http://www.thecarconnection.com/inde...&sid=173&n=156

It's kinda sad to see a nameplate like Taurus go and i am kinda unsure on the styling. Looks like the lovechild of a 427 concept and a five hundred which IMO have conflicting stlying themes. Will this be what Ford also runs in NASCAR?

Also howcome Ford is showing a bunch of Artist renderings and not actual cars? I guess these cars must be in early development and thier current cars are staid so they wanna stir intereast.

 

I didn't realize the Taurus was in so much trouble, or at least enough to want to abandon the name. My sister has owned a couple of the mid-90s editions and my aunt has the newest styled one. Then again, I guess there's no alliteration in saying "Ford Taurus" as there is in "Ford Futura".

It seems that story hinted that the Five Hundred will be a step up from the Futura/Taurus. Does that mean it's to be a the fullsize replacement for the Crown Vic?

 

It's really disappointing to see the 427 design wasted on a economy car.

It's also very disappointing that, as you pointed out, Ford seems to be showing nothing but artwork as future cars. Studebaker did the same thing just before it collaspsed in '66. The 500 & Montego are supposed to be out in a year, yet who's seen one, or even a concept?

The 500 isn't going to be a Crown Vic replacement.

 

I don't know about you guys but that new Saab looks really good, although which drawings don't.

 

Look out GM - Ford has finally decided to compete in the Grand Am/Malibu segment. With the rave reviews the Mazda 6 has been getting, the Futura is sure to be a winner. I'm also glad to see the 427 inspired styling, especially on an obtainable car.

 

I somehow don't see the Futura's design as hip enough to attract young buyers who like exciting cars such as the Grand Am and Mazda6. I think the design would have been better used on a new Crown Vic.

 

The Panther-platform car don't seem to have very much of a development budget, and with the Marauder failure, the money isn't going to start flowing. Besides, with the upcoming Five-Hundred, Ford will have already have an effective full-sized sement competitor.

I sure would like to see an updated Crown Vic, minus the name of course. Sadly, I think Ford will be concentrating its efforts against cars like the Toyota Avalon and Buick LeSabre. They already tried to appeal to the old Impala SS market, and having sold only 2900 Marauders instead of the expected 18,000(!), I'm afraid they won't try again.

 

I guess the latest trend it to copt CTS styling cues...

 

I dunno, I kinda thought it looks like the new Malibu.

btw, that Saab thing makes me giddy Look out Ralley, GM's commin back!

 

I think it looks ok. More interesting than the Taurus, at least.

 

Isn't the Taurus a bit larger than the Grand Am/Malibu? I always thought of the Taurus competing against the Impala, no? Are they reshuffling their sizes?

-Rich

 

I like it--looks great. I've owned 2 V6, 5-speed Taurus SHOs and three Sable wagons and have had great luck with each of them. My wife's current Sable wagon is a top of the line model with the DOHC V6 and is a great car.

If the Futura updates the Taurus and adds even more modern technology, I think it should do fine. If Ford and GM will devote some engineering dollars to cars and not just to SUVs, the cars should be good products. Their heart (and money) has not been in family cars for a while because of the SUV sales explosion.

 

I think that Futura looks okay..

300 hp Saab huh? I hope they don't use that hood scoop though.

 

i think it looks like a audi or VW

 

I like it fairly well.