Marauder/Back in 06 or 07

[Ralph Sr.]

Has anyone heard about a Marauder coming back in 2006 or 2007? Different body style and supercharged!!

[DEFYANT]

Negative. Where do you get your information?

[RF Overlord]

It's highly unlikely...Elena Ford has already decreed there will be no more high-performance Mercurys...even if for some reason that were to change, it would most likely be a worthless FWD abomination, like what they did to the Cougar, anyway... :down:

[Bluerauder]

Has anyone heard about a Marauder coming back in 2006 or 2007? Different body style and supercharged!!
Sounds like a nasty rumor to me .... :D

[DEFYANT]

Now if they come out with a new Couger that is a cousin of the new Mustang.... that would be kewl....

[jgc61sr2002]

It's highly unlikely...Elena Ford has already decreed there will be no more high-performance Mercurys...even if for some reason that were to change, it would most likely be a worthless FWD abomination, like what they did to the Cougar, anyway... :down:

Bob - I concur FMC destroyed the Cougar. :(

[marauder307]

This word was in one of the car mags a few months back...only one sentence saying, to the effect, that the MM would be back in 2007. Don't remember if it was supposed to be s/c'd or not...I think maybe so.

[tomd]

Grand Marquis
Highlights:New colors, wheels and minor interior revisions. Marauder dropped.
Base price:$25,098
What’s next:A facelift for 2006, while a more powerful Marauder may return by 2007.

Strategic Buying Guide, Part 4: Sedans and Luxury Cars (M-V)
THE EDITORS OF AUTOWEEK
Published Date: 10/11/04


It Would Be Nice!

[Joe Walsh]

Ford produce a PERFORMANCE sedan!!??

"Yeah, and monkeys might fly out of my butt!"

[RoyLPita]

Ford produce a PERFORMANCE sedan!!??

"Yeah, and monkeys might fly out of my butt!"

When hell freezes over (the eqivalent of a snow blizzard in Florida)!!!! :lol:

[David Morton]

If it do, mayhaps on the 500 platform and with the CVT, which I'm watching with interest. Subaru did the CVT on the Justy way back and had a durability problem with the input hub cracking, if I'm not mistaken. It had a torque convertor that worked on a dry powder that turned hard when you introduced an electric current into it, worked more like a fan clutch but was dry powder.

A good CVT would be a nice thing for drag racing if it can hold together but I don't see it happening on a daily driver with more than 200 HP.

[wsmylie]

Good work David!!!!:) Glad to hear wasn't the only one who remembered the problem rumors that swirled around the little CVT Justy's weird drivetrain. BTW, wasn't there another early CVT equipped passenger car import (from the Netherlands maybe???) in the early sixties called the DAF???
If it do, mayhaps on the 500 platform and with the CVT, which I'm watching with interest. Subaru did the CVT on the Justy way back and had a durability problem with the input hub cracking, if I'm not mistaken. It had a torque convertor that worked on a dry powder that turned hard when you introduced an electric current into it, worked more like a fan clutch but was dry powder.

A good CVT would be a nice thing for drag racing if it can hold together but I don't see it happening on a daily driver with more than 200 HP.

[David Morton]

Don't know about any DAF. I used to work for a Buick/Subaru store and went to Orlando for a command performance training school in '95.

It had a weird tranny alright but that Justy would fly. Pretty fast for a ricer that got 40+ mpg. I have to say this for Subaru, back in '95 they had all the service bulletins and part number updates in one book of about a couple hundred pages. ALL OF THEM! Every model, every year, every category going back to the 70's.

One model of any given year of any US made car around that time would have had more updates.

If I saw a Justy or Brat for sale that was still running and needed a "grocery getter" I'd buy it. Good machinery, those old Subarus.

I think the parent company made battleships for the Emperor back in '42.

Which reminds me...

I. G. Farben of Zyklon-B fame with 2 or 3 million dead jews in it's resume' is still in business too.

Mitsubishi Zeros killed a couple thousand American flyers.

Honda torpedoes are the most reliable.

I better stop before I really get going. :o

[Cobra25]

Marauder I hope not, I for one want to keep the car rare. Only 11,054 made if I am correct.

[wsmylie]

Yup...an old Subaru BRAT would certainly be an interesting "beater" to have for fun (still trying to remember what the BRAT initials were acronyn for). Speaking only for myself though, would have trouble getting past the import origins of the vehicle, based partially on some of the factors you hinted at in your last post. Both parents were WW Two vets of the Pacific Theater (Mom was Army Med Corps R.N.)..... and although it is probably considered fairly dated thinking nowadays, they always stressed the "buy North American/no imports" motto to me and my siblings concerning car purchases. I will admit though that I did have a 1970 Opel Kadett wagon as a "beater" in the mid 1970's, unbeknownst to my parents.

[Joe Walsh]

I think the parent company made battleships for the Emperor back in '42.

Which reminds me...

I. G. Farben of Zyklon-B fame with 2 or 3 million dead jews in it's resume' is still in business too.

Mitsubishi Zeros killed a couple thousand American flyers.

Honda torpedoes are the most reliable.

I better stop before I really get going. :o

Don't forget BMW.....They made a few German fighter planes back in the 40s!

[Shaft333]

Opel is now GM. Not sure if they always were or how long they were.

[GreekGod]

The Red Baron's biplane had a BMW engine (WWI of course)
Don't forget BMW.....They made a few German fighter planes back in the 40s!

[David Morton]

Yup, and I do recall it was a Daimler fuel injected engine in the infamous Bf109.

Oh! And I think the Panther tanks had 8-tracks with BASF tapes!

:lol:

[Mad1]

Hey, one of my step-kids just showed me two links for a 2006 Mercury Marauder that he found with a search on Yahoo.com.


