Our desire for Australia's Fords and Holdens continues unabated, and the Courier and Mail has managed to snag shots of the new Falcon in the buff, further stoking our flame. While American sedans went all mamby-pamby (what could be more milquetoast than our family sedans?), Australia's cars have retained and distilled a certain kick of style and fun. The 2008 Falcon isn't set to arrive for a few more months, and Ford has staked $500 million on the new revision of the platform. The new look is instant badass. We love the blacked out portions under the headlamps -- it's as if this car's spent time in KISS. The greenhouse has a euro-flair to it, especially the kick at the base of the C pillar. The shape is muscular in the same way the Commodore VE is - not that there's anything wrong with that. Underneath this Australian institution, the suspension system retains its baked-in goodness from the outgoing BF Falcon, and the six- and eight -cylinder engines also carry over. We're sure the V8 versions will have a basso-profundo rumble capable of putting Peter Criss to shame. Ford could do well with this car in the US; at least it would raise eyebrows in the way their current lineup can't. We're sure they're looking at it, seeing the anticipation build around the G8, née Commodore. Every internet blowhard will make statements like "Yes! bring it over! I'll buy one!", while in reality, the sales could disappoint once the initial novelty has worn off. While we enthusiasts have a thing for RWD sedans with V8s and capable chassis, Ma and Pa Camry find compromises where we find joy. The G8 is more of a niche model than if they'd turned the VE into the Malibu - and that's where we see potential for Ford in the US with the Orion. If it does stand any chance of coming here, make it the Fairlane, make the hot one the Fairlane 500, and promote the beejeezus out of it. Most importantly, make it good. Hey, Mulally did promise a convergence of global platforms, right?
Thanks for the tip, Andrew!
[Source: news.com.au]
New KITT Attack Mode revealed at Comic Con
London 2008: Honda OSM concept roadster says, "Cheerio!"
London 2008: Lotus unveils the Evora
2010 Chevy Camaro - Official Details and Images
2010 Chevy Camaro - LIVE from the reveal
First Drive: Maserati Quattroporte S in Europe
First Drive: 2008 MINI Cooper S JCW
In the Autoblog Garage:2009 Nissan GT-R
North American Exclusive First Drive: Alfa MiTo
First Drive: 2009 Kia Borrego
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
John P. @ Jul 13th 2007 9:20AM
I love that front end! If they have the quality down it'll be a winner for sure, anywhere, not just in Australia.
*hint* Ford,... Sell it here!
bmoredlj @ Jul 13th 2007 9:25AM
Aside from the front-end (like many falcons, sports eye black to reduce glare) this new design's profile is very similar to the Commodore/G8; not a bad thing. In fact, the overall design is more interesting. I'll bet cops and caddies would LOVE this machine. Bring it.
bmoredlj @ Jul 13th 2007 9:25AM
ahem...caBBies.
Doug @ Jul 13th 2007 9:33AM
Great looking car, but the blackout under the lights makes it look a bit like Brak.
http://www.adultswim.com/shows/brak/
Shipey @ Jul 13th 2007 9:49AM
"To the Brakmobile!"
("Atomic Batteries to power... turbines to speed!")
Personally, I dig it. Definitely agressive and it makes me sad we will never get something with so much attitude in the states.
Spineless!!!
Eric B @ Jul 16th 2007 12:35PM
Funny, I thought the front end looks like Johnny Depp's character in Once Upon A Time In Mexico after he got his eyes drilled out....
Hamud @ Jul 13th 2007 10:00AM
I like it, the blackout under the headlights makes it looks like Spawn, or aboriginal face painting.
Milos Radulovic @ Jul 13th 2007 10:03AM
i like it, even though the front end reminds me of some goth emo kid.
TriShield @ Jul 13th 2007 10:13AM
If it's legit it's about a million times better than the FWD milquetoast sedans with Gilette razor grilles that Ford US likes to design.
Why is there any question whether or not Ford should import this car to the US? Chrysler has already proven there's a real market for affordable RWD cars and GM is taking the Impala back to it's RWD roots based on the new Holden Commomdore. It's silly to think Ford US can't sell every Falcon Ford AU has the capacity to build here.
Brad @ Jul 13th 2007 7:50PM
Ford has bf2 modal, is from the the ba modal. Its not from the au modal. The new orion modal for 2008 will be better qualty. Chrysler is not selling well over here. Those type of cars are like bricks on wheels. Ford Australia is designing the cars far better.
supercujo @ Jul 13th 2007 10:13AM
I reckon it looks damn good.
I love the huge gaping mouth, help keep that turbo 6 nice and cool.
Although, if these were found at a tip, what are the chances these could be a discarded piece of work. If Ford wanted secrecy, they would have a policy of shredding all material related to the Orion before going out the door. I have my doubts. Ford Oz is way too conservative to be serious about the black eyes.
Nellydesign @ Jul 13th 2007 10:37AM
I think the Falcon and Commodore have always been too similar. Take the eye black off and it's...
polar @ Jul 13th 2007 10:43AM
I can't shake the looks of the current gen Mazda 6 out of my head when I look at it. They seem similar.
Atomicbri @ Jul 13th 2007 10:54AM
Ford needs something...the comment on how "while in reality, the sales could disappoint once the initial novelty has worn off. " could be true, but what does Ford have to lose? It is already sucking wind and on a downward spiral. I would take this any day over that 500/Taurus piece of crap. I know people says it drives well but it is BLANDSVILLE. Besides, Ford could have the everyday version that Camry and Accord driver's could enjoy while offering those of us who actually like to drive a full hot rod version. Plus I like the Falcon name.... more names Ford here in the US has put to pasture for things like Fusion (I really wonder if Gillette and Ford did a deal...cause the three bar razor like grill and gillette's Fusion razor... too coincidental?) and resurrected that famous rental car name of Taurus. WHo knows...I say go for it Ford!!! You need some serious spice in your otherwise dull car lineup!
Aki @ Jul 13th 2007 11:12AM
While Europe gets Iosis, Focus (real one) and Falcon, we get... Flex... Freestyle... Five Hundred... ugh.
It's not even like their idiotic strategy works, as sales keeps plummeting. Since Mulally has more than half a brain than the other dim-witted execs at Ford, hopefully this sees a stateside release. And they better be already redesigning the "Taurus."
Mark @ Jul 13th 2007 11:49AM
When the Flex concept first came out, people were clamouring that Ford should build it. Well they listened and it's being built. Maybe you're not a huge fan of it, but its one of few cases were Ford listened to its customer base. The new Taurus also looks a lot nicer in person. When I first saw it in pictures I thought it was quite hideous, but in person I gotta say its a sharp looking car. Very European looking in fact. Now the new Focus... the light is not its friend.... maybe it'll look good in the dark... I think they should redesign that thing with Europe's Kinetic Design language.
F451 @ Jul 13th 2007 11:37AM
This is the direction Ford needs to keep heading! I love the bank robber ski mask looking front end. This looks much better than the G8 that GM morphed for the American market.
SHOTT3R @ Jul 13th 2007 1:00PM
All the Aussie GM/Ford posts should be subtitled "More proof Detroit hates you, America"
calebe @ Jul 13th 2007 2:53PM
It's a good looking car.
Aetius @ Jul 13th 2007 3:06PM
Yeah it definitely looks more Mazda than Ford. And I wouldn't put the blame on Ford entirely. It's not their fault the American market loves bland vanilla. A car with bold looks like that would only sell in niche numbers.