2007 Detroit Auto Show: Ford Interceptor Concept

The Ford Interceptor Concept is jaw-dropping, but not necessarily in a good way. While we can’t talk about the rest of what Ford will be unveiling at Detroit until next week, the Interceptor is by far one of our least favorites, at least to the eye. Quickly, we’ll tell you about the stuff you can’t see for yourself in these pictures. The Interceptor is based on an elongated Mustang platform, bringing rear-wheel drive performance to a new Ford sedan. Powering the Interceptor is a modified version of the Mustang’s V-8 engine that is actually used in racing circuits. In this car it would produce 400 hp and run on E85.

All the underpinnings sound fine to us, and in all likelihood could end up in a future Ford sedan. What we can’t fathom in the least is the sloppy design. Even the head of Ford’s design group said the front end is borrowed from last year’s F-250 Super Chief concept. The Super Chief was a pickup, folks. The resulting “warmed-over” look, then, is no accident. We still don’t understand why Ford doesn’t look to its European arm for design inspiration. The Ford Mondeo is a good-looking car that just went on sale in Europe, and the Iosis concept from a few years back was one of the best-looking concepts we can remember. Alas, we’re left with a sedan suffering from an inferiority complex caused by the Chrysler 300C. That’s a shame.

Updated: We've added a number of Interceptor photos below which shows off its best side. The profile.

We'll also have much more information about the Interceptor when we get to the Detroit auto show on January 7.

Comments

Are they making another Robocop movie?

It doesn't look much different from the 427 concept they did a few years ago. Why can't they just pull the trigger and build it.

It's hard to judge from photos alone, but I like it. The front end looks much better here than it did on that hideous Super Chief. Build it please; don't forget the IRS.

Car actually looks good. I assume the ride quality should be a bit more comfortable than the pony car as well.

It looks sleek, aerodynamic and up to date. I applaud companies that don't stick to more traditional looking designs. Now, let's have some of that forward thinking and technology applied to the other Ford model lineup.

To my eyes, it looks quite a bit like what you expect from an STS/300-cross... but with some Chevy Suburban elements fused on the front. Kind of an odd styling combination -- especially coming from Ford.

yea its an alright looking car but my goodness it looks almost exactly like a Chrysler 300, tho slightly less blocky. At least it is different from the other cars Ford has.

ANOTHER FINE PIECE OF JUNK FROM FORD

The design elements are misaligned to grow market share and revitalize the brand. Ford needs a breakthrough design – this isn’t it! Management leadership is weak and wasting resources.

What a ugly piece of ....
I guess it is consistent that ugliness from both the looks and the quality.
That makes it easier to go car shopping.

OH, LOOK, IT'S A ROLLING BRICK!

"We still don’t understand why Ford doesn’t look to its European arm for design inspiration."

If they would do that, why don't they also bring those BETTER products here too?

This car proves that the designers at Ford are pretty much the worst. It's a 300C with rounded edges. It's crap.

The day Ford exits the business, I'll throw a party for the world.

Looks good but you can tell FORD does need help badly.

Could this be Fords replacment for the Crown Victoria? It wouldnt suprise me, they need a new cop car to compete with the Dodge Charger. Ford may just have a winner with 400 BHP.

In response to Scotty...ignorance is bliss, right? Mercury was ranked rather highly last year, as was Lincoln..maybe you should know about what your talking about instead of some lame hackneyed response.And to American Consumer, if Ford imported her European cars here, would you pay the differance? How about nearly 27000 for a Focus because of the weak dollar? The logic being most Americans want larger cars than Europeans and are unwilling to pay huge prices for them.The car is a rather rounded 427, not at all the Bently-inspired
300c.It isnt beautiful, but most cars are not.
I'll be willing to say the style will be somewhat altered by the time it hits market.

Oh, there is my razor, I thought I lost it, Ford must have found it for me.

I do see a 300C in the middle section of the Interceptor (A-C Pillar area). I guess Inspiration for Chrysler does come standard. However, if I had to choose between the 300C and Interceptor, I’d still choose the Chrysler; at least it looks classier since it was inspired by Bentleys.

