Japan8

Exactly. So kill the Fusion and bring the Mondeo!

The all new Falcon works too. The idea is just that Ford needs a RWD sports sedan somewhere in it's lineup. There have been rumors of GM bringing over the Commodore... seems like even GM may be smart enough to see the potential is this market.

Clavius

Forget where I read it (I should honestly save links to info of this nature gr) but GM is thinking of turning Pontiac into its "performance car" division if you will. Hence all rear wheel drive cars. Some of my friends were talking and we all agreed, GM should rape Holdens cars and ship them here and just leave the names alone since they killed the GtO by slapping that name badge on it.

BtW I like the look of the Mondeo has a more aggresive look to it and less of a "granny mobile lite" like the Fusion. Test drive one of them I dare you, you'll realize this car sucks the only plus is they somehow are able to get that Ford exhaust note to come through on the 4 banger but the sound doesnt match the power so its more of a huh?! feel.

What powers the Mondeo anyways

bascho

Why do you hate the Fusion? I know you want a m/t....but aside from that?

Japan8

Who said I hate the Fusion? The exterior styling is O K. The interior leaves a bit to be desired though... especially the steering wheel. And yes... the lack of M/T with the V6 is a deal breaker.

A SVT Fusion with AWD and 275-300hp V6, sporty seats and steering wheel... that could get my attention.

The Fusion isn't a bad car it just lacks passion. Ford needs to stop designing cars "by the numbers" and instead aim to be interesting cars... cars with passion. The Mondeo's styling makes much more of a statement than the Fusion... and that is something that Ford needs right now.

DOMINION

Wounder how long till some Civic kid trys to put them dam bling wheels on there ride

CarAndDriver

Well the last Mondeo brought over (the Contour) was not a great success other than being loved by journalists. To most Americans, a good driving car did not overcome the tepid styling and tiny interior.

Japan8

And THAT and more is what is wrong with the current Fusion...

map

The thing that killed the Contour in my mind is that it just looked like a slightly bigger Escort, and everyone already HATED the Escort. Styling absolutely killed it, but now that's fixed Ford is too insecure to give it another chance. It's too bad because the ST version looks like a really sweet car.

zoom44

think its the hatch version

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/23/w...d-in-the-buff/

Mazdaspeed RX8 ver2

its looks really nice, not like any other ford ive ever seen, really liking the front especially with the air inlets and foglights. i give ford some props for once.

Tirminyl

I think the market had shifted by the time Ford offered the Countour. They brought the Escort over and it was very successfull. The Focus was set to replace it. The Contour got the shaft even though it was a very good car IMO. I loved the SVT Contour and have a couple of friends who own them. I think the SVTC was a little ahead of the curve and sadly it got the axe.

brillo

I was driving to Austin this weekend for the UT game and saw a current model Mondeo on the road that was a mexican national model. Its a nice looking car, a little plain, but I can't see how it wouldn't sell.

I see Ka's all over Houston, since alot of Mexican Nationals drive up to Houston for Shopping/Med Center etc....

I bang my head against the wall wondering why Ford doesn't bring them across the border, federalizing them can't be that expensive, espically since you don't have to ship them over the ocean.

Design1stCode2nd

GM has finally gotten the idea by bringing the Opel brand here. Ford should do the same and just sell them through Mercury. The mondeo looks fairly good although I loved the exterior of the Iosis concept. The production versions are not nearly as sexy but still nice.

tiltmode43

iTrader: (15)

based off the same chassis as the xr8 falcon?

CarAndDriver

And I'm also glad to see Ford trying to design interiors that attempt to look different than each other. I really hate the current look of the stereo and climate controls that get stuck in almost every Ford. They were dated the minute they came out.

Razz1

Again with the BLIN BLING wheels.

Looks like a toy car.