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#301 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Newcastle
Posts: 3,246
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Quote:
1 -ve from Ford = Incorrectly quoted / interpreted Falcon as gone. 1 +ve from Ford = Ford Aus are making money and Falcon twinned with Mustang. 1 -ve from GMHolden = Cruze delayed for 2010 (indefinitely? not even speculated) 1 +ve from GMHolden = Lutz sprouting off that he'd like Commodore US exports. Which stories got the runs?! The negative from Ford and the positive from GMHolden. Both stories are pure speculation. Which stories deserved to be run?! The Falcon factory is making money & the Cruze is again delayed. The Ford profit got lost in the wake and the Cruze announcement didn't raise an eyebrow or any questions about will it actually happen. That is bias. Complete, total, all encompassing bias.
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BA2 XR8 Rapid M6 Ute - Lid - Tint -18s 226.8rwkW@178kmh/537Nm@140kmh 1/9/2013 14.2@163kmh 23/10/2013 Boss349 built. Not yet run. Waiting on a shell. Retrotech thread http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...1363569&page=6 |
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#302 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 11,293
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Maybe we should start a new positive thread on what people would like to see in the 2015 Falcon....
Perhaps a poll or two on engines, transmissions, body styles and sizes. |
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#303 | |||
hmm eyebrows
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Lower Hunter Valley, NSW
Posts: 2,392
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Quote:
Really, take a look at the demographics that the Falcon has been targeted to and see what is happening to this part of the population. People are going for smaller premium cars with all(or more than) the fruit of a Fairmont Ghia with those choosing larger RWD cars either enthusiasts or fleets or of course older baby boomers. The younger generation have not been brought up on a staple diet of local product like the older generations and this as the large car segment shrinks, will have a more profound effect. In five years time, I dont see the relevance of a large RWD sedan the size of a current Falcon. Of course, it could be shared with the United States and it's much larger market but the commodore wasn't exactly popular over there was it? Maybe if the Falcon could be built over there too, to overcome their strong unions, the cost of making a less relevant car can be justified.
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1999 Range Rover 4.6 V8. Soon to have a new blue oval bent eight. |
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#304 | ||
460 - cubes torque
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Oz
Posts: 134
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My own speculation, built from stuff on this forum, a GRWD platform has been specified as a definate strategic plan. And since the Crown Vic. has been (will be?) discontinued there will be not much left in the Ford bank for RWD aside from the mustang and Falcon.
To me it would make sense to consider a GRWD platform that would integrate Mustang (SWB 2 door), Falcon (mid 4 door saloon) and Lincoln (lwb 4 door saloon). My perception is that this would go a long way to satisfy AU market (mustang/f'coon/f'lane), middle east markets and whatever the US would like inc. cop cars/ limo & extended wb stuff. To leave a global market when you have the worlds best RWD engineers seems suicidal. These world best engineers will go to the next best job available, ie the opposition. To me it is not overly complicated, or am I overly simplified? |
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#305 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 622
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My own thoughts:
I can see GRWD being a strategy rather than a pure single platform, that shares many key components (driveline, front suspension etc). And there can still be a place for Aussie production. 1. A 'sports' short wheel base platform for Mustang manufactured in the US and exported around the world 2. A Long wheel base version that will replace the Crown Victoria in the police market (I only see Taurus being a stop gap measure) and provide the basis of a large RWD luxury car for Lincoln - Manufactured in US and exported here (return of the Fairlane/LTD?) 3. A short wheel base sedan to replace our Falcon. Manufactured here and exported around the world - 2.0Litre EcoBoost power for Europe, 5.0Litre Coyote power for the Middle East and the US - in high spec luxury trim it could be badged as a Lincoln. Just some thoughts..............
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Quote: From www.motortrend.com "Torque is the new horsepower" |
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#306 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 622
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This is what some others think (Taken from the Motortrend site):
Ah, so this all suddenly makes sense. Here's how I picture their car lineup around 2015 in size order:Ironically its a commemt section that was spawned from the same article that gave birth to the Jizz Spanks 'Falcon is dead article'.
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Quote: From www.motortrend.com "Torque is the new horsepower" |
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#307 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,331
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GRWD wont remain GRWD forever, it'll eventually be given some other moniker, possibly DE something or other.
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#308 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 11,293
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#309 | |||
I miss my wheelbarrow
![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Bluestreak Performance
Posts: 11,500
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Quote:
Equivalent models are still getting bigger...... dosent make sence to me as I agree that Falcon should get a bit smaller and a lot lighter (as technology allows). Daniel |
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#310 | |||
Oo\===/oO
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tamworth
Posts: 11,348
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Quote:
THe falcon won't get larger, but make greater use of its size, i'ld say the wheelbase will remain the same size, but with a more compact body, like the VE (sort of) most rwd sedans are having the the wheels right in the corners to maximize cabin space.
