Comments on: Australian Ford Falcon leaked

By: PTM

PTM — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 00:58:43 +0000

LP640, the Vauxhall VRX8 is just the Holden Commodore. Well actually it’s the HSV Clubsport which is the high performance version so there will be some small similarities there being they are designed for the same country. They’ve been importing them to Britain for years now, it’s just a new model came out here (Australia) last year so thats the new one.

Actually we aussie Ford nuts are hoping that this Falcon does take off as an export or Ford Oz may soon see itself out of business, or at least very different. Since the 70’s the Falcon has used an aussie designed straight 6 which in it’s current 4L guise uses double overhead variable timed camshafts and makes about 250hp (190kw) in atmo form and about 355hp (270kw) in the FPV Typhoon (turbo). We were recently told it’s being scrapped by 2010 and a new global V6 is going in. So this could be the start of a global Falcon.

Oh and the rumors with the new FPVs are the turbo 6 (Typhoon) will be 300kw (395hp) and the V8 (GT/GT-P) will be 320kw (420hp). That’s compared to the 307kw 6 Litre chev being used in the HSVs. And for those who don’t know the V8 is the quad cam 5.4L, similar to what you have there.

I actually own a low spec 2005 Falcon which is powered by the 300hp 5.4L 3 valve engine straight from the F-Series.

By: JohnnyBlazE

JohnnyBlazE — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 12:02:41 +0000

SEX.

BTW Stuart – if you look at the current Falcon it looks similar to mondeos but bigger and more aggressive…

In fact trace the lineage back, the Falcon has always been the Aussie Granada…

Ford Granada used to be same shape as Falcon’s of old, and the cortina was similar to Granada…

Sierra replaced Cortina, Mondeo replaced Sierra… and there we have it

By: tripleonefive

tripleonefive — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 00:59:15 +0000

12 yards long and two lanes wide, 65 tons of American pride.” Its Canyonero

By: Me

Me — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 22:44:49 +0000

Who here thinks the 3-bar grill would add a nice touch? j/k

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 22:35:47 +0000

CAFE should be scrapped

By: AdamT

AdamT — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:35:11 +0000

If they bring this, I hope they hire KISS as spokesmen.

Is the reason we don’t see good cars from domestic makers CAFE + SUVs? If you can only afford to make so many gas guzzelers and you spend that whole allotment on profitable EXCURSIONS and YUKONS and CANYONEROS then you can’t make very many performance (gas guzzeling) coupes and sedans, right? Is that what’s going on here?

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 16:00:52 +0000

The 929 was a decint car, though

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 16:00:32 +0000

Calling it the Mazda9 would aleviate the internal bickering RicardoHead brought up earlier.

Though I’m not a fan of that naming system. i’m trying to buy a mazda5, but I’d prefer to buy a “Mazda Premacy,” which is what the last generation of that vehicle was called in markets in which it was sold.

By: GMCsyclone#478

GMCsyclone#478 — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 15:09:59 +0000

Blakkarr, i feel the same about the 929. it was ahead of its time and i think it would be interesting to see a modern version.

By: Blakkarr

Blakkarr — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 05:40:09 +0000

now that you mention it, jackjimturkey, Why has Mazda not gone on with a Mazda 9 (929). That was one of the nicest, loveliest cars in the States when it was out. I still see them running proudly today. It would be interesting to see what Mazda would do with their version of the Falcon.

By: motorheader

motorheader — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 08:39:24 +0000

infamouz9325: Australia is not in Europe. Did you ever go to school? The Falcon will never get to Europe except for maybe some private imports to UK.
Anyway this car looks great and could be one of the pieces that Ford needs in it’s puzzle to “turn the tide” in the US.

