Delayed: Ford's 4-cylinder Falcon

[tezxr8man]

Originally Posted by FPV GTHO

Changing it after 3 years is hardly every 5 minutes. They used to have minor changes after 2 years, in that aspect this upgrade could be considered overdue. If they leave everything 99% now as well, it soon becomes 4-6 years before they change it and by then the design is stale and becomes forgotten.

I meant the whole shape as in EL to AU or BF to FG, cars have allways changed the little things to have a gradual evolution to differentiate the models, i agree that a change is overdue but don't think it needs to redefine the wheel, if they give it more of a presence on the road that would be good, maybe guards like on the v8 supercars with more pumped and aggressive guards.
I think if the look changes they shouldn't call it an FG2 maybe FH or something.
it is really getting a major upgrade

[Eaturbo]

Ford need this 4 cyclinder bad, I have a new hire Camry with 12,000km on it while my Territory is at the panel shop. Love the car and have got 400km from 1/2 a tank of fuel which is about what i get out of a whole tank of fuel in the territory. The camry is a full size car and fits my Twin double pram and all the shopping. I like big cars but i am sick of fueling them.

[Archilino]

http://www.carpoint.com.au/news/2011...in-march-24336

The Falcon is on track to reach a new low watermark this year -- but imported vehicles could save the day for Ford Australia.

Having recorded its weakest sales in the 50-year history of the nameplate in 2010, the Falcon has gotten off to an even slower start in 2011.

Official figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries for the first three months of the year show that Falcon sedan sales are down by 39 per cent, while sales of Falcon ute are down by 25 per cent.

Ford sold just 1719 Falcons in March -- less than half the Holden Commodore's tally -- but this at least was 9 per cent up on February's result of 1572 sales and 48 per cent up on January's result of 1157 sales (likely the weakest month on record for the nameplate in 50 years).

The Falcon is struggling so much that the Ford Fiesta is just 684 sales away from overtaking it as Ford's top-seller locally (4448 sales so far this year compared to 3764).

The president of Ford Australia, Robert Graziano, told the Carsales Network: "Falcon sales have been going up each month this year, so we're heading in the right direction. And sales of our imported products are up year-on-year. We've had our best four-cylinder range volumes since the 1980s."

Ford overall is up 3.4 per cent in a market that is down by 1.3 per cent, largely thanks to strong performances from the Fiesta city car (up 25 per cent), the Focus small car (up 47 per cent), the Mondeo medium sized car (up 44 per cent) and the 4WD Ranger ute (up 95 per cent).

Graziano said it should be noted that this year's Falcon sales are affected by the lack of a wagon and the temporary lack of an LPG option which, he said, contributed to "a few hundred" sales each month.

A replacement LPG model is due in July, ahead of a minor facelift for the Falcon in October.

Graziano said the rental market was weaker than expected this year. "Rental [sales] was much bigger last year than it was this year, so that's had an impact on us. They're all contributing factors," he said.

After slowing production to three days a week during most of March the Broadmeadows factory is back to a five-day production cycle.

"We expect Falcon sales to improve again next month," he said, but would not speculate if Falcon would eclipse 2000 sales in April.

Meanwhile, Ford hopes the new Territory will give Broadmeadows a much needed production boost -- but it's unlikely to completely fill the void left by the Falcon.

In its best ever year -- 2005 -- Ford sold 23,454 Territorys. But last year the tally dropped to 11,558.

Meanwhile, the four-cylinder Falcon has been delayed until 2012 because it won't be ready in time for the October facelift.

"Rather than launch it very late in the year, we decided to hold it back until the start of next year so we can get the most attention on that vehicle," Graziano said.


The Boss confirms no 4 cylinder falcon this year.

[Polyal]

I think that's not an overly bad thing. Gives LPG and diesel a proper chance. I'm assuming it's based squarely at the private sector that don't want a diesel suv and don't like LPG?

[naddis01]

The most interesting part of that article to me is this bit...

