First drive - Ecoboost!!

Smoke Pursuit · 12-04-2012, 03:58 PM

Well I got to have a go in an ecoboost XT today, brand newy with 50 kms on the clock....

Start it up and first thing you notice is its very quiet, to the point where you cannot even hear it running, pop the bonnet and the noise increases with a slight ticking sound (I reckon you could just about fit 2 motors in the engine bay now :P). Took it for a quick spin, very very punchy, probably comparable to a BA XT 4 speed, smooth and quiet. Can hardly hear it working. Only thing I noticed was it didnt like hills (lack of torque obviously) and that the economy around the block could potentially be as poor as the 6, simply because of the lack of torque. Overall it was a nice car and I loved driving the XT, so smooth over bumps etc compared to what I drive, parking sensors standard now and side airbags make it a nice package!!

I would not buy one in XT guise simply because it is dearer then G6 Limited Edition...

I gave it a score of 8 / 10 as a daily work hack.

whitesoarer · 12-04-2012, 04:10 PM

Get any shots of the engine bay?

Smoke Pursuit · 12-04-2012, 04:11 PM

Nope but theres alot of room at the front of the motor compared to the I6.... It was also interesting to note that the XT had special fuel saving tyres... I wonder if such tyres would make a difference on the 6 cylinder XT?

XtRmn8 · 12-04-2012, 04:52 PM

Interesting that you say it lacks torque when this engine is supposed to be all about its wide flat torque curve.

I would never consider one as neither the XT or G6 appeal to me. I really hope that this engine does lift Falcon sales.

Cheers for the review.

Chilliman · 12-04-2012, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Only thing I noticed was it didnt like hills (lack of torque obviously) and that the economy around the block could potentially be as poor as the 6, simply because of the lack of torque.

Oh dear...and it looked so promising on paper. I was really hoping this engine would be a game changer for Ford Australia and the Falcon

I really hope it gets better with more k's on the clock

**GasoLane** · 12-04-2012, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DASH GT

It was also interesting to note that the XT had special fuel saving tyres...

I don't suppose you noticed the brand and type ?

Buntz · 12-04-2012, 05:13 PM

Perhaps if you had driven them back to back?

Brazen · 12-04-2012, 05:14 PM

Hey Dash, was that a car which had been sold? Or was it yard stock? Just curious if fleets have already started ordering them and if the customer typically bought other 4 cylinder cars. Should be a good all-rounder.

dimka100 · 12-04-2012, 05:24 PM

Well that explain the reason for the fuel economy difference between the EcoBoost XT and GE models ... 8.1 vs 8.5

Quote:

Originally Posted by DASH GT

It was also interesting to note that the XT had special fuel saving tyres... I wonder if such tyres would make a difference on the 6 cylinder XT?

**DJM83** · 12-04-2012, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

Perhaps if you had driven them back to back?

Probably a good idea but Brent has driven plenty of new Fords as im sure he will attest so his comparo it pretty valid.

Will be interesting to see if it takes off or not.

Buntz · 12-04-2012, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

Probably a good idea but Brent has driven plenty of new Fords as im sure he will attest so his comparo it pretty valid.

Will be interesting to see if it takes off or not.

But memory isn't as good as... 'in the moment'. Because in a back to back... you'd be doing an actual comparo. Anyway, can't change what's done.

This is so much more appealing than a 4cyl Camry.

nstg8a · 12-04-2012, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

This is so much more appealing than a 4cyl Camry.

That's it, it shouldn't be compared to the 4.0l, it should compared to econoboxes like the 4cylinder camry

**DJM83** · 12-04-2012, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

But memory isn't as good as... 'in the moment'. Because in a back to back... you'd be doing an actual comparo. Anyway, can't change what's done.

This is so much more appealing than a 4cyl Camry.

Yeah agreed. Particularly with the highlighted bit.
But Ford need to ADVERTISE the thing as IMO the punters will see it as a falcon fuel guzzler still.

robertjp · 12-04-2012, 05:48 PM

cant believe that people think the 2.4l Camry is ecconomical. Had one when my wagon was being hail damage repaired, used almost as much as the wagon!, nice to drive, big and all but not very convincing in the end. (reminds me of Apple: Great marketing pity about the substance)

Buntz · 12-04-2012, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

Yeah agreed. Particularly with the highlighted bit.
But Ford need to ADVERTISE the thing as IMO the punters will see it as a falcon fuel guzzler still.

I'm glad you and I are getting along for once. But suggesting Ford would do some advertising is wishful at best. :P

**Luke Plaizier** · 12-04-2012, 06:14 PM

Still a bit boggled that the G6 has a 4 cylinder. That it wasn't called the G4/G4E is annoying.