First one is on http://www.reviewcar.com/2004_mercury_marauder.htm

It has a photo of what looks some new body-style with marauder wheels.

http://www.reviewcar.com/images/car3.gif

2006 Mercury Marauder
The 2006 Mercury Marauder offers automatic transmission refinements and a creek free body. The warranty and workmanship that shows in The 2006 Mercury Marauder also gives you a sense of security, allowing you to rest easier knowing you made a good purchasing decision. Even though the makers of The 2006 Mercury Marauder are known for quality vehicles, this vehicle is really thought out well. The performance you receive from this vehicle you will come to know and respect. New for 2006 Mercury Marauder

* Heavy-duty 4R75W transmission with improved shift response
* New exterior colors: Dark Toreador Red and Silver Birch
* New interior color: Light Flint/Dark Charcoal two-tone
* Needle bearings and Teflon seals on torque converter
* Dual knock sensors for improved response at low engine speeds
* Standard traction control
* Standard Audiophile entertainment system

The second one http://www.sedancity.com/2003-mercury-marauder.html

This just seems to be an "auto-updating" page that changed the model year to 2006. All the info is for the 2003 marauder though.

Anyone heard anything more definite? With all the bad news at Ford lately, I can't see them doing anything as challenging as a marauder again.

Maybe one of those Japanese automakers will buy Mercury off Ford and make some new models. :jk:

[stevengerard]

My 17 year old son and 10 year old daughter both said they heard a comercial for a Marauder. I said they mistook it for a Milan and then I saw a few commercials for the Milan. Then 2 days ago I saw a commercial for what looked like a Milan that ended with "new 2006 Mercury Marauder" as the voice over ending - I swear!!!

[RR|Suki]

I think mini uses a CVT in it's cooper trim, and seems to work really well

[BK_GrandMarquis]

Subliminal messages. LOL

[merc6]

Amityville marauder comercials LOL!

[StevenJ]

It's possible that there could be another Marauder. There have been strong rumours floating around the internet that STAP, St. Thomas Assembly Plant, has recieved 300 million to update the current panther line of cars, being the Crown Victoria and the Grand Marquis. If the new 07, 08 refresh goes over well, then there may be a new 4v Marauder based on the new restyle. After all, I'm sure Ford's dieing to find a vehicle to throw in a quad cam V8 with VVT like the 3v V8s.

[MM03MOK]

:loco: :bs: Check out the URL of the MM review - "2004."

Follow the link that says Click Here For More Information (http://www.reviewcar.com/site_map.htm). Every "review" uses the same picture.

http://www.reviewcar.com/images/car3.gif

"The 2006 Mercury Marauder also gets a new 4R75W heavy-duty, four-speed automatic transmission for greater efficiency and low-end torque."

:nono: :down:

[MarauderMark]

Has anyone heard about a Marauder coming back in 2006 or 2007? Different body style and supercharged!!
Yepperz i heard that they are going to have 6.1 not supercharged though and they're going to look like this..
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=80 94&d=1133282307:D

[Petrograde]

Yepperz i heard that they are going to have 6.1 not supercharged though and they're going to look like this..
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=80 94&d=1133282307:D


:rofl: that's great! Awesome Photoshop! did you do that?

[AzMarauder]

The Red Baron's biplane had a BMW engine (WWI of course)

BMW also powered the A model ****e Wulfs. The final motor variant for the FW190-A8 was the BMW 801D. With the introduction of the 190-D model Kurt Tank opted for the inline Jumo 213A instead of the radial BMW series.

Only reason the FW even was introduced was the BMW motor. The 109 series and the Junkers bombers consumed the entire German industrial capacity for inline engines. Kurt Tank had to shop around to find unused industrial capacity and Bavarian Motor Works happened to have some.

[spiders]

Just out of curiosity, since I am relatively sure one of you guys would know this, how many 04's were produced? Wasn't it considerably less than the 03's? So what would prompt a later model if they didn't think they were getting the desired results?? As a friend put it, the Marauder was the bucket for all the performance parts. I doubt enough time has elapsed to require thinning out the backlog of parts...

[Marauderman]

Just out of curiosity, since I am relatively sure one of you guys would know this, how many 04's were produced? Wasn't it considerably less than the 03's? So what would prompt a later model if they didn't think they were getting the desired results?? As a friend put it, the Marauder was the bucket for all the performance parts. I doubt enough time has elapsed to require thinning out the backlog of parts...
............in my case and few others here....we have just about replaced about all the parts thus far that came with the OEM MM.:lol:.........

[AzMarauder]

The Red Baron's biplane had a BMW engine (WWI of course)

OBTW.. wife wants to know where you got your avitar... (and how you got a picture of her cat.... looks IDENTICAL to her favorite cat)

[spiders]

............in my case and few others here....we have just about replaced about all the parts thus far that came with the OEM MM.:lol:.........

So what did you buy the Marauder for? Just take a cheaper crown vic and remake it... Sorry, I don't think it requires an entire rebuild...

[Petrograde]

Just out of curiosity, since I am relatively sure one of you guys would know this, how many 04's were produced? Wasn't it considerably less than the 03's?

yes, it was

2003 - 7839 (328 Blue, 417 Silver, rest black .. 7094)

2004 - 3213 (980 DTR, 997 Silver, 1236 Black)

Total production, 03 and 04 was 11,052

I just noticed,.. this thread has been revived from the dead several times! :P

[BlackHole]

The Red Baron's biplane had a BMW engine (WWI of course)

Not really he only tested a BMW powered Fokker VII but most of his Planes had Mercedes inline 6 cyl. in his Albatros DII/DIII/and DV then his most famous mount the Fokker DrI triplane had a Oberusel 110 HP rotary BMW powered some of the best High altitude planes the German Empire had the Fokker VII could due nose up manuvers due to the BMW S/C inline 6 185 HP IIIa engine. Plus the DVII was the only war matrierial explesitivly mentioned in the Treaty of Versilles. Due to it could handily outclass anything the Allies had at the time.

[spiders]

"I just noticed,.. this thread has been revived from the dead several times! images/smilies/tongue.gif"

That's because us newbies need to be silly and ask all the same questions! But we learn!! I just got the message mine was built in january 04, so I'm smarter today than I was yesterday! heh heh

[cyclopsram]

ya all just back up enough in this very thread and you will see the production figures by year and color posted....RAM

[GreekGod]

OBTW.. wife wants to know where you got your avitar... (and how you got a picture of her cat.... looks IDENTICAL to her favorite cat)<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->__________________
Awww, a lot of those calico cats look alike. I'm sorry but I can't remember where I got that avitar. It might have been on "clubcobra" or "blueovalnews" but I'm not at all sure. CRS seems to get worse every day. It's called 19077hangkitty80.bmp but I don't suppose that means much.