All wheels and grill. Lets face it. Its butt frickin ugly. It looks like one of those cars that has been modified by some some poor, insecure schmuck with a little member. Sigh.... The sad state of american auto makers.

"Rolling brick" sums it up... obviously borrowing heavily from the Chrysler 300 styling school... while i can see aspects of this car making production, this version wont move past the show circuit, best thing going might be the proposed powerplant... good luck with this turd, Ford.

Another out-of-touch marketing monstrosity. Who the hell needs 400HP anyway? Try doing some innovative engineering instead of cut-rate styling.

yea it looks like a 300, but I forsee many a young men slaping 26 inch rims and tvs in head rests. personaly I want to see more 50's style fins and trim on cars. I mean if it aint broke ont fix it and mr earls GM's were great
I bet if fender fins were slaped on the back (not a spoiler)along with a nice heavy Chrome front grill. and you wil have a heavy hitter

For the past 15 years, American made vehicles were my selection. Ford was the company of choice (1992 Escort LX, 1996 Thunderbird LX, & 2001 Lincoln LS V8). However, as a consumer and owner of Ford's products, I wanted more from the company.

Reliability, quality, safety features, and solid engineering are a few of the things that I look for in a vehicle. To be honest, I think that there is to much focus on what corners can be cut and how beautiful we can make the exterior. ...build it and they will come.

I just purchased my first none American made vehicle...2007 Hyundai Santa FE AWD Limited. There were two things that drew me to this vehicle, their attention to safety and warranty. But in all fairness, I did consider the Lincoln Zephyr. However, for the money, I received more with Hyundai.

It's time for Ford to build a car that speaks to the heart of people. People are wanting safety, fuel efficiency, reliability, and quality craftmenship in an American product. And until that happens, the American car makers will continue to slip in the market.

Just my thoughts.

Ford came up with another original and painfully ugly product. And probably crappily designed/manufactured too. I'd guess this monstrosity guzzles gas like there is no tomorrow. Would you be surprized if somebody told you that those who funded 9/11 attacks own good share of Big 3. Sad, huh?

I think it looks sharp. Personally, I love the 'muscle' look the grill gives it. At the same time, it reminds me of a cross between a Dodge Magnum (which basically has a truck grill) and a 300C from Chrysler.

I still think its a good looking car, but not good looking enough for me to purchase.

Aerodynamic? Who said that? Notice the flat front end, perpendicular to the road. The wind resistance on that is going to drag any sort of fuel efficiency down the tubes. But what sort of fuel efficiency are you going to get with a 400hp V-8 anyway, right?

I enjoyed the Rolling Brick analogy. Fitting.

A rear-wheel drive full-size sedan with a V8? Hmm...sounds a lot like the Falcon that Ford sells in Australia and New Zealand. Except the Falcon is tastefully designed (although the current design dates back to 1998) but in IMO still looks good. As aforementioned, Ford has the resources from its other markets to have competitive products here in the States, why not use them?

http://www.ford.com.au/servlet/ContentServer?cid=1137385365703&pagename=Page&c=DFYPage

There is a big shift at Ford to globalize their products more much like GM is doing. However the Falcon has not been part of that plan. The expansion of the mustang chassis to other vehicles like a new Ford and/or lincoln sedan is almost a given.

The aerodynamics of this wouldn't be a problem as mentioned before, I just don't understand how any air would get to the engine with those huge chrome slats blocking most of the way.

The vertical grill/front end is a necessity these days with new pedestrian safety regulations. You'll notice them on almost every new car.

Well The front end needs work but It's got The heart in the right spot! 400 horse - Rear Wheel drive - and a manual gearbox! Best of all it's American! I'll buy one!

Oh yeah, I hope it has 400hp quit being a bunch of wussies, The new 'stang has over 300 and it'll still get over 22mpg provided you dont drive it like an idiot. As a matter of fact the new mustang beat alot of the little Jap scrap 4 banger hot rods in mpg tests. Personally I'd like to see the US back in the Hey Days of big power crusiers mixed with todays technology!

