Ford Exec's refuse to confirm Falcon production right through to Oct 2016

[DanielXR8]

There could be another reason for a NA Falcon. Given we are hearing the next Mustang is a normally aspirated engine. If the supercharged Falcons continued right up to Mustang, then we could have had a situation where the local media are saying we get a Mustang, but one less powerful then Falcon. If Mustang comes earlier, then we have a situation where a more powerful Falcon sits next to Mustang in the showroom.

Wouldn't have looked good for Mustangs launch either way.

[GT014]

Originally Posted by Perko

Thanks for the heads up. But also look beyond this and take a look at other facts.

Ford are running to a budget that may mean that the GT will not be done because of new spoilers, specific interior etc. This does NOT rule out a XR8 Sprint type of vehicle with the 335 motor, Brembo's etc to take on the SS-V. In a way it may be a good thing because Ford would be hammered if they put out a half-arsed GT as a final farewell.

As far as the plant is concerned, if it closes down at the end of 2014 (though no date stated), then this does give plenty of time to stockpile motors for anticipated sales. The plant runs at full capacity and not when models are sold. This improves efficiencies, lowers costs, and also gives Ford a definitive number that it can sell for the V8's.

I just can't see then bringing in a crate motor and redoing the required work when the budget is not huge. Use the current motors and transmissions as they are proven. So for me its 315 for the XR8 and 335 for XR8 Sprint model. If no new spoilers are being made then Theo's call on the GT would be spot on.

Theo said at the end of this year, so if true, not really enough time to stockpile for 3yrs worth of engines.

I just wish ford would confirm FPV's future.

My honest opinion is there will be no FH falcon. Ford are starting to be come less uncertain with the latest reply in relation to committing to 2016 as "that's the plan". Couple this with it being a year away, the new Mondeo arriving at the same time as alledged new Falcon & sales dropping every month, I bet ford are hoping it continues to drop so they can say 'we tried' and look like the good guy.

I put money on it.

[Guzz226]

If that is the decision, at least make it public so everyone that wants to buy a new example of the last GT can do so between now and the end of the year.

Ford are you listening?

[Rodge]

My Ride: sold the boss 5.4, now on the hunt for some SC fun

Better not dither with your hunt for a SC FPV.

When we look back on this traumatic period of change in ten years time there will be those lucky few who can say to their kids / grandkids with pride I snapped up the last of the Australian made goodness and here it is all polished up and looking a million dollars in my garage

[kypez]

Can't someone just give us a clue?! I have saved enough for one last GT! I don't want to miss out! The new falcon looks very tempting over the FG, but not if there is no GT!

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Screw Caradvice, at least Drivel actually bothered to ask the right questions about it instead of twisting someone's words.

http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/f...814-2rv7d.html

/thread

I agree... why is this thread still going. Perhaps the mods will clean all the Falcon threads up soon.

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

There could be another reason for a NA Falcon. Given we are hearing the next Mustang is a normally aspirated engine. If the supercharged Falcons continued right up to Mustang, then we could have had a situation where the local media are saying we get a Mustang, but one less powerful then Falcon. If Mustang comes earlier, then we have a situation where a more powerful Falcon sits next to Mustang in the showroom.

Wouldn't have looked good for Mustangs launch either way.

I don't think next gen Mustang would've had any problem being more than 335kw with a NA V8.

[kypez]

Do you think they might make a one off GT special like the EB and EL if they don't do a full production run?

Edit: so they can make a 50th anniversary special

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by Buntz

I agree... why is this thread still going. Perhaps the mods will clean all the Falcon threads up soon.

Drivel is hardly the last word in credibility, never has been and probably never will be and all that's reported by them is what was officially said. i.e. The official coporate "damage control" P.R.

If you actually took the time to bother to read the full article in the link to the thread I posted in my original post a lot of what was reported in that article was what was said by Ford exec's in question time after the offical corporate spin doctoring session was finished.

This thread stands on its own merits, has a poll and is attracting a lot of good debate and some interesting information. As the Op I'm more than happy to see it continue.

Its not really that hard, if you don't like the subject matter in the thread title don't open the thread...

[bigwil]

Ford just finding new ways of disappointing me this year.

[fte50]

Take our s/c GT to the USA and see how many folks would choose a Stang over our GT.
Not many.

