Autoblog

Ford brings FPV Falcon production in house [w/video]

Seyth Miersma — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Videos, Ford, Australia

For the first time since 1976, Ford of Australia is bringing the assembly of its stonking Ford Performance Vehicle line back in-house to the company's Broadmeadows and Geelong facilities. That's a point of pride for FPV, which builds high-performance versions of the Australian Falcon model like the F6, GS and the heroic GT seen here.

In the video below, we hear FPV employees talking in hushed tones about the important legacy that cars like the GT have for Australian gearheads of all stripes, and how proud they are to say that hand-built machines like this GT R-Spec with its Boss 355 engine are now rolling out of their home base. For our part, we're just dying to drive this version of the Coyote V8; the engine is rocking a "Miami" supercharger from Harrop and makes some 450 horsepower.

Continue on below for the video, or you can check out some images of the new FPV at the facility, as well as a gallery of the GT R-Spec car.

Continue reading Ford brings FPV Falcon production in house [w/video]

Ford brings FPV Falcon production in house [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Feb 2013 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jay Leno shows off the BaT Falcon of his dreams

Scott Burgess — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Ford, Celebrities

Jay Leno owns all kinds of cars: Steam powered, 100-year-old electric and modern-day supercars. His legendary garage is teeming with millions of dollars of iron.

But his dream car has always been the 1963 1/2 Ford Falcon Sprint. So when he saw exactly the car on BringATrailer.com, he plunked down the $26,000 for the mint condition, seriously modified Falcon and sent a trailer.

This Falcon Sprint is built out exactly the way Leno says he would have built it. It has a 1965 289-cubic-inch small block under the hood with 360 horsepower and the battery in the trunk. It has a stiffened suspension, aftermarket wheels and a five-speed manual transmission (the original came with a four-speed). Leno, who says he regularly reads BaT, released a video on his website, Jay Leno's Garage, of his Falcon find, taking the Mustang precursor for a ride around Southern California.

Check out Jay's video below. We particularly like how he shamelessly hugs his new Ford, which is likely going to live a very good life from here on out.

Continue reading Jay Leno shows off the BaT Falcon of his dreams

Jay Leno shows off the BaT Falcon of his dreams originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Falcon future unsure as Ford expected to cease AU manufacturing in 2016

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, Australia

Ford hasn't said anything about it, but those who predict and those who do business with Ford in Australia expect The Blue Oval to cease production there as of 2016. The primary reason cited is the arrival of Euro 5 emissions standards on November 1, 2016, which are too stringent for the company's bread-and-butter Falcon sedan and Territory crossover to pass. It's been said that it would cost Ford millions to reengineer and retool, but sales of the Falcon sedan have been down for so long now that Ford announced earlier this month that 440 people would be let go from its two plants there.

In fact, Ford's Aussie position has been under threat for years. In 2007 the company announced it would close its Geelong engine plant at a cost of 600 jobs, only to reverse the decision a year later and keep the plant operating. Meanwhile, the value of the Australian dollar, cautious consumers and tariff reductions in the overall market have made imports tougher competition and depressed margins. It is the Falcon's troubles that are especially painful, though, causing a planned production cut of 25 percent in November.

In view of Ford's moves and the company's silence on its plans, suppliers have been rewriting their business plans for a future without Ford Australia, letting go of workers and going into receivership. Ford's departure would mean the loss of 3,000 jobs directly, with more to come in the supply chain and incidental industries. Also lost should this come to be: the legendary rivalry between the Falcon and General Motors' Holden Commodore, not to mention that between Ford Performance Vehicles (the FPV GT from 2008 is pictured above) and Holden Special Vehicles.

The front- and all-wheel-drive Ford Taurus range is expected to replace the rear-wheel-drive Falcon, and an as-yet-unnamed crossover would fill in for the Territory. Ford has had a manufacturing base Down Under since 1925 - leaving the country would mean only General Motors and Toyota remain as domestic producers.

