FPV GS to replace XR8 ?

[6t6m]

I know that the GS was talked about in another thread in another area but i figure with this article from car advice it might be relevant here because of the possibility of the XR8 disappearing.

http://www.caradvice.com.au/36942/fp...-in-september/ (from caradvice.com.au)

I really think dropping the XR8 name would be a bad idea for 2 reasons.

1. People are really starting to get to know the XR name, especially the younger generation who dont remember the original GS and even people who dont know a lot about cars know that an XR is a Ford... generally.

2. The amount of FPV dealers compared to Ford dealers is very limited. If Ford dropped XR then only FPV dealers would be able to stock GS's and hence people would no see them as much and less likely to buy them. From my experience if a dealership doesnt have the vehicle a customer is looking for (or something very similar) they will walk away and buy the competitions vehicle.

any one else have any thoughts ??

[Falc'man]

That is only speculation. Strong word is that it is very incorrect speculation, as well.

[6t6m]

Yeh i was hoping that ... i'm not someone with insider info or anything like that... only able to read whats on the internet etc

[Buzz Box]

That would be like Holden dropping the 'SS' everyone knows it and the XR6 and XR8 are getting a following and brand name recognition.

Personally I still don't understand dropping the Fairmont and Fairlane name plates but what can you do?

[CAT600]

Originally Posted by Buzz Box

That would be like Holden dropping the 'SS' everyone knows it and the XR6 and XR8 are getting a following and brand name recognition.

Personally I still don't understand dropping the Fairmont and Fairlane name plates but what can you do?

While I do agree with your feelings on the XR nameplate, the uptake and acceptance of the G6, G6E and G6ET has been very good in my opinion. In fact I originally believed that the loss of the Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia names would hurt Ford in the short term, but I think it was a well executed decision and the change was like a breath of fresh air for the Ford buyers in this country.

Whether they were to hypothetically do this phase out of the XR8 as a rename for the sake of change, or to tie the V8 into FPV exclusively is yet to be seen, and yet to be proven successful if so.

If I was to take a wild stab in the dark, I think Ford are moving toward a greener percieved stance, with the "gas-guzzling" V8 performance cars in their own niche company that is not bound by the more conservative economy/emission requirements of a mainstream automobile company.

If that is the case and that move were to preceed the GT evolving into something better, then I am all for it.

Daniel

[TRUBLU4DS]

Ford would have to drop the XR8 as they own the rights to that name & as Daniel says they might move the v8's to be exclusive to FPV. imo they should stop stuffing around re-hashing names & do something serious!

[HLC]

mmmmmmm GS.... i want one.

[Iggypoppin']

I have always thought since the BA came out, XR's where a cop out. When tickford had them, they where faster, meaner and all-round better than the "ford" vehicles. Which is what you bought it for. Now, buying an XR6(and even turbo to some extent) produces a "taxi-pack" kind of feel. Your in a kitted XT. Not something out of the ordinary. If FPV takes over the XR nameplate, let's hope they make them bad boys something to remember, and not some cop-out XT with bits n bobs and no go fast bits.

[dom_105]

Originally Posted by NJXR6

I have always thought since the BA came out, XR's where a cop out. When tickford had them, they where faster, meaner and all-round better than the "ford" vehicles. Which is what you bought it for. Now, buying an XR6(and even turbo to some extent) produces a "taxi-pack" kind of feel. Your in a kitted XT. Not something out of the ordinary. If FPV takes over the XR nameplate, let's hope they make them bad boys something to remember, and not some cop-out XT with bits n bobs and no go fast bits.

Notwithstanding various limited edition specials. (EB GT, EL GT, Sprint, TS50) the XR8 was at the top of the performance tree in pre-BA days. It's been superseded somewhat by the GT and it's variants, the F6, and quite probably even the XR6T.

There's no great need for the XR8 to be anything other than what it is at the moment because of the FPV cars.

[mik]

Originally Posted by NJXR6

I have always thought since the BA came out, XR's where a cop out. When tickford had them, they where faster, meaner and all-round better than the "ford" vehicles. Which is what you bought it for. Now, buying an XR6(and even turbo to some extent) produces a "taxi-pack" kind of feel. Your in a kitted XT. Not something out of the ordinary. If FPV takes over the XR nameplate, let's hope they make them bad boys something to remember, and not some cop-out XT with bits n bobs and no go fast bits.

yeah but some of us can`t afford to pay an extra 20 or 30 grand for the top of the line and are quite happy to have the slightly lower spec version .

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by CAT600

While I do agree with your feelings on the XR nameplate, the uptake and acceptance of the G6, G6E and G6ET has been very good in my opinion. In fact I originally believed that the loss of the Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia names would hurt Ford in the short term, but I think it was a well executed decision and the change was like a breath of fresh air for the Ford buyers in this country.

Whether they were to hypothetically do this phase out of the XR8 as a rename for the sake of change, or to tie the V8 into FPV exclusively is yet to be seen, and yet to be proven successful if so.

If I was to take a wild stab in the dark, I think Ford are moving toward a greener percieved stance, with the "gas-guzzling" V8 performance cars in their own niche company that is not bound by the more conservative economy/emission requirements of a mainstream automobile company.

If that is the case and that move were to preceed the GT evolving into something better, then I am all for it.

Daniel

I agree 100%, I to was nervous about all the name changes but it seems to have worked.

I dont think the XR8 has a huge following, the XR6T has brought the XR name to a new level and it was only enthusiasts IMO that even really knew about the tickford XR series.

The FG XR8 is one of the nicest all round packages getting about and no one knows it, so, I dont think Ford will miss the 50 odd sales per month.

[Iggypoppin']

I'm going to retract most of my previous comments from last night. Spoken in anger and haste.

[Dr_Hoon]

Originally Posted by dom_105

Notwithstanding various limited edition specials. (EB GT, EL GT, Sprint, TS50) the XR8 was at the top of the performance tree in pre-BA days.

::cough::

eb xr6 > eb xr8

[auxr]

Would not be too happy to see nameplate go, XR series has built a following I believe within the general public i.e. nameplate recognition - GS is a throw back to the seventies, though I can see the merits of trying to fit in with the G series set of vehicles - hopefully only speculation at this point in time.

[Iggypoppin']

Oh yeah, that too dr hoon. My main point was that an XR6 was a performance car, now it's not so much, more a "sports" styled car modelled off the lower spec vehicles.

[GT0132]

Originally Posted by Buzz Box

That would be like Holden dropping the 'SS' everyone knows it and the XR6 and XR8 are getting a following and brand name recognition.

Personally I still don't understand dropping the Fairmont and Fairlane name plates but what can you do?

Well they dropped Ghia and that name had been around since 1977 .

[Polyal]

Geez amazing how things stir up so quickly.

Highly doubtful that the "XR" is going anywhere in a hurry, the point is that FPV looks like it might take full responsibility for V8 models. Thats it.

[Dave R]

Come on, it's Caradvice. The same article was talking up a "3kg" weight advantage. Jokers they are.

[ltd]

Originally Posted by CAT600

While I do agree with your feelings on the XR nameplate, the uptake and acceptance of the G6, G6E and G6ET has been very good in my opinion. In fact I originally believed that the loss of the Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia names would hurt Ford in the short term, but I think it was a well executed decision and the change was like a breath of fresh air for the Ford buyers in this country.

Whether they were to hypothetically do this phase out of the XR8 as a rename for the sake of change, or to tie the V8 into FPV exclusively is yet to be seen, and yet to be proven successful if so.

If I was to take a wild stab in the dark, I think Ford are moving toward a greener percieved stance, with the "gas-guzzling" V8 performance cars in their own niche company that is not bound by the more conservative economy/emission requirements of a mainstream automobile company.

If that is the case and that move were to preceed the GT evolving into something better, then I am all for it.

Daniel

Spot on.
Ford had a masterstroke with the G6E-T name, and I don't ever recall in recent history there being a waiting list for the fairmont ghia. You have to wait until October for a G6E-T atm.
GS should work a treat.

[gcg2503]

Originally Posted by ltd

Spot on.
Ford had a masterstroke with the G6E-T name, and I don't ever recall in recent history there being a waiting list for the fairmont ghia. You have to wait until October for a G6E-T atm.
GS should work a treat.

So are you saying that it would be next to impossible to crunch $11500 off RRP

;)

[flappist]

Originally Posted by gcg2503

So are you saying that it would be next to impossible to crunch $11500 off RRP

;)

No, they will always have "friday afternoon and monday morning lemons" that they keep for "special" customers......

[XR_Strider_GuY]

With the introduction of the FG it does seem the XR8 is an orphan amongst the range. The only V8 powered Falcon with a Ford badge.

I guess sales dictates its availability. Truck loads of XR6 and G series but only ever 1 or maybe 2 new XR8's at the dealers.

[RG]

I really do think that one thread on the subject is enough.