Could Mazda utilise the Falcon?

[Road_Warrior]

Even though Ford has sold it's majority stake off in Mazda, the two have said they will continue to cooperate on platform and engine development. Co-developing cars like the new Mondeo and Mazda 6 can only be a good thing IMO.

Could Mazda make use of the FG platform to sell a premium RWD large car in the Japanese domestic market and Europe? (and Korea and China perhaps)

Obviously such a car would not use the Falcon's engines - it would more than likely use one of the DI Duratech V6's and probably a turbo diesel, and it would have front and rear sheetmetal and an interior that was unique to Mazda, but the Falcon's chassis and passenger cell and front and rear suspension would stay the same.

Kind of like a new-age Mazda 929, or a Mazda 9 if you will :1syellow1

Yeah or nah?

[Stealth00]

This needs a poll. Interesting question you pose, not sure the Asian market is the place for a large RWD sedan, but would love to see it.

[Paxton]

With the stink Mazda have kicked up over T6, they're not going to be likely candidates for the GRWD project (should it ever get off the ground). If they enter the RWD market again, they would be better off either starting from scratch, or extending the RX8 or MX5 Platform.

Before EA was engineered, Ford Australia were asked to study the 929 Platform to use as a starting point for EA. Fortunately, sanity prevailed.

[The Yeti]

Mazda wouldnt be that stupid, although perhaps with there imput the quality would imporve

[snappy]

Originally Posted by Paxton

With the stink Mazda have kicked up over T6, they're not going to be likely candidates for the GRWD project (should it ever get off the ground). If they enter the RWD market again, they would be better off either starting from scratch, or extending the RX8 or MX5 Platform.

Before EA was engineered, Ford Australia were asked to study the 929 Platform to use as a starting point for EA. Fortunately, sanity prevailed.

what stink did mazda kick up about the t6

[Paxton]

Originally Posted by snappy84

what stink did mazda kick up about the t6

Something about 33% now being only 13.4% (to put it in the simplest of terms).

They also don't like the fact that Ford Australia's engineers are perceived to be too young.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by The Yeti

Mazda wouldnt be that stupid, although perhaps with there imput the quality would imporve

I don't think that quality would be an issue with a rolling chassis and passenger cell as a starting point :

And yeah, what was this hissy fit about the T6?

EDIT:

Originally Posted by Paxton

Something about 33% now being only 13.4% (to put it in the simplest of terms).

That's what happens when the project lead (and majority shareholder in your company) sells it's majority stockholding!

[RG]

Originally Posted by Stealth00

This needs a poll. Interesting question you pose, not sure the Asian market is the place for a large RWD sedan, but would love to see it.

I agree so I added one.

Interesting topic.

[vztrt]

In the right markets they could.
Would they do it? Doubt it.

The Terri would probably be a more useful platform for them.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by vztrt

In the right markets they could.
Would they do it? Doubt it.

The Terri would probably be a more useful platform for them.

But they already have the CX7 and CX9, the Terri would be meaningless duplication to arrive at an outcome that is no better than what they already have.

Mazda has a pretty good rep with private buyers around the world and they make stylish cars - I would have thought a larger car in their lineup that sits above the 6 for the prestige RWD market would give them a viable competitor against the likes of Lexus, Honda etc in the large car sector. I'm just talking about the Japanese domestic market though, and possibly Europe.

I wonder what it would look like?

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

But they already have the CX7 and CX9, the Terri would be meaningless duplication to arrive at an outcome that is no better than what they already have.

Mazda has a pretty good rep with private buyers around the world and they make stylish cars - I would have thought a larger car in their lineup that sits above the 6 for the prestige RWD market would give them a viable competitor against the likes of Lexus, Honda etc in the large car sector. I'm just talking about the Japanese domestic market though, and possibly Europe.

I wonder what it would look like?

The 6 is a big 'mid size' car....as is the mondeo. Because it is FWD they actually have a fair bit of room in them. The small difference in size between the two wouldn't really matter.

The Terri platform would be good for Mazda simply for the handling and the rear IRS system.

[EgoFG]

Hmmm return of the 929 as a 9 ?
Or perhaps a Eunos 800 ? (or a Xedos or Millenia)

[Mr Hardware]

If they were stupid enough to use it they should call it Roadpacer II.

[Paxton]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

If they were stupid enough to use it they should call it Roadpacer II.

With the mandatory Rotary?

[Fairlane]

Nope last 929 did not sell.

Eunos was a dud and Mazda will not touch a big sedan again, plus with upcoming toughened restrictions in the US, it just wont sell. Chinese market would be the only chance for a Mazda'ised Falcon

I will be deadly honest in Japan DM, Falcon does not stand a chance. Falcon would gets it **** handed to it by the Crown and the Nissan Cima, much more convincing luxo cars, And if you want to go sporty youve got to tackle Skyline.

Not to mention this puppy. The Toyota Mark X- The car toyota should sell here instead of the Aurion

[Road_Warrior]

Le sigh.

I'm not saying that the Falcon should be given to Mazda in it's entirety, I'm saying that Mazda could use the platform - chassis, passenger cell, driveline - to make their own car. With a well appointed and well designed interior and front and rear styling that echoes the Mazda 3 and 6, it won't resemble a Falcon at all. The chassis prowess of the car is adequate to be used for a luxo barge, it just needs some Japanese obsessiveness to make it complete.

And screw the US market, I'm thinking purely of Japanese, Korean and Chinese markets. Possibly Europe too. With the DI Duratech V6 it should be capable of returning good fuel consumption AND emissions figures.

[Mr Hardware]

that toyota, is it rwd?

[Fairlane]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

I'm not saying that the Falcon should be given to Mazda in it's entirety, I'm saying that Mazda could use the platform - chassis, passenger cell, driveline - to make their own car. With a well appointed and well designed interior and front and rear styling that echoes the Mazda 3 and 6, it won't resemble a Falcon at all. The chassis prowess of the car is adequate to be used for a luxo barge, it just needs some Japanese obsessiveness to make it complete.

Yeah fair enough, but i just dont think Mazda will give two hoots about co-operating with Australia on a global rear wheel drive platform. A big RWD sedan just wouldnt fit in with their company culture (zoom, zoom or whatever it is in Japanese). They dont want to build one and would waste their resources helping us out.

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

that toyota, is it rwd?

And yes Mr Hardware it comes in both RWD and AWD. Only v6's you can get a supercharged one.

[phillyc]

Well, i voted 'no' for a couple of reasons.

Mazda is not really seen in the US as a semi-premium brand. It's only considered about par with Toyota. So, i can't see them being able to introduce a semi-premium priced RWD sedan to market.

The world market for large cars will probably be no more 15% globally as predicted by Ford.

Now that Ford owns a reduced shareholding, i can't see them going with this.

This is certainly not to say that they couldn't make a terrific vehicle (sedan / wagon / SUV) off the platform. They most certainly could!