Falcon future unsure as Ford expected to cease AU manufacturing in 2016 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HSV sales strong despite Aussie slump, around 20% of Ford Falcon sales

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Holden, Australia

The economic doldrums are having a hard time sullying the teflon-coated sales numbers of Holden Special Vehicles, the division that serves the same purpose within Holden that AMG does within Mercedes-Benz. Despite a slump in purchases of large sedans that has affected General Motors' standard Holden Commodore and savaged the Ford Falcon, the pricier and thirstier HSV models are, according to the division's CEO Phil Harding, doing fully 20 percent of Ford Falcon sales. Note, that's not 20 percent of Ford Performance Vehicle sales, the Blue Oval's competitor to HSV, it's to the basic Falcon. It would be like the BMW M5 doing one fifth of Mercedes-Benz E-Class volume.

Naturally, the people in charge at HSV are happy about this. It's true that sales numbers have come down, but Harding said the business case was built on the line's current sales. For now, the brand is "in the black" and "stronger than we've ever been as a business for investing in our future." The previous high flying numbers were a bonus that have helped pay for the work on the HSV version of the VF Commodore that will appear in Q2 next year. And on that note, if HSV could arrange to have that car shipped this way as well alongside the Chevrolet SS Performance, we'd be most grateful.

HSV sales strong despite Aussie slump, around 20% of Ford Falcon sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jay Leno's garage grows by one thanks to BaT

Zach Bowman — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Ford, Celebrities

It turns out Jay Leno shops for classic cars just like the rest of us do: by ~~wasting untold hours drooling over~~ occasionally perusing BringaTrailer.com. The comedian and host of The Tonight Show recently took a shine to a memorable 1963 Ford Falcon Sprint shown on the site, and it wasn't long before a few phone calls were made. Now the previous owner can say he sold a car to one of the world's most well-known collectors, and Leno will have a very-cool Falcon in his Big Dog Garage.

So, what made this particular coupe worthy of such admiration? The '63 had undergone significant revision at the hands of the previous owner and builder, including a substantial weight reduction, suspension tweaks with input from the gurus at Koni, along with a fully blueprinted 302 V8. With an aluminum intake and heads as well as a lightweight T5 transmission, the seller claims to have plucked around 200 pounds from the vehicle's nose.

The idea was to build the car in the image of the Holman Moody Falcons that once competed in the legendary Monte Carlo Rally. Head over to BaT for both the initial sale listing story and the tale of Leno's buying.

Jay Leno's garage grows by one thanks to BaT originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rear-wheel drive Falcon gets five-year committment from Ford

Zach Bowman — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, Australia

Fans of the rear-wheel drive Ford Falcon can breath easy, at least until 2016. According to Australia's CarAdvice.com, Ford has announced that automaker will invest $103 million to sustain both the Falcon and Territory SUV through the next five years. The news came courtesy of Ford Australia president Bo Graziano and Ford Asia Pacific president Joe Hinrichs at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. Ford is expected to unveil refreshed versions of both the Falcon and the Territory in 2014. The automaker is expected to use the investment to improve the vehicles' efficiency and safety. The cash injection should add around 300 jobs, as well.

Ford Australia will likely focus on aerodynamics, tire adjustments and transmission improvements to eke out better fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions. A new six-speed automatic gearbox is expected to debut with the new models.

And what happens after 2016? Ford isn't saying, though the company has made it clear Australia will receive a new large car based on a global platform. That vehicle will likely offer buyers both front and all-wheel drive configurations, thereby putting an end to the long-standing rear-wheel drive Falcon lineage.

Rear-wheel drive Falcon gets five-year committment from Ford originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford displays two Mad Max Interceptor Concepts in Australia [w/video]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Classics, Coupe, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows, Australia, Celebrities, Design/Style

Ford Mad Max Interceptor Concepts - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you were unlucky enough to find yourself in the middle of a post-apocalyptic dystopic world where gang violence and a complete lack of any real human society were the norm, there's only one vehicle you'd want the keys to: a matte black Ford Falcon coupe. Don't believe us? Apparently you've missed out on the Australian cinematic masterpiece that is Mad Max.

