Car makers can sell anything these days...

[JoshK]

http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/futuremodel.aspx?familyid=1060&pictureid=&usage=Image&src=future

 

"Ford describes the Freestyle as offering the looks of an SUV, the versatility of a minivan, and the confidence of an all-wheel drive sedan. "

 

Yes, cause clearly the selling point of SUVs is their staggering good looks. Basically they are saying this thing is a cross of a bunch of vehicles and doesn't do any of their jobs very well.

[scott_harpell]

...baisically a subaru

[iain]

I think your link is wrong because it takes me to a review of the Subaru Outback. Oh wait.

[Double_E]

I always forget, does FORD stand for ... "Found On Road Dead"? ..

 

or "Fix Or Repair Daily"??

 

[willstrickland]

Ahh, just Ford answering the new category spawned by the Nissan Murano, Chrysler Pacifica, Toyota Highlander, etc.

 

Looks like shit, not tough or capable like a truck, too big to get good gas mileage, too small to carry a bunch of stuff. I see quite a few of these (Pacificas particulary) around town. Although in Fairbanks the Suby wagon outnumbers any other car by a wide, wide margin. I'd wager that about half the cars on the road up here are s00bs.

[jjd]

I'd wager that about half the cars on the road up here are s00bs.

 

I didn't know Fairbanks had such a large gay community.

[JoshK]

The Murano and Pacifica have to be two of the most ridiculous vehicles on the road. I honestly wonder if all those Murano owners even looked at the vehicle before purchasing. I just can't see somebody saying "wow, this is a great looking car"

[Dru]

yeah

 

now the honda element.... that's a great looking car

[olyclimber]

Asthetically, the Element is just fricken stupid looking. But I do like way it is laid out inside. No carpeting, all rubber mats. Totally functional. The seats back seats come out and it is flat so you can comfortably sleep in it. Even has a plug for your MP3 player. Too bad it is so dumb looking.

 

[JoshK]

Agreed, the element is a cool design in a terrible looking package. At the very least they should offer an option where they paint all that awful looking grey plastic body color.

[Dru]

 

stfu the element looks awesome

i like the murano too.

 

i'd rather have either one than a tuareg. ick.

[olyclimber]

Well....it does have those sexy suicide doors.

[Dan_Harris]

I always forget, does FORD stand for ... "Found On Road Dead"? ..

 

or "Fix Or Repair Daily"??

 

First On Race Day?

The Scion is even uglier than the Honda Element

Edited May 26, 2004 by Dan_Harris

[Beck]

there's a lot of cross platforming going on by car manufacturers these days. it lets automakers come out with new car models quicker and cheaper than designing one from the ground up. Many 'platforms' will serve as the base for up to six or more different models from car makers. This ford vehicle looks like they will be using a volvo chassis, the hummer2 is on a truck platform, etc. more ways to innundate car buyers with duplicitous cars to capture market share instead of concentrating on making engines that get fifty miles to the gallon like they used to make in the eighties..

 

and a side note on auto making, the PCV valve, invented in the twenties, that increases mileage and reduces emissions, wasn't required equipment until fifty years later.

[olyclimber]

[JoshK]

The cayanne is the stupidest new vehicle out. Dr. Porsche must be rolling in his grave. What was his phrase..."performance through lighter weight"?? Yeah, he must have been thinking of a bloated 2 ton + SUV

[Figger_Eight]

Anybody who says they wouldn't drive a 450 HP Porsche with All-Wheel drive is full of crap!

 

[JoshK]

HA! I'd love to see one actually driving off road.