2008 Ford Falcon FG series gallery
February 17, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
The new 2008 Falcon FG series represents an exciting and relevant move away from the traditional Falcon as we know it with the right blend of power, fuel efficiency and style for the modern family. Redirecting Ford’s styling cues in to a more ‘family’ appearance (Kinetic design) has been our major aim since the release of the BA Falcon and Territory series in 2004.
We do not want to lose the pride and tradition of Falcon, rather focus more keenly on the technology available to produce a more relevant and safe car for the needs of tomorrow. Our buyers expect everything from a car, without compromise. A car that is powerful, efficient and works with their lifestyle which whilst innovative, is still an enjoyable driving experience. A car the will reassert itself in our family life.
Dynamic Stability Control is now standard on all petrol variants, as are side airbags. Curtain airbags and reversing cameras are optional on lower series but standard on higher series. TCS, ABS, EBA, EBD are all standard, as is the HMI (Human Machine Interface) System, as seen on Mondeo.
There are three distinct branches to the Ford family line-up. Entry, Luxury Sports and Performance Sports.
The Falcon XT name will remain, though Futura will be replaced by the G6 model, which will now feature spec levels equal to that of the Fairmont. The old Fairmont will be replaced by the G6E (the E stands for European Styling Cues) and the Fairmont Ghia will be replaced by the G6E Turbo, and will feature the ZF auto as standard.
The XR series vehicles will remain with the XR6, XR6 Turbo and XR8 stayed in the same line-up as previously seen.
The ute line up has changed slightly. The XL has gone, simply to be replaced by the ‘Falcon’ ute. The XLS will be replaced with the R6 which aims to blend workhorse and recreation in the same models, whilst the XR line-up remains unchanged.
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Pictures below were taken by our friends at Ford Forums
Any idea on the power of the FPVs?? The bonnet bulge doesn’t boast the output of the GT anymore!
LOVE THE EURO KINETIC LOOK AND HOT AS, LIKE HOPEFULLY THIS MONDEO, FOCUS AND NOW FORD LOOK IS THE GENERIC FACE OF FORD – now bring the Verve and Iosis into the fray and some full on clever marketing and nail the quality and reliability and not rush the car out to the public and sweet as times ahead!
Beautiful looking car overall.
Light years ahead of the VE in the technology and engine department also.
KW/Torque figures would be interesting to see on the FPVs. Anyone have any info yet?
The only thing I find strange is that Holden and Ford never really release acceleration figures like the Europeans/Japanese do.
Oh dear, is that all! :P
What is with that poxy grey detail around the foglights on the F6, are FPV competing with HSV to see who can make the fugliest OEM bodykit?!
FPV Best lookin cars in OZ. VE is ugliest
gee doesnt the photographer know how to hold a camera straight ha ha ha
i had a sore neck after looking at all those
any side profiles of the ute yet?
:D :D :D :D :D :O :O :O :O ;o
Excelent pics ,FPV’s look tough i dont think ford will sell many falcons between now and may/june but when they release the FG range I would expect them to outsell commodore’s.The ute’s look heaps better than the shithouse commodore variant.What do you think OZ?
“The new 2008 Falcon FG series represents an exciting and relevant move away from the traditional Falcon as we know it with the right blend of power, fuel efficency and style for the modern family”
^ Was this written here or by Ford marketing? Move away from traditional Falcon? What now… the NA engine has only a small increase in performance, its fuel efficency will no doubt stay unchanged and most of note, it looks very similar to outgoing model. Sounds like fluff to me.
the BF II f6 motor is now the standard xr6 turbo in the FG falcon, and the BF GT motor is now the standard xr8 motor, which can only mean that all the fpv vehicles will be getting a decent power increase, my guess would be the the new f6 would now be about 290-300kw and the GT/GTP would be about 320kw, just my opinion though.
any thoughts?
G6E T is plenty 4 me
:O this is the mintest car in the world
after watching reveal on wheels website
i really like it side profile reeks of passat and ooks better in motion
lol when all the cars roll out the xt is over in the corner lol
I think the XR8 is a huge let down… it looks soft in appearance. The FPVs are usual look great, the release images were spot on, however I still think the HSV in GTS guise looks better.
Well I can’t say I’m disappointed! It seems ford have finally made a car I could consider buying :) although it is mainly the G6E that gets my interest…. (As well as the FPV models) The base models are just to boring for me. However is doesn’t have the muscular well proportioned lines of the VE commodore :( … witch is kinda disappointing. But hey! Could have been worse :D
Billy, I’m not so sure the XR6Turbo is the exact same engine as in BF Typhoon. Both 270kw but BF F6 has 550Nm and FG XR6T has 520-530Nm. FG has the new intake manifold, mapping is different, cylinder head chamber is different.
The F6 Typhoon BA/BF has stronger internals (conrods, etc) standard over BF XR6T which made it a dream for anyone wanting to mod for up to 400rwkws.
Andrew M – Apologies mate, it’s a hard task jostling for position to get the pics with a few dozen others trying to get the same shot! There’s not a great deal of room to fit the whole car in frame otherwise.
Looks absaloutely superb in every aspect of engineering. Ford certainly have a excelleant qaulity car on their hands that will definelty set a new curve in the Holden and Ford rivalry. This is what Ford needed to put them back in the competition, a step forward in front of its competitors. All models look emaculate with the new kinetic design language, especially FPV they are truly awesome in their own respect, can’t wait till this car is in showrooms.
Untill then…
Well Done Ford!
Cheers
Prim
no worries Matt,
i was only joking anyway. i know everyone trys to get fancy with camera angles.
any side profiles of the ute by the way mate?? i want to see if they have changed anything to the B pillar on the utes
TP,
toyotas claim to “the big 6 game has changed” was just fluff then too?
i mean a 4 yr newer Aurion only beats the falcon by .3L in fuel consumption…….
is that game or life changing???
ive read consumption reduction somewhere any how.
Prim,
yes but as long as they market it!!!!!!!
its about the tools at ford marketing were made to prove their worth
TP,
oh you arent related to Garth Tander are you?
he thinks putting the car on pole at the biggest race of the year is “just fluff” too
I agree TP. The XR8 is a massive let down. Looks soft to me. I love the G6E though!!
Hey Matt thanks for all the effort today………..well done .Bet your exhausted!
Hey ……..Jbot they wont release the performance figures on the FPV stuff till they get closer to the release dat…….so my little birdy tells me!
Did any one read the Dyno results of the Cobra at the flywheel I posted earlier ?……..
MMM, Yum!
Looks fantastic great pictures caradvice, Ford have done the homework and now they can reap the rewards GO FORD……
Makes VE feel cheap and nasty like a Korean Daewoo hahahaha :-)
I rather have the G6 than an XR now….But who cares? At least they still in the Falcon range.
I don’t really like the look if the XRs as much as the FPVs and G6s.
where do i begin??? well i love my holdens but fords do have some good products out there sometimes. im not sure if this is one though. the base model still looks similar to the recent bf. you will need a second glance for that one. the xr8 and the fpv racoon series are complete cop outs. how long will it take before the people that write in to this website start converting their $18k porper ba/bf into the new models with panel swapping. the front of the g6e is way to nose heavy and it has splashes of honda/aston and fords new mondeo so it feels as though it has an identity crisis. but no mean does holden get away with this either. the commodore front is by no means pretty but from there on it works. the problem is folks if ford does not get the go ahead on the new chassis development for 2011 and christ thats a huge long shot this fg falcon may just be a collectors item as they will be all imports after this model. wake up you fools this is your last falcon so make the most of it why you still have them.
The display in the XT looks terrible! That massive monochrome-on-green display looks incredibly old.
about time you people at ford done something right!i am a die hard ford fan from as young as i can remember and was just about to buy a holden if this car did not have the goods!hopefully it goes as hard as it looks!we ford fanatics need something to argue and fight these holden nit wits with,hopefully this is the car !im fed up of reminissing on the past !!
Anyone for the new BF III, sorry looks pretty lame and not enough different than the BF II for people to say wow this is differnt. On the street you wont tell the difference as it approaches you. If the motor was so good, wouldnt it be worth ford money making in compliant with the new Euro regs. I can pretty much guarantee the VE Sportwagon and Holdens concept will get more viewing come mms time in 12 days.
XT looks like a 38% retained value disaster, once the company who buys one has finished with it. The development budget didn’t even run to different plastic wheel trims to the BF!
There’s little WOW! apart from the racoon face on the FPV cars, but overall seems to be a good enough job to bring the Falc up to date.
Ha Ha Jason….some people are like that too from a little booper til there comments here. Refer to the likes of JBOT, DINGO, MIKKA and TP. I dont hold one car company at the pinnacle like some!
FROSTY….you talking about Commodore there. All new and similar nomenclature? And you comment about Falcon. THATS A MEGA LAUGH!
saw a really good pic makes sideprofile look like jag xf and thats a sexy car
not sure about the rear lights on non xr models they look wierd without a wing over
g6E is so much better than xr8 i love it and am going to buy if it clocks in under 50k
anyone guess why ford didnt do LED lights? on rear
Oh wow! G6E for me
Xt and XRs look too samey
Hey Naughtyius Maximus, I’m with you. Is this “Frosty” guy sent from Holden just to put down the new Falcon? I haven’t seen him on here for along time and he only comes back just to bag the Falcon.
Frosty, are you saying it’s not good just because you can see older Falcon in it? What about your VE Commodore, a new shape, yet I can still see VZ in it.
O: I bet this is half finished, when it goes on sale, the XR8 might have twin exhausts, Xenon headlights and L.E.D tail lights. I could be wrong, though.
look on the ford website and when you see these side by side you realise this isnt a little facelift but completly differnt the side profile although bigger is flatter and the front and sides aree more refined and euro
lets hope your not oz
ONe thing i have noticed on this amazing looking car is the indicators just ahead of the front doors looks very similar to the old Tickford badge. Also to G series with the lip spoiler, from the rear wheels back it looks Aston Martinish, which is good.
I hope this isnt our last falcon but it wouldn’t be that bad if the next one was an import .My relative still thinks there daewoo viva is a real holden,you think the salesman forgot to mention that one.So if I were a holden buyer I would be a bit concerned about the future.And as far as the holden sports wagon goes I did see it at the buthurst 12hr ,brake failure after 30 odd laps,and they were developing the racecar since november.
For anyone claiming The Falcon will be the next to go right after the 380….Like “Frugl-One” :
•The Falcon is part of a huge fan base, which the 380 didn’t really have.
•Falcon has a huge range compared to the 380. The 380 models were very simlar to each other, when the Falcon goes from basic XT right to exotic, XRs, Fairmonts(G series) & FPVs
•I’m not saying the Falcon would never go, it just won’t be for a darn long time.
•Holden fans wanting the falcon to go don’t relise there won’t be anymore popular V8 Supercars.
Looks terrific in and out.
Like I said the VE is so boring and outdated compared to the new Number 1 class Falcon, holdenwoo people are so friggen jealous thats why they keep crying and are coming back for more punishment, FORD WILL WIN AUSTRALIAN BEST FAMILY SEDAN AGAIN THIS YEAR (oh how many times is that holdenwoo wannabe losers), the main award Holden failed to win because in reality you buying a lucky dip hoping for no recalls or warranty problems lets say no more..VE is crap plain jane billion dollar rubbish, have a good look at the new Ford then see the VE side be side like your old saying chalk and cheese… :-)
as much as i want to see this succed if it becomes wheels car of the year id be pissed off ve should not of won ooh ladida m australian and because i look like a contetant from the biggest loser i should win
its stupid other cars had new technology whil holden puts esp on its cars wow
i really want to see the mazda atenza win[6]
i like the name for the 3 in japn aswell [axela]
oh well off the topic but stuff you frosty
get back in your 1989 commodore and go back to north queensland
THE FALCON WON’T AND WILL NOT WIN WHEELS CAR OF THE YEAR, THIS AWARD IS RESERVED FOR BOMMODORE AND COMMONDORE ONLY…
THE MAG HAS TOO MANY BIAS READER’S, EDITOR’S AND WRITER’S….. THE WHOLE OF WHEELS MAG AND EVERYONE BEHIND IT GIVES ME THE $HIT$….
FPV range definitely looks the goods, and will probably deliver it too. The Falcon range is great, possibly let down by somewhat bland styling. However, they aren’t going to be beating the VE any time soon.
