Delayed: Ford's 4-cylinder Falcon

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Re Ecoboost Falcon,
I see Ford has a competition to name the new car, as journalists flashed
back with the obvious, "Cortina" a resounding no came from Sinead's lips.

Hehe.

I thought EcoBoost would be optional on XT, G6, and G6E models. With a little badge to let people know it hugs trees. Not it's own model surely.

Originally Posted by jpd80

A mistake Ford were careful to avoid, North America said no thanks to a RWD sedan
and contrary to internet scuttle butt, there are no immediate plans for a RWD Lincoln sedan.

I can hold out a hope can't I?

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Re Ecoboost Falcon,
I see Ford has a competition to name the new car, as journalists flashed
back with the obvious, "Cortina" a resounding no came from Sinead's lips.

That was an article I made up to demonstrate a different tact I wished Ford took with the new 4 cylinder engine...

I now feel like Orson Welles when he had the radioplay War of the Worlds.

[Luke Plaizier]

I've long hoped that the Ecoboost Falcon would be differentiated - if not just by name, then even a little bit by sheet metal.


Lukeyson

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Brazen

That was an article I made up to demonstrate a different tact I wished Ford took with the new 4 cylinder engine...

I now feel like Orson Welles when he had the radioplay War of the Worlds.

Dang, the post was on the previous page and I was hoping you wouldn't
chime in as I was trying to get a bite out of someone re the Cortina name...

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Dang, the post was on the previous page and I was hoping you wouldn't
chime in as I was trying to get a bite out of someone re the Cortina name...

haha, sorry Jdp80!

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Brazen

haha, sorry Jdp80!

You and I could have had a Cortina thread and Drive lurkers would have put up an article tomorrow.....

[stang65]

Originally Posted by Brazen

That was an article I made up to demonstrate a different tact I wished Ford took with the new 4 cylinder engine...

I now feel like Orson Welles when he had the radioplay War of the Worlds.

You are pure evil....lol

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by jpd80

You and I could have had a Cortina thread and Drive lurkers would have put up an article tomorrow.....

Ford Fusion thread ;)

No reason why we couldnt throw the red herring in the pond.

[csv8]

How about..Escort!!! wheres the competition to name the new car?? Thanx

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by csv8

How about..Escort!!! wheres the competition to name the new car?? Thanx

Oh, Oh, give FoA the just superseded Focus and get them to do a new
longer top hat, entry level Midsizer called Escort/Laser, $25,990 drive away.....

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Oh, Oh, give FoA the just superseded Focus and get them to do a new
longer top hat, entry level Midsizer called Escort/Laser, $25,990 drive away.....

I dont know if your joking or brilliant!

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Drop the NA6 and only use the Ecoboost I4 and I6T

You can't continue to make the I6T if there is no NA6.

Currently making about 180 NA6's a day compared to around 10 I6T's. You can't keep the place running on 10 or so engines a day.

Things are bad enough as they are making 190 engines a day, its pretty much unfeasible at those low levels.

Consider that Ford want to make 1 million V6's a year from its Ohio plant and it puts it all in perspective just how small the I6's numbers are.

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

Like the 1800 odd KG entry level Taurus you mean?

Taurus is a US fullsize car, built off a damn SUV floorplan.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by FPV GTHO

Taurus is a US fullsize car, built off a damn SUV floorplan.

Wasn't that just the interceptor models?

[Dr Smith]

Isn't the current Taurus originally off a Volvo platform?

[csv8]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

Isn't the current Taurus originally off a Volvo platform?

Does the FORD TAURUS share a platform with a VOLVO?(2010-05-29 00:14:19)
1. Yer D'thspicable Says: I heard some mechanics talking and I heard one of them say that FORD uses a VOLVO platform under the TAURUS. Is that true?
2. stanislav Says: yep its off the Volvo S80 chassis
3. SSP Bowl Dude Says: Yep

[XR Martin]

Dont know why people keep obsessing about the Taurus, if the Falcon dies we'll just have the Mondeo to replace it.
They arent going to RHD engineer the Taurus for maybe 1000 sales a month at absolute best.

[buggerlugs]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Have you ever driven an I6T over a long period of time?? I know I've owned my for 15 months an a I6T is NOT economcial.. It drinks like a V8!!

Your not wrong, that's why we got rid of ours...........

