Ford teases with 2014 Falcon image at Sydney Show.

[Ghia351]

http://www.carpoint.com.au/news/2012/medium-passenger/ford/falcon/aims-next-falcon-teased-33119


Ford shows teaser video of its heavily upgraded 2014 Falcon at today’s Sydney show

Ford Australia used this morning’s Sydney motor show opening to reveal a teaser video of the heavily upgraded Falcon that will be released in 2014.

The fleeting teaser footage – a screen-grab of which is pictured here – was played on a large video screen and revealed only the front-end of the 2014 Falcon.

However, clearly evident in the video are a new bonnet, headlights, front quarter guards, bumper and grille, supporting news from motoring.com.au sources that the FG Falcon’s midlife makeover will bring all-new front- and rear-end styling, plus a redesigned interior - like next year's faqcelifted VF Commodore.

The extensive Falcon upgrade indicates the iconic Ford large car will continue to be produced at the Blue Oval’s Melbourne assembly plant beyond 2016, despite the fact Ford has not committed to local manufacturing beyond that year.

As one Ford insider told motoring.com.au: “The investment is far too great and the upgrade far too extensive to only last three years”.

“We're really excited about Falcon, and what it represents to our portfolio,” said Ford Australia President Bob Graziano.

“And we think given our recent announcement about investment in January that it is important that we show people where we are heading with Falcon.

“It' s a terrific product and we're really looking forward to having the vehicle in the showrooms in 2014,” he said.

It seems that the 2014 Falcon is having more done to it than first thought and although difficult to spot in the video a Mustang theme seems possible.

Thanks Mods for cleaning up my multiple posts.

[VX11SS]

Hmm 57 chev? is all I can see in that image

[Pickles]

That is GOOD news.....I hope they DO keep making Falcon in Aus.
Cheers, Pickles.

[shaneooo]

That is GOOD news.....I hope they DO keep making Falcon in Aus.
Cheers, Pickles.

I hope so too, but surely they can't keep producing cars and investing big $$$ with very low sales. By 2014, Ford may only sell 5 cars per month...

[Troutman]

Great to see, as it's been awful to watch sales crash in recent years simply because the car isn't 'fashionable'. That six cylinder engine is a legendary part of Australian automotive history.

[VX-300]

That six cylinder engine is a legendary part of Australian automotive history.
It's fed the families of head gasket salemen for 40 years.

[Ghia351]

I hope so too, but surely they can't keep producing cars and investing big $$$ with very low sales. By 2014, Ford may only sell 5 cars per month...When you add Falcon sedan, Falcon Ute and Territory together, local production is similar to Holden (Commodore sedan/wagon/ute + Caprice), which incidently announced at AIMS a small SUV replaces Commodore for local production with Cruze assembly. Ford won't be able to be as "independant" in it's R&D, however One Ford isn't just about sharing cars with different top hats, it's also about sharing components from suppliers eg. maybe a Falcon wiring loom is shared with Mustang and other models, parts not obvious but hugely expensive if done individually for a single model. Ford US builds the A6 ZF under licence as used in diesel Terry's (petrol uses ZF built box) and has a JV with GM for future transmissions. So costs can be saved and down the track your mortal marketing enemy could also be your R&D component partner, lol.

[whitels1ss]

According to a very good friend of mine who is in senior management at A.P. Eagers, (who own many dealerships throughout Australia) see link

http://www.apeagers.com.au/dealerships.htm

they are shuffling some staff out of their some of their Ford dealerships into some of their other brand dealerships
as they are expecting Ford to stop local production in the near future.

They are expecting other brands to pick up sales and perhaps even swap some of the larger Ford showrooms and
dealerships with some of the other brands which they are expecting to grow.

[Jamolad]

...which incidently announced at AIMS a small SUV replaces Commodore for local production with Cruze assembly...


Huh???

If you are referring to: http://www.carpoint.com.au/news/2012/medium-passenger/holden/commodore/holden-selects-second-model-line-33114 I think there are a couple of ways of interpretting those comments.

