Lionel

Hi everyone, please enjoy this article I've written about how a Ford product has defined the direction my life ended up taking. It includes reflections on Ford's global product decisions and references to F150, Mustang etc. I hope you like it. http://performancedrive.com.au/editorial-ford-falcon-an-emotional-tribute-1715/

Well that shows it's possible with clever design. The front- wheel drive cars are getting four-cylinders anyway. Just a shame to see it go and I think it would be an interesting test.

How would you guys feel if Ford decided the 2.7 Ecoboost was the last V6 they would make, and all future 6-cylinder engines would be inline? Jaguar and Mercedes appear to be going down this road, just as Ford will be shutting its straight six and turbo facility in Australia. If MT, Road and Track Jalopnik et al conducted a very thorough comparison of the Australian made straight six and Ecoboost/Duratec V6 engines for smoothness, db, idle speed, etc I think it would make a very interesting comparison, and persuade Ford to continue development on the superior engine. Thoughts?

Cheers hope you liked it.

http://thecorrespondent.caradvice.com.au/view/558cdffd0ab478b52e000003

Hi friends, I have entered a competition in Australia, where you can review your own car to win a paid internship. I'm reaching out to the international Ford community for votes and/or feedback. Thank you

I take it you're only referring to US bound imports. Even if you are, don't you think it's a bit early to dismiss the Chevrolet SS? Might be more successful this time round. Holden sends their cars to South Africa, Brazil, CKD kits to China, because GM nurtured the export potential of the Commodore. If it wasn't there or healthy, they'd be just as precarious as FoA but it's kept them alive, simple as that. Whoever in the Ford ranks has stifled exports of our cars should hang their head in shame.

I'd be resonably happy with that, as long as we got some input on our version, and it fills the niche Falcon leaves.

Really? nobody gives a shit? I think it's a damn shame, Falcon could have been integrated into One Ford, it has alot of character. Too bad Dearborn were determined not to let it realise its potential. That's the key factor here, there are still two other companies that make cars here , because their parent companies have given them more freedom to export and seek opportunities. I love how our engineering department is talented enough to design and engineer cars for other markets, yet because of One Ford, we can't have a region specifc model anymore. I don't mean to step on toes here, but Falcon is what got me into Ford, and cars.

When is the Ka due to be replaced?

With the event creeping up in the next few weeks, I thought I'd mine this thread to ask if there has been any promotion of the event in the USA yet? What I saw was the NASCAR/ V8 Supercar driver swap ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS9FrE5ysCw) Are any forum members going to see the Texas round, or has reception been lukewarm?

Just to make things more interesting, there will be Mercedes entries next year aswell. http://www.caradvice.com.au/191998/mercedes-benz-amg-racers-enter-v8-supercars/ So that will generate MORE interest. If Ford is leading by the time Texas rolls around, then it could create a coup d'etat, or create a cult following of sorts. I'm aware alot of you think it won't be noticed at all, but theres a possibilty it will be noticed and there'll be some US fans of our car. Especially if awareness is created beforehand, not just by Ford marketing, but fans of the sport, of RWD sedans and of the car itself. I know its a very long shot, but I can dream

It shouldn't be ANY roomier, with the supposed packaging benefits of an FWD platform! Pretty sure its roomier than Taurus too! Having said that, if Ford has no choice but use an FWD platform, then I hope they make it as much of a drivers car as possible (and I say that through gritted teeth), and make it here.

Would make more sense than a bloated, blunter, dowdier stretch-Fusion. Hopefully someone has the cajones to put RWD Taurus forward. I like the greenhouse, you can actually SEE out the windows, and the visibilty is great, unlike the stupid wedge trend with the upwards tapering beltline. J Mays has recently said that trend is dying anyhow.

Language semantics aside, I think you knew what I meant. Its suspensions are of a newer design and offer several quantitative benefits. Happy? My mistake, I meant the Coupe Utility.

