Ford's Answer to VE/Zeta: The Interceptor (56K NO)

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Ford will use the Detroit auto show in just over a week to showcase an all-new concept car called the Interceptor. Built on a stretched version of the Mustang platform, the car offers a preview of a four-door rear-wheel drive sedan to compete with the Chrysler 300.

"The Ford Interceptor concept is a pure sedan that speaks to performance car lovers everywhere," said Freeman Thomas, director, North American Strategic Design. "These people might need more space, but they still appreciate the power and attitude that cars like this represent."

Under the hood is a 400 horsepower 5.0-liter V-8 Cammer engine, capable of running on E-85 ethanol. Overall length is 201.6 inches, while wheelbase is 120.8 inches. The car features a number of safety features, including four-point seat-belts and inflatable rear belts. It rides on 22-inch wheels and a solid rear axle.
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Wow, I have to say that I'm somewhat impressed. The car certainly pushed forward a distinctive American style, and presumably a distinctively American level of performance. Given that it is based on the Mustang (so too is the Lincoln MKR), production possibilities are rather high, but it is unclear if this is more of a design exercise than a test for a midsize RWD sedan.

Heres to hoping that Ford doesn't completely screw it up, because a lot of their future may be riding on whether or not they have a RWD sedan by the close of the decade...
 
What's with all American cars having high waste lines and low angular roof lines? It's all become quite common, and well bland.

A stunning car nonetheless. Though I don't think that front end is particularly pedestrian friendly :lol:
 
Well I can answer the styling question...

Well, it is a spin-off of classic American sedan styling crossed with the chop-top hotrod styling that is so popular today. It makes the car look more muscular, and from the inside, a more "vault like" feeling.

I personally like the look of the car. Same goes with the DCX LX cars that share the same design philosophy... But as noted, it doesn't always work out that well. Case in point, the Chrysler Sebring.
 
Wow. Just...wow. I hope Ford puts anything similar to this into production. This thing is beautiful.

My appoval rating: 99% (add +1% if they put it into production)

Wow.
 
Wow, the Interceptor looks fanastic. It's so big--though it really isn't--and strong and powerful. And I love the name. Can you imagine one of these 400 horse monsters running up behind you with lights glaring and siren blaring? Screw the Charger police car, I want to see an Interceptor sitting in the corner at night with it's parking lights on, just staring you down!

I do think the greenhouse is a bad contrast to the body of the car. The thin pillars,chroime strip, and flush mounted windows make it look weak and flimsy, almost like it's made of plastic. It reminds me of the removable hardtop on the most recent Thunderbird. The last picture doesn't do it justioce either because the lighting on the C-pillar makes trhe paint look unmatched or faded, which happens sometimes on cheap plastic panels.

Overall I like it, and I should because I loved Lincoln's past Continental concept, which is very similar looking to this. American companies can make some really cool concept cars, but rarely do the real-life counterparts have the same effect. This one seems pretty producable though.
 
This sedan is just beautiful. Perhaps one of the best concepts Ford has come up with in a while. The solid rear axle kind of stops me in the tracks, though.
 
If this goes into production, I'm guessing it's a direct replacement for the Crown Vic. As a huge fan of the crown vic, I approve of this car!! I quite like it, can't wait to see it in police guise.
 
Very stylish. Too much flash, but it is a concept car. Only detail I didn't like were tail lamps, but it won't make the production the way it is anyway, it's too tricky. Overall, I think it's very promising. 👍
 
Hmm, not bad. the front and rear are hideous, but toned down a bit i think they'd be ok. This could be a nice looking car. i wonder if this will replace the 500 or if the two will co-exist, giving ford two full size sedans, one front wheel drive and one rear. not a bad idea really.

Major thumbs down on the solid rear axle. a car in this class needs an IRS.

Major thumbs up on the OHC V8. it may not really mean much but in this segment OHC sells on the pretence of refinement, and it's something Chrysler and GM dont (and acording to forcasts, wont) have with their full size sedans.
 