Where they say: "Holden has committed to building models based on two global platforms out to 2022 in Australia. Derivations of D2XX suitable for Cruze and a compact SUV will be technically diverse enough under GM categorisation to be classed as different platforms." Sure, it could be read that from 2018 Holden's only local manuctured vehicles will be Cruze and a compact SUV - or it could also be that a compact SUV will be built off the same platform and line as Cruze, and then another vehicle (or two) come off a larger platform on the current Commodore line?

Those different D2XX derivatives could be classed as different platforms - but then again may have been classed as one platform in the context of those comments

[SUZUKI MALISHA]

I hope so too, but surely they can't keep producing cars and investing big $$$ with very low sales. By 2014, Ford may only sell 5 cars per month...
actually its not as bad as some suggest for the struggling/dwindling commie and mainly falcon sales...as from what ive heard they both have stopped targeting fleet sales...sales which give numbers but no profit margins. Apparently both marks are selling reasonable amounts of their year to year private sales. Thats where their profit is and where their future lies......espescially if this stupid government refuses to support the locals. Doubt the six will survive tho..now theyre pushing the econoboost or whatever it is into most fords.

[planetdavo]

actually its not as bad as some suggest for the struggling/dwindling commie and mainly falcon sales...as from what ive heard they both have stopped targeting fleet sales...sales which give numbers but no profit margins. Apparently both marks are selling reasonable amounts of their year to year private sales. Thats where their profit is and where their future lies......espescially if this stupid government refuses to support the locals. Doubt the six will survive tho..now theyre pushing the econoboost or whatever it is into most fords.

To an extent reducing your exposure to fleets could help, but they (and any similar manufacturer), being volume manufacturers, still needs to make a decent number of cars. Cost per unit is the key phrase. If you make a lot less cars, the cost of the parts used to make the car goes up accordingly- whether it's parts you make yourself or you source off suppliers. This can be either from the tooling cost being spread over far fewer units, or (usually) with OEM suppliers, it's written in the contract that you either accept a minimum volume of parts no matter what (so do whatever the hell you want with them), or you agree to pay more if you reduce the required volume. So, you make less cars to make more profit, but each car costs you more to begin with, so do you actually end up ahead???

[whitels1ss]

To an extent reducing your exposure to fleets could help, but they (and any similar manufacturer), being volume manufacturers, still needs to make a decent number of cars. Cost per unit is the key phrase. If you make a lot less cars, the cost of the parts used to make the car goes up accordingly- whether it's parts you make yourself or you source off suppliers. This can be either from the tooling cost being spread over far fewer units, or (usually) with OEM suppliers, it's written in the contract that you either accept a minimum volume of parts no matter what (so do whatever the hell you want with them), or you agree to pay more if you reduce the required volume. So, you make less cars to make more profit, but each car costs you more to begin with, so do you actually end up ahead???
Dead right:goodjob:

[CLUBRED]

There's no way Holden will let Ford have the last harah. Watching the V8SC's today I was quietly dreaming what if some Arab oil magnate decided to bid and take over Holden to go it alone.

Dear Holden, please make the Commodore a bit smaller and allot lighter, oh, and do something about built quality if private sales is your focus.

[Plenty]

There's no way Holden will let Ford have the last harah. Watching the V8SC's today I was quietly dreaming what if some Arab oil magnate decided to bid and take over Holden to go it alone.

Dear Holden, please make the Commodore a bit smaller and allot lighter, oh, and do something about built quality if private sales is your focus.

I don't want the Commodore any smaller,i think the size is spot on, it fits 3 baby seats in the rear comfortably and carries a decent whack of luggage as well, what they do need to do is make it more aero friendly and also reduce the weight considerably.

Driveline improvements will also bring more efficient cars.