You people are all INSANE.

This car looks awesome! Way way cooler hat the 300C. Geesh wake up people.

fire millen !!!!!

For this to be a winner I'd modify two things. One, rhe rims need to look more professional, not aftermarketish. The grill can be enhanced by either using a redesign or by making it match the body paint color.

There's nothing wrong with this car that a complete rework of the front end couldn't cure. (What were the Ford designers smoking when they put that front on the thing?)
Otherwise, the Interceptor is not a bad looking car, and I hope Ford actually builds it. Soon.

Ford need help. This car looks great...for 1992.

Lacks originality - Part 300C, Part Australian Holden Caprice, Part Robocop.

Top selling car in the US again is the Camry - Ford you need to give similar size and refinement - and then people will buy....Clueless.

If anything this looks like a good enough reason for Ford Australia to stop trying to build a big luxury sedan itself.

Sales of 10 LTD's per month are hardly setting the world alight.

Looks to me like Ford US is finally building cars people can get excited about, although I'd like to get a good look at the interior styling.

GREAT DESIGN!
Reading others' comments exemplifies how people are adverse to change in America. It's the same sort of people that go into a modern art museum, see a painting or sculpture and proclaim ignorantly, "I could have done that!", thinking their the first person to even make such a tired statement.

That's why companies that over-focus-test their products (Ford, GM, WalMart) rarely produce anything that moves the cultural or artistic needle. Whereas companies that rely upon solid intuition, business smarts and continual improvement (Apple, Motorola, Nissan) create product that speaks to people emotionally.

Let's hope Ford has the cojones to breal free from the safety zone of consumer's mundane expectations.

Thanks first of all for this preview of the Detroit show.

But you've got me steaming...

I have no affiliation what so ever with Ford, but am compelled to defend them here because it really IRKS me when the "automotive press" appoints themselves design jury!

COME ON BOYS... Yes you like cars, and you sort of know how to write... End of story. You do not have the background or credentials to pronounce any given design a success or failure ; doing so only highlights a lack of self awareness on your part. Most unbecoming!

Regarding the following comment :

"We still don’t understand why Ford doesn't look to its European arm for design inspiration. The Ford Mondeo is a good-looking car that just went on sale in Europe, and the Iosis concept from a few years back was one of the best-looking concepts we can remember."

Despite whatever positive reception these vehicles may have garnered from the "automotive press", with regard to design they do nothing to move the needle. They are verging on the BAROQUE. Yes I said Baroque, which does not equal bad... baroque can be beautiful when done well, but it is nothing new. The Iosis has the PROPORTIONS of a show car, which of course are splendid, it can therefore handle a heavier dose of detail. The Mondeo with its production proportions, wears the translation of this same styling vocabulary. It is said that good design stands the test of time. Okay, so lets put the Mondeo through the following visual test : Imagine a six-year-old Mondeo, a bit neglected, a few dents, missing a wheel trim, sitting along a Detroit sidewalk. How would it look? I'll tell you how : TOTALLY INSIGNIFICANT!

The Ford Interceptor concept has the good proportion of a show vehicle. It makes a powerful statement with an economy of "words" (as writers, you understand the value of this). True, what detail there is may be a bit heavy-duty in scale and you may PERSONALLY not like it ; the statement is never the less powerful, clear and coherent. This is ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL if a design is to come through the ravages of "productionization" bearing any semblance to the original statement. For this reason, a production version of the Interceptor would likely fair much better in the above mentioned test.

Sure the Interceptor concept is not completely ready to hit the street... It is something of a characature at this stage... It is lacking what ??? MATURITY. Well no kidding... Show vehicles are typically done in less than one year! With the Interceptor, Ford is taking some risk, it is not at all a "give em what they want" safe exercise. As someone who is bored to tears with the current state automotive design, I have to applaud any manufacturer (particularly one with the inertia of Ford)willing to attempt pulling of a statement of this caliber. Because THAT, not "Lincoln logos in the tire tread", is what show cars are all about.

Once again, thanks for the preview.

