It seems that the 1990s was the decade with the SUV in the United States. During that time, we saw the marketplace go from only a handful of different models to dozens and dozens of different choices. Each carmaker had to offer a minimum of 1 SUV model to be competitive, if not much more. That momentum has continued in to the 2000s, but consumers' tastes are ever so slightly changing. Whether it be because of greater gas prices or simply a desire of customers to want some thing much more than the lumbering really feel of big body-on-frame SUVs, the marketplace is trending towards somewhat smaller and better handling "crossover" autos. Crossovers blend the looks of an SUV using the dealing with dynamics of a automobile, thanks to their unit-body construction. In reality, most of these vehicles are primarily based directly on car platforms. It is predicted that the crossover section might be the fastest growing section within the American automotive market over the next few years. In the second part of an ongoing series on Ford's "Year with the Automobile," AutomotiveArticles.com appears at Ford's newest crossover, the Freestyle.
Ford Motor Companyand Explorer
Ford Motor Business has definitely been a main benefactor of the SUV boom of the '90s, its Explorer the top-selling sport 'ute for most with the decade. The full-size Expedition and Lincoln Navigator models had been no sales losers, either. Despite their good fortune with the truck-based SUVs of the past, Ford senses the winds of change that are beginning to blow via the marketplace. This is why FRD has proclaimed this the "Year of the Car" (see our Five Hundred write-up for much more), and that is why they are readying what appears to be a direct competitor to their own Explorer. The Explorer's position in the marketplace is becoming vulnerable as individuals look for something easier to deal with. Certainly the self-shredding Firestone tires and their related media scandal did absolutely nothing to assist the Explorer's image, as well.
Enter the Freestyle, a midsize, SUV-like wagon with 3 rows of seats and plenty of interior area. Yes, that's the same fundamental formula that has created the Explorer popular, but the vehicles go their separate ways beyond that. The Explorer usually follows the body-on-frame SUV idiom: Tall, Tippy, and Truck-y. They are the dreaded three Ts that are slowly turning several consumers away. The Freestyle is the opposite of that in just about every way. It's lower to the ground, eliminating the first two Ts; and the system underpinning it is really a version with the 1 that is underneath the Volvo S80 and FRD Five Hundred sedans. Yes, there is the possibility that the Freestyle could steal buyers away from brother Explorer. That's okay, as Ford would somewhat keep them in the Blue Oval family rather than see them buy other crossovers just like the Chrysler Pacifica, Nissan Murano, Honda Pilot, or Toyota Highlander.
As mentioned previously, the Freestyle is primarily based on a platform originally created by Volvo and adapted by Ford for use here and also the Ford 5 Hundred/Mercury Montego twin sedans. It's, basically a FWD automobile system somewhat than a body-on-frame RWD truck platform. It features a totally independent suspension (McPherson struts, coil-over rear shocks) and greatest in class torsional rigidity. A Halidex-style AWD program will probably be optional. The engine is Ford's "Duratec 30" 3.0L V6 with 203hp@5750 rpm and 207ft-lbs@4500 rpm. Like its sedan counterpart, the Five Hundred, there is some concern as to regardless of whether this will be sufficient to propel the 4112-pound Freestyle at a rate comparable to some with the competition, just like the 240hp Murano. Following Nissan's lead, Ford will offer a continuously variable transmission - developed in its partnership with ZF. CVTs are frequently lauded for their capability to help reduce emissions and enhance fuel economic climate with out sacrificing performance, though they are only obtainable in a choose few autos in America. Showing its true car-based roots, the Freestyle can only tow 2000 lbs when properly outfitted.
Courtesy: Ford Motor Company If a heavy-duty truck is what you want, we recommend you look elsewhere. The Freestyle was created with passenger comfort and convenience at the prime of the priority list. If you'd like, you can believe of this "truck" as a minivan for those who don't want the soft one-box look. The Freestyle offers room for seven adults throughout its three rows of seats - the 3rd row folds flat into the floor a la Honda's Odyssey. Ford claims that their crossover provides dozens of seating configurations to fit owners' needs while offering the cargo area of a full-size SUV when the seats are folded. Freestyle will also provide best-in-class 2nd and third row legroom. In reality, FRD claims no competitor provides as much combined passenger room in three rows because the Freestyle does.
