Comments on: At the Sign of the Cat http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/at-the-sign-of-the-cat/ The Truth About Cars is dedicated to providing candid, unbiased automobile reviews and the latest in auto industry news. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:11:54 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Sajeev Mehta http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/at-the-sign-of-the-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-21 Sajeev Mehta Thu, 15 Jun 2006 22:08:47 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=1570#comment-21 ktm, Agreed on the wheelbase, the Mustang is already portly. The next Mustang needs to be smaller, and the Cougar needs the current frame. A torque-laden 300hp 4.6L Cougar gets similar fuel economy (Infinitis are hardly fuel sippers) and could very well smoke it in most every dynamic test, solid axle aside. Muscle cars are hot these days, we just need one with non-retro style for broader appeal. ktm,

Agreed on the wheelbase, the Mustang is already portly. The next Mustang needs to be smaller, and the Cougar needs the current frame.

A torque-laden 300hp 4.6L Cougar gets similar fuel economy (Infinitis are hardly fuel sippers) and could very well smoke it in most every dynamic test, solid axle aside. Muscle cars are hot these days, we just need one with non-retro style for broader appeal.

]]> By: ricers suck http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/at-the-sign-of-the-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-16 ricers suck Thu, 15 Jun 2006 20:07:32 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=1570#comment-16 I agree with ktm that it should have irs, and bob too that it should be stretched for a livable back seat, the cougar should have irs, styling from the iosis concept or the mercury messenger concept, it should have an uprated v8 (maybe the 4 valve lincoln unit w/320 hp). A possibility to further differentiate it is to have it be a hard top (folding metal...or maybe even that glass roof from the mark x concept) convertible. Have only one option on the cougar automatic (w/ manual controls), or manual transmission, everything else (fancy sound system, leather, real aluminium/wood trim, 18" wheels, navigation system, auto climate control etc...) should be standard. In fact, what ford could do with this is mix and match interior components/switch gear from all it's other brands...i.e. volvo's slim center console etc... Mercury has a chance for a hit, lets hope ford doesnt screw it up. I agree with ktm that it should have irs, and bob too that it should be stretched for a livable back seat, the cougar should have irs, styling from the iosis concept or the mercury messenger concept, it should have an uprated v8 (maybe the 4 valve lincoln unit w/320 hp). A possibility to further differentiate it is to have it be a hard top (folding metal…or maybe even that glass roof from the mark x concept) convertible. Have only one option on the cougar automatic (w/ manual controls), or manual transmission, everything else (fancy sound system, leather, real aluminium/wood trim, 18″ wheels, navigation system, auto climate control etc…) should be standard.

In fact, what ford could do with this is mix and match interior components/switch gear from all it’s other brands…i.e. volvo’s slim center console etc…

Mercury has a chance for a hit, lets hope ford doesnt screw it up.

]]> By: ktm http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/at-the-sign-of-the-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-14 ktm Thu, 15 Jun 2006 19:29:59 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=1570#comment-14 To say that a reworked Mustang in the guise of a Cougar would be targeting the G35 coupe is laughable. If you read Bob Elton's article (again), you will see that he advised lengthening the wheel base by 4-inches to provide more leg room. That in itself defeats the Cougar from the start. People do not buy a G35 coupe for rear leg room. If the Cougar were built in accordance with Bob Elton's specifications, I personally can not see a market for the car. It would fall between the class of a coupe and sedan, performing neither function well. The design relationship of the Mustange and Cougar should follow that of the 350z and G35 coupe. The G35 coupe has a softer suspension and upgraded interior compared to that of a Track model 350z. The Cougar could follow suit with Bob's suggestion for the interior, and my recommendation would be to ditch the live axle in favor of an independent rear suspension. Keep the wheelbase the same To say that a reworked Mustang in the guise of a Cougar would be targeting the G35 coupe is laughable. If you read Bob Elton’s article (again), you will see that he advised lengthening the wheel base by 4-inches to provide more leg room. That in itself defeats the Cougar from the start. People do not buy a G35 coupe for rear leg room.

If the Cougar were built in accordance with Bob Elton’s specifications, I personally can not see a market for the car. It would fall between the class of a coupe and sedan, performing neither function well.

The design relationship of the Mustange and Cougar should follow that of the 350z and G35 coupe. The G35 coupe has a softer suspension and upgraded interior compared to that of a Track model 350z. The Cougar could follow suit with Bob’s suggestion for the interior, and my recommendation would be to ditch the live axle in favor of an independent rear suspension. Keep the wheelbase the same

]]> By: Sajeev Mehta http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/at-the-sign-of-the-cat/comment-page-1/#comment-11 Sajeev Mehta Thu, 15 Jun 2006 18:22:02 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=1570#comment-11 Stylewise the original Cougar was a low-rent Jaguar, and it worked. Borrowing from PAG may not jive with the Blue Oval these days, but reworking the Mustang into a G35 Coupe killer is absolutely crucial to the success of Lincoln-Mercury. It can happen, and I'm holding my breath. Stylewise the original Cougar was a low-rent Jaguar, and it worked. Borrowing from PAG may not jive with the Blue Oval these days, but reworking the Mustang into a G35 Coupe killer is absolutely crucial to the success of Lincoln-Mercury. It can happen, and I’m holding my breath.

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