The G6E T variant is a good idea, as potential unbiased customers looking at the Calais V must now consider it!
f*ck me dead. that is so awsum. does anyone know a price region for the gt or any of the oeprformance range? and how much power does gthe beasty gt have under its hood? looks mean. me like … but maytbhe they should have folowed gthrew wif the same lights on the xr6,8 as they ahve on teh fpv range
im still waiting for a side profile of the ute to suss the pillars they had covered up in the spy shots
also it looks like a remote fuel lid release on the utes???
i dont see an indentation for a finger to pull it open.
can anyone confirm that?
Notice on the hood decal on the GT, it doen’t say it’s KWs! It just says “Boss” I think it’s because they still working on the power figures or something.
Andrew.M. You didn’t watch the news? You didn’t miss much, channel 9 approx 30 secs, channel 7 better at a bit over a minute and showed Osbourne (the new CEO).
They showed a full side shot of the ute for all of 2 seconds. I didn’t get a chance to notice the B-pillar. The thing that grabbed my eye was the shoulder line above the rear wheel. Similar to the doors on the sedan but starts about halway between back wheel and cab and continues all the way nearly to the back of the tub.
Andrew M, if you want to see the side of the ute, go to sky news video, it shows the side of the utes and I’m really suprised how positive they’ve been.
BTW, its very clear for an internet video.
The accent for FG definitely is on new. And not just its dramatic new looks. Every panel is new, along with practically everything else about the car.
Ummm, its defidently not just a facelift….
and add to that, READ THE press release about the car….sheesh, you are very ignorant and look dumb
Only jealous people call Holden with a woo at the end because they need to realise the currnt range are only stop gaps for a totally new generation just like Hyundai have done. Dont forget what the first Hyundais and Kias were like. I will save this and cache this page because I will tell you now. This Falcon may start with a small increase in sales but inside 6 months watch the sales dive again while Holdens increae with the Sportwagon appealling to a brand new customer. I will also say now that come 2012 there will not be anu aussie in a ford falcon. In 2012 if this website is still around I will paste this prediction on any future ford post. Its not that I dont wish Ford luck because for over 40 years I have seen themrace against each other but seriouly Ford is shooting itself in the foot. The new falcon will have no advantage over commodore in anyway when its released as its already known that with the arrival of the sportwagon all commodore models will have at least 4 airbags anyway and most likely rear park assist just as all the sportwagons will. BY 2010 there will also be a turbo diesel 3ltr V6.
watto,
nah i ducked out during the news hour or two
ill check the sky site like OZ said (if i can find it)
still no response as to the fuel lid on utes being remote??
I wrote something above and I found out more to add….
This is for idiots like “Frugal One” who think this will be the last Falcon….
• The Falcon is part of a huge fan base, which the 380 didn’t really have.
• Falcon has a huge range compared to the 380. The 380 models were very simlar to each other, when the Falcon goes from basic XT right to exotic, XRs, Fairmonts(G series) & FPVs
• I’m not saying the Falcon would never go, it just won’t be for a darn long time.
• Holden fans wanting the falcon to go don’t relise there won’t be anymore popular V8 Supercars.
• #Falcon also has a strong fleet market, which the 380 didn’t have as much as the Falcon does#
frosty,
mate do you honestly think this is fords last ever upgrade of a falcon and this is the exact same offering that we will be served by ford in 10yrs time un touched?
ford too has stated a diesel falcon by 2010.
all your ramblings are just predictions on what the next commy will have.
ford has these “commodore predictions” set in stone on the falcon with the release of these falcon details
Frosty, if you want to keep on ranting then go back to Holden forums….
No “Frosty” your the only one jealous here. You have no proof that there will be no Falcon after 2012 and you are a loner Holden Fan trying to defend your dunnydore.
I haven’t seen you on here for along time, so you just come back to try and de-fame the new Falcon? Really you just need to calm dowm and take a hike back to your GM forum.
ok so my next question is when do the QLD people get the opportunity to have a viewing?
AndrewM, When it goes on sale at the Ford dealers!
Makes the Commodore looks too try hard and juvenile with its tacky kits and incongruous flared arches. The styling, whilst not groundbreaking, is well conceived.
Check the specs for the Sportwagon on the Holden website. All of the comments I made are set in stone except for the diesel although the Diesel is a definate for the Commodore. Just waiting for official confirmation which may even come with the MMS in 12 days. We will see what the concept Holden is having at the show says is coming. Word around is also a 4WD ute is coming in Commodore skin which will probably end up in Commodore as well because as we know the Commodore plan is geared up to accept all wheel drive. As I have said considering the Falcon came almost 2 years after the Commodore there is nothing in it which surpasses the VE. Oh I have a cousin who races in his own Ford V8 corp in Australias V* races and has won bathurst in A FOrd a number of years ago and also won the 24 hour bathurst in a commodore. He comes from Newborough so believe it or not I would like to see the Falcon survive for his sake but I just cannot see Ford coninuing in OZ with the effort made by them over the last 11 years since AU. I would expect anyone who knows about V8 races would know who I am talking about as he used to be with FPR.
Frosty you can stick your stationwagon wheels up where it fits, remmember your adventurer V8 petrol guzzler this has put a dent in Holdens image, they look stupid just like your stupid comments, are you sure your not meat pie, kangaroo stew and holdenwoo keyboard warrior, no one cares about that silly stationwagon pal they are crap all the way….stop typing crap you r full of it………
If Ford Aust Close Holden Aust will too, the market would be dead with out either Aussie cars.
Guys “ITS ALL OVER” Let me say from the start I have always preferred fords over holdens.But if Ford or anyone else really thinks that this supposed NEW shape is going to have cust,s flocking into the showrooms over the VE(with a VF update rumored for this year) well take OFF the blinkers.
Very disappointing,bland and looks too much the same of BA.
And Whats with the interior?
I,m am afraid its a big nail in the coffin for the mighty Falcon.
I copy/pasted from the “Falcon Tech” blog because you haven’t been back there Frosty.
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Watto_Cobra Says:
February 17th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Frosty, FordOZ is also being recognised as the future RWD engineering centre for the parent company. It’s hard to make business sense of exporting now the Oz dollar is so strong, which was after the VE export deal was signed. They are still making a profit, but tiny compared to what they expected thanks to the strong Aussie dollar. It is hurting Holden a bit at the moment.
If you’ll open your eyes and look closer I worded the key fob memory remark as a question .ie. with a question mark, because I wasn’t sure on that one.
I remember you from the Syndey Motor Show posts. You were running around every Ford blog saying “it looks like s*&^, it looks like s*&^” and I insulted you. I apologised very soon after because that was wrong making a personal attack/insult.
However, it seems to me you are only here as a spoiler because we haven’t heard boo from you since then til now.
Wheelnut is a big Holden fan whose opinion/knowledge I respect. His predictions usually come true based in no small part on fact. He thinks Torana(US) will more or less replace Commodore in a few short years. Read into that what you will, but I wouldn’t feel so secure about Commodore. If Falcon does go, Commodore will follow shortly after. I don’t want to see either go, or it’s good bye V8Supercars, our proud muscle car competition/heritage, etc.
Holdens from back in the day were better i reckon when they were hand built like the brock cars, a mate has mint cond vh brock and has been offered 80k but refused as it is worth alot more.Now days example look at the interior of a vt hsv clubsport i thought cheap a plastic,cloth trim no good vx was the same.Ba interior is awesome compared to the holdens i been in even holden owners i know like them not as taky in my opinion,the euro style just kills the ve.Looks better than a ve,more power than a ve,better design than the ve,which actually looks good real good to me the ve is ugly.Ford keep changing for the better and thats a real positive move for fpv but hsv will have an answer to this new,ss 270kw vs xr8 290kw see what i mean.
To all the fruit cakes that want Ford to fail if they go this country will suffer deeply, the amount of jobs that a car manfacturing company generates is amazing many jobs have gone after mitsubitshi and many to follow, jobs don’t grow on trees ya know, the next person who says Ford should go down after this model I will nag and hound you off this site I may pick on certain Holden car’s but I don’t go around saying they should pack up and leave. I prefer to watch V8’s going around a track rather than go-carts buzzing past me..so just cool things before $hit hits the fan…..
It looks like from now’s point of view HSV will respond with a LSIII 6.2L. Then FPV will respond to that with a Hurricane V8.
Well mate it looks like its game over for hsv its the nail in the coffin for the ve until holden and the hsv boys have answer,until then the new ford will dominate the market like with the ba out sold everything.The gts looks soft compared to this new gt go the boss v8 its smooth real smooth.
Thats right mate the snake big boss aka code name huricane changed to boss after katrina 6.0 v8 will be fords answer to the mighty gen corvette motor.But dont trip its a commy not a corvette, which i love by the way but dont like the built quality of holdens today thats why i bought an xr8 not an ss.
Absolutely love the design of the car. Perfect in my opinion. At least ford didn’t go and choose a car and copied it (HOLDEN > BMW).
I cannot find anything bad about this car I love it its perfect good looking topps.
One thing that bugs me though is that Ford has not introduced the Head rest for the rear central Passenger.
I believe they should.
Other than that PERFECT.
The G series are very attractive cars, i wasn’t in love originally, but the more i see these new models, the better they get, and thats coming from a Holden fan.
Are you sure the new FG Falcon is not part of an export plan. The new Falcon is truely global in its style, both interior and exterior. The engine figures for the 6I motor both turbo and none turbo are fantastic, especially when you look at the torque figures and at what revs they come in at. The turbo 6 is unbelievable.
I believe that over the next couple of months the leasing companies will be ordering a lot more FG’s the VE’s. Why, because the base model Ford just wipes the floor with the Commodore which translates to resale. I mean you get extra airbags and 5 speed auto to start with.
Of course time will tell.
TonyM, Ford have repeatedly stated over the last few months that the Falcon will not be exported, other than to NZ or South Africa. Given that Ford Oz are leading the design for the new global small ute (the next Ranger replacement) and will have significant input in the new global large rear-drive platform, they probably don’t have the capacity for increased exports regardless.
I like the look of this new Falcon, its growing on me the more I look at it. Its not quite as Mondeo-influenced as I was epecting…in fact to me it looks more like a Subaru Liberty from certain angles. All up though I like it, particularly the interior of the G6 cars. I will say, though, that the bonnet bulge of the V8 cars really doesn’t gel all that well with the sharp new nose.
However, I do feel this new car is a little too close styling wise to the current BF. Ford may not have wanted to alienate BF owners but there’s not enough differentiation, particularly at the front end, from the current Falcon to this new one.
All up I predict a significant boost in sales…but not enough to reclaim no. 1 spot (and no, rabid fanboys, I am not a Holden man). Times have changed, Ford still has a greatly reduced support base due to the AU debacle, and, let’s face it, Ford doesn’t do half as good a job marketing its cars than Holden does. Ford, you really need to kick your marketing people in the arse, repeatedly, with the big stompy boots of arse kicking.
Gee… you Ford guy’s talk some sh**, doesn’t matter how good it is or how good you think is??? unless they export them in big numbers like Toyota and Holden do they will go the way of the 380… gone!
Gee… you Holden guy’s talk some sh**, doesn’t matter how good it is or how good you think is??? unless they export them in big numbers like Toyota and Ford do they will go the way of the 380… gone!
Bill talk properly you fruit cake you don’t know much about the car industry…
Pictures are one thing and affect the image of the car depending on the lighting and angles, but wait till you see the FG in the flesh. It looks amazing, especially the G6E and G6E Turbo…
I like the new look of the Falcon but it doesn’t set my heart totally a flutter with a lot of other high quality choice more suited to my needs these days – namely the Focus and the Mondeo.
This could be the last Falcon that sports relatively Australian produced engines, the I6 turbo is still a great engine but it just isn’t making financial sense.
I expect Ford will invest a large amount of marketing dollars into transition falcon owners to Mondeo owners over the next 10 years with the focus shifting away from the Falcon.
Not sure about those racoon eyes on the FPV. :)
well i’m a holden guy and i like this ford.Best looking one i have seen for a while imo
I agree that the new model does look alot like the previous ba/bf but then again i think the ba/bf are a great looking car so maybe its not a bad thing. Could have been worse. I still cant believe such a fantastic car such as the current falcon isn’t selling.
i love the car. looks fresh but still holds that ford look we all like. they why every thinks its not new because it has the old look i like the look.
but its a different car its bigger better fuel and more power. the holden guys go on and on but the ford 5.4l has been keeping up with the 6L for a while now. and its good to see they will come out with more power then a holden Stock.
ahh bugger! my new typhoon R spec is just as powerful as an xr6 turbo!!! =[
If you look at the bends in the panels it’s designed to create shades of colour. By doing this you can actually change the shape of a car with minimal changes to the body. This car will look stunning in metalic paint. I would at a guess suggest that the new FG will be the fastest accelerating Australian made car in Australia. You might say , so what. Well if you are selling Commodores and Aurions and brag how quick they are and dress them up to look fast then you get a new car on the block (FG Ford) and it goes hard, faster, smoother and uses less petrol to mentions a few things. What a plus when it comes to marketing the new FG.
