Click above for more high-res images of the FG Falcon G-Series
But is he getting one for himself? One could certainly infer that's the case based on this GoAuto article, which reports that the Ford CEO was so blown away by the Falcon G6E Turbo he sampled at an Australian test facility that he told Trevor Worthington (Ford Australia's product-development veep), "I want one." And that brings us to the question of the day: is the head of Ford really bringing over a new Falcon for himself to drive? Because while we in the peanut gallery generally agree that the Blue Oval stuff in Europe and Australia has it all over the American-market offerings (Mustang and F-Series excluded), there would be no greater acknowledgment of this than the CEO of Ford cruising around in a desirable RHD-only Aussie sedan while we make do with the Taurus, which even the execs recently made fun of. Americans will need to wait for the arrival of the new global RWD platform that's set to underpin multiple US-market rear-drivers sometime in the early 2010s, assuming Ford doesn't hedge like GM and use CAFE as an excuse to temper expectations regarding RWD models in the States.
UPDATE: We caught up with the folks at Ford this evening, and can now report that Alan Mulally is not bringing over a Falcon for his own personal use. We do believe the part of the GoAuto story where he's bowled over by the Falcon, though.
[Source: GoAuto]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
John @ Feb 19th 2008 2:39PM
Ford bringing something desirable to the US market? I'll believe it when I see it.
GM's taken more steps in that regard, and even they've backed out due to the lame CAFE excuse.
Daniel @ Feb 21st 2008 2:09PM
Let's get this straight. Allan get the Ford RWD V8 Sport Sedan taht we all want - and all of us in North America can eat dirt!
No wonder that the once great icon of American industry - FoMoCo - will be going Chapter 11 within two years.
TriShield @ Feb 19th 2008 2:41PM
I drove the old BA Falcon XR6 turbo when I was Down Under. It completely blew me away. The car had a great interior, looked great in person. had sublime handling and the power deliver was exemplary. It's everything a modern and muscular mainstream Ford sedan in the US should be.
If I were Mulally I'd rexamine the decision not to give Ford AU the money to engineer this car for left-hand drive. In fact I'd consider launching the next Falcon here when it debuts in a few years. It fits right in with Ford's "F" names and it's one fondly remembered from it's heyday in the 1960s.
TXTurbo930 @ Feb 19th 2008 2:47PM
Yeah so do we!!!!!
bvz @ Feb 19th 2008 2:56PM
Hey there,
Maybe someone can explain to me why RWD is so hard to make meet CAFE standards. Is it in the nature of the mechanicals of a RWD to be less efficient or is it that these cars tend to be more performance oriented and therefore have larger engines?
Stuka @ Feb 19th 2008 3:13PM
Its the extra loss in efficiency. A FWD has quite a bit less parasitic loss than a RWD, which has the drive shaft going back to the rear differencial, then axle shafts going out.
But with that said, its not a HUGE difference. We are talking maybe 1mpg. If you look at a V6 mustang, its easy to get 26mpg HWY in it with an auto trans with a 4L V6. If you take a FWD car with similar size, weight, and engine, they may get 27mpg with an auto trans.
The big thing CAFE will kill is standard AWD. As it stands, Subaru is hurting bad, as they dont make any cars that get great fuel economy.
Matty @ Feb 19th 2008 5:08PM
I don't think standard AWD is much of a problem. My A4 1.8T Quattro gets only 1 MPG fewer than a FWD model. It works out to roughly 50 bucks more a year in fuel costs based on current prices and my consumption. However, the increase in stability and handling makes it well worth the costs.
mk @ Feb 19th 2008 2:56PM
The question is...
Do they GET IT YET????
maybe they'll figure it out, but I'm not holding my breath.
US execs know what cars Ford offers around the globe, and have known previously. Yet they still aren't brought in.
Robert @ Feb 19th 2008 3:49PM
Given that the Fiesta is on its way, the Focus arrives in 2010 and the next-gen Fusion merges with the Mondeo, I'd say yes.
The GRWD platform is set to come here and at the very least underpin some Lincolns and probably the next Mustang (2012). Mulally has expressed interest in several vehicles and platforms now and all are ending up on our shores over the next couple years (B-platform, Transit Connect, Transit), this will be the same story.
Seoultrain @ Feb 19th 2008 4:18PM
Robert, don't believe everything that Ford says. Until I can walk into a Ford dealer and buy a Fiesta, Euro-Focus, or Mondeo-Fusion, I'm not giving Ford the benefit of any doubt.
HAWC1506 @ Feb 19th 2008 5:01PM
Amen. That is if Ford is still in business here by 2010. The Euro vehicles needs to be here NOW. Not 2009, not 2010, not 2012, NOW.
NOreasonY @ Feb 19th 2008 2:59PM
it looks like a nice car that could compete with accords and impalas and stuff...or maybe the new G8...bring it here please!
Drewe @ Feb 19th 2008 3:13PM
The G8 is the Commodore - the Falcon is it's one and only competitor (look up V8 Supercars). So bringing here is a logical extension of their domestic fight :D
P Lo @ Feb 19th 2008 3:04PM
If Ford does bring it hopefully it won't be a watered down version....like the poor Focus. I just don't understand why a majority of the domestics vehicles look and drive like something you'd find at a rental facility or in your grandfolks driveway.
Bruxell @ Feb 19th 2008 3:07PM
I'm a little confused...
1.Did the head of Ford not know that his company was making a desirable car all along?
2.Is there some technical reason that Ford can't convert the Falcon for sale in the US (I had always assumed it was just that stubborn mean streak.)?
3.Is there any reason to assume that the US RWD platform is going to spawn cars that are actually impressive to drive?
I'm assuming that what is actually going to show up in a few years (if at all) is simply a slightly smally Crown Victoria. Ford doesn't seem to think that Americans in general actually know how a car works, and that, if they just keep quiet about the cars they build for the rest of the world, they can continue to flog the same garbage at us year in year out.
What really scares me is the concept that they may be right.
Drewe @ Feb 19th 2008 3:12PM
The problem with the current falcon range (I just sold mine to move to the US. Yah Taurus (well, Sable but same thing))Is the i6 motor won't scrub current emission standards - let alone future.
The next Falcon platform will have the 'global' 6, as by then even Aus won't let it fly.
But my it is a nice car, especially in the turbo, so I hope they bring it in - my wife wants her Falcon back, and I don't blame her!
Peter L @ Feb 19th 2008 3:13PM
The Aussies build tough cars, simple, like USA cars used to be. Older Falcons, and Holdens are popular with young travelers who drive them all over the country on their youthful journeys. Rear wheel drive is a must. Travelling in snow is not problem many in Australia deal with.
NOreasonY @ Feb 19th 2008 3:58PM
you are right. I forgot about that duh. the more needs to get it over here!
Polly Prissy Pants @ Feb 19th 2008 3:17PM
Ahh, so Ford finally awakens to the obvious. Fabulous. Maybe tomorrow they'll discover that "fire hot, burn hand".
XJ X-traordinaire @ Feb 19th 2008 3:20PM
Who cares if the motor they use down under wont cut it for U.S. emissions! If thats the case then just put the darn DI V6 in there from the Taurus! Its not Ford's US engines that suck is the styling. I can't imagine how this doesnt set off alarm bells or at least idea bulbs inside this guy's head. come on