What will become of DEW-lite?

[LosAngeles]

Is Ford basically going to totally kill it when the LS dies? Surely they don't plan on building the next S-type on D3. Was DEW-lite THAT bad of a chassis that Ford had to decide against it all the way around? Could have made for a great 500, but oh well to that. Could have been the next great big Lincoln, but oh well to that too.... Why is Ford so quick to get rid of it, but keep the Panther around so long? Is it that expensive? Does Ford look at the chassis and say "that's, like, sooooooo 90s ::valley girl squeak::?" Can some blue oval head that posts here explain their reasoning?

[rearden82]

Was DEW-lite THAT bad of a chassis that Ford had to decide against it all the way around?

From what I've read, pretty much.

Word through the grapevine from Ford engineers was that it was expensive to produce as it is, wasn't very rigid, and getting it up to par would have added even more expense and weight.

Ford hasn't had much luck with RWD platforms since the Panther. The MN12/FN10 (T-Bird/Cougar and Mark VIII) had the same problems. It had a pretty advanced suspension- double wishbone up front, and an independent rear. But it was really heavy, and felt like it was held together with rubber bands. I jacked up the front end of a '97 Thunderbird once, and the door wouldn't open! Edited October 9, 2005 by rearden82

[2b2]

Is Ford basically going to totally kill it when the LS dies?  Surely they don't plan on building the next S-type on D3.

Was DEW-lite THAT bad of a chassis that Ford had to decide against it all the way around?  Could have made for a great 500, but oh well to that.  Could have been the next great big Lincoln, but oh well to that too....

Why is Ford so quick to get rid of it, but keep the Panther around so long?  Is it that expensive?  Does Ford look at the chassis and say "that's, like, sooooooo 90s ::valley girl squeak::?"

Can some blue oval head that posts here explain their reasoning?

[post="25752"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

I've read nothing but praise for the LS's DEW98 platform (DEW-lite was supposed to be the 2005 Mustang platform but it was changed to the D2C). But with the Tbird gone, I doubt it's cost effective to keep the platform for just one model (if that platform is as expensive as claimed - all aluminum suspension I think - they ought to be snapped up while they & rebates last).

I haven't given up hope on other Rwd's from FML - bits of info about the Grand Marquis's $100mil update next year are just starting to surface. FML is being very tight-lipped about future Rwd's larger than the Mustang. (As they should be!)


((need some more Ford people here - I'm not that qualified))

[daves87rs]

I've read nothing but praise for the LS's DEW98 platform (DEW-lite was supposed to be the 2005 Mustang platform but it was changed to the D2C). But with the Tbird gone, I doubt it's cost effective to keep the platform for just one model (if that platform is as expensive as claimed - all aluminum suspension I think  - they ought to be snapped up while they & rebates last).

I haven't given up hope on other Rwd's from FML - bits of info about the Grand Marquis's $100mil update next year are just starting to surface. FML is being very tight-lipped about future Rwd's larger than the Mustang. (As they should be!)
((need some more Ford people here - I'm not that qualified))

[post="25798"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

It's funny you say that-I thought I heard something about a major updating of the
GM and Crown Vic....

[VenSeattle]

The next Gen S-Type will be built on a shortened version of the XJ's aluminum architecture. The DEW98 as it currently exists is dead. The Mustang may spawn a future Mercury or Lincoln coupe/convertible but nothing is certain as far as I know.

[regfootball]

the 500 and new Lincoln cars coming up will be based on the the old S80. The town car replacement, 500, and one other car I htink share the AWD chassis that the 500 has now. DEW is RWD only and so therefore will not get the appropriations a more diverse platform would get. Edited October 9, 2005 by regfootball

[enzl]

The next Gen S-Type will be built on a shortened version of the XJ's aluminum architecture. The DEW98 as it currently exists is dead. The Mustang may spawn a future Mercury or Lincoln coupe/convertible but nothing is certain as far as I know.

[post="25840"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

I think the new plan is a heavy reskin of the S-type...which technically means the DEW lives on until next decade....I believe the shortened XJ based S is a victim of cost-cutting...We'll see LR/Volvo/jag sharing some serious architectures in the next 5 years....

[Chicagoland]

"DEW-lite" is the S197 under the new Stangs, so it's not going anywhere for now. DEW198 is a goner, afer this model year. Big problem is Lincoln has a fuddy duddy image and the dealers did not care for the LS, so they didn't bother to promote it.

[VenSeattle]

It wouldn't make sense to keep DEW98 around for just one vehicle for the sake of cost cutting. It's too expensive to build, especially at such low quantities for just the S-Type. I thought the whole reason for consolidating the S-Type onto the XJ's aluminum platform was for the purpose of cost cutting. Everything seemed to point to Jaguar going "all aluminum" within the next few years... has Jaguar backed away from this plan?

[ehaase]

It may be cheaper for Jaguar to develop an S-type off the current platform than to use the XJ platform. Sometimes I wonder if Ford should start building Lincolns in England at the Jaguar plant instead of these 500 based cars at the Atlanta plant. Lincoln could just become a decontented Jaguar. It would help with the capacity problems at that plant. Replace the Town Car with a discount version of the Jaguar XJ and redesign the LS and build them at the Jaguar plant.