[GreekGod]

Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by MarauderMark
Yepperz i heard that they are going to have 6.1 not supercharged though and they're going to look like this..
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=80 94&d=1133282307:D
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


:rofl: that's great! Awesome Photoshop! did you do that? I think I get it!

[AzMarauder]

Watching the Bengals - Steelers game today....
I don't hear well (qualifier)

But there as a Mercury add that came on... it was a 15 second blurb....

But I could have SWORN they said...

"Welcome to the 2006 Marauder"....

I dashed across the garage.. (no mean feat for my big azz) but couldn't get close enough to see the add before it went off the TV.

[magindat]

If FMC is making TV commercials then it would definately be on the website. It ain't. >:-(

[GreekGod]

They have taken control of our sets. Do not attempt to adjust the picture.

[stevengerard]

Watching the Bengals - Steelers game today....
I don't hear well (qualifier)

But there as a Mercury add that came on... it was a 15 second blurb....

But I could have SWORN they said...

"Welcome to the 2006 Marauder"....

I dashed across the garage.. (no mean feat for my big azz) but couldn't get close enough to see the add before it went off the TV.

Ha see I was right, even my wife heard it. She knows I have Marauder of the brain but she said she saw that commercial twice this past weekend.

[AzMarauder]

Ha see I was right, even my wife heard it. She knows I have Marauder of the brain but she said she saw that commercial twice this past weekend.

My wife heard it tonite also....

So.. we can have naysayers if we wish... and I know this sounds like a Troll... but the adds are out there....

Again ... she called me but before I could get to the TV.. all I caught was some slogan about

Four doors opening to ......

[Agent M79]

I have not seen/heard the ad myself but I went nosing about. I wasn't able to confirm, but for those that have seen snipets or overheard something, try going here and play the ads and see if you recognize the one you saw:

http://www.mercuryvehicles.com/extras/tvads.asp?page=1&ad=1

They make mention of the MM here without mentioning it's short run (or alluding to a future):

http://www.mercuryvehicles.com/about/default.asp?feature=2000

[MadMarauder]

But I could have SWORN they said...

"Welcome to the 2006 Marauder"....



Are you sure it wasn't "Welcome to the stylish world of Mercury Milan".

[merc6]

I searched and milan came up in the marauder search, but as Marauder.

[GreekGod]

The mighty new Mercury Marauder Mazda! AWD chassis, V6, 215hp?

[jerrym3]

I noticed that Bill Ford's latest Ford commercials don't even mention the TBird at all.

Gee, wonder why.

[Marauder386]

Last nite as I was in the loo, wife turns on tv... all I hear from it is " the new Mercury Marauder" .... this is really turning into a cat and mouse game ...

:coolman:

[MM03MOK]

What channels are people seeing it on? Do I need to leave my DVR recording all day to find it?


Last nite as I was in the loo, TMI!!!

[AzMarauder]

What channels are people seeing it on? Do I need to leave my DVR recording all day to find it?

TMI!!!

Mary...

Last night the ad came on the channel that has Wheel of Fortune .... ( I watch almost NO TV.. so don't know who has that)

Sunday it was on CBS when the football game was on.

[djv5150]

Has anyone heard about a Marauder coming back in 2006 or 2007? Different body style and supercharged!!

Ford stated that the Ford Crown Vic and the Mercury Grand Marquis, will remain in production until 2010 the 2 vehicles will recieve a sheet metal makeover in 2008. No word of a Marauder, SVT Crown Vic, in the plans.

[SergntMac]

Well, here's the 2006 L/M lineup all on one page.

http://www.mercuryvehicles.com/vehicles/default.asp

Seems to me that if L/M was going to spend the bucks on television advertising, especially the more expensive seconds between football plays, the 2006 Marauder should be on this page. I'm also quite sure that if there was anything close to a Marauder available from L/M, Marketing would have been in my mailbox a long time ago, not to mention my neighborhood L/M dealership offering me top dollar for my '03 Marauder trade in. Lord knows I get enough Lincoln crap.

This entire thread inspire me to remember something from over 30 years ago, the Chicago Kangaroo. It was back in October, 1974, someone saw a Kangaroo hoping around one of the quieter neighborboods of Chicago, only after midnight, ransacking garbage cans and "dog-napping" for food (yet, no one ever found any remains, so, the 'Roo must have consumed "spot" whole. Anyway, after this hit the news, folks went hunting, even the cops got involved, and over 100 "witnesses" reported seeing a glimpse at a distance, or, a tail, here, there, everywhere.

1974 was also a peak time for popularity of the CB radio, and whole neighborhoods became packed with "storm chaser-like" gamers racing up and down alleys in the largest of chase games I've ever seen. I went along just to watch them, and it was some fun. But, it all came to a halt when one cop bragged to a reporter that he got into a fist fight with the 5'6" 200 pound 'Roo, and got punched out. Sorry, no bruises or ER records, it came out after he healed...Hehehe...

The official investigation concluded there was no 'Roo, and it was all a prank by a few bored cops working the midnight shift, with nothing else to do.:bs:

Wel, they all got something else to do, and that was reassignment to the busiest (read baddest) areas of the city, and the lone "boxer" took a 30 day suspension on top of that. I don't know why I'm remembering all this, must be all hose post up there saying "I almost saw it" and "I heard that too."

Nice work guys, keep it up! We're heading towards recording another Urban Myth. Yeeeeah!:beer:

I'm sure we'll keep this thread going until the 2007 production line starts up, just to be sure...

[Bluerauder]

Are you sure it wasn't "Welcome to the stylish world of Mercury Milan".
I made the exact same mistake a couple weeks ago the first time I heard the Mercury Milan commercial. Probably wasn't paying too much attention at the time and I thought that I heard "Marauder" as well. Next time, I paid closer attention. :rolleyes:

[merc6]

I only see mazdaspeed 6 comertials what channels are you watching?

