The Ford MN12 platform (Mid-size North America Project # 12) is a car platform used by Ford Motor Company from 1988 to 1997 for Ford Thunderbird and Mercury Cougar two-door private luxury car. The variant of this platform, known as FN10 (The Full-Sized North America Project # 10), was used for Lincoln Mark VIII from 1992 to 1998. Each car based on this platform has an engine, a rear-wheel layout drive with independent rear suspension.
Video Ford MN12 platform
Development
The roots of the MN12 program began in the mid-1980s when Ford sought to build on success, Thunderbird and Cougar, based on Fox's body. Out of the unique style, Ford wants to produce Thunderbird and Cougar that can compete with more sophisticated and higher-performing cars from European manufacturers such as BMW. To achieve this, Ford needs to develop a new platform because existing Fox platforms can not meet the MN12 program requirements.
The title of the program is Anthony "Tony" S. Kuchta, who was appointed to a position by Ford management in 1986. Kuchta decided to maintain the rear wheel layout for the MN12 platform as a base to provide better road performance, compared to following rival-based front- wheel Thunderbird and Cougars from General Motors, such as the Pontiac Grand Prix and Buick Regal. Kuchta also approved an independent rear suspension for the MN12 platform, something that would make Thunderbird and Cougar the only domestic car behind the car besides the Chevrolet Corvette (and later Dodge Viper RT/10) to display this.
Ford engineers working on the MN12 program also explored the use of all-wheel drive platforms with Ford which so far paid German car maker Porsche to study the feasibility of its use, but Kuchta finally decided not to pay attention to the cost issue.
Maps Ford MN12 platform
Overview
The MN12 car has a 113 "wheelbase and is available with a 3.8L V6 engine, a 3.8L V6 supercharged engine from 1988 to 1995 (1989-1990 at Cougar), a 5.0L V8 engine from 1990 to 1993, and a 4.6L V8 engine from 1993-1997.
Suspension
Front suspension consists of upper and lower control arm with coilover shock. A common misconception with this platform is that the front end has struts; However, since there is a control arm over they are actually coilover shocks. The brakes are single caliber rotor/caliper pistons with the Sport Thunderbirds model receiving larger diameter rotors. The rear suspension consists of upper and lower control arm with coil spring and shock. Sway bar diameter variables are used among the various Cougar and Thunderbird models. All MN12 cars are shipped from the factory with the lugnut bolt pattern 5 x 4.25 "(5x108mm).
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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