2008 Ford Falcon Orion Ute Interior Spied!
July 4, 2007 by Paul Maric
After an arduous day at the office, our spy photographer has snapped the first shots of Ford’s rehashed centre console, along with the new speedometer/tachometer cluster.
The seemingly base model Ford ‘Orion’ Utility spotted in traffic is not dissimilar to the one spotted earlier by our photographer, except without the funky looking alloy wheels.
1.
The following shots of the interior confirm several things. Firstly, a telephone button on the steering wheel (on what appears to be a base model) suggests that Ford’s new Falcon will mimic Holden’s Bluetooth availability across the entire range, allowing the driver to connect their phone to play through the car’s speakers.
2.
Next up, Ford’s new dashboard layout has been revealed. The first – and most noticeable – feature is the display at the top of the dashboard. This, presumably, being a base model indicates that the screen may simply be an analogue unit, similar to the one featured in Holden’s Commodore Omega, displaying vital information such as radio and CD controls.
The other noticeable feature of the dashboard unit is that the air vents have been shifted from the top of the dash to the middle. The vehicle pictures is also fitted with a column shift unit, negating the need for a floor shifting unit.
A new steering wheel has also made it to the new Falcon. The steering wheel design seems to have been somewhat reverted back to EF/EL style. It’s hard to tell if the Utility is fitted with a different steering wheel to the Futura model photographed some time ago by our spy photographer.
The next most noticeable feature of the photos is the speedometer and tachometer cluster which are visible from one of the photos.
Ford has adopted a similar LCD readout to Holden’s Commodore, probably to be used for fuel consumption and other trip computer features. Also noticeable is a “Menu” button (circled) which our spy photographer has suggested is used to navigate the screen.
Holden use steering wheel menu controls to navigate the screen, relinquishing the need for reaching through/around the steering wheel to access the menu. Also witnessed by the spy photographer is a new speedometer cluster which features a new font, different to that used in the BF Falcon.
From another angle, the bottom of the centre cluster can be seen.
3.
Although not totally uncovered, the headlight angle and design is clearly evident from the embossing of the lights through the car bra.
One other thing that took the spy photographer by surprise are the “Good Year” branded tyres, deviating from the “Dunlop” norm. This isn’t conclusive though, as it’s a prototype vehicle, any wheels could have been fitted for a number of reasons.
4.
A few more photos from the interior reveal some truths that were covered up from previous photos. Firstly, you may recall the previous photos our spy photographer took of the Ute which detailed the covering behind the driver and passenger door (as shown above).
The following interior shots reveals that there is a new design employed for the Orion Falcon Ute.
(Courtesy of AutoNews)
Click for larger version
5.
And lastly, speculation about the rear suspension in the new Utility has been ripe. Thanks to our spy photographer, it can be confirmed that the Orion Utility – the base model at least – will use leaves.
Remember, if you have any spy photos of Ford’s new Falcon – or any other vehicle for that matter – contact CarAdvice, if the photos are decent, we’re willing to pay cash (more than the major magazines). High-resolution copies of the images attached are available. Please contact CarAdvice to request copies.
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Not The design of the BA/VE Headlights again.
As I said in an earlier post All car companies steal ideas from eachother there hasn’t been an original idea in the auto industry for years However..
Records show [as does the Billion Dollar Baby DVD and Peter Robinsons book "Autobiography"] that the VE project started back in 1998/99. there were various desgns for the new car but in the end it came down to 2 designs and they went with the design by Peter Hughes whos initial sketches are dated 1999
give an indication as to what the VE would look like from various angles with subsequent close ups of particular features one of which includes a drawing of the headlights which look exactly the same as they do on the VE. Between 2000 and time the the BA was released Holden developed Prototypes and installed a new assembly line etc.
Just because the VE came out after the BA doesn’t necessarily mean they copied them. Remember it takes along time to develop a new car from Design > Road car.
Look at the New Merc S Class its Headlights look like the ones on the current Statesman – Merc copied Holden.
Holden copied BMW 5 series headlights for their current States/Calais . I doubt Merc would copy anything from Holden ,what have they pattented again on the VE ?
Let’s all drive fugly toyotas as they are perfect just ask Lawsie. Know what i mean. Old Farts in their new Toyotas thinking they are as flash as a rat with a gold tooth.
Plse don’t rain on their parade because they believe they got a merc at a discount.
Corolla ute now wouldn’t that be good.
Fugly toyotas for all!!!!!
if you know how much horsepower the 2008 ford falcon has and how many miles it runs please posted here and ill be very thank full to you.
As far as I know, this is Wheels best educated guess:
XR6Turbo – 260kW
XR8 – 280kW
F6 Typhoon – 300kW
GT – 320kW
All the talk I’ve heard of the base I6 tho is Ford are concentrating on economy. It may crack 200kW but the aim is below 10L/100kms which would be far better than VE.
hahaha you nailed it Mark.
Toyotas problem is their cars DO NOT invoke passion amongst real car fans. They sell so well because of the average commuter who just wants the most efficient way of getting from point A to point B.
They are clinically efficient to a fault. Good car but bland and boring. Nothing comes close to the intense rivallry between Ford and Holden.
The only reason Toyota is flogging everyone (including Holden) in overall car sales is that their broad range is (I don’t know why) very popular.
I don’t have the exact figures in front of me but Corolla and Hilux both flogged Aurion and Avalon, the main Toyota competitors to Falcon and Commodore.
Take Corolla and Hilux out and Toyota wouldn’t look so big at all and would be trailing Ford and Holden.
After saying all that, I like the look of the TRD Aurion. It’s performance is definitely conservative, obviously can’t compete with HSV or FPV, but it does look nice. Best looking Toyota I’ve seen that hasn’t come out of Japan.
And who is this “Aykan Sengoz” dickwit? All he can say is “looks like shit” then pisses off??? Tosser!
Hey how did the new holden commodore make it as #1 car of the year bla blab bla when the first 70 000 were recalled for rear safety belts?
Its common knowledge that the only reason they started producing holdens is to keep the turkeys from driving Ford’s
The $ spent on the VE (vomit eveyware) Dunnydore was not on developing the car, but to bribe the media to say good things about the powerful V8 but say nothing about the Falcon the way its made in Australia and its V8s are made here too, when the holden V8s are imported from Canada and Mexico.
Then the media says to not buy V8s or sixes and just buy gutless fours (to make Australia look like london)
then say how good the VE is when thats a six and V8 just after saying not to buy them.
‘Watto-Cobra’, although I agree a broad Toyota range helps… ther market share is double that of Holden and even more on top of Falcon. NOW your talking about bland cars and that Ford and Holden are so great thats why the sell what they do, well both these manufacturers sell 80%+ to fleets… who like Toyota buyers, just want something, not exactly an inspirational drive. Get rid of their fleets, and Toyotas fleet sales… that market share would be even bigger among private buyers, those people who user their OWN money and want the BEST overall vehicle avaialbe… which is more often then not a Toyota.
As for Utes, the Falcon looks alrite… it cant do much worse than the Commodore, that thing is Fugly with a capital F.
“TRD”
Fair enough, I agree with most of what you said.
I didn’t mean to imply Ford and Holden sell better because Toyota’s bland looks, etc, because they don’t. I mean that precludes me and many Holden/Ford fans from making the switch. Plus I’ll stick with RWD.
Will you be buying (or have bought) a TRD Aurion? I’d be interested to hear what you think of it. I’ve only read/seen it in Cars Guide (Herald Sun) and they gave it good wraps. I really do like it’s looks with the subtle grey highlights.
I really don’t understand why Hilux sells so well tho. The new ones may be better (have they gone to coils yet?) but my brothers 2002 model is not a nice car on the road or the bush. It’s suspension is rock hard and the body flexes. In the bush we never get as far up the worst tracks as our mates in their Landcruisers and Patrols, before resorting to winch and snatch strap.
I’d guess they sell well as a cheap work hack. When AbiGroup were building the new internal freeway through Albury, 95% of their vehicles were Hilux.
I’m reluctant to admit the higher-end VE’s look good but the low end cars look like crap. The same may end up being true for Orion (I hope not). When I saw/read about the CGI pics of the FPV Orion cars I thought “they’ve kicked a goal, I’m getting one”. Although these may not be what the end product looks like either.
