The Americans Test a '07 FPV GT

[Sledgehammer]

Article appears correct though for the most part and nice to see some more publicity for some aussie muscle. After all this is the last local chassis.....according to the article

[Falcon Freak]

Orion is a locally developed chassis so the article is incorrect.

FF

[ltd]

Michael Stahl was on the news the other day, seen getting into his car which is wait for it; a VE calais. You know, the same one that mauled the BMW M5 (V10 mind you) in wheels kickback of the year.

Frankly, could we expect anything less than this from a pompous, socialist, arrogant and balding writer who has proven so many times to be in bed with the reds?
HSV for wheels really means Hopeless Sellout Validation, especially when Stahl and co take every opportunity to try to put generations between the VE and BF2. The rest of the world knows that they are not really all that far apart, and in some areas VE is behind. You can be forgiven for thinking they are worlds apart, especially when you see that the carpark at wheels offices is full of commodores and Holdens.

Yes, this is a rant as I am sick of all the negative press given to Ford by a bunch of illiterate twits who think that the falcon Xt is powered by a SOHC V6 (yes, they actually printed it). To me, such oversights are just indicative of the level of interest expressed in Fords products, as opposed to the plethora of splooge in the wheels office created whenever Denny Mooney says the word Holden.
Wheels has to be one of the most biased magazines on the face of the planet (remember the BMW M5/Calais COTY before complaining, and their idea that it is a much better car), and frankly anything those mouth breeding troglodytes have to espouse should be met with reams of toilet paper.
I have driven the SS, and I have driven the GT-P; honestly, the GT-P is a much nicer ride, and inspires more confidence than a car that is comprised of Daewoo parts.
Why don't wheels do a story on the commodore's legacy? Like the company John While and Sons who manufacture springs, now in liquidation thanks to Holden's cancellation of their orders in favour of Korean parts. Of course though, that would upset the media arm of Holden (wheels) and could bring some negative press to an inferior/superior (I get confused when it comes to Holden) product. Stahl, true to form you have shown us yet again why the vatican got it wrong on contraception, luckily though they have repealed that law (probably after reading one of your paid advertisements).

[Falcon Freak]

Originally Posted by ltd

Michael Stahl was on the news the other day, seen getting into his car which is wait for it; a VE calais. You know, the same one that mauled the BMW M5 (V10 mind you) in wheels kickback of the year.

Frankly, could we expect anything less than this from a pompous, socialist, arrogant and balding writer who has proven so many times to be in bed with the reds?
HSV for wheels really means Hopeless Sellout Validation, especially when Stahl and co take every opportunity to try to put generations between the VE and BF2. The rest of the world knows that they are not really all that far apart, and in some areas VE is behind. You can be forgiven for thinking they are worlds apart, especially when you see that the carpark at wheels offices is full of commodores and Holdens.

Yes, this is a rant as I am sick of all the negative press given to Ford by a bunch of illiterate twits who think that the falcon Xt is powered by a SOHC V6 (yes, they actually printed it). To me, such oversights are just indicative of the level of interest expressed in Fords products, as opposed to the plethora of splooge in the wheels office created whenever Denny Mooney says the word Holden.
Wheels has to be one of the most biased magazines on the face of the planet (remember the BMW M5/Calais COTY before complaining, and their idea that it is a much better car), and frankly anything those mouth breeding troglodytes have to espouse should be met with reams of toilet paper.
I have driven the SS, and I have driven the GT-P; honestly, the GT-P is a much nicer ride, and inspires more confidence than a car that is comprised of Daewoo parts.
Why don't wheels do a story on the commodore's legacy? Like the company John While and Sons who manufacture springs, now in liquidation thanks to Holden's cancellation of their orders in favour of Korean parts. Of course though, that would upset the media arm of Holden (wheels) and could bring some negative press to an inferior/superior (I get confused when it comes to Holden) product. Stahl, true to form you have shown us yet again why the vatican got it wrong on contraception, luckily though they have repealed that law (probably after reading one of your paid advertisements).

