RWD all-Australian Falcon future hanging in the balance

[Falc'man]

Originally Posted by GoAuto

To get the nod as the ‘centre of expertise’ for Ford’s next global large-car program – whether it be front/all-wheel drive or rear-drive – Ford Australia will have to gazump its parent company’s own engineering team in Dearborn, Michigan. If not, the Falcon family could become re-bodied versions of the US Taurus or host of other Ford, Mercury and Lincoln models.

: : :

And they will!

[Airmon]

Originally Posted by LeadFoot81

What if base model Falcons were replaced by the 'one ford' Mondeo/Taurus and a new world class Mustang replaced the XRs/FPVs? Would that be so bad?

Hopefully Ford Oz get a world class Mustang/Falcon platform from 2013, I remember reading Detroit was considering a four door Mustang?

What were Monaro sales compared to SS/Clubsport? There is a reason XRs and FPVs are 4 door and RWD, because thats how they sell. And I havn't seen a huge jump in sales from the TRD Aurion which goes to show that when people want powerful 4 door cars they lean more towards RWD.
Base model cars on the other hand....

It just means that those who want a 4 door RWD car will have to look elsewhere.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Burnedout

Couldn't see meself in a 'Proton Jumbuck'

Oh come on...you know you want to!!!

[Falc'man]

Originally Posted by Airmon

What were Monaro sales compared to SS/Clubsport? There is a reason XRs and FPVs are 4 door and RWD, because thats how they sell. And I havn't seen a huge jump in sales from the TRD Aurion which goes to show that when people want powerful 4 door cars they lean more towards RWD.
Base model cars on the other hand....

It just means that those who want a 4 door RWD car will have to look elsewhere.

All good points.

I believe, and just about every other manufacturer worth mentioning besides Ford, also believes that RWD is essential to have. Whether Ford decide to go ahead with some sort of RWD platform hinges on how well they understand the above point and if adapting to "change" is that important to them that they need to decide before 2011 I'm confident the Aussie designed RWD Falcon will live on.

[HSE2]

I have said enough on this subject already. AWD is a rubbish argument. It’s an attempt at interjecting a saving grace into a compromised platform and in the process undoing most of the benefits held by a FWD structure by adding weight and complexity of an AWD system.

The latest’s FG fuel consumption numbers proves the fallacy of FWD consumption claims.

We have been here before. This isn't about what we want or will buy. Ford has no interest in providing a product that will sell in this country.

I hope Ford have a very successful small and medium car segment future because that all they will be good for.

I wish them luck because while my heart beats never will I buy a FWD falcon replacement. Let’s hope they have the good sense to kill the Falcon name with the departure of the brands present in the LWD segment as minuscule as it may become.

[Scott]

Originally Posted by HSE2

Let’s hope they have the good sense to kill the Falcon name with the departure of the brand....

Well, lets hope the common sense bit keeps RWD before we get to that eh?

[FPV+fteT3]

My 290 FPV is by far the best car I have owned I drive it every day and it puts a smile on ya face powering thru corners, sliding under power at will and those Brembo brakes. For me RWD = car control, simple as that. Good time to buy parts to keep the FPV alive for thet rest of my driving years or maybe cross to the dark side if they survive.

[GT69]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbGhr...eature=related

Top gear australia admittedly. but I couldnt agree more with the final rant

[Homes]

Originally Posted by HSE2

Let’s hope they have the good sense to kill the Falcon name with the departure of the brands present in the LWD segment as minuscule as it may become.

i hope so too mate...i had 2 cars (both 4 cyl hatches) before i owned a falcon & it was only once i was in a falcon then i gained my love of cars...i have never owned another make or model since my first falcon (XF first, then EL & now AU...thought about trading to BF, but i think the AU drives better, & i can't afford the FG) : but i will jump ship rapidly if a falcon is a rebadged taurus/mondeo/random non-falcon.

Big, 4 door, RWD, V8 cars are we want (although many of us settle for I6's because we're too poor for the big engine, but we get the rest right)...i hope they don't mess things up for us

[redauxr8]

The bottom line is... In the same time period, ford australia sold like 1200 mondeo's compared to 3000+ falcons.... Dont worry its just a media hype and stupid people saying stupid things....

[DougM]

Ummmmmm.........The American car makers produce a LOT of FWD cars and so to the europeans.............Look where it's gotten them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GM broke.........Opel in trouble........Chrysler broke........Can't be too cost effective if they still can't make money on them......

