I am pretty good about finding out information on upcoming cars, but the 500 has NO info around anywhere. I am suspecting a major redo for 07 with the release(finally) of the D35. Considering the MK-S lincoln show car is virtually all production pieces with a new roofline on the same platform, what do people think the chance of a new 500 to bow? There were rumors of its redesign in 07 before the 05 was available for sale.

Also with Ford planning to use the Volvo 4.4 V8 as its FWD V8, there is some real power to be had for the CD3 platform. I wonder if it gets its 3 bar treatment next fall.... Ford changed its styling direction JUST before the 500 came out and it got stuck with the 'old' direction styling and the D35 fell behind to miss its spot in the 2005. The car and its transmissions were designed for MUCH more power then it got stuck with on release. What do you think!?



Other mystery cars that are completely off the radar:

Crown Vic replacement, An extended S197 300-fighter?
Focus- european focus platform(ala Mazda 3/Volvo S40) waiting to see the new civic and corollas first?

 

I doubt they will do a Major on the 500.

As nice as the MKS roofline is, they should try and differentiate the two models as much as they can. Platform sharing is a good way to save money but badge engineering is a brand killer.

As for the 500, I expect a revised front fasica along the lines of the 427 Concept car and the Fusion. I would also expect the rear fascia/decklid to be sharpened up again. In terms of motor, the 3.5 V6 needs to be standard with some kind of V8 optional (the 4.4 in the MKS?). The platform and ergos make it a viable competitor to the Avalon/Lucerne.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Galaxie @ February 3, 2006, 8:05 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
I doubt they will do a Major on the 500.

As nice as the MKS roofline is, they should try and differentiate the two models as much as they can. Platform sharing is a good way to save money but badge engineering is a brand killer.

As for the 500, I expect a revised front fasica along the lines of the 427 Concept car and the Fusion. I would also expect the rear fascia/decklid to be sharpened up again. In terms of motor, the 3.5 V6 needs to be standard with some kind of V8 optional (the 4.4 in the MKS?). The platform and ergos make it a viable competitor to the Avalon/Lucerne.
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I just dont see the new Ford brand styling working with the roofline of the 500 as it is now. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/headscratch.gif[/img]

The MKS is so close to production ready it should keep the Volvo V8. If they just kept that roofline the 427/Fusion look would fit right in, without stepping on lincoln toes. Ford has already committed to keeping the interiors completely different in Lincolns.

 

Kevin,

I totally agree with you that the roofline isn't the greatest, I just don't think that they will have the money in the budget to do something differnt.

If they were to change the roofline, it would be ideal for each of the 2 models to be distictive.

In my mind the MKS and Five Hundred are direct competitors with the Lucerne and DTS. That being said, I think that some kind of V8 should be available to the 500 so that people would not be drawn to the buick when cross-shopping.

 

I remember early stories on the 3.5 saying it was capable of be produced with different horsepower ratings, much like Nissan does with their VQ Engine family. Why not drop it with the standard 250 hp in the Fusion, and give us a 280-300 horsepower 500? That would keep it competitive with the Avalon and Lucrene without having to drop a thirsty V8 in it.

The roofline of the 500 may not be ideal for the 427 concept lines, but anything would be an improvement. The MKS is going more aerodynamic. Let the 500 be more creased.

 

According to Autoweek it will get a facelift but, that's all it says. I rarely ever read it so I don't know what kind of credibility they have. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dunno.gif[/img]

 

According to this month's Motor Trend, the MKS is actually built on the next generation S80 (see other thread in this section) platform, not the one the 500 is based on.

 

Isn't this little too early? Five Hunded is been on the market for only 2 year and they're planing redesing already?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Red Star @ February 4, 2006, 8:17 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Isn't this little too early? Five Hunded is been on the market for only 2 year and they're planing redesing already?
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That's correct Zoran. Ford already admitted that the current look is not winning customers over, so they plan on making the front and back like the Fusion. In fact, all Ford vehicles, with the exception of a few, will all sport the new chrome 3 bar grill. It will make the 500 look so much better. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumb.gif[/img]

 

that's really cool, i didn't realize the back was gonna get fusionified too. that's cool, it'll be a funky sedan.

 

Can't wait.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mustang_sallad @ February 4, 2006, 8:08 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
According to this month's Motor Trend, the MKS is actually built on the next generation S80 (see other thread in this section) platform, not the one the 500 is based on.
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Well the next Gen S80 is based on the current gen D3 (500 plaform) which itself is based on P3 from Volvo. I have this feeling we'll see the platform get atlernating updates from Ford and Volvo as time goes on with lots of sharing between the two