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Ford to Introduce E85 Muscle Car Concept at Detroit Show
31 December 2006
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| E85 muscle car: the Interceptor. |
Ford will introduce a Mustang-based E85 concept muscle car at the upcoming North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.
The Ford Interceptor uses a Ford Racing 5.0-liter V-8 “Cammer” engine running on E85 (85% ethanol blend). The 4-valve, dual overhead cam (DOHC) engine produces more than 400 hp (298 kW), and powered the Mustang FR500C to the 2005 Grand-Am Cup Championship in its first year of competition.
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| The basic 5.0-liter Cammer crate engine. |
This is an upgraded variant of the 4.6-liter engine under the hood of the current production Mustang GT. The Interceptor features a traditional rear-wheel drive proportion that includes a short front overhang, long rear overhang and extended dash-to-axle ratio.
For safety, the Interceptor concept incorporates Ford’s patented four-point “belt and suspenders” safety belt design in all four seats and inflatable seat belts in the rear. Ford Motor Company is researching these two potential safety belt technologies as possible ways to further reduce injury risk in vehicle crashes.
Our customer target for this powerful masculine sedan was a man with a family. He’s essentially a good guy, but a bit mischievous. He loves power and performance. But ultimately, he’s responsible. When he has his family on board, he values new safety technology as well as a powerful engine that runs on E-85 ethanol.
—Peter Horbury, executive director—Design, The Americas
December 31, 2006 in Ethanol | Permalink | Comments (39) | TrackBack (0)
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Our customer target for this powerful masculine sedan was a man with a family. He’s essentially a good guy, but a bit mischievous. He loves power and performance. But ultimately, he’s responsible. When he has his family on board, he values new safety technology as well as a powerful engine that runs on E-85 ethanol.
—Peter Horbury, executive director—Design, The Americas
They need a new spokes person that is not as ridiculous.
Posted by: SJC | Dec 31, 2006 7:51:43 AM
They obviously are staffed by blind retards. That is the only logical conclusion.
Posted by: Lucas | Dec 31, 2006 8:34:15 AM
Damn you Ford! For years the only flex-fuel vehicles you and GM made where gas guzzling pickups and SUVs. Now you finally figure out that maybe people want to buy more than trucks and you offer a sedan, but not a fusion, or better yet, Focus, but this monstrocity!
Something that will get no better mileage than the damned SUV!
This is the reason why Detroit is falling apart!
They focus on size and power when Americans are finally realizing they can be happy with small, fuel efficient models.
Just look at diesel!
Ford and GM only put it in giant trucks, while Honda and Toyota will offer diesel in small cars by 2009. Toyota even promises a diesel hybrid!
These guys are so fucking behind the curve its no wonder there market share is slipping.
They just can't seem to see the future of automotive technology!
Hell! Even GM's Fuelcell boondoggle is an SUV!
Posted by: Adam Galas | Dec 31, 2006 9:10:47 AM
Oh an who could forget, that the first Hybrids from Detroit where SUVs! While Toyota and Honda offer people the future, smaller, more efficient sedans and hatchbacks, Detroit can't let go off the past!
Posted by: Adam Galas | Dec 31, 2006 9:16:17 AM
In fairness, Toyota did come out with the Highlander hybrid and then used the V6 and not the 4 cyclinder they offer. This is just a show car. I think they get it and got it back in 1999 with PNGV, but slipped up when the margins for large SUVs were just too tempting.
Posted by: SJC | Dec 31, 2006 9:21:58 AM
Toyota has lost money on the Highlander. Most likely they will never sell enough to break even.
This isn't just a show car. It's a new model introduction. I have no doubt they will sell thousands to our brainwashed suckers.
Posted by: Lucas | Dec 31, 2006 9:30:06 AM
OMFG!! This is soooo lame
Posted by: DS | Dec 31, 2006 10:04:37 AM
4 point seat belts may be too complicated for this "essentially good guy" who has nothing to lose when his masculine noggin hits the dashboard.
"But ultimately, he’s responsible."
Responsible only for accelerating climate change, that is.
Posted by: FYI co2 | Dec 31, 2006 10:34:23 AM
PS: appropriately, the vehicle photo was taken near a junkyard where it hastily burned the last drop from its E85 tankful.
