new autoweek

[chrish]

the new autoweek says: "the MM will re-introduce in 2007 , with more power......................... ....WOWOWOWO :bs:

[Patrick]

This sounds famaliar??????????

[Agent M79]

Now don't be teasing us. Some of us are already twitchy.

It's in the section labeled "AW's Sedan & Luxury Car Buyers Guide" which lists numerous manufacters offerings. The MM mention is under "Grand Marquis" and the entire entry reads thusly:

[-start-]

Grand Marquis
HIGHLIGHTS: New colors, wheels and minor interior revisions. Marauder dropped.

BASE PRICE: $25,098

WHAT'S NEXT: A facelift for 2006, while a more powerful Marauder may return by 2007.

OUR OPINION: One of the last big, rear-drive American sedans is still going strong while Ford figures out how to make it better.

[-end-]

That little 3-letter word between "Marauder" and "return" in the above text leaves a lot of weasel room, eh?


Above text quoted without permission from AutoWeek. Come and get me.

[nexstar7]

Now don't be teasing us. Some of us are already twitchy.

It's in the section labeled "AW's Sedan & Luxury Car Buyers Guide" which lists numerous manufacters offerings. The MM mention is under "Grand Marquis" and the entire entry reads thusly:

[-start-]

Grand Marquis
HIGHLIGHTS: New colors, wheels and minor interior revisions. Marauder dropped.

BASE PRICE: $25,098

WHAT'S NEXT: A facelift for 2006, while a more powerful Marauder may return by 2007.

OUR OPINION: One of the last big, rear-drive American sedans is still going strong while Ford figures out how to make it better.

[-end-]

That little 3-letter word between "Marauder" and "return" in the above text leaves a lot of weasel room, eh?


Above text quoted without permission from AutoWeek. Come and get me.

it will probably be a v6 front wheel drive

[Agent M79]

it will probably be a v6 front wheel drive
You, sir, are a cruel cruel man! :bigcry:

[rayjay]

Maybe the powers that be at FoMoCo are considering what our supercharged brethern here have done???

[Krytin]

Lets hope so!
Ralph, that was a cold shot! LOL

[Dan]

I wonder what our Mr. Babcock knows.

Hmmmm.

-Dan

[nexstar7]

heres another one. if there going to super charge they better do the internals, or boooooooooooooom sooner or later. paul up for a beer sunday.

[Patrick]

it will probably be a v6 front wheel drive

I hope not!!!!!!!!!

[Donny Carlson]

I wonder what our Mr. Babcock knows.

Hmmmm.

-Dan
Unless things have changed since MVII, Steve Babcock told a banquet hall full of Mercury owners there would be no Panther platform performance models for the foreseeable future. He made it clear that there would be two divisions for performance, SVT, which would be oriented toward racing, and Street Tuned Engineering (STE), which would produce affordable performance vehicles.

[chrish]

I wonder what our Mr. Babcock knows.

Hmmmm.

-Dan
you would think this guy would post on this forum.............who are you mr. b.........better yet where are you mr. B................. :banned:

[JohnnyB]

It might happen, if Ford will be able to compete closely with the Chrysler 300 SRT-8 scheduled for April 2005. 425 HP 6.1 L Hemi engine.

[Krytin]

heres another one. if there going to super charge they better do the internals, or boooooooooooooom sooner or later. paul up for a beer sunday.
Wife's birthday - Diner @ "The Cull House" in Sayville.
Next Sunday has turned into "FarScape" Party for new/final mini-series on scifi channel! Next saturday is open!

[woaface]

FMC is talkin to me! STE Focus in college, and when I start makin' the big bucks afterwards...something hot and cool from SVT:banana:


Unless things have changed since MVII, Steve Babcock told a banquet hall full of Mercury owners there would be no Panther platform performance s for the foreseeable future. He made it clear that there would be two divisions for performance, SVT, which would be oriented toward racing, and Street Tuned Engineering (STE), which would produce affordable performance vehicles.

[Patrick]

FMC is talkin to me! STE Focus in college, and when I start makin' the big bucks afterwards...something hot and cool from SVT:banana:

What no MM???? Just kidding. I think Cobra is #1 on your wish list!! But just make sure its Black!!!!
:high5: :high5:

[nexstar7]

hey paul, i went to look at the gto. Ugly, it is. maybe if they add another 50hp i'll trade it :D keep in touch about a hang out.

