Ford Torino or GalaxiePublic naming poll results (tie):
Renderings are here.
Design Brief-
-Large Rear Drive V6 and V8 sedan ("4 door coupe" styling)
-competes with Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300/300C
-Harkens back to the Fastback Fords of the 60's
Specifications and Overview-
2010 Ford RWD sedan first draft as of 12/18/2006--
Comparisons...
Dodge Charger: WB 120; Length 200; Rear Legroom 40
Ford Fusion: WB 107; Length 190; rear Legroom 37
Ford 500: WB 113;Length 200; Rear Legroom 42
Ford Mustang: WB 107;Length 188; Rear Legroom 30
Latest News March 2008-
Ford just announced late this month that in fact they approved a global rear drive platform to underpin a sedan for the US, sedan and coupes for Australia, and the next Ford Mustang. This was my original premis, and seems correct now!
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Proposed 2010 Ford RWD sedan: (possibly 'Torino' or ?)
WB: 117 (Mustang with 10 inch stretch clip)
Length 198-200
Rear Legroom 40
Cost: V6 $22k-25k; V8 $25k-32k (AWD option)
Possibly replaces the 500 (later called Taurus)
AWD from (? Volvo?) or similar, an option eventually.
Costs to be lowest possible by sharing everything possible with Mustang, and if needed, other Ford parts. V6 and V8's from Mustang. Front/rear suspension from Mustang.Transmissions from Mustang. Dash is new but uses Mustang parts.
Platform to spawn Lincoln sedan too.
Target is Dodge Charger and 2010 Chevy Impala.NASCAR to shift to this instead of Fusion in 2010.
Some Problems:
AWD sourced from?
IRS rear suspension (as with Charger)- is it required and if so, how?
'Ad campaign'-
Amanda to assist with 'TV Ad' story board and movie: include NASCARs on back straight at Daytona. Include some older Torino racing footage.
Update late 12/18/2006:
Possibly release a "Cobra GT" model to go head to head with new RWD Impala SS and Charger SRT8.
IRS rear suspension could be justified if to be used under next gen Mustang, as well as Lincoln version.
Updated 12/20/2006:
greenhouse to be fastback sim. to early to mid-60's era Fords.
Tag line is 'The Fastback is back!', and 'NASCAR, your car awaits';
Update 12/29/06:
First draft drawings completed, 1 sheet, to capture first ideas. Using tracing of photos for assisting angles, taken from idea from Amanda!Looking at an 2006 Charger, it too has a semi-fastback, so for Torino this should be a near full fastback with a very short/small trunk plane platfrom to terminate it. Rear glass on fastback needs to end before end of the slope so that the trunk lid is large enough. Trunk lid should go well down below bumper edge too.
Update 1/8/07:
See related email/text file on LCD transparent glass. Was thinking of this 'smartglass' as a possible 'smartBeam', as a high tech. way to bring back the old vacume operated hide-a-way headlites behind the grill. These would be balck until the lites wer on, then transparent. decide this is too costly, even if limitedto high-end models (GT, Cobra). Perhaps better to be deployed on Lincoln.Also, decided to stay away from wrap around glass in back to avoid costs.
Costs must be kept down so as to 'afford' the IRS, which is critical.Possible name change in progress, as Torino is not locked down.
Alternatives are Galaxy, Futura, more to come. Looking at adding a few inches behind front wheel opening, but in front of door, for a longer hood look. Little or no cost effect and adds to longer look. This would push length to about 203-208. This hard point could be used with Lincoln in case they offer a v10 or v12 some day in thier RWD version?
Update 12/2007-
Design details and styling is 90% there. Needs some final renderings to tie ti all together-pending. Amanda suggests scan in of drawings as they proegress to be used in the 'ad campaign'
Update 1/2008-
Doing some online research, I found out Ford tried calling the new Fusin the Futura, but the Pep Boys chain of auto stores fought it as they use that name on some tires they sell. Ford had not used the Futura name for so long, they lost the rights! So I will need to find another name for this car.
Originally called 'Torino', I might also try 'Galaxie'; I feel another name vote poll coming on for the site soon!
Perhaps 'Ford Future' gets around the copyright too.
