Ford Interceptor Concept revealed

[The Stylist]

Wow, move over Chrylser 300c, Charger and even the old Ford 427 concept...


From Autoblog.com

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-...eptor-concept/

[The Stylist]

Some more info from Autoblog,


[Source: Ford]

PRESS RELEASE:

Ford Interceptor Concept
Keeping Mustang momentum accelerating

Ford is committed to deliver fresh Mustang news every year. In 2007, good news comes early as America's favorite muscle car debuts as a grown-up four-door sedan.

The Ford Interceptor concept – based on a stretched Mustang platform – comes equipped with a manual six-speed gearbox mated to a Ford Racing 5.0-liter V-8 Cammer engine that delivers 400 horsepower and runs on E-85 ethanol.

Modern muscle
"The Ford Interceptor concept has the soul of Mustang but combines 'Built Ford Tough' attitude with the sporty elegance of '60s Ford sedans," said Peter Horbury, executive director, Design, The Americas. "This concept celebrates the best of American muscle. And if it looks familiar, it should. That's because we've translated the design language of last year's F-250 Super Chief pickup concept onto a car."

In terms of exterior design, the Ford Interceptor concept features substantial, sometimes brutish, surfaces and sections and the traditional rear-wheel drive proportion that includes a short front overhang, extended dash-to-axle ratio, low cabin and higher beltline.

As a nod to performance purists, the ultimate muscle lies under the powered clamshell "shaker" hood, which caps a thoroughly detailed engine compartment.

Making this a Ford are signature design touches, including the horizontal three-bar grille that is structurally integrated into the bumper beam as well as professionally applied "squircles" – or professionally square circles – inside and out.

Inside, for instance, squircles finished with Titan Metal painted inserts accent the Ford Interceptor concept's instrument panel, door trims, console, floor and four seats.

Its low-back seats, finished in thick black leather with exposed-edge seams and contrasting stitching, modernize muscle car seats through their design – along with clever touches, including headrests that deploy from the roof.
The concept's minimalist interior is sleek, focusing the driver's attention on the speedometer and tachometer, whose needles start at center and move opposite each other.

The audio control panel and climate controls are hidden – but deployable. And the gated six-speed shifter is exposed, just waiting to be thrown into gear.

For safety, the Interceptor concept incorporates Ford's patented four-point "belt and suspenders" safety belt design in all four seats. This showcases a possible next-generation safety belt that is more comfortable and easier to use than traditional three-point belts. Additionally, inflatable belts have been included in the rear seat of the concept.

Legendary performance
The Interceptor concept's 5.0-liter V-8 Cammer engine is an upgraded variant of the 4.6-liter engine under the hood of the current production Mustang GT. The Cammer modular engine has powered Ford Racing's FR500C race car to the top of the Grand Am Cup's GS class, achieving 5 victories on its way to the Drivers, Manufacturers and Team Championships in its first season of competition.

Ford Interceptor concept shows new Mustang-inspired design possibilities – complete with two more doors and a "Built Ford Tough" design attitude.

Powertrain
5.0-liter Cammer V-8

Chassis lengths
Overall length...........................................2 01.6 in.
Wheelbase......................................... ........120.8 in.
Overall width............................................. .76.4 in.
Overall height at curb..................................54.8 in.

Track width
Front............................................. ..............66.5 in.
Rear.............................................. ..............67.8 in.

Suspension
Front....................... Double wishbone-independent
Rear.........................3-Link Design with Panhard Rod (Oh dear, no IRS)

Headroom
Front............................................. ..............37.5 in.
Second Row............................................... .35.9 in.

Legroom
Front............................................. ..............42.3 in.
Second Row............................................... .35.6 in.

[McobraR]

Noice, except the back. I just love that typical muscle car stance (long bonnet) Imagine if the Orion looked like that? Though, sources have stated it will look more european, so long bonnet seems out.
Hope it gets built, but as history shows, it most likely wont.

[xafalcongs]

Sorry but the grill and headlights look like they pulled then out of a 10 yr old Chevy truck. Same style light stack, same center chrome bar running through the grill. In fact, that chrome center bar is a Chevy design theme that they've used for years and is very distinguished in the current line of US cars and trucks.

