Ford Oz bids to design next Taurus

BroadyFord · 31-01-2011, 10:31 AM

http://www.carpoint.com.au/news/2011...t-taurus-23428

The next generation Ford Taurus -- the car that threatens to eventually replace the homegrown Falcon sedan -- could be designed in Australia.

Ford Australia's design department will be one of seven styling studios in the Ford world to submit a blueprint for the car maker's new global large sedan, which is expected to share much of its structure and componentry -- and possibly become an identical twin -- with the next Falcon.

Under the 'One Ford' global car policy, both the Taurus (pictured) and Falcon are likely to become much more closely related when the new models for both vehicles come on line some time in 2016 or beyond.

It is not yet clear where they will be made, but the Carsales Network understands that Ford is looking to continue to build the left-hand-drive Taurus in North America and the right-hand-drive version of its large car in Australia.

Speaking at the launch of Ford's latest global vehicle, the Focus small car, the head of design for Ford in North America, Moray Callum, told the Carsales Network: "Absolutely [Ford Australia] will be part of the process, they're already very much involved. They know how to design sedans -- and good looking sedans -- and we harness our talent wherever it is in the Ford world. There's an amazing capability in Australia, particularly in large cars. We've asked Melbourne to submit early proposals, but to be frank Australia is involved in almost everything we do, even on models that aren't sold in Australia."

Callum said Ford Australia was in the process of hiring more designers as the company became more global in its use of styling and engineering talent.

The Carsales Network understands that the Taurus and Falcon replacements are next in the queue in Ford's global car strategy -- after the next generation mid-size car is complete.

Ford Australia has already submitted design proposals for the successor to the Mondeo (in Europe) and Fusion (in North America), two vehicles that will become one within the next two years. The design of that model has progressed from concept to the production phase, but Ford has not yet revealed which of its studios around the world submitted the winning proposal.

"We're not saying for now, but I'm sure credit will be given where it's due," said Callum, the former head of design at Mazda and brother of Ian Callum, Jaguar's styling chief.

He said Ford design around the world was becoming "more cohesive".

"These days it's hard to pick where some of the early sketches have come from, all the studios around the world are really starting to talk a similar design language."

In addition to Ford Australia's Broadmeadows design centre, the six other main design studios in the Ford world are located in Dearborn Michigan, Irvine California, Cologne Germany, Dunton England, Shanghai China, and South America.

"This is the new Ford," he said. "We go to where the best talent is, no matter where it is in the Ford world. We're very lucky to have talented designers in all corners of the globe."

EFFalcon · 31-01-2011, 10:34 AM

they should codename it falcon, then just hold onto the name locally :P

charles_wif_xf · 31-01-2011, 11:05 AM

Thats an interesting bit of news. Should bode well for the future of the Falcon.

Ford_The_Win · 31-01-2011, 11:10 AM

How curious. I wonder whether they're going to stick with RWD or FWD - all the others presumably will be FWD. If they develop a FWD then they've probably got no chance up against the Mondeo/Fusion proposals, but it will be hard to convince the big bosses to go with RWD.

XRtowcar · 31-01-2011, 01:32 PM

So ultimately Falcon is going to be adopted from the Taurus.
At least we might be lucky enough to get some Aussie input into the final design.

Road_Warrior · 31-01-2011, 02:30 PM

That article is full of guessing apart from the fact that Broadmeadows are in the large car design comp. I also note that the next gen Fusion and Mondeo platform (which Broady made a submission on as well) has been approved and locked in - the next gen Taurus is going to share this platform.

Powdered Toast Man · 31-01-2011, 03:05 PM

I would have thought the Fusion/Mondeo would be a more appropriately sized platform for the next Facon than the Taurus since downsizing the external dimensions while making the most of the internal dimensions seems to be the thing nowadays. The Taurus is a big car.....

Nikked · 31-01-2011, 05:06 PM

Cool, Ford au is going to give Ford US the best RWD sedan they can have!

max_torq · 31-01-2011, 05:31 PM

I wonder if Ford Argentina are submitting a design.

jpd80 · 31-01-2011, 05:42 PM

This is the first time that the Falcon is seriously being considered for use in other divisions.

vztrt · 31-01-2011, 05:48 PM

So the Taurus is going RWD...interesting.

FPV8U · 31-01-2011, 05:51 PM

I'd read this as very positive if they get the gig..

Nikked · 31-01-2011, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by max_torq

I wonder if Ford Argentina are submitting a design.

fordOwner · 31-01-2011, 06:00 PM

Why dont Ford OZ just submit the next Falcon design.

