jpd80

-LOL. Actually, the less cars Ford NA sells, the less the losses. May not fly in the US, but the rest of us will jump for joy.

That 2.0 Ecoboost has close on the same torque curve of the Falcon 4.0 I-6. It's hard to believe a 2.0 Turbo can produce the same power as a 4.0 NA with better fuel economy. Actually, it would be perfect as the base Mustang / Falcon engine, changing people's perception of RWD.

Ecoboost 35 is being fitted in 2010 Falcon, it has with same tread width as a Mustang. As the two cars are coming onto a common platform, I'd say it will fit both. I've heard that 5.0 DI is 400 hp and 400 lbft.

Apparently the 2.0 Ecoboost has a flat torque curve with 270 lbft or more all the way from 1800 rpm to 5500 rpm. That's better than the 3.5 V6 it has now. I guess Ford will have to make believers of us all.

what about a green oval with "Flex" in place of Ford script?

Questions, Doesn't E85 go hand in hand with smaller higher boost turbo engines? How much power could a dedicated E85 2.0 liter Ecoboost make, 400hp, 400lbft? Ford talks about 270 hp, 270 lbft for gas but make it flex fuel and you get much more on E85.

Actually, I have a new theory on a RWD Colaboration. 1. Orion Falcon could donates its top hat and chassis from the firewall back. 2. All in front of the firewall is unique to Australia and fitting the Inline 6. 3. FNA uses Mustang firewall, front, running gear, electrical systems and new front sheetmetal. 4. In 2010 Australia drops Inline 6 and switches to FNA adaptation. They could also do the same thing with either Fusion (same tread width) or Taurus.

Grand Marquis is closer to 4100 lb and a "Falcon sized" RWD 6 cylinder is 3650 lb, same as Taurus. 23 mpg vs 28 mpg highway mileage?

Don't worry, you won't be getting either.

Would a 3.5 V6 give better performance and fuel economy like the Taurus? Could be worth a shot.

Sorry Borg, my comment wasn't aimed directly at you and guess it too reminiscent of mini vans. Look beyond the sheet metal, that's all I ask.

Sorry guys, I know the Falcon isn't coming your way but look beyond the Aussie sheet metal and see what could be with that frame and a suitable North American Top Hat.

Support for hybrid is good too and 30% fleet is a lot different to 90% fleet.

Hmm seems everything in Ford Global is "Ugly", maybe North American "Ford Fan" tastes don't reflect tastes of actual consumers.

Something more like S-Max?

On a slightly different note: Thanks to McobraR who scanned these images.

Sounds plausible, much easier to impliment. In 2011, Ford AUS will be building Falcons and C2 Focus down the same production line and made possible by having similar build processes.

http://goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/sto...A2573D60082231C

Zeta design was started in 2002 and signed off in 2004 (before Oil skyrocketed) and first released in August 2006 so GM was comitted to a RWD model without any fore knowledge of tougher CAFE. GM's whole strategy is out the window. Ford looking ahead from 2007 with RWD wont make the same error, CAFE plans are known and set.

I did see GM were expecting Impala at 100K/year so to keep Oshawa going, they would need something else. Impala was to be on unique 116" wheelbase - wondering if this could be recycled as another GM product. Holden already has full size luxury Zeta being produced here in AUS as Chevy Caprice, Park Avenue in China so maybe a smallish run of several different iterations? Cadillac DTS on Zeta is playing into Lincoln's hands - let's all pray it's so. Customers down here are complaining Zeta Commodores are noiser in floor pan area than Falcon

Is there a mid sized C/D FWD Platform they can up scale in a hurry? Is this No.3 for Bob Lutz?

G8 is zeta Commodore they have a Sports wagon, a Pickup and Large luxury Statesman/Caprice models as well. North America is reportedly developing AWD dual cab pick up on zeta.

This is the ultimate example of what Ford is trying to avoid with its RWD ambitions. GM tried to do too much with Zeta realised the problem and is developing plan B on the run. Mustang and RWD sedan on common architeture, limited applications - simple plan with predictable outcomes.

I like that expression: "Low Hanging Fruit", those that think all the low hanging fruit is gone are very short sighted. As technology improves, the impossible becomes within reach and mass production reduces the cost resulting in more "fruit". On trucks there's far more space to install hybrid batteries, compressed air launch systems so the future ins't gloomy at all.

They only started making it at Bridgend in 2006 - for Land Rover (?) I've heard it an expensive engine reserved for Volvo, Land Rover and maybe upper level Euro Fords. SI6 fits where the I5 does so Ford C1 & EUCDs like Focus, Mondeo, C-Max and S-Max could use but very unlikely. Nice engine but Ford is heading towards Duratec I-4, V6 and Ecoboost engines.