Posted by: FYI co2 | Dec 31, 2006 10:39:19 AM
Hey people, this is just a show car. Nothing wrong with alternative fuel muscle show cars. Show Joe Schmo that biofuels can be manly. Heck, the Tesla is even more ridiculous, but you know we all love it.
I think Ford did right in hiring Alan Mulally. His big thing at Boeing was composites, that's what saved the company. If he does the same at Ford, we could see a renaissance. Lovins likes him, so I like him too.
Posted by: Anon | Dec 31, 2006 10:46:41 AM
Toyota is bringing the Corolla hybrid out soon. Plus its bringing the Supra back ($30k) and a High end lexus($100k) model of the supra out. The just can't find enough space to build more of a product line.
Posted by: Mike in TX | Dec 31, 2006 11:23:54 AM
Composites and Soy based plastics may be the only way to go in the long run.
Doubt there are enough "suits" with imagination around in the American auto industry yet.
It can be done but it will take guts. As badly as they have been burned, that is something sorely lacking in the business right now. Eventually they will have to find, or develop it.
Posted by: Lucas | Dec 31, 2006 11:30:39 AM
This is a concept car. The only other Interceptor FMC builds is the Crown Vic cop car. This is a four-door gas hog sold all over the world to police departments that waste tax money on big sedans that spend most of their time in stop and go traffic or idling at a speed trap. They want the HP V8 to chase down bad guys even though just about the only time they use the power of the engine is hot-dogging runs to the donut shop. Speeders can't outrun the radio, after all.
They say they need to leave the engine running all the time to keep the radios and AC working, even though a gen set and a couple of extra batteries would do the job. Some departments 'hot sheet' the cars and don't shut them off except for during monthly shop checks. So anything that cuts down on fossil fuel use in this niche market is a good idea.
Posted by: Terry | Dec 31, 2006 11:38:54 AM
No mention on if this is an true E85 engine with optimization for ethanol's very high octane or if this one just guzzles E85 because it's optimized for burning regular gasoline? Show me the numbers!
Posted by: Erick | Dec 31, 2006 12:35:46 PM
Congratulations Ford for seeing the light before GM, DCX, and all the Asian OEMs. People like to buy high performance vehicles. The success of the Mustang is proof of this. This phenomenon isn’t going away anytime soon and is apparently only getting “started” again after a 30-year hiatus.
Unfortunately, E85 will never be viable as a fuel for the masses, as long as oil companies, their distributors, and their jobbers are controlling the price of it. With the exception of the very few people out there that are truly environmentally conscientious, and the even fewer people that will pay more for fuel just so their money isn’t sent to the Middle East or Venezuela, E85 will never be justifiable for normal passenger cars or trucks. The fact is that it costs more money, sometimes significantly more money, to run a flexfuel vehicle on E85 as compared to gasoline and more E85 infrastructure won’t necessarily fix that.
If you live in an area where E85 is priced such that the additional 20 to 30% more fuel you need is offset by the lower fuel cost, I wouldn’t get too used to it if I were you. As soon as the oil companies buy-up our national capacity to produce Ethanol so they can make E10 (no more cancer-causing, power-robbing, MTBE thank you), E85 prices will start to rise due to supply and demand, and so will the costs for the stock to make it (food-grade or otherwise).
The only vehicles that are likely to use E85 exclusively will be the high performance vehicles that need the additional octane (up to 105 R+M/2). Where I live, 104 octane unleaded racing fuel is $5.50 per gallon, E85 is $3.50, and regular unleaded gasoline is $2.18. Engines with high static compression ratios (10:1+), turbocharged, or supercharged engines, can be tuned to have considerably increased power output on E85 compared to even 94 octane unleaded gasoline. Naturally-aspirated low compression engines see very little power improvement on E85 despite the additional 20 to 30% additional fuel used and most of those drivers don’t care about small power gains. If high performance vehicles must be part of our future (and they will be, whether we like it or not) then let them run on E85. After all, they do use a lot of fuel.
By the way, most flexfuel vehicles on the road today, especially from Ford, are passenger cars and small trucks, not big trucks and SUVs (http://e85fuel.com/e85101/flexfuelvehicles.php).
Posted by: Tom Prucha | Dec 31, 2006 12:45:35 PM
Ethonol E85 is a joke unless the engine is optimized for it and not for gas. So far no E85 car has been sold to the public optimized for E85. Its just a waste otherwise. I say forget about E85 and just slowly put more Ethonol up to 10% in regular gas as it becomes more available.