Jason[98.EL] · 31-01-2011, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordOwner

Why dont Ford OZ just submit the next Falcon design.

yup I agree but the downside is that it would have to a V6 not the I6 we have now ( I know the I6 is on limited time as it is )

Chilliman · 31-01-2011, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikked

Hillarious, though Ford Argentina don't have a design centre anymore. FWD, AWD or RWD drive - I can live with it as long as we are still manufacturing something in Australia....but I'll still be grabbing one of the last RWD inline-six Falcon's though and keeping it in the shed if the FWD-bomb is dropped!

jpd80 · 31-01-2011, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chilliman

Hillarious, though Ford Argentina don't have a design centre anymore.

Yes they do, the new Ecosport is being developed by them.

jpd80 · 31-01-2011, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordOwner

Why dont Ford OZ just submit the next Falcon design.

Two designs being developed, to be reviewed by Jay Mays in February,
competition closes around September for final decision.

Whoever wins the competition most likely will becomes lead engineers on the large sedan project.

stevz · 31-01-2011, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikked

Thats pure gold, I nearly fell off my chair from laughter.

phillyc · 31-01-2011, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikked

PMSL!

XRtowcar · 31-01-2011, 08:19 PM

Maybe Argentina will get all the FG tooling and continue building it for the next thirty years.

phillyc · 31-01-2011, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

Two designs being developed, to be reviewed by Jay Mays in February,
competition closes around September for final decision.

Whoever wins the competition most likely will becomes lead engineers on the large sedan project.

Awesome if that ends up being Ford Australia! FG is a terrific vehicle. Ford HQ know that. Global T6, the newly awarded Everest from that platform and the massively succesful Figo are hopefully putting a strong case forward for us here.

Also, remember RWD is 'premium'. So adding more vehicles to RWD would allow more vehicles to share those component sets. That would strengthen Mustang and Falcon positions and allow Europe to have a potential MB E class, BMW 5 series competitor.

dannyhilton · 31-01-2011, 08:26 PM

That's quite a positive article as far as "New Falcon" articles go. A good balance of truth, hope and I'm sure a dash of guess work. A nice bit they put in there about Ford Australia being an important part of worldwide design. Plus no "The Falcon will die" or "The next Falcon will only be FWD."

I'm a bit blown away?

SM1DY · 31-01-2011, 08:27 PM

If it's anything other than RWD I wouldn't want it to carry the Falcon name. I wouldn't like seeing this great Aussie icon associated with what is essentially a Taurus.

phillyc · 31-01-2011, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroadyFord

http://www.carpoint.com.au/news/2011...t-taurus-23428
Speaking at the launch of Ford's latest global vehicle, the Focus small car, the head of design for Ford in North America, Moray Callum, told the Carsales Network: "Absolutely [Ford Australia] will be part of the process, they're already very much involved. They know how to design sedans -- and good looking sedans -- and we harness our talent wherever it is in the Ford world. There's an amazing capability in Australia, particularly in large cars. We've asked Melbourne to submit early proposals, but to be frank Australia is involved in almost everything we do, even on models that aren't sold in Australia."

Callum said Ford Australia was in the process of hiring more designers as the company became more global in its use of styling and engineering talent.

That is a really positive section of the article. Yes, overall the article was in fact pretty balanced.

Joe5619 · 31-01-2011, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vztrt

So the Taurus is going RWD...interesting.

I like your thinking!! We can only dream I guess..

**Polyal** · 31-01-2011, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe5619

I like your thinking!! We can only dream I guess..

Would you say the Taurus would be 3 series in size or inbetween the 5?

Joe5619 · 31-01-2011, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Would you say the Taurus would be 3 series in size or inbetween the 5?

Tarus & Falcon would be the same car & both RWD, just different names!! No inbetweens, just 5 series size

**Polyal** · 31-01-2011, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Tarus & Falcon would be the same car & both RWD, just different names!! No inbetweens, just 5 series size

I understand that, my intention was that what other global RWD sedans would it be up against. Perhaps not directly in the same market but if BMW and Merc went AWD/FWD with their sedans would they continue to sell like they do?

Part of me says yes because most of their buyers probably couldnt care less, they want the badge and luxury, but both brands are heavily involved in motorsport aswell....

Ford_The_Win · 31-01-2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vztrt

So the Taurus is going RWD...interesting.

Maybe not the Taurus going RWD, but the new Crown Victoria getting a new platform? They're desperate for a replacement.. Where does the Town Car & Crown Vic fit into the One Ford large car platform? Methinks that would be the best outcome for the Falc.