Hopes rise of new XR8

[GavL]

Ford aims to win back V8 fans who opted for Holden, writes Toby Hagon.

Ford's hairy-chested XR8 Falcon is not dead yet, the company says. The model has been in limbo since last June, when production ceased after its 5.4-litre V8 fell victim to tougher emissions laws.

But it could return early next year in more than one guise, aimed at swinging V8 voters who have switched allegiance to Holden.

At the moment, Ford's performance arm, FPV, has the mortgage on V8 Falcons with its 5.0-litre supercharged GS, GT and GT-P sedans, which start from $56,990 plus on-road and dealer costs.
Advertisement: Story continues below

But that leaves Holden's V8 SS Commodore unchallenged as the cheap entry point to a local V8 muscle car. It sells from $47,790.

Ford Australia vice-president of marketing, sales and service, Beth Donovan, is adamant the project to revive the XR8 nameplate won't go ahead unless the car is ''more than competitive''.

The car was originally scheduled to make a return before the end of this year but that looks unlikely.

Donovan's comments are in line with those from recently replaced Ford Australia president Marin Burela, who last year said there was something ''exciting'' in line for a new-generation Falcon XR8 and that ''we are going to be bringing to the table more than we ever have''.

''If you're going to do it, it's got to be competitive,'' Donovan says.

Ford's marketing boss says any Falcon XR8 revival will involve out-muscling the Commodore SS and SS-V, which dominate the entry-level V8 performance segment.

Almost one in four Commodores sold is fitted with a 6.0-litre V8 engine, with most of those the sportier SS and SS-V models that come with more overt styling.

Donovan says there is still a lucrative set of buyers who only want an affordable rear-drive V8 performance car, something Ford doesn't offer, instead relying on its XR6 Turbo that uses a six-cylinder.

''We've got to figure out what those customers want,'' she says. ''You've got to make sure it's going to be competitive and then you've got to target them, give them what they want.''

An appropriate V8 noise, above-average performance and muscular styling are top of the wish list.

But Donovan suggests the project hasn't been signed off and if it isn't up to scratch, it will not go ahead.

''We're still looking at who are the buyers; what's it going to take?'' she says.

Donovan acknowledges that some Ford buyers have deserted the brand for a Holden and there would have to be a concerted effort to tempt buyers back into the Ford family.

She will not speculate on whether the V8 engine that would be used in the XR8 - it would need more power than the rival Commodore SS but less than the FPV GS, suggesting something about 300kW - would make it into other vehicles in the Falcon range.

However, she doesn't rule out using the Titanium badge - used on other Fords, such as the Territory and Mondeo - on a version of the Falcon, something that would sit nicely with a V8 under the bonnet.

The current flagship Falcon is the luxurious G6E.

http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...415-1dgrd.html

I find the part about the V8 being used in other vehicles interesting, does that mean we could see a G8E next year sometime? Hopefully it's not too little too late reintroducing the XR8 to Ford's lineup.

[smoo]

Ford Au put a new definition to f.ing around.

[Brazen]

Interesting dumping the stupid G6E name, Titanium will get the gig at FGII.

[Eaturbo]

Looking at last months sales figures for Commodore and Falcon i would be surprised too see much more from Ford with the Falcon. They still have the new LPG and the Ecoboost 4 cyclinder to come but if this does not lift sales than i think that they might have missed the boat. No matter how many advances they make, if people have gone off the Falcon and big cars than it will not matter. Maybe the AU Falcon pushed Ford buyes to other brands and they have never returned. It is hard to get a customer back once they buy something else and are really happy with that brand. A friend of our has had falcons for 40 years and just brought a Hyundai Sante Fa Diesel. He loves it and said it is the best car he has owned and uses half the fuel the Falcon did. How do you continue to spend double the money to develop new Falcon than you did 10 years ago while selling half the amount you did 10 years ago. Only one way and it will be with global engines, suspension and floor pans to cut cost. FG might well be the last truely Aussie Falcon, which in my eyes is the best we could hope for considering the other option is no Falcon at all.

[Eaturbo]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Interesting dumping the stupid G6E name, Titanium will get the gig at FGII.

Ford is getting out of control with all the Name changes. The very few people who did know what a G6E was now have to explain another name which means nothing. If they had some balls they would correct the name back to Fairmont Ghia and get back some buyer awarness and street cred.

[BIGJB]

Originally Posted by Eaturbo

Ford is getting out of control with all the Name changes. The very few people who did know what a G6E was now have to explain another name which means nothing. If they had some balls they would correct the name back to Fairmont Ghia and get back some buyer awarness and street cred.

Here here. I am a Fairmont Ghia man always have been it's a name that is close to my heart. Some of my best memories
have been behind the wheel of a Fairmont Ghia as my cars have always been a major part of my life.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Interesting dumping the stupid G6E name, Titanium will get the gig at FGII.

Heck, go the whole hog and have XR, Zetec (G6), Titanium (G6E) and Econetic (XT) for better distinction
Give the luxury and base Falcons more distinctive corporate names and watch the difference
in buyer perception change, we need four nice distinctive noses that differentiate the
cars from each other without making the lower series look unattractive and unloved.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Heck, go the whole hog and have XR, Zetec (G6), Titanium (G6E) and Econetic (XT) for better distinction
Give the luxury and base Falcons more distinctive corporate names and watch the difference
in buyer perception change, we need four nice distinctive noses that differentiate the
cars from each other without making the lower series look unattractive and unloved.

I like the idea of Zetec on Falcon, I think it would work really well on Territory... TS is a bit bleh.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Brazen

I like the idea of Zetec on Falcon, I think it would work really well on Territory... TS is a bit bleh.

yes, the whole naming system needs a refresh, letter code don't do justice to the models,
this is all about changing perception of buyers that these vehicles are tailor made to them.

[xp_ute]

bring 'em back i say

fairmont ghia is easily recognised as the fancy falcon.. not g6e

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by jpd80

yes, the whole naming system needs a refresh, letter code don't do justice to the models,
this is all about changing perception of buyers that these vehicles are tailor made to them.

Exactly right, it gives a little prestige with the models, doesnt sound like you have bought a base model, the letter codes always make mass produced cars sound like rental/fleet povo pack specials. Look at Toyota the base model Corolla is an Ascent, base model Camry is Altise. Sounds better than Corolla XT or Camry GL....

[Polyal]

One in four commies a v8.....how could anyone say that the segment is dead or that it's not worth pursuing! The sales fell because the car (read engine) was not what the market wanted.

Although ford have been working overtime it seems with fluff talk lately.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by Polyal

One in four commies a v8.....how could anyone say that the segment is dead or that it's not worth pursuing! The sales fell because the car (read engine) was not what the market wanted.

Although ford have been working overtime it seems with fluff talk lately.

That statistic never ceases to surpise me. Makes a Titianium 5-Oh even more possible..

[The G6ET Spot]

After all this time they still don't have a timeline for a release if at all. just that it could be next year.

Well if they are going to leave it another 8 months or more, they may as well forget about it all together.After speaking to a Dealer Principal about the very subject of when models are going to be released and then being delayed, all I can say is that if the dealers are exacerbated with Ford them what hope has the general punter got.

I had put off the purchase of buying an alternate car to a Ford, in the faint hope that the XR8 may have come about this year. Looks like I won't be buying one now!

[ebxr8240]

Sheesh !! If they havn't WORKED it out by now ???
They NEVER will !!!!!

[The G6ET Spot]

Originally Posted by ebxr8240

Sheesh !! If they havn't WORKED it out by now ???
They NEVER will !!!!!

And to think that there is another thread asking the question asking. "Are we being to harsh and critical of Ford Australia".

Well when you get reports like this it isn't hard to be critical of one of the most inept management teams in the Australian automotive industry for quite some time.

It seems they have no idea

[SteveJH]

I'm assuming the introduction of Zetec, Titanium etc would be so you don't have a G4 & G6, G4E & G6E. Would simplify the naming conventions.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by SteveJH

I'm assuming the introduction of Zetec, Titanium etc would be so you don't have a G4 & G6, G4E & G6E. Would simplify the naming conventions.

Good point!

[csv8]

Fairmont Ghia needs to come back but Titanium is much better than G6E,
Really, who knows what a G6E is ??????? MAYBE the FG2 will have a G8E and I can buy Fairmont Ghia badges and rebadge it?????? Then I won't have to buy a Calais V, later this year???????

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by csv8

Fairmont Ghia needs to come back but Titanium is much better than G6E,
Really, who knows what a G6E is ??????? MAYBE the FG2 will have a G8E and I can buy Fairmont Ghia badges and rebadge it?????? Then I won't have to buy a Calais V, later this year???????

[csv8]

That someones car? or photoshop? nice!!! Ford, take notice!!!!

[malazn mafia]

An appropriate V8 noise, above-average performance...

Come on Ford.. 'above average'. I certainly wouldn't be looking for above average performance in a V8 sedan.

[mik]

i`m not a fan of changeing names all the time, the way i see it people are essentially lazy, and many can`t be stuffed doing homework on 20 different tiers of models and will probably go with what they know, by all means bring the xr8 back with a bit more highlights on the interior.....no more gadgets , just classy it up a bit , any of the coyote/ miami power units would be a winner in the xr8 imo.

[mik]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Come on Ford.. 'above average'. I certainly wouldn't be looking for above average performance in a V8 sedan.

are you being sarcastic? we could probably rip the coyote/miami out and put a 253 in it if you want ........i think i`d like th better performing model myself(not the 253).

[FG XR]

Ford Australia. Digging it's own grave day by day. Can't decide what name to use and dump, can't decide whether to keep xr8 or lose it, can't advertise to save themselves, late with new models and engines, always BEHIND!

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by mik

are you being sarcastic? we could probably rip the coyote/miami out and put a 253 in it if you want ........i think i`d like th better performing model myself(not the 253).

I meant that 'above average' is inadequate, or doesnt sound real convincing. Mindblowing, exhilarating would be a better word. Above average would describe Fords N/A i6 engine, or that 3valve V8 the BA/BF Ghias could be optioned with.

[FPV GTHO]

Its more than just what one badge means on one individual car. Park a Mondeo Titanium, Territory Titanium and Falcon Titanium next to each other in the dealership and buyers will get the damn picture!

[Gobes32]

Taken from another website......

Beth Donovan is the Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Service, for Ford of Australia and a member of the Australian Operating Committee. She was appointed to this position in September 2008.

Now I know this will raise a hornets nest, but I would suggest that Ford's marketing went down hill around the time of FG release, and what do you know, that is when Beth scored her job. If Falcon sales are at an all time low then people like her need to take a long hard look at themselves and their worth to the company. People are about to lose their job because Ford could not organize a **** up in a brewery............

[Bobman]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Econetic (XT)

Surely the XT (as a model) will be dead soon?

[HULK EF]

Originally Posted by Bobman

Surely the XT (as a model) will be dead soon?

Dont taxi sales nationally prop it up?