2008 Ford Orion Fairmont Ghia CGI
February 8, 2008 by Paul Maric
With Ford’s new model just weeks away from being released to the media, our automotive stylist has released their impression of the Orion Fairmont Ghia.
From what our spy photographers have captured so far, the Fairmont Ghia has been oriented toward a sporty feel, a boot lid spoiler and side-skirts have hinted at its new sporty future.
Ford is keen to take on Holden’s attempt with the Calais and Calais V, so we expect to see new features, such as front parking sensors, along with the carryover of technology such as the reversing camera from the Territory, along with auto-dimming rear vision mirror.
As there won’t be a Fairlane or LTD any longer, it’s also possible that a luxury model will become available for the flagship Fairmont Ghia model, featuring things that the Fairlane/LTD otherwise would have had.
Print it: 
What’s with the TuRD Aurion advertisement? So much for impartiality.
all it is, is different past falcons put all in one!
Alec,
mate not all the fairmonts were sports based, but yes you were right to point out that they had been in the past.
the sports based one were “Tickford enhanced” models.
not every fairmont wore tickford wings though
Wheelnut,
is 4yrs old really the average age of cars through europe? or were you just taking a guess?
i ask because when i toured through europe and london i saw plenty of older peugeots, citroens and what not.
even so your comment is still valid in the way that they would still have a higher sales due to the higher population and hence would re-coup development costs quicker
wat he means is that new car buyer have a shorter cycle and are frequently buying new cars of course there will be plenty of older cars but these are usually second hand
yes but if there are plenty of old cars on the road doesnt that bring down the average age of cars on the road.
i didnt think he was talking on average time between turnover but rather the actual average age of all those on the road
I would say the cars in general wouldnt last as long in europe because of salt on the road during winter to melt the ice.
The evolution of diagram of the new Orion over the las 12 months has been a pretty good advertising exercise. The number of Blogs i have read over this period of time where the true Holden/Ford rivelry stands out is amazing. it also highlights the difference between fact and fiction, or should I say the true and dreams.
The new Orion will be a great car. Why? because if it’s not it will go the way of the 380.
For those people who make such a big issue of the number of Holden sales compared to the number of Ford sales, what you also need to look at is how much of the car market is Holden really in volved in. What do I mean? simple, Ford has the Falcon, Focus, Fiesta, and then of course, how many $ go into the coffers at Ford because they also own Mazda. Far to many people look at the small picture when looking at the car market.
In conclusion, if Ford has not included a diesel in the new orion model range, well “goodbye jack” it will be all over. And for those pushers of LPG, have you notices hwo high the price of LPG is now. Based on the running cost of an LPG car, it’s almost the same price as running a petrol car.
LPG prices have been hovering around 65c/L for 2 years now, you would notice that if you are running a LPG car. 4 years ago the lowest price was 38c/L but averaged around 45. Petrol is around a $1.30 now… diesel 1.38? Yeah the cost is almost the same by a difference of $40 a tank. I get around 480k’s from 58L of LPG, from my falcon so its not the worst consumer. for $100 ($30 on LPG $70 on petrol) my humble falcon has a range of over a 1000k’s. Work the running cost out on that. I go to Kleanheat and i get a 10c/L discount because i have a ’special’ card so i pay 55 normally. There are so many LPG outlets now, if your paying more than 70 in the metro area your paying far too much in rural areas 75 to 80 is normal compared to petrol of 1.45 to 1.50/L. Shop around. So you can believe diesel is cheaper to run and i can believe LPG is cheaper to run, at least i’ve experienced it and have evidence to back it up.
I am barracking for ford to make an awesome LPG motor, they should make it optional on all non-turbo falcon models. Diesels yes granted it has more torque but the inline 6 falcon motor isn’t low on torque anyway even with a cheapo method of fuel injection, so there goes that argument. If they have multiport injection instead of the simple central method used now they will be onto something brilliant. Not to mention the harmful particles from diesels and terrible smell they emit. The only particles from LPG is from burnt oil! and there isn’t much of that. I’m not saying ford shouldnt make a diesel, by all means yes! please, there are many great diesels manufactured by ford that would suit the falcon perfectly. (ie the Range Rover TDV8 mmm nice). But ford should still make an LPG motor as diversifying our fuel demands is a good idea giving us choice reducing our demand on crude oil.
I haven’t seen you for a while Tony M.
Renovating is time consuming and I like being in good with my wife.
Tony M,
mate i totally agree with Minnow and everyone else that has actually experienced LPG.
the only LPG sceptics seem to be those who havent experienced it. no matter how you do the sums LPG is still cheaper to run.
i read an article done on a comparo between a Prius and an LPG territory and it concluded the territory was just that tiny bit cheaper to run. thats not a bad effort for the territory.
i could harp on all day about how the maths does add up in favour of LPG but i only need to see my fuel bill to save myself the effort
Adam M,
the fairmont Ghia has been Sports luxury based since EL.. No question!!
EL had XR6 motor and its own suspension tune,
AU had XR6 VCT motor and its own suspension tune,
BA & BA MK2 had same motor as rest of range but had its own (widely praised) sports/luxury suspension tune,
BF follows same suit as that of BA buts adds more sporty interior
Orion.. I’m sure will follow on this path
EB/ED Fairmont Ghia were also marketed sports/luxury, however there were no driveline changes over rest of range (unless optioned self levelling suspension). The interior (with EB GT seat frames) was the main sports influence.
Alec,
well what was the difference between the Fairmont Ghias and the “Tickford enhanced” Fairmont Ghias?