When Ford taunted journalists with its powerful rear-drive Interceptor concept last year, officials quickly (and repeatedly) noted that there were no production plans for the car, nor even a rear-drive sedan. Now, executives in Dearborn are singing a different tune. Both CEO Alan Mulally and product-development chief Derrick Kuzack tell Automotive News that yes, Virginia; RWD cars are in Ford's future.
NoOp Comment: Good because without it Lincoln's final nail in the coffin would have been pounded in.
This confirmation may excite the enthusiast; recent exciting Ford concepts, like the Interceptor and Lincoln's MKR, have been designed for rear-drive applications. Drop a V8 into a sharp-handling sedan, and Ford could have a possible competitor for Pontiac's G8 or the Chrysler 300C SRT8.
NoOp Comment: Interceptor and MKR -- Bring both of those sweethearts on!
On the other hand, the rear-drive platform could serve as a replacement for the aging Crown Victoria. The platform could be developed conservatively to appeal to older buyers, or stripped down to appeal to police and livery fleets.
Whatever demographic Ford chooses to target with the RWD cars, we know they likely won't hail from Australia. Although engineering of the platform may be a global effort, the decision to build the Focus in Oz instead of export cars nixed that possibility. Joe Hinrichs, vice- president of global manufacturing, negated it further, mentioning exchange rates and shipping costs as deal breakers.
NoOp Comment: Priority #1) Lincoln. #2) A Ford [RWD] sedan to go after the 300 and G8.
Patrick