Ford's Aussie Six Faces New Challenge

[f-wolf]

New emission standards could knock out local Ford six-cylinder engine

11 January 2010

By JAMES STANFORD in Detroit

FORD Australia says engineering its locally produced in-line six engine to meet upcoming Euro 5 emission standards will be “difficult”.

Ford Falcon - Ford's Aussie six faces new challenge | GoAuto

[cobramad]

I hope Ford Oz make it happen, like most things it will eventually come down to a compelling business case. Ecoboost sounds very promising, 6cyl performance and 4cyl economy, as long as they keep their engineering integrity. Nissan did the same thing, mind you it was a little different, when they fitted the Renault sourced ZZD-30 4cyl high-boost diesel into their Patrol... Its just that the hig boost levels needed to shift 2.3tonnes of Patrol often brought about engine failure, something that was much less likely in the old 6cyl guise. What Im trying to say is that a small motor, squeezed hard for acceptable levels of performance in a large and heavy vehicle, may have trade-offs in service life.

Years ago, Expensive Daewoo introduced the mighty Starfire 4, basically a Expensive Daewoo 6cyl motor with a couple of cylinders lopped off, for use in its Torana and Commodores.. All the buyer ended up with was a gutless and thirsty engine, with greatly reduced performance and consumption that would exceed that of its 6cyl big brother when driven ths same way. Even when you tried to drive for economy, they would be beaten by a frugally driven 6cyl..!

Im in no way saying that Ecoboost is even remotely in the same engineering league, the game has changed totally from an engineering standpoint. Im just hoping that Ford maintain the reliability of these engines, not just til the warranty runs out, as Im sure many of us cant afford to change vehicles every 3 or so years.. For me, engineering integrity and reliability are hugely important. What do you reckon..??

Mal K

r

[NB4C]

The concept of the Falcon is Ford US's best weapon to compete with the Mercedes E class, BMW 5 series and Cadillac. Something the Taurus's front biased AWD system will never be. I think the Falcon will live on in one form or another.

Edited 11/01/10 01:39 PM by NB4C

[Rhino1980]

Surely it aint that f*ckin hard to produce an alloy block and convert to direct injection?

[Dagabond]

The concept of the Falcon is Ford US's best weapon to compete with the Mercedes E class, BMW 5 series and Cadillac.

What...

[f-wolf]

First drive: Ford Falcon's future V6?

January 11, 2010

Behind the wheel of the Ford Taurus SHO that could share its twin-turbo V6 and all-wheel-drive underpinnings with future versions of the Falcon.

Ford Falcon | Ford Taurus | Detroit Motor Show

[CSP]

The big step in emissions was from Euro 3 to 4. % is not a drastic jump at all and Ford AUS have no issue's meeting E5.

Going D.I is not an easy way out as it means added complexity and cost because they then have to comply to particulate matter emissions due to increased NOx emissions.

[cobramad]

I would expect that DI will become the next standard for being able to meet and exceed new emissions targets.. Perhaps a particulate exhaust filter, like many Euro diesels have been using for years?

I reckon we have probably seen the last of the wholly Australian designed and build Falcons, expect an imported vehicle come new model time. The total volume of sales in Aust is so small when viewed from a global perspective, it simply makes no fiscal sense to develop a vehicle just for one market. Ford missed the opportunity when FG was engineered only in RHD form.. Holdens have beed designed and built in both LHD and RHD form for years, giving them both an export market and revenue. Now that Focus manufacturing has been allocated to Thailand, I sadly believe it will only be a matter of time. Its not the product, as the Falcon is good enough to be competitive both in ability and cost. I just hope Im cashed up enough to buy the last model F6 when the time comes.

Mal K

[tab]

Ford Australia's biggest problem is Ford USA. They can make money as a standalone entity, and the only thing preventing them from exporting the falcon in LHD is that it would cut in to Ford USA's sales....so they simply are not allowed.

GM on the other hand have Expensive Daewoo cop cars roaming the streets of the US

[CSP]

Without Ford US, Ford AUS wouldn't be able to operate! Ford US fund a rolling credit to Ford AUS.

Besides, Falcon and Mustang will be sharing (and I believe another model(s)) come 2016.