After slowing production to three days a week during most of March the Broadmeadows factory is back to a five-day production cycle.

According to members on this forum there are cars stacking up at the factory? Is that really was the case, why the change back to a 5 day week? EcoLPi production?

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by naddis01

The most interesting part of that article to me is this bit...



According to members on this forum there are cars stacking up at the factory? Is that really was the case, why the change back to a 5 day week? EcoLPi production?

Ramping up for the SZ Territory release.

[Bossxr8]

Territory release and 11 days off over Easter.

[WOTDAH]

"Back to five day production cycle"....... There has been two 5 day weeks of production (including this one) the whole of this year, 4 down days are scheduled in 2 weeks and 3 public holidays. That's the only reason last week and this week have been 5 days weeks.

[mik]

a bit more info on the 4 potter Falcon

http://www.carsales.com.au/reviews/2...st-drive-27914

Four into Falcon goes… And a lot better than you think!
» Get the best price on a new Ford
Ford Falcon EcoBoost

First Drive
Geelong, Victoria

What we liked
>> Standing start acceleration times a near-match for six
>> Lighter front end improves already good road manners
>> Refined execution

No so much
>> No official fuel figures yet
>> Don't expect the car to be a cheapie
>> Will fully-loaded open road performance be off the pace?


No point in prolonging the agony… The good news for Ford Australia is that it's long awaited four-cylinder Falcon EcoBoost works. Plain and simple.

That's the initial impressions motoring.com.au gained at a preview drive of the long-awaited EcoBoost turbo four large car at Ford's You Yangs proving ground last Thursday. Though our exposure was short it was nonetheless instructional. Ford provided six-cylinder cars for direct comparison and even had GPS-based timing systems for 0-100km/h times.

Such is the anticipation of the EcoBoost, and its importance, that Ford orchestrated the preview drive of the prototype cars months ahead of the car's debut. The first EcoBoost Falcons will not hit dealers until March 2012 at the earliest.

Engineering staff on hand said the test cars were still a work-in-progress, but to be frank they felt pretty sorted to yours truly.

The 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo is closely related to the engine that powers the front-wheel drive Mondeo and will be used in next year's Focus ST hot-hatch. It features twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) and direct fuel injection.

In longitudinal trim, Ford has also installed it in test versions of its F-Series full-size pick-ups - but the Falcon is the first rear-drive application of the engine to come to market. Thus Falcon and Territory platform chief Bruce Hampel revealed that the work Ford Australia is doing on the Falcon EcoBoost is plugging in to other programs using the engine in longitudinal/rear-wheel drive installations in the USA. Once again Ford Australia is turning new turf.

CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS
Ford is remaining tight-lipped on the engine's output in Falcon trim. In the current Mondeo it is rated at 149kW at 6000rpm and 300Nm at 1750-4500rpm. In other transverse installations including Volvo's S60 and the Range Rover Evoque, the engine pumps out up to 177kW and 340Nm. Ford has stated the Focus ST version of the engine will be rated at 180kW and 360Nm.

These stats compare with the 195kW at 6000rpm and 391Nm at 3250rpm of the current six-cylinder car. Offsetting the expected power and torque deficit is a handy 60kg weigh reduction engine for the engine.

The EcoBoost four is only available coupled with a six-speed ZF automatic transmission. It's not the same transmission as used in the sixes, but is closely related. The four's tranny is around 11kg lighter.

Ford has had to increase noise attenuating materials to calm the injector tick of the direct-injected four. This means the net weight difference between the cars remains at around 60kg. Ford insiders say weight distribution is near as dammit to a 'perfect' 50:50.

In terms of road manners, the car feels a touch lighter on its feet than the already impressive Falcon (XT versus XT spec). Steering has been changed on the FG MkII range across the board so we can't make a direct comparison yet. Overall, the four-cylinder car's steering is certainly precise and eager, but if pushed we'd say it feels a touch less communicative.

