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MISC. NOTES • SHHHH - Why Ford would like to keep their upcoming model news under wraps. • Dodge Charger points the way to future muscle car design • GM's developing a new Camaro/Firebird. . .what's in store?
Vantage to use 6.0 Ford V-12 <MORE>
BRONCO • We've received a couple of comments concerning the next generation Explorer. First, a two door version will not be produced - that is wearing the Explorer nameplate. It is very likely that the next generation two door Explorer will be graced with the Bronco nameplate. . .which makes a lot of sense since the original Bronco's were much smaller than the F-Series. We've also heard that since Chevrolet will introduce a convertible Blazer next year, Ford might just follow suit. The two and four door Explorers will share similar components; however, will have different body styles.
BLACKWOOD Lincoln Blackwood to be made in KC.
COBRA See Mustang
CONTINENTAL Is it the chopping block or not?
CONTOUR When will the last Contour, SVT and Mystique models will be made? • 2000 SVT Contour engine photo
COUGAR • COUGAR S gets nod over Eliminator for preliminary JOB1! • COUGAR SEDAN? - Is Ford going to make a Cougar XR-7 SEDAN? Wait to you see these photos! • NEW COUGAR - Mercury has some big plans for the Cougar, but is the new design an advancement or suicide? Go here to find out. • Is there hope for a High Performance Cougar? • Mercury Cougar turns one year old.
CROWN VICTORIA Ford's Crown Victoria has become the vehicle of choice for most law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and Canada. The Crown Victoria police car currently commands 80-90 percent of the law enforcement vehicle market and accounts for 49.6 percent of all Crown Victoria sales! Although Police have been eagerly awaiting a 5.4 Police Crown Victoria, it won't happen. But don't think Ford hasn't taken notice of the constant requests of law enforcement officials for more power. Ford does have a new Police package planned for the 2002 model year (EN 114).
EXCAPE (Escape) • Prototype production on the Ford Escape (U204) and its Mazda twin (J14) will start being produced from production tooling on 26 July 99. Final prototype builds will be completed on 24 Jan 2000. JOB 1 for both Ford and Mazda versions will occur at the Kansas City Assembly Plant on 22 May 2000. You'll start seeing them at your local dealerships within 18 days of Job 1. The Escape's base version will feature a 120 horsepower 2.0 liter Zetec engine. The Escape will have TWO Optional engines (NOT ONE). The first optional engine will be AN ALL NEW FOUR CYLINDER that Ford has not yet announced. The top of the line Escape will feature a 3.0 V-6 with dual overhead cams.
ESCORT
EXCURSION • Everything you ever wanted to know about it ! • Ford Excursion powertrain guide • New Ford Excursion pricess and additional photos • EXCURSION versus F150 and Ranger. Compare these photos taken by BlueOvalNews.
EXPLORER (next generation) • 2001 EXPLORER development news. The St. Louis, MO. plant is reporting some awesome Explorer development news. The frame will be painted, instead of waxed and is fully boxed from head to toe. The frame will sit level with the axle(s) as opposed to above it, which will provide more room without making the overall height taller. The frame will also provide for better ground clearance with its coil over/dual wishbone front suspension. It has double wishbone type independent rear suspension (good bye leaf springs) and it will sport some very cool 16" wheels. There is also strong speculation that the 4.6 will replace the 5.0 Windsor. St. Louis is also reporting that the 2001 is the best looking engineering that they have seen. . . .everyone is really excited there! Way to go MO! • The next generation Explorer will not only receive a totally new appearance - it will host some advanced features such as an independent rear suspension as well. It's scheduled be available a 2001 model; however, it should be out in mid 2000. To keep pace with that target date, Ford might lengthen '99 production or shorten the 2000 model year production.
EXPLORER SPORT TRAC 2001 • 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac • 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Preliminary Specifications
FOCUS • FORD FOCUS GAME - THANKS TO FORD OF SWEDEN ! There's a 3D interactive game featuring the Ford Focus that was sent to us from Ford of Sweden. It's both PC and Apple compatible; although, we have not played it because we borrowed it out to some people at Ford WHQ who then passed it around some more. We finally received it back! Apparently it's just a European promotional item not available in the States. • Focus Rally racing photos. • Focus SVT to replace Contour SVT HERE. 19 July 99 • Focus proves to be tough as it makes its first appearance as a high performance Police vehicle. • Will Ford make an A.W.D. Focus?
F-SERIES 2001 SUPER CREW • Preliminary Specificaitons and photos
LIGHTNING • 2001 LIGHTNING news is embargoed, but then again the new BlueOvalNews does not recognize Ford news embargoes. Ford has released the 2001.5 Lightning workhorse vehicles for testing this past week. If you didn't think that the 1999 Lightning could be improved upon, then think again! We'll keep you up to date as new developments become known. 23 July 99 • 2000 SVT Lightning photos, info.
LS
MARAUDER • Sources at the St.Thomas Assembly Plant and Ford's Large Luxury Vehicle Center say "Mercury Marauder given the green light for production."(original release scheduled for 12 May - we're actually a day early).
MONTEGO While the once famous Mercury Montego nameplate might be making a come back, it won't be attached to a Ford Motor Company product, rather a GM! Our very reliable source at GM has informed us that Chevrolet plans to release an S.U.V. with the once famous Montego nameplate attached to it. It's said to be powered by a V-6 engine and sports19" wheels.