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#311 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 11,293
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Quote:
combine that with moving the rear axle rearwards by about 50mm (2") and you get a car that keeps the same interior space as FG but takes on a much newer exterior look while being shorter and lighter. Maybe such a car could span mid sized and large car brackets..... |
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#312 | ||
The Destroyer
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Gold Coast
Posts: 2,247
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With all the saftey rails and braces Its quite cramped in the fg compared to the au/ba/bf. Also the falcon needs more rear head room, the last time I fit sitting comfy was el and it's has got worse with every model.
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#313 | |||
Hoon On The Rise
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Open Roads with Boost!
Posts: 9,924
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Quote:
However, E-Series - ****ing owners off since 1988....
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FPV Tickford Club of NSW - www.fpvclub.com |
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#314 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 11,293
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Quote:
it's one of the more expensive items to change and Ford was stuck with it for a decade. |
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#315 | |||
IWCMOGTVM Club Supporter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern Suburbs Melbourne
Posts: 17,799
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Quote:
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Daniel |
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#316 | |||
Oo\===/oO
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tamworth
Posts: 11,348
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Quote:
The mondeo is a medium car, but is almost as roomy as the falcon, so the falcon needs to star large, but with smarter use of space. The FG almost got it right, its just the wheel base limits what could be done.
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#317 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 14,654
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Quote:
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335 S/C GT: The new KING of Australian made performance cars.. ![]() |
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#318 | |||
IWCMOGTVM Club Supporter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern Suburbs Melbourne
Posts: 17,799
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Quote:
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Daniel |
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#319 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 14,654
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Quote:
![]() As great an engine as it is, and has been, i wonder how much sticking with it has inadvertantly backed the Falcon into the deadend corner its in now?
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335 S/C GT: The new KING of Australian made performance cars.. ![]() |
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#320 | |||
Rob
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Woodcroft S.A.
Posts: 21,553
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Quote:
most other makers of I6 engines have also moved to V config. not sure about bmw but merc and nissan stopped I6's some time ago. as witnessed by those 2 marques though, it doesn't mean you have to switch to FWD. worldwide everyone is going down the small capacity, forced induction route. at least the falcon has that on board already in the near future. |
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#321 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 14,654
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Quote:
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335 S/C GT: The new KING of Australian made performance cars.. ![]() |
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#322 | |||
IWCMOGTVM Club Supporter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern Suburbs Melbourne
Posts: 17,799
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Quote:
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Daniel |
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#323 | |||
Rob
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Woodcroft S.A.
Posts: 21,553
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Quote:
they build a great I6, but other manufacturers (main rival merc) have shown that it is possible to build a good V motor. |
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#324 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 14,654
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Quote:
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335 S/C GT: The new KING of Australian made performance cars.. ![]() |
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#325 | |||
Fordaholic
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 884
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#326 | ||||
FORMERLY TX3DUDE
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: "THE GONG"
Posts: 2,487
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Quote:
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#327 | |||
Cobblers!
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: The Shire, NSW
Posts: 4,489
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Quote:
Basically, BMW have built V6 engines, but keep going back to their I6 configuration, partly for their I4 engines, but mostly because they are smoother. Also note the reference to the 2003 Falcon. ![]()
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#328 | ||
Compulsive Hobbiest
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Ohio, USA
Posts: 1,032
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I think it is funny in that article that BMW did their testing by "...chopping two cylinders of a 90 degree V-8 and six cylinders off a 60 degree V-12."
Nothing like butchering a motor and saying it is not as good as one that was designed and made without being butchered. The 3.0 Duratec 24 valve V-6 is my 1996 Sable, which is a wreck, runs as smooth and powerful as the day it was new. It has over 150,000 miles on it. Steve
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#329 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 11,293
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I think the I-6 Vs V6 battle was fought and won by V6 years ago,
its versatility in FWD and RWD configurations makes it the winner. Since the bulk of Ford's cars are now FWD it makes sense for them to pick the V6 but that doesn't mean that the I-6 can't stay with us for about 5 years more............. |
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#330 | ||
Rob
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Woodcroft S.A.
Posts: 21,553
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getting back closer to the topic, whats the breakdown of models in the large car segment that run rear drive compared to front drive? toyota offer front drive, and american fords, but most other marques are rear drive. merc, bmw, audi, volvo?, honda,etc
surely it would be in ford's best interests to have a rear drive platform available. |
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