Besides launching Mel Gibson's acting career (we're not touching that one with a ten-foot pole), the film and its two sequels were famous for the outlandish cars and motorcycles used to rundown unsuspecting prey and their precious last drops of gasoline. And no single machine from the film was as memorable as Max's Pursuit Special, a 1973 Ford XB Falcon GT351.

In case you didn't know, the Mad Max series is due for a fourth installment. Tentatively due to hit theaters sometime in 2012, Mad Max: Fury Road is set to star Tom Hardy, Teresa Palmer and Charlize Theron... but, of course, the real stars we're most interested in will be the cars, which are currently being designed.

Two of the leading candidates for the hero car have been created in roughly 40-percent size and are on display at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne. See the two scale models along with a slew of other potential designs in our high-res image gallery below. We also suggest you click past the break to check out a quick video of the concept on the show floor in Australia, along with the related press release.

Continue reading Ford displays two Mad Max Interceptor Concepts in Australia [w/video]

Ford displays two Mad Max Interceptor Concepts in Australia [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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V8 Supercar driver celebrates win by drifting entire victory lap

Noah Joseph — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 19:25:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Australia

V8 Supercar race winner drifts around the track - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Racing is racing. Drifting is drifting. The two don't generally cross over, for one simple reason: drifting is slow, and racing is fast.

Unless your name is Gilles Villeneuve, the general rule is that drifting through a corner isn't as fast as braking on the way in, clipping the apex and powering out. But at the Skycity Triple Crown this past weekend at Hidden Valley Raceway in Dawin, Australia, one Shane Van Gisbergen celebrated victory by drifting his Ford Falcon V8 Supercar around nearly the entire cool-down lap sideways, the tires lit up and the crowd going wild. It's a rare sight, and you can watch it for yourself in the video after the jump.

Continue reading V8 Supercar driver celebrates win by drifting entire victory lap

V8 Supercar driver celebrates win by drifting entire victory lap originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Ford Taurus design points the way for next Falcon, Mondeo

Zach Bowman — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:21:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Wagon, Ford, Australia, Design/Style

2013 Ford Taurus - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you've been wondering exactly what Ford has in mind for the next-generation Falcon, look no further than the recently revealed 2013 Taurus for a few clues. Ford design guru J Mays has officially made it clear that the look of the sedan will be transposed onto several of the automaker's other products, including models like the Mondeo and Falcon. The crew from Go Auto spoke to Mays at the New York International Auto Show last week where the designer said that the corporate look will still allow each model to flex its character.

Mays said that the design was heavily influenced by vehicles like the Audi A6 and that the new trapezoidal grille design on the 2013 Taurus will allow the vehicle's face to be easily applied to a range of products. Even so, don't expect to see exact carbon copies across the dealer lot. Mays made it clear that the design can be modified to deliver everything from an aggressive visage to a more subdued look.

Gallery: 2013 Ford Taurus

[Source: Go Auto]

2013 Ford Taurus design points the way for next Falcon, Mondeo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Australian man discusses his affair with The Squire

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 19:24:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Videos, Ford, Australia

The Squire - Click above to watch video after the jump

A person's love for his or her car is a beautiful thing. Some people realize that an automobile can be more than just a means of transportation. Kyle from Australia, the man behind this video, is one such person, and his 1963 Ford Falcon Squire is one such beautiful thing.

Filmmaker Tom Broadhurst sat down with Kyle to talk about the car and resulting work is a visual treat. Kyle knows that, unless serious financial troubles pop up in the future, the Squire is now part of the family. There's no news here or information to digest, this post is about the basic admiration that a true enthusiast has for his machine. Click past the jump and enjoy The Squire.

