Ford Falcon BF II ready to rumble - Page 2

Eaturbo · 23-08-2006, 08:04 PM

just got new wheels and they have a picture of BF2 Ghia and i think it looks great,dont know if it will sell better. they also have test on VE for 3300km and still say the v6 is pooh, course sounding and not very powerful and poorly geared sv6 with manual. They say that direct injection is next for 08 which i will bet will be VE2 for new 08 falcon and they say 215kwfrom V6 with direct injection and 8% better fuel

FASTXR · 23-08-2006, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fordoldie

"We are in the process of reacting"

"We assume our competitor will be successful and then we try to beat them"
Tom Gorman

It always strikes me as a cop-out when leaders make such comments about oppossing teams or brands.
Confusious say: He who take cheap shot at competitor usually end up with egg on face
Most intelligent people can see right through those comments and there is only one reason for making them, he is worried.

I agree - I always thought that one of the first rules of business is to pay more attention to what you're doing, rather than what your competitor is doing. Otherwise you wait for them to do something and then come up with an answer to it, by which time they've moved on to the next thing and so on. All you're doing is playing catch-up

**Peuty** · 23-08-2006, 08:58 PM

Like I said in another thread, why wasn't this released as the original BF?

GlennBA · 23-08-2006, 10:49 PM

I can imagine the sales figures to be somewhat similar to EL vs. VT...

jonk · 24-08-2006, 12:22 AM

Should've just made the ZF-6 speed standard.

That's all they had to do. Nothing else.

Franky · 24-08-2006, 01:56 AM

could someone scan the pic of the ghia in wheels?

Abacus · 24-08-2006, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peuty

Like I said in another thread, why wasn't this released as the original BF?

Might as well ask why wasn't BA released as AU...

Or why wasn't EL released as EF, or EB released as EA

It's a matter of constant development.

Besides, If BFII had been released as the original BF, what tricks would Ford have up their sleeve to take some focus off the VE?

Abacus · 24-08-2006, 08:00 AM

I reckon that what Ford should be designing into Orion is a better location for an LPG tank than one that causes you to lose 1/3 of the boot.

They're probably too far down the design road to make this happen, but with LPG cars accounting for a higher proportion of future Falcons, it would make sense to package the tank a bit better.

**Mechan1k** · 24-08-2006, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR8fella

I hear ya man !!

156kw @ 5000rpm
374nm @ 2750rpm

Factory option bolt-on supercharger kit for the EGAS

BAFalconXT · 24-08-2006, 10:44 AM

Maybe Ford missed the reason why the BA has been popular. Conservative good looks, and good engine and interior. That BFII looks disgusting... I think Holden and Ford give in to their female designers far to often... make them design the new Focus, or KA... something I wont be driving

The Stylist · 24-08-2006, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAFalconXT

Maybe Ford missed the reason why the BA has been popular. Conservative good looks, and good engine and interior. That BFII looks disgusting... I think Holden and Ford give in to their female designers far to often... make them design the new Focus, or KA... something I wont be driving

Have you seen a BF2 in the flesh? The comment about about female designers is also uncalled for.

**Peuty** · 24-08-2006, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abacus

Might as well ask why wasn't BA released as AU...

Or why wasn't EL released as EF, or EB released as EA

It's a matter of constant development.

Besides, If BFII had been released as the original BF, what tricks would Ford have up their sleeve to take some focus off the VE?

You missed my point.

Why have a cosmetic upgrade with the BFII when there was hardly anything to tell the difference between BA and BF. If they were going to introduce a new model with the BF, I believe they should have had SOMETHING to help the car buying public tell the difference. That something should have been the BFII.

bathurst77 · 24-08-2006, 01:42 PM

Ford have been doing that for a while.

One upgrade is mostly mechanical, the next one is mostly cosmetic.
You can see it far as back as XDs, where Alloy head, EFI, ULP, 5 speed manuals, 4 speed auto (maybe even watts link?) were introduced in minor "markII" models. then New models werent mechanically different to the one before, but looked different.
Sometimes even then not much. A EB dont look much different to EA, XB/XA, XD/XE.

BA was an exception as they were in trouble with AU, so they threw out all stops.

Maybe Ford should not call it BF-II, but BG or BH or something (BE to match VE?)

Abacus · 24-08-2006, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peuty

You missed my point.

Why have a cosmetic upgrade with the BFII when there was hardly anything to tell the difference between BA and BF. If they were going to introduce a new model with the BF, I believe they should have had SOMETHING to help the car buying public tell the difference. That something should have been the BFII.

Point taken. But I don't really see any less differentiation with BA/BF than EF/EL. In both cases the big changes were under the exterior. It's just the way they do it, I suppose.

AEF_Silver94 · 24-08-2006, 01:50 PM

looks great,makes me more interested in the BF range over my beloved AU series

aualright · 24-08-2006, 02:06 PM

I think he also mentions in the article that having a 6-speed auto and DSC as standard isn't cost effective considering the development money previously spent on these...there is no use getting in a war with Holden over market share when profitablity is more important to the long term viability of the company.

I'm sure if it was cost effective, they would do it. I personally like the cosmetic changes -they have freshened up the appearance imo. Love the Ghia...

Kachow · 24-08-2006, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FourBarrel

Can't say I'm overly excited. I still prefer my BA to the BF.

ditto

Kachow · 24-08-2006, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Stylist

Have you seen a BF2 in the flesh? The comment about about female designers is also uncalled for.

THE BF2 has lines going everywhere, all cluttered and unresolved....definately a woman involved :Reverend:

The Monty · 24-08-2006, 03:25 PM

I think it looks damn nice. I also saw a VE today, Does anyone else get the idea that the front from side on is kind of Mustangish?

Full Spectrum · 24-08-2006, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aualright

I think he also mentions in the article that having a 6-speed auto and DSC as standard isn't cost effective considering the development money previously spent on these...there is no use getting in a war with Holden over market share when profitablity is more important to the long term viability of the company.

I'm sure if it was cost effective, they would do it. I personally like the cosmetic changes -they have freshened up the appearance imo. Love the Ghia...

Can it be all good when everyone says the same thing, Love the Ghia? I have said it also. But i have no comment on the rest. Is that a good thing?.

Bucket · 24-08-2006, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlickHolden

Can it be all good when everyone says the same thing, Love the Ghia? I have said it also. But i have no comment on the rest. Is that a good thing?.

Like its been said a fair few times, wait til you see them in the flesh

vztrt · 24-08-2006, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aualright

I think he also mentions in the article that having a 6-speed auto and DSC as standard isn't cost effective considering the development money previously spent on these...there is no use getting in a war with Holden over market share when profitablity is more important to the long term viability of the company.

I'm sure if it was cost effective, they would do it. I personally like the cosmetic changes -they have freshened up the appearance imo. Love the Ghia...

Fleets dont want the 6sp and all the other extra's.

GMACK24 · 25-08-2006, 11:08 AM

Sorry if this is a repost

Date posted: 08-19-2006
STORY TOOLS
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MELBOURNE, Australia — Ford Australia has immediately responded to GM Holden's launch of its new-generation VE Commodore by announcing details of the BF Falcon Mk II, which goes on sale in October.

Although pricing and specifications will not be released until late next month, Ford plans to make its six-speed automatic transmission and dynamic stability control (DSC) available as options across the Falcon lineup. Significantly, the new Falcon should benefit from the six-speed's claimed fuel-economy improvements of 2 to 6 percent, depending on the model.

The ZF six-speed will go for a premium over the standard four-speed transmission. DSC will be included as part of an optional sport package, which will also include the six-speed auto, sport suspension and 17-inch alloy wheels.

A Falcon XT equipped with the sport package is expected to be priced at just under U.S. $29,000. As a stand-alone option, the ZF gearbox is currently U.S. $950.

The Mk II BF Falcon also has some interior upgrades and a range of exterior design changes, including a tapered hood, new bumpers and revised grilles.

The face-lift is expected to be the first of a number of Falcon marketing initiatives before the next-generation Falcon arrives in March 2008.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...cleId=116556#2

http://www.ford.com.au/range/falcon/models/

Iphido · 25-08-2006, 11:19 AM

Interesting the ZF 6 speed can be had in a stand alone option.

Who would not tick that box. 0.5L fuel consumption would be nearly worth it alone, not to mention resale, NVH, reliability etc.

MeestaNob! · 25-08-2006, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abacus

I reckon that what Ford should be designing into Orion is a better location for an LPG tank than one that causes you to lose 1/3 of the boot.

They're probably too far down the design road to make this happen, but with LPG cars accounting for a higher proportion of future Falcons, it would make sense to package the tank a bit better.

I dont understand why factory LPG tanks cant sit under the rear passenger seats like the regular petrol tanks. Anyone have any insight into why this is?

brodfloyd · 25-08-2006, 04:21 PM

i'll say it again, WHAT HAPPENED TO MONOTUBE SHOCKS??? I will be very disappointed if changes are limited to bonnet, wheels and bumpers, the ability to option stuff that was already available on higher spec models (DSC, ZF) and a new "flash" for the engine to improve economy (they come up with new flash's periodically anyway).

There needs to be something significant under the skin. Monotube shocks were supposed to be part of BF, but delphi stooged them. Thats why one of the key criticisms of BF by motoring journalists relating to the BF xr's and fpv's was the lack of improvement to the ride and handling.

Walkinshaw · 25-08-2006, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMACK24

The face-lift is expected to be the first of a number of Falcon marketing initiatives before the next-generation Falcon arrives in March 2008.

You would think that an increase of the 8's power would be up there with a marketing initiative.

260kw 3valve
290kw XR8
290kw GT

why 290kw GT? Well, its been "good enough" for the last 300years, why change.

4.9 EF Futura · 25-08-2006, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walkinshaw

why 290kw GT? Well, its been "good enough" for the last 300years, why change.

Excerpt from Ford Australia management policy:

Chapter 15 - Change

Change is bad.

vztrt · 25-08-2006, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeestaNob!

I dont understand why factory LPG tanks cant sit under the rear passenger seats like the regular petrol tanks. Anyone have any insight into why this is?

The tanks are just too big compared to the petrol ones. Ford Aus wouldn't have the development dollers to change the body for straight LPG as back than the straight LPG market would have been a small percentage.

Boss 290 · 25-08-2006, 05:42 PM

why does everyone seem to think that bf2 should change that much? ba to bf may not be a huge change but it is a design that has worked great for ford...bf2 has changed slightly in exterior and thats how it should be. why upgrade everything in a model that your only face lifting. if the bf2 gets more power and so on then it will only deplete the value of the previous models eg vt1 compared to vt2. besides if ford were to put all its new features in the bf2 then what differences will be in the totally new model and how much harder would it be to improve on?