Falcons testing in the US
#1
GTR Member
Thread Starter
Falcons testing in the US
Not strictly Mustang related, but as the Falcon platform could underpin the next generation Mustang, I thought it worth posting here (I leave it for the mods to decide if it should be moved).
http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-fal...html#more-6954
Contradicting reports have been flying back and forth as to whether Ford will move its rear-wheel drive operations to the U.S. from Australia, but it looks as though a recent round of spy shots might have put the debate to rest.
Spy photographers have spotted two Ford Falcon prototypes testing outside of Detroit. It still remains unclear if Ford has given the U.S.-spec Falcon the green light, but these could be the first images of Ford's Australian-born Pontiac G8 fighter.
If the project is allowed to progress, the new rear-wheel drive platform would likely underpin the next-generation Ford Mustang and a replacement for the aging Ford Crown Victoria (think more along the lines of the Interceptor concept). A rear-wheel drive Lincoln model based on the same architecture would also be a distinct possibility. Mercury fans, don't hold your breath for a new rear-wheel drive sports sedan.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-fal...html#more-6954
Contradicting reports have been flying back and forth as to whether Ford will move its rear-wheel drive operations to the U.S. from Australia, but it looks as though a recent round of spy shots might have put the debate to rest.
Spy photographers have spotted two Ford Falcon prototypes testing outside of Detroit. It still remains unclear if Ford has given the U.S.-spec Falcon the green light, but these could be the first images of Ford's Australian-born Pontiac G8 fighter.
If the project is allowed to progress, the new rear-wheel drive platform would likely underpin the next-generation Ford Mustang and a replacement for the aging Ford Crown Victoria (think more along the lines of the Interceptor concept). A rear-wheel drive Lincoln model based on the same architecture would also be a distinct possibility. Mercury fans, don't hold your breath for a new rear-wheel drive sports sedan.
#2
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
Join Date: February 1, 2004
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
At this point I think the possibility of the Falcon coming here and the GRWDP development are two different though related stories, like how the 2010 Mustang differs from but relates to the 201X. Ford may be thinking they'll bring the Falcon over here in the short term in order to pave the way for the GRWDP sedan that will come along later.
#3
GTR Member
Thread Starter
That's a good point. The new Falcons pictured are NOT using the new global platform but might be a good stopgap for a few years to stop the Pontiac G8 taking all of the market.
Probably worth shifting the to the "Other Fords" section - sorry mods.
Probably worth shifting the to the "Other Fords" section - sorry mods.
#4
Ford has had falcons parked outside their research buildings for the last few years (with and without camo) I drove past them everyday when I worked there... and everytime I saw them I hoped they would start building them here. They are pretty sweet!
#7
Join Date: January 30, 2004
Location: DMV
Posts: 2,980
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
While Ford may be toying with the idea of bringing over the Falcon as a modern near term RWD sedan, ala the G8, I would tend to think it less likely than more so.
For one, the Falcon, IIRC, was not designed with LHD in mind, thus any adaptation would be that much more difficult and expensive than for the G8, which was designed with LHD in mind from the start. Secondly, Ford is/will be designing a new GRWD platform presumably to hit the streets in the next few years. This will presumably spawn a North American variant(s) including full size sedans and the next Mustang much as the Theta platform has resulted in the G8 and Camaro.
In the meantime, I could see Ford focusing their very limited resources on existing platforms, perhaps bolstering the Taurus and Fusion with Econoboost motors and AWD to better meet the G8 performance challenge until the GRWD platform comes to fruition. A well done 350hp AWD mid-sized performance sedan could be quite enticing, just ask any Audi S4 owner, and may make more sense in these more fuelish times than a big V8 platform, not to deny that a big, powerful V8 RWD platform has many of its own highly desirable qualities too.
I imagine the Falcons lurking about Dearborn are probably more for a general evaluation of the type rather than representing a specific intention to bring this particular car to the American market.
For one, the Falcon, IIRC, was not designed with LHD in mind, thus any adaptation would be that much more difficult and expensive than for the G8, which was designed with LHD in mind from the start. Secondly, Ford is/will be designing a new GRWD platform presumably to hit the streets in the next few years. This will presumably spawn a North American variant(s) including full size sedans and the next Mustang much as the Theta platform has resulted in the G8 and Camaro.
In the meantime, I could see Ford focusing their very limited resources on existing platforms, perhaps bolstering the Taurus and Fusion with Econoboost motors and AWD to better meet the G8 performance challenge until the GRWD platform comes to fruition. A well done 350hp AWD mid-sized performance sedan could be quite enticing, just ask any Audi S4 owner, and may make more sense in these more fuelish times than a big V8 platform, not to deny that a big, powerful V8 RWD platform has many of its own highly desirable qualities too.
I imagine the Falcons lurking about Dearborn are probably more for a general evaluation of the type rather than representing a specific intention to bring this particular car to the American market.
#11
Ford needs to lose the big tri bar chrome grille and go with that grille for the corporate look. I think having too much chrome on a PLASTIC grille makes the car look cheap, kind of like those jc penny blue blazers with the gold buttons on the cuff. Most high end or good looking cars these days have a little chrome trim, but it doesn't dominate the front end.
#12
Like I said on other posts, I want one of those Falcons!!!!! Really, I do! Not instead of my Mustang but ot go with it!!
#14
At this point I think the possibility of the Falcon coming here and the GRWDP development are two different though related stories, like how the 2010 Mustang differs from but relates to the 201X. Ford may be thinking they'll bring the Falcon over here in the short term in order to pave the way for the GRWDP sedan that will come along later.
#15
#16
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
Join Date: February 1, 2004
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ford Oz has been pushing against that info and stoking the rumor mills in order to keep attention on themselves. I'm getting the feeling that Oz is one of the last and most stubborn holdouts of the worldwide Ford Fiefdoms, and they have some sort of anti- Global Ford PR offensive going.
#17
Ford Oz has been pushing against that info and stoking the rumor mills in order to keep attention on themselves. I'm getting the feeling that Oz is one of the last and most stubborn holdouts of the worldwide Ford Fiefdoms, and they have some sort of anti- Global Ford PR offensive going.
#18
Ford Oz has been pushing against that info and stoking the rumor mills in order to keep attention on themselves. I'm getting the feeling that Oz is one of the last and most stubborn holdouts of the worldwide Ford Fiefdoms, and they have some sort of anti- Global Ford PR offensive going.
Last edited by instigator311; 4/4/08 at 12:21 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tj@steeda
2015 - 2023 MUSTANG
0
9/8/15 10:45 AM