can we talk about US-only Ford cars here?

[cyberdoc95]

FORD is never known for their car designs lately(excluding SUV's since they design their SUV's just right for the taste). Right now, I can't even recall a ford that is just too good to look at(Except of course, the mustang). I've seen this Freestyle on the road, and all you can say that it is --- BLAND. Its not really bad-looking but if you compare it with those vehicles coming out from other brands, FORD lags on this territory. I don't know why they can't design a decent-looking vehicle(I'm referring to FREESTYLE, I LOVE THE FORD 500 though).

The FORD 500 is classy. The reason for their poor sales lately is still problem with reliability and too many recalls on FORD vehicles(This is not to say that other companies don't). They have had problems and they seem to ignore their customers' problems and requests. While TOYOTA have had its share of bad customer service here in the States, but they have such reliable cars. So, Toyota now has replaced FORD as World's #2 Car Company and tries to overtake GM by 2010.

[cyberdoc95]

FORD FIVE HUNDRED PIX:

[cyberdoc95]

[SIZE=3]2005 Ford Five Hundred
Ford's magic new number.[/SIZE]

By Larry Edsall of NEW CAR TEST DRIVE.COM(CLICK HERE)

Overview 2005 Ford Five Hundred

The Five Hundred is Ford's interpretation of the modern American sedan. Some of its styling cues may remind you of the Taurus, which for many years was the best-selling car in the United States. But Ford's new flagship is larger and more substantial and comes with much more standard equipment.

The Five Hundred boasts a body structure and safety technology developed by Volvo and first used on Volvo's S80 luxury sedan and then for its highly acclaimed XC90 sport utility vehicle. Ford acquired the Swedish automaker famous for its passenger-protecting innovations in 1999. When it came time to develop the Five Hundred (and its upscale cousin, the Mercury Montego), Ford imported Volvo's best structural and safety engineers to work on the project. The Five Hundred is available with a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the latter giving it more stable handling and better traction, particularly in inclement weather.

Ford developed the Five Hundred as a successor to the Taurus and to compete with cars such as the brand new Chrysler 300, the venerable Toyota Avalon, and the aging Chevrolet Impala. The Five Hundred is larger, more modern and more upscale than the Taurus for just slightly more money.

The Five Hundred's cabin offers the interior space of a full-size car. The driver sits relatively high, and the roomy front seats offer a commanding view of the road. Back-seat passengers will not complain about being cramped, either. The back seats fold down to increase cargo capacity. The Five Hundred's V6 engine delivers sufficient power for most buyers. The six-speed automatic transmission that comes standard helps the engine deliver responsive performance and good fuel economy. All-wheel-drive models come with a continually variable transmission that performs the same feat.

Model Lineup

The Ford Five Hundred is available in three trim levels: SE, SEL, and Limited.

Each is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 called the Duratec 30, which is tuned to provide 203 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. That power flows through either of two very effective transmissions. While many automakers still use four-speed automatic transmissions and some have updated to five-speed automatics, the Five Hundred is among the few vehicles that comes with a six-speed automatic, which provides smoother performance and better fuel efficiency. The Five Hundred, equipped with front-wheel drive and six-speed automatic, is rated 21 miles per gallon in city driving and 29 mpg on the highway.

The most expensive option available on the Five Hundred is all-wheel drive, but for $1,700 you get sure-footed traction for inclement weather and for mild off-pavement excursions as well as a continuously variable transmission, or CVT, that provides seamless operation and 19 mpg in town and 26 on the open road. Ford used the efficient CVT to help overcome the usual mileage penalty paid by heavier, more complex all-wheel drivetrains.

Even the base Five Hundred SE model ($22,145) comes well-equipped with the V6, automatic transmission, anti-lock brakes, 17-inch wheels, a six-way power driver's seat, an adjustable (tilt) steering column, air conditioning, power locks, mirrors and windows, remote key fob unlocking as well as keyless entry (entry via a driver's door-mounted keypad, a popular Ford feature), overhead and front consoles and an audio system with a CD player.


The SEL ($24,145) adds eight-way power for the driver's seat and two-way power for the front passenger's seat, a six-CD changer and MP3 capability, leather-wrapped steering wheel with built-in audio control, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear-seat air outlets, wood grain interior trim, an electronic message center with a compass, self-dimming interior mirror, outside temperature display fog lamps, chrome body accents and automatic headlamps.

The top-of-the-line Limited ($26,145) comes with 18-inch wheels, a bright-texture grille, chrome mirror caps, leather seating with heating function, memory seats and mirrors, Audiophile audio with subwoofer, four-way power front passenger's seat, cream-colored instruments and an analog clock in the center of the dashboard.

All options (except all-wheel drive) are priced at less than $1,000 and these include traction control, leather seating (for the SEL model), power-adjustable pedals (for the Limited model), a power moon roof (SEL and Limited), rear obstacle warning system (SEL and Limited). Also available are a safety and security package for the SE with side and canopy airbags, anti-theft perimeter alarm and lights and a safety package for the SEL and Limited with the side and canopy airbags.

