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Saturn had a similar idea.
-juice
-juice
How about something like the safety foam, that hardens to form a cocoon around the occupants, that was used in the movie The Demolition Man instead.
-juice
Can't do a totally styrofoam car, it doesn't have much substaintial rigidy, even if compacted and plastic coated.
ANT,
Any word on when Ford will make the hybrid "Futura", or whatever they're calling it now, available? Right at launch next year?
Is the Futura going to be smaller than the 500?
To bring this back on topic, I wonder if the next Escape will share the Mazda6 platform, which will be used by several Fords soon.
-juice
2006 as a 2007 model...as well as it's Mercury twin. They are hoping Sanyo relocates enough battery packs to allow for higher sales of Hybrids.
Ateix
Yes it'll be smaller than the 500, but competitively huge where it counts in the inside.
The next Escape will be loosely based on a Focus C1 platform... As will the Tribute, Mariner, and LR Freelander.
The Mazda6 derived SUV that Ford will debut, comes out in 2006-07. Essentially it'll be a FWD/AWD Explorer sized unibody SUV, such as a Pilot/Highlander for example.
Are you talking about the Freestyle?
-juice
Its emissions will meet Tier 2 Bin 5 and ULEV
Engines: 3.0L Duratec, 3.5L Duratec
Transmission: CVT, 6-speed auto
Drives: AWD, 4WD, FWD
Interior- its designed to be more luxurious and family friendly than the Mazda 6.
Pricing (approx. from people at ford ive talked to): 18K-24K.
Competition: Camry, Accord, C-Class cars.
Paul
Paul
Anyhow I'll type this again that didn't show up. If anyone knows of any web sites related to Three phase generation, inverters/etc that might be applied to Automotive hybrids appreciate an e-mail. Thanks again.
Paul
To the Host I'll go back to the home page and go from there.
I have some exotic plans pending receipt of the vehicle. I plan to pull the rear seats out to reduce weight. I hired a body shop to drill racing perfs in the panels. I hired a Stanford electronics professor to figure out how to put a switch on to go 100% electric when i want to, how to add batteries i can remove when i want to enhance range, and how to charge it from my solar panels at my house. I'm going to go for an MPG record on it.. anybody want to have an MPG race with me? (Means you will have to cut yours up too..)
Anybody got other ideas on how to lighten it up or increase the MPG potential?
http://www.motortrend.com/features/news/112_news26/
Try to make sure everything you do is reversible, just in case...
Are you a Mech E. student or something? This could be your Thesis!
-juice
I'm curious as to why you wouldn't start with a cheaper Civic hybrid or Prius.
-juice
1981 Raleigh for errands & fun ____ __o
1997 Trek 2300 for real fun ! ____ _ \ | _)
2000 Civic hatchback (_)/ (_)
Good luck, keep us posted on your progress!
-juice
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One feature Prius owners rave about is the Bluetooth, something I consider a high-end feature.
-juice
http://www.arifleet.com/production.html#fdcars
So if you want to buy a butchered hybrid from FORD be my guest. Toyota has 2 hybrid Suv's in 05. Why people by Gm or ford is beyond me. BTW Toyota is building more and more cars in the States and helping the Economy. Ford and GM are building more in MEXICO. So help Americans out and buy Japanese.
http://autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=100692
The real draw is the feedback the Multi-Display provides, which is standard on all models of Prius.
So I'm quite interested how the Escape-Hybrid wannabees order their vehicle... since only the high-end model offers a display.
JOHN
-juice
Take a look at history. Post 280 to 292. The price of an Escape is $28,000 plus and some people are better predictors of the future than others.
This is much different situation than "buying" Toyota's hybrid system.
It's a cooperative effort.
-juice
One of my biggest problems is people driving foreign cars and putting an American flag on them. I don't know about anyone else, but I will buy and "inferior" product to support my neighbors and countrymen.
Also, buying an obviously superior Japanese model (just look at the reliability ratings) helps other Americans - YOURSELF - by allowing you to spend less on the upkeep of your car - again helping you, if you are an American.
It helps all the salesmen and employees at the car dealership - many of them Americans.
It helps the finance company employees who make money on the interest you pay in your loan - many of them Americans.
It helps the car insurance employees when you pay your insurance - many of them also Americans.
So buy a Ford Escape Hybrid if you NEED THAT VEHICLE - not because you would be "helping Americans" more than buying Japanese, because that's an outdated myth.......
You vote with your purchasing dollars, if the vehicle doesn't win often enough they know they need to improve it to keep it competitive.
Competition improves the breed. Buy what is best, and the rest will have to get better, else they won't survive.
-juice
I drive a japanese car and I am one of those that put a flag on my car right after 9-11. I do that because I believe in what America stands for, which gave me ability to express myself freely. It is a message saying I am proud to be an American.
I don't know about anyone else, but I will buy and "inferior" product to support my neighbors and countrymen."
There are three types of situation:
Win-win
Win-loose
Loose-loose
Your choice is win-loose situation. You loose by choosing inferior product in hope of supporting neighbors to win. If you buy the car that you think is superior, then it is a win-win situation because both you and the manufacturer win. You always want to avoid loose-loose situation at all cost. Actually there is a fourth type. It is "win-win or no deal".
Dennis
kirstie_h
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-juice
Here's the story on it...
http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=19133&ma- ke_id=92