Bravo! Well written.

FF

[Lagom]

Originally Posted by ltd

Yes, this is a rant as I am sick of all the negative press given to Ford by a bunch of illiterate twits who think that the falcon Xt is powered by a SOHC V6 (yes, they actually printed it). To me, such oversights are just indicative of the level of interest expressed in Fords products, as opposed to the plethora of splooge in the wheels office created whenever Denny Mooney says the word Holden.
Wheels has to be one of the most biased magazines on the face of the planet (remember the BMW M5/Calais COTY before complaining, and their idea that it is a much better car), and frankly anything those mouth breeding troglodytes have to espouse should be met with reams of toilet paper.

If Wheels is so anti Ford, why then do Ford products do so well in its reviews?

Why did BA Falcon and SX Territory win COTY?

Territory is still their darling and BFII is still performing very well in comparisons. Boo hoo if it doesn't win everything, it's the oldest in its class now, I'd hope newer product is better. The fact that BFII is still performing admirably in the press is a credit to it.

Fiesta - they love it.
Focus - they love it. Basically, if you can't stretch to a Golf, it's their recommendation.

[fou_bleu]

Originally Posted by TE50 056

Interesting to see the yanks having a drive in one of our aussie V8's (im assuming it was tested in OZ?) Maybe ford might have a think about export with the new falcon? But all the reviews ive read on this car all say the same thing

Ford Oz confirmed Orion is designed to go LHD as well as RHD. Big hint i believe of export dreams coming true!

[ltd]

They gave the BA COTY because for the several years prior, they gave it to holden and were publicly accused for being biased.
They also gave the territory kudos for the simple fact that there was nothing like it available, and ford actually did lift the bar on crossovers with it. The captiva already beat the territory this year, wait and see the VE win again or the VE2.
Focus and Fiesta are loved simply for the fact that the most popular motoring experts (Clarkson, Hammond and May) rave about them. Imagine your credibility as a writer if you were to disagree?

[McobraR]

Originally Posted by Lagom

If Wheels is so anti Ford, why then do Ford products do so well in its reviews?

Why did BA Falcon and SX Territory win COTY?

Territory is still their darling and BFII is still performing very well in comparisons. Boo hoo if it doesn't win everything, it's the oldest in its class now, I'd hope newer product is better. The fact that BFII is still performing admirably in the press is a credit to it.

Fiesta - they love it.
Focus - they love it. Basically, if you can't stretch to a Golf, it's their recommendation.

Totally, agree. i dont think Wheels is biased at all. The reason why VE is whooping BFII's *** is because it IS better. It looks, performs, rides just as good or better than the falc. The Orion has alot of expectations put on it conisdering the VE has a close 50/50 weight distribution, the rumoured DI V6 on the horizon, and a better V8.

[GT290]

Originally Posted by banarcus

Had a giggle when stahl says the boss engine runs out of puff beyong 5500rpm. Mine keeps pulling until you head butt the sunvisor from the rev limiter. No sign of any breathlessness at all if you ask me.

Yep and so did mine even before I touched it with some bluepower magic. Level headed writers, dribble shite from both sides of their mouths.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by fordman6

Ford Oz confirmed Orion is designed to go LHD as well as RHD. Big hint i believe of export dreams coming true!

That can only be a good thing

[banarcus]

Has anyone in their 4V 5.4 noticed how much harder(with nil flex) the BA sunvisors are?

[Whitey-AMG]

Originally Posted by GT290

Yep and so did mine even before I touched it with some bluepower magic. Level headed writers, dribble shite from both sides of their mouths.

Yep, I'll third that....

The power stops in mine when it bounces off the limiter.........
I don't understand what cars these guys are driving sometimes.

As a sidestep ,look at the 0 - 100 times for the GT in the Wheels mag.......6.3.........what a crock.............were they towing the VE when they timed the GT ????????