What's with this disturbing boring and ugly trend of wheels with 9 or more spokes? And what with the solid rear axle, I thought only school buses (and Mustangs) use those?

Otherwise, I like it...reminds me of the "49" concept from a few years back. Ford needs a player in this sector of the market.
 
I think this car truly is slated for production and obviously replacing the Crown Vic, I'm thinking this because of the solid rear axle, definately something easier to maintain when it comes to fleet vehicles. Ie, police cars...
 
Major thumbs down on the solid rear axle. a car in this class needs an IRS.
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I totally agree too, it was all looking good until those 3 words
'Solid Rear Axle'.

The reviews of the VE say it's almost number one feature is the feel, ride and handling it has. I assume this won't be replacing the next Falcon down here, because a Solid Rear Axle is just a huge step backwards.
 
Casio
I totally agree too, it was all looking good until those 3 words
'Solid Rear Axle'.

The reviews of the VE say it's almost number one feature is the feel, ride and handling it has. I assume this won't be replacing the next Falcon down here, because a Solid Rear Axle is just a huge step backwards.
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Well, I don't have a particularly good answer for what Ford is doing other than an attempt to be smart about designing a car that the market is demanding. What it comes down to is that Ford does not have a RWD chassis that is up-to-spec with modern RWD sedans, much less one that can be produced cheaply and effectively in a short period of time.

Most of the reasoning behind the choice for the D2C platform is presumably that if buzz is positive enough, they can have a production version ready in less than two years to coincide with the release of the updated Mustang. Of course on the opposite side of the token is the Lincoln MKR concept which also rides on the D2C platform, however it has an IRS setup in the back (rumored to be the one originally designed for the Mustang).

I look at the car more as an exercise in Ford's styling department, and one for R&D as well. People want a mid-size RWD sedan, but in Ford's current state, I'm not sure if they themselves want to do it. We'll see if Ford follows the same path as GM and outsources their Australian arm to co-develop a platform, otherwise is looks as though we Americans are going to start seeing variants on the Mustang chassis after all.
 
YSSMAN
We'll see if Ford follows the same path as GM and outsources their Australian arm to co-develop a platform
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I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that Ford Australia has a hand in designing the next big Ford RWD car, the extent of which I'm not sure. But it's a certainty that the next Falcon will be designed to have a left-hook conversion, something which the current BA design is lacking.

The way I see it, Ford Australia will be designing a whole new RWD architecture for the Falcon anyway, due 2009 I think, because I'd bet my house that we won't be chucking a Falcon body on something with a Solid Rear. Considering the fact it got double wishbone independent rear in 1998.

What are your thoughts on how a complete Aussie spec Ford Falcon would sell in the US? Hypothetically, if you could import and bunch of LHD models today, do you think they wouldn't be brought because they're Australian, or otherwise?
 
Well I think that as long as it has a blue-oval on the grille, most folks won't care if it came from England, Germany, Japan, or Australia. If they can price the car competitively with reasonable levels of equipment, they could have easy success here in America.

As it is, the ironic thing is that the most American cars to be sold in America are indeed based on foreign designs. The 300C and Charger are both based on the old E-Class, the Impala and G8 both the same as the Commodore, and presumably the next RWD Ford similar to the Falcon.

Ford may wait a while to do anything, given that the next Mustang is right around the corner. A good guess will be that Ford may choose to multi-task and give the RWD platform to more cars than just the Mustang (similar to GM and DCX), that is, if Mullay is looking to spend money in a reasonable way.
 
Um....can I say that I don't like the big chrome grille that looks like it has more chrome than cooling space. and the front is near vertical...

But, Ford FR=good.
 
It's nice, but certainly not original (300C meets SuperChief). It does look good though. Replace all the garish chrome (especially the wheels) with brushed aluminum and you've got a winner. 👍


Oh, and "solid rear axle" will continue to have all of Europe hating you, Ford. Grow the hell up.
 

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