Ford Vedette was designed entirely in Detroit, but featured the Poissy-made 2158 cc Aquillon sidevalve V8 engine of Ford’s Flathead engine family, the same as in pre-war Matford cars. Due to the fact that the Poissy factory could not resume complete automobile production immediately after the war, many vital components had still to be made by various subcontractors, which reportedly had an adverse effect on the quality of the car and contributed to its limited popularity. Over the six years in production, the Ford Vedette was available in several body styles, ranging from the original 4-door fastback through the later 4-door saloon, a Sunliner 4-door landaulet based on the saloon (with a roll-down roof over the entire cabin), a 2-door Coupe and, based on it, the Cabriolet Decapotable (a 2-door convertible).
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The Ford Five Hundred (code name D258) was a full-size sedan. The 2007 Ford Five Hundred remained basically unchanged. There were no substantial styling changes and no new powertrain options, but the SE model was discontinued. There is a new Chrome Package available, which includes 18-inch eight-spoke chrome wheels and a chrome mesh grille. Also new for Ford Five Hundred 2007 is a 5-year / 60,000–mile powertrain warranty, and arriving late 2007 are standard front-seat-mounted side air bags, as well as Ford’s innovative Safety Canopy side air curtain system. Available powertrains consist of a 3.0 L Duratec 30 V6 engine, and the choice of a continuously variable transmission or six-speed automatic transmission. Ford Five Hundred models were equipped with either Continental 17″ tires in the SE and SEL trims; the Limited trim featured 18″ Pirelli sports tires. The AWD system is taken from the Volvo XC90. It is not a full time system; when as power is needed in the rear the AWD system activates.
At the 2008 Washington Auto Show, Ford Motor Company introduced new changes to the Escape for the 2009 model year. Ford’s new 6-speed 6F automatic will replace the previous four-speed automatic on both the I4 and V6 models. The 2.3 L Duratec 23 will be replaced by a new 2.5 L Duratec 25 , which will boost standard horsepower by 11% to 170, while increasing fuel economy by 1mpg. The optional 3.0 L Duratec 30 V6 has been thoroughly updated, resulting in a 30hp increase, bringing the V6’s power to 230hp. The Duratec 30 will also see a 1mpg fuel economy improvement. Other mechanical changes include a new 18.5mm rear stabilizer bar, revised suspension tuning, a new air induction system for the 3.0L V6, and a new exhaust system on all Escapes. The Escape will undergo some minor aerodynamic changes for 2009, including a revised front chin spoiler and rear tire spoilers. The ‘09 Escape will also feature Ford’s new Easy-Fuel capless fuel filling system.
The Ford Edge is a mid-size crossover SUV under the Ford marque. The Edge is based on the Ford CD3 platform. The Edge and MKX are among the first vehicles to use Ford’s new 3.5 L Duratec 35 V6 engine. This new engine produces 265 hp (196 kW) and 250 ft·lbf (339 N·m) and is mated to the new 6F six-speed automatic transmission, which was co-developed with General Motors. Production of the Edge began in October 2006. After a brief delay in production due to issues with the supplier, sales commenced in the United States and Canada in December, 2006. Although North America is the primary market for the vehicle, Ford also intends to market the Edge in 40 additional countries, including United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Panama. The Edge is also marketed in Israel. Edge’s U.S. sales have increased steadily since its launch, outselling all other mid- to large-sized crossover SUVs from January to June 2007 with over 58,000 units sold. 2007 sales totaled over 130,000 units. The Edge is now the best-selling mid-size SUV in the United States.
Dating from 1981 Ford Meteor was the name given to the sedan version of the Ford Laser in some markets. The Meteor grille differed slightly and was available on one other model: a home-market Mazda Familia sedan. Replacing the Laser’s amber indicators were white ones, and the grille had more of an “egg-crate” pattern than the plain black slats of the Laser. The Meteor also had larger headlights than the Laser, which had smaller ones “sunken” into the bodyshell. In Australia, it was only available with a 1.6 L engine at launch, in GL and Ghia trims – the 1.1 or 1.3 were not offered. Naturally, it had a hard job replacing the Cortina, which had engines beginning at 2.0 L, up to a 4.1 L six-cylinder, as well as a station wagon option. A mid-term facelift in 1983 brought the range closer together, with the same front end, though Meteors continued as a separate and slightly more premium line. The Meteor tended to attract older buyers, so much so that when the 1985 Laser sedan was launched, it was felt that they would not mind if the vehicle shared its sheetmetal with the Mazda 323. However, from 1985, the Laser hatchbacks all had unique panels.
