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Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego
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I've heard nothing about anything being available at product launch for 500 and Freestyle except the 3.0 Duratech. If the 3.5 is available at product launch, then Ford is keeping a tight lid on the information.
the Duratec 30. 203 hp, 207 lbft of torque.
Interesting is that the final drive figure on the cars with the 6-speed auto is 3.46 with the CVT final drive at 4.98 for the FWD and 5.19 for the AWD!!!
Also interested is that the AWD will have standard auto leveling shocks... These are hydraulic shocks from Sachs that will use rebound energy to pump-up the shock level under load....NEAT!
Mark
http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=18344
http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=18343
And the site included, is really the only preview site for the Montego and Mariner. It's just something to keep your interest going.
Considered it an insult.
When, oh when does this silly embargo end?
Before or after I have bought a competing product?
Meanwhile, perhaps the embargo is ending soon:
http://tinyurl.com/ywabp
And by the way, The Ford fleet site has color info and color swatches for the Montego, Five Hundred, Freestyle, Mustang and Mariner.
The exact site is www.fleet.ford.com
~alpha
http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=17877&ma- ke_id=92
Is this a typo? I would have bet it is front wheel drive with the CVT that gets the highest mileage, and still think so, if that configuration existed. Not only that, this same four wheel vs. all wheel drive config mileage exists in the media release for Freestyle. So, it appears the four vs. all wheel drive distinction is accurate. What is going on here?
Note that nothing in the ordering guides we have seen so far has even hinted at this.
This improves acceleration, since loss of power between shifts isn't an issue. If your already AT the speed you need (say 55mph) and you want more power, slam the gas, watch the tach jump up to say 5000RPM, it'll stay there, till you let go and have the desired speed.
If you want a HINT of how CVT will shift (provided your current car shifts are unperceptably smooth) Crank your radio very loud, and drive as usual... And that sensation of need hearing the engine rev up and down between shifts, will give you an idea.
Some Ions, Civics, hybrids, Murano, A4, have CVT's in them already you could test drive.
The AWD for the 500/Freestyle is a Haldex system. It'll only kick in when it senses slip of the driving wheels. So you don't have the usual wear associated with full AWD systems, nor the weight penalty either. Same system used by Volvo.
Amazingly having driven nothing but Big Three new cars since 1972, the only one I have had a transmission failure with is the first, a 1972 Chevy Malibu. The others, among them two Caravans and two Tauri both models that have been "notorious" for supposed transmission issues, I have no transmission problems, or for that matter no engine/drive train problems either under warranty or after. Just lucky, maybe?
The benefits of this system is, it's more fuel efficient than a Fulltime All Wheel drive system. It's simpler in mechanics, and easier to repair if there is an issue. Less strain on the engine and drivetrain. And without the weight penalty of 400-600lbs, like other AWD systems (weights around 140-180 lbs). It's really all most people will ever need.
Now, take a true All Wheel Drive system (as trucks would use), and it's a much more complex, costly, weight increases system that isn't necessary for a car that's a simple sedan. Trucks have different needs, so they require a different type of All Wheel drive, 4 Wheel drive, etc.
And then ONCE you get into 4WD and AWD systems, there's differences, depending upon the manufacturer's. There's some All Wheel Drive system that are Full Time, which means they are turning all the wheels, at the same time... And sometimes, they'll turn the rear one's, more than the front one's. (Like X-type), referred to as Rear Wheel Drive biased, BUT it's a full time permanent AWD system.
Then you must ask, what type of coupling/differential, and how it works. There's some (Subaru and/or VW's I believe) where it'll slip, and send power to even a single wheel if needed.
Then you have 4WD systems, like Ford's Control Trac. You can control if you want 4WD HI, or Lo Range, Automatic (till it detects slippage) and off if need be. These are more complex systems and adds roughly 300lbs to the vehicle. Obviously, suited for SUV/trucks.
As to the AWD vs. FWD, I wouldn't worry. I have had 3 2WD Mountaineers, and then on this last one, an 04, I sort of had to take an AWD model, and it drives actually better than the others. Certainly, doesn't ride any worse, possibly better. It's more sure footed, but in this climate, it rarely gets used. If anything, the AWD will eliminate the torque steer from the FWD model, which is a real plus to me.
This article, in today's Detroit News, says the Five Hundred will go into production this summer. Not that it began yesterday:
http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosinsider/0407/13/a01-210687.htm
Quote: The Atlanta plant also will be able to build Ford’s new flagship sedan, the Five-Hundred, which will go into production this summer in Chicago. Unquote.
So, did production begin yesterday? Or not?
Curious minds want to know.
In 92, I was driving an 87 Sable, and was sniffing around the L/M dealership one night at a 92 Sable with a wing on the back. Still not sure how it happened, but I left with a Continental.
- Ray
Who is clearly (and sadly) in need of joining . . .
So far everything is fine in the home of the 500....
Many, many weeks ago I asked when the press embargo on this car would be over.
The answer? Two weeks, I was told.
So, many two weekses over, I now ask again.
When can we expect to see reviews, more information, etc., on this car?
The best-accelerating version will be the front wheel drive with the six speed automatic, since the overall first gear ratio will be 14.359, and it has 6 gears, allowing it to keep the engine at its torque peak without big jumps between gears.
Taking that one step further, it means 207 foot pounds x 14.359 = 2,972 foot pounds will be available to move 3,643 pounds of car, or 1 foot pound for every 1.2256 pounds of car.
By the way, one post long ago I mentioned that the Navigator may feel far faster than it is, but did not mean to say anything negative about another member who owns one.
I am back to looking at the Five Hundred because I have concluded that I really would rather have a work car with cargo separate from passengers, meaning a car or pickup, and that I would far rather have a car than a truck (although Honda's upcoming car-truck may be interesting). The huge trunk of the Five Hundred is a rear advantage. Because they were fixated on the European 5 meter length, the trunk of the Chrysler 300 is just not very big. The Magnum wagon is nice and an excellent value, but not if you don't want a wagon.