Does Ford have a gap in it's line up? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

The MaDDeSTMaN · 07-23-2003, 06:22

Is it just me, or does anybody else think there is a gap in Fords available line up?

Personally, I would LOVE to own a brand new, up-to-date small-to-medium size Ford, running a modern 4 cylinder engine (perhaps with a hairdryer, erm I mean turbocharger as an option for those who want the extra power), and most importantly, it's GOT TO BE REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE!

Basically, I would like something along the lines of the classic Mk 1 and Mk 2 Ford Escorts, but brought up to date in regards to the engine, crash protection, running gear and so forth. What the Escort would have become if it had remained rear wheel drive and hadn't been replaced here in Australia with the (lifeless) Laser.

Tripper · 07-23-2003, 07:13

If any things missing it would be a medium sized RWD 6 cyclinder like the cortinas perhaps with a turbo version aswell
but i like the idea of a turbo charged 4 thats rear wheel drive

KenOath · 07-23-2003, 16:22

I don't care if it is a RWD, but all I want is a FOCUS WRC!!!

Ford have to bring one of thoise out for sale to the public, to take on the STi's and EVO's.

It would be a wicked car.

The MaDDeSTMaN · 07-23-2003, 18:05

Hmm, perhaps I should clarify the sort of 'feel' or 'vibe' I mean. Those of you who have driven a small 70's car might know what I mean (and I'd be suprised if the Escort nuts among us don't know what I mean here), when I refer to the car being 'chuckable' - as in, "chuck it into that corner". I can corner in my little Escort much faster then I'd dare corner in my girlfriends EB Falcon (call me a whimp if you really want to, but I'd much prefer to have not even 1,000kgs of car sideways then around 1,600kgs, and the escort has great weight distribution without having a big engine in the engine bay). So I guess the main things for the car I'm thinking of would be;

Fairly short wheelbase.
As light as possible, without using exotic (and therefore expensive) materials.
Rear wheel drive.
4 cylinder (for reasons of total weight & front-rear weight distribution, as well as having good running costs if you're not too heavy on the throttle).
Oh yeah, it'd be nice if we could also have something that sounds good, like the old Pinto or Kent engines, but I guess that may not be possible these days thanks to all the extra enviromental concerns (noise, emmissions, and so on...).

I guess 4wd would be ok, it'd be nice to have something with a ford badge on it being able to compete with those EVOs and WRXs, but if it's going to be 4wd, I'd prefer it to have at least a 66/34 power distribution, with 66% going to the rear wheels.

A Focus WRC would be awesome, I'd love one, but what I'm thinking of would be cheaper. But yeah, of course we NEED something like a Focus WRC, even if just in limited numbers. There is definately a gap left since the Escort Cosworth left the scene, and a Focus Cosworth or something simular would fill that gap nicely.

Now that I think about it, what happened to the performance 6s in medium size, RWD cars? Lets again look at the 70's for reference: Ford - Capri V6 (3L), Cortina I6 (4.1L); Holden - Torana (dunno, wasn't that the ole red I6 202?). So yeah, perhaps it'd be nice to be able to get say a BA I6 engine (even the most basic one in the line up), and have it in a car smaller then a Falcon. Even with less then 200kw on tap, if put in a smaller, lighter car, it'd easily give the Holden boys something to worry about!

Ok, I guess I'm in the minority here, so I'll just keep dreaming about the sort of car I'd be designing and building if I owned ford... :s6:

plee · 07-23-2003, 18:11

Well the only mid-range Ford that springs to mind that could be released over here is the Mondeo, but unfortunately to make it financially wise, they would have to price it at around the same as the new Vectra, even though I know this is only a front wheel drive.

Rodderz · 07-23-2003, 19:03

I think a locally-tuned AWD turbo focus would be a worthy addition, and not as far fetched as some people may think!

8EHiND · 07-23-2003, 21:37

Why can't FPV tune a Ford ST170 in-house and get it either a) too RS spec or b) above RS spec.

Then's it's party time for a front-wheel small-hatch.

Fuc|{ rear-wheel drive on a small car, it's not really nessicary, as it only adds weight and cost in both purchase and R&D. Vectra, Astra, Corolla Sportivo, all front-wheel.

Front-wheel cars aren't just for women either, they are a sh!tload of fun to chuck around a corner and I love smoking up the old cheese's Corolla, all the way to 2nd on the limit.

josh.c · 07-23-2003, 21:55

Revive The Sierra!!!!!

The MaDDeSTMaN · 07-23-2003, 23:26

I'm sorry, but front wheel drive just leaves me cold. I've driven quite a few, and even the new ones didn't impress me and left me happy to hop back into my mk II Escort. I don't like the front wheels being in charge of practically everything, I don't like the torque steer problem that higher power FWD cars can get, and I don't like the way that when you exceed the limits of adhesion for the front wheels, the car just spears straight ahead. Also, trying to take off quickly in a front wheel drive, while all the cars weight is shifted towards the rear of the car, taking weight (and therfore traction) off the driven wheels. Besides, I'm thinking more of a sporty car, rather then a shopping trolley. More of a Nissan silvia then a corolla. Something that could be drifted (I'm not saying that it's impossible to drift a FWD, but I for one am not going to try it!). I know it would be more expensive then a FWD, and I know it'd weigh a bit more, but it's something I'd be interested in, and a lot of people I've spoken to who enjoy driving 70's RWD 4 cylinder cars such as Escorts, Datsun 1600's, Gemini's & Corolla's would also be VERY interested in, even if it cost almost as much as a XR6T ute!

I'm not saying that front wheel drive cars are no fun to throw around corners, but to me at least, they are nowhere near as fun to throw around a corner as a rear drive, simply because of the whole oversteer/understeer thing. I like the way that if you push a RWD car too fast around a corner the rear will usually start to slide, which you can always correct (if you're quick enough) by countersteering. Doing the same thing (well, this has been the case in all the FWD's I've driven), results in the car refusing to steer, the driver sh!tting themselves, the need to brake and THEN start to steer again, and the very real possibility of leaving the blacktop and doing a bit of off-road driving. NO THANKS!

Revive the Sierra - now THAT sounds interesting....

josh.c · 07-23-2003, 23:30

imagine if ford or holden release a small - medium size car (like the astra), turbo'd it, (like the astra), and then gave it 4wd. sure it owuld have to have a decent motor/power, but you could charge 35-40k and take on the rex. sure im a ford sierra man, owning one until recently, rwd though, but get something like a new focus but austrailan made, new laser maybe? strap a turbo on. just wait for the herrod/after market versions.......but 4wd must be a must