[Angeldust]

i think the commodore needs to go back to vt size and weight. The VN-VS cars were even big enough inside. The VT chassis brought with it more
safety and refinement and the ability to cope with more power withoout overpowering the chassis. The same happened with VE, but have they gone
to far? This is very debatable, some say that its fine like it is, others like me would like a smaller commodore. The 1st commodore was based on mid sized
euro's, which would make today's commodore the size of a 3 series beamer. Perfect.,

[shaneooo]

i think the commodore needs to go back to vt size and weight. The VN-VS cars were even big enough inside. The VT chassis brought with it more
safety and refinement and the ability to cope with more power withoout overpowering the chassis. The same happened with VE, but have they gone
to far? This is very debatable, some say that its fine like it is, others like me would like a smaller commodore. The 1st commodore was based on mid sized
euro's, which would make today's commodore the size of a 3 series beamer. Perfect.,

A lot of it also comes down to perception, the VE looks big, looks chunky and when you sit inside, it feels huge, especially for a female driver that is more used to a smaller car. My wife HATES driving my VE SSV ute, because compared to her Mazda 3, it's way too big and she can't park it and is scared of scraping the rims if she parks next to a kerb.

I honestly think the Commodore needs to shrink, because going back to perception, if the general public hears and sees a smaller Commodore hitting the market, the general public will perceive, more economy, easier to drive and easier to park. I think something between the Cruze and current Commodore would be perfect...Holden's other issue in my opinion is the VE is still here and the VF should have been out a year or so ago...it is very stale, and other makes like Hyundai and Mazda are pumping out new models that surpass the old VE.

The Falcon on the other hand, has more issues to over come than the Commodore. The Falcon has a bad taste with a lot of Aussies who went out and purchased a B series, especially the BA's that had woeful quality issues compared to a lot of other cars on the market, plus the dealers were horrible to deal with regarding warranty. The FG is a great car, but Ford have always had the up hill battle with the Falcon.

[whitels1ss]

The Falcon has a bad taste with a lot of Aussies who went out and purchased a B series, especially the BA's that had woeful quality issues compared to a lot of other cars on the market, plus the dealers were horrible to deal with regarding warranty. The FG is a great car, but Ford have always had the up hill battle with the Falcon.

Please tell more buddy?
What were all the problems?
I thought the BA's and BF's were not that bad?:cheers:

[Ghia351]

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/18C79E108483CBDBCA257A9E007EDCE8
A more forthcoming interview with Ford local design head and also Ford President on the 2014 Falcon and interesting reference that it will be revealed next year ('13) before on sale in '14:


Ford Australia design chief promises ‘big impact’ with reskinned 2014 Falcon
22 October 2012
By TERRY MARTIN

FORD Australia’s chief designer has urged Australians to prepare to be shocked and excited at what the company has achieved with the forthcoming heavily revised Falcon large car that will be unveiled next year ahead of a mid-to-late 2014 sales launch.

Chris Svensson – who is the design director for the entire Asia-Pacific and Africa region – is unequivocal that this will be the shot in the arm the struggling Australian-built large car needs.

He said that Ford management from global design boss J Mays down were energised and upbeat about the new Falcon, the design for which is now locked in and was teased with a brief, obscured look at the front end as part of Ford’s Sydney motor show presentation last week.

The FG Falcon’s basic ‘glasshouse’ is expected to remain, but redesigned headlights, bumpers and grille, a new bonnet and front quarter panels will transform the look of the Falcon.

It will be the last major overhaul the vehicle receives before moving to an all-new global platform later this decade, which will likely herald a V6 petrol powertrain and a shift to a front-wheel-drive layout.

Before then, however, the substantial design work now evident with the 2014 midlife update could see the Falcon soldier on for longer than expected beyond 2016, although Ford is yet to commit to local manufacturing past that date.

Mr Svensson revealed that the entire Falcon design program was handled in Australia and that the team had plenty of scope to transform the look of the large sedan, which he revealed will make its first appearance during 2013.

This will potentially be next June, when Melbourne hosts the next Australian International Motor Show.

“You’re going to be surprised when you see it, how different it is versus today’s car,” said Mr Svensson, who said all the design work was done locally.

“We had enough scope that I think when you put the two cars side by side you’ll be shocked at the difference.

