04-07-06: From the first time I saw the Ford Five Hundred unmasked in 2003 during it’s development, it was apparent. It was bland. When the first magazine articles weighed in on the new car they concurred. The car was solid, but lacking in visual excitement and personality.

What’s ironic is that in the years leading up to it’s debut, Ford had been showing the press a sexy rendering of the car that made it look sleek , much akin to the Audi A8. Why did’t they just build that car in the first place? It is the age old question in Detroit.

To compound matters, the car hit showrooms with a 207 hp version of Ford‘s 3.0 Duratec V6 which while a gem of a power plant is no match for a 3800 lb sedan competing against cars with 250-270 hp engines. Almost from the moment the car was introduced it was cast as an anemic performer that offered little driving excitement.

The Detroit News has now reported that a re-design of the Five Hundred is underway for 2007 that addresses both the styling and performance issues. A new face that shares the design theme with the Ford Fusion complete with a three-bar grille and new headlights is said to be a major component of the re-design. Our exclusive rendering above takes a stab at what this might look like.

Performance will be augmented by Ford's new corporate 3.5 liter 24-valve Duratec V6 mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The power plant puts out around 250hp in base trim but can be tuned easily for 265-270 hp. Further, a V8 option is a future certainty with Lincoln planning such a powerplant in their upcoming sedan based on the Five Hundred's architecture.

Styling and performance aside, the Five Hundred has been a success. It has a level of crash protection that virtually required the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to devise a new higher rating category to put it in. Consumer Reports has even given the car high marks for quality and value - a major coup for an American manufacturer. Dealers report that the car has a high satisfaction level with the people who do buy the car, but sales peaked in the summer of 2005 and have been shrinking since.

There is no word on changes to be made to the Mercury Montego version of the car. Rumors continue that the Mercury division is being considered for the axe and we hear new projects for the brand continue to be cancelled or deferred.