[David Morton]

Nextstar7, a V-6? Wrong wheel drive? Sacrelige! Base varlot, thee hast cast aspersion upon the honor of our tribe and family and I must, for sake of kith and kin, call upon thee to meet me upon the field of honor to do combat for the righteous cause of our sweet maidens' virtue!

You're crazy man! Next thing you'll be saying Osama bin Laden is "trivialized", "marginalized", and "doesn't pose a threat anymore".

Wait a minute...

...nevermind.

:beatnik:

[jerrym3]

Maybe Ford's burning up seeing how the new 300 is selling.

If gas hits the $3 per gallon rumor next summer, performance cars will most likely take a hit.

[Petrograde]

Here we go again..... sigh..... I'll believe it when I see it.

As for Mr. Babcock posting on this site: I'd think it might cause problems for him with his bosses. I imagine he does check out the site from time to time.

[TripleTransAm]

Stuff can happen, things can change. Perhaps at the time of discussion, Mr. Babcock did indeed believe that performance was dead within the Panther lineup. Perhaps, as Jerrym3 put it, the 300C is becoming a thorn in Ford's side. I imagine the product planners responsible for prematurely pulling the plug on the Marauder are probably the guys who, when the car guys from all the big Detroit automakers get together on Friday nights after work for a quick brew, end up with the "kick me" signs pasted on their backs without their knowledge, sitting there wondering if everyone in the pub is laughing with them or at them? Maybe ego is a good thing in this case.

What I fear is that the new Marauder (if it will exist) will end up being another case of thrown-together parts and silly decontenting due to the last minute nature of the development. If they end up releasing another "canvas" instead of a fully-thought-out package, I fear they won't make any sort of mark on the segment. That means no fuel-economy stop-gaps like weird tranny programs to make up for performance-band-aid approaches like high stall converters and steep rear ends due to using a high-RPM engine in a heavy full-sized sedan. Think it out, subcontract the design to a third-party like Trilogy if necessary, choose your engine selections wisely, pay close attention (and due development money) to all problem areas like head cooling and valve guides, but do it right from the beginning.

And by all means, make it look great! The '03 / '04 Marauder is going to be a TOUGH act to follow, styling-wise, so they'd better have the right styling boys on the job, with paid overtime!

Edit: it's not uncommon for industry personnel to be involved in enthusiast message forums. In the case of the Camaro, the brand manager lurked on several internet sites throughout the dying days of the car, and beyond. In fact, this guy was so passionate about the car that I wouldn't be surprised if his constant emotional pleas with the masses was responsible for GM wanting to bring the car back. There are ways to share info without making it obvious who you are.

Interestingly enough, there was never such visible emotional attachment from the Firebird brand manager. I didn't even know his name until a month or two before the line was officially ended for good. Funny thing: I found out his name when it was announced he'd be in charge of the new GTO. :lol: I predicted this was a Bad Thing (tm) for the new car...

[Scott Leininger]

I recently heard from a Ford Rep that the CV platform will continue until 2007. He said as of now, he does not know what the plans will be for after 2007. This was at the Police Fleet Expo in Michigan recently. Ford did bring up the New Ford 500, saying it was bigger than the Taurus. I would not doubt that the 500 will be offered at a cv replacement after 2007 as a police vehicle.

[TripleTransAm]

Hmmm. Automakers going LARGER for their police offerings, Ford goes smaller for its police offerings. Don't they realize WHY their Panthers have been so popular all these years?

[the_pack_rat]

[QUOTE=TripleTransAm]Stuff can happen, things can change. Perhaps at the time of discussion, Mr. Babcock did indeed believe that performance was dead within the Panther lineup. Perhaps, as Jerrym3 put it, the 300C is becoming a thorn in Ford's side. I imagine the product planners responsible for prematurely pulling the plug on the Marauder are probably the guys who, when the car guys from all the big Detroit automakers get together on Friday nights after work for a quick brew, end up with the "kick me" signs pasted on their backs without their knowledge, sitting there wondering if everyone in the pub is laughing with them or at them? Maybe ego is a good thing in this case.

=============

I have often wondered if there was some sort of "house cleaning" that took place in Mercury management, from the time the MM was nothing more than just a thought - to actually becoming a real production car. Seems something was LOST there somewhere.

Scenario - Interview room at Mercury management circa 2001-2002 before MM production began.

Interviewer - Looks down at resume & asks - " so you are NOT presently employed ? ".

Applicant - " That is correct ".