Mark the Shark,
We have the same right to state what we think of the concept as you do. Thus we did. Ford can do all the things you said perfectly, they did it with the MKR concept.
The Interceptor is sloppy for a number of reasons. Even if the profile is sleak the front end lift from the superchief is absolutely unforgivable. One, it was ugly on the truck. Its fine to be bold, but they were bold with the truck last year, it didn't work and then they used it again.

Plus, the front end doesn't look like it belongs on the rest of the car. We'll forgive the huge wheels and their fenders because those would never make production but make the concept look cool. The problem is, Ford doesn't have the luxury of building pie in the sky concepts anymore. Look at GM. For the most part they are integrating their concepts into real cars like the Solstice and Camaro.

Honda almost always uses its concepts in production design.

If we hadn't seen these types of concepts before then we wouldn't mind so much but it is still not the stunner Ford needs.

Look at the MKR that's everything that nameplate could use. Same with the Jaguar C-XF. Do you think this concept holds a candle to those two?

AUTOMOTIVE JOURNALISM 101

Regarding the following statement :

"We have the same right to state what we think of the concept as you do."

Yes, if you are saying that every man in the street has the right to express his opinion, I would definitely agree. But you have put yourselves in the place of journalists. Which I think is great (I for one very much appreciate your coverage of the Detroit show...well at least the photos), and I am very much for freedom of speech. But I am not talking about RIGHTS here, I am talking about RESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM.

True, editorials are part of responsible journalism. But stop to think five seconds here... A credible editorial is written by someone with an enlightened view of the subject at hand... Someone with experience beyond that of the man in the street who reads the editorial to inform himself.

Forgive me if I am overlooking something in your qualifications ; I admit this is possible. I perhaps erroneously arrive at this conclusion because, if you really did have the qualifications to pass this sort of judgement, IT WOULD LIKELY BE MORE APPARENT IN YOUR ANALYSIS OF THE SUBJECT (your most recent comments go a long way to confirm this conclusion).

Not having the background to offer a credible editorial does not mean you should not continue as journalists. You are covering a show... Wonderful for those of us who can't make it to Detroit this year... By not remaining objective when you should, you are compromising the quality of your coverage, and by extension, the quality of your site. That is clearly your business. However, what concernes me is the potential distruction this sort of "amateur" understanding of journalism can wreak on the industry, and on the hopes of any real progress in automotive design.

Credentials or no credentials, you as journalists are in a very powerful position. In your case, it may be a self-appointed position, which is absolutely fine, as long as you recognize the responsibility that comes with this position.

The truth is, when you express your opinion, the man in the street assumes you have an enlightened view ; it never occurs to him that you may not actually have a more enlightened view on the subject than he himself might have, "because, well, otherwise, why the hell would you be writing on the subject, right ?".

As someone who would like nothing more than to see the state of automotive design advance, I ask simply that you consider bearing the above information in mind as you swing your wreaking ball around Detroit.

Simple, it competes with the Chrysler 300 and the Charger. I like it. Not much else to say.

Looks like a Dodge Magnum with a Chevy Silverado grille.

I thought concepts were supposed to be original...

Wow, posting boards like this are fanatastic for showing the relative stupidity of the general public. They inevitably turn into a forum for name-calling by resident fanboys and an outlet for people with little or no knowledge of design to rant about how their favorite car/truck looks better just because. Concept cars are all about design. Never mind the 20+ inch wheels, the shaker hood or the 400 hp. This car succeeds where Ford intended it to. It has presence, power, gravitas. Yes it borrowed some design elements from the 300C. That car borrowed elements from Bentley. That doesn't detract from the design. Ford is trying to reinvent itself with "Bold Moves" according to it's latest campaign. This is a bold design. Borrowing styling cues from a truck concept to give strength to a full size sedan is a bold move and here it works wonderfully. The knock on the current Ford 500 is the bland styling and underpowered performance. This concept has neither of these shortcomings. As with any concept, some of the design details are exaggerated and are unlikely to make it into production. The Ford Interceptor Concept is stylish, powerful and is proof that American design is alive and well. I applaud Ford for not following the Asian design themes that are becoming prevalent and commonplace. This is exactly the type of car that will help Ford turn things around.

