A Lincoln based Mustang with IRS
Or
A Cougar with just 3.5L with a possible 3.5L Twin Turbo Model in an XR-7 verison?

Personally I rather see the Lincoln with the IRS, so the IRS trickles down to the Mustang.

 

It depends on what the Cougar is like. If its similar to the last generation, a FWD import-fighting sport-compact, then I wouldnt be as interested. But if it were closer to the Mustang in design, as the late 1960s Cougars were, than it could be pretty neat, even with a turbo 6 instead of a V8.
The lincoln would be cool too, but I dont see ford introducing IRS to the mustang platform any time soon. it would be nice though.
In any case, i dont want to see too many cars based too closely on the Mustang, as doing so would destroy their individuality (a la the Fusion/Milan/Zephyr). A V6 Cougar would be a good way of making sure the car does not encroach on the Stang's territory too much.

 

Lincoln could use a sport coupe of some sorts. But I agree with the design issued mentioned above. It could not be a mustang or even look like one. Most of the luxury brands have a sport coupe. Even Cadillac joined the ride. It could incorporate the present engine or a lux. tuned version, with IRS and all the amenities like, plush interiors, navigation, heat/cooled seats, etc. There is probably a niche there in ford's line up.

 

I really do not see why Ford would want to do that, especially with all the potential Boss, Machs, Bullets, Cobras, etc that the Mustang fans are waiting for. Until the Mustang sales cool off, and there is excess production capacity, I doubt that this will happen. I am sure the Lincoln Mercury dealers would love it though.

Tony D

 

im not gonna vote because i don't want to see both of them, unless the cougar is not mustang based (you didn't make it clear) i would choose the cougar

 

Both Models would be S197 based....

 

chassis based car is okay, but a rebadged mustang is not a good idea, they had a rebadged mustang to mercury??? in the 80s i didn't like that idea

 

I'd prefer a lincoln. I don't really know why, maybe cause we don't get mercurys in canada. But i think a luxury coupe would be sweet, they could probably make it look pretty distinctive if they stuck with lincoln's new design theme.

 

I think an S197 based Mercury Cougar with an IRS and much nicer interior appointments would be great for both Mercury (they desperately need some pizzazz in their lineup) and Ford (defray S197 development and manufacturing costs, finally offer 21st century suspension). But Ford seems to have an unnatural abilty to talk themselves out of what would obviously be great product moves, so I wouldn't count on it.

 

Me neither... I just want the good old mustang on its own...

 

A Cougar with a 4.6...

 

I would like to see a Cougar built, but I don't want it to share anything with the Mustang. I want it to have an entirely new design and use a 3.9L V8.

 

A new Cougar could easily be based on the S197 but look nothing like our our newest Pony, just like in 1967/68. I'm a Ford power guy (as I hope we all are here), so it would also have to be available with the same engine/power of a Stang. Anything weaker would just be foolish because it would otherwise get spanked by something like... a future camaro. I don't see it stealing any thunder from the Mustang as history show's in sales comparison. I do see it possibly adding to the thunder with possible aftermarket parts, and possibly increasing FoMoCo's image if styled right because there would be something besides a Mustang, even if it's sort of a cousin.

Hmmm... so I vote yes for Cougar, but with a bigger then a 3.5L engine, and something more like the original Cougar then the recent P.O.S.

 

I think the Cougar should be sort of a 350Z flavored Mustang. A well-handling, futuristic looking, affordable but lightweight (a sub-$30k sticker and 3000 pound curb weight could be possible with an aluminum intensive chassis and a solid rear) car would be great. Tweak the new Duratec35, give it a HiPo 91 octane tune, a well-designed, functional, and good looking interior (think new Si), and you would have one sweet vehicle. A stiffly-sprung turbocharged XR-7 would be a cool model (for me) and a softly-riding convertible cruiser would help round out the line (for mass secretary sales).

 

A V-6 Cougar TurboCoupe similar to the old T-Bird TurboCoupe. It should be Automatic only with upgraded interior.







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2006 GT, Windveil blue Premi upgrade interior, 5 speed, Steeda Race hood, cold air kit w/XCAL 2 tune, underdrive pulleys, Steeda sidewinder stripes,ford racing mufflers, Roush louvers.

 

I think Ford doesn't want to canabilize sales of the mustang or spread the engineering money over two models (like the f-body) so a cougar would be highly unlikely, which is a good thing.

Now some sort of mustang chassis based car in a new segment would be cool, but the question is, what are people looking for and how can it be done and how will it benefit both the mustang and the new car without stepping on both sets of shoes????

 

I think a new retro themed cougar like that of the lates 60's (67,68) would be great, plus It would help save Mercury. My only problem is the 3.5L six, none of the late 60's cougars were ofered with a six and i don't think they should now. IMO I think a base model with the 4.6L and an XR7 with a N/A 5.4L would do well.The original theme of the cougar was a more expensive but more upscale alternative to the mustang, somthing more on the jaguar level and I think that would do well as a less expensive alternative to somthing like a jaguar or BMW. the price range for this car would probably be around $35,000-$45,000 so it wouldn't infringe on the mustang. But I doubt this will happen as ford is set on saving lincoln right now. I think ford will make this car,not as a cougar but instead as some form of lincoln. Don't get me wrong I love the current mustang, But I think think somthing with a little less plastic inside, and maybe just a little more under the hood for about an extra $10,00-$20,000 would work out well for ford.

 

I think a retro Cougar using a 4.6L would be awesome. The last gen Cougar was a great car but it shouldn't go in that direction. I owned one for a few years and it ran like a champ. However, a new one based off the Mustang could be what the G35 is to the 350z. Heck if it comes with the chick from the Mercury commerical that would be a plus.

 

Except the last time I checked my calendar it was 2006 not 1966.
There is only so much room in the market place for retro cars and the market is close to being saturated with retro. That leaves little room for a retro Cougar, especially if it has a big V8.

Ford must have come to the same conclusion as they've all but said there will not be a new Cougar based off the Mustang. Ford has said it's considering a Lincoln version of the Stang, but Lincoln has a lot of other work to do before it can spent time on a luxury coup.

 

Cougar