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The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk |
View Poll Results: Should Ford give the Falcon I4T another name or appearance? | |||
Nope, I like having a 4Cyl Falcon |
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73 | 55.30% |
Change the name but let them look the same |
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22 | 16.67% |
Change the name and the look - and the market segment too? |
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37 | 28.03% |
Voters: 132. You may not vote on this poll |
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#1 | ||
Lukeyson
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Maitland, NSW
Posts: 2,580
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Think of it this way:
(1) Ford could have jacked up a Falcon Wagon, whacked 4WD under it and tried to sell it. History shows that the Territory, because it was sufficiently different, sold way better than the equivalent jacked-up-Holden-Commodore-Wagon. (2) Toyota had been trying to sell a car known to be a small/mid 4 Cylinder car with a V6 in it for quite some time without much success. When they split the same car in two - Camry vs Aurion (I'll conveniently side-step the Avalon) - it confused the average punter into thinking they were different cars and received a much greater reception from buyers. So when Ford bolt a I4T into the Falcon, should the car have a different name or look different? Lukeyson
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If the human brain was simple enough to understand, we'd be too simple to understand it. |
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#2 | ||
Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,940
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It will still cannibalise Falcon sales, but a new nameplate may also lure in new buyers, just like the Falcon-Territory relationship. They'd have to really convince people that they are different cars, or else people will just see it as a 4cyl Falcon with a fancy name. The majority of people I've spoken to don't have a clue that Aurion is based on Camry and this is what Ford would need to achieve. But, Ford being Ford, the most they'd do is dress it in pretty badges and call it a day.
Then again if they market it under a different name, Ford can't boast about Falcon's fuel economy like Holden will be doing with Commodore. People might also see it as a 'lesser' Falcon. |
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#3 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: May 2005
Location: gladstone
Posts: 1,112
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Quote:
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Ambrose driving in Nascar and joining RPM Murphy somewhere in the V8'S. XR6 Turbo.Championship winner. Last edited by KW XRT; 04-08-2009 at 07:57 PM. |
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#4 | ||
Virtuous Bogan (TM)
![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TAS
Posts: 27,497
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Nothing should be different other than a little econoboost (whatever its called) badge.
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#5 | |||
Render unto Caesar
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: ::1
Posts: 4,219
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Quote:
It is still a Falcon, they don't want to confuse the buying public any further. Having a 4 cylinder is already info overload most.
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"Aliens might be surprised to learn that in a cosmos with limitless starlight, humans kill for energy sources buried in sand." - Neil deGrasse Tyson |
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#6 | ||
Pity the fool
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wait Awhile
Posts: 8,997
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If you give it different looks/name, then what is the point of having the Mondeo?
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#7 | |||
Virtuous Bogan (TM)
![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TAS
Posts: 27,497
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Quote:
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#8 | |||
Lukeyson
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Maitland, NSW
Posts: 2,580
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Quote:
Or, better still, could they stop importing the Mondeo, and sell the 4Cyl Falcon as a Mondeo? It's not the first time we've seen a badge change cars. The Barina name moved from a Suzuki to an Opel in the Holden range. Why not move the Mondeo name, sell more locally built cars, and save the cost of importing? Lukeyson
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If the human brain was simple enough to understand, we'd be too simple to understand it. |
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#9 | |||
Pity the fool
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wait Awhile
Posts: 8,997
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Quote:
Not to mention the fact that FoA has access to all the ULEV powertrain options that the european version has, both current and planned. Why cut yourself off from that massive R&D source and access to green powertrains all for a 4 cylinder Falcon in a tiny market? |
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#10 | ||
Flairs - Truckers Delight
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Brisbane Northside Likes: Opposite Lock
Posts: 5,731
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I don't like either of the options.
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Current: Silhouette Black 2007 SY Ford Territory TX RWD 7-seater "Black Banger"
2006-2016: Regency Red 2000 AUII Ford Falcon Forte Automatic Sedan Tickford LPG "Millennium Falcon" |
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#11 | ||
Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,940
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*ecoboost. I prefer the first name ("Twinforce") before they axed in it favour of an enviro name.
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#12 | ||
Lukeyson
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Maitland, NSW
Posts: 2,580
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How about other reasons:
(1) By putting the I4T into a different market segment, this '4Cyl Falcon' gets to compete in more than one segment in Car of the Year comparisons. I mean, how can the Camry compete in Mid-size and Aurion in Large car when they have the same dimensions but different engines? The Honda Accord/Accord Euro is similar. Based on this, you'd have thought the V8 Falcons/Commodres would be in their own category too. (2) I've already heard gloating comments from Holden fans regarding a 4-Pot Falcon. This probably comes from their attrocious 4-cyl experience in the VB Commodore. But if this new car is not called a Falcon, would that go some way to hosing off the voracity of their claim? Lukeyson
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If the human brain was simple enough to understand, we'd be too simple to understand it. |
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#13 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 12,077
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Quote:
I have a N/A 3.5 litre V6 that in last years PCOTY matched a 6.2 litre GTS around wakefield even though the 3.5 was brand new and tighter than a LPG zealot. Size only matters when you don't know how to use it..... ![]() |
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#14 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 510
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Quote:
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Daily: AU1 Fairmont Ghia - 380,000 km (still going strong)
Weekender: 2009 G6ETurbo - 21,656 km - Seduce/Cashmere (The only shopping list I need: 4 Litres and a hairdryer) Daily: SZII - 56,000 km - converted to Tezza |
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#15 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Salamander Bay
Posts: 5,427
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althougf I had reservations about the 4 at first this looks like being a 4 with more. it will have similar power to the late e series 6 so it will be no slouch.
the holden 4 banger on the other hand was just a 6 with 2 pots cut off , it was harsh and gutless needing special engine mounts to cope with the vibration and is something I'm sure holden wish they could forget ever happened, worst thing an engineer could put on their CV is worked on development of the holden starfire 4 Quote:
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Everyone starts off with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the experience bag before the luck bag is empty. "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." Start a new career as a bus driver Rides: FG2 XR6 stock at this stage but a very nice ride xc 4 DOOR X CHASER 5.8 UNDER RESTO |
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#16 | ||
Pity the fool
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wait Awhile
Posts: 8,997
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Screw what Holden and their followers think about the turbo 4 - obviously they're not the target market and would never buy a Ford anyway.
You could give the car different front and rear bumpers and headlights to give it a different look, a-la Aurion, and call it something like the Taurus (hurrr hurrr) but it still doesn't solve the problem of how it would sit with Mondeo in the lineup. |
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#17 | ||
Virtuous Bogan (TM)
![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TAS
Posts: 27,497
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Well this is probably way off topic now, but the next falcon should run a business case just like the C class benz and 5 series.
What body style would you like? Wagon, sedan, ute? What engine? I4T, I6, I6T, I6-LPG, I6 Diesel What transmission? Manual or auto on all models From there you just choose what level spec (low, mid, high) and your done. This model would only work if the Falcon (or whatever GWRD) was to be exported properly. No reason other than nervous Americans that should stop it from happening IMO.
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#18 | ||
Lukeyson
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Maitland, NSW
Posts: 2,580
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Sure, but isn't the same I4 engine destined to go into the Mondeo and Focus anyway?
On the other side of the argument, why ship a car halfway across the globe when you can build something almost identical locally? Lukeyson
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If the human brain was simple enough to understand, we'd be too simple to understand it. |
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#19 | |||
IWCMOGTVM Club Supporter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern Suburbs Melbourne
Posts: 17,797
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Quote:
I thought it was a 1.6L going in there.
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Daniel |
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#20 | |||
Pity the fool
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wait Awhile
Posts: 8,997
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Quote:
So there is going to be an even greater economy of scale with the C/D car that the I4T Falcon is going to be competing with. See where I'm going with this? |
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#21 | |||
Flairs - Truckers Delight
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Brisbane Northside Likes: Opposite Lock
Posts: 5,731
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Quote:
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Current: Silhouette Black 2007 SY Ford Territory TX RWD 7-seater "Black Banger"
2006-2016: Regency Red 2000 AUII Ford Falcon Forte Automatic Sedan Tickford LPG "Millennium Falcon" |
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#22 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Outer-Inner-Northern Melbourne
Posts: 243
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Why not a Falcon hatch? Either build it in a wagonoid shape (like Corolla/Commodore SportsWagon) or in a liftback shape, (like Mondeo/Mazda6) and undercut the price slightly.
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#23 | |||
Pity the fool
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wait Awhile
Posts: 8,997
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Quote:
Nowhere near enough sales volumes there to justify the R&D, tooling and other costs to bring such a car to the market. It's barely there as it is for the wagon which will probably go bye bye next year anyway. |
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#24 | ||
BF MKII XR6
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 678
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hey can i ask a question..will it just be an I4T? or will they have a non turbo, V6, V8 variant too (surely they will) ?
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#25 | |||
IWCMOGTVM Club Supporter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern Suburbs Melbourne
Posts: 17,797
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Quote:
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Daniel |
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#26 | |||
BF MKII XR6
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 678
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#27 | ||
Formerly All Wheel Drive
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Gold Coast, QLD
Posts: 312
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They could always call it the 'Falconet'? A smaller Falcon is normally known as a Kestrel but that wouldn't work. :P
I'm surprised that no one has released a car in this country with the name 'Southern Cross'. It's not as silly as it sounds. Look at the odd names Holden uses for their vehicles. They replaced the Rodeo name with 'Colorado'. YUK. I don't know why they didn't use a name like 'Nullabor'. They used it years ago when it was a special edition Jackaroo. I don't see the harm in using the Falcon name with the 4T, 6 and V8 engines. It used to be done years ago with Ford and Holden. At least offering the 3 different engine types, it gives people a choice and it's still a Falcon! But most probably it would it be known as the 'Falcon EcoBoost'. P.S. They could always pay homage to the old Forte name and use it like 'FOUR-T' as a name for their I4T? Apologies for that lame attempt at humour. :P
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2015 MD Ford Mondeo Trend TDCi wagon in Ruby Red. |
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#28 | ||
Ford Fanatic
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 1,480
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I don't think they need to change the name at all. An example that has done quite well for itself over the years is The Escape, Available in a 3lt V6 or a 2.4Lt 4 cyl, both have done quite well and did not create confusion.
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Everyone is entitled to my Opinion ![]() 2007 Territory TX SY RWD Ego |
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#29 | ||
EF Ghia
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Gidgegannup WA
Posts: 154
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It should look different,
we don't want anyone getting them confused with a real falcon |
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#30 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,138
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Turbo four banger would fit just fine under the current Falcon/G-series/XR umbrella- and have a halo effect on the entire range ( especially an econetic variant). There would be no other way to get rear wheel drive power and four cylinders in a passenger sedan for the money.,
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