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by csv8

Does the FORD TAURUS share a platform with a VOLVO?(2010-05-29 00:14:19)
1. Yer D'thspicable Says: I heard some mechanics talking and I heard one of them say that FORD uses a VOLVO platform under the TAURUS. Is that true?
2. stanislav Says: yep its off the Volvo S80 chassis
3. SSP Bowl Dude Says: Yep

Ford D3 was not developed from S80, they used the XC90 version and shared the SUV floor pan,
that's why Taurus profile is nothing like the S80. S80 is now on P24, a distant Volvo variant of
EUCD with completely different front end to accept 60 degree V8.

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

Wasn't that just the interceptor models?

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

Isn't the current Taurus originally off a Volvo platform?

I'll answer you both at the same time.

It's a much modified version of the Volvo P2 platform, the variation originally used in the XC90.
Now Ford NA exchanged some alloy suspension parts for steel to control costs and developed
Freestyle and Fivehundred but unlike Falcon and Territory, both vehicles share the SUV floor pan,
this is why Taurus has a lot of weight and a huge stature due to the high hip point seating position.

If a future Taurus was given a sedan floor pan like the Falcon, it is highly likely that it would
shed some serious weight and take on a normal sedan like profile like an enlarged Fusion or Mondeo.
At that point, Police Interceptor could continue uninterrupted as a sedan body on Explorer floor pan.....

^^^^^ Ford NA really have their ducks in a row with this one, they eliminated the need for
separate platforms for Body on frame car like Crown Victoria and Explorer by optimising one plant
and reducing the output from three plants into one modern plant, the efficiency gain from this
far outweighs any sales losses that may be incurred through reduced sales to police departments.

For us, the next Fusion Sedan / Mondeo and Taurus development are the key to Ford's choices,
will they adopt a two car strategy or go for another RWD shared with Mustang?

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by jpd80

^^^^^ Ford NA really have their ducks in a row with this one, they eliminated the need for
separate platforms for Body on frame car like Crown Victoria and Explorer by optimising one plant
and reducing the output from three plants into one modern plant, the efficiency gain from this
far outweighs any sales losses that may be incurred through reduced sales to police departments.

For us, the next Fusion Sedan / Mondeo and Taurus development are the key to Ford's choices,
will they adopt a two car strategy or go for another RWD shared with Mustang?

So they went from Body on Frame to Body on Floor Pan to reduce complexity? I agree that would add a certain efficiency to the manufacturing... but it's also got the addition of reducing the dynamic of vehicles made off the platform. Taurus and Flex now have more weight and with it greater fuel consumption. And this decision I'm guessing weighed in heavily for the law enforcement supply. This is one of the negatives of global architecture. Don't Falcon and Territory utilise a cross platform underpinning for steel body/chassis monocoques?

All I can say is... thank goodness for Mustang and Lincoln. Two reasons a consolidated architecture where Falcon makes sense.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

So they went from Body on Frame to Body on Floor Pan to reduce complexity? I agree that would add a certain efficiency to the manufacturing... but it's also got the addition of reducing the dynamic of vehicles made off the platform. Taurus and Flex now have more weight and with it greater fuel consumption. And this decision I'm guessing weighed in heavily for the law enforcement supply. This is one of the negatives of global architecture. Don't Falcon and Territory utilise a cross platform underpinning for steel body/chassis monocoques?

Unitary body construction has been increasing in weight for years to strengthen the shell for crash protection, particularly vectoring crash energy away along multiple paths, something a body on frame is less capable of doing.
Unitary also allows Ford to do all manufacturing in the body shop without needing to hydro form frames out of box section and bolt bodies on.

For all of that, the current V6 Taurus city/highway fuel economy is better than the last Pontiac G8 with 3.6 5-speed auto so I'm guessing it's right on par with our Falcon I-6's fuel economy.
Next gen Taurus is expected to be an extension of Fusion/Mondeo and will lose significant weight
while Taurus based PI and Explorer are expected remain close relatives and continue sharing the same SUV floor pan.

All I can say is... thank goodness for Mustang and Lincoln. Two reasons a consolidated architecture where Falcon makes sense.

