Delayed: Ford's 4-cylinder Falcon

DanielXR8 · 16-03-2011, 12:34 PM

Hmm why do I get the feeling that Ford are seeing if Falcon has already 'jumped the shark' before committing to production of FG2...

Delayed: Ford's 4-cylinder Falcon
Matt Campbell
March 15, 2011 - 5:11PM

Ford Mondeo
Mondeo will be first Ford in Australia with new Ecoboost four-cylinder engine after more fuel efficient Falcon is held up until 2012.

The Ford Falcon has suffered another blow, with its long-awaited four-cylinder model delayed until early 2012.

The homegrown large sedan was due to go on sale before the end of the year with the more fuel efficient engine that the company is hoping will help revive flagging sales.

Falcon sales have plummeted 44 per cent compared to the same period last year, and the local car maker has cut production in response.

Ford 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine
The Mondeo medium car will now become the first Ford in Australia to feature the Blue Oval’s new Ecoboost engine technology, with a 149kW version of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder arriving mid-year.

The company’s press release says “a more powerful version of this engine will follow for the Australian market over the next 12 months, when Falcon EcoBoost is introduced”, though a Ford Australia spokesman said the model wouldn’t go on sale before 2012.

Offering an EcoBoost Mondeo also goes against the company’s strategy of differentiating the Falcon from the Mondeo in regards to power options. As Drive has previously reported, an EcoBoost Mondeo was virtually ruled out for Australia, as Ford focused on diesel powertrains for the European-made model.

The four-cylinder engine will be available in the mid-range Zetec (which currently starts at $36,240) and top-end Titanium (from $43,490) models, with pricing details yet to be revealed.

The 2.0-litre, which is mated to a dual-clutch auto, produces 149kW and 300Nm – notably higher outputs than the non-turbo 2.3-litre engine (118kW/208Nm). It also sips considerably less fuel, down from an average of 9.5 litres per 100km to a more respectable 8.0L/100km.

The company says the turbocharged Falcon will use a higher output engine than the Mondeo – possibly the 177kW/320Nm version found in some European Mondeo models.

Zero_PSI · 16-03-2011, 12:41 PM

A 4 cylinder Falcon............Fail.

Wretched · 16-03-2011, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zero_PSI

A 4 cylinder Falcon............Fail.

know something the rest of us don't about the EcoBoost Falcon to justify your post?

It is a little disappointing if the Falcon is delayed. It could also be drive just fishing for a more solid release date on a slow news day.

Jesmol · 16-03-2011, 01:36 PM

Program charts I've seen show a Jan 2012 launch. So I suppose they're technically correct.

Road_Warrior · 16-03-2011, 12:49 PM

Is this the same Drivel.com.au article that was posted in the Mondeo Ecoboost thread? So in other words Drive have no evidence, they just guessing.

Ford_The_Win · 16-03-2011, 01:05 PM

I am getting really sick of this speculation. For god's sake Ford, make up your freaking mind. Dump the Falcon or pull your heads in and get the ball rolling! They really are a bunch of muppets.

tezxr8man · 17-03-2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford_The_Win

I am getting really sick of this speculation. For god's sake Ford, make up your freaking mind. Dump the Falcon or pull your heads in and get the ball rolling! They really are a bunch of muppets.

I reckon the muppets would have to be the media guys beating it all up, they helped kill the 380 now going to work on the Falcon, how Un-Australian is kicking a guy when he's down?
They won't stop until they're all gone by the looks of it, then they'll all remanis (Can't spell) about how good it was back in the day when we made cars here

vztrt · 16-03-2011, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Is this the same Drivel.com.au article that was posted in the Mondeo Ecoboost thread? So in other words Drive have no evidence, they just guessing.

Yeah same article. Here's the link if people are interested.

http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...315-1bvpx.html

Paxton · 16-03-2011, 01:20 PM

They're wrong.

EcoBoost Falcon is still on track for this year.

stevz · 16-03-2011, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paxton

They're wrong.

EcoBoost Falcon is still on track for this year.

How would you know with such certainty what is going on inside ford australia? Do you work there? Are you a board member? Or are you just an armchair expert? I think its the latter.
The article quotes a ford spokesperson as making these claims, so it isn't just speculation on drive's behalf.

dimka100 · 16-03-2011, 01:39 PM

You got some insider info or just guessing?

Its nice to see Ford releasing all these new model but I wonder how much value will people loose of their 2010 purchased falcons due to all the new product release plus massive discounts Ford has been running …

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paxton

They're wrong.

EcoBoost Falcon is still on track for this year.

My poor XF · 16-03-2011, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paxton

They're wrong.

EcoBoost Falcon is still on track for this year.

This! I too tend to believe Paxton's word.

^^^^^^^^^
Woops lol disregard

What is with all the negativity from supposed ford fans. Jeez with friends like some on here who needs enemies!!

How about backing the product instead of constantly slagging it and the brand. I'm sure if there happens to be a delay then it is to ensure that the EB falcon is the best possible car, remember it is the first GLOBAL application of rwd Eco boost tech.

madmelon · 16-03-2011, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by My poor XF

What is with all the negativity from supposed ford fans. Jeez with friends like some on here who needs enemies!!

I think you'll find the negativity comes from backing an organisation/product/brand that at virtually every opportunity, appears to not back its self. This is made worse when said organisation is part of a large multinational organisation which couldn't give a **** about the measly market for 'home grown' product that the situation is occurring in. (ie. AUSTRALIA)

If anyone in the Aussie auto market doesn't need enemies, it's Ford- they're their own worst enemy sometimes with what could contend for the most poorly planned product development and launch events in automotive history, starting with the AU Falcon. (Yes, I own one because I know how good it actually is...).

If the Ford fans are getting negative, what does that say about the likely attitude of the general automotive consumer? One who doesn't have a passion, doesn't have a brand preference, doesn't have inside information and doesn't necessarily have a great understanding other than what's said in marketing BS. It says they're likely to take the information they get (How much positive versus negative press for Falcon over the last 10-15 years?) and it WILL sway their choice. I'm not saying they're ignorant, just that negative sentiment towards a product begets further negative sentiment.

If the sentiment amongst fans starting to turn down, it's probably for a pretty good reason. Delays like this, LiLPG, axing of Focus, all the turns with V6, etc doesn't give anyone confidence.

I wish it was different...

Smoke Pursuit · 16-03-2011, 01:43 PM

Paxton has inside info...

But im sure hes not going to let that slip!

The talk around the traps is November with FG2...

Jesmol · 16-03-2011, 01:48 PM

Production launch is definitely Jan 2012, sales are usually + 1 month.

Road_Warrior · 16-03-2011, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesmol

Production launch is definitely Jan 2012, sales are usually + 1 month.

Well shee-it son. Ford have screwed the pooch on that one. Looks like another self-fulfilling prophecy is about to come to life.

dimka100 · 16-03-2011, 01:54 PM

How do you know this? Do you work for Ford

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesmol

Production launch is definitely Jan 2012, sales are usually + 1 month.

Jesmol · 16-03-2011, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dimka100

How do you know this? Do you work for Ford

No I don't, but we do know what their program timing is for a reason.

**Polyal** · 16-03-2011, 01:57 PM

dim...think about it...if someone was going to post info form the "inside" do you think they would advertise it.

Believe who you want to believe and leave it at that.

Iggypoppin' · 16-03-2011, 02:04 PM

I'm more inclined to trust Paxton on this, he's been right on more than one occasion.

Brazen · 16-03-2011, 02:10 PM

If Paxton is correct then once again it shows how F#$%ed up Ford marketing/PR is.

JPFS1 · 16-03-2011, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazen

If Paxton is correct then once again it shows how F#$%ed up Ford marketing/PR is.

why is this a marketing/PR issue?

This could be related to all sorts of engineering issues that could delay a program.

Brazen · 16-03-2011, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPFS1

why is this a marketing/PR issue?

This could be related to all sorts of engineering issues that could delay a program.

Its a marketing issue if there has been no delay. Vague media releases and telling reporters it wont be released before 2012 goes against what Paxton is saying about it being on-schedule for release in November.

Jesmol · 16-03-2011, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazen

Its a marketing issue if there has been no delay. Vague media releases and telling reporters it wont be released before 2012 goes against what Paxton is saying about it being on-schedule for release in November.

Maybe I should just repeat myself, production launch is not till Jan 2012. I've seen the program timing charts.

Brazen · 16-03-2011, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesmol

Maybe I should just repeat myself, production launch is not till Jan 2012. I've seen the program timing charts.

so Drive is right.

**DJM83** · 16-03-2011, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPFS1

why is this a marketing/PR issue?

This could be related to all sorts of engineering issues that could delay a program.

Yep i heard the same, im good mates with my service mgr and also attended there meeting last Friday in Brisbane

csv8 · 16-03-2011, 02:13 PM

The Mondeo will be on sale with EcoBoost six months before FG2??
Can you hear the drums, Falcon ?? Bye Bye..
Ford have stuffed up again..2012 is too late to save Falcon..sob sob

Gobes32 · 16-03-2011, 02:32 PM

This is news to most people, I wonder what the explantion for the set back is?

dimka100 · 16-03-2011, 02:53 PM

I just find it really weird that Ford would want to release an FG2 upgrade without offering all the engine choices on day one of the release, that is ofcs assuming that Ford will actually release an FG2 upgrade and not just add additional engine options to the line up.

New engine choices are a major factor in peoples decisions to buy a vehicle and not have that available at FG2 launch would mean the launch would go unnoticed – that is assuming FG2 will not bring any other significant changes which most likely it will not.

I understand that sometimes engineering or manufacturing challenges can bring project beyond their delivery and budgetary timeframes but with the engines Ford is trying to bring I just do not see how this is possible as:
• LPG I6 – its already in the Falcon, yes they need to change the fuelling related stuff but seriously how hard is that? I’m sure the actual engine is not being redesigned.
• Coyote V8 – well FPV have already done all the work on it, is it really that hard to delete the supercharged and retune it for NA form?
• EcoBoost I4 – this engine may present some challenges as its all new, however since Ford will 99% will not be redesigning the engine (as they want to cut costs and go global), simply bolting this engine into a falcon body can not be so complicated can it?

yift · 16-03-2011, 05:18 PM

all i know is:

Falcon ute, get it while its being produced, because it will be no more soon.

Falcon 4 cylinder has a massive axe over its head.

FG2 Falcon, more than likely the last Falcon to be produced or any car produced in Broadmedows.

If the Territory doesnt produce the numbers say goodbye to Ford Australia.