Auto Trends

While not exactly a Mustang, the Ford Interceptor Concept is Ford’s take on what a four-door Mustang should have been. Ford says the concept has the soul of a mustang with the elegant classy attitude of a classic 60’s Four-Door.

While many opinions on the Ford Four Door would differ somewhat from the words “classy” and “elegant”, the new Ford concept actually does cast the feelings of refined class, albeit in somewhat raw form.

Hidden within its clean body panels is somewhat of a subdued “shaker” hood, that would not be as noticeable on the open road. Overall, the Interceptor does a superb job of blending itself among other four doors, such as the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, but it does so in the classic form of an Interceptor.

If you think about it, the job of an interceptor has always been to blend well, yet outperform when duty calls. At first glance, few would expect to find a 400 horsepower 5.0 liter “cammer” engine lurking beneath the subtle, yet clean and mean shaker hood.

As this concept debuted, it found both immediate loyal followers as well as those who criticized it beyond human decency. Some called it “big and ugly”, while others implored Ford to “build it and they will buy it”.

What these folks may not realize is whether you love or hate the new design, you are basically looking at a well devised plan by new Ford CEO, Alan Mulally, to bring back the rear-wheel drive car onto North American soil and foster a new Ford heritage and popularity at the same time.

Rear-wheel-drive has been going extinct over the years, except for of course a handful of sports cars and SUV/truck platforms. If you consider the ancient live rear axle that many of them have been paired with, it is obvious why they were becoming as dated as the “in-line” telephone.

What Ford is able to come up with as far as the final rear-wheel-drive design, may be the straw that either breaks the back of Ford’s camel who has been struggling underneath the success of the Mustang, or feeds the appetite of the rear-drive conscience consumer.

For too long has Ford been criticized for its aging live rear axle set-up. Ford, it’s time to open up a brand new bag and pull out a few new tricks… and the Concept Interceptor looks like a great place to start!