2012 Minneapolis Auto Show: Ford

In years past, I have honestly not paid that much attention to Ford. However, in the past few years, the company has made strides in quality-- but moreso in design. Not less than five years ago, the whole lineup was a mishmash of styling cues that didn't really have a brand identity. Yet, Ford didn't really need one. But, as the the 2010s kicked off, Ford realized that even GM was starting to offer better designed cars and trucks; Ford had to act. And act they did. Starting in 2009, the idea of "one Ford" was brought to fruition. This meant that we would get Europe's finest. The Fiesta is now here, and the world Focus is now here. But this auto show centered on three big debuts for Ford. While one of them was sort of expected, the other two weren't.








The biggest debut--and the best surprise-- for the Ford guys was the all-new GT500 from Shelby. Like the 2010 model before it, the 2013 breaks serious ground. The horsepower has been upped to 650, the weight has been dropped about 300 lbs back to sort-of-reasonable 3850 pounds. All that equates to the fastest, most torque-rich Mustang in all of Mustang's near fifty year history. But it comes at a price. At nearly $70,000, the GT5T00 isn't exactly cheap, but you get more horses than a ZR-1 Corvette if that's all you care about. A convertible tacks on an adittional $4500 or so, if you must have the wind in your hair. I imagine cowl shake might be a bit of a problem, so I'd stick with the coupe. Either way, if you must have a fast Mustang, this is it.








The outgoing Fusion was a compentent car; introduced in 2004 as a 2005, it looked quite flashy, almost "European". The second generation, too, had the sensible looks that made the first on a nice choice for a family car. This new car ups the ante drastically. In keeping with the "one Ford" theory, this new Fusion is the same car that will be sold across the globe as the much-loved--and quite bland Mondeo nameplate. If you go based on srtylig alone, this new car resembles an Aston Martin-- definitely not a bad thing by any means. Sadly, that Aston Martin reference will be a void to anyone buuying the Fusion. Sure, it looks great, if not sort of sexy from some angles. But, it's a family car, and most consumers could care less if it looks like an exotic. After all, the Toyota Camry is one of the best-selling cars on the road, and we all know how exotic that looks.




Ever since the Escape was introdcued in 2001, it's always been seen of sort of the cheap SUV that wasn't priced accordingly. For example, the second generation seemed like (and probably was) a quick rehash to maybe bring it up to date. Unfortunately, even in 2009, the 2008 Escape seemed lame. And it was. It lost the cute-ute looks that made the first one a good seller, but gained a $7500 price increase. For $33,600, a buyer could have a fully loaded Escape 4x4-- or they could have an Explorer for about the same money.
The new car changes all that; it's now a more prestigious vehicle, both inside and out. As Ford makes rearview cameras standard across the range, the Escape is not left out. Gone are the cheap bodycladded panels of the last (and first) generation, and now the car relies solely on Ford's European design cues. Sold in Britain as the Kuga, and the rest of the world as well, this is the new car the US has been waiting for. Available with a multitude of engines and transmissions, the new car is priced from a decent $23,000, to a rather absurd $38,000. Why have a bland CR-V, or a long-in-the-tooth RAV4 when this is available instead? It's not only more stylish, it's more car as well.




Ford has had the Raptor for a few years; it's big, it's badass, and I love it. If a Platinum is too cushy for you, and an FX4 simply isn't the right amount of off-roadability for you, you get this. Complete with Fox shocks, a plethora of decals, beefier tires, and the ability to jump dirtpiles like nothing before it, the Raptor means business. And with the addition of a true four door, Raptor owners can take the whole family with them. I wouldn't advise it per se, but the idea of hauling five people over sand dunes seems mighty fun to me.



After being stuck with the first generation Focus for nearly ten years, the "world Focus" became the one for America. Gone is the wagon, but the sedan and hatchback remain unchanged from those sold in the rest of the world. One is quick to point out the car looks different now--and decidedly nicer. And it is. This car has available nav, leather, review cameras, bigger allows, and a plethora of engines. Best part is, it gets better fuel mileage than the car it replaces, and you won't look like a bargain-hunter whilst driving one. Score consumer, and score Ford. A job well done, indeed.



In 2010, Ford introduced an old nameplate back into the family; for 2013, a midcycle refresh has been performed, and this is it. To Ford customers, it looks different. To me, it looks like a half-hearted attempt to be an Audi. I don't like it, nor do I hate it; it's simply there. And with this grille, it will probably look dated more quickly then the 2010 model it replaces.


Here is the new Flex; like the Taurus on which its based, the styling of the Flex--the front fascia anyway-- has been subtly altered for the model's fourth year (or is it third?); anywhoo, not much to write home about, but it's there.



This is the Lincoln MKT; it's very ugly, and resembles some sort of beat mammal. It costs upwards of $50,000, and likely returns horrible fuel mileage. It's apparently key to Lincoln's revival--and it will fail to do just that.