First Drive: Falcon Ecoboost

[Link]

Looks bloody interesting - i will be watching for more reviews and news with baited breath

I reckon it too could be the new SR20DET - the scope for tuning could be massive, opens up aftermarket support here and overseas (if they decide to export), so we might have a XR6T rival in the lineup!

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by prydey

i think making the engine bay look 'full' is rather intentional. i'd say if you remove the big plastic cover it will look somewhat smaller.

I bet you're right. Less showroom shock.

[Chopped]

The hardest hurdle will be convincing buyers that this model is seen as an alternative to the six and not seen as a comprimise to the six.

Using the "EcoBoost" name more so than "4cyl" would help IMO.

[FGX-351]

Originally Posted by flappist

Now Ford need to get an exemption for P platers for this vehicle as it is not a "performance car".

That may help increase sales into both the private and fleet sectors.

You beat me to it but your exactly right.
I could see quite a few P platers opting for the legal turbo option when choosing a new vehicle.

[mik]

Originally Posted by Windsor220

He means people who drive the older 6 cylinder models like AUs and even some of the old E series V8s will be out gunned by a 4 cyl.

thank you.

[jpd80]

Just thinking about the superseded Mondeo XR5T- Mondeo EB- Falcon EB:

Weight:
Mondeo XR5T - 1604 Kg
Mondeo EB - 1556 Kg
Falcon EB -1646 Kg

0-100 kph:
Mondeo XR5T - 7.3 seconds
Mondeo EB - 7.9 seconds (240 PS EB = 7.5 seconds)
Falcon EB - 7.6 seconds

Combined fuel economy:
Mondeo XR5T - 9.5 l/100km
Mondeo EB - 7.7 l/100km
Falcon EB - 8.? l/100km

[Martyvan]

There are more benefits to people than just fuel economy, and how it drives, as people have mentioned, govt fleets are trying to get green cars, this will mean that they get that. They have the ability to upgrade the engine with more power in the future to create better sports models, should the I6 ever be removed. This will leave room for the N/A 5.0 and the S/C 5.0 above it.
Having a 185kw I4T, a 230kw I4T, a 302kw 5.0 n/a and a 351+kw S/C 5.0.... Hmmm... seems like plenty of good things in having that engine line up.

From a private buyers perspective, i have been offput by the 6cylinder rego, but if i was to get Falcon i could see myself moving down that I4T track, although, i still favour the mondeo wagon personally at this time. By the time the lease is up on the Pajero, there will be a million different options all with blue ovals, and all worthy of my next vehicle. I cant wait! Roll on January 2014 when i can order the next car

[Falc'man]

You raise some good points there Martyvan.

Originally Posted by madmelon

Yeh I thought I'd read somewhere that the 3.0 Commodore did it in mid 8s area.

According to carpoint and caradvice, the GPS timings they got were ~7.17 for 6cyl and 7.3 for T4. Pretty good! Was 7.9 with 4 people on board.

Three birds, one stone.
1) With all those people on board it pulls like a diesel.
2) Where/when the diesel runs out of puff, this keeps pulling.
3) Petrol is cheaper than diesel.
4) Handles better than the 6. So that's four birds.
The slightly lighter Merc C250CDI with 500Nm and a superior 7sp box, has a claim of 7.1s to 100km/h.

Apart from Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, and now Ford, are there any manufacturers that have both 4cyl and V8 motors available in the same car? I think it adds a certain appeal.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Falc'man

Three birds, one stone.
1) With all those people on board it pulls like a diesel.
2) Where/when the diesel runs out of puff, this keeps pulling.
3) Petrol is cheaper than diesel.

agreed on these 3. diesel isn't the answer. it is popular in suv/4wd's and sells in a few small cars but its dearer than petrol, so technology like ecoboost is far superior. better torque spread and cheaper to run.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Falc'man

Apart from Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, and now Ford, are there any manufacturers that have both 4cyl and V8 motors available in the same car? I think it adds a certain appeal.

Jaguar XF

[Falc'man]

Originally Posted by prydey

agreed on these 3. diesel isn't the answer. it is popular in suv/4wd's and sells in a few small cars but its dearer than petrol, so technology like ecoboost is far superior. better torque spread and cheaper to run.

You're right about point 4, XR6 would still handle better.

Originally Posted by jpd80

Jaguar XF

My favourite.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Falc'man

You're right about point 4, XR6 would still handle better.


My favourite.

I'm betting that with 50Kg off the front and 10 kg off the back,
Ecoboost would have about 50/50 weight distribution..

[Venomous1]

These is starting to look like really good news for Ford. Hope it sells well so that past 2016 we still have the Falcon.

The Figures look good. But it would be real interesting to take one for a drive bet it will surprise many.

[chevypower]

I noticed the engine cover says EcoBoost, but not the displacement. The F-150 EcoBoost proudly shows it is a 3.5, almost like it is saying "look what I can do for being so small." It's like the Falcon doesn't want anyone to know it's a 2.0.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by chevypower

I noticed the engine cover says EcoBoost, but not the displacement. The F-150 EcoBoost proudly shows it is a 3.5, almost like it is saying "look what I can do for being so small." It's like the Falcon doesn't want anyone to know it's a 2.0.

there is a real stigma attached to having a small engine in a large car over here.

Originally Posted by Venomous1

it will surprise many.

actually i have been surprised by the amount of 'surprise' mentioned by the journo's. maybe they are just coming across like that to help its cause but being motoring journo's they should be well aware of the reputation of ecoboost. they should at least know as much as most on here do so how are they 'surprised' at how well it goes??

why even make reference to previous 4cyl models that happened around 30yrs ago? whilst the reviews are generally very positive, i think they really didn't know too much about ecoboost technology or seriously underrated it.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by chevypower

I noticed the engine cover says EcoBoost, but not the displacement. The F-150 EcoBoost proudly shows it is a 3.5, almost like it is saying "look what I can do for being so small." It's like the Falcon doesn't want anyone to know it's a 2.0.

It's deliberate because the Aussie market is very capacity sensitive and the thought of a 2 litre DI Turbo in a big car
is very off putting to a lot of punters who are quick to dismiss it or treat with suspicion as the thin end of the wedge...

What Ford needs to do is to get people back into the show room, let them see, experience and realise that this
new Ford is not not a "Commodore four" its not a snail as some think and that it actually goes better than an
Omega SIDI 3.0 and drinks a lot less fuel doing it - this car isn't a weakling....

[GT69]

I'm starting to get really excited about Ford's 2012 lineup. I can't see a car in their lot that I wouldn't be happy to take home. Good work Ford!

[OzJavelin]

Interesting underbonnet photo .. the engine doesn't look small, and at least most of the service items appear easier to get to ..

[spvd02]

It's running a completely different PCM, which I guess is logical, but interesting nonetheless!

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by prydey

but it (diesel) is dearer than petrol, .

i just realised the weirdness in what you're saying, because Diesel is far cheaper to produce than petrol, but is more expensive, so therefore is more profitable, so i'm not surprised that stakeholders are pushing diesel so hard.

i'd consider ecoboost falcon if i was in a position of needing an economical large sedan. (but i don't really need a sedan atm)

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by OzJavelin

Interesting underbonnet photo .. the engine doesn't look small, and at least most of the service items appear easier to get to ..

When I saw some of the first the CAI was not that imposing, take that away and it looks much bigger.

[Road_Warrior]

I wonder if this engine will open up some export opportunities to Britain and countries in Asia...

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by jpd80

It's deliberate because the Aussie market is very capacity sensitive and the thought of a 2 litre DI Turbo in a big car
is very off putting to a lot of punters who are quick to dismiss it or treat with suspicion as the thin end of the wedge...

What Ford needs to do is to get people back into the show room, let them see, experience and realise that this new Ford is not not a "Commodore four" its not a snail as some think and that it actually goes better than an
Omega SIDI 3.0 and drinks a lot less fuel doing it - this car isn't a weakling....

Something like the $2 EcoLPi grand prix would be perfect. Line up the EcoBoost Falcon, 3.0 SIDI Commodore and the Corolla. Watch the Falcon blast away

[kinksta]

I love the whole concept, this is a great move. It can only do better than that rotary Kingswood Mazda once tried overseas haha...

So who is going to get one, tune it, and have a huge cannon out the back?

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by Nikked

In a few years time, I4T will be pulled from wrecks and shoved in Eskies, Capris and MK1 cortys...

...and old Toyota Celicas...

Interesting comment about the engine being deliberately kept down in torque so it doesn't outshine the I6T...so what if it did? Go for the gusto, Ford...make it as powerful and economical as the technology will allow, and if it turns out to be a better engine than the old six, then grow a pair, drop the six, and go to the market with a massive advantage by loudly saying your engine is better than a six, uses less fuel, and costs less in registration and insurance costs than one with a bigger engine. Leave the V8's for the tiny part of the specialist market that buys them nowadays (I think you will find that the majority of people just like the idea of a V8 still being made anyway, but will never actually buy one themselves), and take the big step with the mass market large car. Technology has caught up to the point where a four cylinder large car is perfectly feasible, and nothing to be embarassed about, unlike the early days of the Commodore Four.

[flappist]

Well lets hope there is a "battle of the barges" in MOTOR/WHEELS in the near future.

Something like 0-400m, wakefield lap, fuel economy (both litres & cost) with single driver and 4 people and 300kg in the boot.

Comparing G6 I6, T4 and L6 as well as Commodore little and big V6s.

In addition to the raw data a simple table showing actual costs based on km/wk or km/yr for 10,000, 20,000 & 30,000km/yr over a 3 year period accounting for initial cost, rego, insurance and assuming a 50% resale.

So the odds will be even an no one feature of any model will unfairly reflect on the others.

[Grobbo]

Originally Posted by Link

I reckon it too could be the new SR20DET - the scope for tuning could be massive, opens up aftermarket support here and overseas (if they decide to export), so we might have a XR6T rival in the lineup!

I don't reckon we'll see many tuned versions of these - the target market is Corporates, Fleets and Families.

If they open it up to P platers then maybe we'll see some chipping and tuning as they try to covertly extract a bit more poke, but ultimately the turbo must be quite small to deilver such solid low rev torque and then sign off up top.... Henceforth it would need to be changed for a good dose more power... And P platers can't modify a car for more power... A new 40k car on finance with illegal mods... Hmmm

Plus the tranny is only good for 450 nm... Mild mods would get it there pretty quick.

I think most rev heads or boost junkies will just go for an XR6 turbo...

[SteveJH]

Four cylinder cars cost less to register than 6 cylinder cars?

[prydey]

Originally Posted by SteveJH

Four cylinder cars cost less to register than 6 cylinder cars?

another area where we can't have uniformity across the country.

here in s.a. rego cost is determined by cylinder count, nothing else.

why we can't have the same rules nationwide i'll never know.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by Link

Looks bloody interesting - i will be watching for more reviews and news with baited breath

I reckon it too could be the new SR20DET - the scope for tuning could be massive, opens up aftermarket support here and overseas (if they decide to export), so we might have a XR6T rival in the lineup!

I doubt this will be a rival for the 6T. They are just animals when tune work and minor mods are done. This 4T will probably go well with a tune, but as said, the gearbox will be the weakest point so only so much could be achieved. Still it will probably go dam well for the wanna be 6T owners. I think it would still provide a smile on the face of most when boosting past a SiLi Commodore.