A Malibu SS? Ford better get on the Ball.....

[wchain]

http://www.chevrolet.com/malibuss/
This new one comes with the New "High Feature" 3.9L V6.....

Now I've seen it all. I get so frustrated when I see GM and Chrysler coming out with high performance models of regular production cars, and even production cars that can embarrass the hell out of Ford's current offerings.

With a V8 Impala SS coming out next year, and Chryslers Current V8 sedan revival, Ford has nothing to fight with. The 500 is equipped with the 203 HP 3.0L Duratec V6, as is every other V6 powered ford Out there.

The base 300 motor is 190 horse, their 3.5L V6 is 250....Hello Ford, can you hear us?

The Crown Vic is running around with 224 HP, and if you get the HPP or CVPI its good for more, but still running behind the pack.....
How long has Lincoln been losing in the power game to a 275/300 HP DeVille????

:alone:

[jstevens]

Wow, 240 hp.

I cannot believe they call that a performance car. They should be ashamed of themselves.

[Donny Carlson]

Wow, 240 hp.

I cannot believe they call that a performance car. They should be ashamed of themselves.
Keep in mind, it's a lot lighter, and has a smaller front profile.

It has 18" wheels, a factory installed remote start, and "tip up and down" sport shifting on the automatic. And that well received GM adaptive shifting program. And factory satellite radio. And 3.5" chrome exhaust tips.

My guess is tuners out there will get HP over mid 2's, rear wheel, with a tune and exhaust mods alone. It's gonna be a fun, inexpensive screamer.

Yah, I'd call it a performance car.

[hitchhiker]

http://www.chevrolet.com/malibuss/
This new one comes with the New "High Feature" 3.9L V6.....

Now I've seen it all. I get so frustrated when I see GM and Chrysler coming out with high performance models of regular production cars, and even production cars that can embarrass the hell out of Ford's current offerings.

With a V8 Impala SS coming out next year, and Chryslers Current V8 sedan revival, Ford has nothing to fight with. The 500 is equipped with the 203 HP 3.0L Duratec V6, as is every other V6 powered ford Out there.

The base 300 motor is 190 horse, their 3.5L V6 is 250....Hello Ford, can you hear us?

The Crown Vic is running around with 224 HP, and if you get the HPP or CVPI its good for more, but still running behind the pack.....
How long has Lincoln been losing in the power game to a 275/300 HP DeVille????

:alone:

I agree with you about the competition.

But, Ford has the tools on the shelf, it's a matter of whether they choose to use them.


How about the 'Lightning Motor' in a panther platform?


Redesign the stupid wiper and firewall design that prevents currently using it.

How about tapping the 'Aussie' Ford people for an American production version of their 'Sport' and 'Ute' models?


Duh, there they are!

How about a two door version of the 500 with V8 power?

How about a 'Hot Rod' Lincoln?
Best Regards,

David

[QWK SVT]

http://www.chevrolet.com/malibuss/
This new one comes with the New "High Feature" 3.9L V6.....

Now I've seen it all. I get so frustrated when I see GM and Chrysler coming out with high performance models of regular production cars, and even production cars that can embarrass the hell out of Ford's current offerings.

With a V8 Impala SS coming out next year, and Chryslers Current V8 sedan revival, Ford has nothing to fight with. The 500 is equipped with the 203 HP 3.0L Duratec V6, as is every other V6 powered ford Out there.

The base 300 motor is 190 horse, their 3.5L V6 is 250....Hello Ford, can you hear us?

The Crown Vic is running around with 224 HP, and if you get the HPP or CVPI its good for more, but still running behind the pack.....
How long has Lincoln been losing in the power game to a 275/300 HP DeVille????

:alone:I actually don't mind the looks of this, too much. As far as FWD four doors go, this is one of the more appealling I've seen, lately. It looks a fair bit like the Mazda6 (which I somewhat like, too).

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_newyork/malibuss/images/1.jpg


Don't get me wrong... I'm not goingt o run out and buy one. I'm still not willing to recognize the name Malibu as being an appropriate nameplate - I love the car it used to be... And SS doesn't belong on this thing, at all... But, it should compete nicely (performance-wise) with the V6 accord.

[rayjay]

IMHO, Ford could care less about the overall performance market. They gave you the new Mustang. What the hell else do you need....

[dwasson]

I actually don't mind the looks of this, too much. As far as FWD four doors go, this is one of the more appealling I've seen, lately.

I dunno, I think it's ugly enough to scare a buzzard off a garbage truck.

But the point is made. Even the Cobalt has a sport model on 18" wheels and it handles pretty well.

[QWK SVT]

I dunno, I think it's ugly enough to scare a buzzard off a garbage truck.

But the point is made. Even the Cobalt has a sport model on 18" wheels and it handles pretty well.
Like I said, for a FWD, it's not too bad... Now THIS is ugly:
http://www.dodge.com/charger/img/gallery3_lg.jpg

[rayjay]

Like I said, for a FWD, it's not too bad... Now THIS is ugly:
http://www.dodge.com/charger/img/gallery3_lg.jpgI'll reserve my opinion of the Charger until I actually see one in the flesh. I liked the Magnum till I saw they put a truck front end on a car. The Malibu also has a hideous truck like front end. The whole car looks like they took various parts and just stuck them together while on a acid trip.

[Bigdogjim]

IMHO, Ford could care less about the overall performance market. They gave you the new Mustang. What the hell else do you need....
Hit the nail on the head:up:

Ford=mustangs :alone: