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ok, this doesn't come near to the idea but;
inspired by Topnotch (@ the Mustang Source - Thanks, JS!!)
as well as "our guy's" Capris & miniStangs...
The idea started after doing my last XR6 chop, the Mercatini...
"XR6" is what I call my Mercury sports/y cars that use the 3.5 v6
(trying to make them distinct from & non-competitive with the Mustang).
Usually I imagine them being built on a stretched Mazda RX-8 platform.
A major goal of using just one engine is that all the components could be very finely tuned to that specific weight & without the need for any extra room for larger engines - thankfully EcoBoost makes this doable.
Cimba is a new interpretation of my Focus-based Milanetto's sport version, the XR3 (even More distinct & non-competing) & offering the amazing comfort for 4 'real' adults found in its bottom-donor.
"Cimba" is meant to continue the C-names of previous sporty Mercs with an allusion to a famous baby cat (too cutesy?).
Here the C2 platform is converted to RWD (it IS Awd-capable, no?)
& the only engine is the 2.5 4cyl, in naturally-aspirated, single turbo, & twin-turbo -
yielding 180, 240, & 300hp respectively.
The C2 is used because a factory will be building it & the Cimba/XR3 would go down the same assembly line as the nextgen Focii.
In addition to its all-new/diff. bodywork, the Cimba would come in just One deluxe trim. Only options/choices are color, cloth/leather, & engine (& maybe a moonroof)... at least until Fomoco develops the Snap'n'Lock dealer-installable extras that I hope they're planning.
(wonder if the non-shared panels could be made from composites/plastic?)
back to the chop:
I wanted to to create a very curvaceous, slinky upper body with a simple tho-aerodynamic lower -- think race cars, the bottoms aren't much more than pointy boxes. (links: top, bottom)
Just did a side view cuz it's easiest. In addition to the 2 donor cars (shown below),
- the front would mix Messenger & the original Cougar with current Mercury themes &
- possibly the hood would feature a scoop+logo like the Mercatini, which is meant to update the early-mid 50's Merc styling
- the door is a 2-stage slider, maybe power-assisted, where it would open far enough for the front passenger/driver with a detent or stop at that point and slide all the back for rear access upon further 'user input'. (yeah, the chop's proportions need work...)
- the roof/C-pillar is mainly original Cougar, and Marauder for the rear window's tunnel effect (tho I have an alternate idea that could be used for a hatch &or super-BAMR version, aka Capri)
Hope these donor pix will give a better idea of the feeling for the top surfacing
![]()
![]()
Comments appreciated!
&
if anyone wants to add their XR3/little-cat, feel free
inspired by Topnotch (@ the Mustang Source - Thanks, JS!!)
as well as "our guy's" Capris & miniStangs...
Mercury Cimba
![]()
103.9 wlb - 176.7 ovl - 55.5 ht. (as it turned out in the chop)
103.9 wlb - 176.7 ovl - 55.5 ht. (as it turned out in the chop)
The idea started after doing my last XR6 chop, the Mercatini...
"XR6" is what I call my Mercury sports/y cars that use the 3.5 v6
(trying to make them distinct from & non-competitive with the Mustang).
Usually I imagine them being built on a stretched Mazda RX-8 platform.
A major goal of using just one engine is that all the components could be very finely tuned to that specific weight & without the need for any extra room for larger engines - thankfully EcoBoost makes this doable.
Cimba is a new interpretation of my Focus-based Milanetto's sport version, the XR3 (even More distinct & non-competing) & offering the amazing comfort for 4 'real' adults found in its bottom-donor.
"Cimba" is meant to continue the C-names of previous sporty Mercs with an allusion to a famous baby cat (too cutesy?).
Here the C2 platform is converted to RWD (it IS Awd-capable, no?)
& the only engine is the 2.5 4cyl, in naturally-aspirated, single turbo, & twin-turbo -
yielding 180, 240, & 300hp respectively.
The C2 is used because a factory will be building it & the Cimba/XR3 would go down the same assembly line as the nextgen Focii.
In addition to its all-new/diff. bodywork, the Cimba would come in just One deluxe trim. Only options/choices are color, cloth/leather, & engine (& maybe a moonroof)... at least until Fomoco develops the Snap'n'Lock dealer-installable extras that I hope they're planning.
(wonder if the non-shared panels could be made from composites/plastic?)
back to the chop:
I wanted to to create a very curvaceous, slinky upper body with a simple tho-aerodynamic lower -- think race cars, the bottoms aren't much more than pointy boxes. (links: top, bottom)
Just did a side view cuz it's easiest. In addition to the 2 donor cars (shown below),
- the front would mix Messenger & the original Cougar with current Mercury themes &
- possibly the hood would feature a scoop+logo like the Mercatini, which is meant to update the early-mid 50's Merc styling
- the door is a 2-stage slider, maybe power-assisted, where it would open far enough for the front passenger/driver with a detent or stop at that point and slide all the back for rear access upon further 'user input'. (yeah, the chop's proportions need work...)
- the roof/C-pillar is mainly original Cougar, and Marauder for the rear window's tunnel effect (tho I have an alternate idea that could be used for a hatch &or super-BAMR version, aka Capri)
Hope these donor pix will give a better idea of the feeling for the top surfacing
Comments appreciated!
&
if anyone wants to add their XR3/little-cat, feel free
< click for source