Posted by: hampden wireless | Dec 31, 2006 12:46:27 PM
It looks cool.
It is obviously a fuel hog, so why not put a 3L diesel engine in it.
If you did, you might get 20mpg (US) and reasonable performance.
It would give it another slant as a show car.
Posted by: mahonj | Dec 31, 2006 12:56:13 PM
I love this SEDAN concept from Ford. It's about time they offered some engine choices too. Just because you have more power doesn't mean you have to race it around all day. I just wish everyone would stop trying to decide for me what kind of vehicle i want. For those of you out there, horses are still available. I could use some more room on the roads. I even like the target customer plug, it fits me exactly. Way to go Ford.
Posted by: Bob | Dec 31, 2006 2:14:50 PM
While voicing frustration is fine, but NO R RATED EXPLICATIVES.
_This is a concept car, one that may, or may not make it to market. The point is to show off, and generate buzz. It is also for garnering responses from potential consumers, to which the company can respond to. If the public rejects it, they only used millions - not hundreds of million to billions - for a oneoff design.
_As for the seatbelt design, if it is convenient, inexpensive, and reliable I would like to see it in all vehicles.
Posted by: allen_Z | Dec 31, 2006 2:33:19 PM
Uh, it looks like a Dodge Charger. What a concept, copy your worst competitor! Bold Move Ford.
Posted by: ed | Dec 31, 2006 3:10:00 PM
There is a kit to convert port injected autos
to allow from E0 to E100 to be used.
It senses the fuel and lengthens the injection
pulse for more ethanol.
"Vidar-Abcesso Exp.Imp.Com.Ltda"
of Brazil.
vidar@abcesso.com
Posted by: Orville Lynner | Dec 31, 2006 3:36:43 PM
I doubt that this car is optimized to run on E85. Most cars capable of running E85 are no were near running at e85 optimized leavels. E85 is capable of running at compresion ratios that regular gas is unable to achieve. The higher the ratio the more effient the combustion. The only kind of engine that can efficiently run regular octane gas and high octane e85 at their most effiecent is one that is capable of multible boot. I believe only Saab uses this technology at this time.
Posted by: Lou | Dec 31, 2006 3:41:17 PM
This is pritty much a concept cop car.
Anyone who has been a cop or knows em personaly knows exactly why a cop car is generaly that size.
Also one of the ther maoney makers is musclecars for those who like to drive em and so ford will ensure they can make muscle cars after oil runs out.
Posted by: wintermane | Dec 31, 2006 6:41:21 PM
"Heck, the Tesla is even more ridiculous,"
The Tesla is seriously more technologically innovative and sets precadent towards much greater sustainability vs. an E85 muscle car "concept", and that's the reason the Tesla has more credibility in this forum.
Posted by: FYI co2 | Dec 31, 2006 7:05:28 PM
Hey terry, obviously you have no idea about being a cop. Most hybrids would not stand up to the wear and tear of police work. I do agree that more could be done for police agencies to lessen their dependence on fossil fuels. And buy the way i don;t leave my cruiser running all the time, and I don;t eat donuts. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Posted by: BG | Dec 31, 2006 9:34:52 PM
"The Tesla is seriously more technologically innovative and sets precedent towards much greater sustainability vs. an E85 muscle car "concept", and that's the reason the Tesla has more credibility in this forum."
Immaterial. The Tesla is a $100,000+ car with two seats, no trunk space, and useless super-car performance. Talk about ridiculous. Why did Tesla go with this design over the sedan they will hopefully release in '08? PRESS BABY! Make EV's sexy.
At least this Ford can seat 5 and a good amount of luggage. At least this ford can be purchased by many more people than the elite few for the Tesla.
Get the point?
Now that you do, understand that I LOVE the Tesla and all it stands for. But I don't HATE the Ford, it is still a step in the right direction and ITS JUST A FRIGGIN SHOW CAR PEOPLE!!!!
Posted by: Anon | Jan 1, 2007 6:25:08 AM
"Most hybrids would not stand up to the wear and tear of police work."
Umn, NYC taxi anyone? The one package that trumps the cruiser package in the Crown Vics and the Ford is the NYC cab package. No BS country bumpkin Boss Hog cruiser, statey or local, would last a week in NYC. But those new hybrids are doing just fine.