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 03:31:16 +0000

I don’t drive a tempo. I drive the Cadillac of minivans
My posts are less excrable than your accord

By: tripleonefive

tripleonefive — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 18:34:28 +0000

JJT: Yea Ill go get a Tempo like you drive. Yours posts are excrement

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 17:13:49 +0000

Blakkar: U might have a point. Replace the Crown vic maybe, or sell it as a Mazda/Mercury

A4: RHD would distinguish it. Maybe it wouldn’t fly, but it would generate attention for the product. If the rest of the car is tip-top, it’ll be on a lot of buyers’ short lists.

I’m allowed to answer whether I’m an idiot instead of you just calling me one? I’ll so “no,” and wish you a pleasant summer.

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 17:07:57 +0000

Vauxhaull is made by GM
3115: you call yourself a “real car fan,” but you drive a honda. You’d probably let someone sell you excrement with sugar on it and believe it’s candy!

Go play in the sandbox.
Get a real car, then call yourself a real car fan

Burm: The skyline is cool from stem to stern

By: BLISS

BLISS — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 15:47:40 +0000

SPORTY ….NOT BAD AT ALL

By: 55amg

55amg — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 09:33:38 +0000

very nice how much?

By: jamaicandude

jamaicandude — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 09:21:59 +0000

Although the Holden might look and perform better since it has basically the same drivetrain as a Corvette, and this Falcon may look like a ripoff of the new Evo or TL, or R8 (?)… all interesting statements, but that’s NOT THE POINT!!! This car is way better than any FORD sedan in the North American market. If Ford Australia can build such a monster… and they’ve been building it for years… Then Ford NA should be very ashamed of themselves. I say build it. God knows they’ve done worse. Ford’s US lineup NEEDS this car.

By: Saud

Saud — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 08:55:22 +0000

Ugh, the front is overkill, plus I think the Holden is better.

By: Aussie#1

Aussie#1 — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 08:26:04 +0000

Falcons are awesome i own one and i can’t wait till this gets released….The only reason Ford US wont release this car is because they have some sort of tendancy to keep there lineup American desgined which is very STUPID considering they make some of the worst looking cars! the major problem with Ford US is they don’t listen to the consumer. IF this does go to the USA it will take it by storm, and u wont have to worry about it getting neglected because FOrd australia have been constanly undating the Falcon since the 60’s. I feel sorry for the people who have never driven a falcon u are missing out so for your sake and Fords i hope is brought to the US!!AUSSIE CARS RULE!!!

By: sunshine1810

sunshine1810 — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 08:00:36 +0000

This car should come to the United States if Ford wants to start making money.

By: infamouz9325

infamouz9325 — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 05:18:10 +0000

if this makes it to the US i will definitely consider buying it these kind of product will get ford out of the red but knowing how stupid they are they will leave them in europe

By: musclemustang94

musclemustang94 — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 04:42:07 +0000

haha again LP640 hating on Ford. The Falcon has been around for alot longer than the Vauxhall. This is the 8th generation of Falcon in OZ. Go look on Fords aussie website. This is the FPV version of the Falcon. I don’t know why leftlane thinks this is going to come here. I doubt this version of the car will, I hope it does. I can see the standard Falcon coming here too. Its got sucha cool name too. I am pretty sure this is just FPV’s next Falcon however.

By: 1c3d0g

1c3d0g — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 02:45:14 +0000

Yes, Ford, just do it! Don’t speak anymore about what you’re “going to” do, we need action, and we need it RIGHT now before it’s too late!

By: GMCsyclone#478

GMCsyclone#478 — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 02:39:07 +0000

dang, what’s it going to take? what’s the dilema? use that industrial might to make it happen Ford.

By: LP640

LP640 — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 02:23:31 +0000

this is just the vauxhall vxr8 in drag the similarities are everywhere

By: A4

A4 — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 02:02:38 +0000

jackjimturkey… RHD? are you an idiot? thats the worst idea ive heard in a long time.