There is absolutely no evidence or reliable rumors that Ford is considering Falcon/Mustang beyond their existing roles, Lincoln's seven new Models are expected to be mostly FWD/AWD sedans and crossovers/SUVs.....
Lincoln appears to be following the Audi model for vehicles and using FWD/AWD instead of RWD.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Unitary body construction has been increasing in weight for years to strengthen the shell for crash protection, particularly vectoring crash energy away along multiple paths, something a body on frame is less capable of doing.
Unitary also allows Ford to do all manufacturing in the body shop without needing to hydro form frames out of box section and bolt bodies on.

For all of that, the current V6 Taurus city/highway fuel economy is better than the last Pontiac G8 with 3.6 5-speed auto so I'm guessing it's right on par with our Falcon I-6's fuel economy.
Next gen Taurus is expected to be an extension of Fusion/Mondeo and will lose significant weight
while Taurus based PI and Explorer are expected remain close relatives and continue sharing the same SUV floor pan.

Well I did the conversion math. And Taurus does about 10.7L/10km's. According to Ford's official figures. Not actual tested figures.

Next Taurus will be something to look out for. But I don't think it will address the muscle car culture here in Australia.

There is absolutely no evidence or reliable rumors that Ford is considering Falcon/Mustang beyond their existing roles, Lincoln's seven new Models are expected to be mostly FWD/AWD sedans and crossovers/SUVs.....
Lincoln appears to be following the Audi model for vehicles and using FWD/AWD instead of RWD.

Ford has been saying they want to differentiate Lincoln's product lineup. So paying the premium will actually be worth something.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

Next Taurus will be something to look out for. But I don't think it will address the muscle car culture here in Australia.

Muscle Car Culture ?

The one that sells a low percentage of a segment that is now a "minor" player in the new car market ?

Or the one that is a small part of the used car market ?

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

The one that sells a low percentage of a segment that is now a "minor" player in the new car market ?

Still our culture.

Even still. It makes Ford NA shift a few thousand more V8 engines every year. And it has to be taken into account when deciding on a replacement for FG.

And I don't think they'd ever do a GM and whack a V8 on the front wheels.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

Well I did the conversion math. And Taurus does about 10.7L/10km's. According to Ford's official figures. Not actual tested figures.

Next Taurus will be something to look out for. But I don't think it will address the muscle car culture here in Australia.

Ford has been saying they want to differentiate Lincoln's product lineup. So paying the premium will actually be worth something.

All I would say is that the EPA and Euro tests don't really line up, EPA tests have had downward conversion factors applied twice in recent history to more closely align with real world fuel consumption.

Basically, the FWD version of the Taurus gets similar fuel economy as FG with ZF.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Basically, the FWD version of the Taurus gets similar fuel economy as FG with ZF.

Well... yes and no. But mostly no.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

Still our culture.

Even still. It makes Ford NA shift a few thousand more V8 engines every year. And it has to be taken into account when deciding on a replacement for FG.

And I don't think they'd ever do a GM and whack a V8 on the front wheels.

Chicken feed when it means you can import a whole car instead.

PS: Good try for a newbee .... But you need to learn about the motor Vehicle manufacturing industry.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

Still our culture.
.

Yours ?

Not Australia's ..... Sales say so.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

Still our culture.

It would shock you to know just how small that culture is.
FPV are selling around 200 V8s a month and Geelong engine is making about 90 I-6 turbos a week.

Last year, Holden sold just over 12,000 V8 vehicles in Australia...

The big fear is that the US could build the next Falcon for us down the Mustang line,
send them to us and FoA make far more profit than keeping our local manufacturing going.
Zero import duty and excess US production capacity says it could be a real possibility.
It also gives them the opportunity to legally transfer profit back to the US and keep FoA as an importer.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by jpd80

It would shock you to know just how small that culture is.
FPV are selling around 200 V8s a month and Geelong engine is making about 90 I-6 turbos a week.

Last year, Holden sold just over 12,000 V8 vehicles in Australia...

The big fear is that the US could build the next Falcon for us down the Mustang line,
send them to us and FoA make far more profit than keeping our local manufacturing going.
Zero import duty and excess US production capacity says it could be a real possibility.
It also gives them the opportunity to legally transfer profit back to the US and keep FoA as an importer.

That's if the government doesn't threaten them with costly import tariffs for cutting Aussie jobs. They have a commitment to Australia as well you know.

As for Holden selling 12000 V8's lest year. That shows the culture right there. V8's are important here despite how many Ford manage to move. That is FoA's failing.