Hey, what's wrong with doughnuts? ;)
Posted by: Anon | Jan 1, 2007 6:29:49 AM
Anon, bring the NYC package to where I work and I bet I can have it torn up before to long. And I never said theres anything wrong with donuts. I like em just don;t eat em much.
Posted by: BG | Jan 1, 2007 7:10:40 AM
For police work a scaled up version of the Prius HSD would work well. Lots of start and stop, tons of brake use. The 'transmission' in the HSD is MORE durable then a regular tranny and the break wear is lower with regen. A Toyota Highlander would stand up to Police work with the customary police modifications.
Posted by: hampden wireless | Jan 1, 2007 8:18:00 AM
"it is still a step in the right direction"
oh yeah I forgot about the E85 gimmick
Posted by: FYI co2 | Jan 1, 2007 10:04:53 AM
Incouragable are you? Would you rather it was just running on RUG? ITS A SHOW CAR.
Posted by: Anon | Jan 1, 2007 10:12:49 AM
ford deserve everything they get , its just incredible how many people on this planet just dont give a f**k , this is just more evidence that the human race is on the way towards extinction!
Posted by: andrichrose | Jan 1, 2007 11:36:25 AM
The Prius is the fastest selling new taxi vehicle in most North American cities.
Doughnuts went out when Kojak replaced them with lollipops.
Posted by: gr | Jan 1, 2007 1:26:24 PM
On the Crown Vic the only difference between the taxi package and the police package is engine size in the older cars, and chip in the new ones. The cruisers don't have to meet the same EPA standards as everybody else. If a department would kill a car that quickly, they need a truck, not a car. That's what we mostly drove before I went into the private sector. A D/E hybrid would do the job just as well.
I might have been out of line with the donut comment... mainly because the donut shops are closed when I'm on the road late at night these days and able to watch cruisers sprinting up and down streets when not on calls because most departments don't black box the cars and audit them. It is getting so bad that citizens have started taping the department antics and complaining.
Not saying you're one of the guys violating the good conduct rules....
One department not too far from me kept the mainline cars running all the time and just changed out officers at shift change. It is not than uncommon a practice for departments that don't let officers take cars home with them, or are short on cars for budgetary reasons.
If the average citizen could see police and taxi use of hybrids and E85 powered cars everywhere, it would go a long way to convince joe sixpack that these are reliable, rugged, and cheap to run vehicles. Same reason the Big 3 advertise their 'Heavy Duty' truck line even though most citizens buy the regular duty models. It carries a good rep with it.
Posted by: Terry | Jan 1, 2007 5:42:55 PM
First off in order for the police to realy have an interest in a hbrid cruiser someone would have to actualy be making the right kinda hybrid AND be making an effort to get tminto olice hands for testing. I dont think anyone is of yet.
Secondly it would need several years of testing to make sure all the issues got fixed ad to gather data on how it worked out and more importantly where it didnt.
Finaly they would have to actauly make the damn car..
Now its very likely police might use prius and other hybrids for unmarked cars and various light duty needs. But the atrol car... thats different.
Posted by: wintermane | Jan 1, 2007 7:27:54 PM
Terry, I would love to start using E85 for my unit, like you say it would get people to realize that its not bad and its a step in the right direction. The problem is getting the state and Ford to see that they need to introduce E85 Police interceptors. Also I think the cylinder deactivation that the Chargers have is also another thing that Ford needs to look at, because I believe before to long Ford is going to lose out to the Charger.
Posted by: BG | Jan 1, 2007 9:35:47 PM
First of all LUCAS & ALLEN Z your both retards. toyota sucks.If it wasnt for FORD ther wouldnt be no toyota,nissan,& honda. FORD came out in 1903 thats alot of years that FORD has been out and its still the number 1 brand of vehicles.toyota is just mad that the MUSTANG is the #1 selling fast car.Allen I`ll tell you why youre a retard because the new E85 Mustang doesnt look like the dodge charger maybe tou need some glasses to look at things beter.I just wanted to say Thank You FORD for being #1 Kepep going PS:toyota sucks FORD FOR EVER
Posted by: Gilbert | Jan 7, 2007 3:26:31 PM
Ford, either you create a Fusion that can use E85 or I will find another car equal in size from another company...PS This is from a past and present ford owner..Maybe not the future
Posted by: Allen | Jan 7, 2007 4:18:49 PM
Love to see how this thing would run with the older classic cars and trucks.
Posted by: racer | Apr 16, 2007 3:25:29 AM
