A couple of comments that I made to a post today on The Car Connection (link in the title above). Several sites have picked up some pictures taken in Dearborn of a couple of new Australian Ford Falcons. Read the post. I think everybody is over-reacting by suggesting that this particular Falcon will be Fords new global rear wheel drive platform.
I've CC'd my comments to their post below:
"You’re reading way too much into these pictures. Ford has always had a wide array of their products from all around the world driving around Dearborn. Hang around Dearborn long enough and you’ll see any number of Fords that are not sold here and won’t be. There are a number of parking lots where they can be seen and photographed at almost any time! Those two Falcons may be here for executive awareness, for help with emissions or crash testing (two things that Dearborn has done more extensively than Australia can), to test future developments of existing or new engines (we know the Aussies will get the Ecoboost twin-turbo V-6 for the Falcon in ~2 years, and a replacement for ye olde 5.4 is certainly coming up), or they may be here for benchmarking. As for the “new” Falcon that is currently being rolled out in Australia, it’s not so much “new” as it is a “top-hat” refresh, to the same extent that next year’s F-150 is. This isn’t a new chassis at all, and it’s certainly not what would be ideal in a future world-wide and world-class rear wheel drive chassis. It’s severely dated, it has issues, and it certainly won’t match or exceed crash requirements here or in Europe. And look at that front overhang - indicative of a far-forward engine (compare and contrast that point to the G8, for example). So whatever the new platform is, it’s not this platform and these shots aren’t even of a mule of any new platform. Don’t get me wrong - I admire what the Australians have done with this car. They have a great bunch of people, both in Ford and Holden. They’ve managed to keep a line of cars going against the odds, and even improved them dramatically and added sporting models to the lineup as well. I have some major reservations about Ford moving their rear wheel drive development to Dearborn. Dearborn has shown they can do it with the DEW-98, but they haven’t shown that they can keep it moving forward - much less sustain what they had. IMHO, what’s needed is a worldwide platform built to the same strategy as Nissan’s “FM”. World-class engineering, built to be used in different widths and lengths, able to accommodate the future engine lineup, and spreading costs of the expensive platform bits around several different product lines. The DEW was nearly that, most of the bits were right on, but they didn’t tackle the cost issue and carrying Jaguar was just one reason for the end of it. So we all share the wishful thinking for Ford to get on with a new and world-class rear wheel drive platform, but what’s shown in the pictures is not it."
Lots of spy pics in that article - which of course we always like :-)
But -
I'll have to say that I am not impressed. Sorry, but look at the tiny wheels and brakes... and even worse the long nose. This means a poor weight balance. Compare and contrast to the Holden Commodore - aka the Pontiac G8. Holden has announced a quote "near 50/50" fr/rr balance. The minimal front overhang on the Commodore clearly indicates the engine is moved far back in the car, and other announced features include a battery in the trunk and extensive use of aluminum in the suspension. That's part of what makes the Commodore worthy to be a "world car" - one that will be used on other products (such as the upcoming 2009 Camaro).
The jury is out as to whether or not the new Falcon is intended to be a world car.. if it was planned to be or if it's even capable. The jury is also out as to whether Ford of North America needs a large rear-wheel drive car in the lineup - given the 35 MPG fleet average fuel economy discussions (probably reduced to 32 by the time it goes thru Congress), is there room for a large RWD car powered by a fuel-inefficient 3-valve 5.4 liter V-8? Competitively, is there a need (or an opening - the Impala is staying FWD and the 300/Magnum/Charger sales have slowed considerably)? Doesn't the Taurus have this size vehicle covered, with better efficiency, traction, safety, and an already world-class chassis (shared with Volvo)? And wouldn't a Twin-Force powered SHO model cover the performance market?
And now the big question: do we want this car to be the basis for a new-generation Mustang? I don't think so - the size of the wheels and rediculous front overhand brings the SN95 Mustang to mind (in fact, this car looks to be more of an update of the existing Falcon architecture than an all-new generation). And a 2-dr coupe based on a 4-door architecture will be heavier than it needs to be.
So, Ford, lets not go in this direction for the new Mustang.
I've covered the Ford Performance Vehicle (FPV) products from Australia before and it remains a favorite part of the Ford world for me. Here's a line of Falcon-based vehicles offering both a twin-turbo inline 6 (native to Australia) as well as a naturally aspirated 5.4 DOHC V-8 (basically sourced from the USA but locally assembled and spec'd). The 6 makes more torque than the V-8.
And unlike FPVs crude cousin in the states (the Mustang work done by the former SVT), these cars are completely equipped: handling suspension, double-wishbone front suspension, IRS, Brembos, 6-speed (auto or manual), good sport seats. Even the option of 6-piston Brembos. A truly complete car, performing all-around (rather than to a single test - straight line - as in the 'states). This is a car that even in non-FPV form doesn't require excuses ( such as this one ).
The link is a video introducing the engine.. I selected it because it shows the tubular headers on the engine. What I don't have - and have never seen - is an image of the unique intake manifold. It was designed in Australia and is produced there. It's not the usual 5.4 intake, and it's not the Cobra-R unit. Does anybody out there have a link to a picture?
FPV has an extensive and well-done website: http://www.fpv.com.au Note the screensavers and merchandise - I've even ordered FPV shirts and had them delivered right to my home in the 'states. I'll guarantee that you don't see too many Ford fans in the 'states walking around in an FPV shirt!
What does the future hold for FPV? We do know that we'll never see this particular car in the United States (has anybody here imported one?). We may see it's replacement, we know the Australians plan to export the upcoming all-new replacement for this car outside of Australia (but it has not been said where). It would be nice to replace the absurdly decrepit Crown Vic with this car, as well as the stone-age Mustang platform. One can only hope.
You may also have been following the recent Holden announcements. GM's equivalent to this car will be coming to the United States - GM will announce it and show the car at the Chicago Auto Show in a couple of months. With a 400-HP 6-liter V-8 and choice of transmissions (and a rear IRS), it'll be in a unique place in the market. And unlike the rediculously out-dated chassis of the last Pontiac GTO, this time the care is all-new and purpose-built (no more Catera parts!).
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Reference: engine headers. Note the lack of restriction, and the inferred width of the engine compartment.
Another European Ford we don't get - the turbo model of the Focus.
But the Aussies do and they have a new site expaling all the features of the car. Remember that in Europe and other markets, the Focus is a premium model, with a long list of available features.
We've never had one like that in the North American model, where the Focus is seen as an economy car and nothing else. That does need to change - the competition (domestic and international) is bringing out premium small models and Ford has nothing to respond with... except perhaps the European Focus.