The thing is those early pics stirred me, they made want one for looks/driving, not just the best/most efficient way of getting from A to B. I guess that’s the point I was trying to make with my earlier comment.
Haha nah I dont have the TRD… from other forums though I have been in touch with a few people, suprisingly they dont seem to think the car had much torque steer at all, but then again they might not be pushing it hard enough.
As for Hilux, well supposedly they are built tough, and have a history of it. What I dont get is the TRD Hilux, what is the point… I would have thought it would be FAR more benefit to bring a TRD Corolla out, especially so since the Japs already have an AWD Corolla with abit of grunt, would just need light work done by TRD! Now that would be a hit, considering people bought Corolla Sportivo’s which had no guts!
Yeah, my bro’s Hilux has been little trouble (except cam belt broke before it was due for replacement).
Agree about TRD Hilux. Don’t really think FPV Territory will sell well although easy to do based off F6 Typhoon engine/driveline. Ford would sell far more diesel’s in the base model when they finally slap one in.
Never experienced torque steer (haven’t driven a FWD with that much go). Read a comparo between VXR Astra and XR5Turbo. The Astra had more power but they bagged it for torque steer and not being as nice to drive. I guess AWD Corolla wouldn’t have same prob as Astra.
Is AWD Corolla based off a rally car? They aren’t in World Rally where Focus is cleaning up but (damn, I can’t remember his name) has been winning with it in Oz Rally.
can anyone tell me what toyotas fleet sales as a whole is? from what i understand is toyota is the number one fleet seller and im guessing by a bit too. sure falcon and commodore might sell 80% but they are pretty much the only name plate they sell to fleets. toyotas biggest fleet seller is corolla but only by units not percentage. i feel other nameplates from toyota are past the 80% mark.
not that fleet sales counts for anything im just curious as people always attack ford and holden for their fleet sales yet toyota sells a hell of a lot aswell
i totally agree the hilux is possibly one of the most overrated work vehicles.
like watto and many other people will tell you the hilux lacks in off road capabilities.
it is also not that great value (in my opinion)
the best work ute (in my opinion) is the falcon ute but when you factor in “just wanting a work hack” the mazda Bravo/BT50 and the triton easily have it over the hilux as great value for money
Couldnt resist saying something when my anti spam word is BMWM3………lol. Hey Matt B do you have any idea of Andrews question if your still there ? Andrew just sent you an email !
I will buy one as soon as they’re on the show room floor, Ford are the best Holden is the worst……..pfffffffff
What model are you planning on Ted?
This may be the only spanking new car I ever buy (i’m just blue collar after all), so I’m gonna make it a good one.
I’m leaning towards F6 Typhoon over GT. They have similar torque/power but the Phoon’s is spread over a much larger rev range from what I’ve been reading. A test drive will sort me out ;-)
Not sure, but I’m the same (undecided), test driving them all will be essential for final decision.
No more arseholes on this site any more. Like ‘MrHolden’, ‘Ottoau’ and ‘Aykan Sengoz’ F*** head Holdenwoo lovers. Hope they never come back!!
i realy need to blow my load guys someone post a porn adress for me, i dont want any bogan chicks with missing teeth or anything like that, u know wat i mean no holden girls!!
So that’s no to free willy your mum?
Same old nag with a few new panels…whooo
And still not a flared front guard like the ford v8 supercars are using..LOL
Do yourselves a favour if you like a toyota with style buy a Lexus I did they are great or better still free yourself from Holden and Ford and mindset and buy a BMW I did that too….! Best car I ever owned that 3series.
I think Ford have dug there own grave with this re-vamp.
^Pete, Ford Australia and GMH don’t take on BMW here. Why are you making it seem bad they not using flared guards? And it’s more than just new pannels. the whole car is updated even if the platform isn’t. GEEE, I don’t know what you’re on.
Then remove the flared front guards of the race cars and make them ‘look’ like the factory car…even if they are almost nascars.
I used to buy Holden and Falcons but they really are not worth the money for what you don’t get…
A slight re-jig of the panels a mild engine upgrade (no hybrid or diesel either) cheap looking plastics inside, etc etc etc on a ?? 8-10year old under tray. Hardly worth the hype. Atleast Holden did try, with the latest and seems (at the moment) to be miles in front of this offering. Once petrol hits the $1.50+ as the base price who will be buying these old dinosaurs (both commodore and falcon)????
If that your opinion, so be it. Even though Ford and GMH are working on better engines than they have now.
Pete, what sh-t is in your fu-king mind?
So you claim we should all hate our country and go Asia only?
I don’t like the way the a/c wents are under the in-dash screen.
Pete,
mate ease up!!! take off your blind fold and you will see that ford has 2 and soon to be 4 diesel passenger vehicles to toyotas big fat zero.
also the gas guzzling LPG falcon makes the piss weak overrated toyota prius hybrid look like an expensive vehicle to fuel. oh and when petrol hits $1.50 who will be buying the dinosaur of a hybrid vehicle? the LPG falcon will eclipse it
NONE OF THESE CARS WERE DESIGNED IN AUSTRALIA!!! READ BELOW YOU RETARDS:
CAMIRA , EPICA , BARINA , RODEO ,ELFIN, GEMINI , COMMODORE , VECTRA , ASTRA , ZAFIRA , CRUISE, MONARO , CAPTIVA, FRONTERA, SUBURBAN……………….
NONE OF THESE CARS WERE DESIGNED IN AUSTRALIA NOR ANY OF THEIR ENGINES ARE AUSTRALIAN AT ALL!!!!! GET IT??? AS FAR AS THE REST OF THE WORLD IS CONCERNED HOLDEN DOESNT EVEN EXIST!!!
THEY ARE JUST A BADGE , NOT A BRAND , NOT AUSTRALIAN AT ALL … HOLDEN = HOLES , OIL LEAKS , DENTS AND ENGINE NOISE!!
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA
FORD IS FORD …. EVERYWHERE AROUND THE WORLD FORD RULES!!!
Spot on Andrew……hybrids are over rated!
Pete have you removed your blind fold and ear muffs……..don’t believe what you see and hear about the Prius! Its just the new Volvo………..for people that cant drive!
I will still be buying Aussie Muscle if it reaches $3.00 a litre sorry,still cheap horsepower!
What do Holden and Falcon have to do with the price of petrol anyway! Most EURO cars for the last 9 years demand 98! If your after performance!
Hey Pete! You are a Prius owner!!
Pete, you are an otro dueño marrón de prius que se siente en el segundo carril que hace 80 en una zona 100!!!!!
So you guys knocking Pete if “he does own a Prius’ do you have a problem with your self esteem, and a brain that sits just above the drivers seat or maybe erection problems. I think both actually chasps.
William & Pete = Same Person?
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.
Christiaan,
Im with you all the way, everybody thinks that the falcon will be the better then VE Commodore, you havent seen it yet for crying out loud! Everybody hates holden so much. Go back to where you came from at ford forums!
Jpmaster,
SHUT THE HELL UP TOSSER!
Duck, so you telling Ford Fans to go back to their Ford forum, WHY?
Maybe you woried your fellow Holdenwoo fans have alot to loose with this car?
Oz.,
U know Oz. when every body says Holdenwoo, i agree with you but when everybody says “Holdenwoo” are they saying that all holdens are crap? I know holden make a few crap cars! Such as the barina, epica and viva! And i am very dissapointed of what holden have done by making cars under the Daewoo company name! But holden still make great cars like Commy etc.
It is disappointing that Holden small car fleet are old, Korean-sourced models, and some like Barina are incredibly unsafe as well.
Commodore is the only bright light in their stable atm. Maybe they will switch back to Vauhall/Opel when the Daewoos fail to sell. Captiva is doing ok apparently.
Another thing is, I was talking to a friend the other day and she was thinking of buying a Barina. I filled her in on its origin and safety. She dead set thought Barina was built in Australia!!! Now she is looking at Fiesta or Yaris.
It seems people who aren’t car enthusiasts have a high level of ignorance when it comes to where a car is made.
There are alot of people who think if it had a Holden bage on it, it automaticly means it’s Australian. I know a biased Holden fan who won’t shut up and says every Ford is an American import and every Holden is built in Australia, no matter what I tell him, he keeps to his beleivs.
Now I get ready because when ever this subject comes up a peed off Holden idiot quotes me and writes immature attacks on me. So I AM NOT COMPARING WHATS AUSTRALIAN IN A HOLDEN AND FORD, I JUST SAID A STORY I KNOW, IF YOU WANT TO REPLY TO THIS COMMENT…NOTHING IMMATURE PLEASE.
Well, most car companies are guilty of importing/rebadging something in their line-up at some point. It’s just that at the moment, Ford’s small cars are engineered or sourced from Europe while Holden has jumped to Korea.
Daewoo may improve dramatically in time as Hyundai have. We’ll see.
Yeah!, I agree Watto_Cobra.
And the only sourced daewoo car i like is the captiva.
Slick Says:
July 4th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
I’m just so happy as a holden man to see the Falcon finally looks like they got a cluster trip computer finally that will rival holdens, It’s been along time coming, Us holden owners have had years of fun with them dash trips, Now finally Ford has gave the Ford owners something to play around with and maybe give them a digital speedo which is very helpful for not getting booked
THIS GUY SLICK MUSGT HAVE COME DOWN IN THE LAST SHOWER. HOLDEN HAS NEVER HAD A TRIP COMPUTER WORTH TRUSTING. IT’LL GO FROM HALF FULL TO EMTY KM’S IN FIVE MINUTES EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS NOT MOVING. OH YEAH FORD HAVE USED DIGITAL CLUSTERS A LONG TIME BEFORE HOLDEN EVEN KNEW HOW TO SPELL IT’S NAME CORRECTLY I THINK FIRST WAS THE THE XF FALCON WHICH HAS A CLASSIER INTERIOR THAN THE VE CAPRICE LOL. GREAT CALL ABOUT FALCON NOT LOOKING THE SAME AS BA CAUSE THEY SOLD THAT LOOK TO HOLDEN LOL. FORD COULD’VE AT LEAST GIVEN HOLDEN THE DRAWING OF THE FALCON CAUSE HOLDEN JUST MADE IT LOOK STUPID
ummm guys I own no Prius LOL
Lexus GS and BMW E46
Why would I want to go back to the ‘good’ old clapped out falcon & commodore days….? LOL
I still say the ‘new’ falcon will be a lemon in the sales department, yer it will go hard for afew months max then holden will release ve mk2 and will pretty much sin falcon for good. Come back and re-read this prediction next year.
I dont think i will look that much different anyway, well apart from a headlight, and rear door upgrade.
pretty much sin falcon for good….
should read:
pretty much sink falcon for good
missed the k, ok LOL
Sales don’t have anything to do with success of a particular model Pete, Holden won it’s only real award called Holden Wheels Magazine car of the year and no real other recognizable accolade, the new Ford will be for the enthusiast’s, not people who continuously bag it that is why I’m so defensive and putting Holden Daewoo down, cause they need genuine basher’s like us, I know the Ford will be tops :-) and will win the important car industry awards leaving VE bottom of the barrel once again….
“Sales don’t have anything to do with success of a particular model”
LOL what awards pay the bills and keep jobs then? LOL
Funnest thing I’ve heard for a long time!
Pete If you hate Ford, why don’t you take a hike back to Holdenwoo forums and do your self a great favour by not putting your self down in an argument?
Do I make myself clear?
I’m glad I could be of a entertaining service Pete, but those are the facts written in black and white, what made me laugh is your statement: I still say the ‘new’ falcon will be a lemon in the sales department, yer it will go hard for afew months max then holden will release ve mk2 and will pretty much sin(k) falcon for good. Come back and re-read this prediction next year…
ARE YOU FOR REAL PETE, HAVE A GOOD LOOK AT THE WORDS YOU TYPED IN THAT PARAGRAPH, THIS HAS TO THE MOST NAIVE THINKING I’VE ENCOUNTED FOR A LONG TIME…………..
What are you basing your judgement on Pete??
Ford Falcons have allways been better than Commodores in the past and it took Holdenwoo more than 5 years & 1 billion dollars to just get their nose in front, yet there are still key areas where the aging Falcon is still better than the Billion dollar lemon flop with 4 recalls already.
Hey greg, my last two comments were your style wernt they? :)