“We’ve been working on that for a little while now, and we’re really excited.

“It’s actually just one of the products that we’re working on – we’re working on many – but we’re probably more excited about it (Falcon) because of how it looks. We’re excited about getting that out into the marketplace because we think it’s going to make a big impact.

“It’s a 2014 model, but we will obviously be bringing something early to the world, sometime in 2013.”

Asked whether the new design was the booster shot the Falcon so desperately needs, Mr Svensson said: “Definitely.

“J Mays was at the design centre in Melbourne a few months ago and he was so excited about the Falcon. He thought it was probably one of our better products that we are developing ... he was very excited about what he saw and he can’t wait to get this car on the road.”

Mr Svensson would not go into detail about the extent to which the FG Falcon’s bodyshell would be changed, urging Australians to “just be excited that it’s coming – it will be a very exciting product”.

However, he did say that the design ‘DNA’ of the 2014 Falcon could be seen on new models such as the Mondeo mid-size sedan and the EcoSport crossover also shown in Sydney last week, along with the Evos concept that Mr Svensson said “is going to be instrumental towards all of our products globally”.

A broad trapezoidal grille that features on all these vehicles has been reinterpreted on the Falcon, while Mr Svensson said the design would still emphasise the large sedan’s rear-wheel-drive layout.

“We have a DNA as we mentioned with this show car (Evos), but we tweak it – we tweak it regionally, we tweak it for individual products, so there is a lot of flexibility within this DNA,” he said.

“I think the premise for us is to make sure that the cars are exciting visually to look at, are dynamic, they emphasise the great foundations of what Ford stands for – which is great driving dynamics (and) it’s affordability.

“So each car will have a unique appearance based on its marketplace and its regional input. But there’s a foundation, a string of design ideas that will tie all our cars together so it will always look like a family, or portfolio, of vehicles.”

Mr Svensson said the foundation of Ford’s current design DNA for all new models is based on the Evos, which was first shown in Frankfurt last year.

“You might see slight tweaking and iterations of it, but the foundations are there – the front end, the similar themes across the Mondeo, and you can look at the EcoSport, the foundations of that front end are based on this vehicle and you’ll see that in the next-generation cars from us.

“And that’s all of our products – from the EcoSport and Mondeo to Mustang, to Falcon. There are threads of ideas that you’ll see in that car (Evos) that will materialise in the whole global range of products.”

Ford Australia announced a $103 million investment in Falcon and Territory in January that will guarantee the production of both models until “at least the end of” 2016.

The program, which includes $34 million from the federal government and an unspecified contribution from the Victorian state government, will see the six-cylinder Falcon’s CO2 emissions reduce by up to 5.3 per cent from 2014.

Ford management last week confirmed the venerable Geelong-built inline six-cylinder engine will receive further upgrades, but the measures will not make it compatible with the tighter new ‘full’ Euro 5 emissions standard due to come into effect locally in 2016.

They will, however, bring a 7.5 per cent improvement in aerodynamic efficiency for both Falcon and Territory via a series of engineering and design updates.

Also coming is a lighter, smoother, quicker-shifting and more efficient six-speed automatic transmission, the fitment of new tyres with 10 per cent lower rolling resistance, and an upgrade in safety and technology.

The investment is in addition to the $232 million Ford Australia has already received and used for last year’s facelifted Territory diesel and LPG-fuelled Falcon EcoLPi, and the new Falcon EcoBoost turbo-four introduced earlier this year.

Notwithstanding the raucous engine note accompanying the 2014 Falcon images on the video shown in Sydney last week, all indications are that are XR8 will not be part of the range – despite the fact that Ford will officially take control of Ford Performance Vehicles, and the application of the locally developed supercharged 5.0-litre ‘Coyote’ V8, on January 1.

Ford Australia president and CEO Bob Graziano made it plain to GoAuto in Sydney last week that the XR8 was still out in the cold.

“I hear a lot of folks telling me that they’d love to see an XR8 come back, and we’ve been very open and upfront: we have not been able to put together a business case to make that work,” he said.

