The recent rumor mill wildfire about Ford potentially making a 4-door Mustang was perhaps mistakenly construed as Ford taking the Mustang's inner workings and applying them to a new concept car to make yet another Bold Move in the right direction. Enter the Ford Interceptor concept, stage right, at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. More images (click each for hi res) are in store below, along with the official Press Release, straight from Ford.

The Interceptor, while sporting 4 doors, shares the same underpinnings as the ever-popular Ford Mustang, blends some retro with metro, and shares a similar front end to the new Ford Edge & the daring Ford Super Chief concept. Under the hood, the sedan sports the 5 liter cammer engine (based on the 4.6 liter) that brings horsepower levels to the 400 mark running on E85 fuel.

"This concept celebrates the best of American muscle, showing customers what 'modern muscle' is all about," said Peter Horbury, executive director - Design, The Americas. "The Interceptor concept is much like a Marine in dress uniform. He looks smart and elegant but you can see the raw power that lies beneath."

Press Release
Ford Interceptor Concept
Keeping Mustang momentum accelerating

Ford is committed to deliver fresh Mustang news every year. In 2007, good news comes early as America's favorite muscle car debuts as a grown-up four-door sedan.

The Ford Interceptor concept - based on a stretched Mustang platform - comes equipped with a manual six-speed gearbox mated to a Ford Racing 5.0-liter V-8 Cammer engine that delivers 400 horsepower and runs on E-85 ethanol.

Modern muscle
"The Ford Interceptor concept has the soul of Mustang but combines 'Built Ford Tough' attitude with the sporty elegance of '60s Ford sedans," said Peter Horbury, executive director, Design, The Americas. "This concept celebrates the best of American muscle. And if it looks familiar, it should. That's because we've translated the design language of last year's F-250 Super Chief pickup concept onto a car."

In terms of exterior design, the Ford Interceptor concept features substantial, sometimes brutish, surfaces and sections and the traditional rear-wheel drive proportion that includes a short front overhang, extended dash-to-axle ratio, low cabin and higher beltline.

As a nod to performance purists, the ultimate muscle lies under the powered clamshell "shaker" hood, which caps a thoroughly detailed engine compartment.

Making this a Ford are signature design touches, including the horizontal three-bar grille that is structurally integrated into the bumper beam as well as professionally applied "squircles" - or professionally square circles - inside and out.

Inside, for instance, squircles finished with Titan Metal painted inserts accent the Ford Interceptor concept's instrument panel, door trims, console, floor and four seats.

Its low-back seats, finished in thick black leather with exposed-edge seams and contrasting stitching, modernize muscle car seats through their design - along with clever touches, including headrests that deploy from the roof.

The concept's minimalist interior is sleek, focusing the driver's attention on the speedometer and tachometer, whose needles start at center and move opposite each other.

The audio control panel and climate controls are hidden - but deployable. And the gated six-speed shifter is exposed, just waiting to be thrown into gear.

For safety, the Interceptor concept incorporates Ford's patented four-point "belt and suspenders" safety belt design in all four seats. This showcases a possible next-generation safety belt that is more comfortable and easier to use than traditional three-point belts. Additionally, inflatable belts have been included in the rear seat of the concept.

Legendary performance
The Interceptor concept's 5.0-liter V-8 Cammer engine is an upgraded variant of the 4.6-liter engine under the hood of the current production Mustang GT. The Cammer modular engine has powered Ford Racing's FR500C race car to the top of the Grand Am Cup's GS class, achieving 5 victories on its way to the Drivers, Manufacturers and Team Championships in its first season of competition.

Ford Interceptor concept shows new Mustang-inspired design possibilities - complete with two more doors and a "Built Ford Tough" design attitude.

Powertrain
5.0-liter Cammer V-8

Chassis lengths
Overall length 201.6 in.
Wheelbase 120.8 in.
Overall width 76.4 in.
Overall height at curb 54.8 in.

Track width
Front 66.5 in.
Rear 67.8 in.

Suspension
Front Double wishbone-independent
Rear 3-Link Design with Panhard Rod

Headroom
Front 37.5 in.
Second Row 35.9 in.

Legroom
Front 42.3 in.
Second Row 35.6 in.