2006 Future Vehicle Forecast
Unofficial guide to the automotive future
By Jeff Bartlett
Motor Trend
2006 Aston Martin DB9 : Replacing the decade-old DB7, the new model employs an exotic, bonded-aluminum frame built like a Formula One race car. The new front-midship-mounted 5.9L/444-hp V-12 is paired with a six-speed manual or six-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission. An eight-cylinder AMV8 built from the same platform is expected.
2006 Ford Crown Victoria : Freshening.
2006 Ford Explorer : Minor update.
2006 Ford F-150 : High-performance Lightning model added to wage horsepower war on the Chevrolet Silverado SS and the Dodge Ram SRT-10.
2006 Ford Fairlane : Fairlane is the working name for this rear-drive sedan conjuring nostalgic images, though Galaxy has been mentioned, too. To be based on the DEW Lite platform, the Fairlane is rumored to fit in above the Taurus, making it the likely Crown Vic replacement.
2006 Ford Fusion : Midsize sedan derived from the Mazda 6 (CD3 platform) to slot between the Focus and Five Hundred. Will be offered with a 2.3-liter four cylinder, 3.0-liter V-6, and a hybrid drivetrain shared with the Escape. The original "Futura" name was scrapped after a trademark conflict with Pep Boys, who applies the name to a tire line.
2006 Ford Mustang Cobra : SVT returns with a high-performance Mustang Cobra for the history books.
2006 Ford Thunderbird : The retro-flavored T-bird is expected to be retired in 2005 due to declining sales, with no replacement on the drawing boards.
2006 Jaguar XK : All-new, aluminum-bodied XK returns as a 2+2. Codenamed X150, the new coupe and convertible will adapt powertrain and suspension from the XJ sedan. Production delays may bump this to a 2007 model.
2006 Land Rover Freelander : Redesigned on Volvo platform.
2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport : A production version of the Range Stormer concept, the RR Sport targets the Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5, powered by a supercharged 4.4L V-8.
2006 Lincoln LS : Performance sedan introduced.
2006 Lincoln Mark LT : Lincoln floundered with the Blackwood, its first attempt to place a companion full-size truck alongside the popular Navigator. With the Mark LT, it is clear that Lincoln is taking a more conservative approach with its straightforward F-150 rebadging. Both the exterior and interior are given the obligatory branding treatment, drawing heavily from the Aviator and Navigator to create a truck that will fit very naturally in the product line. The Mark LT will be available in both 4x2 and 4x4 configurations and will offer four full-size doors and a 5.5-foot box. It will powered by a 5.4-liter, 3-valve Triton V-8 engine that produces 300 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 365 foot-pounds of torque at 3750 rpm when production begins early in 2005 at Ford's Dearborn Truck Plant.
2006 Lincoln Town Car : Freshening.
2006 Lincoln Zephyr : Slotting beneath the LS, the Zephyr's mission is to bring younger buyers into Lincoln showrooms, with a product targeting Acura TL and Lexus ES 330 buyers. Clean, refined styling on the concept car reveals the near-future Lincoln design language and structure, notably tight bumpers, vertical grille, clean sides, defined beltline, and integrated bright work. The interior is also chic, with smooth, simple surfaces dressed with wood, leather, and chrome taking the themes in the polished Aviator SUV interior to the next level. Based on the Mazda 6 platform, the production Zephyr will be offered in front- and all-wheel-drive configurations, powered by a 3.0-liter V-6, when it goes on sale in late 2005.
2006 Mazda 6 : Mazda may join the rally sedan fray alongside Mitsubishi and Subaru by offering a MazdaSpeed-enhanced 6. All-wheel drive and 276-hp, turbocharged I-4 give this sedan the zoom, zoom.
2006 Mazda Tribute : Redesign.
2006 Mazda MPV : Minivan redesigned on the Mazda 6 platform.
2006 Mazda RX-7 : If the RX-8 is the success Mazda is banking on, a two-door RX-7 may follow for 2006. On the drawing board is a shortened, lighter car boasting 280-330 hp.
2006 Mazda Crossover : A crossover vehicle based on the MX Sport Tourer and MX Micro Sport concepts to compete with the Scion xB.
2006 Mazda Miata : Redesign.
2006 Mercury Grand Marquis : Freshening.
2006 Mercury Milan : Developed from the Mazda 6, and twin to the Lincoln Zephyr, the midsize Milan sedan will serve as entry point into Mercury's car range.
2006 Mercury Sport Wagon : Mercury will offer its own variant of the Ford Freestyle.
2006 Volvo S80 : Redesign.
2006 Volvo XC50 : Small SUV to be cross between the XC90 SUV and XC70 wagon in configuration, though sized more like the V50.
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