Nice insight into our sensationalist media. Hardly cause for concern since Ford no longer has to pay Prodrive royalties to make changes to "their" property.

Allow me to try. Between 1982-2002 the Falcon had a very well sorted Watts link SRA, that gave our GM-H competitor a run for its money.. The different characteristics of the D/E market in Australia vs US are night and day. Which is illustrated when a US spec Mustang is tested on our dismal roads. I think Wheels magazine summed it up in a comparison between CV8Z Monaro, grey-import Mustang and Challenger when they said to the effect of: " Mustang(2005-) has the turn in of an MX-5, but the rear axle skips over bumps like an EA (1988) Falcon." The current Falcon's suspension setup compares favourably to BMW/Mercedes and has done since BA (2002), for ride/dynamics. . That sums up why I created this thread: I don't want a) Mondeo to be Fords largest car here, b ) our staple sedan to become a blunt Taurus spin-off with lots of distracting SYNC garbage to "compensate". We have a creative division in Ford Australia, that invented the pickup in 1934, among other things. I hope this One Ford business doesn't kill my favourite car...

But if its just a conservative interpretation of Kinetic 2.0, then it will be in the same boat. FWIW, I think the current model looks great in person. Maybe on styling alone it won't make a huge impression at the event, but seeing the car in its heroic livery might engender some excitement towards it. Anyone who would like a RWD sedan in Fords future product lineup should get behind it. It might make things interesting in Dearborn boardrooms...

Meanwhile there IS a business case for Chrysler LX platform and Caprice, it seems.

Granted but everybody seems to have missed my point. Proportions are better, and its whats underneath thats worth preserving IMO. If you saw them side by side IN PERSON, you'd glean much more about the car visually then from some images on a forum. Ford has an opportunity to display it in person and for all at this event but will they? Mc Pherson Strut vs aluminium Virtual Pivot front, Multi Link rear vs SRA..Hmm pretty straight forward to me. I'm just trying to ascertain if Ford will use this opportunity to do some market research there. GM thinks there a business case for RWD sedan. I would have thought theres enough driving enthusiasts in USA to look past the CURRENT sheetmetal and see whats underneath?

Any word on what Fords doing with the KA? They have this one and the el-cheapo first-gen based South American Ka. Not very One-Fordish is it.

In 2013, the Australian V8 Supercars are purportedly holding a round in Texas at Circuit of the Americas, as some may be aware. It should be late in the year, so the participating cars will be the Chevrolet SS, Nissan Altima and Ford Falcon (?). The Cheverolet will be most likely a rebadged,reliveried VF Commodore, and by that time the SS will have developed enough of a following to attract a crowd to this event. The Altima is also on sale in the US, so should generate interest from the public at some level. Which brings me to Fords entry. Its a widely held belief at the moment by the public of Australia that the Falcon is headed for the history books. This perception is fueled by a combination of slightly tabloid-esque media speculation, aswell as seemingly lacklustre marketing by the local division. One Ford seems to be the catalyst for this train of thought, but looking at vehicles like the new Mondeo/Fusion, and the new RWD Transit proves there is hope. The Transit especially has an endearing character, and its clearly being recognised to the point where its finally getting a US Visa. Falcon, to me has a great deal of character and unique attributes and would fit well in Ford's global portfolio. I know Americans think the current model looks bland and not very modern, which is understandable. in the context of this race, FordUS has a chance to leverage off the Altima and SS's marketing and gain insight from a rare exposure to American eyes of this product. If there is enough support, they might consider taking the nameplate global, and pouring global development costs into it. Obviously not the current model, but if Fords serious about maintaining its image of driver appeal, they would be foolish to throw away their most sophisticated RWD platform. And I guess this is academic if the SS flops. It could, however lead to a twist of fate if enough people care, or want it enough. Does anybody think there is a chance of it gaining interest from this exercise? Do you think Ford US will give the public a chance to get up close and personal with display cars and give valuable feedback?