I've recently run mine on the G Tech numerous times and got a pretty good average around the 5.39 bracket.............with a full tank, NO MODIFICATIONS and the spare wheel intact in an AUTO.......5 runs now.

Hell even if you take worst case scenario and add the error fudge factor of + 1/10........it still goes 5.49 ??????..........and HARD, with plenty of mumbo all the way to the limiter.

[Lagom]

Originally Posted by ltd

They gave the BA COTY because for the several years prior, they gave it to holden and were publicly accused for being biased.

So? They were publicly accused of being biased here for giving it to VE here and knew it would get such a reaction when awarding it. On that basis, it then appears that they don't care about accusations of bias from some.

On that basis then, if they don't care about accusations of bias, then they didn't need to award it to BA to curry up favour.

For several years post BA and prior to VE, Wheels have been very complimentary towards Ford. In fact, what they say is that whilst VE is better overall, BFII is still very competitive. A lot of VE's advantages extend beyond its drive, which Falcon simply cannot match at the moment with its old school packaging.

Originally Posted by ltd

They also gave the territory kudos for the simple fact that there was nothing like it available, and ford actually did lift the bar on crossovers with it. The captiva already beat the territory this year, wait and see the VE win again or the VE2.

Erm, doesn't Wheels still rate Territory as the best in class?

In fact, didn't Wheels pan Captiva in COTY, knocking it out in the first main round?

Territory is a great vehicle. But whilst it was a new concept for the local manufacturers, the notion of a medium sized softroader for families is nothing new.

Originally Posted by ltd

Focus and Fiesta are loved simply for the fact that the most popular motoring experts (Clarkson, Hammond and May) rave about them. Imagine your credibility as a writer if you were to disagree?

C'mon, the automotive media extends beyond three Top Gear presenters. But if we accept your premise, lets see whether it holds water.

So, when Clarkson loved the Focus Mk I (so much so he bought one!) and Wheels rated it towards the end of the class in group comparisons, how is that explained?

Clarkson rated the Echo (Yaris over there) as one of the best superminis ever, yet Wheels didn't quite get so excited over the same car.

I really don't think Wheels is anti Ford or anti Holden.

[fordAU]

Originally Posted by ondori

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=120772[/url]

Interesting read, a good find, a generation behind rival GM-Holden VE platform in his opinion, that aint good.

[GTpilot]

C'mon guys stop and think for a minute. the article was only written to promote the Pontiac G8. end of story.
Why else would a US based mag even bother writing such and article? They didn't even drive it themselves, they had someone else do it for them and Wait....instead of writing an article about the car it's self, all they did was compare everything to the Commonhore SS (aka to yanks, as the UPCOMING 2008 Poniac G8) and then say how much better the SS was.

Gotta love the smell of RATS in a mag.

[Falcon Freak]

Originally Posted by jgb

C'mon guys stop and think for a minute. the article was only written to promote the Pontiac G8. end of story.
Why else would a US based mag even bother writing such and article? They didn't even drive it themselves, they had someone else do it for them and Wait....instead of writing an article about the car it's self, all they did was compare everything to the Commonhore SS (aka to yanks, as the UPCOMING 2008 Poniac G8) and then say how much better the SS was.

Gotta love the smell of RATS in a mag.

That is why I'd rather the American journalists test the FPV instead of using biased Australian journalists do it for them.

FF

[Steve]

I've noticed that anytime there is an article either in the mags or in newspapers about any Ford/FPV product there is always mention or comparison of/to GMH products. The same can't be said of articles written about GMH. The media really do seem to be infatuated with anything GMH related.

[prydey]

also bear in mind that a lot of the time these journo's have just stepped out of the latest offering from audi, bmw, ferrari, lamborghini, merc, etc. if they only ever drove aussie cars all day everyday it would be a little different.

[ebxr8240]

Did I read that he said the cars are speed limited to 70 mph or our speeds are inforced ...