[Source: Hemmings]

Continue reading Video: Australian man discusses his affair with The Squire

Video: Australian man discusses his affair with The Squire originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prodrive develops supercharged Ford V8 for Falcon

Jeff Glucker — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 10:05:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Etc., Ford, Australia

Prodrive turns the Falcon into a real Boss - Click above to view high-res image gallery

The latest news from Oz comes courtesy of Prodrive, which has a close relationship with Ford Performance Vehicles. Starting with a Coyote V8 engine block, Prodrive has created a supercharged V8 that's lighter and more powerful than the naturally-aspirated unit it started with.

Known as the "Miami" engine, the supercharged V8 generates 449 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 420 pound-feet of torque from 2,200 rpm up to 5,500 rpm. By altering the boost levels, Prodrive offers a less powerful version that produces 422 horsepower.

Both versions are planned for use in various trim levels of the Ford Falcon four-door. The 315kw (422 hp) unit will be available in the Falcon GS while the 335 kW (449 hp) engine is offered with the Falcon GT, GT-E and GT-P. The Falcons will wear the Boss name on the fenders and both versions provide yet another reason to book a flight on Qantas.

Gallery: Prodriver develops supercharged V8 for Ford Falcon

[Source: Prodrive]

Continue reading Prodrive develops supercharged Ford V8 for Falcon

Prodrive develops supercharged Ford V8 for Falcon originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford shows Aussies who's Boss with special FPV Falcon

Noah Joseph — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 11:05:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Ford, Australia

FPV Boss 335 GT - Click above for image gallery

There's no shortage of similarities to be found between Australia and the United States. Both are former British colonies flying red, white and blue flags; both are big masses of land divided into states; both have Top Gear spinoffs and share a common affinity for Crocodile Dundee. We could go on, but the key commonality here is love for muscle cars. More than anything, that's what ties these two countries together from opposite ends of the Earth.

General Motors has capitalized on that shared trait by bringing powerful Holdens over to America under Pontiac badges. Arch-rival Ford, meanwhile, has gone the other way, taking a popular American performance badge and slapping it on one of its Australian products.

The result is the Ford Boss 335 GT. Based on the Falcon sedan, Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) has given the Boss 335 GT a touch more power than the 2012 Boss 302 Mustang: the 335's supercharged 5.0-liter DOHC 32-valve V8 pumps out 450 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque (compared to the 440hp and 380 lb-ft on the all-motor Boss Mustang). The power's driven to the 19" rear wheels through a six-speed manual and kept in check by oversized, cross-drilled and ventilated Brembo brakes.

FPV's also made sure the special Falcon got all the requisite striping you'd expect from a Boss, and equipped the interior with everything they bad to throw at it. With the American and Australian dollars close to par, though, the $70,000 sticker price may seem a little steep. UNfortunately, this is an exclusively Aussie product, so if you (i.e. our U.S. readers) want to show 'em who's Boss, you'll have to stick to the Mustang. Dang.

Gallery: Ford Boss 335 GT

[Source: FPV via Top Speed]

Ford shows Aussies who's Boss with special FPV Falcon originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Dec 2010 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Epic showdown pits Ford rookie against GM vet in final laps of V8 Supercar race

Noah Joseph — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Ford, GM, Holden, Australia

Showdown at the Gold Coast Corral - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Back in the Mad Men days, just about everyone was either a General Motors man or a Ford man. Cadillac or Lincoln. Buick or Mercury. Nowadays it may be as much about Toyota vs Honda, but the Detroit rivalry is far from dead. Arguably more than anywhere else, it's played out in Australia, where it's all about GM's Holden versus Ford...in the showrooms, on the streets and, perhaps most of all, on the race track.

While up in this hemisphere the Detroit automakers play out their rivalries in stock cars on super-speedways, Down Under it's all about the V8 Supercars series. And this past weekend's race at Surfer's Paradise was one for the ages.

