ITS ALIVE well for a few years yet

[HSVKILLA]

"Barra", the locally made engine that has faithfully powered generations of Australian-built Ford cars, will be around for at least the next five years, the federal government has confirmed.

According to Federal Industry Minister Kim Carr, the engine — made at Ford's Geelong-based casting plant — is likely to be a member of Ford's powertrain arsenal until at least 2016, after which its future is uncertain.

''For the foreseeable future, Geelong will be supplying engines to Ford,'' Senator Carr said today.

Advertisement: Story continues below ''Remember ... if it wasn't for the actions of this government, Geelong would have closed three years ago. So my expectation is that we will be providing engines out of Geelong for the current line-up of vehicles as an option for consumers through until at least 2016.''

Ford Australia is expected to switch to a mix of engine choices for its future Falcon and Territory line-up, including an imported V6 ''Duratec'' engine that potentially lacks the same low-down pulling power as the Barra, but improves fuel economy, and an even more economical turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder ''EcoBoost'' engine that will power versions of the Falcon from next year.

The car maker has also recently launched the Territory with a 2.7-litre turbocharged V6 engine in an attempt to sway buyers back to the vehicle that may have been put off by the high fuel-use figures of the petrol version — although it commands a $3000-plus premium.

The diesel engine has replaced the petrol version as the default powertrain on the more expensive, all-wheel-drive versions of the Territory in a move that Ford says reflects a ''strong customer preference for a [diesel] powertrain combination with the AWD capability''.

The company has already struggled to keep the Barra up with increasingly strict emissions laws, with turbocharged versions of the Territory last year failing to meet a July 1 deadline to clean up the engine's exhaust gases.

The turbo variant joined the Territory range in 2006, two years after the model first launched, surprising an industry that was expecting the more fuel-efficient, diesel version that was only launched this year.

According to Senator Carr, problems with the roll-out of the dedicated LPG version of the Falcon — changes to the way the system feeds the fuel into the engine are expected to provide power and fuel economy figures that shadow the petrol version — have hurt the car's sales.

According to Ford, the decision to stop making the dedicated LPG version of the Falcon in September last year has eroded the car maker's sales since its demise, with gas-powered models at one time accounting for almost one in four Ford sales in Australia.

However, Senator Carr's reference to future generations of the Barra engine as an ''option'' for buyers suggests it won't be the showroom staple that we've come to expect.

Ford Australia spokeswoman Sinead McAlary said the company did not have an ''end date'' for its Geelong-made engine or the plant that builds it.

''We're continuing to invest in our local line-up, including all the new technologies we're launching this year,'' she said.

''The in-line six-cylinder engine remains the standard engine for Falcon but will be supplemented later this year with the addition of the new liquid-injection LPG system and the introduction next year of the EcoBoost four-cylinder engine.

''Neither of those will be standard fitment, however. They'll both be optional on various vehicles within the range,'' McAlary said.

[HSVKILLA]

Woops just found this posted below,oh well its good news for the moment in the light of the sales dramas.

[Mr Hardware]

two thumbs up

[Polyal]

I think most knew this but Ford has been copping flack in the media and sales and perhaps might think part of that is attributed to the uncertainty past '15/16.

It helps now, but what about next year etc...they really need to sort out long term whats happening and say something. The longer it goes the worse its going to get; both in the delivery of the news and its result.

[bobthebilda]

including an imported V6 ''Duratec'' engine that potentially

and an even more economical turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder ''EcoBoost'' engine that will power versions of the Falcon from next year

But whats being saved till 2016 if the engine line up mix is starting to be imported. Should it be, we are saving the engine plant, but we are only saving 1/3 of it.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by HSVKILLA

"Barra", the locally made engine that has faithfully powered generations of Australian-built Ford cars, will be around for at least the next five years, the federal government has confirmed.

How can the government confirm anything? Are they building cars?

Will Falcon even be around for another 5 years?

[Stefan]

The "Barra" has only been around since 2002? How has it powered generations of ford built cars?

and

As above how the heck can the Australian federal g/ment confirm anything that a US car maker does with it's Australian operations?

Very strange story indeed...

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by b0son

How can the government confirm anything? Are they building cars?

If there is government funding involved - they will know.

[LeadFoot81]

So according to this article Ford Oz will offer the N/A V6 (that was supposed to replace the Barra?) as an option?

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by LeadFoot81

So according to this article Ford Oz will offer the N/A V6 (that was supposed to replace the Barra?) as an option?

This article (source?) seems to be nothing more than a PR fling for Ford to dampen doubts in consumers and suppliers mind. I highly doubt anything is locked in at the moment.

The deadline for a long term decision would be the end of this year or early next IMO.

[gtfpv]

long live the I6 .

[BAxtER]

Originally Posted by Stefan

The "Barra" has only been around since 2002? How has it powered generations of ford built cars?

and

As above how the heck can the Australian federal g/ment confirm anything that a US car maker does with it's Australian operations?

Very strange story indeed...

Maybe just a small error by the editor, he DEF meant I6

[EgoFG]

I dont see that there is actually any new news in this.

But it is a good PR step.

It does leave the possibility there for the v6 to come in, but the line that does that is likely referring to the DIT4 and the TDv6.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by Brazen

If there is government funding involved - they will know.

And the SA government thought Mitsu/Magna would make it.

[TUF_302]

Originally Posted by gtfpv

long live the I6 .

Here here!!