It’s always easier to sell cars that do everything better than their competitors.
Why would you buy the falcon? When you can buy a far more superior car – Mondeo!
I think they’ve dove a great job with the resources at their disposal.
The car looks like a class act outside, and a huge improvement inside, especially the upmarket G6E.
That the best they can do?
Nothing more than a rehash, the glory days are long gone.
Holden and Toyota MUST be having a big giggle!
Countdown to close-of-shop [magna/380 style] has began…….
Cheers,
F-0
mondeoman Says:
February 18th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Why would you buy the falcon? When you can buy a far more superior car – Mondeo!
Because the falcon is a class leader for family sedans and is built in Australia we should be proud of our own product, I love the Mondeo but it is not built in Australia and would buy one as second car but let’s support local Falcon the car is refined for great quality also ownership..
F-0 you have NO idea in the slightest. This is a superbly built car. Better than any jap crap, euro car, or even holden for that matter. Holden’s VE interior is UGLY to say the least. It’s old fashioned and looks messy and all over the shop. For example, where you turn the lights on/off, it is in the same position as it was in my OLD 1997 EL Fairmont. My new 2007 BF 2 R Spec Typhoon looks MUCH better inside and out than any VE and Aurion (which is just a waste of breath). Ford will NOT be closing it’s doors any time soon.
I have to agree with Frugal on this one just a rehash ! Yeah the VE is ugly but this is not that far off??
I was expecting something a little more spectacular but then again who am i kidding?
Craig … I don’t know where you get your info from but the vehicles registrations speak for themselves. The BA Falcon has never once outsold the Commodore in 2003, 04, 05, 06 or 07 in fact, after the release of the BA, Holden Aust had a record year ever in 2004 outselling Falcon strongly, not the 2 to 1 they did in 02 but have outsold Falcon increasingly ever since to again 2 to 1 in 07 in OX and NZ. The new Falcon looks like a Falcon should which is great as it hasn’t always ( AU for instance ) but I really think Holden will outsell Falcon in 2008 against the new Falcon, Holden just seem consistently 2-3 years ahead on technology and safety and are not asleep, I believe the new Falcon is on the old chassis and with the old engines. The saying ” brand loyal buyers are like your dog, terribly loyal but not too brignt” certainly applies to Ford and Holden drivers when you read the comments. Both are good cars and the technology comes from the Germans anyway, they are after all only Commodores and Falcons. Commodore has been the biggest selling car every year this century and certainly since 97, long may it reign and it will I am sure with what they have coming up. Ford will try and will fail with their new copy cat car and they have nothing else.
well done ford what a stunning vehicle!
TP the fuel consumption figures are the same as aurion? so its class leading.
F-O it is people like you that start the rumours they are going to close down so people avoid them! why dont you support them, i must say it looks light years ahead of holden and toyota in fit and finish!
Visually, first impressions I think are good. Engineering seems excellent.
F-O Rehash?? It’s 90% new! Sure there are styling similarities, but the last extreme change they made was a marketing desater, because the market wasn’t ready for the design. Anyway, there are no interchangeable panels, inside or out (as “youridiots” claimed – who’s the idiot?).
Exports?
The new boss, Bill Osborne, has been here only two weeks and he was so impressed by the car he said he was “disappointed” to discover Ford Australia had not taken the decision to build a left-hand drive model for export, and has already commissioned a feasibility study.
I noticed that Ford describes the new front and rear suspension as “light weight”. I have suggested that Ford might reduce the weight of the new Falcon several months ago. I can’t find any reference to the weight of the new FG Falcon. Does anyone know? and is it heavier or lighter than the VE Commodore.
TonyM, Weight goes up about 10kg across most models. Bigger, Stronger but Faster & More Fuel efficient.
Pretty good engineering effort. First 5* Aus built car? – probably!
can any one say BF 3? If anyone really thinks that this car is much more then a remodel of a BA then they are kidding themselves. Let me guess it will sell well to start as all new model of cars do and then fail dismally just like the AU, BA and BF when compared to commodore. They need to make a car that doesn’t look like a BA in order to move ahead.
Chris – if u saw it in person u would think otherwise. I own a BF mk2 typhoon and it makes my car look old! so you are kidding yourself. until u actually own one, can u speak. now don’t come out and tell me that u do, when u would be nothing but a keyboard jockey.
There seems to be a view that the new FG is a revamp of the BF 2, that is their appearances are same. What we really have is a car that is part of the Focus/Mondeo/Falcon family tree. The new FG is different to the BF 2. If you can’t see that then you guys need glasses or is it possible that because it’s a Ford you have difficulty seeing the difference but you do see the difference of the VE Commodore. Although they seem to have the same grill, the interior is not a big difference from the previous model. Add some flares and woh it’s a new car. Well the Focus and Mondeo have flared guards and I believe for a lot longer than the VE Commodore and of course I wonder how many Ford Territorys’ Holden took apart to get their front suspension right. And don’t forget the new VE Wagon. If you get a chance have a look at the current Alfa Wagon, it looks so similar to the Commodore,it’s not funny. I wonder if Holden did a deal with Fiat, we sell you our engine blocks if we can copy your design?
I said a while ago, this new Ford will be the cat among the pegions and I believe this will be the case. In all areas of design and technology this Falcon is world class. The only thing missing is a diesel and when you look at the diesel Jaguar is using, twin turbo 2.7litre V6 which I believe is suppose to go in the FG at some stage then Ford will have the total package.
no andy I do not own a falcon nor would I choose to own one. As much as you think I am just another mad holden fan, as much as a holden fan as I am, I have driven a lot of both cars and feel that holdens are a much better quality product. My brother has owned a fairmont and xr6 ute and I have driven many models of commodore and own a vz calais and I know which I would rather drive. As for looks of a car they are a personal decision, what one person likes in looks does not mean anything for the next person. I was simply stating that the new falcon does not look like a whole new model but simply a re-vamp of the BA, if you can not see some similar aspects between them you are kidding yourself.
Could not of said it better myself Tony M there is loony bin talk floating around here putting the Falcon down, when they fully know its more superior than the VE, wait until you see it in flesh before passing judgment people….
^Agreed Chris! The new falcon does look better than the outgoing model the BF but it is more of a few minor upgrades with the exterior and the interior from the BF. The commodore was a big leap. Not saying that ford didnt taked a leap but Holden made a bigger leap.
Interior has changed a lot but the exterior just a bit
I want to see pics of the base model falcon!
I hope and pray that the car is successful to continue on the Falcon heritage as myself and 3,500 other Ford employees in Aust will hopefully have jobs in 3 yrs time and not become Mitsubishi like, and dont think it cant happen because it can. Believe me it can and will if its not successful. Focus is just a reward for closing the engine plant and using exported v6.
Duck, (in fact everybody)
Go to Ford.com.au and compare BFII and FG side by side in two browser windows – the differences are huge. Although I agree that the FG XT grill has similarities to the older model, I also think that this is deliberate to carry over the model DNA familialarity.
How much money did ford use to create the new FG series Falcon?
When the new Commmodore comes out it will be:
FG series Falcon V VF series Commodore
Frugal One, you posted the same thing somewhere else… So I’ll do the same.
What’s that got to do with the price of eggs on China?
When the falcon is finally open to the public to buy, CarAdvice should test drive one of the falcons against one of the commodores!
Duck, On drive.com.au, they said it cost almost 700 million.
One thing thats annoying when you are sitting in the back of a VE Commy, is that the door sides are high and blocks vision easily the new falcon doesnt look like it will.
So now that the new 5.4 litre V8 falon has more power than a six litre V8 SS does that mean that the new V8 falcon will be faster?
And holden will come back with a more powerful engine, will they?
No big flared wheel arches like the commy!
The base XT looks like the omega, sorta!
Duck, it’s all about leap frog when it comes to Holden vs Ford.
From what i’ve seen of the new Falcon i think my next car will be a Ford…….Mondeo diesel!!
The Falcon looks good but with only unleaded in the higher spec cars and no diesel any where to be seen Ford Australia is about to miss the boat because they haven’t taken care of the dicerning buyer that wants a luxury LPG or diesel Falcon.
Carl, Ford said diesel Falcons will be out in 2 years time.
I think I’ve finally got it. The over-all look of the car is to the BA/F model is similar, but this is where they have changed alot.
Get the side profile of both the FG and VE, and overlap them in photoshop, setting one to about 50% opacity.
Now, tell me they don’t share exactly the same stance, door line following and over all door and A,B and C pillar shape. If I have time later, I will post up a screen grab.
The similarities are quite scary.
OZ, Good to hear about the diesel… now lets hope it’s a really good one and they don’t drag their feet any longer than two years because Mazda will have their new 6 diesel about a year before Ford.
Ford Australia have to understand that not all the people that have abandoned big Aussie cars and bought cars like the Mazda 6 did so because they no longer want the comfort of a big car but because the cost of living is putting pressure on all but the very well off and while young famillies like mine can afford to BUY a large car we can’t afford drive them!!!
next to eachother on the ford website you can really see the mprovements ford has made just by swithing it looks euro and refined
Toyota… brings in Aurion; offers new features to market, new styling
Holden… brings VE Commodore; offers new features (such as magnetic controlled suspension in HSV), new styling
Ford… bring FG Falcon; offers…. a slightly more modern looking BF.
I was expecting more… someone above mentioned fuel consumption is now on par with Aurion, so what, they ahve a 4L engine, they couldnt even equal the Aurions power output. Youd THINK they could easily match power with the extra half a litre with fuel consumption to spare!!!
Oh shit here we go again !
TP………….you have any idea of the new specs on the Falcon range over the old.If you did you would know its alot more than just an updated BF as you put it!
How is it that you class the Aurion as new styling and features …….its a bloody Camry……….
Magnetic ride control is hardly new….maybe to the VE……but its wasn’t their idea !
Gee just for once give some bloody credit where its due. Remember Ford haven’t gone into making this car thinking if it doesn’t work ‘WHERE DOOMED” They already stated that they are no longer just reliant on the big car market to survive any more.
280zx, yep you right sad to say
The Aurion brought new styling to the market, this is a fact…. it offered new features, did the prev gen Falcon has curtain airbags? Rain sensitive wipers? Light sensitive headlamps? Adaptive headlights? List goes on. Many reviews share this, the Aurion in base form offered more then competition. Same with Commodore, its fact they built it from ground up with improved suspension etc. Ford marketing aside, which your using for your info, its merely a BFIII, they were that lazy they didnt even change the sheet metal to make its otherwise BF structure look different lol!!!!!
TP,
The FG falcon shares less than 10% componentry with BF. It is a new car, not a update.
And some of that 10%? Seat bases, seat belt buckles, ignition bezel, heating & air con and other minor things. The basic floorpan structure is 80% new, wheelbase and front & rear track are incresed.
Falcon is more fuel efficient than its only direct competitor. V6 Camrys are only a fringe competitor, not directly comparable in most peoples opinions, but will appeal to different people.
There are new features to the market, you just choose to ignore them – go find out some facts for yourself, cause I aint gonna waste my time regurgitating it.
Or keep waffling unintelligent “fluff” – yeah more your style.
TP- I wouldnt put Aurion and style in the same category as it doesnt have style! Its a big box with some bells and whistles stapled to it ? I reckon it would even float givin the chance LOL …..
Gee TP when is a Camry not a Camry……when its an Aurion….
You sure you want to start a bagging feast on the new Ford before its even out?
As Bret says its a new car not an update!
You realise a new car is more than cosmetic appearance….?
Obliviously not cause you think the Aurion is stylish..its a bloody Camry!
Actually 280, I kinda think the Aurion looks OK front on. Any other angle and its a butt ugly Yank designed Camry. The Aussie guys did OK on the front style (the only bit that they were really allowed to touch).
Your telling me you are stating facts but you ignore the Aurion winning LARGE car of the year, lets not pick and choose, Aurion is more efficient and more powerful. The BFIII is a part joke, Im sure there are differences, doubt its 90% though.