This year's Gold Coast 600 drew a star-studded lineup of international racing superstars from around the world: names like Castroneves, Bourdais, Franchitti, Dixon, Salo and Villeneuve. But it was the seasoned series veterans racing against the fresh-faced newcomers who made for some of the most nail-biting action you're ever likely to see. It was all about defending champ Jamie Whincup in the Team Vodafone Holden Commodore against young Shane Van Gisbergen in the Stone Brothers/SP Tools Ford Falcon. Watch it all unfold down to the line in the video after the jump. Thanks to all for the tips!

[Sources: Motorsport.com, YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Epic showdown pits Ford rookie against GM vet in final laps of V8 Supercar race

Video: Epic showdown pits Ford rookie against GM vet in final laps of V8 Supercar race originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: RWD Ford Falcon could merge platforms with Mustang, not Taurus

Chris Shunk — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Ford, Australia

A big part of Ford's recent successes can be attributed to the "One Ford" mantra CEO Allan Mulally instituted early on. But while the program may be a recipe for success, speculation stemming from Mulally's comments at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show left some wondering if the next Ford Falcon would one day share a front-wheel drive platform with the Taurus.

RWD-loving Australians Down Under shuttered at the thought of a front-drive Falcon, but Drive reports that comments by Mulally at the Paris Motor Show may calm those fears. The Ford CEO acknowledged that rear drive vehicles still have a rock-solid business case, adding that the automaker would continue to make vehicles that customers want, "starting with you (Australians)."

Mulally didn't specifically state that the Mustang and Falcon would one day share a platform, but several hints indicate the move is very possible. Mulally insisted that rear-wheel drive platforms will be global in the future, adding "we love our rear-wheel drive platforms and we love Mustang, and they're global platforms."

And this isn't the first we've heard about the Falcon and Mustang sharing a rear drive platform. Way back in January Motor Trend cited inside sources at Ford who said the next Mustang would house an independent suspension under it's boot. Those same sources claimed that the Falcon and an unnamed RWD Lincoln would share that platform.

[Source: Drive]

Report: RWD Ford Falcon could merge platforms with Mustang, not Taurus originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DetNews: New Ford Police Interceptor to be Taurus-based

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Work, Ford, Specialty

Will the new Police Interceptor be a toughened Taurus SHO? - click above for high-res image gallery

Just a quick note: The Detroit News is reporting that the next Ford Police Interceptor will be based on the same platform as the Taurus. For you platform geeks out there, that's the Ford D3 chassis that underpins everything from the the Lincoln MKS to the Volvo XC90 to the Ford Flex (though the Flex and the Lincoln MKT ride on a lengthened version called D4). Yesterday, we explained that a new Police Interceptor is showing up tomorrow (Friday, March 12) in Las Vegas and that it probably won't be riding on the Panther platform. Regardless, the concept will be unveiled at the Vegas Motor Speedway.

There's still no official word from Ford on the matter, however. However, if the new Interceptor is in fact Taurus-based, that means no rear-wheel drive Falcon in the United States. Which is a definite bummer. Also, while there are all-wheel drive variants of the D3 platform - and we think it's safe to assume that if the new Police Interceptor is D3-based it will be AWD - it lacks frame rails. Has Ford figured out a way to make a unibody car tough enough for police work? We shall see. And if the new PI is a Taurus, will it be based on a modified 365-horsepower SHO? We'd wager yes. Let's just hope they fit some bigger brakes for cop duty, eh?

Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

[Source: The Detroit News]

DetNews: New Ford Police Interceptor to be Taurus-based originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: Next-gen Ford Police Interceptor will debut this Friday in Las Vegas

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Government/Legal, Work, Ford, Specialty

Hold on to your sap gloves and night sticks - it's that time of the decade! An Autoblog source reveals that Ford is about to release a brand spankin' new Police Interceptor. Not only is this humongous news for our pals in the law enforcement community, but this is 120-point headline font for taxi companies around the country, as they typically buy old Police Interceptors with 90,000 miles on 'em and repurpose them as the cabs we all know and love passing out in. Why? Because Police Interceptors are the toughest passenger cars money can buy.

