I heard a product planner at an auto show back in 2005 told me they could have easily waited and used the 221 platform from the beginning if they were inclined. I remember mentions of how the styling, materials, and ambiance would only be fulfilled using a 220 for a basis. They wanted the vehicle to be a tank.

Yeah, you mentioned the long-wheelbase. Direct injection is not a proven system yet on gasoline engines. Of course it’s proven on diesel engines because that’s what is needed. GDI engines are just not at all feasible long-term.

No, but a friend bought a QX56 (before they called it the QX80). Most comfortable and durable thing I’ve seen. They never have issues, even with the older QX they had before. Their family is large.

It matches up with the ones seen testing, so yes.

It works fine. The Navigator I had didn’t even have the space of the QX80. Whatever sacrifice there is to make, you won’t regret choosing a QX80. (Just stack the luggage all the way up the back like I did. You don’t need the rear-view mirror!)

If you’ve ever been inside a modern Maybach you’d understand. I had the chance to test the new S600 Maybach variant and they don’t compare. The 57s and 62s were in a totally surreal universe of majestic leathers and materials. They should have been for their higher price. You can pick up a 57 For $70k and that’s worth…

Don’t forget about the man who drove over a million miles in his Maybach (a testament to how amazing the are to own). I forget if it was a 62 or 57(S).

Yeah, but since the 220 interiors were already nicely designed, the plethora of endless leather and solid wood makes a great addition.

I’ve driven and examined most all of the Ford product line. While you may be right on the topic of the American designed and engineered Fords, the majority of the other vehicles they produce (i.e. Focus and Escape) are of terrible quality from my experience.

They have quality and quality control issues. This is why Ford has been #2 or 3 in lemon-law buybacks, second to only FCA vehicles in recent years. GM doesn’t have quality issues as bad as Ford in many areas.

I’d argue the 109s were more intimidating.

No, they came way down on it about 13 years ago and they’ve only managed to climb about 30% back up since then; and and it’s still terribly apparent.

Not necessarily. The fact is the Ford GT’s engine was developed using the 32V version of the 5.4 block, rather than the 16V Triton. So, the Ford GT essentially uses an InTech although heavily rethought.

I’d have to tear all the emissions crap off it before driving it (not literally of course).

In reality, a 32V InTech with a supercharger from the gen-1 Navigator would be closer to a Ford GT engine than the engine from a gen-2 SVT Lightning.

I don’t agree with 90% of what you said. The Blackwood was more capable than the comparable F-150 of the same era with everything that made the InTech powered Navigator so livable.

I don’t speak Chinese.

A comment like this only confirms to me you haven’t been inside, let alone feel around, one of the vehicles’ interiors. The real cost-cutting happens with the components they don’t expect anyone to suspect.

I was thinking more along the lines of Jag XF in the rear.

The Fusion feels more spacious.