All new FGs now get a constant ratio steering rack. The EcoBoost car uses a variable displacement power steering pump for fuel economy benefits. Cost and development time constraints prevented Ford Australia from re-engineering the Falcon range to accept the Territory's new electric power assisted steering (EPAS) system, retiring Development Director Russell Christophers told motoring.com.au.

PREMIUM PRICING?
The EcoBoost is not aimed only at entry level buyers – in fact it's unlikely it will undercut the six-cylinder car on price by a significant margin, if at all. Ford is pitching the EcoBoost as a high-tech, low emission Falcon and a solution for fleets with four-cylinder caveats.

Not surprisingly, a performance ST or XR option has been ruled out. However, the EcoBoost will be offered in XT, G6 and G6E variants. We can see the Wheels G6E EcoBoost, BMW 525i and Benz E 250 comparison already!

The sole external distinguishing mark will be a single EcoBoost badge. Model by model the cars ape their six-cylinder counterparts, even down to the same tailpipe position and dimensions.

BEHIND THE WHEEL
Our drive of the EcoBoost Falcon comprised just a few laps behind the wheel on a short ride and handling course, plus some chauffeured back to back (six versus four) acceleration runs. Thus this is far from a definitive impression. We can tell you, however, that the car proved a lively performer.

Initial acceleration is tempered by a touch of turbo lag, but it's only a hint. The engine runs relatively low boost (around 13psi says Hampel) but has full boost from just under 2000rpm and a very flat torque curve through to 4000rpm-plus. On full throttle runs the autos changed crisply at around 6500rpm.

Alas your correspondent forgot to check engine revs in top at 100km/h. Thus we're unsure whether Ford has won back some performance with a shorter diff or gearbox ratios.

The engine has a fairly workmanlike engine note (it's no BDA Escort) but it's far from thrashy. There's a nice hint of sportiness to it and in cabin it's plenty refined. In comparison with the six, under the same duress, it sounds just a little strained.

Two-up, the EcoBoost turned in a best 0-100km/h time of 7.30 seconds. This compared with 7.17seconds for the six in the same conditions. Four-up, the margin was essentially identical: the EcoBoost took 7.90 seconds for the same increment, with the six at 7.75 seconds.

No simulated overtaking kick-down times were available but the four-cylinder car did not feel appreciably different in terms of response or performance.

Ford says the EcoBoost car will have a 1600kg towing rating. The six-cylinder Falcon can tow up to 2300kg - however, that is only with an optional towing package that includes additional equipment. Unadorned, the two cars will have the same rating, Ford staffers said.

Within the bounds of our test drive the engine and transmission seemed well matched, although the six-speed auto is very quick to grab top gear in normal mode. This is more and more common as manufacturers seek to eke out maximum economy.

For all its endearing road manners and performance, the main talking point of the EcoBoost is going to fuel consumption. Not surprisingly, Ford is keeping its powder dry on this subject ahead of the car’s official debut.

But things move in mysterious ways. In the early stages of the Falcon EcoBoost, motoring.com.au saw a carbon dioxide output figure for the new car that purported to be official. As CO2 output is a direct measure of fuel economy we can therefore take a stab at the official combined fuel economy figure of the car.
a bit more info on the 4 potter falcon



Our information is that Ford will announce a combined figure not more than 8.1L/100km for the EcoBoost when it hits the market. That's not quite the low-7L/100km mark that Mercedes-Benz, for instance, claims for its E 250 petrol model, but it's impressive nonetheless… But don't bet against a 7.0L/100km Falcon just yet, as there's still a month or so of tweaking to come…

[mik]

bugger, i just saw the other eco boost page, sorry guys.

[Bossxr8]

So they have ditched the variable ratio steering rack they spent so much money on for FG.

Cost cutting strikes again. Idiots.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

So they have ditched the variable ratio steering rack they spent so much money on for FG.

Cost cutting strikes again. Idiots.

Except that in the G6E FGii I drove recently the steering at low speed is better then my G6ET, much ligher for car parking for example.