Few of us have the need to drive over curbs at 50+ mph, but if that need arises, you're going to want to do so in an Interceptor. Aside from the "severe duty" shocks, you get a beefed up frame and body mounts. Yes, that is correct. The Crown Victoria-based Police Interceptor is body-on-frame. Listen, when you're PIT maneuvering a perp during a high speed chase, the last thing you want to worry about is bending the chassis. Plus you got them heavy duty brakes, suspension components and oil coolers. A sweet package, no doubt.

Here's the thing though. If this new Police Interceptor is more than a package, what platform will it ride on? Ford has stated publicly that it's ending the geriatric Panther Platform Crown Victoria's life in 2011. We'll go ahead and interpret that to mean that this new Police Interceptor won't be Crown Victoria-based. Do we know that for sure? No, but it's a logical bit of speculation. Could the new Interceptor be Taurus-based, maybe something with a SHO motor and stouter brakes? Again, yes, but for all we know the upcoming car's a Fiesta with the Mustang GT's new 5.0-liter V8 crammed in the rear seat. Or one of them apocryphal Australia-only rear-drive Falcons. All we know for sure is that Ford's introducing a new Police Interceptor to a select group of folks in Las Vegas this Friday. Production? Concept? We're not entirely sure yet. More details when we get them.

[Image: davidsonscott15 | CC2.0]

Source: Next-gen Ford Police Interceptor will debut this Friday in Las Vegas originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will Ford discontinue the Australian-made Falcon?

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Ford, Australia

Even though Ford honcho Alan Mulally was seriously smitten by the company's Aussie Falcon G-Series, doubts about the car's future were presaged nearly a year-and-a-half ago as Ford built momentum behind the "One Ford" program. That initiative focused on the rationalization of platforms, so multiplel vehicles sold around the world could share underpinnings and save the Blue Oval some bucks. But with new fuel mileage requirements, the fate of the rear-wheel drive Falcon began to grow dark.

Things weren't helped at the Detroit Auto Show, were Mulally said "The best thing for Ford is to bring our scale and volume" to bear on the market and the balance sheet, and that manufacturers engaged in the complexities of different platforms for different markets, "can't compete with the global companies, and Ford's going to be a powerhouse globally."

The front-wheel drive Taurus platform is the one being mooted as the foundation of the next Falcon, and the idea of a FWD Falcon is practically Galilean heresy to Aussie enthusiasts. The popular sedan's redesign doesn't begin until next year in view of a 2014 market date so Mulally has a year to make a decision - and Aussies have a year to sway him. If the next Falcon is FWD, a compensation prize could be the Australian division helping to engineer the Mustang platform. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

[Source: Drive.com.au]

Will Ford discontinue the Australian-made Falcon? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: Ford announces it will build all-new Police Interceptor for 2011

Chris Paukert — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:40:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Work, Ford, Australia, Specialty

In a surprise move, Ford has announced that it will pursue the development of an all-new Police Interceptor model. The move comes on the heels of General Motors' announcement that it plans to challenge the Crown Victoria's law enforcement dominance with its own heavy-duty Chevrolet Caprice sedan.

Details are slim, but Ford says the forthcoming PI will arrive in 2011 and it will sport durability, safety, and performance parameters that are superior to that of the Jurassic Panther-platform Crown Vic. Given the relatively tight timeframe and durability targets, we have to assume that the replacement cop car could be based on the rear-drive Australian-market Ford Falcon shown above. The Blue Oval promises that the car will be engineered and built in America, so it could also be an Ecoboost version of the Ford Taurus (as seen in the SHO), but front-drive cars have had trouble meeting the durability and cost requirements of police duty in the past, making this something of an open question. In an official release posted after the jump, Ford says it will disclose full vehicle specs in the first quarter of 2010, which should give enough time for both law enforcement and police vehicle equipment manufacturers to prepare for the changeover.

Ford says it presently shifts about 45,000 of the 60,000 police cars sold in the States each year, so it makes sense that Dearborn would not be willing to cede this market to Chevy's Caprice and the already established Dodge Charger.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading BREAKING: Ford announces it will build all-new Police Interceptor for 2011

BREAKING: Ford announces it will build all-new Police Interceptor for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Australian racing fans limited to just 24 beers per day

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Government/Legal, Australia

Bathurst 1000 fan enjoying a coldie during The Great Race

You know what's not aces? When you're just trying to drink a little amber fluid and watch the Bathurst 1000 and the man treats you like a total bogan. What business is it of his how many coldies you drink when it's time to hit the turps? This makes us so mad we could eat a trough lolly! No doubt a pommy bastard thunk this 'un up...

And that marks the end of our silly attempt to sound Australian. However, it does not end our amusement over the fact that Australian officials have set a 24-beer per day limit on fans attending the Bathurst 1000. As in, you are allowed to drink 24 beers, but not 25. Cause you know, there's a huge difference. Why are they enacting this draconian alcohol policy? To cut down on booze-related crime of course.

If you don't know, the Bathurst 1000 is known in the Land Down Under as "The Great Race." Only V8 Supercars are allowed to compete. These days in Australia V8 Supercars consist of either the Holden Commodore or the Ford Falcon. That's it. Thousands of blokes and sheilas turn up in the town of Bathurst to watch the cars run, and turns out they like drinking.

Says police assistant commissioner Alan Clarke, "This is one of the greatest motorsport events in Australia and for some it is a pilgrimage that they make every year... Every year thousands of race fans attend and enjoy the event and Police will not allow their safety to be compromised by a drunken few." So there you have it. Drink your 24 beers, keep your nose clean and you shouldn't have any trouble. Oh, if you drink low- or medium-strength beer, the cops will let you have up to 36. Sweet! Hat tip to Bumbeck.

[Source: Reuters | Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty]

REPORT: Australian racing fans limited to just 24 beers per day originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford: Falcon to be first RWD four-cylinder EcoBoost car. Translation? No such Mustang until 2011... if at all

Chris Shunk — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, Australia

Ford FG Falcon G-Series - Click above for image gallery

Ford made news this week when it officially announced its four-cylinder EcoBoost engine; an engine that promises V6 performance with four-banger efficiency. The company's twin-turbo technology is expected to infiltrate almost every part of its lineup within the next few years, and it'll be available just about everywhere on earth, including Australia.

To that end, Ford has just announced that it will be adding the 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine to Australia's Falcon lineup. The new engine will give Australian customers a more fuel efficient option in the popular sedan, while also packing nearly the same punch as the V6-powered Holden Commodore. Ford says the Falcon will be the first rear-drive vehicle to receive an EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, which means the Mustang won't receive the 2.0-liter turbo until late 2011 at the earliest (and possibly never).

Ford is investing $230 million overall to improve the efficiency of its Australian lineup, with the EcoBoost 2.0-liter, a 2.7-liter diesel unit for its Territory crossover, and a new LPG engine for its fleet offerings. The Australian government is pitching in, too, as they are giving Ford $42 million as part of the nation's Green Car Innovation Fund. Local Victoria government officials are also pitching in an unspecified amount of money, helping ease costs for the Blue Oval.

Ford has also announced that it will not build the next-generation Focus in Australia, opting instead to import the popular small car from Thailand. Ford Australia was planning to build 45,000 Focuses a year, with 15,000 units destined for export. Ford says no jobs will be affected by the change of plans. Hit the jump to review the company's officla press release.

Gallery: Ford FG Falcon G-Series

[Source: Ford, Drive]

Continue reading Ford: Falcon to be first RWD four-cylinder EcoBoost car. Translation? No such Mustang until 2011... if at all

Ford: Falcon to be first RWD four-cylinder EcoBoost car. Translation? No such Mustang until 2011... if at all originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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