Ford Freestyle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ford Freestyle | |
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| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Production | 2005-2007 |
| Assembly | Chicago, Illinois |
| Predecessor | Ford Taurus station wagon |
| Successor | Ford Taurus X |
| Class | Full-size crossover SUV / station wagon |
| Body style(s) | 5-door SUV |
| Layout | Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
| Platform | Ford D3 platform |
| Engine(s) | 3.0 L 203 hp (151 kW) V6 |
| Wheelbase | 2870 mm (112.9 in.) |
| Length | 2005-06: 5075 mm (199.8 in.) 2007: 200.1 in (5083 mm) |
| Width | 2005-06: 1890 mm (74.4 in.) 2007: 74.4 in (1890 mm) |
| Height | 2005-06: 1670 mm (65.9 in.) 2007: 68.2 in (1732 mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 72 litres (19.0 US gal/15.8 imp gal) |
| Related | Ford Five Hundred Mercury Montego Volvo S60 Volvo S80 Volvo XC90 |
- Not to be confused with the Ford Freestar minivan.
The Ford Freestyle (code name D219) was a full-size crossover SUV / station wagon, introduced for the 2005 model year by the Ford Motor Company to compete primarily with mid-size rivals such as the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Nissan Murano and Mitsubishi Endeavor, as well as other station wagons like the Subaru Legacy and Outback models. In Ford's lineup, it replaced the Ford Taurus station wagon, and for 2007, it slotted between the Edge and the Explorer. It is sold in the United States and Canada, as well as South Korea and the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. The Freestyle was previewed at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show with a Freestyle Concept. This vehicle ended production at the Chicago, Illinois assembly plant in the summer of 2007 due to slow sales. To try and improve sluggish sales, the Ford Taurus X was introduced in late 2007 by Ford Motor Company as a 2008 model and serves as the Freestyle's successor.
The vehicle used the Ford D3 platform, which it shares with the Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego, and various Volvos including the XC90. The Freestyle was assembled in Chicago, Illinois. Although it shared its platform with the XC90, the two vehicles are significantly different. The Freestyle has three rows of seats with seating for seven, like many larger SUVs (e.g. Ford Explorer) and minivans. Like it's successor, the Taurus X, the Freestyle features what Ford describes as "command seating," seating with a higher H-point, to increase driver visibility and ease of entry and exit.
Ford's post-Bronco sport utility vehicle names have begun with the letter "E" (eg: Ecosport, Escape, Explorer, Expedition, Edge, and Excursion). Ford has also been using the letter "F" for passenger cars and minivans (eg: Focus, Freestar, Five Hundred, and Fusion) while Mercury uses "M" (e.g. Montego, Milan, Mountaineer, Monterey and Mariner).
The Freestyle, along with its former siblings the discontinued Five Hundred and the current Ford Escape Hybrid, were the first American Ford vehicles to use a continuously variable transmission (CVT). To Ford's surprise, 55% of buyers selected the Haldex-equipped all-wheel drive model rather than the expected 40%. However, overall Freestyle sales were below Ford's original projections, though sales were increasing every month. Some buyers selected the Freestyle as an alternative to the best selling Ford Explorer. One turnoff that people criticize the Freestyle for is its poor gas mileage.
Although the Freestyle resembled the larger Australian Ford Territory crossover SUV, that model is based on the different rear-wheel drive EA169 platform, used by the Ford Falcon. The physical resemblance may cause the two to be confused as the same car; however, the engineering differences are almost total.
The Freestyle was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award for 2005 (second behind Escape Hybrid).
[edit] Renaming of the Freestyle
Ford was reported to be considering ceasing production of the current D3 platform Freestyle after only two model years due to initially slow sales. A 2008 model year Mercury Meta-One crossover SUV was considered to continue on the D3 platform, essentially taking on the general body styling of the Freestyle, with Mercury-style front and rear fascias, interior, and badging. Plans for the Mercury Meta-One were canceled and the refreshed 2008 Ford Freestyle was unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2007 with a new grille, new drive train and a new name– the Ford Taurus X.
[edit] External links
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