[ltd]

Originally Posted by Lagom

So? They were publicly accused of being biased here for giving it to VE here and knew it would get such a reaction when awarding it. On that basis, it then appears that they don't care about accusations of bias from some.

On that basis then, if they don't care about accusations of bias, then they didn't need to award it to BA to curry up favour.

For several years post BA and prior to VE, Wheels have been very complimentary towards Ford. In fact, what they say is that whilst VE is better overall, BFII is still very competitive. A lot of VE's advantages extend beyond its drive, which Falcon simply cannot match at the moment with its old school packaging.



Erm, doesn't Wheels still rate Territory as the best in class?

In fact, didn't Wheels pan Captiva in COTY, knocking it out in the first main round?

Territory is a great vehicle. But whilst it was a new concept for the local manufacturers, the notion of a medium sized softroader for families is nothing new.



C'mon, the automotive media extends beyond three Top Gear presenters. But if we accept your premise, lets see whether it holds water.

So, when Clarkson loved the Focus Mk I (so much so he bought one!) and Wheels rated it towards the end of the class in group comparisons, how is that explained?

Clarkson rated the Echo (Yaris over there) as one of the best superminis ever, yet Wheels didn't quite get so excited over the same car.

I really don't think Wheels is anti Ford or anti Holden.

Complimentary toward Ford, are you serious? From 1994 - 2002 ford never won wheels Coty, never won any kudos and they panned the other models in the Ford lineup. Over the same time span they gave it to commodore 6 or 7 times.
Then they always tend to write articles comparitively, as outlined by other members here. They never do the same comparitive articles when it is a gm product, and they have also had the front cover adorned with commodore derivatives for the last 12 months.
As for Wheels disagreeing with Clarkson, why would you be surprised? After all, he hates Vauxhall and so many of their cars.

If you think the Yaris is anything but brilliant for the market it is designed for then you have rocks in your head. Look at the sales figures before you craft a response as to whom I am accusing of being wrong on that front.

If you honestly believe that wheels is not biased then finally I draw your attention to the outrageous ad about the calais and the BMW M5. Only a troglodyte with an IQ of less than 80 would think that a Holden would be a better drivers car than a M series BMW.

[merlin]

Originally Posted by ltd

Only a troglodyte with an IQ of less than 80 would think that a Holden would be a better drivers car than a M series BMW.

But it is written in a magazine, it must be true.

[Lagom]

Originally Posted by ltd

Complimentary toward Ford, are you serious? From 1994 - 2002 ford never won wheels Coty, never won any kudos and they panned the other models in the Ford lineup. Over the same time span they gave it to commodore 6 or 7 times.

Why dwell so far back in the past?
How relevant is it talking about 1994, when it's 2007 now?

Plenty of examples have been given on how Ford is doing very well in Wheels coverage now, yet this is being ignored.

Originally Posted by ltd

Then they always tend to write articles comparitively, as outlined by other members here. They never do the same comparitive articles when it is a gm product, and they have also had the front cover adorned with commodore derivatives for the last 12 months.

Falcon may not have been on the cover as often as Commodore last year, but the fact that VE was launched might have something to do with that?

When Orion is launched, it'll turn back in Falcon's favour.

Originally Posted by ltd

As for Wheels disagreeing with Clarkson, why would you be surprised? After all, he hates Vauxhall and so many of their cars.

.

My point is that there is a lack of consistency in the argument presented so far.

One moment it's being said that Wheels likes the Focus and Fiesta just because Top Gear do.

Now the Wheels is biased crew argue that Wheels would disagree with Clarkson because Clarkson dislikes Vauxhall, GM products. Ok, if we take that line, then how do you reconcile Clarkson's love for the Monaro, which Wheels are pretty positive towards too.

Originally Posted by ltd

If you think the Yaris is anything but brilliant for the market it is designed for then you have rocks in your head. Look at the sales figures before you craft a response as to whom I am accusing of being wrong on that front.