Interviewer - " Please tell me the last MAJOR marketing decision or idea you put into motion, when you were still with your previous employer ".

Applicant - " I said this is NOT your fathers' Oldsmobile ".

[nexstar7]

[QUOTE=TripleTransAm]Stuff can happen, things can change. Perhaps at the time of discussion, Mr. Babcock did indeed believe that performance was dead within the Panther lineup. Perhaps, as Jerrym3 put it, the 300C is becoming a thorn in Ford's side. I imagine the product planners responsible for prematurely pulling the plug on the Marauder are probably the guys who, when the car guys from all the big Detroit automakers get together on Friday nights after work for a quick brew, end up with the "kick me" signs pasted on their backs without their knowledge, sitting there wondering if everyone in the pub is laughing with them or at them? Maybe ego is a good thing in this case.

=============

I have often wondered if there was some sort of "house cleaning" that took place in Mercury management, from the time the MM was nothing more than just a thought - to actually becoming a real production car. Seems something was LOST there somewhere.

Scenario - Interview room at Mercury management circa 2001-2002 before MM production began.

Interviewer - Looks down at resume & asks - " so you are NOT presently employed ? ".

Applicant - " That is correct ".

Interviewer - " Please tell me the last MAJOR marketing decision or idea you put into motion, when you were still with your previous employer ".

Applicant - " I said this is NOT your fathers' Oldsmobile ".


yo david, (get a grip) i was jesting.

[Donny Carlson]

Stuff can happen, things can change. Perhaps at the time of discussion, Mr. Babcock did indeed believe that performance was dead within the Panther lineup. Perhaps, as Jerrym3 put it, the 300C is becoming a thorn in Ford's side.
I will (along with whoever else is at the unveiling party next Friday in ATL) have the opportunity to ask Steve about the Autoweek blurb. Stay tuned.

[RCSignals]

I recently heard from a Ford Rep that the CV platform will continue until 2007. He said as of now, he does not know what the plans will be for after 2007. This was at the Police Fleet Expo in Michigan recently. Ford did bring up the New Ford 500, saying it was bigger than the Taurus. I would not doubt that the 500 will be offered at a cv replacement after 2007 as a police vehicle.


Well, they have said the paltform will be around until at least 2009. The CV/GMs will be re-done for 2006, so I wouldn't think they'd end them in 2007.

[BillyGman]

the new autoweek says: "the MM will re-introduce in 2007 , with more power......................... ....WOWOWOWO :bs:
Yeah, but you can never count on them keeping the same great body style that the Marauder currently has. Haven't they changed the Grand Marquis body style a little bit for the 2005 year?

[jerrym3]

I saw a few 2005 GMs (and a 2005 CV), and there's no difference that I can tell. That goes for the LS and Towncar. Some new colors (light Tundra Metallic on the CV/GM and "2 tone paint" on the GM).

I did see the new Montego which, IMHO, is better looking than the 500. But, neither of them are very exciting.

I haven't seen a new Mustang yet, but it sure looks promising.

Meanwhile, the 300 is selling well. Dodge is getting it's version ready (the Charger), and the 300 will get a motor boost.

GM puts more power into the GTO, while FORD pushes the GT for the well-to-do.

Ford car fans only hope is the Mustang. Even the new Lincoln Zephyr will be a notch below the LS, so performance doesn't appear to be the car's goal.

[chrish]

I saw a few 2005 GMs (and a 2005 CV), and there's no difference that I can tell. That goes for the LS and Towncar. Some new colors (light Tundra Metallic on the CV/GM and "2 tone paint" on the GM).

I did see the new Montego which, IMHO, is better looking than the 500. But, neither of them are very exciting.

I haven't seen a new Mustang yet, but it sure looks promising.

Meanwhile, the 300 is selling well. Dodge is getting it's version ready (the Charger), and the 300 will get a motor boost.

GM puts more power into the GTO, while FORD pushes the GT for the well-to-do.

Ford car fans only hope is the Mustang. Even the new Lincoln Zephyr will be a notch below the LS, so performance doesn't appear to be the car's goal.
FORD has simply become a toyota wannabe.......Like toyota is a ford wanna-be on trucks.............
my opinion is at FORD performance & everything else that brings down the bottom $ & the J.D. Powers report is out of here if not now than quickly....
NOT a bad business model if you want to be profitable.......
NOT a good model if you are a crazed GEARHEAD..... :mad2: :bigcry: