Liquid Petroleum Hypothetical

[flappist]

Extrapolating from the LPG XR6 announcement.

FPV have finished developing a LPG version of the BOSS engine. It works very well, in fact a bit too well and they are now face with a marketing problem.

The LPG BOSS is a 300kw engine which means that if it is deployed into the XR8 will possibly upset the 290kw petrol buyers. It also is only available with an automatic transmission. Increasing or decreasing the power is not an option for various "secret" engineering reasons.

Maybe it could be deployed into the GT but possibly there may be push back over "heritage" etc issues.

Another idea would be to create a new FPV model with a different name although historically any FPV/Tickford V8 with the letters G and T has been a sales flop.

So FPV marketing decided to run a poll on a famous internet forum to see what some of the public thought.

Where should the 300kw LPG V8 falcon be positioned and what should it be called and more importantly would you buy it?

P.S. There will never be a G6/Wagon/Territory/ute version of it.

[sgt_doofey]

People will probably still have the same sterotypes where it'll use more fuel and be less efficient, blah, blah, blah, so they'll stick with the petrol version.

[bdave351]

I love gas in all its forms..........

But the secret engineering reasons that mean it cant be over 300 worry me. After all I want a BBQ that really cooks.

[JPFS1]

I would have no issue with something like this.

An injected gas only system would prove to be a better performer in any case.

What's it matter what is pumped down the pipe? As long as the performance is there (which it would be), all is good.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by sgt_doofey

People will probably still have the same sterotypes where it'll use more fuel and be less efficient, blah, blah, blah, so they'll stick with the petrol version.

Well yes, right up until, should the XR8 option win, Wheels/Motor do a comparo and the LPG is quicker than the petrol.
FPV have already done internal tests that show this is the case.

This is why there is a marketing quandary.

[Fev]

damn no wagon? that would be great!

If they were to bring this out they would need to pull up the numbers on the rest of the range.

Bring the F6 up to 330kw's. The Boss up to 325-335kw and give it an optional supercharged model - or bring out the GT-HO version as the supercharged model.

that would make everyone happy i think..

well either that or just keep the 300kw lpg engine as an option.

Either that or just market the hell out of it.
"Like Taxi's?? How about V8 taxi's with 300kw's? but wait theres more! It's LPG!"

... or not.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by bdave351

I love gas in all its forms..........

But the secret engineering reasons that mean it cant be over 300 worry me. After all I want a BBQ that really cooks.

Secret engineering means that it will not comply with some silly ADR/Euro rule, you can do what you like to it after you buy it.

Ford/FPV can only sell and endorse vehicles that comply with all the rules.

In answer to some of the above. No other changes will be made to any other model and no new models introduced.

[Iggypoppin']

Go the xr8 with 300kw motor. That'd be ok. Perhaps leave the gt etc for fuel guzzling fun lovers, xr8 for the masses.

[sgt_doofey]

Originally Posted by flappist

Well yes, right up until, should the XR8 option win, Wheels/Motor do a comparo and the LPG is quicker than the petrol.
FPV have already done internal tests that show this is the case.

This is why there is a marketing quandary.

Nah, Today Tonight will do another "special" that shows a poorly maintained dual fuel taxi on fire from file footage taken back in the dim dark ages and reinforce the LGP is dangerous stereotype.

[Auslandau]

Market it as an XR8 290 and understate what the actual factory figures are ....... ie: F6



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[Mr Brooksy]

Put it out as the XR8LP.

It tells everyone what it is (as long as they can keep up to it). And like auslandau said, sell it to the masses. No one wants the V8 to become a thing of the past, so sell it to as many people as can afford it. We want to keep a big Ford V8, so make it appealing to "joe blogs".

[flappist]

Originally Posted by auslandau

Market it as an XR8 290 and understate what the actual factory figures are ....... ie: F6

Yes but what happens after the "magazine tests"?

Will there be negative spin against the petrol version and XR8 itself.

"XR8, even slower than a taxi" would not be a good marketing slogan I suspect.

[4Vman]

XR8: there will be less push back/better acceptance due to the more "practical" nature of the market that the XR8's aimed at.

[Powdered Toast Man]

Wouldn't happen anyway. If the LPG boss did end up being more powerful than the petrol equivalent then they would knobble it somehow at the factory so that it was the same as the petrol version on paper. Or just do what auslandau said, isnt that what happens now anyway? The magazines will always put they're own spin on it no matter what.

But assuming it does then who cares, it's only a few kilowatts (IMO). Just market it as the LPG version of the XR8 which when optioned only comes as an auto. Wouldn't be the first time gearbox choice has been limited to auto only either.

