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The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk |
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18-09-2012, 07:54 PM | #1 | ||
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Just read this article about Ford (specifically Lincoln) that puts the Australian media's recent coverage of Ford in contrast to the media in both North America and Europe. He calls the Aussie media an "outspoken bunch of yobbos with no background in business or engineering." If that's any indication, it's worth a read:
http://carsales.mobi/news/2012/ford/...-lincoln-32475 Apologies to those on desktop computers, if someone can post the link to the normal URL, cheers.
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18-09-2012, 08:38 PM | #2 | ||
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His criticisms of the inline 6 smack of the pot calling the kettle black given his other criticisms of local media.
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18-09-2012, 09:15 PM | #3 | |||
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Couldn't have put it better myself. I have no problem with his idea of using Australia to design and build a premium RWD sedan, but to shoot off such misguided and incorrect criticisms on the I6, after just having accused his fellow aussie media of having no background in engineering... kinda funny really. |
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18-09-2012, 09:43 PM | #4 | ||
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An ancient I-6 that out torques the Commodore's 3.6 V6 and an Ecoboost 2.0 that outpoints the 3.0 SIDI on performance and economy...
I must be missing something......... |
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20-09-2012, 12:53 AM | #5 | |||||
Straight Eight
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I6's are starting to make a comeback. And BMW are sort of seen as trend setters in this regard. Localising weight is the only benefit of the V6, otherwise Nissan would not have changed to one from their own very powerful I6. As regards the article, the guy comes across as a bit of a nitwit. But he isn't saying what hasn't already been said here on this forum. In fact, it's probably where he got his story from.
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20-09-2012, 06:11 PM | #6 | |||
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On a level platform, the D37 in the Mustang is just as capable as the Barra195 on a Nm/L scale. |
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20-09-2012, 09:01 PM | #7 | |||
Peter Car
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Quote:
http://www.caradvice.com.au/143292/m...t-six-engines/ |
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18-09-2012, 09:57 PM | #8 | ||
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heh, he`s a funny boy the "indigenous and ancient" remark, the F6 would give Anything they have in the local line up a run for it`s money.
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18-09-2012, 10:11 PM | #9 | ||
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It's an Australian journalist called Ken Gratton. He is giving the Falcon and Ford Australia more positive press than anyone else currently.
The comment about the 4.0 being from the dreamtime was not an attack. He actually likes the engine from previous reviews. The length of the motor does cause design issues. Ken is theorising that the huge investment and design capabilities of Ford Australia are or will be exploited for Lincoln products. Do people honestly think RWD 2.0 Ecoboost developed in the Falcon was really just for it or Mustang?
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19-09-2012, 12:20 AM | #10 | |||
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18-09-2012, 11:38 PM | #11 | ||
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i think its a pretty good article. At least it provides a futrue for FordAU.
If Ford were to develop an aussie car that went up against the 335I Coupe in quality, power, handling and looks at FPV prices I would buy one in a heart beat... Imagine how sweet would it be if Ford Oz really did have a go at doing a competitor to BMW 3 series, be it from the ground up or even if it was a refined Mustang underneath. That would be something for Ford Oz to grin about and a massive smack in the face for the all knowing Australian motoring journos.
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19-09-2012, 05:23 AM | #12 | ||
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He's right about one thing in that BMW have developed a premium model with an Inline 6. Mercedes Benz are (rumoured?) to be considering a return to the same configuration in the near future. Packaging concerns seem to be sorted out for them.
Is it out of the realms of possibility that if you were seriously considering taking them on in the same market space you would not consider the benefits the I6 layout brings? As MIK says above, there is nothing in the ford world that can lay a feather on the true potential of the Barra I6, it already keeps the premium brands honest. The Yanks still had an I6 up until the late 90's....(admittedly in their F trucks), so it not beyond the entire realm of possibilty they could build them again in limited numbers for Lincoln...is it? |
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19-09-2012, 09:02 PM | #13 | |||
Peter Car
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The bad part is that Lincoln have said they will continue with FWD/AWD platforms for the foreseeable future. Never say never but it doesn't look likely that FoA will have anything to do with a Lincoln. Would be good though. |
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19-09-2012, 10:58 PM | #14 | ||||
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Having read it again, I tend to agree with some of the later posts here, and maybe he isn't critisizing the I6 to the degree I first thought. Its just not that clear the way its written. This part in particular;
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This whole thing about the poor packaging offered by an I6 engine is only true if you want a FWD car, or the car to be as small as possible. BMW have no problems packaging an I6, and have a look at some of the exotic roadsters out there from Mercedes Benz, BMW, Ferrari - massively long hoods that could accommodate an I8! As long as the engine is behind the front axle line there isn't an issue with how long it is. Unfortunately in the Falcon the I6 is on top of the front axle, not behind it... but thats another discussion. Quote:
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19-09-2012, 10:59 PM | #15 | |||
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We know MKZ and MKS are staying, MKT is the town car and livery vehicle, Escape based small SUV will join the MKX and a new Navigator is planned, that only leaved the Aviator (Explorer)....that makes seven. I don't see any other vehicles on the horizon.... a Lincoln based Mustang is a long shot but would be welcome.. |
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21-09-2012, 11:10 PM | #16 | |||
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21-09-2012, 11:34 PM | #17 | ||
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I found some interesting articles on this site about everything Lincoln !!!!!
Click on a few to get the latest at what to expect in the near future ????? http://www.carbuzz.com/Lincoln_news/ |
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20-09-2012, 07:48 AM | #18 | |||
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As the auto world is changing so fast, the new black is downsizing, ie ecoboost I have seen the twin cylinder FIAT 500 and its perfect for the application and you would not want for more in real world use, its the most frugal ULP vehicle [non hybrid] on the Aussie market, very clean too. Same for Ford with the EB 3cyl. job the have just made Forget V6, IL6, etc, who cares, all that matters are the figures it shows, MPG/CO2/ and similar real-world performance and safety required for todays roads Of course we still need to keep our enthusiast market of V8/V10/V12's etc, but its small % in the total scheme of things |
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19-09-2012, 06:50 AM | #19 | ||
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I too don't think he is bagging the I6 either but if the call is having FOA survive as a manufacturer by dropping the I6 for this type of plan, I'm for it.
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19-09-2012, 07:21 AM | #20 | |||
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Thats it, get the plant to build some V6's or EcoBoost 4's here...something relevent to the world.
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19-09-2012, 07:36 AM | #21 | ||
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well written article.
he doesn't just stick the boot in but is highlighting possibilities. I don't agree with everything but it was a good read.
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19-09-2012, 07:39 PM | #22 | ||
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Good article.
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20-09-2012, 08:02 AM | #23 | |||
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20-09-2012, 05:09 PM | #24 | ||
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All Ken Gratton was doing was being brutally honest. Regardless of what happens to the Falcon after this current platform cycle, the I6 doesnt play a part in that plan. It is an orphan engine, whose job can be done just as well as corporate V6's from the Cyclone engine family (D37). And as far as the torque deficit goes, we're talking a NM deficiency count in the tens, not hundreds. A small price to pay when you consider the amount of tech and efficiency the D37 can bring to the table in a next gen Falcon over the I6. And then there is the economies of scale from using engines from engine plants that churn out 500,000 of them per year, FoA not having to do it's own R&D on the 6 cylinder engine any more (and fund it) the obvious export synergies had from using a corporate global engine, and of course design of the car itself that doesn't have to have a long front overhang, a recess in the firewall and the radiator support module just to accommodate the I6.
PS - I have owned every iteration of the Falcon's I6 and I love it dearly. I'll weep when it is killed off. And I'll buy one of the last XR6 Turbos with one in it
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22-09-2012, 08:57 AM | #25 | |||
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a large car will need to have engines roughly one step up from what the US Fusion provides now. Now whether that flies in the face of what is being developed for next gen Taurus is key, can the Falcon continue to evolve efficiently and saving tons of money by using many of those unseen "One Ford" parts to keep the project viable and of worth to other regions... So there's no point looking at large V6s available now, I think the key is to look at emerging tech that will keep Falcon fresh and viable to the market, stuff like 8-speed auto transmissions and engines in sizes that consumers want to buy, be that a lusty I-6 or an efficient Ecoboost or a V8. What ever is decided, you can bet that the post 2016 vehicle will be stuffed full of the same options available on Ford's global cars, no more feeling like we're being left behind. Last edited by jpd80; 22-09-2012 at 09:12 AM. |
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26-09-2012, 02:16 AM | #26 | |||
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22-09-2012, 10:37 AM | #27 | |||
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Sorry, off topic.
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22-09-2012, 12:28 AM | #28 | ||
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The MKZ has just been restyled. And it's in a higher-volume segment.
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23-09-2012, 12:30 PM | #29 | ||
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they falcon wont die by the sounds of this but the 4l will
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