[ILLaViTaR]

Man going FWD is worse than going the V6.

If they do that I won't be buying ford ever (besides second hand RWD).

For a lot of people it defeats a lot of the purpose having power, and the stupid things a shockingly dangerous is you lose traction.

[bigdude1011]

Originally Posted by DougM

Ummmmmm.........The American car makers produce a LOT of FWD cars and so to the europeans.............Look where it's gotten them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GM broke.........Opel in trouble........Chrysler broke........Can't be too cost effective if they still can't make money on them......

First issue, GM owns Opel
Second issue, look at GM and Chrysler's other offerings... large RWD/4WD SUVs and trucks

[4Vman]

Arent people sick of posting threads on this topic what seems like every week???

[Daymoe]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Arent people sick of posting threads on this topic what seems like every week???

Who cares, it gives us something to read when we come on, this part of the forum would probably be dead if it wasn't for the good ol' doom and gloom thread that pops up every now and again.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by Daymoe

Who cares, it gives us something to read when we come on, this part of the forum would probably be dead if it wasn't for the good ol' doom and gloom thread that pops up every now and again.

Every now and then?? all people seem to do is post doom and gloom at the moment....
Why not just dredge up all the "OMG the falcon's doomed to fwd" threads and combine them into 1 rather than start a new one each week......
I guess its taken over from the "OMG the IL 6cyl engines doomed for a V6" threads...

[HSE2]

Norm, haven't your heard mate. We are in a recession.
There is a moritorium on anything positive.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by HSE2

Norm, haven't your heard mate. We are in a recession.
There is a moritorium on anything positive.

Yeh sorry Ian, i missed that email.. i'll try and be more negative next time..!

OMG the Falcon's doomed..!!!!! My home's doomed!! the I6 is Doomed!!!

That feels better..

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

OMG the Falcon's doomed..!!!!! My home's doomed!! the I6 is Doomed!!!

That feels better..

You forgot your "OMG the government is giving money out the world is coming to an end".

[phillyc]

Well, if Holden survives and that is the bigger if here, then the next Commodore will be RWD. They have proven to make a better RWD then their US counterparts (even if it is inferior to FG) which in turn makes a good case for Ford Australia to have a hand in the next Med-Large RWD platform.

Why do I say Med-Large? Well, Holden have said they are looking at taking mass and size out of the next Commodore. I mean this might be just putting sketches on a napkin (with all their promises they make - they are the equivalent of the NSW Labor Party...) but it also has merit.

So, historically othan than 'not invented in Detroit', the big problem for Ford US adopting our superior FG or previous version Falcon has been one of size. So, if the Falcon went down half a size their could be much more compatibility.

Reduced size, a little more alloy suspension (rear) to match the front and an entry level XT could be starting at 1600kg or nearly 100kg lighter. Add in alloy block V8, and they could be staring at a 1700kg GT.

Next Gen Mustang and Falcon will share a platform. This is what I believe will happen!

[GTENVY]

This is depressing :

[Gobes32]

Funny thing is that all these people who will never buy another Falcon if it goes FWD never have bought a brand new one anyway.............

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Gobes32

Funny thing is that all these people who will never buy another Falcon if it goes FWD never have bought a brand new one anyway.............

Really?? Seemed like the BA and then the BFII I purchased were new.

[Perana]

I was waiting for this article, we are at that stage in the model cycle.

[Gobes32]

Originally Posted by vztrt

Really?? Seemed like the BA and then the BFII I purchased were new.

Not all, just the majority.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by vztrt

Really?? Seemed like the BA and then the BFII I purchased were new.

Good job !

Are there another 3000 here ? Per Month ?

[mik]

Originally Posted by Daymoe

Does RWD matter that much though in the whole scheme of things?

some of us prefer rwd.

[Nikked]

Its only a go auto artical.

At least once a month an artical comes out claiming stuff, makes me yawn...

[Gobes32]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Its only a go auto artical.

At least once a month an artical comes out claiming stuff, makes me yawn...

This article is on the ball, there is no Falcon penciled in after 2013. And funnily enough, Taurus and Mondeo will receive major facelifts at the same time. It may all be a giant coincidence but the head honcho's are determined to roll out the "One Ford" scheme.

[EDManual]

my old man (63 years old) is signing for a brand new black xr6 turbo in the next few days... people still buy them new. Its true, just not many I guess. Although I must admit I would buy 2nd hand, and thats only cos i havent the money.