280zx Aurion looks better then the new Falcon which looks less aggressive, never thought Id say that about a Falcon > Toyota, but its the truth! The front of the Aurion sytes all over the Falcon, Falcons rear however does look better (eps if you picture it with dual exhausts…. ford cost cutting at work)
Yeah BM prity friggin sad then that a Camry is FASTER then Falcon, has more POWER, more EFFICIENT etc. Trying to use the Camry argument just embaresses the Falcon more, the mere fact a Camry as you call it is competiting in this market is laughable given the Falcon has had many many many more years and the ‘aussie’ image on its side.
Actually whilst we’re on carry over bits, the VE had more drivetrain carry over than FG.
Camrys comes with different name badges.
The Camry……grans car
The Aurion…..A tartedup Camry
Sportivo…….A try hard fast looking Camry…with an Aurion badge
Thens there the TRD…..An accounts car who is trying to look like hes having fun in a Camry!
hahaha
Yes BM and yet this V6 Camry is more powerful then a Falcon with half a litres more displacement!!!! You must be laughing at the Falcon, because thats who face the pie is on!
TP………..how the hell do you know how bloody fast the Falcon is…….by what Ford tell you in KWS????Pftttt
Thought I had already been through that argument.
Ford told us we had 302 kws at the fly wheel in the Cobra…turns out it has 313kws…….
So stuff that in your accountants pipe and smoke it!
What are you ever going to do the day that Toyota pulls the pin in Australia….
What you neglect BM is that the Falcon only put on an extra 5kw…. for it to have the same power AT THE WHEELS it needed to have a fair bit more power at the flywheel then the Aurion… its failed, I very much doubt it will be faster then the Aurion to 100.
you cant buy a V6 camry anymore???? why are you bringing it up TP???
TP…Ford quote power figures for the Barra 195 using 91RON Fuel…
I for one don’t run 91RON in my car….
The beauty of the FG’s new ECU is its ability to detect the difference between grades of fuel…Power is quoted at 198Kw & 408Nm Torque on 95RON so goodness knows what it would be on 98RON…dare I say MORE than 200KW and 410+Nm of Torque?
Yea..Yea I think so…
Besides TP…More Kw doesnt= more Powerful…You’re not taking into account the Aurion’s Lack of Torque and messed up weight distribution when doing your math.
Put simply, your can’t ignore Torque when you brag about your beloved Toyata V6 Kw’s… lets not forget the Better Weight distribution of RWD which = Better Balance, Traction etc.
198Kw and 408Nm in a RWD Falcon Vs 200Kw and Torque not even worth writing home about in the Toyboata?
Yea…i know which one I’d be putting my money on
At one stage Ford and Holden wont be able to make more powerful engines with their V6’s because they will get too powerful and less safe for aussie families (power wise) They keep safey and Technologhy up and continue with that but not power. V8’s in the other hand……..thats different! At the moment when the falcon is released in May it will be more powerful then the VE. But Holden will make a more powerful engine then ford then ford will make a more powerful and then holden will make a more powerful engine …………thats how it goes between ford and holden with V8’s but V6’s might be different! But i heard that Holden might release a powerful V6 (not for a while) in to the commy that produces 227kw and 370nm borrowed from Cadillac.
Holden started strated sketching the VE commy in 1999 and Holden used the VT for developing the VE, they clayed over the VT to design the VE. Did ford do something similar with the FG? Did they clay over the AU?
Did ford start design the FG earlier than the VE?
No but they did clay over a Duck and thought that was intellegent, I wonder where you get this kind of thinking process are all Holden fans so naive and shallow…
tp not meaning to be rude but if u open your eyes and read carefully the engine/drivetrain section the falc makes 195 kw on 95ron fuel and well over 200kw on higher ron fuel whereas camry oops aurion makes its power on 98 ron fuel
Did you know………….
With the BA falcon to the BF falcon ford never did much minor changes to the falcon (only the front), unlike holden from VY to VZ Holden changed their rear lights on both, ford didnt. From VX to VY series II or VZ wagon changed the rear lights, did ford on their wagon…..no! These little thing made the ford falcon age alot more to the Commodore even though there liitle minor this do matter!
With the VZ Executive brake lights and the Holden SS brake lights are different between each other. Between the BF XT and the XR8 brake lights are they the same……yes!. You may think i am picking on ford but these things made the falcon age alot quicker than the commy! If they did change the problems it might have not happened!
^^^^^^^^ How am i naive and shallow?
I was asking if ford did a similar thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bavarian – the ‘Camry’ just ran the most competitive race of it life in todays 50th anniversary Daytona 500 Nascar series. In pre-season tests the ‘Camry’ has returned the strongest times of all, won the lead up event of Daytona (Duels 150) with a 1-2 finish and came third (and fourth)in todays Daytona 500 (Dodge 1-2)after leading the race for most of the day. Not a bad start for the 2008 NASCAR series. Oh yeah – just to make Toyota’s weekend even more special – they won the Craftsmans Truck series 1-2-3-4.
And, even better – the Camry’s raced by Joe Gibbs Racing (former GM team) are the ones that competitors are now watching out the most because they have been very, very fast cars backed by a very strong team. The talk is – this year will probably be Toyota’s (Camry’s) year but we will wait and see.
Anyway, is the V6 Camry (Aurion) you talking about the same car that has won multiple awards sense its release including a back to back gong with Drive. It is also the same V6 Camry that is the fastest yet most frugal while being the most refined, highest quality and safety rated vehicle amoung the large car segment. Is it also the same Camry that blitzed the Commodore and Falcon in the Australian Quality test by 69% compared to 51 & 49% respectively. Is it also the same Camry that outsells Falcon every month while nipping on the heals of Commodore. Remember – the Aurion is ‘JUST ‘a V6 Camry so i guess it is acceptable to amalgatmate the sales …right !
Oh yeah – and what are you going to do when Ford Australia shuts shop. So far – workers gone, Fairlane gone, L6 just about gone, Falcon sales at thier lowest ever and then with the latest (FG) release – despite some recognisable advancements in power output, skimp heavily on safety equipment. Gee … the ute version with no ESP is a MAJOR oversight. Remember the critism aimed at the Corolla, well guess what – it’s all about to come rolling right back at ‘ya.
And whats with accountants, are you suggesting they carn’t drive cars or have respect for vehicles.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Hey its TP! Hes not a little kid after all!
Holden commodore VE is only a 4 star in world class safety. So what the hell did they spend there billion dollars on. There engines are gutless and trannys dont work properly. New FG is allready rated a 5 star in world class safety. Nowonder Ford is the best aussie made car in the world.
Chris – WRONG … on 91oc the Aurion makes 200 killerwasps and 204 on 95oc not 98. Just out of curiosity, this latest generation of the L6 is a fantastic example at the least with effortless torque but what exactly is going to happen to the Falocn or better still – what are the excuses gonna be when they go to the V6 in two years from now considering it’s maximum outpout (according to Wheels)will be achieved at similar revs as the current 2GR-FE (Toyota 3.5).
I like the specs of the Falcon by all means but gee wiz – i believe you people will be taking a leap backwards in the next 24 mths or so because that effortless torque the Falocn is now renouned for will soon be lost for ever and with it will go yet another Ozzie (Falcon) trait.
BK – the new FG ‘IS NOT’ rated at anything until it has been tested. Don’t be a fool at fall into the same trap that Holden and all thier wacked out supporters did.
When the VE was released the public were bombarded with all sorts of crap including how it will be Australia’s safest family car but then got beaten by the Aurion 27/37 to 30/37 in last years NCAP tests.
Don’t get carried away until otherwise because you just aswell could end up with egg on ‘ya face just like Holden and thier silly supporters did.
Take it easy dude.
lovin seein falcons 5 star ratings.
Holdenwoo spent the billion dolars on advertising and lying to the public about rebadging Daewoos, also expected warranty claims and about half in reserve for recalls they are due for another in a few months…
Who wants to drive a front wheel drive rice burner? Aurion pussbox v6 is no match for the inline 6. Dont see many aurion taxis do ya? Aurion couldnt tow a matchbox car.
Let go Tp. Camry/aurion drivers are the new age braindead volvo drivers.
Who the hell is AKA when hes not at home? Another Toyota supporter that has no credibility cause he blown himself out the water and is Forced into a yet another name change!
First we have Dingo,then Mikka then Joel and now AKA?
Mate the only reason Aurion was mention by me was that TP referred to it as new styling to the market.pftttttttt
How……… its a bloody Camry..boring ,boring ,boring ,boring!I don’t care what it just did at Nascar…….its still boring.
To tell you the truth Im a performance car enthusiast so Im not interested in any poverty pack Falcon or Camry/Aurion. Once your use to grunt you can hardly go backwards……..which is why my pick out of the new FPV line up will be the F6 ……..now your not going to tell me
some account in a TRD is going to nail me in that …….are you?hahaha
Mate like your Toyotas thats fine but I want something with balls ,and Toyota doesn’t give you that. Sorry too wimpy for me! Do you know what adrenaline is? FPV and HSV give you that TRD……more a heart palpitation like after you have had too much MSG is your Chinese!
hahaha…Snap shot said.
“Let go Tp. Camry/aurion drivers are the new age braindead volvo drivers.
Yep then the upgrade to a Prius when they really want some excitement!
BM what the hell are you on… Guess who has no credibility, his posts are 100% correct, especially his first…. yours on the other hand, cant say the same.
Snapsnap you dont see many Aurion Taxis because unlike Ford they aernt willing to heavily discount them, unlike the Falcon the Aurion is actually doing quite well for a new car in private sales, no need to start discounting yet.
Bavarian – i’m sure Falcon and Commodore owners are sick n tired of touching thier balls everytime they have reach into thier pockets to pay the mechanic.
Any REAL ENTHUSIAST wouldn’t buy a HSV/FPV/TRD full stop but rather an offering from the much more reputable brands. Hell, even the new IS-F comes to mind.
Holden drivers are the new “what car is this i’m driving” people of the world.
Judging by the ever declining sales of Ford – thier buyers are becoming the “not many like us around any more” drivers.
Touching on todays NASCAR race – while the ‘Camry’ tookout 3rd and 4th position, the nearest Chev and Ford were at 9th and 10th respectively meaning they were sh*t kicked by a ‘Camry’. Heck – how FAST are Camry’s these days. While a Falocn holds it own, the Commodore is canned. Infact, i can even ‘pull up’ quicker in a Camry.
CAMRY, CAMRY, CAMRY
The only time a TRD will give you heart palpitaitons is when the supercharger seizes.. as im sure it did the potential customer who was behind the wheel during that test drive.. other than that it’s so very close to flat-lining __-__________
snap – no match in what regards … refinement, smoothness, acceleration, efficiency, reliability and dependability. Anything i forgot !!
The only thing the L6 is got in it’s favour is hauling capacity then again, generally speaking any seriuos hauler buys themselves a heavier vehicle and in that case – many Toyota’s come to mind.
Oh yeah – just out of curiosity, what is gonna happen with all that effortless torque in 24 mths or so. Gee … the last standing advantage of the Ford 6 cylinder will forever be lost. What then …
Wheelnut – i believe literally hundreds of customers had heart pulpitations and flatlined wallets with all those dog awful, piston slapping, oil guzzling, siezed GEN3’s that infected the Australian market. I belive Ford infected a few cutomers with dodgy clutches ontop of all thier other BELOW BENCHMARK quality related issues.
I reckon if i was behind the wheel of a HSV my heart would miss a few pulps as well wondering if the brakes are gonna play the game or not. Being affected by ‘premature’ issues is not the way to go for a man.
Give me something that will make me holdout for a wee while.
TP,
you are the same sort of person that goes into bunnings and is convinced to buy a 1000wat Ryobi drill whilst being told it is more powerfull than a 750watt makita drill….
the power figure means not a lot and that goes for most products you buy off the shelf whether it be an airconditioner, power tool or automobile.
also why are you even here?
you obviously arent interested otherwise you would truely realise the innovative things this model falcon brings. there are really some massive changes.
did you know the wheel base is totally different? as with the front suspension? as with the inlet? as with the tranny? as with all 3 pillars? as with the safety? as with the economy?
there has been advancements in all of these areas and more
also it is amusing you didn’t even know the falcon has had auto headlights since BAMK11.
Yes they did have them on BAMK1 as someone said earlier but it wasn’t until MK11 that the entire range including utes got them
ok so now a Nascar going camry is reflective of its road going donar?
and a heavily reinforced Hilux used on top gear is also exactlly how they are off the shelf?
oh and toyota even compares its aurion to a VS commodore in their adverts.
what do toyota and its followers want?
a medal or a chest to pin it on?
oh and dodgy clutches?
in your previous postings you have truely showcased your lack of knowledge on the Typhoon clutch issue so give it up.
AKA AKA AKA CRAP !
Holden spent $1billion. Ford spent $500million. GMH needed to make a big “leap” in the new styling, especially the interior as the VZ int. can be dated back to the VT in 1999. The FG int, is still a big change from the BA/F, and whilst I like the BF int, i think the FG int is pure class.
The exterior may resemble the BF II, as Ford intentionally tweaked the BF to create a style transition into the new model. As soon as I saw one in the flesh (under testing), it immediately looked to be of better finish than the VE.
On the Tech Specs side, the FG seems to kill the opposition. 200kw+ means frog shit if its all wasted in axle tramp and torque steer. I like Toyotas for their quality, however the Aurion has hardly affected the big Aussie 6 battle. BTW, the VE is no weapon either, my 380 (company car, not my choice) beat one from a stand still to 120kmh at the entrance to a freeway, and i have no traction control, so it was all wheelspin for me too.
All in all, cant wait to see how Ford go with this. At the end of the day, the cars are on the market to compete with each other, so they will be similar. Hopefully some decnt marketing and some investment into the V8 Supercars, will help Ford reclaim some sales….
WHEELNUTS gone for the night AKA…..but as hes on holidays this week so Im sure he’ll respond tomorrow morning.Ill let him know you replied when we talk later.
In the mean time AKA……every price thresh hold has its performance level to compare to……..TRD not a real performance car. So you saying unless you can afford $100,000 + you cant have a performance car? What a load of twaddle!
IS-F you think thats performance…..that Luxury with Performance in mind. If you want performance at that level get the original not a try hard copy……..buy German or even the new GTR…….
No idea why you don’t put HSV & FPV in the category though……they hold their own pretty well against the Euros as far as bang for buck.
Ill be interested to see how long those drive shafts last in the TRD…….
TP……….what am I on….happiness at the moment!!!!
You? Tell me why you Toyota lovers seem to change your names so much.Credibility is something you earn and can stand behind …Ive kept my name for 10 months on this site like Wheelnut and AndrewM you are on your second after you were banned…….Mikka /DINGO the same and who knows what or who AKA is ?
Like I have said before we all try to get on even when we don’t at the start…….we mend bridges and agree to disagree ……hell Ive even called a truce with JBOT…..we have an understanding about each other now.
You however just won’t learn to get on with us just keep trying to make a new mate when another name changer comes on so you can stand behind their skirt!
Regarding the amount that has and has not changed from BFII, if you visit the official Ford QAustralia site they go into great detail. The list(s) of differences is HUGE. Takes quite a while to read.
How about looking at that before saying its the same underneath fellas?
AndrewM said
“oh and dodgy clutches?
in your previous postings you have truly showcased your lack of knowledge on the Typhoon clutch issue so give it up.”
hahaha…….they keep bringing up that $2.00 part!
Aka, which planet where you born on, toyota are for grannies hahahahahahahhahahahahha :-)
Why bring Nascar into it? They are Ford, Chevs, Dodges and Camry’s in name only. They have even less to do with a road going car than our own V8Supercars, which ain’t much.
Hey Watto……hows work babe?
Talking V8S……….there on this weekend! Did you watch V8 extra on the weekend! This new sequential will be good to watch with the drivers,interesting to see who will have it!
Ive have ditched Rusty for Coldbum…….any other Holden team and I would have backed him….but not Morris!
Wheelnuts off to Clippsal this week …….having a boys weekend, sitting at turn 8 …..so I guess they will see plenty of action !
Watto,
im hearing you mate on all the changes but to most it is falling on deaf ears.
those that dont want to know, arent worth knowing.
a wise man once said something about leading a horse to water but i forget the rest………perhaps ill just cast my eye over these guys posts again and it will occur to me ha ha ha ha
i missed V8 extra.
i didnt realise it started before the season :(
right on with the name changes and credibility thing BM.
it speaks for itself
How did Dingo come back? It that him as “Guess Who aka Guess Who”?
Work was usual fun, haha. Why don’t you like Morris? *wink*
Nah, forgot about V8Extra, probably like most people on here for the unveiling.
Seen a good side shot of your new ute yet Andrew.M?
Hey Andrew ,Yep and the Bathurst 12 hour was after it……don’t mention the Sportswagon to Wheelnut…..shhhhh it pulled out in the first 2 hours.
Whoops……..does that mean Wheelnut Im missing out on my first bit of signed merchandise from Coldbum from you ? Hows that 8 pac going lover?hehehe
V8 extra was interesting……Wheelnut said something about Skaffies new weapon hes trying out ………that mounted on the floor pan……I cant remember seeing it but P did say that I think they had to get it passed today to be able to run with it !!!!!
WPS was a shock …..poor Bargs!
Watto ,Morris ….yeah right…..You must be pleased with the F6s looks babe….Its my favourite!
I asked P to check the line at the merchandise tent at Morris……Doubt it will be as large as it was when he was with SBR!
OZ………funny you say that someone else just emailed me and said the same thing!
Yes, I’m glad the F6 looks as good as I’d hoped. Now the wait for the unveiling is over, I have to wait another four months for it’s release :-(
Any chance you would can the sound of the V8’s and post it through. All I here are screaming F1’s and thrashed 4cyls. Ha Ha.
Yours truly
Eurobland
Some were expecting huge changes??
Thats about what I expected. It looks nicer now, obviously… its basically a minor change of the BA.
The FR and RR door exterior panels look “better”.
I doubt they changed the structures under the panels at all… the engine and performance obviously was tweaked.. again as expected.
the 1 piece main bumper with resin radiator/air dam bumper cover was copied from the VE… I know, because we tore apart the VE and the BA, its all about figuring out cheaper ways to manufacture parts… and Ford, as expected picked up on it.. although i want to see the FR bumper absorber, the VE had a nice 1 piece absorber.. actually I cant remember exactly… but it was a good idea from what i reported.
Im sure the minor change for the VE will now be based on what they find on the FG… obviously…
Poor old Ford, always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Incessantly in catch up mode and when it comes to sales they never do. Still not outsold Commodore since 97 and probably beyond, always trying, never succeeding and this new car will be no exception. Commodore will chew it up and spit it out yet again. The crap I have read here is just crap, the figures speak for themselves and we won’t even mention resale. I hope they make a good car because Commodore needs some competition but the way you guys go on it appears Ford owners are idiots, can’t help but make that assumptions.
Hey Cupid …………..I heard the XR8 {even though auto}……….sounded real good!
Hey Watto all good things are worth waiting for.
Hey Wheelnut ,thought you would have been here by now.
Hows those abbs after GYM …geez babe you may show me up yet when I see you in May!
No of course not – I’ll still get you something Babe.. From FPR and hopefully even get it signed
Besides I didn’t expect the Sportswagon to do much good from what my mates at Holden have told me it was one of the prototypes used to test out the production line
The thing about Skaifes car was – last year at the island HRT were testing out a new “micro-computer” which would monitor the cars settings and diagnostics etc..
Yeah AKA but somehow I doubt that you would ever let yourself get behind the wheel of an HSV or FPV so really thats not something that you should concern yourself about
I mean you would probably prefer to amputate your apendage.
However; the modern engine is a jigsaw of moving parts which are designed and engineeered to work together..
not only that the majority of parts are made form metal which means that they are crafted using “tolerances” because no matter how hard you try its impossible to get a piston to fit snugly inside the cylinder
Therefore; there is going to be a bit of give.. which makes sense otherwise there is the chance of the piston getting stuck and the engine seizing
Even though the GEN3 mightn’yt be as advanced as the supposed F1 Inspired engine in the Aurion it still does the job..
Oh and even though the sales of Large cars is gradually declining the sale of V8 Falcons and Commodores is increasing.. work that one out
Andrew M – TP and his “friends” are so wrapped up in their own little Toyota World that they probably don’t realise the advances in automotive safety and technology Ford Holden or even BMW have made over the years.
To them Toyota are the innovators.. afterall the first car was made in Japan wasn’t it [note sarcasm]
No AKA I think you’ll find serious Haulers use Kenworths; Western Stars and Freightliners
Hauling is one thing but you’d still want it to be practical/suitable; manouvreable and economical.. which rules out a number of Toyotas Toorak Tractors
For starters, there seems to be a problem with people understanding the difference between front wheel drive and rear wheel drive. And of course all these so called brains who tall about kilowatts, “my cars got more kilowatts than yours”.
The Aurion is a front wheel drive car for boring people. I mean it comes out in auto only. If you want to drive a car you drive a manual and that’s it. Secondly we Australians like torquey cars not kilowatt cars. In other words, we like to cruise and when it comes time to overtake, just put the peddle down and go. Not put the foot down and wait till the car is doing 4000rpm before it starts to accelerate let alone torque stear. (I know, I own a chiped 5 speed manual 2002 magna and it can be scarry when it takes off). The Aurion will, I guarentee go the way of the 380.
Just looking at the kw/Nm figures of the FG Falcon tells me that this car is designed to cruise and when you want to over take just put the foot to the metal. Its torque figures for a 6 cylinder car are great, I mean if you use 95 octane petrol it’s up around 405Nm. That’s V8 territory.
I’m sure some off you Commodore/Aurion lovers will tell me I don’t understand. Believe me, “bullshit DOES’NT baffle brains, unless your a one-eyed Commodore/Aurion lover. Because your to besy believing your own Bull-tish.
BRW AKA The people who supply Holden with Brakes “PBR” also supply Toyota..
Infact in most areas such as brakes suspension seats etc the 3 remaining Local manufactureers use the same local parts suppliers. So just because Holdens brakes may fade -after excessive treatment.. doesn’t mean that Toyotas are immune to the same potential problem..
Mind you inorder to create enough heat in the brakes to cause brake fade the Toyotas would have to reach [and maintain] the same high speeds as the Holdens and Fords do in the tests which Motor put them through
Yet in typical everyday driving very few drivers would experience such a problem..
A point which most HSV and FPV drivers realise and understand.. therefore they don’t worry about it when they’re placing the order for their chosen tarmac terror.
im baaaaack. aka aka aka
With all due respect What the hell does a Camry NASCAR have to do with the road going version??
Just like the V8s gunning around Panorama now have little in common with what you buy from a Ford or Holden dealership. The engine is completely different and comes in a box from the States.
Wheelnut – FYI it wasn’t a customer behind the wheel of the TRD Aurion when it had an engine failure – it was actually a dealer… either way not good.
I’d like to see the new Falcon succeed but there’s nothing more bluntly fair than free/open-market dynamics hey – if people don’t want to buy a Falcon, doesn’t make it a bad car.
A bit like the COOL WALL in TopGear – it’s a cruel mistress
Commodore and Falcon are 2 cars on their own and the competition is between them, the rest like Aurion are not in the same category. Whether a Commodore or a Falcon has more gear or a better thing is beside the point, they are comparable cars with their unique characteristics that make them what they are. They should sell similiar numbers yet Commodore repeatedly outsells Falcon. its a bit like the All Blacks and the Wallabies really, who is really the better team and which is really the better car, its hard to define. I think rather than slag off each others cars I think we need to be lucky we have such good cars at such a good price as look around the world and they are not out there, we are pretty fortunate and long may it continue.
That what I keep saying Brian. I don’t want to lose any more Aus manufactured cars.
But Brian you can get a brand new 911 Porsche in the states for $90,000US one of the guys here paid $240,000 ?? with the Aussie dollar doing so well i think in Australia we get slugged pretty hard… Just a thought.
Good last stand from the Ford camp, but I’m afraid if this car doesn’t get exported to countries like Britain and the United States like the VE; the Aussie-made Falcon will die out. Hopefully Australia could grab the Crown Victoria gig in the US.
I’m a Holden fan, but respectful to the blue oval.
However, compared to the VE in terms of looks, performance build quality (look at the plastic interior), technology (still uses the old AU chassis) and sales (Holden has dominated the past decade in all these areas and will continue. But now with a smaller Large car market, Ford will continue to struggle under Holden and Toyota.
It looks pretty much the same as a BA anyway, which my stupid Dad owns a XR8 and its handles like a boat, lets hope Ford has done something about that (I was gob-smacked over the VE’s almost perfect BMW like handling.)
Spot on Brian.
I’m hearing you 280ZX, there is a thing called excise that makes a huge difference in the price of cars. For instance and I know this is going back a while, an $A 45k Patrol landing in Oz costing $16k and a $20k Pulsar cost $8k, thanks to the Govt for most the balance. The same as a 1985 Falcon was $25k in NZ and $12,500 in Sydney, I know my dad bought one in NZ and I was in Sydney a week later and saw them new at 1/2 what he just paid. There’s more to it than that but a huge part is excise, the same as fuel, when it was $1 in NZ cost of production was 8cents plus handling etc came to 41 cents and we paid $1. make you cry hey.
