Mission Mercury

[MERCURYSABLE08]

TY!
&
anything for you, Mr.SABLE

also attaching the original for those interested (don't remember where I got it)
the widening was a last minute 'inspiration' to get the one-size-up platform idea across
...I'd actually like to do a Ford version, just to show a very diff (Interceptor) rearwindow-C-pillar
even tho I wouldn't let them use this variant...

Perfect! Thanks so much 2b2.

I wouldn't mind seeing a Ford version either, just to see your great ideas for that.

[2b2]

got into a convo/rant @ GMI (which I couldn't get to when posting this)
so
a very-quick & very-dirty "proof-of-concept" choplet:

subMariner, take II

...will add details/explanation when I can
but should be sorta obvious
edit = detail/explanations:
(and a slightly cleaned up version)
< click for bigger
I've been ranting for a "C2" Merc just about since Europe got the C1 ("that old thing" )
then
when they came out with the latest U.S.Focus update, I thought it plenty good enough to spawn a Merc (but WITH the 2.3-then-2.5 4cyl)
THEN
when they didn't DO that
started trying to think of alternatives
& concurrently
the a-bit-too-bulky-X6 (spypix) came out
&
daydreaming about what I'd customize if I won the Lottery
plus
imho the Mariner is downright Gorgeous :drool: but I don't need that much vehicle...
&
*love* fastback-hatchbacks

more background:

...I don't know about a Mariner on the Focus chassis, we own an Escape now and it's the perfect size. It has plenty of interior room, I hope it doesn't get smaller. In fact the Escape/Mariner has the same foot print as the old 1994 Honda Accord we traded in for it, which is about the size of a modern Civic. Yet the interior has more room.

PA Dweller, I meant the the other way a round...
since it seems Fomoco won't give Mercury a C car until the new global platform is out,
How about building something more than a bit sporty
on the Mariner chassis,
in addition to the Mariner!

That way the drivetrains are ALL all-ready

now wondering if most the Focus body could sorta drop down onto it...

[artandcolour]

what a cool concept! i always thought that 'suvs' should come in bodystyles other than wagons. Subaru used to make an Outback sedan that i thought made a lot of sense, and of course the early '80s Eagles had coupes, sedans and hatchbacks in 4wd guises.

great looks and i bet would be a showroom draw!

[2b2]

^ Thanks, art!
&
I agree -- any unique Mercury would have a huge impact
after Not having one for too long...

Thats nice, I really like the added ground clearance and that trunklid/hatch thing going on. Would such a vehicle have AWD?

It could certainly have that option since the Mariner has it -- I'm thinking of that version being marketed as the MicroRaptor 'Coupe'
(maybe with a prehistoric 'screaming chicken' on the hood )

4WD = 4WingDrive

[artandcolour]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeopteryx

Mercury Archaeopteryx, ProtoBird!

[2b2]

^

the cousin I'm staying with is a paleontologist
we looked thru some of his books but I thought MicroRaptor (ie using suspension enhancements from the Raptor superTruck) was most marketable
tho
I did like one called something like "Cryptovolans" ( = "mysterious flying thing")

[artandcolour]

if i had my life to live over, and trust me, i'd have to start from scratch because i'm living the life i was born into, i'd be a scientist studying the very origins of life. the more i read about it, the more fascinated i become. sometimes i actually fantasize about running away and working on an archaeological dig somewhere...

[helicop]

It would be great to make Star Trek: The Continuing Mission a button on the audio bar in this section. Is there somewhere for us to apply..how does that work?

Thanks,

Sebastian.

[fordlepka@aim.com]

Hey y'all! I have a theory of where mercury should be headed in the future, with a product line that would cohere with the Lincoln line-up, because as I've said before, they must be looked at as one brand when planning line-ups.

This is obvious, but Mercury has small-medium sized entry-luxury products. Lincoln carries the crown with high-end luxury and plenty of performance.

Mercury:
- A-segment: Ka hatch and cabrio. This makes sense because of the costs Ford would have to go through with Fiat to bring it here.
- B-segment: ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. This would make the Ka that much more desirable and there wouldn't be a slightly larger model over it for people to cross shop. Regardless of what people think, city cars and b-segments are still looked upon as competing vehicles.
- C-segment: A sedan and wagon upon next-gen Focus architecture. The wagon could probably be the same as the Euro Focus, but it cannot be sold at Ford dealerships. The sedan has to lead be the lead for all new Mercury designs. The most important vehicle in their line-up An X6-like SUV/CUV would be really cool to have in this line-up, and would make a nice Mariner replacement, leaving the Kuga for Ford. Engines: 1.6 EB I-4, 2.0 EB 1-4
- C/D-segment: The new Milan would be built upon the new architecture that the Fusion and Mondeo are expected to Merge into. This sedan should have a coupe-like profile with a hatch, similar to the A5 Sportback, possibly the Mondeo hatch straight from Europe. I'd love to see the Touring model make it over here as well! Engines: 2.0 EB I-4, ALL-NEW 2.5 EB 1-4 w/280 hp.

Competitors to the brand: Volkswagen, Volvo (when it leaves Ford), Saturn.

Lincoln:
- C/D segment: Lincoln MKZ and MKX based on Milan architecture. The crossover stays closely related to the Edge, but receives more tech features and styling to differentiate the two more than the current models do. The sedan cannot resemble the sedan in anyway. This should be a designer's dream! Go crazy and design a totally new body for this sedan. No hatch allowed! This should make the TL, TSX, ES and S60 crap themselves. Engines: 2.5 EB 1-4, 3.5 EB V6.
- D-segment: This should be for the MKT only. It works well on the platform it's currently on, and should be a huge success. The MKS should be replaced in 2014, along with the new Mustang, and be built on an extension of its platform. This would make a real threat for the Caddy CTS. This should be a Mustang sedan in terms of powertrains. But it should be in Lincoln in terms of style in all ways. The Navigator would stay in the line-up as a low-volume, high-profit model.

Competitors: Cadillac, Lexus, Audi

[2b2]

hey, fordlepka, welcome to Mission:MERCURY!
it's great to have new input!
&
I agree
esp. with

- they must be looked at as one brand when planning line-ups.

-The most important vehicle in their line-up
(imho the most important vehicle(s incldg Focus,etc) OF THE CENTURY!)

- An X6-like SUV/CUV would be really cool to have in this line-up
(there's a couple chops up ^there)

- new Milan ... with a hatch
(or Skoda Superb-like dualback!)

- The MKS should be replaced in 2014, along with the new Mustang, and be built on... (GRwdP!!!)

...from what I've seen lately on the Net, there's a growing consensus of what Merc CAN be...
now IF Fomoco would just GET TO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



and
one my 'things', as mentioned (much) earlier, is color
&
CHOICE ( = the Greatest Luxury!)
yet
I have this slight practical streak I just can't control
so
keep trying to find ways of providing Max Choice via minimum versions...

I'd *love* if anyone would comment-on or offer their OWN ideas of this example
Linked to a webpage^ with a bit of verbiage explaining;
older, bigger assortment
(disclaimer: computer monitors don't reproduce colors reliably)