Lukeyson

olds · 12-04-2012, 06:14 PM

Price will kill it . Ford buyers wont get their head around paying more for a four than a six and it wont appeal to traditional 4 cyl euro buyers as its not sporty enough . Fleet would be the only market and I think they would prefer ECO LPI .

4.0i OHC · 12-04-2012, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olds

Price will kill it . Ford buyers wont get their head around paying more for a four than a six and it wont appeal to traditional 4 cyl euro buyers as its not sporty enough . Fleet would be the only market and I think they would prefer ECO LPI .

The I4T is the same price as the I6.

Buntz · 12-04-2012, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4.0i OHC

The I4T is the same price as the I6.

Is it? I think Ford will be gearing up to advertise Mk II FG, EcoBoost, and EcoLPi in the one go to spear head a recovery. By doing it this way... the consumers will think Ford has just launched all of this stuff that is new. Could generate interest.

4.0i OHC · 12-04-2012, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

Is it? I think Ford will be gearing up to advertise Mk II FG, EcoBoost, and EcoLPi in the one go to spear head a recovery. By doing it this way... the consumers will think Ford has just launched all of this stuff that is new. Could generate interest.

Sounds plausible. At a dental surgery I was working at today, Triple M was on the radio, and I heard an ad for the EcoLPI Falcon, which even stated the power and torque outputs of the car! It's certainly a refreshing change from walking fingers. It's only a matter of time before Ecoboost starts to be advertised.
When I visited Melbourne earlier in the week, I went to the Hawthorn-Geelong game (the results of which will not be spoken of), and Ford provided some interesting pre-game advertising for Focus, Mondeo, Falcon EcoLPI, Ranger and Territory, which I'll detail in another post. Ford finally seem to be advertising their products.

Buntz · 12-04-2012, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4.0i OHC

Sounds plausible. At a dental surgery I was working at today, Triple M was on the radio, and I heard an ad for the EcoLPI Falcon, which even stated the power and torque outputs of the car! It's certainly a refreshing change from walking fingers. It's only a matter of time before Ecoboost starts to be advertised.
When I visited Melbourne earlier in the week, I went to the Hawthorn-Geelong game (the results of which will not be spoken of), and Ford provided some interesting pre-game advertising for Focus, Mondeo, Falcon EcoLPI, Ranger and Territory, which I'll detail in another post. Ford finally seem to be advertising their products.

"AFL Reigning Premiers. Powered by Ford"

olds · 12-04-2012, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4.0i OHC

The I4T is the same price as the I6.

When I inquired around two months ago I was told it would be around $2000 dearer than the base model 6

CFOUR · 12-04-2012, 07:01 PM

g4e ecoboost would be worth a ride, that or the g8e the should have already built.

Joe5619 · 12-04-2012, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olds

When I inquired around two months ago I was told it would be around $2000 dearer than the base model 6

it is the same price.. Ford have already told us the price.. It is the same!!

csv8 · 12-04-2012, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

Is it? I think Ford will be gearing up to advertise Mk II FG, EcoBoost, and EcoLPi in the one go to spear head a recovery. By doing it this way... the consumers will think Ford has just launched all of this stuff that is new. Could generate interest.

Like Custers last stand !!!! indians are circling, coming in for the kill....Too late to save the mighty Falcon..about a year too late..If I was after a 4cyl in that price range..Mondeo, i45 or Optima would be my interest....

FPV GTHO · 12-04-2012, 07:35 PM

Ecoboost probably won't match the I6's discounted pricing unfortunately so it may not get much penetration into the private market.

Chopped · 12-04-2012, 08:31 PM

I hope they sell Falcon heaps of them.

Joe5619 · 12-04-2012, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

Like Custers last stand !!!! indians are circling, coming in for the kill....Too late to save the mighty Falcon..about a year too late..If I was after a 4cyl in that price range..Mondeo, i45 or Optima would be my interest....

I dont understand a comment like this.. Give me more, too late becuase..........

Franco Cozzo · 12-04-2012, 08:34 PM

Dissapointing, but intercooler, cold air intake, turbo back exhaust plus high flow cat and a tune and we've probably got the next SR20 on our hands.

**Polyal** · 12-04-2012, 08:34 PM

XT's dont have trip computers? Not that we overly trust them but atleast you could compare ford vs ford.

Thanks for the heads up Dash, I think the ecoboost will be best when on the open road when the work to get it started is already done. I cant see it being a CBD killer, but then you probably wouldnt get a falcon in that situation anyway.

For reps etc on the roads, when EcoLPI wont do and you cant buy a 6, EB is the answer. I await a full review from the journo's, god even drivel, its going go to be interesting.

Clearly shows though how spoilt we have been with the I6, comparison with a commy V6 would be good. I had a VE2 SV6 for 8 odd weeks as a hire car and it was frustrating to drive, always kicking down etc.