme of course....

stever

I should note that the editors here at Edmunds have similar constraints. As a mere host, I don't have a press pass or access to that stuff. No one ever slips me any juicy tidbits either, whether in ink or in real morsels at a fancy catered factory rollout for the press.

Steve, Host

ANT14

Even with press/media passes much of this information is not yet laid out. It's not till you have someone at teh factories, that might be able to share information. And many time THEY do not even know what is going on, unless they handle a specific component. As in, they are just told to DO something, but not told as to where/how/why/on it's going on.

It's not till you reach the engineer's, designer's stage which THEY are able to share much more information because they are the 'brains' as to what is going on. And above them, you have the product development people, who have a broader understanding as to what will take place with the vehicle.

So depending on the level, you can see how much information can be leaked out, and understand it's not as easy as people make think, all this depending as to the level they are at.

immovable

Anyone have any links to info about the new 3.5L Duratec? I wonder if it's worth waiting a year for the 3.5L.

ANT14

Here are some from Ford Media....

http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=15896

http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=15897

http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=15895

immovable

Thanks - it looks like the new 3.5L will be worth waiting for. I'll hang on to my current wagon until then!

jchan2

wonder how many cars Ford will use it in? (Will they use it in the 2006 MPV????)

ANT14

That decision has not yet been made, but it shouldn't require that much engineering to make it fit. The new 3.5L will be well received and it'll replace Ford's 4.0L SOHC, as well as be an alternative engine for the 3.0L in some vehicles. ANY vehicle that currently makes 200-240HP at this time, will probably have this engine replace it, and produce much more power. But consider this to be a very important engine.

jchan2

GM's high feature 3.6, 2.8, and decontented 3.2.

ANT14

Yes GM's 3.6L would be the closest engine you can compare it to, although more like Nissan's 3.5L would be a more direct hit. Although unlike GM, it'll be available in numerous vehicles across the baord, not just a few higher lined vehicles.

regfootball

ford really should have switched to pushrods!

LOL.

ANT14

No, too unsophisticated and unrefined. The industry (cept GM) has moved to OHC, that is what consumer's prefer.

nvbanker

reg was joking, ANT...... Of course, there are those out there who really believe GM is on the "bleeding edge" of technology!!!

ANT14

Opps :-)

regfootball

i don't think ANT has seen any of my rants then.

why do you think my last 3 cars for myself have been fords?

LOL.....22 cylinders, 72 valves, I would guess at least 23,000 rpm. 670hp.

But I am SOOOOOOOO missing that LAUNCH FEEL!

samnoe

"Thanks - it looks like the new 3.5L will be worth waiting for. I'll hang on to my current wagon until then!"

Watch out for the first year production of a brand new engine - maybe you can wait another year to make sure no problems with the new engine - they're just human being!

immovable

Yes, I'll probably wait and see. But, I have a lot of confidence in this new 3.5L, especially if it's a clone of the Nissan 3.5 VQ.

ANT14

Well I wouldn't say it's a direct clone, just that the displacement will be similar. SO is Chevy's 3.5L OHV, but obviously it won't put out the kind of power the Duractec 35, and Nissan VQ will. It's mainly a larger 3.0L with VCT, and a few other items thrown into it for efficiency.

jchan2

the Duratec 3.5 competes with:
GM's 3.6 V6 (245 Horsepower in the Rendezvous Ultra)
Nissan's VQ 3.5 V6 (a range of HP numbers- 240 in Quest)
Honda's 3.5 V6 (producing 240 horsepower in Odyssey, 260 in MDX, and 250 in Saturn VUE)
Toyota's 3.3 V6 (producing 225 HP in Solara and Camry, 230 in Sienna)

jchan2

is Toyota's 3.3L. Wonder what the Duratec 35 will produce, HP wise.

ANT14

The 3.5L will be implemented in various models, so just how Honda's 3.5L does anywhere from 240HP to 260HP, the same with Duratec35. Look for most of the number's to start around 245HP.

jchan2

from 245 to 265, I bet. to beat the Honda by 5 horsepower!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ANT14

True, but I doubt that would be the reason why. Ford would pull that out on something like the tow-ratings from the F-150, but I doubt the horsepower issue is something they want to one-up them on.

Plus, the Honda version makes 240-245 I believe (the Pilot?), the MDX is 260HP. Honda is the mainstream brand, as is Ford. Ford wouldn't be aiming for Acura comparisons.

jchan2

Dodge did that in 2001. Offered a 3.8 215 horsepower engine that they claimed was more powerful than the Odyssey's 3.5 210 horsepower engine.

ANT14

True, but this isn't much of a category that outdoes one another with horsepower. Nissan could have easily placed the 260HP version of their 3.5L, instead they opted for 235HP version in the Quest. Sienna could have also opted to extract 5-10 extra HP out of their engine, but instead kept it to what it is now.

Ideally I WOULD love for Ford to introduce the 270-280HP this engine is capable of, but it'll require dual exhaust to do so, Which itself might not be able to fit into every vehicle, and it adds cost. Therefore these manufacturer's mentioned above, will use the a less pwerful version, on certain vehicles.

jchan2

but Dodge really loves to outdo Honda.

jchan2

they fail miserably somewhere everytime.

nvbanker

Just a few years ago, Ford was putting duals on their Lincolns, and Panthers pretty regularly. My 92 Continental had them. Town Cars had them about that same time. I took note and admired. I think it's a classy thing to do, adds horsepower, and looks great idling at a light with smoke curling up from two pipes in the rear. Wish they could afford to do it to all their luxury and near luxury cars.

chuckles_g

All the 03 and 04 TC's have dual exhaust standard, as well as the LS.

jchan2

does anybody know if the car will be roomy enough for carpooling duties carting around four kids at one time with all their backpacks??? (It's OK to stick backpacks in the front seat)

immovable

should be pretty easy - the Freestyle is pretty big. you could seat 1 in front, 3 in middle, and store the backpacks in the back.

muckmuck

If they are under 12 years old it is recomened they don't ride in the front seat.

jchan2

There is one 12 year old, one 9 year old, and two other kids, depending on who needs a ride and who doesn't.

porknbeans

Has anybody got any release date information?

I haven't seen anything recently.

3gt

I found this info about the New Ford Territory to be released in Australia. Looks very much like the Freestyle. Any comments?

3gt

http://www.ford.com.au/newFordTerritory/splash/splash.htm

tomcat630

The Ford Territory is based on the Aussie Falcon.

ANT14

Styling wise, the Territory and Freestyle look very similar, but they are not at all related. IN fact, I wouldn't mind having the Territory eventually surplant the Freestyle in the future, or be implemented as another vehicle under maybe a Lincoln brand. Although I know this won't be the case.

nvbanker

Well, Lincoln could use a shot in the arm right soon, IMO. Their line is a little sparse right now, and another hot model would help.

jchan2

the cars look similar, but I doubt that this is the car for two reasons:
if it was, they would have showed it in Detroit/LA
and it would be on Ford's US site.
Nice looking car though. This could be a Lincoln or Mercury.