2008 Ford Falcon ‘Orion’ Spy Shots
Ford is going to hate us for this, but its just too hot to not post. One of our readers (better known as Soda) has blessed us with close up spy shots of the 2008 Ford Falcon (Orion).
One car appears to be a Falcon XR series.
The other car appears to be the standard falcon.
If you have any spy shots of the new Falcon (or any other car) email us
From what soda tells us, the drivers were NOT happy and they managed to avoid having frontal shots taken. All of you congratulate Soda for being the first person to take close up spy shots of the new Falcon!
























May 3rd, 2007 at 11:58 pm
Well Done Champ!
Vote:the XR series looks hot
the rear looks almost like a subaru liberty
May 4th, 2007 at 12:13 am
Hmm… god its an ugly colour for the standard model,
Vote:its definately the orion, I dont get the spoiler on the back of the XR though! looks a litle odd. like its sticking out? Damn need some front photos already!
May 4th, 2007 at 6:53 am
Great pics well done..
Vote:All i can say is it’s way to early to be saying it’s hot or not. Covers on can mean anything they have pads galour under them bulging out to make different shapes etc. It’s way to early yet.
May 4th, 2007 at 7:52 am
I’ve never been on this site before but it’s now in my top 10 list!
GO Soda!!
Vote:May 4th, 2007 at 8:00 am
Cheers for the comments guys!
Vote:May 4th, 2007 at 8:48 am
You cant tell much from those shots… bit out their saying its hot yet. Something that I find alittle disappointing is the single muffler, maybe its nit picking, but for the XRs at least it would have been nice to hav a dual system.
Vote:May 4th, 2007 at 9:29 am
Awesome shots guys!
Vote:May 4th, 2007 at 10:17 am
Its what i see on the Western Ring Road more or less every day.
If you wait out front of Ford HQ Broadmeadows, you will catch them too
Well done to Soda!!
O/A
Vote:May 4th, 2007 at 10:23 am
Whats with the massive C Pillar?, Part of the disguise? The wheel base & Boot looks shorter.
Nice one soda!
Vote:May 4th, 2007 at 11:26 am
Is just me or do they look like people movers, to tell you the truth I dont like the shape much!
Vote:May 4th, 2007 at 11:28 am
Actualy they look like oversized corollas.
Vote:May 4th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Love it … even though it is very heavily disguised and you really can’t see much :) Looks as though Ford are finally moving to the cab-forward design that GM have used for the past few Commodores (as well as many other manufacturers).
Vote:May 4th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Nice shots, Soda!
To be honest though, even with the shape-distorting camo, this doesn’t look like something I’d want drive.
Vote:May 4th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Hey awesome shots Soda. Interesting that orion still uses the ol’ traditional door frame which is a part of the car panel unlike the ve commodore and the vt-vz commodore which doesn’t. Soda just wondering if you saw any tape behind the front guard to cover up a possible vent much like the ve?
Vote:May 4th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Nice work!
Vote:May 4th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
It looks like something HE-MAN would drive.
I agree with lazybones,too much padding to see much still. The back pillar,rear door and drip rails on the XR all have bolt bits on it.At lest we know its not a VE, fuel filler on the left!
I was hoping it was going to be more coupe like,similar to the MKS Lincoln Concept.Thought that was the new style they had in mind for the future fords.As per shot in Wheels Nov 2006.
Better shot of rear window in the Falcon then the XR.
Vote:May 4th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
Hey guys, its the first time of posted a comment on this site, but I have been looking at the threads you guys have produced on the orion. These new pics are great, I take my hat off to Soda for them. Although you can’t see mucch it does paint some of the picture of what the orion will look like when it is released. To bad there is non e of the front though.
Cheers
Vote:Prim
May 4th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
Doesn’t look much different. Certainly doesn’t look as new as 380,Aurion and Commodore. looks like they are using the same old platform.
All really HO HUM
Vote:May 4th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
Well done with the pics
Vote:May 4th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
One thing i was hopeing the new falcon would have is the petrol filler on the right hand side for once. What a pain to travel around the other side to fill it up, I used to do it i know, On the drivers side you get out it’s there easy.