.

Note that I was talking about the Echo, known as the Yaris over in Europe, i.e. the previous generation vehicle.

I do find it ironic that sales figures are being used to put a car on the pedestal. So to extend that argument, given the Commodore outsells Falcon two to one now, doesn't that mean it's brilliant for the market its designed for?

I.e. justifying Wheels being positive towards the car?

Originally Posted by ltd

If you honestly believe that wheels is not biased then finally I draw your attention to the outrageous ad about the calais and the BMW M5. Only a troglodyte with an IQ of less than 80 would think that a Holden would be a better drivers car than a M series BMW.

I think you'll find that Holden are being clever with their quoting of the review against the 5 Series, but Wheels did not not rate VE above the M5 ;)

[ltd]

Originally Posted by Lagom

Why dwell so far back in the past?
How relevant is it talking about 1994, when it's 2007 now?

It's relevant in illustrating the history of wheels, especially when the fords of the day were on par and in some cases ahead of the holden.

Originally Posted by Lagom

Plenty of examples have been given on how Ford is doing very well in Wheels coverage now, yet this is being ignored.

Cite them then.

Originally Posted by Lagom

Falcon may not have been on the cover as often as Commodore last year, but the fact that VE was launched might have something to do with that?

When Orion is launched, it'll turn back in Falcon's favour.

The VE was launched in September, Wheels has been covering their magazine in commodore since November 2005. Furthermore, the BF never even rated a cover; regardless of its launch in October 2005 - some HSV was on the cover again. Undoubtedly when Orion is launched it will be on the cover, albeit for a series of comparitive articles designed to undermine the Ford effort and praise Holden. Wait and see.

Originally Posted by Lagom

My point is that there is a lack of consistency in the argument presented so far.
One moment it's being said that Wheels likes the Focus and Fiesta just because Top Gear do.

You're the one who said they didn't like the focus and fiesta, stop trying to mince words. My point is that any motoring magazine is going to pretty much go along with top gear, a show with an international audience of an estimated 1 billion. Regardless of the Focus and Fiesta, there are literally thousands more cars out there. Jeremy Clarksons loathe of vauxhall would stick in the craw of some of the editors at wheels; that's my point. What, don't you even question the fact that wheels are all over Holden's cars?

Originally Posted by Lagom

Now the Wheels is biased crew argue that Wheels would disagree with Clarkson because Clarkson dislikes Vauxhall, GM products. Ok, if we take that line, then how do you reconcile Clarkson's love for the Monaro, which Wheels are pretty positive towards too.

Even Clarkson has said that it is the one vauxhall he likes, I can't say why because I am not him. Irregardless of his personal preferences, does that justify sticking commodores on so many covers of a magazine that's supposed to be objective?

Originally Posted by Lagom

Note that I was talking about the Echo, known as the Yaris over in Europe, i.e. the previous generation vehicle.

I do find it ironic that sales figures are being used to put a car on the pedestal. So to extend that argument, given the Commodore outsells Falcon two to one now, doesn't that mean it's brilliant for the market its designed for?

I.e. justifying Wheels being positive towards the car?

Europe is different to here. In Europe, the Echo/Yaris was designed for markets which have a focus on small and efficient cars, the Echo/Yaris had economy and was cheap yet came with airbags, stability control and ABS; features previously overlooked in that market segment. With petrol costing a pound per litre the market in Australia versus Europe are decidedly different. Europe are reknowned for their small cars, Australia is reknowned for it's large. If you can't see the difference in market places then you really should reconsider your argument.

Originally Posted by Lagom

I think you'll find that Holden are being clever with their quoting of the review against the 5 Series, but Wheels did not not rate VE above the M5 ;)

What you call clever others call misleading and deceptive advertising. Not only that, most others here find it a moot point that any holden would be better than the sports model BMW, a claim that everybody except you finds laughable.