I can not agree with you in 100% regarding some thoughts, but you got good point of view…

Ford’s inline 6 outclasses Holden’s Alloytec V6. Yes Holden’s pushrod V8 definitely have it over Fords high-tech quad cam 4v/cylinder 5.4 (Funny how the older type is better in both cases???)

I think Ford Oz and FPV have done all they can with what they had (only way forward is super-charge it or import a new one), whereas Holden just imports a great engine from GM/Chev. Well the Oz car market is small compared to the rest of the world (ie. smaller R&D budgets), so if importing engines works better, so be it. Must be why Ford are planning to get the 5 liter (N/A and Super-Charged) from Jaguars XKF. Can only be a good thing to me.

Ford Oz have done a stellar job with the 6 (in one form or another for 30 years). The F6 Typhoon is something special, as are the SS and HSV V8′s. I can see good and bad in both cars.

The VE is a quantum leap over VT,VX,VY,VZ but it has only just leapfrogged AU,BA,BF in dynamics. All reviews I’ve read gave VE the tick but showed surprise in how close the BFII was to it.

Orion may be a major leap, maybe not, but I’m looking forward to seeing how they shape up to each other. We win from the competition, our great cars keep getting better. I’m liking how the Orion is coming along so far and will likely end up with a Typhoon next year.

I like the look of the VE ute except for the taillights and flares. I think the flares looked too big on the whole range except HSVs that really filled them with big rims.

If I was in the market for a ute, it’d be a mid range model Ford (perhaps RTV), and I’m not saying that because of the badge, but for the leaf springs. There’s no way I’d buy an FPV or HSV ute. Ute’s are supposed to be a work hack, so a flash one seems utterly pointless to me. A performance or sporty car should be a sedan IMO.