Vote:May 4th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
Totaly agree ,I get out of my car into hubbys … end up waiting in line to then find out doohh ,wrong bloody side.God I hate that!!!!!!!!!!
Vote:May 4th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
the window surrounds are cladding ..look closer
Vote:May 4th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
One the XR rear window yes,I cant see one on the Falcon though,just over the rear door pillar?
What am I missing?
Vote:May 4th, 2007 at 9:08 pm
look from the back the pillars bulge out
Vote:May 4th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Damn,yep I see . I was hoping for a smaller rear window
Still no idea then!
Vote:May 5th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
cool, good 1 soda,
Vote:i surpose they will have a single exaust tip! that sux.
I’ll comment when i see the real deal. Better not be a another bloody AU.
May 5th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
great pics mate
looks ok but given that i cant really see anything i guess ill hav to make my mind up when full pictures come out. im sure they will be putting a lot into it as rumours persist over it being a possible US export car. lets just hope it doesent fail as badly as the GTO did over there
Vote:May 6th, 2007 at 10:25 am
Great Pics Soda. The standrad falcon looks like a fairmont or somthing.
Vote:May 6th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Very nice shot, i think it is padding on the doors n pillers to make it look abit fake i think its so it doesnt attract attention. If anyone sees it again jus get infront of m n take a nice front shot, to bad if the driver of the arion is angry lol…
Vote:May 6th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
the back window is huge too the cladding is well done..
Vote:May 7th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
i posted a link to some new pictures and even a video that we took today but it seems to be gone now.
Vote:May 7th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
Looks awesome so far. I can’t wait to see the car in real life
Vote:May 7th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Holmsy Where the hell is this :D
Vote:May 7th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
more spy shots and a video?where?
Vote:May 7th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
it has been passed on to the caradvice folks so id be expecting it soon.
Vote:if your really skilled you could find it on the net already.
May 8th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Looks good!
Vote:May 8th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Hi, I am from India and I used to live in Melbourne for 3 years to do masters from Monash. I am a great fan of falcons. now I moved to America and here in America ford models really sucks except the Mustang.
And these days American people are getting envy for Aussie falcons almost in every blog i read they are asking to get the Falcons from down under. I am single now being a loyal fan of ford I will buy mustang. I hope the falcons will reach these shores atleast by 2010, so by the time when I start my family I will add new Falcon to my garage.
cheers
Vote:suresh
May 8th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
Nice
Vote:May 10th, 2007 at 9:53 am
I’m hearing rumours that the orion will get Direct Injection, can anyone confirm the truth to this?
Vote:May 10th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
I have just had a look at the 2008 Mondeo on an overseas (euro) web site from a google image search and if the new falcon looks like this, then it will blitz the opposition. If not, perhaps it is worth the wait until the 2008 Mondeo comes to Australia. (Not the one they are currently showing us!)
Vote:May 10th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Looks like uncovered meat !!!!
Vote:May 11th, 2007 at 8:32 am
di will cost less than the twin cam head that ford developed.mazda already use it on the 3.gm have di on the 3.6 now and they will come to australia..
Vote:May 11th, 2007 at 10:00 pm
i hope you clowns are joking this car looks fucked with a capital F.I should have kept my XBGT COUPE back in 1975 its been all down hill ever since.
Vote:May 11th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
test mules usually do when theyre all covered up and still in the testing stages
Vote:May 13th, 2007 at 10:30 pm
Fletch……are you a total tool ??? Yhe car is in a disguise you retard……….its not the way it will look when in production !!!!!!! Crawl back into your cave……….
Vote:May 15th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
well im not convinced that it is a falcon.
Take a look at the door handles they are toyota, mitsubishi or even new holden? i am not fussed on this style either so if it is a falcon i hope they will not be like that. A lso take a look at the other spy shots. they are not the same vehicle.
http://www.caradvice.com.au/25.....-spyshots/
for one take a look at the top of the doors no distinct pillar over the doors these photos show a pillar over the doors. no pillar is also typical of one of the 3 mentioned above as well.
i think if they are coming from ford HQ then they have their hands on some other makes for what ever reason
Vote:May 16th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Just to add further to my doubts about this being a falcon take a look at photo 1 & 2 it shows an aerial on the roof. ford has started using the on glass antenna why would they design something tricky like that and do away with it?? that was one of their big design secrets when the Ba came out remember?
also the exhausts arent quite right the red model clearly shows the tail pipe below the bumber and the bumber is not moulded around it yuck !! why do that i doubt ford would do that take a look at for eg an EF even they are better finished. and the other car has a much smaller round pipe nothing like ford would use
Vote:May 17th, 2007 at 11:54 am
Andrew…
This is the falcon, the ariel is one used for testing, not production spec.
Vote:The camo is very comprehensive, the tops of the doors, pillars are all covered up.
the exaust is just sticking out due to it being a test vehicle.
Id bet money this is the Orion.
May 17th, 2007 at 6:35 pm
adam…..
i hope they havent gone with no pillar over the doors like holden and others, the doors look flimsy and they dont finish nicely with the very front pillar where it meets tho bonnet. also the glass never looks clean because of all the fingermarks cause thats what you have to grab to open the door.
also i am not a fan of those door handles whats wrong with the streamline ones they have always used???
Vote:the ones pictured are a bit in your face like something stuck on
May 20th, 2007 at 11:15 am
I have more shots of the orion up close side on and video footage of the xt, xr8, xr6 turbo
Vote:May 20th, 2007 at 11:18 am
they have changed the headlights as well by the way i have front shots just as all three drive past once they saw my camera they were gone good shots though
Vote:May 20th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
Great pics. Maybe none of them are XR’s, the maroonish coloured one could be the Futura or an optional XR styled bodykit on the car. Bring on a real V8 thats quicker then the turbo six (still love the turbo six).
Vote:May 21st, 2007 at 6:20 pm
well let us see the photos please Erik !!!!!!!!!!!
Vote:May 23rd, 2007 at 7:52 pm
the aerial on the roof is for a 2 way..
Vote:May 31st, 2007 at 9:22 pm
2008 cant come quickly enough!!! Its backside looks so good hahaha as in its shape since you cant really tell becasue of the disguise
Vote:June 5th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Hmmmmmmmm the new falcon i really do think that it wont even come close to the VE commodore.
Vote:The mighty Holden commodore will shread that falcon
June 5th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Mr Holden,
you most be hold-en yourself!!
What are you basing your judgement on??
Honestly take a look. ford already beats holden in some key areas, and dont forget their platform is now 5 years old compared to holdens new release.
you wait, i dont think holden has gone far enough with this new VE range to stand up to what the new falcon will bring. they have probably missed a big opportunity here
Vote:June 6th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
My family has driven Falcons for as long as I can remember. I’ve got two of them myself. But I’m afraid to say that I don’t like the general stance of the Orion. It’s lack of flared wheel arches as in the generally bland VE Commodore really do it no justice whatsoever. Ah well, no new Falcon for me until facelift sometime in 2011.
Vote:June 13th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
OMFG!! i saw 2 of these car today at williamtown, nsw driving past the raaf base, they look hot.. i wish i had my camera!!!
Vote:June 19th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Forget about it its game over now…
Vote:June 19th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
LOL @ Tony Soprano!!
Oh, whoopsie… I just realised you meant it’s game over for Holden hehe :D
Vote:June 19th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
Thats right forget about it..
Vote:July 1st, 2007 at 9:45 pm
O.k to SILENCE the holden crack heads for once here are a few things to help you realise.
A: Adelaide is where holdens are built and everyone in every state Bar S.A (I live in adelaide aswell) well tell you how crap our city is and blah blah blah including you dumb moron’s who back holden so i don’t want to hear a single thing come out of you mouth bout ford when you so happy to put the city that your pieces of crap are built down
B: the only reason holdens are No.1 selling for the past 10 years is because there cheap i will admit that cos well there built in the area with the highest rate of unemployment in the country so even though the dole bludgers that make em are poorly paid along with the importeded slaves.