[Bluerauder]

I only see mazdaspeed 6 comertials what channels are you watching?
I seem to remember that it was either ESPN2 during "College Game Day" previews or SpeedTV during the NASCAR Homestead/Miami race. :rolleyes: Rarely, do I ever watch network TV anymore so I seldom even see commercials ... that's why this one caught me off guard ... Still don't know how I heard "Marauder" vice "Milan". But it seems like lots of folks have made the same mistake. :D

[GreekGod]

Yes, Marauder fans you have an inside track on spy photos of the 2006 1/2 "Super Marauder" It is Mercury's answer to uppity Daimler-Chrysler's so-called Hemi! This is a dyno test mule "spy photo" of the 600 hp dual 4 venturi throttle body equipped 7 Litre V8! The test mule is equipped with Holley carbs but rest assured, the production engine will have direct injection and dry-sump oiling! A special lowered front cross member is required to keep the retro-look bubble hood scoop at a street legal 3 inch height to please the DOT. A new 7-speed dual range automatic transmission was secretly designed jointly with the famous German firm Getrag which Ford has a history with going back to the mid '60's LeMans winning GT40 race cars. Preliminary performance figures show 1/4 mile acceleration at a brisk low 12 seconds and a 60 foot time of 1.6 seconds with street tires. More news to follow.http://www.karkraft.com/REAR_LH1.jpg

[SergntMac]

ROTFLMAO Dude, someone is going to believe you...

[Marauderman]

So what did you buy the Marauder for? Just take a cheaper crown vic and remake it... Sorry, I don't think it requires an entire rebuild...
..............being a newbie,,, it's understood you don't know alot about alot of us.........in my case.....My MM was wrecked to the tune of over$19k after 100 days old right after she came out....so had to rebuild her and then got a S/C'er and then blew that engine and then rebuilt that engine from inside out--
Boom!! Now a rebuilt MM with just about everthing replaced except the front sway bar and shocks---now you know----see..............Tom

[Petrograde]

I'll believe it when I see one up close,...

I wouldn't be suprised to see a 2007 Mercury Marauder minivan. :mad:

[jgc61sr2002]

I'll believe it when I see one up close,...

I wouldn't be suprised to see a 2007 Mercury Marauder minivan. :mad:




:rofl: :laugh: :lol:

[merc6]

I'm still waiting for the mazdaspeed MPV!

[Marauder2005]

m-a-z-d-a ? are those V8 sedans? ;)

[merc6]

I wish! MM engine in 6 would sell! 07 the become larger than the altima. So anyone have any actual proof of this new MM. I saw the site but don't fully beleve it.

[stevengerard]

I'm sure its not going to be coming out again - we'd all know more about it by now. I just think it is cool that so many of us have heard the commercial, I don't doubt that they really said Maurader but meant Milan. Could very well be a copy writing error for the voice-over. Or its just cut off so quickly it sounds like ma instead of mi

[GreekGod]

I have another spy photo from the Ford dyno room. Not to be outdone by the new Mercury "Super Marauder", the Ford Division of FMC has been given the go-ahead to release a limited production "Thunderbird Thunderbolt" to compete with the Chevrolet Corvette. In a re-kindled and growing relationship with Carrol Shelby, it will be based on a 450 pound Shelby "FE" 8 litre aluminum block with an estimated 600 horsepower and a 8 speed dual-range transaxle to aid in achieving an ideal 50/50 weight distribution. Special new patented "Chunnel-Port " cylinder heads designed in conjunction with British F-1 design house Cosworth with assistance from French firm Peugeot, are said to allow an rpm redline of 8,000. In an engineering first, they utilize solenoid controlled intake and exhaust valves with air-spring assist to eliminate alloy valve springs all together. <HR style="COLOR: #dddddd" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->http://www.genesis427.com/images/barryfemed.jpg

[Marauder2005]

I have another spy photo from the Ford dyno room. Not to be outdone by the new Mercury "Super Marauder", the Ford Division of FMC has been given the go-ahead to release a limited production "Thunderbird Thunderbolt" to compete with the Chevrolet Corvette. In a re-kindled and growing relationship with Carrol Shelby, it will be based on a 450 pound Shelby "FE" 8 litre aluminum block with an estimated 600 horsepower and a 8 speed dual-range transaxle to aid in achieving an ideal 50/50 weight distribution. Special new patented "Chunnel-Port " cylinder heads designed in conjunction with British F-1 design house Cosworth with assistance from French firm Peugeot, are said to allow an rpm redline of 8,000. In an engineering first, they utilize solenoid controlled intake and exhaust valves with air-spring assist to eliminate alloy valve springs all together. <HR style="COLOR: #dddddd" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->http://www.genesis427.com/images/barryfemed.jpg

Um, can you please stop, its to tempting to look at.

[StevenJ]

Well here's some hopeful news for you guys...
http://www.lfpress.com/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=113370&x=articles&s=careers


------------------------------------------------------------
Ford St. Thomas plant likely not on any 'hit list'
Norman De Bono, Business Reporter
The London Free Press
November 22, 2005

Now that General Motors has dropped news of its restructuring, Ford of Canada workers in St. Thomas are bracing for another shoe to drop.

"There will be no closure for the life of this agreement and government is telling us they have guarantees Ford will not close a plant for well beyond that." -- Whitey MacDonald, CAW

Just as GM was saddled with plants operating at less than full capacity and cut 3,660 Ontario jobs to consolidate production, rumours have swirled around the viability of the local Ford plant, which has seen sales and production plummet.

"That is one plant which was rumoured to be on the block," said Carlos Gomes, automotive analyst with Scotiabank in Toronto.

"But there is some new investment there, it is likely to not be on the hit list."

Ford is expected to announce in the new year a further restructuring which may include plant closings, consolidation and job cuts across North America.

"St. Thomas is the only plant Ford has producing those vehicles, that gives them a bit of a cushion," said Gomes.

The Ford plant assembles the Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis, which will will get a facelift in the 2007 and 2008 model years, and is in Ford's plans until at least 2012, said Whitey MacDonald, plant chairperson for Canadian Auto Workers Local 1520 representing St. Thomas workers.

"There will be no closure for the life of this agreement and government is telling us they have guarantees Ford will not close a plant for well beyond that," said MacDonald.

"In the meantime, we will be pushing hard for a new vehicle here," he added.

Meanwhile, Ford Motor Co. in Detroit announced plans yesterday to eliminate about 4,000 white-collar jobs across North America early next year as part of an essential restructuring plan.