[cyberdoc95]

[SIZE=3]2005 Ford Five Hundred Buyer's Guide
What's New for the 2005 Ford Five Hundred?
2005 Ford Five Hundred[/SIZE]


Ford's replacement for its fabled Taurus, the 2005 Five Hundred sedan, is brand new this year. Available in front- or all-wheel-drive configurations, the 2005 Ford Five Hundred comes with a 200-horsepower, 3.0-liter V6 hooked to either a six-speed automatic or a continually variable transmission (CVT). Wrapped in a European-influenced skin, the Five Hundred's interior is huge and there's a cavernous 21 cu.-ft. of trunk space - more if you fold the rear seats down. Safety features include Volvo-sourced side-impact protection.
Advantages of the 2005 Ford Five Hundred:

* Nicely appointed interior
* Available all-wheel-drive
* Standard CVT in AWD model
* Contemporary good looks
* Side curtain airbags for both rows of seats

Objections to the 2005 Ford Five Hundred:

* Weak 200-horse V6 engine
* No stability control system offered


AutoSite's Advice:

Ford appears to have another midsize sedan hit on their hands with the 2005 Five Hundred. Its stylish exterior and contemporary interior, combined with an available all-wheel-drive system and a full roster of safety equipment, make the Five Hundred just what most people want most of the time. Additionally, the Ford Five Hundred is endowed with class-leading interior room and a gigantic trunk. However, with the most opulent versions weighing in at nearly two tons, the rather small 3.0-liter V6 is probably insufficient. A new 3.5-liter V6 making about 250 horsepower is still a few years away.

[OTEP]

Another low point of the Ford 500 is the engine. That V6 was never meant to haul something as substantial as a 500. Underpowered by U.S. standards.

[mbt]

mukhang maganda naman yung styling ng 500 (although medyo plain nga talaga yung harap hehe) -- ginaya sa Audi yung profile

[sikuya]

the Ford Five Hundred is threading on very competitive grounds, among them:
the highly successful Chrysler 300 and its C and SRT variants:

300 engines:2.7L V6 190hp, 3.5L V6 250hp, 5.7L V8 340hp, 6.1L V8 425hp


Buick LaCrosse 3.8L V6 200hp; 3.6L V6 240hp

[sikuya]

Ford Five Hundred vs:


Toyota Avalon 3.5L V6 280hp

i think the 500's waterloo are its engine (anemic) and its bland styling (which appeals to a lot of people in the market for these cars).

2005 sales nos.
Five Hundred--7,524
300----------12,665
LaCrosse------6,878
Avalon--------6,317
Maxima-------2,138

which reminds me, shall i include this car among the foray?

Nissan Maxima 3.5L V6 265hp

[cyberdoc95]

[SIZE=3]FAMILYCAR.COM: 2005 Ford Five Hundred Road Test[/SIZE]
Source: FAMILYCAR.COM(CLICK HERE)


Another name pulled from Ford's past... sort of. In the '50s and '60s, Ford would tack on a 500 after a model name to show that it was more dressed up then the previous year's offering. The plain Fairlane became the Fairlane 500 and the Galaxie became the Galaxie 500. I believe that in one subsequent year, they even had a Ford Galaxie 500 XL. But then again, Ford's name for this new offering is the "Ford Five Hundred," not "Ford 500." Could it be because "Five Hundred" begins with an F like many of the other Ford car models (while most of their Truck models begin with an E), or is it that "Five Hundred" just looks more upscale on the trunk lid. I'll leave these questions to the philosophers out there and stick with the nuts and bolts, which I understand a whole lot better than marketing strategies.

On the surface, the 2005 Ford Five Hundred looks like just another conservatively styled family sedan. But peel away the Passat-like sheet metal and you will find a well engineered, highly competent chassis, much of it lifted from the Ford-owned Volvo S80. The Five Hundred sedan will be sharing this new Volvo-derived platform with the Ford Freestyle, the latest in a series of "Crossover" vehicles seeking new, untapped markets. In the case of the Freestyle, Crossover implies a cross between a station wagon and an SUV. Ford has targeted the Chrysler Pacifica as the primary competition for the Freestyle. I mention the Freestyle here because the Five Hundred will share most of the mechanicals with it, even though the Five Hundred Sedan is a few hundred pounds lighter than the Freestyle. This lighter weight should give the Five Hundred a distinct advantage in stopping power and, presumably, durability. Time will tell. We will have more information on the Freestyle in an upcoming article.

The EPA classifies the Five Hundred as a large sedan with a combined interior/trunk volume of 128.1 cubic feet. It is still a foot shorter than the Ford Crown Victoria which, by the way, it is not meant to replace. The Five Hundred is a roomy, comfortable sedan that has plenty of space for 5 adults with room to spare for their belongings in the cavernous trunk. In fact, one of the things that ford proudly stated at the press introduction was that the trunk could hold 8 golf bags. They even had 8 bags full of clubs to prove the claim. (they all fit).

Fit and finish on these pre-production cars was quite good. The interior was roomy and comfortable with various trim levels depending on the model selected. The three models are SE, SEL and Limited, designations that are becoming standard among the Ford product line.

