Falcon better than Taurus?

[FPV GTHO]

Not anymore its not. Focus is turning into a midsize car, despite Ford and the rest of the market trying to keep that end of the market classified as small/compact class.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Since when is Falcon's city fuel average 9.9L/100km?
Falcons Urban consumption is 13.8L/100km according to Ford.com.au
Its overall average is 9.9L/100km

Anyway fuel economy standards between Oz and US are different.

Let's try a fair fight

City/Urban cycles:
Taurus: 18 mpg = 13.4 l/100 km ( their test is much tougher than ours)
Falcon: 13.8 l/100 km

Highway/Extra Urban cycles:
Taurus: 28 mpg = 8.4 l/100 km ( their test is much tougher than ours)
Falcon: 7.6 l/100 km

EPA figures has twice added downward corrections to raw data to better match
real world economy that should be achieved by most drivers.

The highway figure is anything steady state, so those of you that boast about getting 7.2 l/100 km
rest assured that in steady state cruise, the Taurus can achieve around that figure too....

[vztrt]

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...25787D001FDA59

New York show: New Taurus points to Falcon facelift

Big US Ford debutante presents Falcon telltale with new corporate design DNA

25 April 2011

By BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS in New York

FORD design boss J Mays has confirmed that the 2013 Taurus facelift featuring the company’s new corporate nose will be integrated across a variety of upcoming models, including this year’s vital Falcon makeover.

The new Ford look will also be integrated into the next-generation Mondeo mid-size sedan.

Speaking to GoAuto at the New York International Auto Show last week, Mr Mays explained Ford’s desire for a bold, coherent look that still retains each individual model’s character.

Claimed to have been heavily influenced by the latest Audi A6, the new Taurus features a cleaner and more defined hexagonal grille treatment that lends itself to a variety of model grade variations.

Bowing to US buyer feedback, Ford said that it worked hard to differentiate the sports-orientated SHO version from the more mundane Taurus models with modified grille, bumper and air intake elements.

“Both domestically and globally, we’re experimenting with various trapezoidal shapes on the front of the car,” Mr Mays explained.

“Some of those shapes are ‘Superman shield’ in nature, like on the Taurus SHO, and some of the classic inverted trapezoid on a variety of cars around the world, from Focus and Mondeo to many of our crossover products that you have seen.

“That inverted trapezoid has even made its way onto the Falcon when it goes through its mid-cycle action in Australia.

“So we’re talking very closely as a global design team about finding a recognisable face for Ford that we could spread around the world.”

However, Mr Mays explained that the trapezoidal face has to be flexible enough to give it attitude: “It will be there, but it will be slightly different in every way, too.”

Another Ford designer added that it is all about achieving the right look and proportion.

“I think SUVs and crossovers will have a slightly different aspect ratio or attitude to things as far as the trapezoidal shape is concerned,” said the designer.

“It’s not going to be exactly the same shape all the time, it’s just that the formula is one you hope everybody will recognise.”

Beyond the styling, Ford promises softer trim materials and an improved feeling of ‘quality’, as well as a palpably quieter interior, in all of its future models, including the Falcon.

The recently released SZ Territory is a strong pointer to the upgrades we can expect in the 2012 Falcon.

Meanwhile, Ford global product boss Derrick Kuzak said that the V6 powertrain in the new Taurus is going global as part of the company’s One Ford mantra.

“You already know that the (four-cylinder) 2.0-litre EcoBoost in the Taurus is going to the Falcon,” he told us.

“Just as we have global platforms, we also think about engines and transmission architectures and powertrain systems in exactly the same way.

“We’re on a path of reducing the number of platforms and having them all global, and we’re doing the same thing around our powertrain architectures.”

The 2013 Taurus facelift comes just over two years after the reborn American sedan was unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Besides the new slim headlights, hexagonal grille, bumpers and wheels, the makeover includes a variation of the 2.0-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder petrol engine delivering 175kW of power and 340Nm of torque, a revised 216kW 3.5-litre V6 petrol unit now boasting twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT), and a host of other mechanical improvements such as electric power steering, an ‘aggressive’ deceleration fuel shut-off system and ‘smart’ battery management.

Ford also promises reduced noise/vibration/harshness properties thanks to better sound deadening and a big step forward in quality through improved trim and materials.

Ford claims the Taurus is now more ergonomically sound due to a new touch-screen interface and steering wheel-mounted toggles offering voice-activation technology.

Other new features include an active parking system and torque vectoring control that works like a limited slip differential by braking the outside front wheel slightly during aggressive cornering.

[XRtowcar]

Can only hope the Falcon upgrade can look as aggressive as the Taurus.
Like what they have done.

[GS608]

Originally Posted by vztrt

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...25787D001FDA59

hate to say it but looks like we were right.

[xe351]

not a real fan of the taurus, but i think its mainly from the name. If it comes here, can it be a different name!!!! the 1st taurus released in oz is/was the equivalent of holdens camira - say the name and watch people roll their eyes

[Polyal]

Yeap id be happy if FG2 looked like that, its great.



Both look good, the Taurus just looks more modern (because it is..)

Id be willing to bet FoA have the G6ET looking like that (grill and lower intake) to slowly move to the corporate look...just like the new Tez.

[DJM83]

I like it.

[Road_Warrior]

I think they should adopt the Taurus' rear end styling.

[SteveJH]

The Taurus's headlights look to much like the ones from a Mitsubishi Lancer

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by SteveJH

The Taurus's headlights look to much like the ones from a Mitsubishi Lancer

I thought the same, but it still looks good.

[XRtowcar]

Suppose the danger is if they make the Falcon look like the Taurus too much, it will make it easier to slip into replace the Falcon.
Hmmm, wait a minute...

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by XRtowcar

Suppose the danger is if they make the Falcon look like the Taurus too much, it will make it easier to slip into replace the Falcon.
Hmmm, wait a minute...

If the Taurus came with the 5.0 id be all over it like a cheap hooker.

[Elks]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Yeap id be happy if FG2 looked like that, its great.



Both look good, the Taurus just looks more modern (because it is..)

Id be willing to bet FoA have the G6ET looking like that (grill and lower intake) to slowly move to the corporate look...just like the new Tez.

perhaps some of our more talented members can do a photo shop of what the falcon could/should look like with then new corporate nose.

Note the designer quoted in the article said that the "trapezoid grille" will be different for every model, more agressive in some, softer in others, but is to become recognisably Ford.

[SteveJH]

Falcon grill is already Trapezoidal. I suppose they could always make it deeper with the number plate partly dropping down in front of the airdam.

[Bossxr8]

The new Taurus looks good. I love the front end.