Spokesperson Tom Hoyt said the cuts, which will be made in part through attrition and elimination of some agency and contract positions, were outlined last week in an e-mail to employees from Mark Fields, president for the Americas.

The cuts are expected to be made during the first quarter of 2006, Hoyt said.

They will be in addition to 2,750 North American salaried jobs that Ford earlier said it wanted to cut by the end of 2005. Ford started the year with about 35,000 salaried workers in North America, Hoyt said.

The move is the latest in a series of shakeups and cost-cutting moves at the Dearborn-based automaker, which reported a third-quarter loss of $284 million US. In North America, it lost $1.2 billion before taxes.

Ford and other U.S. automakers have been hurt by competition from Asia as well as high health-care and materials costs and bloated plant capacity.

------------------------------------------------------------
With a little luck, we should see the new 07' Vic at NAIAS with a 3v V8. If it does well enough, Ford may re-release the Mercury Marauder with a 4v Cammer V8. It's likely. It all depends on how well the 07' and 08' redo go over.

[Svashtar]

OK, 5 minutes ago my wife yelled upstairs that she had just seen an ad for the "All New 2006 Mercury Marauder" (?)

I asked her 3 times and she swears that's what they said, but as she can't tell a Mercury from a Model T I'm not betting on it. Still...

OK, just confirmed with my 21 YO son, who is much more reliable, and he said he saw the same thing. Said the car was like mine, black, but with slightly different styling.

We shall see...

BTW, this was at about 9:10 PST on NBC; (my wife is an "Apprentice" addict.)

[BK_GrandMarquis]

Someone is trying to hypnotise you peeps using the TV. :run:

[MM03MOK]

BTW, this was at about 9:10 PST on NBC; (my wife is an "Apprentice" addict.)Dang! I must have fast-forwarded through the commercial on my DVR. I did not record the show so I can't go back and look!

[AzMarauder]

Dang! I must have fast-forwarded through the commercial on my DVR. I did not record the show so I can't go back and look!

I would be laughing like mad... if I didn't really believe I have heard (not really seen) this commercial on TV.

For those that haven't ... we probably all seem like we are running the biggest TROLL lately.... but from this end ... it isn't a troll.....

Now.. how bout someone in Detroit... say a Mr. Barnes or something... find out what is going on !

I don't suppose the MM at the track with the Ford GT sparked anyone's interest ?

[merc6]

It should have sparked something! If that gt engine made it into this car...pigs would fly(Literaly)!

[Jerry Barnes]

From what I know there is not a Marauder in the plan at all!

However, there is are very strong vibes about a new Cougar. My bet is that it will be announced soon.

Jerry

[merc6]

http://www.topix.net/autos/mercury-marauder This site was what I originaly found in a search...

[Mike Poore]

From what I know there is not a Marauder in the plan at all!

However, there is are very strong vibes about a new Cougar. My bet is that it will be announced soon.

Jerry


AH HA! That's all we needed, a denial from someone in the know. :up:

All we need now is for Steve Babcock to confirm the denial.

Look for an '07 Marauder in your dealer's showroom Mid-'06. ;)

[duhtroll]

No new MM until 07 or 08 is fine with me. Makes this one all the more special.

-A

[BlackHole]

Anyone stop and think that a completely new design is in the works from the ground up. Most of us know that there isn't any Panther platform but what about the SN195 Mustang/XC90 ect ect or even a new Mazda 6 from the ground up call it Marauder and walla a hole new vehicle. And I'll let you know the new Mazdaspeed 6 is no slouch with its Turbo 4 cyl engine it could give even a lightly modded MM mostly (Intake/Exhaust work) a run for the money.
Just needed to be AWD to stop the torque steer

[GreekGod]

Elena Ford, granddaughter of Henry Ford II and architect of Mercury's turnaround plan, will be competing in the 2006 Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Her vehicle of choice will be the soon to be announced limited production 600 horsepower 2006 1/2 Super Marauder convertible. It will have an optional "Starlifter" removable fastback hardtop that is expected to be certified by USAC, the sanctioning organization for the Pikes Peak event, as a roll-bar safety device. A family friend who wishes to remain anonymous revealed Ms. Ford's soccer-mom persona is undeserved. "She is a real gear-head, but she had a previously un-diagnosed fear of supercharged vehicles" the family friend stated and added: "She met Bill Vukovich and is taking driving lessons from him in preparation for Pikes Peak, she wanted an experienced teacher". Bill Vukovich is a long time Pikes Peak competition veteran and Ford driver. A spokesperson from the University of Michigan hospital would not confirm Ms. Ford was treated for her condition at the hospital but did reveal they have discovered a previously unknown and rare condition known as "Tyranosupereatonos" for a "terrible fear of Eaton superchargers". It is believed the planned for 2005 supercharged Marauder was cancelled by Ms. Ford. The family friend added: "Elena told Ford engineers to pull-out all the stops and give her a 'teardrop' bubble hoodscoop and a 7 litre stump-puller and no supercharger. She has Henry's genes and loves to compete." The Starlifter top is expected to be a popular $1,000 safety option for the limited production convertible.

[Petrograde]

Elena Ford, granddaughter of Henry Ford II and architect of Mercury's turnaround plan, will be competing in the 2006 Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Her vehicle of choice will be the soon to be announced limited production 600 horsepower 2006 1/2 Super Marauder convertible. It will have an optional "Starlifter" removable fastback hardtop that is expected to be certified by USAC, the sanctioning organization for the Pikes Peak event, as a roll-bar safety device. A family friend who wishes to remain anonymous revealed Ms. Ford's soccer-mom persona is undeserved. "She is a real gear-head, but she had a previously un-diagnosed fear of supercharged vehicles" the family friend stated and added: "She met Bill Vukovich and is taking driving lessons from him in preparation for Pikes Peak, she wanted an experienced teacher". Bill Vukovich is a long time Pikes Peak competition veteran and Ford driver. A spokesperson from the University of Michigan hospital would not confirm Ms. Ford was treated for her condition at the hospital but did reveal they have discovered a previously unknown and rare condition known as "Tyranosupereatonos" for a "terrible fear of Eaton superchargers". It is believed the planned for 2005 supercharged Marauder was cancelled by Ms. Ford. The family friend added: "Elena told Ford engineers to pull-out all the stops and give her a 'teardrop' bubble hoodscoop and a 7 litre stump-puller and no supercharger. She has Henry's genes and loves to compete." The Starlifter top is expected to be a popular $1,000 safety option for the limited production convertible.