Despite being the base model, the SE is fairly well trimmed with standard 6 way power driver's seat (with a manual recline and lumbar adjustment) and 17 inch Aluminum wheels among other higher end features. The interior is cloth with trim panels on the dash and console that imitated the look of carbon-Fiber.

Move up to the SEL and you get an 8 way power seat, Dual Zone climate control, wood-look trim on the dash and console, leather wrapped steering wheel and other niceties. Pop for a Limited and you get leather seats (an option on the SEL), Audiophile Sound System Heated Memory seats and other luxury touches.

The car handled any road surface we encountered on our 100 mile drive with nary a squeak or rattle. Road noise was as well controlled as a car costing twice the price. The driving position was higher than usual for a sedan and provided a good view of the road and easy entry and exit with the chair-high seats. The Pirelli tires, which these cars were equipped with, were well suited for the spirited driving that we put these cars through in our own inimitable way. We found the steering to be responsive and predictable in most driving situations.

There is an all-wheel drive option for both the Freestyle and the Five Hundred that has also been lifted from the Volvo parts bin. When the Five Hundred is equipped with the AWD option, it runs primarily as a front-wheel drive car until the extra traction of all-wheel drive is needed, at which time it will kick in quickly and send additional power to the rear wheels.

We had a chance to put this new all-wheel drive option through its paces. We drove to an area with some steep, loosely packed dirt roads to see how well the all-wheel drive could keep us out of trouble and were suitably impressed. We had a chance to drive up a 35% grade with a loosely packed dirt surface in the Five Hundred as well as an assortment of car-based SUVs that also had all-wheel drive. The Ford had the advantage due to the HALDEX AWD Coupler that provided an instant switch from front-wheel drive to all-wheel drive as soon as one of the drive wheels began losing traction. This is the same unit used on the very capable Volvo XC90.

We also had a chance to drive the Five Hundred on an autocross track to see how well the car handles on a precision driving course. Ford felt confident enough in their new pride and joy to provide us with a few cars from competing manufacturers. This gave us the chance to compare the handling back to back. It was no surprise that the new Ford aced the competition with a car that felt very stable and controllable during cornering, stopping and emergency lane change maneuvers. We also noted that, for it's size the ford felt light on its feet.

On the down side, power was notably lacking with only one engine being offered, the old standby Ford Duratec 3.0 liter V6 packing a measly 203 horsepower. Oh, the engine was smooth and responsive at light and medium throttle, but it lacked the oomph that we have grown to expect from cars in this class. Please remember that automotive journalists always want more power, but for the average person who would be interested in this type of car, the power output of this engine is more than adequate for any type of driving they might do. Since most of the competition for the Five Hundred has available engines with more power and torque than this engine possesses, I expect that Ford will remedy this shortcoming in the next year or two.

Another feature that is new and different is the transmission offerings that are available on this car. There are two transmissions available, both automatic and each one very distinctive. The first transmission is a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) that does not have distinct gear ratios. Instead, it seamlessly goes from low gear to high gear as you accelerate maintaining the optimal engine rpm while the car continues to pick up speed. Very smooth, very comfortable. This transmission is standard on the SE as well as all models equipped with the all-wheel drive option. The other transmission, also new, is a smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic transmission. This unit comes in the SEL and Limited with front-wheel drive. Most other cars in this class have either a 4 speed or a 5 speed automatic.

There are a lot of thoughtful touches in the interior, especially as it applies to interior storage. For instance, there is a flip-open compartment on the top center of the dash that is easily reached by the driver and front passenger. There are also bottle holders in each of the four doors as well as cup holders in the console and rear armrest (the rear armrest also contains a good sized storage compartment). The rear seat folds down in a 60/40 split in order to extend the trunk into the rear seat area. As a bonus, the front passenger seat will fold flat so you can carry 10 foot long objects without having to leave the trunk or windows open.

Safety has not been overlooked on the Five Hundred. Standard safety equipment includes: dual-stage airbags up front with safety belt pretensioners, driver's seat position sensor, crash severity sensor, safety belt usage sensors and front passenger seat occupant classification sensor. Optional safety features include front side air bags for front seat passengers and side curtain airbags for front and rear outboard passengers. The curtain bags can also be triggered by a rollover sensor.

The Five Hundred and Freestyle are the first in a series of cars that will eventually replace the Ford Taurus sedan and wagon. Next year, Ford will introduce the 2006 Ford Fusion, a smaller Sedan that will be built on the excellent Mazda6 platform and have a clean, contemporary look. The Fusion will be smaller and less expensive than the Five Hundred and will fill the slot between the Focus and the Five Hundred.

There are rumors that Ford may stretch the Five Hundred platform and use it for the next generation Crown Victoria. That will take the ancient Crown Vic. body-on-frame, rear-wheel drive platform to a more modern unit-body all-wheel drive car.

Ford tells us that this is the Year of the Car and will be introducing a number of new car models this year and next. From the looks of it, they have quite a few winners coming. Way to go, Ford.

[mbt]

based on those figures, the 500 is doing relatively well isn't it? (unless a bulk of that number is fleet sales)