Don't know if this has been posted, but I felt that you all would find it interesting.

The Ranger will be receiving added standard safety features for the 2010 MY; AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control) and side air bags.

Press Release Detail - 2010 FORD RANGER PICKUP ADDS NEW, STANDARD SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES TO U ... - Ford

 

What will happen to the Ranger in 2011 is the real big mystery.

 

I'm usually a pessimist when it comes to the Ranger's future, but I see this as good news.

It seems that maybe Ford has finally coming to realize the value of having the Ranger model in it's lineup.

 

Do you think they learned something from the Taurus snafu ???? DUH!!!!!! Killed the sales of that one bigtime-was one of Fords biggest selling models, and they killed it by discontinuing the name (and then they bring it back-a little late I think)..Just hope that they don't do that to the Ranger !!!!!!! Does "look" like a good news for the Ranger...lets keep a good thought.....................

 

I agree, Ford has made some missteps withe the Taurus. But the current edition actually rates out pretty good in terms of value and reliability, and the 2010 Taurus speaks for itself: The New 2010 Taurus | Ford Vehicles

There are rumors that a new generation Taurus SHO is also in the works.

 

They could have recycled that car 20 times over, and people would have kept on buying them, because of the rep the car had..This "500" thing to say the least was a bit disappointing when I first saw it, although I have had the chance to ride in one and was pleasantly suprised-very solid, and comfortable ride..Now thye're trying to make up for lost ground.. I keep saying "why don't they put a 4-cylinder in there, and call it a Falcon, or a Fairlane "again". with moderate creature comforts, and NOT have a 25-30,000 price tag on it, and see where it goes-Ford used to be good at this one upon a time..They use the 2.3 to move the Escape, and it does it well, mind you....

 

As I understand it, Ford does plan on upgrading it's smaller car lineuup by bringing over technology that is aleady developed and has been already been implemented outside North America.

BTW, have you looked at the 4-cylinder Fusion? It has been getting rave reviews even from the toughest critics. I actually dream of the day when Ford drops the 3.5L into the Fusion and gives it a 5 (6?) speed manual transmission. Wow.

 

2011 will be the last year of the ranger on it's current plateform. 2012 will be the first year of the 4 cylinder based world ranger that being designed in austraila. Anyhow, thats how it stands as of right now.

 

I've got the 4 cylinder Fusion, and it's almost a rocket. Gotta back off on the interstate: keep looking down and I'm goin 80!

 

I had a 4 cylinder fusion, it rocked. It ran great for a 4 cylinder, I just wished the wife would of gotten it with a manual tranny. Even with the auto it excellerated great. I have yet to drive a V-6 fusion, they must really fly. Ford is working on a fusion GT for the 2010 redesign. It will be awd with the 3.5 V-6 making over 300 hp. They didn't mention a manual option however, only a padel shifted 6 speed automatic. A 6 speed manual would be awesome in a fusion GT. It makes more hp than the current mustang GT, so that will need upgraded. I've heard to an all new 5.0 with close to 400 hp. The V-6 mustang is supost to get the 3.5 at a round 300 hp like the new camaro with a V-6. It's going to be an exciting time for ford performance with the new twin force ecco-boost engines. There will be 4 cylinders and V-6's with twin turbo's. Maybe the new ranger will get a ecco-boost 4 cylinder option. It's to be 4 cylinder based, so an ecco-boost 4 cylinder would be awesome, also 4 cylinder diesel. Even the new 2.5 duratec has 170 hp, that no sloutch. The escape has it this year, but it would be nice if the ranger would get it next year. A regular cab, short bed with a 2.5 duratec and 5 speed would make for a sporty little truck at a 170 hp.

 

Did anyone else notice that the Taurus X will be no more (or Freestyle if you like) because they have decided that the Flex now fills the needs for that segment. Too bad because I think the Flex looks like an overgrown Scion XB and I was very fond of the Freestyle Taurus X platform when they were first released to the dealers back in 04.

 

Sure have, I started a thread on it back in November.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ry-2009-a.html

Ford didn't need three crossovers that were almost the same size in their lineup; the Taurus X was the obvious one to be cut. The Sable has also been cut. Besides, it's product cycle was already five years and with a new Taurus coming out this year, Ford didn't want to replace the Taurus X with an updated and redesigned model, it would be a waste of time and money (I'm sure the same thinking was done with the Sable).

Keep in mind that the next generation Explorer is migrating to unibody construction, possibly also being considered a crossover.

 

When the Taurus was restyled in 1995, Ford went for the oval look. There were ovals everywhere, and peeps just didn't like the styling.

Sales dropped way off...in fact it lost 1st place to first the Honda Accord, then to the Toyota Camry.

By 1999, more Taurus' were being sold to rental car fleets than were sold to the general public.

The car developed a stigmata, was better known as a rental car than anything else.

When Ford introduced the 500, sales went nowhere, as the car was just too bland. It was Alan Mulally's idea to restyle the car, call it the Taurus.

Local dealers here in LA LA Land are passing out brochures on the upcoming Taurus.

Had our 2008 Edge serviced today (yes, the dealer is open Sunday), they are also passing out a brochure on the upcoming F150 with the 6.2L.

Coming Summer 2009:

2009 F150 RAPTOR "A FACTORY PRERUNNER THAT IS BUILT FORD TOUGH"

The 5.4L is standard equipment...

Optional: 6.2L SOHC V8 / 400 HP & 400 ft. lbs. of torque.

The current issue of MY FORD Magazine has a spread on the upcoming Fiesta.

 

I just happen to prefer the Taurus X to the Flex and Edge. If they put the new nose that the Taurus will have on the X I would really like it. I never thought that the X was an attractive car but very functional. When we did the ride&drive for the dealership when the Freestyle was first coming out I was very impressed with the amount of room and functionality of the interior. Never was that cracked up about the CVT that was offered.

 

The taraus is getting a total redesign for 2010, it looks much different. I saw it in last months ford world. The flex may replace the taruas X, but the flex also cost like 10 grand more. The X looks like a station wagon, sorta cool, but the flex looks like a brick and more like an suv. I took the mainer in for an oil change yesterday and my sales lady let me drive a flex while I was waiting. I must say they handle awesome and are very comfortable, has plenty of power with the 3.5. I was surprsed that I liked it so much. It's very roomy and looks good from the inside, now if I could just get use to the looks of the out side. The escape/mariner is all the bigger suv the wife and I need. However for a big family, the flex would be a nice vehicle, still a bit pricey.