By: JpR8

JpR8 — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 23:26:28 +0000

wow a ford i actually want…i don’t know what to say

By: 400horseSS

400horseSS — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 22:54:45 +0000

the front looks like a wrestlers war paint Sting maybe

By: Blakkarr

Blakkarr — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 22:17:28 +0000

The fact is FORD needs to make an impact. There is nothing wrong with FORD bringing along a new big car with a big engine, for now. It would still get much better F/econ than most any mid-sized or larger SUVs and pick-ups, even with the new 5L, 400hp, Hurricane engine. This is a nasty fact most people seem to ignore.

Further most people who buy trucks and SUVs aren’t doing so because they are big and “safe” machines but rather because they are literally the only way to get a V8 with real horsepower, which we Americans still love to death, and RWD which we, who know how to drive, desire more than three square meals a day. And you can get very good F/econ with a large RWD. Not everyone will want a V8, a saving grace, I think.

Hybrids for this class of car for the next ten or so years is not really a likely option. If anyone were serious about maintaining the presence and potency of such cars as hybrids then we’d have seen some workable concepts and research vehicles by now. For this, new companies are needed who have such a vision and goal. You can point to LEXUS and their “almost a Transformer” LS600h, but unless they can prove the concept of performance hybrids at a more mainstream price, it is a non-subject (Yes I know about the FT-HS but that hasn’t even really come out as production ready yet). An exclusive luxo-sedan who has hybrid drive as part of it’s “posh-factor”. If anyone could do it you’d think TOYOTA could.

The real answer for the next ten or so years for large RWD cars is better engines… and better materials…

The old “more gas = more power” equation is not going to fly at all pretty soon. Better more efficient uses of fuel will make the day. FORD has or had a strong formula program and R&D facilities and departments. Developing as AUDI has, Performance Diesel (racing actually), and even GM, by way of OPEL, has done that and gotten huge power and/or huge F/econ numbers, would be a good first step. Further every other week I find articles on new engine architectures that are just as powerful, if not more so, and more fuel efficient yet almost none of these articles mention any major automaker, or college or university, even offering to research these designs.

The new materials would include Microwave Assisted Production (MAP) carbon fiber. At $4.00/lb as opposed to I think it still $15.00/lb you could build a Chrysler 300 (@ about 4200 lbs w/ V8) to a weight just over 3000 lbs. A Corvette, already remarkably light for it size, could meet weights not unlike a Molser MT900 (about 2200-2400 lbs). More and better use of Aluminum in the frame and other sturcutions. Composites, not unlike those used in the 787 Dreamliner, as well. New manufacturing processes would have to be developed and implemented as well. New F/econ, handling, and so on.

For over 100 years the car (or truck) has not changed much or enough to keep up with real world needs as desires. A lot of changes are needed but first, FORD needs to ship this car so they can have the money to to really start to play ball again, otherwise they just pack it up and go away, I’m sure Tesla would love to fill in for them.

By: maximus

maximus — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 21:39:58 +0000

pretty cool…The 65 mustang was actually the chassis of the Ford Falcon way back in the day. Nice to bring back the Falcon.

By: RicardoHead

RicardoHead — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 21:30:29 +0000

Yeah, they could bring this here, but then the product manager of the 500 uuuhhhhh Taurus will not get to have a company paid lunch when he justifies the crappy sales numbers by saying the incentives aren’t high enough so it’s finance’s fault and his assistant who’s also sleeping with the big boss in detroit will lose her job so the falcon stays in Oz and everyone’s happy. Right?

By: rognbrow

rognbrow — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 21:20:34 +0000

that should be I doubt this car is going to “grow it”

By: rognbrow

rognbrow — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 21:17:31 +0000

Does anybody apart from Australians and Republicans still by big saloons without prestige badges? It’s a diminishing market and unless they’ve got a sneaky hybird up their sleeves I doubt this is car unlikely to “grow it”

By: gbb

gbb — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 20:48:49 +0000

Call it a Galaxie, make a RWD coupe with the blown 5.4 Ford GT motor & 6 speed stick and I’ll take one.