:rofl: :laugh: :lol:

[AzMarauder]

Well....

My buddy here just saw the whole commercial ! About a 10 second blurb....

Starts off with the

"Introducing the 2006 Mercury Marauder"

It is frontal 3/4 shot ... BLACK ! When I asked him what it looked like he said "Just like yours!".

So the ad exists. Mercury may never sell one... but the ad exists !

WHOO HOOO !

It was on CBS !

[GreekGod]

__________________SOURCE OF HYPNOSIS DISCOVERED ON MARAUDER WEBSITE. MASS HYSTERIA FOLLOWS
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/snexus/avatar_ani_104.gif

[merc6]

Mazda 6 from the ground up call it Marauder and walla a hole new vehicle. And I'll let you know the new Mazdaspeed 6 is no slouch with its Turbo 4 cyl engine it could give even a lightly modded MM mostly (Intake/Exhaust work) a run for the money.
Just needed to be AWD to stop the torque steer
Speed 6 is AWD...kinda sorta :(

Also the 07 6 is now bigger than altima and gets 3.5 liter V6.

[Vortex]

http://www.allautoreviews.com/auto_reviews/mercury/mercury-marauder.htm

Im sure this is a bunch or crapola but here it is anyway...

[TripleTransAm]

Hmmm... "Mercurry Marauder" ? Damn, they're shifting production of EVERYTHING to India these days, it seems. ;)

Nice link for the 2006 Mercurry Cougar on that site as well. Very "authentic"...

[Mike Poore]

Elena Ford, granddaughter of Henry Ford II and architect of Mercury's turnaround plan, will be competing in the 2006 Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Her vehicle of choice will be the soon to be announced limited production 600 horsepower 2006 1/2 Super Marauder convertible. It will have an optional "Starlifter" removable fastback hardtop that is expected to be certified by USAC, the sanctioning organization for the Pikes Peak event, as a roll-bar safety device. A family friend who wishes to remain anonymous revealed Ms. Ford's soccer-mom persona is undeserved. "She is a real gear-head, but she had a previously un-diagnosed fear of supercharged vehicles" the family friend stated and added: "She met Bill Vukovich and is taking driving lessons from him in preparation for Pikes Peak, she wanted an experienced teacher". Bill Vukovich is a long time Pikes Peak competition veteran and Ford driver. A spokesperson from the University of Michigan hospital would not confirm Ms. Ford was treated for her condition at the hospital but did reveal they have discovered a previously unknown and rare condition known as "Tyranosupereatonos" for a "terrible fear of Eaton superchargers". It is believed the planned for 2005 supercharged Marauder was cancelled by Ms. Ford. The family friend added: "Elena told Ford engineers to pull-out all the stops and give her a 'teardrop' bubble hoodscoop and a 7 litre stump-puller and no supercharger. She has Henry's genes and loves to compete." The Starlifter top is expected to be a popular $1,000 safety option for the limited production convertible.

Well done. :2thumbs:

I can see 'ol Elena breezing in from her Friday afternoon flower arranging study class and declaring "I like it, ...um add $5,000 to the sticker". :loco:

[rayjay]

No new MM until 07 or 08 is fine with me. Makes this one all the more special.

-A

Bingo :up:

[GreekGod]

Better stick with a Michigan insider like me for your info. I am much more reliable than a website that claims the 2006 Cougar is returning as a carryover from 2002. Police option for 2006 1/2 Super Marauder convertible will include available hi-flotation "dune-buggy" type tires for beach patrol. Text of false report follows:
The 2006 Cougar is a 2-door, 4-passenger sports coupe, available in 5 trims, ranging from the I4 to the V6 Sport Ultimate. Comparable vehicles to the 2006 Cougar include the Acura RSX, the Hyundai Tiburon, and the Volkswagen New Beetle. The I4 is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 125-horsepower engine that achieves 23-mpg in the city and 34-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard.
The V6 Sport Ultimate is equipped with a standard 2.5-liter, V6, 170-horsepower engine that achieves 21-mpg in the city and 30-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The 2006 Cougar is basically a carryover from 2002.
http://www.allautoreviews.com/auto_reviews/_images/bar_400.jpg

[cougarmandan]

Wow, time to get the DVR running on CBS. I am pretty attentive in matters of cars, esp Mercurys. I have seen a bunch of the new Mercury Commercials but nothing about a Marauder. Ford talked about a Marauder verson of the Crown Vic in 03 and it never came to be. If the DVR gets this commercial, is there a way to transfer it to the computer? Who knows. It wouldn't surprise me to see a special edtion Mercury with a Marauder motor, slap on some new sheet metal on a Town car and some hideaway headlamps. They could call it an X-100.

Mercury sure has some work ahead of them to get their sales going. Somewhere back about 4 pages ago, Cougars were mentioned as a possible return. Since I am the CougarMan, I have to throw my 2 cents in on the Cougar I hope they don't waist time on a front wheel drive again. I think the go for the rice market is a valid idea but they need to put more into it. Make it desireable with go fast goodies off the assembly line so that the 18 yo wants it used. Super chargers are cool. Youth buys cars because they like the look or they go fast and they don't want to worry about having to get them fixed. Mercury is a hard sell to an 18 year old. It hard to pay big dollars for something new when you are making mimimum wage. I'm 30 year old professional and haven't bought a brand new car yet. I get them after they are 2 or 3 years old. Having bought a L-M-F product from a Lincoln-Mercury, a Ford, and a Dodge dealership, I can tell you, nothing about the Lincoln Mercury experience is about youth. Its a Lincoln dealership first, Mercury second. The sales staff is older, slower, refined, and relaxed people. They take time and show you everything. They use the sale by service approach, instead of the what ever it take approach. Service sell me the older I get, but not 10 years ago, or even 5. How did I wind of here, oh, Cougars. Cougar should be sporty, roomy, fun and easy to drive. I hate to say it but I think the Cougar has typically been a Lady's vehicle. Women like gas mileage too. If they are going to use the Cougar nameplate, they should try to keep to some kind of concept instead of hoping the name will sell the car. Lincoln LS kind of has the idea except it costs way too much. Once you have a kid, 2 doors doesn't get it done in todays youthful market. Car seats and SUV don't make 2 door cars very useful in todays world. This all comes from a long time 67 Cougar driver. Maruaders win lots of points with us here since we all own them, but very few women are attracted to the Marauder. They all think it looks like a police car or old mans car and its too big. My wife never really liked mine until I finally let her drive it. Now she wants to trade me.