We make the better car, and as a result I don't think Ford would want them sharing showroom space together, giving perspective customers the opportunity to compare the 2side by side, highlighting the replacements downfalls. Just my opinion.

[PHawk]

The Boss 302 is 444 HP now, it may trickle down to lesser stangs in the future

[Rodge]

^^ Still well short of what the SC Coyote is making and then there's all the extra torque across the rev range from the blower.

A Ford XR8 with that motor won't interest me but I can see it doing okay against the SS Commodore....but against a FH 310 Kw XR6T....

If the FH gets here, (I think it will arrive as there's too much egg on face if its doesn't and Govt funding contributions / obligations to satisfy), I reckon as soon as the initial rush of orders is filled they'll pull the pin sometime in 2015...

[PHawk]

True, but hearing the 5.0 scream to 7 1/2 would be pure aural pleasure!!

[mcnews]

I agree. A manual high revving N/A motor would always be my preference. Especially in a lighter body!

[EASYBOSS]

Originally Posted by Theo@BluePower

We got the word today from Ford that the GT is finished at the end of the year and there will be no GT in 2014.

The V8 engine plant that was just installed in at the production plant
is to be disassembled as well.

So the 2014 XR8 that's coming sounds like it will be engine brought in from US like the 3V was.. So it might be N/A.

Crap, there goes any chance of me owing a brand new Falcon GT, oh well, the dogs will easy fit in the back seats of a Mustang. Got to look at the bright side of things.

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by Rodge

I'm entitled to my opinion and to vent a bit of frustration

Fair enough.

[R-Design]

There'll definitely be a V8 as they showed the 2014 model with a bonnet bludge and XR headlights. Maybe the NA V8 development was part of the initial $40m Miami/Coyote R&D cost.

We're in free fall now, I wouldn't expect any good Falcon stories going forward. They did the same thing in the states with the Crown Victoria. Minimal development for years and then crying about a lack of interest from the public as sales dropped off.

[GTP534]

I voted "Yes".

I wouldn't go so far as to say "Impressive" but I'm happy they did it to give information on the future lineup.

Could they have given more information on the future of FPV and the GT? Undoubtedly yes, but they are still probably undecided and better to say nothing at this function which was to have positive spin about what's coming.

[rdmr]

Originally Posted by Theo@BluePower

We got the word today from Ford that the GT is finished at the end of the year and there will be no GT in 2014.

The V8 engine plant that was just installed in at the production plant
is to be disassembled as well.

So the 2014 XR8 that's coming sounds like it will be engine brought in from US like the 3V was.. So it might be N/A.

Sounds like bull to me.
I've got a pretty good view from where I'm standing.

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by GTP534

I voted "Yes".

I wouldn't go so far as to say "Impressive" but I'm happy they did it to give information on the future lineup.

Could they have given more information on the future of FPV and the GT? Undoubtedly yes, but they are still probably undecided and better to say nothing at this function which was to have positive spin about what's coming.

I think you're probably right, they can't get approval for another FPV from Ford, YET ?

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by Guzz226

If that is the decision, at least make it public so everyone that wants to buy a new example of the last GT can do so between now and the end of the year.

Ford are you listening?

Ford PR hacks are listening, well at least reading, but don't engage in anything on here unless told to do some damage control.

Really they all deserve a new Commodore from Holden as a thanks for their lack of effort over the years.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by rdmr

Sounds like bull to me.
I've got a pretty good view from where I'm standing.

V8 continues as long as Falcon does, and it's super charged !

A 335 XR8 sounds Ok to me.

[XWGT]

Make it something like this. Please

http://youtu.be/fxlsC1b0qQc

[Windsor220]

N/A V8 makes no sense. If the engine plant is closing it will be stockpiled supercharged units or nothing.

[Theo@BluePower]

Originally Posted by rdmr

Sounds like bull to me.
I've got a pretty good view from where I'm standing.

I hope your right, this is one issue we are begging to be proved wrong on.

[Bossxr8]

It would cost a lot more money to get an NA motor R&D'd and emission compliant, whereas they do not have to touch the current engine, it can carry over.

I heard the rumours of a crate engine a month or so ago but they were denied, and current talk seems to be staying with the SC engine. I guess we will find out soon enough.

[jpd80]

^^^^^^ Listen to him...

[janddbone]

Why would they confirm production until the Oct 2016, when they did that at the press conference beforehand, it got its own time... This thread is pointless.