From 2003 to 2004, Ford produced the Marauder as a high-performance version of the Mercury Grand Marquis sedan, comparable in execution to the 1994-96 Chevrolet Impala SS. The Mercury Marauder was based on a reinforced version of the Ford Panther platform. The Marauder had a naturally aspirated 4.6 L DOHC Modular V8 producing 302 hp (225 kW) and 318 ft·lbf (431 N·m) of torque. The Marauder was fitted with a unique dual exhaust system and numerous suspension and cosmetic enhancements, including a return to Mercurys traditional god-head logo. The Marauder was fitted with the corporate 4R70W 4-speed automatic in 2003 and received the upgraded 4R75 4-speed automatic for 2004. After a production run of 11,052 vehicles the Marauder was discontinued in 2004, however the Ford Crown Victoria LX Sport remained, bearing a monochrome appearance similar to the Marauder but powered by the lesser 239 hp (178 kW) 4.6 L 2-valve SOHC V8. The LX Sport also includes smaller rims, softer suspension tuning, a taller axle ratio, along with numerous other mechanical and cosmetic details that were unique to the Marauder.
The Ford LTD Crown Victoria was a full-size rear-wheel drive sedan. When introduced in 1983, two model ranges were available: the base model and a lower-priced S version. Both ranges came standard with the CFI V-8 engine, an AOD automatic transmission with overdrive, power steering, power front disc brakes, full carpeting, full wheel covers, full courtesy lighting, the landau-style padded vinyl roof with targa trim band and bumper guards. The base model added a reclining cloth bench seat and AM/FM stereo radio. The budget “S” model was comparable to the former base LTD series, and as such had such features as a vinyl bench seat, AM radio stereo radios were available at extra cost and lower-grade carpeting. The landau vinyl roof was deleted a full, non-padded vinyl roof was available at extra cost. Several other items were deleted such as several of the courtesy lights. The S model was the designated fleet model, although a budget-conscious private customer could also order this version.
The Ford Torino was an intermediate car produced by the Ford Motor Company for the North American market between 1968 and 1976. It was initially an upscale version of the intermediate sized Ford Fairlane, which Ford produced between 1962 and 1970. After 1968 the Fairlane name was retained for the base models with lower levels of trim from those models which wore the Torino name. During this time, the Torino was considered a subseries to the Fairlane. By 1970 the Torino name had become the primary name for Ford’s intermediate, and the Fairlane was now a subseries of the Torino. The Torino Cobra remained the no-nonsense pure performance model, and had a lower level of trim than the Torino GT. The Cobra was only available as a SportsRoof model, and came standard with a 4-speed close ratio transmission, Hurst shifter, competition suspension, flat black hood and grille, 7″ wide wheels, F70-14 tires with raised white letters, twist style exposed hood latches, and “Cobra” emblems. New options included 15-inch (380 mm) Magnum 500 wheels with F60-15 tires and flat black “Sport Slats” for the rear window. Both of these options were also available on the Torino GT. Performance was excellent with the new 429 engine even though the Torino was heavier for 1970. Motor trend tested a 1970 Torino Cobra equipped with the Ram Air 370 hp 429 CJ, C-6 automatic and 3.50:1 rear axle, and it went 0 – 60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.0 seconds while taking 14.5 seconds at 100 mph (160 km/h) to go through the quarter mile. Motor Trend said: The weight obviously helped traction, as it was fairly easy to accelerate away from a standing start with only a modicum of wheelspin. Motor Trend also tested a 1970 Cobra with a 429 SCJ, 4-speed and 3.91:1 gears, and resulted in a 5.8 second 0 – 60 mph (97 km/h) time, with a 13.99 second quarter mile at 101.0 mph (162.5 km/h). Super Stock and Drag Illustrated bested that time, in their test of a Torino Cobra equipped with the 375 hp 429 SCJ, C-6 automatic, and 3.91:1 rear gears. They were able to run the quarter mile in 13.63 seconds at 105.95 mph (170.51 km/h), however, this was after the carburetor had been modified (improved power valve, larger primary and secondary jets).