Part 1: In response to Kyle Harris: Firstly, wtf does the US dollar have to do with anything. They wont actually import the cars idiot, they can build them in america just like they will the (very ugly) new north american focus. they can even redisgn it a bit to be a little heavier and uglier (american) if they want. Oh, and where do you see significan semblance between the 300C and a Bentley.

Part2: Ford Interceptor: Wow, what university did these designers graduate from, and with what degree? Was it some redneck institution in north dakota that teaches students how to (poorly) draw half-a-decade old cars (or bricks -- however you view it). The face of this looks like an 80 year old woman with extreme (and extremely ugly) plastic surgery. These people know absolutely nothing of design. When they do think of cars as being something needing to be designed, they think of chrome, hugely exagerated everything (wheel arches, lights, the fuking SIZE of the thing). Maybe there are so many posts about the superiority of European design because they actually treat this as art (industrial design), and know something about aesthetics. So maybe cars should just be best left to the Erupeans and Japanese, and Americans can just build their power tools. Call me anti-american or whatever all you like, but this thing is absolutely HORRID.

p.s. Probably (definitely) handles like a boat too. And a big boat at that. Like a cruise ship if you will.

In response to Part 1 (above): First, turn your spell check on. Secondly, if you can't see the resemblance to the 300C in this design you are either blind or simple. I would guess the latter due to your spelling.

In response to Part 2: There are many schools of design. The Ford Interceptor Concept is squarely from the American school of design. One of the most compelling aspects of this car is the lack of current European or Japanese design philosophies. I don't think you are anti-American but I do think you know absolutely nothing about design beyond whether you like it or not.

From my european-guy point of view, I love that car! Great proportions, nice bold design... To me it is fresh, for in Europe cars start to look all the same: sharp edges, sharp graphics...

Not sure why such opposition. Do we really want jelly beaned shaped cars that are cookie cutter look alikes like Honda and Toyota have given us?

Why do we need 400HP? Because of the aggressive driving habits these days, we need cars that get up to 55 in a short time duration to avoid accidents from cars coming form behind that try to push you out of the way.

I think consumers are very confused. They believe because it is American, it must be of low quality. Wake up folks. The Lincoln Town Car is the only car to receive Triple 5-Star crash ratings. The Town Car is among the safest automobile on the road right now. This is why the insurance on this car is very reasonable. How many cars at $55k are that reasonable to insure? Oh that’s right, people don’t shop for cars based upon important things like the cost to insure it, they would rather have some ridiculous feature like a dvd player in the back seat for their kids, never mind how good the engine is.

I get about a ¼ million miles out of my Ford vehicles, and the engines still purr like kittens when I trade them in. All the Fords I owned surpassed my expectation greatly with just routine maintenance. All my Fords have started rapidly even in the severe cold winters here in Buffalo, NY. Ford tends to use Heavy Duty batteries, starters, transmissions and axles. I still don’t get what people mean by bad quality in American Autos. I think it is just a believed perception that lacks merit. I can place a car jack just about anywhere under my Fords to jack them up to service them, because Ford uses regular rail frames underneath. This is why Fords have great rides. Try jacking up a Toyota, you need to get the manual out and find a safe place on the car to jack from, indicated by a diamond logo. Go figure.

I do believe Ford can do things better though. Ford should have built an 8-speed automatic years ago, instead they go status quo, and let the consumer shell out more for gas. Although, my Town Car gets 20-26 MPG, which is not bad. Although the car is rear drive, it is only 2-wheel drive which makes it much more fuel efficient compared to All Wheel Drive vehicles. At least I have room in the back seat to pick up my colleges at the airport, and they have room for their luggage in the trunk, and plenty of room in the back seat to run their laptops on a long trip. Try doing that in a Honda. Oh yea Town Cars come with a full size spare in the trunk, try getting that from Honda. The foreign trunks lack the space for full size spears, instead they give you a ridiculous bicycle tire to get you to the next service station, of course people drive them indefinitely at the risk of other motorist, but why worry about something that doesn’t effect me.

