AWD Falcon?

fou_bleu · 30-05-2007, 05:35 PM

Was on the Ford USA website havin' a snoop around and saw that the Falcon equivalent Fusion has an AWD model out early this year. Was thinking to myself, would that suit the Orion? Give us your thoughts

Falc'man · 30-05-2007, 05:44 PM

I think there will be an AWD Falcon.

**Fordman1** · 30-05-2007, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falc'man

I think there will be an AWD Falcon.

I don't.

Gorman has recently been quoted as saying the Territory is FoA's AWD passenger car and there won't be an AWD Falcon.

fou_bleu · 30-05-2007, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

I don't.

Gorman has recently been quoted as saying the Territory is FoA's AWD passenger car and there won't be an AWD Falcon.

Thats what he wants us to beleive!

BTW, he also said there was NOT going to be a 6spd auto!!!

Squalo · 30-05-2007, 05:59 PM

The AWD Magna didn't set the sale charts on fire (although I'd have probably bought one if they'd made it available as an Outback-style wagon).

Most Falcon punters couldn't care less about the benefits of AWD. The $ to make it happen would not be recouped.

It would be nice to see it in V8 FPV guise though : )

Remember the Territory drivetrain mules taken to the Arctic for cold weather and traction testing were Falcons, so it's do-able.

4Vman · 30-05-2007, 06:03 PM

I can't see a sensible business case for one, especially when they already have a close alternative in the Territory.

Road_Warrior · 30-05-2007, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordman6

Was on the Ford USA website havin' a snoop around and saw that the Falcon equivalent Fusion has an AWD model out early this year. Was thinking to myself, would that suit the Orion? Give us your thoughts

Fusion is a FWD car

falzoony · 30-05-2007, 06:07 PM

if they do release an AWD I dont think that they would let it race in the V8 Supercars.

chevypower · 30-05-2007, 06:39 PM

My guess is they wont release an AWD Falcon. I am sure they have been testing them, just like there were VE AWD sedans, but looking at the great success of the AWD Magna, that AWD Commodore thing Adventurer or whatever, with its higher fuel consumption due to less efficient mechanical hardware, will not help sales. Plus, AWDs are worse to drive than 2wd cars in 90% of all driving situations - especially in Australia

**Mechan1k** · 30-05-2007, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

I can't see a sensible business case for one, especially when they already have a close alternative in the Territory.

Agreed on this.

**Fordman1** · 30-05-2007, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

I can't see a sensible business case for one, especially when they already have a close alternative in the Territory.

I agree.

Who would spend an extra 5 - 6 grand for an AWD Falcon ?

Why would you want one ?

The business model I would put forward would be for a vehicle that REALLY needs that type of drivetrain. And would sell the volume needed to recoup the investment. The vehicle would be a jacked up softroader that may go off road sometimes (but not into rugged places)............................. Territory

And NO.. they can't just bolt the Territory AWD gear into a Falcon !!!

sleekism · 30-05-2007, 07:12 PM

Remember Mitsubishi released a AWD Magna and it was a flop.

People didn't want a car that was heavier, slower and less efiicient than FWD Magna.

Same as Holden their crossovers were an expensive flop.

I don't think Australians wan't crossovers they either want a SUV or a car not some halfcast.

Australia is a different market to USA.

Plus AWD are no fun too much grip............

Bossxr8 · 30-05-2007, 07:24 PM

Won't happen, you can be assured of that. Ford don't have the cash to go chasing niech products, especially ones that have failed in the past ie. Magna AWD and Holden Crewman/Cross 8 /Adventra AWD.

charles_wif_xf · 30-05-2007, 07:42 PM

Business case aside, I would love an AWD Falcon. As long as it had a decent transfer case and selectable 4WD, not that full time schisse.

Flouro_Joe · 30-05-2007, 07:43 PM

Subaru has done alright by convincing people AWD is a good thing. If it can give a 2.5L 4 cylinder a Falcon-sized thirst imagine what it will do to the Falcon. I think people are more into SAVING fuel these days and buying smaller cars in general.

Ghiadude · 30-05-2007, 08:28 PM

The magna was a failure because it was seen as an economic large car- hence people that wanted magna's were stingy and did not want premiuim features. People who buy large cars these days are looking for more upmarket machinery - hence a niche product might be the go.. imagine a Ghia Turbo with AWD....yum

irsa76 · 30-05-2007, 08:29 PM

Ask yourself this, if AWD across the board is such a good idea for road cars, why does Audi generally limit AWD to optional on smaller models and only make it standard on the high performance versions? And Audi is the company that really made AWD roadcars popular.