Yeah bloody government !I wonder if you take the car apart and ship it back peice by peice it might be cheaper LOL !
Quote[AKA]: Any REAL ENTHUSIAST wouldn’t buy a HSV/FPV/TRD full stop but rather an offering from the much more reputable brands. Hell, even the new IS-F comes to mind.
If I was a car enthusiast [wait a minute; I am] with $100+K to spend on a performance car and there was a choice between say the IS-F and an M3.. it would be a case of Germany – 1 Japan – 0
But as far as Bang for your Bucks It’d be very hard to go past either the HSV or FPV
Because [as JC says] whereas the M3 and the like are high tech and refined.. The Clubbie and the GT are just out and out insane
TP says:
“What you neglect BM is that the Falcon only put on an extra 5kw…. for it to have the same power AT THE WHEELS it needed to have a fair bit more power at the flywheel then the Aurion… its failed, I very much doubt it will be faster then the Aurion to 100.”
What TP neglects is that the falcon now comes with a standard 5 speed auto. Now having owned a couple of falcons in my lifetime, the biggest restriction in the falcon is the overly tall first gear – It utilises the awsome torque that these motors produce at low revs, but restricts 0-100 times. That being said, it would be intersting to see an aurion or commodore try cope with such a tall setup – see how that affects their 1-100 times. An believe me, im all to familiar with aurion constantly changing gears to use their peaky torque – and not to mention their torque steer!!!
Harmful81: How true it is. I remember my XF 5 speed Falcon and the amount of torque it had at about 1500 rpm. You could smoke the wheels without trying. That I believe is why Fords have such a high 1st gear and possibly explains why diesels also have such a tall first gear. But with the new 5 speed auto in the FG Falcon and the high torque figure it has, this car is going to be a real goer. I do believe the competition does have something to worry about.
Jamison,
most of the changes are under the skin.
it isnt just the doors that have changed but rather all 3 pillars aswell.
the front and rear doors now open wider aswell. width ways the falcon has grown 5mm (i think it was) on the outside but provides something like another 30mm hip room inside.
the body structure has completely changed
also the “A” pillar has reduced in size to give greater visibility yet improved in strength
so true Tony M,harmful81
im pretty well versed in driving these “jap trucks” and it is pretty bloody obvious that they have to gear the things so closely because they have no torque.
you really notice it when you drive a manual with no torque like the japs. less than 3rd gear around corners is heading for a compression lock up.
they are geared closely to help get the revs up a little quicker as when they are at low revs they have nothing.
i drive a manual falcon so i can say i really notice the difference. the falcon is a lot better and requires less effort to drive as its just a bit more juice rather than dropping it back a gear.
also you would have to question wear and tear on a gear box that has to change gears more often
watto,
nah i still havent seen a good shot of my new ute yet grrrrrrrrrr :(
i cant wait to see it in the flesh.
i just hope they dont have big waiting lists like they did on some models when BA came out.
im guessing your typhoon will have the longest queue he he he
Hey Watto you ordered your F6 plates for it……..just as well you didn’t get Phoon!
hahaha…….Wheelnut you know I find it easier to drive something without all those nanny controls than with all the gizmo’s galore that the new M3 has…..one of the things I didn’t like about it! I don’t care who you are…if your a true car enthusiast you will enjoy the rawness of the FPV and HSV vehicles can provide you . Would love to see how much better this new ratio tremac is than the current too! Doubt its as close as the one in my M3 especially in first but I can still do 110 + clicks up a good hill {near by} in second before hitting the rev limiter and brake at the top……guess Ill show you in May …hehehe
BM That was my point exactly – the nanny controls tend to take awy from the adrenalin rush you get from driving on the edge as they assume that you are about to lose control.. in some cars their threshold is set too low
TP – as with the other toyo-philes; tends to neglect a number of key/factual points about a car [be they good or bad] particularly if it doesn’t suit their arguement or goes against what they believe.. even more so if the car is a Toyota and the statement is negative
Interesting stuff. Must say that some of these Holden and Ford freaks dribble some utter and shear crap. I guess many of you cyberlives pass positive comments about your crappy Holdens and Fords because in the real world, thier rapidly declined fortunes has caused great heart ache and dispear. Lets just face the facts, Toyota is on top on the game by a country mile while Holden and Ford wither in thier wake. I believe the Falcon will be next to go as the Aurion evolves and stays. One just has to have a look at the bank accounts of each company to justify that.
Camry/Aurion : good local sales and strong export demand.
Falcon : weak local sales and no export demand.
Easy calculated sums
Harmful – trust me, i am all to familiar with the regular break downs and endless faults with Falcons and Commodores which is why i now drive a Toyota which as yet to fail me in the slightest.
Wheelnut – i can pass the exact same comment in return because weirdos like yourself are so rapped up in hagged-out Falcodores that you are total obliviuos to all the other much, much, much better cars around. The Falcon engine might be effortless but it is also effortless to breakdown.
Harmful how is that relevant…’id like to see an Aurion handling 4 gears’, ummm they made it with 6, who cares!!! The Aurion is faster then the outgoing I6 mated with the 6 speed ZF, I think the extra power and torque may make them even now. Hell even if it was somehow quicker thats nothing to jump up and down about, its friggin half a litre more of engine, they should be able to whip the Aurion!
Amen Nathan, the stats are 55% of Falcons must return to dealer within 5 months of sale…. Id cringe at the longer term figures if they are ever released (Id guess Ford would do all they can to prevent that). The simple question then arises, whats more useful, abit less torque in an Aurion which you can use or more torque in a Falcon which is at the dealership?
Attention ALL Ford and Holden wacka-heads … have you silly people sighted the freshly released (inaugural)JD Powers first Australian Car ownership Satisfaction Survey for 2008 – if not – go to GOAUTO for an immediate inspection.
The only brands to score ABOVE INDUSTRY AVERAGE were Mazda, Honda and Toyota respectively all seperated by only 8% points. All the others scored BELOW INDUSTRY AVERAGE while Holden and Ford came in at absolutely DEADSET LAST… OOOCH.
Infact, Kia ranked above Holden and Ford …. ooooowww !!
Once again – another Customer Satsifaction Surveys prove you stupid, silly people WRONG.
HA, HA, HA … I LOVE IT
OH WHAT A FEELING … TOYOTA
You sound like a un patriotic half wit from Drive.com.au your figures are meaningless and have no substance the dribble you and some other dead beats is scary, I’m glad you enjoy telling the world Toyota top the charts in sales who cares fruit cake, I can tell you right now they have warranty and recall problems just as much as Ford and Holden, go back to your stupid one eyed blogs at drive or toyota forums and don’t come back ya tossers… you people keep talking about stats well how about talking about cars for a change otherwise we are not interested…
OH WHAT A LOSER….. TOYBOATA !!!!!!!!!!!!
TP has found another Toyota friend…yeah!!!!
Geez TP you go through more partners than Toyota went through recalls last year…..hahaha
Bet you wish just one would stay to support you for more than a week! Poor baby!!!!!!
Anyone see the Porsche Cayenne has just been recalled for a fuel line problem! See GMH isn’t that bad!Seems the only thing Toyota fans keep bringing up on FPV is that bloody $2.00 part in the clutch that by the way they don’t make!
TP……I thought Ross our techno guru put you straight this arvo on this power argument you keep bringing up! Who cares …..neither are or were fast,if you want fast buy a F6 if you want torque steer buy a TRD Aurion……..hey my hubby found the perfect solution to torque steer…..a wheel lock!When he was a mechanic years ago someone asked him to fix the torque steer in a front wheel drive car,thats his suggestion!
TP my M3 has 236 kw through the rear wheels out of 3.2 normally aspirated I would hate to put that through the front wheels…..it would be a dog to drive! Not to mention
the epitome of its class any longer! When will you get it!
FWD and High Performance don;t really go together. I mewna look at the number of motosport categories that are FWD compared to those that are RWD or AWD..
ATM I can only think of a couple one being the New Mini Cooper S Series
I was wondering howlong it would be before a Toyo-phile referred back to a particular survey or regurgitated a bunch of [manipulated] statistics…. so predictable!
Wheelnut ……night. Sweet dreams of me and don’t forget me T-shirt tomorrow!……..wish I was coming too!
That came out wrong……hahaha I guess you know me pretty well by now though!
Well, well, well … have a look at all the grumpy Holden and Ford losers when the stats and figures come out to play. Incase you freaks haven’t noticed – stats, sales, customer satisfaction ratings and so on are ALL ABOUT CARS but you cry babies don’t like talking about ‘em because it goes against everything you wacka heads go on about.
Do ‘ya selves a favour and go for a wee peepers at GOAUTO.
1. Mazda
2. Honda
3. Toyota
second last all the way down the at the bottom is Ford followed by even further down at shear ROCK BOTTOM is HoldenWoo smootherd by Kia upabove … HA, HA, HA – LIFE IS GREAT.
Bavarian … i know the perfect solution to poor quality cars that keep breaking down – SIMPLY JUST DON’T BUY ‘EM.
OH WHAT A FEELING… TOYOTA.
Weep and cry you losers – Toyota flogs Holden and Ford yet again.
*GM and Ford losing ground in Australia.
*GM returns 40 Billion lose
*Toyota flogs GM and Ford in the NASCAR Daytona 500 (3-4)as with the NASCAR Duels 150 (1-2) and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (1-2-3-4) which were just the first rounds for the 2008 series.
* Toyota only 77 units behind the combined effort of Holden and Ford in January 2008 sales.
* Toyota flogs Holden and Ford in the latest Australian Customer Satisfaction Survey
… and this is just the start of 2008 with all those wonderful months to follow
OH WHAT A FEELING !!
ps – you weepers can either have a pink or purple hanky from my wives draw … which one would you losers perfer !!
Bringing the oh most performance cars are RWD argument into it again… car manufacturers provide what their consumers want, RWD is perceived to be better, they sell it. Does it mean its best? No. Tobacco companies sold smokes to people, they knew they werent good for them, its about money in the corporate world.
Night Dingo,Joel,Mikka and AKA………..what no put my feet up on the desk whilst drinking a beer after work at the mines!
Come on where not idiots…….
Typical of you when your not happy with the remarks on a thread,try turning it around to the old “TOYOTA IS RELIABLE”crap that we always get when your not winning! Not interested in what you have to say this is Fords week not another boring ever reliable Toyota cause no one thrashes them {cause they too are boring} Toyotas rule crap! Toyotas reliable,not as much as they use to be,good cars ? Yes Would I own one if I want performance, No! What about a Lexus……snore ………. great Luxury at the cost of real performance manufacturing!
Welcome back, Dingo.
Dingo aka Mikka whatever – One crucial question me old Toyota fan….What were Toyotas profits/losses, you seemed to have missed this in your gloating.
Toyota are only really sucessful in selling Corollas Hilux’s and not much else. Can’t really be profitable in there own right. Theres only so many hilux’s the Taliban can afford. (just joking peeps don’t get offended).
Toyota stopped selling the Camry in Europe in 2002 it just couldn’t compete against home grown offerings which were far superior.
Why hasn’t ford introduced the Rear centre passenger headrest yet ???
Yeh Rob – there not there, had to go to ford website to see though. Not good really as especially the middle person is sitting on a ‘hump’ on the seat. Most others use a head rest built into the seat back which slides up when required.
Probably they did not want to compromise rear views and also to make cost savings. I once read somewhere that if the emblem on the cigarette lighter was ommitted it would save thousands of Dollars. Amazing
Those who have seen it says it looks way better in the metal, so I’ll reserve judgement on the styling till then. However, I am curious about dimensions. Engines aside, the CD345 Mondeo is basically Falcon size and I know this model has had a bit of a stretch in the wheelbase—but how much bigger is it when you get out the tape measure?
Hey lover; how could I possibly forget about you?
I’ll reserve you a ticket for next year.
Morning abb man………..
Have fun today,Ill look forward to my first Clippsal next year then,now I’ve committed myself ha!
I guess our secret is out………
Jack Yan – All the dims are on the website under the spec. I cun n pasted to excel for a comparison.
THe Mondeo is slighly shorter about 110mm from memory but nearly the same width. It also has a longer wheelbase, but thers more shoulder room in the Falcon. Probably due to crash protection. Have a look for yourself old bean.