“We are looking at every option that we have, but I want you to understand where we are focused on with the 2014 program – and that’s about the design, the fuel efficiency, and continuing to move forward with the powertrain line-up that we have.”

Mr Graziano dismissed the suggestion that ramping up the 2014 Falcon program now could further hurt the sales performance of the current model, which is down 27.7 per cent so far this year and is staring at its worst yearly sales result.

Year to date, Ford has sold just over 10,000 Falcon sedans, plus 4400 utes.

“Given the recent announcement on the investment in January, it’s important we show people where we are heading with Falcon,” said Mr Graziano.

“It’s a terrific product and we’re really looking forward to having the vehicle in the showroom in 2014.

“It’s still an important vehicle in our portfolio.

“We’ve updated 85 per cent of our portfolio over the last 20 to 22 months and that’s been in response to what customers are looking for here in Australia, and we’re continuing to adapt to those changing market dynamics with vehicles like EcoSport, with vehicles like an updated Mondeo – (and) updating the Falcon, updating the Territory.

“But there really is a suite of product that we have in our portfolio. We spend a lot of time talking about Falcon and Territory, and they’re extremely important vehicles for us, but we have a breadth of (imported) product here that I think is just absolutely outstanding.”

The local Blue Oval boss would not reveal what percentage of Falcon sales was made up by the recently released four-cylinder EcoBoost Falcon, which will continue to be an important part of the upgraded 2014 series.

However, Ford Australia vice-president of marketing and sales Brad Brownell said that at least three years would be required for customers to fully appreciate the full advantages of the hi-tech, economical downsized engine, as was the case with the EcoBoost Ford F-Series in the US.

“It’s probably a pretty similar flight path,” he said.

[planetdavo]

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/18C79E108483CBDBCA257A9E007EDCE8
A more forthcoming interview with Ford local design head and also Ford President on the 2014 Falcon and interesting reference that it will be revealed next year ('13) before on sale in '14:

Sounds like Ford intend to do another "spoiler" campaign, probably the same time VF is released I'm tipping...

[Angeldust]

SOunds like its going to be another AU (a drastic visual change from the whats current/ordinary)

an AV series falc. lol

no xr8... the xr8 badge has bugger all cred anyway, base falcon with a v8. Invented by FTE in the 90's to most it has nowhere near the credibilty an SS badge has.
And initially, the xr8 badge was higher than an SS badge (ie FTE vs HSV)
The current GS badge at least has some heritige.

With holdens it was always the SS or GTS, and in my opinion it even toook a while for the clubsport badge to gain any respect
(which was invented in the 90's (maybe 80's im unsure when the VN clubby came out)).

[Alex(AUS)]

Well I am certainly excited about the excitement that is being put forward. It is hard not to be excited by such a exciting way to excite people in need of excitement.

Exciting stuff,

Alex

[Alex(AUS)]

Well I am certainly excited about the excitement that is being put forward. It is hard not to be excited by such a exciting way to excite people in need of excitement.

Exciting stuff,

Alex

[Plenty]

Please tell more buddy?
What were all the problems?
I thought the BA's and BF's were not that bad?:cheers:

I'll start it off

- Shite diff
- wheel bearings
- plastic trim in interior grab handles falls out
- Spark plugs breaking off
- warped discs
- brake noise
- crap paint
- rust
- plastic timing chain tensioner
- poor ecu tune in the boss (shuts down cylinders at idle)
- flexplates

I'm sure i could list more but it's long enough...... Pretty sure all cars could make a list though

[macca_779]

SOunds like its going to be another AU (a drastic visual change from the whats current/ordinary)

an AV series falc. lol

no xr8... the xr8 badge has bugger all cred anyway, base falcon with a v8. Invented by FTE in the 90's to most it has nowhere near the credibilty an SS badge has.
And initially, the xr8 badge was higher than an SS badge (ie FTE vs HSV)
The current GS badge at least has some heritige.