[Homes]

even if the LPG V8 has less power than it's petrol brother, it is still gonna have more power than a petrol 6...and be cheaper to run - makes sense to me. Don't let the V8 become a relic

[Road_Warrior]

Option on a GT/GT-P/GT-E, power/heritage are not a real issue in 2009

This.

I mean, who cares what sort of fuel it uses? As long as it doesnt cost the GDP of Lower Kebabistan to run and has the same or similar performance, what's the issue?

[GasoLane]

Y'know there are times that I think that Flappist's real name is Geoffrey Robertson QC :

[Bundy]

You know I was thinking that the other night too, but when GR had his Hypotheticals on the ABC he was far better looking

[Mr Hardware]

oh boy oh boy oh boy
i love flappist hypothetical threads

i say LPG for all and stuff all the haters, let them cry at the bowser. LPG is a superior fuel and also happens to be cheaper too.

[vanman_75]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

oh boy oh boy oh boy
i love flappist hypothetical threads

i say LPG for all and stuff all the haters, let them cry at the bowser. LPG is a superior fuel and also happens to be cheaper too.

yay we dont even have gas for 200 k yay :togo:

[snappy]

I think there only option would be to bump up the kw's on the gt .

Performance on a budet should be aimed people with less cash or less willing to spend it on a car . I would be annoyed if only the wealthy could have cheaper running costs .

[mik]

300 kw for 49 cpl .....yes please.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by bundy

You know I was thinking that the other night too, but when GR had his Hypotheticals on the ABC he was far better looking

AND he can walk backwards while waving his arms..........

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by flappist

Yes but what happens after the "magazine tests"?

Will there be negative spin against the petrol version and XR8 itself.

"XR8, even slower than a taxi" would not be a good marketing slogan I suspect.

It would be the same as a 310 vs 315 tests where the 310 seems to be slightly ahead in the quickie stakes .... but nothing will be produced thats quicker than a GT ........ on paper!

Any negative spin against the petrol equivilent will only benefit the LPG version. Those that dont like gas would still buy the petrol version no matter what was reported.



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[stupa]

if there is no ute version why bother with it in the first place?

[snappy]

Originally Posted by stupa

if there is no ute version why bother with it in the first place?

I never noticed the no ute version . How un-australian is that .
No to mention not to smart seeing its 1/3 rd of the market it not just taxi's that would benefit. I love my work ute but running it can eat it to your earnings . If there was a ute version i would want one.

[AWD Chaser]

Turn the XR8 into an LPG V8 only model.

If they want a petrol version, save up and get the FPV:

XR8 LPG: 300kw
F6: 310kw
GT: 315kw

[SM1DY]

I didn't vote because I couldn't find an option I really liked.

Personally, I don't think FPV need a new model, nor do FPV need a LPG option considering that when you buy a performance car, fuel consumption is one of the last things you consider [Good fuel usage does help though]. If there were to be a LPG XR8 they'd have to dump the petrol model if the LPG performed better, because last thing you'd want is to cannabilize sales.

All-in-all it sounds like an attractive idea, but it needs some real thorough thought to appeal to the ignorant masses.

[gtfpv]

i havent voted .
FPV would lose sales if XR8 LPG 300 CAME OUT . and no one would buy the GT/GTP LPG 300..
HOWEVER YOUR KNOWLEDGE falls a little short . because lpg would increase power moreso on the BOSS 315 than it would on the boss 290 due to the 315 CAMS and higher compression . you'd be looking at over 325 kw's if what you say relates to the 290 upped to 300+.
if there is any restriction law regarding lpg having no more than 300kw's than i dont know about it .
also i dont think you are getting inside info . and your thread is ONLY HYPOTHETICAL !

[scradley_6666]

Originally Posted by Kia Chaser

Turn the XR8 into an LPG V8 only model.

If they want a petrol version, save up and get the FPV:

XR8 LPG: 300kw
F6: 310kw
GT: 315kw

I completely agree with you... XR8 LPG V8 ZF Auto only...
This would fit perfectly into the range... Seeing though the current XR6T is the fastest ford atm, i would think that putting the XR8 both faster than the XR6T and probably the VE SS, and making it cheaper to run could only be a positive for Ford Aus. The boss would still live on and my pop and dad cant have a go at me for buy a petrol guzzler. I'm a V8 Boss fan all the way and my car proves that, but atm, the FG XR8 is always last in road tests, last in performance tests, and always bagged out to its younger brother the XR6T and unfortunatly, the VE SS. And to be honest ive had enough of it.... Making a 300KW gas version works for me. And then the mods begin... As far as FPV GT's there still going to be 315KW. Maybe FPV should buy some BPR CAI and add a few RWKW's, maybe then the GTS will be reeled in that bit closer... just my 2c anyways... Cheers