[XRQTR]

I don't see the WOW, it is virtually a modified version of a 300C, the profile is almost identical, the front looks like it could be the upgrade/update to the current version, the rear has a slight Galaxy feel about the tail lights but thats it.

It's nice I'm not saying it's not, but Ford really need to get on with building something that looks completely different to what everyone else is making. The BA series proved that here in Oz and the Focus has shown how well they can do on the world stage, not forgetting the new Mustang.

It used to be that the Taiwanese and then the Koreans made copies of other models with minor changes to not look identical, now Ford are relying on the foresight and styling cues of there competition to give them any kind of inspiration.

As I said it looks nice and I could see it getting a run, but only because it would be going into a market that is already established by another make that has shown a place for this kind of styled vehicle.

[SpoolMan]

Other than the front of the car the rest appears to be a very strong Chrysler influence.

[slayer351]

I like it. I have always liked the Chrysler, Got that old school mafia staff car look about it.

[The Stylist]

Well first things first, the Interceptor is more of an evolution of the 427 concept rather than "it looks identical to 300c". There are similarities in the side profile, but thats where it ends.

The front end is inspired from the Ford F-250 SuperChief concept from a while back, which is why it has the bold 3-bar grill and muscular surface language. This front end alone has the "wow" factor.

This should be the Crown Vic replacement, and it should be built within 18 months.

[plext]

Are they going to put a three speed slush box and fixed seat belts in it?

Would be in keeping with the retro design of the suspension.

As to the design, it does scream "me too", but does it in a heavy handed manner. I cannot see it being overly popular outside of traditional gauche markets such as USA and middle east.

[arby]

It looks more like a pimped up gangsta car than a muscle car.

[Falcon Coupe]

The body is too square and the engine is to small, not a muscle car IMO.

[XAGSV8]

Good cruiser, bad muscle car.

[Polyal]

Id have one!

Ok its not ground breaking, but its pretty mean looking.

[TEaaron]

Looks like somthing you'd see in a video game.

[Interceptor]

side on its sex on wheels...... front on, wtf? chevy? rear on..... just WTF?

[wulos]

It's a 300C with sheetmetal cosmetics on the front / rear!!!

[Bluehoon]

300C, same car and cheaper...

[XRchic]

Ugh!!

[MeestaNob!]

I quite like it. I reckon the front needs to be toned down a little, and the rear is QUITE as aggressive as the body implies it should be. No IRS is a monumental concern, they Just Dont Get It (TM), do they.

A good addition to the range, but I'm confused as to where it belongs at the moment.

US automaker in New Car Not Crap Shocker. News at 11.

[XFshep]

meh, 300c, dont say its not. take the badges off and alot of people would say its a 300c.

doesnt mean it doesnt look nice, and the engine sounds fairly nice too, thank god they arent using the mustang moniker for this big cruiser though.

[Full Spectrum]

Is this the new 300c?

[big_pete]

side on its looks sexy, the front and rear look overstyled

would probably look pretty hot in the flesh though

[HLC]

looks awesome IMO>

[Sledgehammer]

Typical concept car, its interesting to see the design cues from the 300c and I would imagine the designers would say their are none. I mean its good to see it built but we'll never see it in the flesh, which is not entirely a bad thing imo. Back to some more practice boys.

[XR8putts]

It just dosn't sit right! Trying too hard to be the 300C..

I'm trying to make myself like it.

[GasoLane]

YUCK!! When did Ford start employing nerdy computer game kids to design cars?

[Dezza]

I like it. It looks tough and aggressive, and has plenty of chrome. If only Ford US would learn that to keep tradition does not mean to keep the dodgy live axle.

[BeStRaFe]

its looks like a 300C and a bmw
had a reallly drunken night togather and that was the result :s

[LUXO_8]

that looks awesome!.....
i could see myself in one of those

[outback_ute]

Looks ok in a picture (only ok mind you, not great or fantastic!), but I don't think it would translate to real life too well. It would be good to have some sort of aerodynamic efficiency too...