All-New Ford Five Hundred and Freestyle Out-Pace Competitors, Yet Priced Thousands Less

Source: Ford Motor Company Press Release

• The 2005 Ford Five Hundred will be roomier, more versatile, accelerate faster, achieve better fuel economy and produce as little as half the smog-forming pollution of some competitors but cost thousands less.
• Prices will begin at $22,795 for the front-drive Five Hundred SE. The SE with all-wheel drive begins at $24,495 - more than $5,000 below the most affordable all-wheel drive Chrysler 300.

• The 2005 Ford Freestyle will bridge the gap between traditional cars and SUVs with Command SeatingTM, available all-wheel drive and a versatile interior that can accommodate up to seven passengers in class-leading comfort.
• Prices will begin at $25,595 for the front-drive Freestyle SE. The SE with all-wheel drive begins at $27,295 - $2,000-$4,000 less than the most affordable all-wheel drive Buick Rendezvous CX and Chrysler Pacifica Touring models.

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 10, 2004 - Ford Division, the best-selling brand of cars and trucks in the United States for 17 consecutive years, announced today that the centerpieces of its "Year of the Car" product onslaught - the all-new 2005 Ford Five Hundred and 2005 Ford Freestyle - will cost thousands of dollars less than key competitors while offering more room and versatility, better performance, higher fuel economy and lower emissions.

"Ford's 'Year of the Car' will stand for great new products and great value," said Steve Lyons, president of Ford Division. "The Ford Five Hundred and Freestyle offer so much refinement, versatility and capability that we think their low prices will be a happy surprise to consumers."

The Five Hundred and Freestyle are part of the most aggressive rollout of new cars, trucks and SUVs in Ford history. By this fall, Ford Division dealers will field a showroom where more than 60 percent of the vehicles are all new or significantly freshened. In addition to Freestyle and Five Hundred, new products include the Ford F-150 and F-Series Super Duty pickups, Focus, Escape, Escape Hybrid, Ford GT and Mustang.

All of these designs are among the more than 65 new products Ford, Lincoln and Mercury are introducing in North America during the next five years. Next year, Ford will add another all-new midsize sedan called the Fusion, which will be unveiled in January at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The Ford Five Hundred
The most affordable Ford Five Hundred is the SE model, which has a base manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $22,795. This includes the destination and delivery charge. Taxes, title and license fees are not included.

Major standard equipment includes:

• Command Seating™ for the driver and front-seat passenger, which means the seating positions are roughly four inches higher than in a conventional sedan for a better view of the road and five inches lower than a compact SUV like the Ford Explorer for easier step-in
• Best-in-class rear headroom and legroom, plus the largest trunk in any sedan
• A 3.0-liter V-6 with a six-speed automatic (on most front-wheel drive models) or continuously-variable transmission (on all-wheel drive and some front-drive models)
• Four wheel anti-lock disc brakes.
• 17-inch aluminum wheels with all-season tires
• AM/FM stereo with single CD player
• Power door locks with remote keyless entry and door-mounted keyless entry key pad
• Power windows with driver's door one-touch up/down
• Five-passenger seating with a six-way power driver's seat with manual lumber adjustment

The mid-series SEL, which adds numerous comfort and convenience features including dual-zone electronic temperature control, six-disc CD changer with MP3 capability, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and a fold-flat front passenger seat with two-way power adjustment, begins at $24,795.

The top-of-the line Limited, which adds features including 18-inch wheels and Pirelli P6 tires, an audiophile sound system with subwoofer and leather seating surfaces with heated front seats, begins at $26,795.

Major options available on all series include all-wheel drive ($1,700), Safety Canopy™ side curtain airbag with rollover protection ($595-$795 depending on series).

The Ford Freestyle
The Ford Freestyle, which seats six or seven passengers, will bridge the gap between traditional cars and SUVs. Prices begin at $25,595 MSRP for the Freestyle SE.

Major standard equipment includes:

• Command Seating™ for the driver and front seat passenger
• Six- or seven-passenger seating with three rows of fold-flat passenger seats that allow objects up to 10 feet to be carried inside the vehicle
• Theatre seating allows passengers to sit higher than the previous row - treating everyone to an exceptional view
• Best-in-class first, second and third row legroom
• A 3.0-liter V-6 with a continuously-variable transmission
• Four wheel anti-lock disc brakes.
• 17-inch aluminum wheels with all-season tires
• AM/FM stereo with single CD player
• Power door locks with remote keyless entry and door-mounted keyless entry key pad
• Power windows with driver's door one-touch up/down
• Six-way power driver's seat with manual lumber adjustment

The mid-series SEL, which adds numerous comfort and convenience features including six-disc CD changer with MP3 capability, message center with compass, fog lamps and steering wheel audio controls, begins at $26,995.

The top-of-the line Limited, which adds features including 18-inch wheels and Pirelli P6 tires, dual zone automatic temperature control, an audiophile sound system with subwoofer and perforated leather seating surfaces (first and second row), begins at $29,195.

Major options available on all series include all-wheel drive ($1,700), Safety Canopy™ side curtain airbag with rollover protection ($695-$795 depending on series) and a DVD entertainment system with two wireless headphones ($995).

EPA Fuel Economy and Emissions

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^* 2004 model

Sep 5/08
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