TP – in my particular circumstances an aurion is completely out of the question. For one there isnt enough seats, let alone very limited towing capacities.
I was in a position to hire one when my vehicle was in for smash repairs, it was fun for a while, but then the annoying torque steer takes over, along with the constant changing and hunting for gears. Im not sure i could last with one of these knowing that there was a much more suitable option out there.
As for the reliability, that maybe the only draw card, but if you have had your head in the sand for the last few months, you would have missed the big secret that toyotas so called bullet proof reliability is slipping in an effort to mass produce.
I am interested to hear peoples opinion on the name changes that have occurred (futura/fairmont to G6) (Ghia to G6E) and the addition of G6E Turbo..
I liked the old names but understand Fords motive. Do you like the new names? Do you think they will be successful?? I for one am finding them a bit of a tongue twister? And I think it makes the model line up sound a little confusing??
Well I think everyone should think about what Ford is trying to achieve. It’s an evolution of a theme with a new direction, not a new car per say. If you look at say the European and some Japanese manufacturers you will see a link to the last models. 3 series, C Class & Corolla just to name a few.
Why do we always except that others can continue the family line but when Ford Australia and to a lesser extent Holden do the same we scream blue bloody murder. Then the press, say things like, they (ford) have lost our way. Come on and get behind our car industry because it may not be around much longer.
Also to the simply dull person who posted ‘just swap panels with the out going BF, grow up. I don’t even need to explain that you are an idiot, as you name suggests.
To all the Toyota fans which look like being automatic Ford and Holden bashes. Why should we always have to compare Falcon and Commodore to medium cars like the V6 Camry, oops Aurion. Since when dose a car jump up a class by engine capacity alone? Does this mean that V8 verses V6 is another class also?
TP have you ever bought a new car? ALL cars go back with-in the first 6 months or 5000km’s pretty much. Because most Toyotas are bought by the cardigan set it takes a little longer to get to the required service time!
Alec, i like the new names.. just as much as i dont like how they got rid of the fairmont and fairmont Ghia names, because they have been around since ever. But i guess progress is required. I think it makes sense the names. XT is cheapo, G6 is futura G6E is fairmont G6E Turbo is fairmont Ghia, just as the fairmont ghia has in recent years been mostly based on the XR6 stuff, like the EL and AU Ghia’s they had tickford motors and AU’s had VCT. just turbo doesnt make it sound much more than the normal fairmont except a more powerful motor.. or that is really it? I still think the word Ghia should have remained. G6E Ghia has a slight ring to it. To me the range doesnt seem complete, like there should be something more loaded with kit than the G6E Turbo.
Minnow/Alec,
I don’t mind the change, even though I’ve been a fairmont owner, it’s all about strengthening the Falcon nameplate.
I like the 3 distinct looks, and Ford has done what many of us asked for: make the fleet/taxi models look different from the rest.
On the model lineup, I think you’ll find it is actually the Futura level that has been dropped, with the G6 being similarly priced to the old Futura but specced up to the old Fairmont, Followed by the G6E (Euro styling features) at the old Ghia specs, and topped of with the luxo/perf G6E Turbo.
The simplified range makes a lot of sense IMO.
people that go for toyota is funny, because they’re all losers, have no life, and want to drive cars with zero passion, but i say let them, ill enjoy my v8 by myself, you guys can go have fun with your fuel economy and reliabilty whilst i chuck a burnout on your front lawn
lol
People question why the Aurion is a large car ??
I question why is the Mondeo a medium car !!
Noname – WRONG…. the Yaris, Corolla, Camry, RAV4, Kluger, Prado, Hilux and Cruisers are all solid sellers while the Tarago, Prius, Aurion and Hiace vans all sell well in each of the markets aswell.
Correct me if i am wrong but Toyota alone occupies 5 of the top 10 best sellers with Holden and Ford only suppling 1 each.
Profits … how silly of me not mention that.
For the past five years alone GM, Ford and Crysler have been reporting multi-billion dollar losses while Toyota has been reporting industry record profits in the multi-billions. While GM just annonced a 40 billion dollar loss the mighty BIG T is expected to report an approx 20 billion adding to it’s 15 billion the year before and so on for the past few years.
Bavarian – give me your address and i will express mail a nice, clean, fluff, pink hanky so you can wipe your eyes princess.
OH WHAT A FEELING…
Dingo, I agree, there is quite a blurring between classes these days, mostly based around marketing rather than physicals. It is also contributed to by the growing of cars within thier class, eg todays Corolla is much larger than it was years ago. In fact I know of someone who is considering one as a replacement for a Corona (which was Toyotas medium car).
Dingo, why can’t you just keep it on topic, instead of the usual Toyota is everything BS. Every blog does not have to be about your tainted view of toyota supremacy.
In response to AKA’s question as to Why…. Why Not?
Harmful dont know about torque steer in Aurion.
Waxsmith no I havent… but use your brain, that 55% figure isnt scheduled service its based on FAULTS!! No shyte cars go back in early for service after the run in period, you dont need a new car to know that, that statistic is based on predominantly engine faults in Falcons. While Ford and Holden did poorly (Falcon and Commodore were equal last… among other poor performers by them) Toyota topped like 3 categories!
tp, aka guess who, what and how, if you guys are real die hard aurion fans and think they are far more superior the ford or holden, take your toyota aurion flag to the next Bathurst 1000 meet. NO you say? Probably a good idea because you’l be driven out of there in a meat wagon.
Do they have a racing series dedicated to the aurion and 380 here? NO, cause nobody gives a toss about them. owww front wheel drive burnouts oh yeah!
BM….You mean to say it was a Secret???
lol… :)
Snasnap your opening a can of worms if you start mentioning why V8 Supecar is only Ford and Holden… and its NOT because they are the best performance cars in Aus (if you think that, your an idiot).
The only reason that V9 Supercars is only Ford and Holden is simple….
Toyota aren’t interested in competing in the championship series.. nor do they produce a car which meets the technical specifications or the criteria as specified in the AVESCO rules and regulations
Hey Chris ,not to those that were watching I guess has shocked some though!
Don’t call me Princess…..thats reserved for another, Dingo
hey everyone can argue day and night, and all the toyota people will, thats a fact, accountants have a tendacy to count money
all i care is that i will have a v8 rear drive car at the end of the day, built by real people(accountants arnt people) and ill have FUN
Agree Preet, pros and cons can go forever, As stated on another topic, I ain’t no fan of a brand, corporate strategies change from era to era, and at times it can just make u sick and stay away from them even tho your perception of them was a good one before then one day you will come back to it coz they are doing it right again, remember corporations are there to make money.
A V6 large car does not automatically mean more pulling power or performance is the better car, nor does it mean all about carry space and feature list makes it a better car. People are fussy, the car needs to connect to people, when they look at it and drive it, it has to be comfortable and satifies, stats on paper saying this car is the better for the timebeing may not sell as much as a car thats more ergonomically better or exploits the shared feeling of reducing Green house gases or exploits the fuel prices fear… because it CONNECTS and yes marketing can really drive that connection.
A good example is Ipod, on a technology sense when it came out it was a POS compared to everything else, less features and no FM radio ffs, the fact that its easy to use and looks the goods outsold more than anything else, people are happy with the POS headphones that came out with it too.
Bret … interesting how you were willing to be civilised about the medium scenario of the Mondeo but not so when the Aurion is critised for being large. Great example of the tyipcal Holden/Ford mentality that a ever growing population of our nation is becoming tired off.
Oh yeah – for some reason, it is usually a Holden/Ford freak that takes things of topic and involves Toyota for some unknown reason yet then become disgruntled when the sh8t comes flying back. Lets talk about anything that isn’t Holden/Ford BS for once.
Wheelnut … we all know why only Holden and Ford race – because they haven’t got what it takes to take on the world on thier very own soil. Nissan GTR – anyone !!
Preet … lets be frank here, real people won’t build crap quality, unreliable cars or run businesses at multi-billion dollar losses and lose touch with the public. Employees of Holden and Ford are the rejects from other manufactuers ‘especially’ thier accountants.
TP … the only way Holden and Ford can win a race is if it’s them only … been proven !!
Bavarian … sorry, i must have missed it – was that a pink or purple hanky you wanted. I’ll be sure to send it express.
Skaife or tander will win on the weekend in Adelaide.
Ford people have been bragging about the orion for so long now.
and really looks so much like the bf and a bit of ve in it also.
and i wanna see the comparos between the gts and the gt, or the ssv and xr8. would be good. and when holden bring out the 300kw ss and 345kw gts hehe
Well Aurion is a large car,
A) its big
B) its got a V6
C) its got a big boot
As for bathurst from what I recall is that attendance and popularity started to dwindle when more and more car makes were added, by the time the R32’s were notoriously dominating it (Richards/Skaife) (I still recall the time Jim called the crows ‘a bunch of a__holes’ haha) it sunk really low because the aussie cars that dominated earlier were top match and diluted to an average performer within a sea of euros and jap cars, Aussies want to see Aussie cars win, hardly any who takes in interes in Bathurst wanted to see a escort, beemer or a GTR win because people never grew up with those cars. Therefore something had to be done. to give the People the Australian race which they always wanted to see. Mitsubishi 380 were taking a step to join as Toyota were offered as well from what i heard, but were uninterested.
Yes the new orion is a great car and xt actually looks real good and mag wheels this time,goog its nothing like the bf get your eyes checked and i will win this weekend and skaifey will crash as usuqal just look for the red vodafone car.
Hi goog, remember me?? Dont count your chickens yet (300 & 345kw). Look at the photos of the FG Gt’s, the hood decal just say’s Boss, not power figure, you do not know what the final GT, GTP outputs will be until announced……
To all you Toyota ppl, yeah nice car, but boring. Try to convince me that the Aurion TRD would out handle a commodore or falcon? MAYBE only in a straight line, but no matter how good the front suspension setup is, there will always be the dreaded torque steer in FWD’s.
And lets not forget Toyota could pull the pin at any time, remember before Christmas when they cried because the dollar was close to 90 US cents, and threatened to leave Aus? well the Aus dollar hit 90 US cents today. Maybe they will soon be gone, then what happens to your precious Aurion Turd, oops sorry TRD, just another automotive memory…..
Hey xxxx…….I remember you…….where you been.
We had a good old biff and barg with some tool once……who was that?
Nice to see you back babe!
Hi BM, if I remember right it was “the General”. Well I have just been watchin’ & waitin’….. Hey good anti spam word for me – XR8!!
Its an muscle car thing which trd is not apart of they are more luxury cars toyota lexus same thing,racing in other areas of motor sport.Only in australia its a v8 thing you know.
OMG XXXX, where have you been!!! Remember Matthew? and John thought you were a Holden fan?
I think now with 3 Turbo models the Falcon is going to have a huge increase in sales. And once the FPV range is released its goodnight to Toyota and HSV. Claiming the new holden motors will outperform the FG might be true, but the FG will have new engines starting 2010, the potential of which will put Ford very quickly back to the forefront of power and sales.
Matthew, came back recently on the “new Falcon only hours away” post. The same person that said XXXX is Bavarian Missiles husband.
Guess who Aka Guess who. Ok you stated the profits. Is that profit for the Toyota Group of companies or just Toyots vehicles. I know little about Toyota but don’t they have fingers in many other pies as well as vehicles?
The engines are just going to get better for fpv and ford australia ford keep changing for the better,its fords week not toyota, that was last week.lol.
XXXX – i acknowledge the recent statement from the HODS of Toyota but lets be brutally honest here, Toyota have cunning and effective ways of containing costs which is why Toyota is in the solid position they enjoy so much today and you can be sure those words rang out loud and clear not just to the management of Toyota Australia but across the entire range of thier suppliers.
However, lets have a look at what has actually occured over the past few years in reality with ‘assumptions’ to the side because that’s all your comment is.
Within the past few years alone, Toyota Australia has experianced growth and increased presance in Australia with the commissioning of a new R&D and styling operations, a hefty modernisation of Altona, introduction of the Sportivo suspension which is now used in the states, involvement with the Cruiser 200, undertaking of Dust Control Measures for TMC , approval and introduction of the Aurion and now the establishment of our own local TRD outfit all of which would have cost a considerable amount of investment.
With all that said, there is no way thet Toyota HQ would have approved such investments if our Australian operations of Toyota weren’t performing within expectations. Infact, Toyota Oz must be doing quite well just for such projects to have been given the green light… PERIOD.
That said, thier manufactuering at Altona is running at full capacity with Australia’s largest export regime while interests from the Middle East and the States (believe it or not) have been expressed towards thier TRD cars but any export deal has been temporaily ruled out until they are prepared to go the next step.