With holdens it was always the SS or GTS, and in my opinion it even toook a while for the clubsport badge to gain any respect
(which was invented in the 90's (maybe 80's im unsure when the VN clubby came out)).

I don't see it that way. Back when the xr8 was released it offered something else over a Gli v8. It had a power advantage. The SS of the time not so much. Hell even now makes no more power. SS credibility is there though. Why I don't know, but its there.


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

[CLUBRED]

I personally think the Commodore could comfortably loose around up to 5% of its bulk without feeling smaller than what it does now, that equates to around 50-100kgs less factoring in some light weight panels, and pulls it back to around 4.7m long (so fits in your average 5x6 garage better). And for gods sake put in a full folding seat in the back of the sedan, can anyone tell me why the commodore has never had one?

[Plenty]

I personally think the Commodore could comfortably loose around up to 5% of its bulk without feeling smaller than what it does now, that equates to around 50-100kgs less factoring in some light weight panels, and pulls it back to around 4.7m long (so fits in your average 5x6 garage better). And for gods sake put in a full folding seat in the back of the sedan, can anyone tell me why the commodore has never had one?
Apparently Holden customers are satisfied with the ski hatch, me not so much, I want split fold rear seats even though we'll lose some chassis stiffness.

[planetdavo]

I don't see it that way. Back when the xr8 was released it offered something else over a Gli v8. It had a power advantage. The SS of the time not so much. Hell even now makes no more power. SS credibility is there though. Why I don't know, but its there.


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

C'mon macca, put that (well buried) Holden hat on for a minute hey fella...;)
SS was a badge used through the 70's on some of Holden's desirable models, then was used by Brock on the HDT cars in the 80's...in a period Ford abandoned many of their fans and totally walked away from V8 Falcon's in this country- an action that started the rot for them in many ways they never fully recovered from.

Personally, on the GS and XR8 subject- when I hear GS, I think of some big lump of XC Falcon with more tinsel fitted, not a grunter badge. For me, XR8 would be the better badge.

[macca_779]

C'mon macca, put that (well buried) Holden hat on for a minute hey fella...;)
SS was a badge used through the 70's on some of Holden's desirable models, then was used by Brock on the HDT cars in the 80's...in a period Ford abandoned many of their fans and totally walked away from V8 Falcon's in this country- an action that started the rot for them in many ways they never fully recovered from.

Personally, on the GS and XR8 subject- when I hear GS, I think of some big lump of XC Falcon with more tinsel fitted, not a grunter badge. For me, XR8 would be the better badge.

Yep back in the day absolutely. But the last 20 years is where I was coming from.


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

[Ghia351]

Apparently Holden customers are satisfied with the ski hatch, me not so much, I want split fold rear seats even though we'll lose some chassis stiffness.What would the majority of owners notice, a slightly stiffer chassis only evident at the car's higher driving limits or an easier way to carry Ikea flatpacks?

[shaneooo]

I'll start it off

- Shite diff
- wheel bearings
- plastic trim in interior grab handles falls out
- Spark plugs breaking off
- warped discs
- brake noise
- crap paint
- rust
- plastic timing chain tensioner
- poor ecu tune in the boss (shuts down cylinders at idle)
- flexplates

I'm sure i could list more but it's long enough...... Pretty sure all cars could make a list though

I will continue...
- Oil feeder lines to the turbos clogging
- Diff bushes constantly breaking
- Woeful clunky driveline
- As mentioned the rust...this was my BIGGEST gripe. My BA had a MASSIVE rust issue in the boot area, very common and an ongoing issue for all B series cars, not sure if fixed on the FG. I had the same area on my FG GT inspected and resealed after delivery.
- Peeling paint
- Common TPS issues

And according to the dealers, all this was "normal" and "within tolerances".

[BA_XR6_TURBO]

i think the commodore needs to go back to vt size and weight. The VN-VS cars were even big enough inside. The VT chassis brought with it more
safety and refinement and the ability to cope with more power withoout overpowering the chassis. The same happened with VE, but have they gone
to far? This is very debatable, some say that its fine like it is, others like me would like a smaller commodore. The 1st commodore was based on mid sized
euro's, which would make today's commodore the size of a 3 series beamer. Perfect.,

Commodore was always smaller and lighter than Falcon, until the VE came along. Since that was a shared platform I wonder how much influence the US had on the size of the design? I would also like to see the Falcon go back to 1500-1600kg.