I may have a spy photo of one of them Super Marauder S-55 concept engines somewhere. I see what I can stir up.

[SergntMac]

My buddy here just saw the whole commercial ! About a 10 second blurb. Starts off with the "Introducing the 2006 Mercury Marauder" It is frontal 3/4 shot ... BLACK ! When I asked him what it looked like he said "Just like yours!". So the ad exists. Mercury may never sell one... but the ad exists ! WHOO HOOO! It was on CBS! Okay...I said "I'll believe it when I see it", and folks, I believe it!

Sunday, 18 December 2005, 8:47 PM, Discovery channel on ComCast cable TV. It's a fast commercial, maybe 15 seconds. Female voice over, speaking of the virtues of the new Mercury. Shows a few fast clips of a woman with long black hair, driving a black sedan around corners in a rather spirited manner. The last clip is an interior shot, and what looks like she's either hitting 3rd gear hard, or, slamming it into park. Center console, BTW. Because this started out a "new for 2005" Mercury commercial, I wasn't paying much attention, but I was watching. The first scene was a close up of the grille area, with our familiar waterfall/hockey stick badge, and as the camera pans out, there is a strong resemblence to the Marauder. The last line of dialogue..."New for 2005, the Mercury Marauder" and as clear as a bell.

Someone at L/M marketing is smoking dope. Now look at this 411. Pan down to the last car in line...

http://www.mercuryvehicles.com/vehicles/default.asp

Sable..."with standard V8".

Geeze...Anyone seen one yet?

[merc6]

You aren't refering to this?
http://www.mercuryvehicles.com/metaone/

If the MM was hybrid whats the point of it being a MM?

[SergntMac]

You aren't refering to this?
http://www.mercuryvehicles.com/metaone/

No...That's not a Sable. The last car in line, next to the Gran Marquis, is identified as a Sable "with standard V8"

[MM03MOK]

Sable..."with standard V8".

If you follow the Performance link on the Sable page, it takes you here.....



Duratec V-6 Engine (http://www.mercuryvehicles.com/sable/performance.asp?feature=durate c_v-6_engine)
V-6 power.

Included as part of the Sable LS model, the 3.0-liter DOHC Duratec V-6 features highly durable aluminum construction and 24-valve technology that delivers 201 horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. of torque. This provides you power when you need it, on the highway and around town.obligation. Vehicle shown may contain optional equipment available at additional cost.
Must have their 8s and 6s mixed up.... Now tell me this? They wouldn't spend the money advertising the Marauder when it was in production, how do they justify promoting a Marauder when it's not in production?

[merc6]

Now tell me this? They wouldn't spend the money advertising the Marauder when it was in production, how do they justify promoting a Marauder when it's not in production? You got me. Multiple people confirmed the comercials. Maybe someone got bored and decided to pull a prank and make the comercial I still need to see.

[MM03MOK]

You got me. Multiple people confirmed the comercials. Maybe someone got bored and decided to pull a prank and make the comercial I still need to see.Considering what commercial time costs and also the fact that the "Marauder" name does not have market recognition, I bet someone will pay the price for this "mistake."

[Eric91Z]

I caught the very end of "a" commercial that had the female pulling up to a stop light, in a Black Milan/Zephyr, shifting gears and stopping next to a guy in another car. Guess I didn't listen close enough to the commercial to hear anything about a Marauder.

[Agent M79]

Mmmm. I have an uneasy feeling.

What if they 'Marauderize' a Milan the way that Chevy 'SSed' the current Impala? Marauder as an option package on the Milan for a 'tough girl' car?

[hitchhiker]

Mmmm. I have an uneasy feeling.

What if they 'Marauderize' a Milan the way that Chevy 'SSed' the current Impala? Marauder as an option package on the Milan for a 'tough girl' car?

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

There are already way to many tuff grrrls already!

That's why we have today's kids growing up
shooting at each other; they have no mothers!

They're out there taking men's jobs instead of
nurturing their children, if they even have any!

:mad2:

[SergntMac]

Guess I didn't listen close enough to the commercial to hear anything about a Marauder. It's like the last word spoken, timed with the image of shifting the tranny from the center console. I heard it clearly, wanted to rub my ears. Then the commercial fades to the black and sliver screen about "opening new doors". I'm always watching Discovery, maybe I'll see it again tonight.
Marauder as an option package on the Milan for a 'tough girl' car? Oh Lord...You just had to say it this way...

[Eric91Z]

It's like the last word spoken, timed with the image of shifting the tranny from the center console. I heard it clearly, wanted to rub my ears. Then the commercial fades to the black and sliver screen about "opening new doors". I'm always watching Discovery, maybe I'll see it again tonight.


I will have to pay a little more attention next time. I think I have actually seen the commercial a couple times, just tuned out by the end.

[RF Overlord]

I have an uneasy feeling. What if they 'Marauderize' a Milan the way that Chevy 'SSed' the current Impala?No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, oh HELL no...:shake: :shake:

Of course, look what Mercury did to the Cougar... :eek:

[Donny Carlson]

Okay...I said "I'll believe it when I see it", and folks, I believe it!

Is this the ad?


Edit: Oops, apparently it works for me because the site has a cookie with my registration information. Stand by, folks.

[Eric91Z]

Is this the ad?


http://ford.wieck.com/db/*query?commvideos&type=video&Source=FRD&cf_user=donnysan

Click on the black frame Mercury ad, upper row to the left.

While you at it, checi out the Ford GT Superbowl ad, bottom row to the right.


Link didn't work. Do you have to be a registered member to check the stuff out?

[STLR FN]

Donny can't link to internal Ford video's from the outside. I just tried and it sent me somewhere else to Fords general media page.

[Eric91Z]

And it looks like only registered media people can access the media links. The general public can only access the discussions and postings, no media stuff.

[Donny Carlson]

So I will find away around it. Hold on.

Edit: The site requires you to register, that is true, but registered users may download media. I have downloaded the ad and uploaded it to my gallery:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/showimage.php?i=611&c=3

Please download this to your computer rather than streaming in order to preseve bandwidth. Thanks!

[Agent M79]

Is this the ad?

Nope. According to my digital audio spectrometry gear here at Agent HQ, the voice over says '"Milan" and not "Marauder" at the point in time specified by Mac.

Review of the entire file does not reveal any audible mention of Marauder.

Hueristic analysis, which analizes both audio and video together, noting psychological factors, does note a 34% chance (in males) that at the moment the voice over says "Milan" that this could be misconstrued as "Marauder". The report sites the rapid combination of 'smiling pretty woman', her grabbing and thrusting of a knob and/or stick like device, and jiggling a little as contributing factors to the error.

Gents, watch it first with eyes open. You might hear 'Marauder'. Then close your eyes, think of Mac or Donny driving it in that pretty lavendar top, and you will hear 'Milan'... or your own screams of terror. :coolman:

[Donny Carlson]

... Then close your eyes, think of Mac or Donny driving it in that pretty lavendar top, and you will hear 'Milan'... or your own screams of terror. :coolman:

Does it come in 4XL?

[merc6]

Kinda almost sounds like murlan

[texascorvette]

Nope. According to my digital audio spectrometry gear here at Agent HQ, the voice over says '"Milan" and not "Marauder" at the point in time specified by Mac.

Review of the entire file does not reveal any audible mention of Marauder.

Hueristic analysis, which analizes both audio and video together, noting psychological factors, does note a 34% chance (in males) that at the moment the voice over says "Milan" that this could be misconstrued as "Marauder". The report sites the rapid combination of 'smiling pretty woman', her grabbing and thrusting of a knob and/or stick like device, and jiggling a little as contributing factors to the error.

Gents, watch it first with eyes open. You might hear 'Marauder'. Then close your eyes, think of Mac or Donny driving it in that pretty lavendar top, and you will hear 'Milan'... or your own screams of terror. :coolman:first time I saw the ad on TV, I would've sworn they said "Marauder".......but I sure didn't want to believe that the phony thing they were showing was really named Marauder.

[Hack Goby]

All this talk about the Marauder coming back and what do I see at work today?:eek: (Ford Sterling)A whole bunch of racks of rear ends labeled"Marauder" on them.Most likely service.

[DEFYANT]

I just saw a Mercury commercial on FX. They ran down all the Mercury vehicles. No Marauders were mentioned.

[SergntMac]

All this talk about the Marauder coming back and what do I see at work today?:eek: (Ford Sterling)A whole bunch of racks of rear ends labeled"Marauder" on them.Most likely service. Interesting. Is this a completed assembly, or just the axle housing? Wonder what makes it different from that of GM, or CV-CV/PI, other than gearing.

[MI2QWK4U]

All this talk about the Marauder coming back and what do I see at work today?:eek: (Ford Sterling)A whole bunch of racks of rear ends labeled"Marauder" on them.Most likely service.



Interesting. Is this a completed assembly, or just the axle housing? Wonder what makes it different from that of GM, or CV-CV/PI, other than gearing.


Looks like you have something else controversial to investigate Mac. Good luck.

[rocknrod]

http://www.sedancity.com/2003_mercury_marauder.html

[Rider90]

http://www.sedancity.com/2003_mercury_marauder.html

Doesn't look like they changed much for 06 - Be prepared for record sales :P

[James96]

I heard in 2007 Marauder will be back + offering two engines I got this info from Lincoln/Mercury Dealership in New Jersey Name of dealership is Causeway Lincoln/Mercury on Route 72 in Manahawkin New Jersey

[Rider90]

I heard in 2007 Marauder will be back + offering two engines I got this info from Lincoln/Mercury Dealership in New Jersey Name of dealership is Causeway Lincoln/Mercury on Route 72 in Manahawkin New Jersey
I sent them an E-mail. I will post results.

[James96]

Causeway Lincoln/Mercury route 72 Manahakwkin New Jersey said in 07 Marauder is back + with 2 engines

[Rider90]

Causeway Lincoln/Mercury route 72 Manahakwkin New Jersey said in 07 Marauder is back + with 2 engines
...Keep it coming...

[Donny Carlson]

I heard in 2007 Marauder will be back + offering two engines I got this info from Lincoln/Mercury Dealership in New Jersey Name of dealership is Causeway Lincoln/Mercury on Route 72 in Manahawkin New Jersey

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/showimage.php?i=627&catid=newimages

can't seem to hotlink to this'un

[Ryans PI]

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/1/3/6/BULL****-O-METER.gif

Hmm...I got that too.

[Hack Goby]

Interesting. Is this a completed assembly, or just the axle housing? Wonder what makes it different from that of GM, or CV-CV/PI, other than gearing.
I went back over where I saw the rear ends to get a count and there were 200 Marauder "355".Also in that same area there were "SVT Mustang" rear ends.Like I said they must be service rear ends.Yes Mac they were just axle housings,Case and carrier but ready to go.

[GreekGod]

I will attemp to translate prior message...[quote]"I went back over where I saw the rear ends to get a count and there were 200 Marauder "355".Also in that same area there were "SVT Mustang" rear ends.Like I said they must be service rear ends.Yes Mac they were just axle housings,Case and carrier but ready to go" ...my translation:They were rear axle assemblies with 3.55 Marauder ring and pinion installed. They had a cover installed and are meant as a "service" replacement as opposed to an assembly line part/assembly (end of translation). I don't know if he meant the housings were less the axle shafts and brakes.

[Last Mrk]

Causeway Lincoln/Mercury route 72 Manahakwkin New Jersey said in 07 Marauder is back + with 2 enginesNow that would be something. A twin engine Marauder. http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/images/smilies/lol_hitting.gif

[Rider90]

Now that would be something. A twin engine Marauder. http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/images/smilies/lol_hitting.gif
No response from the dealer, must have thought this was a bogus claim :rolleyes:

[whd507]

well its been over a year now, no news is no news...