However, on the other side of the coin – Ford Australia has witnessed ‘massive’ declines of the Falcon to thier lowest levels ever not to mention the ordinary sales of it’s entire range inclusive, the Fairlane has been given the chop as will the L6, employees have been retrenched by the hundreds and virtually no export regime exsists.
So while the fortunes of Ford Australia have infact declined somewhat, that of Toyota Australia has increased and as far as i am concerned – actions speak a damn lot louder then any set of words.
And ….answer the question about Toyota Cars Profit
Noname – i am not sure what thier profits include but i recall a top ten list published by DRIVE last year which published Toyota & Lexus separetly.
Anyway, for the past 5 consecative years and with the 6th on the horizon, Toyota has been recording breaking profits in the mult-billions that has not been enjoyed by any automotive company in history.
According to Wikipedia, Toyota’s profit in 2005 alone was enough for them to have purchased Ford Motor Corporation as an entirity. That’s right, 1 years profit was enogh to have brought out Ford – don’t believe me then visit wikikpedia for yourself.
Also DRIVE and Wikipedia highlighted the fact that Toyota today is worth more (and then some) what the values are of GM, Ford and Crysler combined.
FORD 20 CHAMPIONSHIPS
HOLDEN 15 CHAMPIONSHIPS
Ford just to good
Noname – Toyota Motor Corporation predomianetly includes motor vehicle companies only with approx 22% shares in Denso and some other minor non car related off-shots
Lexus and Scion are 100% entities of Toyota, i believe 52 % ownership of Diahatsu and similar with Hino while they have minor stakes of less then 10% in Yamaha, Subaru and Izusu each.
The fact is, Toyota is regarded as the most efficient automotive group in the world awell as the wealthiest by a country mile. Thier Kaizen practices are so effective that even huge corporations like Rio Tinto now adopt similar practices but are no were near as effective has Toyota’s own.
Where I work in NAB, we adopt the Kaizen initiatives, we had a manager fly to Toyota Japan to learn about it and bring back the research and apply it to the Bank and its Subsidiaries.
Ok Guess who, i’m convinced. but why do Ford and others carry on making losses year after year. Its simply not sustainable. Ford and GM have propped up many car companies Volvo, Saab, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Daewoo etc etc now they have sold many of these off they could be profitable again. We’ll see in the future.
Japanese practises are copied world wide to no avail, but nissan do succesfully make Nissans in the North of the UK to higher standards than Japan, so maybe things do work.
I believe the Falcon will succeed but not as Ford hope, they have at least with the decent Mondeo and Focus and soon the Fiesta have all corners covered. As for GM they will always follow Ford very closely but in Australia they are fundamently flawed in the vehicles they are selling. I’ve said it before, if they tweaked the VE and relaunched it in a year or two it will suffice for now but what they really need to do is locally produce smaller more efficient cars alongside the dinosaurs.
Dingo,
Mate just where did I complain about Aurion=Large car? What I said was that the boundaries have blurred and that the class a car fits into is more to do with marketing (and therefore perceptions).
If Camry with a 4 cyl is a med car and the V6 version of the same car is a large car, then I’m quite happy that Mondeo can be a med car. but if you put a 3.5l V6 in it then I would question whether it could be marketed as a med size car.
On a couple of your other points:
Sure Toyota have invested in R&D facilities in Aus recently, so have GMH, whilst Ford Recently spent of over $110 Million in facilities as part of a $1.8 Billion Australian facilities investment, and BTW advertising & employing more staff daily.
Exports: Yep toyota currently tops the numbers, but the Camry program is also the one most easily cancelled too, with camry production in something like 7 other countries, without tarrif protection in Aust, it WILL be cancelled & transferred elsewhere. (Steve Bracks & KRudd listening??)
Bottom line is Australia needs all 3 manufacturers for the industry to remain viable, if 1 goes they all will, and only Toyota has threatened to actually pull out at this stage, whilst the other two have recently puplically reaffirmed their commitment to Australia.
Bret – all great points. Yes Toyota did voice thier opinion but at the same time have been approving cheques for greater development of it’s Australian Operations at the same time. Companies like Toyota are not in the habit of approving multi-million dollar adventures just to shut shop. I have absolute confidence that Altona and subsidiaries will be around every bit as long as Holden and Ford and thier current operations is a sound indicator.
Yes Australia can possibly source Camry’s else where but Ford trying to restructure the efficency and stability of it’s global operations must be keeping on eye on the Falcon aswell because quite frankly, a few thousand sales a year in Australia alone without any export regime must be an avenue that they would have to justify for continued exsistance especially if sales remain low over an extended period.
Toyota Australia has got it’s challenges just like the rest of them but they have good sales locally and a strong export regime to keep the flag flying high an no-doubt the dismise of Mitsubishi would help the course of the remaining three survivors … for now !!
And remember – Mitsubishi publically reaffirmed for years yet look at what happened. Companies like Holden and Ford will not publically threaten otherwise because it will only add greater doubt to potential buyers but that doesn’t mean they are under continued internal pressure to ensure thier viability.
When Toyota made a public statement – i bet those people at supply companies heard the speech loud and clear and that’s exactly what the HODS at TMC would have been aiming for and with the dismise of Mitsubishi – i bet those words will be extremely effective.
Noname – Ford and GM buying into other companies have been partial reasons for thier inefficencies and have cost them billions upon billions. Ford just sold Jag and LandRover to Tata for an absolute pitence which means the adventures cost them a damn lot more then what it was worth.
On the other hand, Toyota has taken upon themselves to establish brands such a Lexus and Scion from scratch instead of buying into because that way they can control the culture and structure of these companies wholehearted without having to deal with exsisting structures that can quite often be infected with sour grapes.
Not just that but the reputation and honesty of such undertakings can be established from the ground up not trying to revive past ‘Mr Meaners’ which all to often can be a pain staking task that’ll probably yield little in return.
Toyota has been smart the way they have gone about structuring thier business and although they have copied many ideas when it comes to engineering … there are now many automotive and non-automotive companies coping Toyota’s business philosophies. Kaizen couldn’t be a finer example.
i think the Ghia Turbo was definately what ford had been missing.
AKA,
now since bret has raised what you consider to be “Great” points do you care to tell us how you figure ford will get the chop? also couple that with fords honours of being given the task of designing the new global platform (like GM) and also the task of designing the new Ranger and the upcoming local manufacturing of the focus.
wouldnt you also say ford has committed to australia?
you see the way i see it is when a manufacturer is more reliant on export, export becomes the main focus. i hope holden dont get too reliant on exporting as i feel if they do the export program will take preference over what ever they do in australia.
in the toyota office they are already heavily geared to export so i would see their export program as the priority and hence what they would always strive to protect.
and yes if shipping it off shore was the way to protect it im sure toyota would. toyota arent silly enough to sit here watching the economics of the program from OZ slip with out looking at more beneficial ways.
Quote: “i think the Ghia Turbo was definately what ford had been missing.”
Too right.
Andrew – i have never stated that Ford Oz will collapse and personally i hope they don’t because i actually don’t mind Ford at all. They are gaining a good fleet in Oz and should improve thier fortunes somewhat over the coming years. All i am saying is be aware that all three remaining manufactuers in Australia have thier unique challenges inaneffort to remain viable in Oz – that’s all.
Ford aint going nowhere e build our own engines not like holdens v8 which arrives in a crate from u.s.,ford start with the block and heads build it by hand.Hopefully build quality issues have been adressed from ba bf as they are pretty much the same car apart from a zf gear box.The fg looks are inspired from the ba bf but look real close and its clear it aint the same like many people have stated.Build quality is my main concern and warranty on trim which aint covered eg centre console rear ac panel not covered,ford refused to replace not happy.
For those interested … go to the official TRD Australia site and watch the clip on the 6.9 sec 1800hp 3.2 ltr Supra powered Camry Drag car that Tony Wedlock has imported from the States – it is absolutely awesome.
Click under ‘other sports’ and you will find the write up about the car and then there is an attached video clip that goes with it. Apparently this car was also on display at the Brisbane Motor Show. Also, take the time and read up about thier strong start in Nascar racing this year.
Seen it Dingo already……….it was a thread on CA once.Tell me is that front wheel drive..hahahaha
Hi Missile. your up early missus. Have a nice day.
Yeh love the falcon. put one in the post would yah. That wold be best part of £30K here if not more.
Hey No Name……up but not awake !
One in the post…..mmmmm but wouldn’t you want a diesel version.hehehe
Have a nice night babe.
Much nicer reading when its civilised. Good work.
And it only works if the “baiting” is kept to a fun level.
Dingo, I don’t doubt that Toyota were merely chest beating and playing politics when they made the threat to pull out.
Personally I would like to see tarrif/tax changes made that currently make it cheapest for the “Jap” utes to come from Thialand. Wouldn’t it be great to see Hilux or Ranger built here?
For those who may be interested … I have been doing research into TRD and the current establishment of Toyota Motorsport.
Currently, only 3 TRD structures exist in the world.
First – there is TRD (Technocraft) Japan and that encompasses Toyotas involvement in the variuos forms of Japanese motorsport including performance enhancements of every day cars.
Secondly – there is TRD USA and again, they encompass all forms of motorsport in the USA such as NASCAR, Craftsman Trucks, Drag Cars, etc etc and again – performance enhancements of stock cars.
Thirdly – and the newest of the group and that is our own local operations and follows suit with the other two despite Australian ops being the smallest and least developed – but haa … at least TMC has given our local lads a chance to hopefully development something alot more.
However – Team Toyota Europe who used to manage the WRC cars gave way for the development of F1 cars and are a completely seperate entity to TRD and stand alone.
The Camry Drag car that i directed people to before was the development work (and partners) of TRD America.
Go to the TRD USA website and check out the new TRD enhanced Supercharged 5.7 V8 Tundra that comes with an optional TRD enclosed trailer for hauling racing equipment around … looks bloody awesome.
As people should be aware off – TRD Australia has just developed the supercharged 4.0 V6 Hilux yet TRD USA go a huge leap better and supercharges the 5.7 Tundra.
not being rude, but what relevance is it? ford have the lightning ute over there! so its nothing special that toyota are doing that?
Tonyn – the slow but sure evolution of TRD is note worthy despite personal opinions.
I am not comparing TRD to any specific organisation but merely trying inform people that Toyota is on a ‘path’ to project itself into performance cars and motorsport once again considering it has ‘rightfully so’ been heavily critised in recent years because of it’s … ‘lack of involvement’
All i am try to do is highlight the efforts that Toyota through ‘TRD and F1′ is investing to once again – regain such recognition – and personally … i believe Toyota exhibits unlimited potential for success.
Besides … Tonyn – i clearly recall you passing a statement that you actualy don’t mind Toyota in any regards (i believe you drive one) so why are you offering resistance against thier efforts if you ’supposedly’ support Toyota. Without being rude – i must say you certainly have me confused.
As far as i am concerned – any Toyota supporter wether ‘mild’, ‘tolerable’ or ‘ethusiastic’ (as myself) would support and positively comment on such efforts because i don’t see a negative reason why to comment otherwise.
You do realise this is a blog for the new FG’s images, don’t you? Bit off-topic?
Yep exactly Watto….not to mention that TRD is failing Toyota’s expectations at the moment. So much for making it exclusive to a few dealers,now anyone can have one!
Sorry Dingo I suggest you take this TRD post to a TRD thread!
OZ AND NO NAME SOUND LIKE IMMATURE KIDS,SLIMEY POMLAND WHAT ARE YOU ON ABOUT? AUSTRALIA WAS DISCOVERED BY POMS STUPID GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND LISTEN TO YOUR HISTORY TEACHER.NSW IS MORE POMEY THAN SA, SA ROCKS..
Being polite Guess Who – but where is drag racing going to get any manufacturer. It got no relevant to any real cars we’ll see on the road. Drag racing is for fun. Ok it has a very small marketing use, nothing compared to thr world wide rally and F1 scene. After all Toyota dropped F1 didn’t they.
Oh the Falcon – Ok but given the precense of the Mondeo surely its not required in reality, surley ford could relanch the 4WD platform on a Mondeo. They did it with the 80’s Sierra.
Ok I was looking at a way of killing an hour and a half.
Gee I would hope that for the Mondeo No Name….its such a beautiful car.
Yeah look people will get used to the modeo after a while,i think no name and oz are the same people too you sound like kids, trying to be grown ups now hey?lol.remember thers a big time difference in sa,its not the same as say country nsw.