Ok, for the Interceptor to be successful:

Put an 8-Speed Stick on a sleek center console

Give it Heated Seats

Give it Power Points in the Dash to plug a laptop in.

Give it a large screen navigation system, separate from the radio.

Give it Ipod connectivity

Give it Hands Free cellular capability standard

Give it 20” Aluminum Wheels

Make the Grill wire mesh like the Jaguars

Give it large Cross-Drilled Brake Rotors and 4 piston calipers

Give it a tasteful wood grain dash in Walnut or Light Oak

Give it a wood grain steering wheel – heated, Tilt and Telescoping.

Give it High Intensity Headlights

Give it Fog lamps, not driving lights, because Fog laps are needed in reduced visibility for safety.

Give it a powered trunk

Give it a full sized spare

The bold look is good. Americans are looking for truck-like cars with a more robust durable design, while still giving a performance combined with elegance look.

I’m not sure why everyone liked the Lincoln concept last year the looked like a Lexus look-alike. I think this Interceptor look is unique and different and gives it its own nameplate look.

All the finest cars in the world that bring big money at car shows are the ones with bold statements. Look at Duisenberg, Pierce Arrow, and Packard. These were truly great cars.

Most of you guys probably hate this car because of what it looks like - it looks like a SERIOUS Cop car, something straight out of the movie Cleric. A lightbar, a couple antennas, the front crash bar, and this car could easily be in every cop department in this country.

Why?

Its Ugly like a badass cop - and it looks scary as hell!

And with 400 HP, I'm willing to bet the cops would LOVE this car. They might want 500 HP. Either way, the car looks fast enough without moving to give most honest americans the heebeejeebies just thionking about running.

Oh yeah...Mercuryguy...Its been a LONG time since we've had room in our trunks for full size sprears - haha :D

The roman legions would probably Love the interceptor though.

I've been waiting for a new lux performance sedan from Ford. The Crown Vic just doesn't compare to some of the newly released performance sedans.

The shape of this car is what I have been waiting for. I like the concept of the elongated Mustang and performance similarities although 500 horses would be much better, and I agree regarding the front end of the car. Loose that front grill and replace it with a mesh grille like on the CRS-V instead, and get some nicer fogs lamps like on 300C. I think it should keep a mean look to it. The rear is nice.

The interior needs to be revamped, especially the seats, instrument panel and dash. Lush leather seats, front dash, center console, steering wheel and shift knob need to reign with some subtle stainless steel accents. Forget glass roof. Go with sun/moon roof. This car needs to be in the league of the '07s Crysler 300C SRT8, the Caddy CRS-V, the Dodge Charger SRT8, and the Beemer M5 from a performance and styling perspective. It needs to have the brutish look of the Charger; the elegant and lux performance sedan appeal of the 300C; and the state-of-the art engineering of the M5 and CRS-V.

If Ford adopts the concept with the above enumerated changes, I want an all black on black, inside and out Interceptor. I'm waiting.

this car is great it has that old school feel to it ford makes the best looking car s anyway

All you people need to wake up!!!! This is a very very very awesome car, period. I think american car companies have gotten away with building ugly cars for so so long that most americans do not know what beauty is. This car says that ford is thinking outside the box. Ford, build this car and any dude worth his salt will buy it. Oh, by the way, by salt i mean guys between 20 and 40!

the reason why i like ford cars and trucks is because they make em traditional stylesh old fasion hard looking not souf and to cute they just right. plus they dont rust fast like chevy ty ford your awsome

ford please build this car im so happy i can aford one now build build

I like the styling of the 300. I LOVE the syling of the Interceptor. I would buy this in a heart beat. What's so great about the cookie-cutter, bland styling German cars? That's what the Ford 500 is... reminds me of an ugly, Americanized VW Passat.

The Interceptor looks freakin' tough!

the power of a truck and the look that millions follow. Fords leadership is unquestionable.

damn hot

damn hot