MUSTANG & COBRA • FORD STOPS the sale of 1999 Cobra Mustangs. • COBRA R testing to begin in August 1999. • Ford considers killing the Cobra's 4.6 engine. • BlueOvalNews Exposes 1999 Cobra problems. . .internal documents released. • COBRA R. Do the 1999's Cobra problems mean a delay in the Cobra R or more image problems for SVT? Read part of an internal Ford memo by John Coletti and Tom Scarpello to three Ford executive vice presidents. <More>. • Cobra - what might 2001 bring? • Cobra R - The Reds have it. Earlier this year, we reported that the R Cobra models would be available for order in any standard Mustang color, but that isn't likely to happen. When the 1995 R's were built, Mustang team members urged Steve Anderson to paint all of the R's white, instead of the Red used on the 1993 R's. The white was suggested because it's a base, which allowed race teams to easily paint over it. Steve Anderson agreed and all 1995's were painted white. Yesterday, we received news from SVE that ALL 5.4 R's will once again be painted red (Steve Anderson retired earlier this year). Ford is reportedly not to keen on making the Cobra R a reality anyway and Ford also knows that they will sell every Cobra R they build without going through the tedious process of making options available. Besides, the cars look a lot flashier in red. . .or so we're told. • Don't knock the 99 Cobra without knowing all the facts. Repost from 1998 • COBRAS IRS COULD BE OPTIONAL FOR GT'S FOR 2000/2001 - In a meeting with Team Mustang members, BlueOvalNews was told that it's very likely that the Cobra's IRS will be optioned out on late 2000 Mustang GT's. Why the long wait? "It still remains to be seen how reliable the IRS is under actual road conditions and what service and warranty problems might occur. There are also assembly line considerations (line mix speed)." • In a world of cost cutting and bean counting, the Cobra R found some unlikely allies within Ford. What's the future for the Mustang?(merged with article for release on 14 May). • The first 2000 Ford Mustang prototype was built at the Dearborn Assembly plant last Thursday. What changes can you expect to see? You won't notice any exterior changes, with the exception of some colour additions. The '00 model will receive some minor interior and emission system changes.
Navigator, baby BlueOvalNews obtains documents that confirm that is going is be a Lincoln based Explorer. Check them out right here! Updated 14 July, 6:53 p.m.
NAVIGATOR, full size LINCOLN'S POWER UPGRADE will signal the start of Ford's across the board horsepower increase for 2002. <MORE>. 22.07.99
SABLE • General Overview, 2000 • Design, 2000 • 2003, The next generation Mercury Sable (D219) is scheduled to be released in 2003. . .except it will not be the Sable as you have come to know it. Word around Dearborn is that the next Sable will not share anything with the next Taurus. In fact, the Sable might get a name change to go along with its new identity. Either way,it's believed that the next Sable will be based on the My-Mercury concept and will be assembled at the Flat Rock (Cougar) plant. • 2003, Word has it that the next generation Mercury Sable and the Mazda Millenia will share the same platform. The Sable will no longer be a sedan, but a wagon with available AWD and an SUV appearance package similar to the Subaru Outback. . . .COOL!
TAURUS 2000 • <MORE> • The next generation Taurus D141 will shrink down - becoming a little larger then the soon to be (FACT) discontinued Contour. Ford plans to streamline its current product lineup to offer more diversity and less product overlap between the divisions. 26 March 99 • Ford's Dan Davis discusses the 2000 Ford Taurus Nascar's Development • TAURUS 2000 media preview will be held from 20-24 September, so you can look forward to learning more about this new model during that week. • TAURUS SHO/SVT. We have seen SVT's plans through 2001 and NO where was their any mention of a Taurus version. This does not discount that it still won't happen; however, it's VERY doubtful. We reported earlier in the month that we have not seen any documentation of an upcoming Taurus SHO either :( 19 July 99
THUNDERBIRD • 2001 FORD THUNDERBIRD GETS JOB1 GREEN LIGHT, more. 16 July 99. • IDLE for now, but the Mark VIII's line at Wixom will soon be cranking out the 2001 Ford Thunderbird. . .but first we're told that the Edsel Ford Allen Park Plant will begin to produce Thunderbird test mules by the end of this summer. • 2001 BIRD - If your interested in learning the latest news on the future bird, go to the Rumor Mill! • BIRD POWER. A Source at L.L.V.C. has told BlueOvalNews that it's likely that the 2001 Ford Thunderbird might use a slightly more powerful engine than the one currently used in the Lincoln LS. The determining factor is just how well Ford's C.A.F.E. ratings figure out. . . . . .bring back that ThunderJet! • To sheath or not to sheath. The 2001 Thunderbird design team isn't missing a single detail in the car's design. In the design room the team was looking at the correct size for cup holders and even if wiring in the trunk should be wrapped with electrical tape, run through plastic conduit or encased in a plastic sheath. While the 2001 Thunderbird has been hampered from developmental delays, the design team's details are sure to be worth the wait. • DEW-98. A BlueOvalNews source at L.L.V.C. (large luxury vehicle center, Dearborn) is reporting a problem at the Wixom-Lincoln Assembly Plant. The Wixom plant produces the Continental, Town Car and LS. The problem is allegedly related to the DEW-98 LS and is serious enough that a stoppage in LS production is likely. Don't get too upset if that happens. . .the '99 Windstar gave Ford bigger headaches than the LS. • DEWBIRD - What you've never heard of a DEWBIRD before? BlueOvalNews.com |
BlueOvalNews.com
Interactive Focus game. Ford of Sweden. |
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