C: i also metioned improted like the engine, the chassis, 80% of the interior, the lights the whole drivetrain,,um the nuts and bolt (if you lived in SA you’d know there laying those AJAX guys of to buy asian nuts and bolts) so even what HOLDEN em to gether is imported.
D:they waited til other companys brought out lights interior’s that were better till they could bring out there CRAP VE cos they ran out of ideas on how to ‘improve’ on the same design there’ve had since 88
Thank you and good night
Vote:July 1st, 2007 at 11:13 pm
fuck all youse holden guys
Vote:fuck them up their stupid arses
July 13th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
If anyone wants to know what the new ford really looks like check out the Herald sun cars guide 13/7/07, these pictures were found in the Tip by someone who was looking around and came accross some top secret files. Funny stuff hey Ford Found On Rubbish Dump, the car looks very similar to a VE HSV i think it’s about time these car companies start designing their own cars and not copying parts off other car makers.
Vote:July 16th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
im a euro driver. value and specs of the aussie stuff are making me look seriosly at it. if i could get a ghia with ltd spec, heated seats and turbo, as long as the quality is there im in.
Vote:July 27th, 2007 at 11:54 am
Good photos soda. Gives food for thought. Ithink it’s going to be a good battle between the VE Commodore and the new Orion.
I get the impression that the boot is going to be pretty big.
Vote:August 2nd, 2007 at 2:53 pm
I think this has to be one of the most stupid looking cars that ford has attempted to bring out! if i wanted a bubble on wheels id buy vt-vx commodore!
Vote:August 2nd, 2007 at 4:52 pm
josh, well im glad you can see through all the stuck on stuff and other camoflage
Vote:August 9th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
all u fuckin freaks dissin ford are plain a++holes.ford was the first car to be produced in the world so go get some lives
Vote:August 10th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
I believe that in relation to the location of the fuel filler; under Australian Design Regulations the Fuel Filler must be on the opposite side of the car to the exhaust pipe/muffler.
When a car has Dual exhausts it’s placed on the opposite side to the primary or dominant muffler.
I’d like to see all manufacturers devise a system similar to the Old Jags with fuel fillers on both side and when you put the nozzle in one side the other side becomes a vent to allow the fuel to go in quicker and faster pit stops at the petrol station.
Vote:August 21st, 2007 at 9:17 pm
What is that shit on the doors? Plainer the better it does not suit.
Vote:August 24th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
Wheels august 2007 front cover
Vote:August 26th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Get Wheels mag it has promising photos of the new falcon!
Vote:November 1st, 2007 at 6:31 pm
soda, please dont take photo of future taxi’s while atempting to drive
Vote:November 1st, 2007 at 6:42 pm
I am sure the Orion will be as economical and reliable as ever for the Taxi owners next year! Bet there excited too!
Vote:November 1st, 2007 at 7:21 pm
yep driving cabs just got a lot more appealing from next year!!!!!!! he he he
Vote:so where do get my turban?
November 1st, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Notice the way the panels of the back window in these pics are different to the other spyshots of the Orions.
Can’t wait to see the Sydney CBD full of Orion taxis and also more in Brisbane, too!
Vote:November 1st, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Ahhhh,thats right your both in Brissy…..Dont forget the rest of Australia!!!!!!!I think their the number one choice in all Australian Cities,were in Hobart to!
Vote:November 1st, 2007 at 8:55 pm
I know that Darwin is full of Toyotas everywhere, even Taxis. So I hope the Orion will be there too.
It’s Me., my new name is not permanint. I will change it soon.
Vote:November 1st, 2007 at 9:02 pm
DAMN, the V8s in Middle-East this weekend at midnight, I’ll still be watching, though.
My name was GOING FORD, IS THE GOING THING!
Vote:December 11th, 2007 at 11:58 pm
Seen the new Falcon today driving along Horseshoebend Road, Torquay at about 1030am. There where two cars following it and one in front of it. Its a great way to get everybodys attention as it did for me. Great camoflauge they use on it but the FORD badges stood out. I bet they be takin it on the Great Ocean road to give it a good run.
Vote:January 9th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
i am so excited about the new ford comming out i love fords and hopefully work for them when i am older as a mechanical engineer or graphics designer :)
Vote: