2008 Falcon

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So I take it the sand is out now - good stuff

[our06t]

if these pics someone has done on a computer, are what the one all hidden looks like underneath I'll keep my ba thanks

it does seem ford make a good lookin car every 30 years maybe we should hang on to our b series cars they mihgt be the next classic

Edited 06/12/07 03:43 AM by our06t

[senna_T]

someones just done a really bad chop of a Mondeo front end...

[EvilDaifu]

aaaahhhh faaaarrrk hope not - oh please nooooooo

those photo chops look so pizz week conservative

[senna_T]

The problem with the chops is that they aren't in the right proportion, the mondeo has a pointy nose, where the falcon is much flatter, so it looks weird in those shots...

[Flukey]

Hey Pat, do you get to see the new one before Joe Public does?

[senna_T]

We'll probably get a look just after motor magazine does! Trust me guys, as soon as I have the info, you'll see it here!

[Barry Blue]

We all wait with anticipation!

Edited 08/12/07 07:20 PM by Barry Blue

[f-wolf]

12 December 2007

The countdown to the all-new Ford Falcon, codenamed Orion, has begun ahead of the crucial new vehicles launch in 2008

Ford will reveal engineering details of the new Falcon in February 2008, ahead of a May launch of its new model, codenamed Orion.

Wagon, ute and high performance versions of the car will follow between May and the end of June.

The new car will be 8th generation of Australias oldest surviving nameplate and arguably the most crucial in the companys history in Australia.

Ford is counting on the new Falcon to reverse its flagging fortunes in the local large car market, where it has been on a dramatic slide in recent years.

The Ford Falcon has suffered more than most as Australian buyers have turned their back on large cars in favour of four-wheel-drives and small cars.

Falcon sales in 2007 are roughly half what they were in 2004 and the car has slipped to fourth in the sales race behind the new Expensive Daewoo VE Commodore, the Toyota Corolla and the Mazda3.

Ford today revealed a series of investments it has made in preparation for the new Falcon, including:

a new $27 million research and development centre

a new $55 million stamping plant

a $29 million upgrade of its proving ground in You Yangs

plans to invest $1.8 billion in engineering and development over the next decade, as it builds a new Focus and Falcon and engineers a new pick-up for Asia.

But despite the investment, the big question many people are asking is how new will the new Falcon be when it is launched in May.

The current model has been around since 2002 and even that model shared some underpinnings with the AU Falcon, which was launched in 1998.

But insiders say the new Falcon will remain fundamentally unchanged under the sheetmetal, except for new front suspension, which has been revised with input from Fords just-retired handling guru, Richard Parry Jones.

Ford is unlikely to make major revisions to its current 4.0-litre six-cylinder engine (due to be replaced by a V6 in 2010), which is already more powerful and fuel efficient than its main competitor, the Commodore.

There will, however be improvements to output (power and torque) and minor fuel efficiency gains.

And there will be a new five-speed automatic to replace the current four-speed unit available on cheaper Falcons.

The well regarded six-speed automatic used on its top-of-the-line models is likely to stay.

The look of the new Falcon already seen through leaked photos - is expected to be the most drastic change.

Ford will adopt cues from the companys global kinetic design language. Spy photographs and leaked images indicate the new Falcon will bear a similarity to the recently released Mondeo.

The photos also indicate that Ford has re-designed the Falcons rear doors for easier access to the back seat.

Safety promises to be a big focus for the new Falcon, which has slipped behind its competitors in this regard.

Ford is rumoured to be working towards making the Falcon the first locally-built car to receive the maximum five star crash rating from independent safety auditor NCAP (New Car Assessment Program).

An electronic stability control system (ESC) was made standard equipment on all petrol Falcons recently and side and curtain airbags are expected to be fitted as standard on the new range.

Unlike Holden, Ford will not stagger the release of its Falcon derivatives after the sedan launches.

Both the Falcon wagon and ute, as well as the FPV performance versions of the car, will be launched soon after.

The complete line-up of new Falcons will be on sale before the end of June 2008

Edited 12/12/07 03:22 AM by f-wolf

[EvilDaifu]

Hey Senna,

Do you know the date in May they will launch? And will the XR6Ts be launched at the same time as the base model Falcon Orions or will they be classed as "high performance" and be launched later in June (like with the FPV vehicles)?

Thanks.