Ghiadude · 30-05-2007, 08:31 PM

Audi limits AWD to its upper level models because its lower spec cars wouldnt be competitive - premium however....

irsa76 · 30-05-2007, 08:42 PM

Exactly. Why would you pay more for a car compared to a similar rival just because it has AWD? For 95% of Aussie motorists AWD is not really needed.

4Vman · 30-05-2007, 08:43 PM

AWD is predominantly the domain of OFF road or "soft" road vehicles with enhanced ground clearance... The Falcon is a sealed road only vehicle, the territory offers "soft road" flexibility with extra ground clearance. Dont forget the original Audi quatro and later Suburu range including WRX are primarily AWD for their off road rally exploits... AWD for sealed road only vehicles is over kill and in-efficient.

MITCHAY · 30-05-2007, 08:48 PM

I'd go AWD Falcon over RWD Falcon anyday. No question.

irsa76 · 30-05-2007, 08:50 PM

Which is why I said 95% of Aussies have no need for AWD. Probably closer to 98% to be honest. I understand Falcon is actually one of the best cars for dirt/rough road work, certainly better then the Commodore in this which I know is not nice.

[Tonko] · 30-05-2007, 08:58 PM

AWD typhoon would be mad though...
But i dont think the Falc's need any more weight...

flappist · 30-05-2007, 08:58 PM

Yes I see the points raised here as I understand that everyone in Australia lives in the middle of a city and only drives on weekends over multi lane bitument roads to their local Macca's carpark. Everyone's requirements are the same aren't they?

Who would buy a AWD stations wagon? Well lots of Adventra and Territory owners.
Who would buy a AWD ute? Crossman etc. anyone?
Who would buy a ute with a locker diff and extra clearance? RTV owners maybe?
Who would pay extra to have a basic XT look like a performance vehicle without all those pesky problems of extra performance? XR6 owners....

If it were on a numbers sold vs cost of development basis then the GT and especially the Pursuit would be potential victims. All that development cost for sales of a couple of thousand units world wide.

An AWD falcon/fairmont sedan, I suspect, would sell fairly well to the large number of people who live in a soft road environment, that is MOST OF AUSTRALIA, want a full size vehicle but do not want to drive a tarted up yuppy-truck.
There are many places around my area that I have not been able to go to in my last 4 cars over the last 7 years of so as the roads are too rough and I live in a small city of 80,000. A little bit of rain and the nicest dirt roads turn to mud.

Ghiadude · 30-05-2007, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irsa76

Exactly. Why would you pay more for a car compared to a similar rival just because it has AWD? For 95% of Aussie motorists AWD is not really needed.

95% of motorists arent buying falcon!! thats the problem.... Its not needed to convince current customers. Its needed to attract the people that were buying falcons that are now buying premium AWD product like subaru... Have you been in a liberty GT?? for a little over $55k you get more car than a fairlane and AWD. its more economical, faster, handles better, looks better, is better equiped, has better build quality and if orion doesnt lift its skirt and boogy its what ill be driving next.

fou_bleu · 31-05-2007, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Fusion is a FWD car

But it has an AWD model!!!

Here: http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fusion/

fou_bleu · 31-05-2007, 07:36 AM

And to people goin on about Territorys? Some people like sedans, not overgrown wagons!

Nickxb · 31-05-2007, 08:35 AM

it will be too expensive to justify the cause. an AWD falcon would be great. better handelling who can complain about that...... but if the price moves up the ford will price themselves out of the game.

Neeek · 31-05-2007, 08:39 AM

To my mind, AWD is a way of making a FWD car more involving (and safer... some would suggest "better") to drive.

Look at them all - Subarus, Audis, Magnas... all FWD architecture. When was the last time you heard of a decent sized sedan (not SUV) that had RWD architecture being made AWD? I can only think of BMW X-cars in the late 1980s... and there's a reason they don't exist anymore - nobody but some crazy Finns bought them!

An AWD Falcon is about as useful to the average Australian as a chocolate fireplace. If you really want AWD, pay a little bit more and get a Territory.

S3SR · 31-05-2007, 09:55 AM

AIT made AWD XF falcons........nothing new

4WD (not AWD) in the RTV would probably be alright though