"Ford Performance" Blue Oval Merges Ford Racing, SVT and RS into Single Brand + More

[YSSMAN]

I would want a new Thunderbird to be a modern version of this:

¿QUE?

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

??????

I meant a better version. One that's perhaps a bit more sporty and performance oriented, with a bit of luxury attached to it. Oh, and it could have the S550 Mustang IRS & Coyote 5.0.

 

[YSSMAN]

Well, performance has never really been a part of the Thunderbird mix until much later in its life. More or less, the personal luxury coupe market is near-enough dead, and trying to restart it on its own doesn't exactly bode well for the idea of a return - particularly when that kind of car would do much better bringing people into a Lincoln dealer.

Don't get me wrong. The idea of a more performance oriented luxury coupe from Ford is interesting, especially if it followed in the vein of the Turbo Coupe and Super Coupe. But, that kinda ignores where the Mustang is already at. Product overlap is already going crazy with the Fiesta, Focus, and Mustang in terms of performance, and adding a Thunderbird to the mix just doesn't make a great business case with a blue oval on the hood.

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

I'm aware of what the Thunderbird originally was marketed as, which is why I thought that maybe could be more of a luxury sports car. I was thinking that maybe it could be a Corvette competitor or something, but if it wouldn't work as that, then I guess I'll just say 'oh well' and move on.

 

[05XR8]

The Ford Forty-Nine is just right.

If not a T-Bird, then Falcon.

 

[GTboyz]

Modernized Falcon with the front resembling the concorde front end.

Check out @FordEu's Tweet: https://twitter.com/FordEu/status/572694622926815232

Ford tweeted that the new Focus RS will have a Drift mode for those who wants to hoon like Hen Block.

 

[FT-1]

These wheels look so much better on the RS! 👍

 

[Grandea GTR]

Front of the Focus RS looks a tad bit weird at specific angles imo.

As for a T-Bird revival... I would like a turbo coupe!

 

[Legro]

Why Thunderbird? They tried it once and it didn't work. How different can it be this time without going too far from what it was? Also, I think that if they want the car to success outside the North America they should look out for other classics to go back in production and realise that their history isn't all about the American models. The Thunderbird hasn't the same world wide reputation as the Mustang. Of course neither does the Capri, early Escorts or the Australian Falcon, but at least those haven't been put out of the production twice.

 

[Grandea GTR]

Why Thunderbird? They tried it once and it didn't work. How different can it be this time without going too far from what it was? Also, I think that if they want the car to success outside the North America they should look out for other classics to go back in production and realise that their history isn't all about the American models. The Thunderbird hasn't the same world wide reputation as the Mustang. Of course neither does the Capri, early Escorts or the Australian Falcon, but at least those haven't been put out of the production twice.

People in this thread earlier were talking about reviving the T-Bird. I dunno.

 

[Legro]

People in this thread earlier were talking about reviving the T-Bird.

It was rhetorical question. I was just giving my opinion to the Thunderbird discussion.

 

[vasiliflame]

Appeal in the uk is the 80's fast fords Revive this and take my mofo money

 

[Slash]

New RS comes with a built in "drift mode"

http://blog.caranddriver.com/thank-you-for-smoking-ford-explains-the-focus-rss-drift-mode/

 

[CodeRedR51]

New RS comes with a built in "drift mode"***

http://blog.caranddriver.com/thank-you-for-smoking-ford-explains-the-focus-rss-drift-mode/

***Utilizing this mode will result in a void of your manufactures warranty.

 

[catamount39]

Don't you love that? "Here! Have a button that will make your car do crazy drifts! But if you use it you're warranty will be voided! Have fun!" Just like the burnout button on the new Mustang...

 

[Niku Driver HC]

Don't you love that? "Here! Have a button that will make your car do crazy drifts! But if you use it you're warranty will be voided! Have fun!" Just like the burnout button on the new Mustang...

Gotta love that corporate nonsense, eh? If you want to have fun, good luck, because we won't support your car if that happens... Come on Ford, if you can let Ken have fun, why not us?

Safety thingmajigs aside, good to hear that you can drift if you want to. At least you have the option there if you need it.

Edit: I just read the article, and I missed the part where @R1600Turbo was actually kidding about the "garanty void" bit. I am right, yes?

 

[SVT Cobra GT]

***Utilizing this mode will result in a void of your manufactures warranty.

Where does it actually say that in the article?

What I read is that people wouldn't need to turn off the assists but they still can if they want to.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Where does it actually say that in the article?

What I read is that people wouldn't need to turn off the assists but they still can if they want to.

It was a joke.

 

[SVT Cobra GT]

It was a joke.

D'oh! My sarcasm/joke detector failed.

 

[05XR8]

I've read the Mazda 3 would utlilize AWD and turbo power for the next Mazdaspeed version. Is it the same system Ford use for the Focus?

 

[CodeRedR51]

I've read the Mazda 3 would utlilize AWD and turbo power for the next Mazdaspeed version. Is it the same system Ford use for the Focus?

Highly unlikely, I think Mazda and Ford part sharing is done and gone. I'm thinking it would be an evolution of the system used in the Mazdaspeed6.

 

[05XR8]

I don't know how much longer the BT-50/Ranger relationship is as that's just a rebadge and skin.

I tell you, the way the Mazda 3 hatch looks, it out-Impresa'd the last Impreza. 300hp/AWD in the 3 would be so fierce.

 

[Keef]

The 3 hatch is by far the sexiest car on the roads these days. Every time I roll up behind one I think it's a Brera.

Except that's the sedan you have pictured. @05XR8

Also, I have never seen tires that low profile in my life. I hope you guys don't have potholes or speed bumps or anything at all really.

 

[05XR8]

The 3 hatch is by far the sexiest car on the roads these days. Every time I roll up behind one I think it's a Brera.

Except that's the sedan you have pictured. @05XR8

Also, I have never seen tires that low profile in my life. I hope you guys don't have potholes or speed bumps or anything at all really.

Some of the worse streets down here. Sydney is bad. More cracks in the road than potholes.

The sedan is a work mate's. Those are the factory 18" wheels painted black and lowered by the dealer. With the factory Kuroi spoiler kit. I'll get a snap of the white hatch version just completed by the dealer.

There was a new IS350 in the parking area. The rear lights and number plate deign of the 3 mimics it just a bit.

 

[05XR8]

Mazda3 hatch. Dropped 1.5". I'd love to see what Mazda come up with.

As for the Focus, I'd like to know how much gain it gets with the dealer boost upgrade. Another 90hp and AMG A45s will be seeing taillights for half the price.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

 

[CodeRedR51]

FD3S. <3

 

[GTboyz]

I don't know how much longer the BT-50/Ranger relationship is as that's just a rebadge and skin.

I tell you, the way the Mazda 3 hatch looks, it out-Impresa'd the last Impreza. 300hp/AWD in the 3 would be so fierce.

the sedan looks sooo much better now ! love the new mazda3.

 

[05XR8]

FD3S. <3

Off topic: Coffee break
Mazda RX-7 SP

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

I just hope that the RS will sound as good as it does on that video.