[Plenty]

What would the majority of owners notice, a slightly stiffer chassis only evident at the car's higher driving limits or an easier way to carry Ikea flatpacks?

Yep totally agree I hate the ski hatch........

[whitels1ss]

Yep totally agree I hate the ski hatch........

:yup:The fold down rear seat is certainly one thing that I prefer about the Falcon.

[duke5700]

Plenty of lighter weight cars in what is now called the mid sized section of the car market. Something like a Jetta is under 1500kg's(Speaking about my MY10 2.0T). Compared in size to say a VL commodore rather similar.

I think the cars have grown due to consumer demand and that trend is starting to head back the other way as people want 4000mpg amongst other things. When you have cars like the Cruze/Modeo that fill that market, the commodore/falcon won't shrink as it has no market to shrink into.

Market won't support fancy light weigh materials other than some aluminium panels so for car that size its always going to be heavy.

I don't see much manoeuvring room at the present time.


Commodore was always smaller and lighter than Falcon, until the VE came along. Since that was a shared platform I wonder how much influence the US had on the size of the design? I would also like to see the Falcon go back to 1500-1600kg.

[macca_779]

What I would like to see is a sub 50k mid sized v8 rwd. I reckon it would sell well. Plenty of euros in that segment but nothing in the commodore price range.


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

[Ghia351]

Only problem is a Mondeo Titanium is 1692Kg and a G6E Ecoboost (4cyl) is 1706kg, 14kg difference.

[planetdavo]

Yep back in the day absolutely. But the last 20 years is where I was coming from.




The last 20 years are more like the first 10 years. The Kingswood/Monaro/Torana SS era were regular Holden models with a slightly American sporty flavour, using a badge revered in the US, and no real motorsport heritage to speak of. But they had desirability at reasonably low prices- what made them prized really and set the scene for today's SS models.
The Brock HDT period of SS badging should be considered like HSV products- a distinctly different product to regular production line models. The reality is that from VN onwards, the SS badge returned to it's production model origins, not drifted away from it.

[Jag530G]

http://www.carpoint.com.au/news/2012/medium-passenger/ford/falcon/aims-next-falcon-teased-33119

It seems that the 2014 Falcon is having more done to it than first thought and although difficult to spot in the video a Mustang theme seems possible.

Thanks Mods for cleaning up my multiple posts.

The grainy picture seems to show the grille being a similar shape to the new 5th gen Mondeo, a slightly Aston Martin-y shape grille. I suspect the rear end will be similar to the new Mondeo as well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Mondeo

As per the article it will be a new front and rear hanging panels with carry over doors and bodyshell. I take it the new interior will mean new dashboard but with carry over door trims. Basically this will be what the EF was to the EA, not an all new model.

Someone else's post in this thread was making fun of Ford's exciting excitement hoo haa, and frankly I agree, it seems extremely try-hard. It sounds like Ford are trying to convince themselves most of all. The Falcon has the smell of death about it and why it isn't selling well has got sweet f*ck all to do with the front and rear styling and the shape of the dashboard. The Mitsubishi 380 went on sale in Oct 2005 and lasted until March 2008, only 2.5 years before it was canned. I see much the same thing happening here. If Ford USA thought there was much of a future they'd be spending some marketing bucks on the Falcon, in particular, the Ecoboost. But they aren't and that speaks volumes. I'll go with the Falcon production ending sometime in 2016.

BTW, this isn't just a pro Holden anti Ford comment. I still think Commodore production in Australia will end in 2018 and the only hope for the Commodore after that is if the 2013 VF exports to the US go well such that after 2018 GM chooses to build a new model Commodore on the Alpha platform and manufacture it in the US and export back to Australia.

Cheers, Matthew