Storage space is crucial in a household vehicle for example the Freestyle, and FRD doesn't disappoint. As such, there's a bin atop the instrument panel for front seat passengers, as well as area in the optional overhead console for items like sunglasses and garage-door openers. The bin beneath the center armrest of the initial row offers a energy point for cell phone or laptop chargers and includes a little cutout so that the cord does not get pinched when the bin lid is closed. Smart.
Ford Motor Companyand Explorer
Ford Motor Business has definitely been a main benefactor of the SUV boom of the '90s, its Explorer the top-selling sport 'ute for most with the decade. The full-size Expedition and Lincoln Navigator models had been no sales losers, either. Despite their good fortune with the truck-based SUVs of the past, Ford senses the winds of change that are beginning to blow via the marketplace. This is why FRD has proclaimed this the "Year of the Car" (see our Five Hundred write-up for much more), and that is why they are readying what appears to be a direct competitor to their own Explorer. The Explorer's position in the marketplace is becoming vulnerable as individuals look for something easier to deal with. Certainly the self-shredding Firestone tires and their related media scandal did absolutely nothing to assist the Explorer's image, as well.
Enter the Freestyle, a midsize, SUV-like wagon with 3 rows of seats and plenty of interior area. Yes, that's the same fundamental formula that has created the Explorer popular, but the vehicles go their separate ways beyond that. The Explorer usually follows the body-on-frame SUV idiom: Tall, Tippy, and Truck-y. They are the dreaded three Ts that are slowly turning several consumers away. The Freestyle is the opposite of that in just about every way. It's lower to the ground, eliminating the first two Ts; and the system underpinning it is really a version with the 1 that is underneath the Volvo S80 and FRD Five Hundred sedans. Yes, there is the possibility that the Freestyle could steal buyers away from brother Explorer. That's okay, as Ford would somewhat keep them in the Blue Oval family rather than see them buy other crossovers just like the Chrysler Pacifica, Nissan Murano, Honda Pilot, or Toyota Highlander.
As mentioned previously, the Freestyle is primarily based on a platform originally created by Volvo and adapted by Ford for use here and also the Ford 5 Hundred/Mercury Montego twin sedans. It's, basically a FWD automobile system somewhat than a body-on-frame RWD truck platform. It features a totally independent suspension (McPherson struts, coil-over rear shocks) and greatest in class torsional rigidity. A Halidex-style AWD program will probably be optional. The engine is Ford's "Duratec 30" 3.0L V6 with 203hp@5750 rpm and 207ft-lbs@4500 rpm. Like its sedan counterpart, the Five Hundred, there is some concern as to regardless of whether this will be sufficient to propel the 4112-pound Freestyle at a rate comparable to some with the competition, just like the 240hp Murano. Following Nissan's lead, Ford will offer a continuously variable transmission - developed in its partnership with ZF. CVTs are frequently lauded for their capability to help reduce emissions and enhance fuel economic climate with out sacrificing performance, though they are only obtainable in a choose few autos in America. Showing its true car-based roots, the Freestyle can only tow 2000 lbs when properly outfitted.
Courtesy: Ford Motor Company If a heavy-duty truck is what you want, we recommend you look elsewhere. The Freestyle was created with passenger comfort and convenience at the prime of the priority list. If you'd like, you can believe of this "truck" as a minivan for those who don't want the soft one-box look. The Freestyle offers room for seven adults throughout its three rows of seats - the 3rd row folds flat into the floor a la Honda's Odyssey. Ford claims that their crossover provides dozens of seating configurations to fit owners' needs while offering the cargo area of a full-size SUV when the seats are folded. Freestyle will also provide best-in-class 2nd and third row legroom. In reality, FRD claims no competitor provides as much combined passenger room in three rows because the Freestyle does.
Storage space is crucial in a household vehicle for example the Freestyle, and FRD doesn't disappoint. As such, there's a bin atop the instrument panel for front seat passengers, as well as area in the optional overhead console for items like sunglasses and garage-door openers. The bin beneath the center armrest of the initial row offers a energy point for cell phone or laptop chargers and includes a little cutout so that the cord does not get pinched when the bin lid is closed. Smart.
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