Platform sharing - Ford Aus + Jaguar, possible?

[Deanodriver]

I was thinking earlier on, about how Ford is bringing a new Falcon to market in a couple of years, and I've heard that Jaguar is releasing a new S type around the same time, is there any chance that these two cars could be related? With Ford's recent history of platform sharing among Ford-owned brands (think Focus/V40/Mazda3 and Mondeo/X-Type), there's always a chance.

I mean, they're both rear drive sedans that are about the same size, it could always be possible. If that's the case, I'm sure the Falcon would be able to benefit (from Jaguar's experience with making cars made of aluminium, for example).

Just food for thought.

[Fairlane]

I was under the impression that the Jaguar used a Lincoln platorm of some sort, as for a new falcon using a derivative platorm, i dont now but its always a possibility i suppose.

[Bossxr8]

The S type and Lincoln LS both used the DEW98 platform, but its not viable for Ford as its extremely expensive, with lots of aluminium in the suspension etc. A modified version of the current platform will most likely be used for the 2008 Falcon.

[Iphido]

I would imagine a blend of Falcon and territory suspension designs in the new car. I would also imagine some aluminium/alloy use in the suspension as well. Such as alloy upper wishbones, highstrength yet lighter blade bar etc.

IMHO Falcons should have steel body and chassis. Aluminium is all well and good, but its massively expensive to upgrade to and use, and to repair. And there are plenty of aluminium cars that still weigh 1800kg.

Personally if I was running jaguar I would be looking at the falcon platform long and hard to find a way to cut costs, increase margins and improve product. For all its extra expense and R&D, Jaguars products are no better dynamically than our falcon.

[ltd]

I agree, Jaguar haven't really made a dent in the luxury car market when compared to say BMW, Audi or Merc. The cars are as expensive as the aforementioned three however they do not contain the same level of sophistication or elegance as the BMW Merc or Audi. Personally I think they should look at adopting the cheaper Falcon Chassis and that way offer a 5-10% discount on their cars whilst still maintaining their margins and profitability.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Iphido

I would imagine a blend of Falcon and territory suspension designs in the new car. I would also imagine some aluminium/alloy use in the suspension as well. Such as alloy upper wishbones, highstrength yet lighter blade bar etc.

IMHO Falcons should have steel body and chassis. Aluminium is all well and good, but its massively expensive to upgrade to and use, and to repair. And there are plenty of aluminium cars that still weigh 1800kg.

Personally if I was running jaguar I would be looking at the falcon platform long and hard to find a way to cut costs, increase margins and improve product. For all its extra expense and R&D, Jaguars products are no better dynamically than our falcon.

With all the alloy used in the S type R it still weighs as much as a GT, so its no lightweight even with the extra expense of alloys used. The next S type will probably go to an alloy body just like the XJ.

[DRU842]

A better bet would be platform sharing with the Mustang, which has closer 'economic' requirements.

[Iphido]

I can hardly see Jaguar going back to a live axel. The mustang is based of a heavily revised DEW98 design (ie basically clean sheet, only related to DEW98 in name and broad concepts of suspension).

Ford have done a fantastic job with the falcon set up. Journo's continually refer to it as "as good as several more expensive european cars" etc. Some have flat out said its better than the E class, some have just said it has a bmw feel to it. My personal experience is its bloody good and could even become superior with proper execution (alloy wishbones = reducing unsprung mass, noise etc, quality monotube shocks which went missing in BF, etc). Im sure in Orion it will be close enough to not be a issue or a point of negitive diffrence. Falcon falls down on technology, quality (in design and in execution) and in badge.

In away they are already using the Falcon chassis, the X-type uses the Blade IRS system. Falcon has the ZF transmission as used in jags.

The line is bluring. Jaguar hasn't moved on and the Falcon certainly has. BMW and Merc have relentlessly moved on. Jaguar is still too trapped in its ways and styling wise is still in 1988.

Could Ford Australia build a BMW and Merc competitor. Yes, definately, off the Falcon platform. But it won't make ford Australia any significant money, and it would undercut jaguar.