http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...08_ford_falcon

VERY interesting article

With the coming U.S. release of the FIESTA (designed from the Verve) and more and more hints about the global platform direction as well as tech/engineering sharing between Ford U.S. - Europe - Australia, I think the future is looking pretty darn good for the Mustang

 

This article is a bit behind the curve here. GWRD (Global Rear Wheel Drive) is already under development and that development is taking place in Dearborn. Although, rumors do indicate that people from Ford Australia are involved, which is hardly a surprise.

 

Yeap. The "I want one" statement by Alan could just as easily have been "I want US to build one." Oz is contributing plenty of know-how to get the GRWD developed, and the Post-Orion Falcon will most likely use it, but it's a team effort and it's happening in Michigan.

Yet another reason why I canned MT, even when you're not waiting for a print date they're still behind the curve more often then not.

 

How much does the Falcon weigh? If the new car is going to be the GRWD platform, then that should be a good indicator of the next Mustang's weight.

 

I like that guage cluster...

 

Actually, I'm not at all certain that the Falcon will be a good benchmark to employ to guage weight, etc. for GRWD despite what this article says. GRWD is likely being designed in Detroit for the same reasons that the next Ford Focus is, That is, to ensure that costs are kept in check and to make certain that the most important vehicles based on this platform are indeed the focus of the program. That would lead me to believe that the benchmark for the platform is Mustang, not Falcon, As such, I would be surprised if weight, etc gets out of hand,

 

I hope your ability to prognosticate is up there That would be good news indeed to see weight held in check while offering most or all of the neat bits and pieces that are making the Falcon such a good car.