FG X, The Last EVER Falcon - Picture & Discussion Thread

[anto]

Originally Posted by FalconXV

What I'm wondering is why such a long development cycle for some sheetmetal tweaks and bugger all else??

That's actually a very good point

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by Focused

I'm only speculating, but a lot of Ford Aus's development team may have been sent to work on other more profitable jobs (ie Ranger, Escort) leaving a skeleton screw to finish off the Falcon.

On top of that, it simply costs money to dedicate resources. They've been on a downward slope of spending but still delivering visually large updates. BA was seen as a large upgrade for $500m. SX Territory raided the parts bin and only shared a couple of body panels with Falcon for $500M. FG was said to be over 90% all new for $600m. They didn't spend that much on FG2 and SZ Terriory. The announced figures for the 201x car have only been a little over $100m so far because of the announcement of the state and federal grants. Even if Ford tip in a lot more than they've said, they can't keep delivering a lot of change whilst spending less without there being compromises somewhere.

[Bossxr8]

Electronic systems take a long time to calibrate and get working properly. Just look what happened with the Territory touch screens, after a couple of years development there was still bugs in the system. Calibrating the new autos for the NA I6's as well.

And just so you know the F6 engine is dead and buried once the last 15 are built over the next 2 weeks. Only the 270 will carry over to 201X.

[FERG_51]

And just so you know the F6 engine is dead and buried once the last 15 are built over the next 2 weeks. Only the 270 will carry over to 201X.[/QUOTE]

RIP F6

[stevefreestyle]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Electronic systems take a long time to calibrate and get working properly. Just look what happened with the Territory touch screens, after a couple of years development there was still bugs in the system. Calibrating the new autos for the NA I6's as well.

And just so you know the F6 engine is dead and buried once the last 15 are built over the next 2 weeks. Only the 270 will carry over to 201X.

GoAuto have also "confirmed" the death of the F6 210Kw engine - quoting Neil McDonald from Ford:

ONE of the most powerful six-cylinder passenger cars on sale will soon be no more, with Ford Australia confirming this week that it is down to a mere handful of its turbocharged FPV F6 sedans.

Ford Australia brand communications manager Neil McDonald told GoAuto that the car-maker only had about 20 of the $64,390 310kW/565Nm F6 sedans left – all with automatic gearboxes – before the inline turbo six developed here for several generations of locally made FPV models passes into history.

According to Mr McDonald, this would leave the more mainstream 270kW/533Nm XR6 Turbo and G6E Turbo as the only forced-induction six-cylinder models in the locally made line-up.

Ford Australia has been progressively winding back its Ford Performance Vehicles division ahead of production of its swansong model, the GT F, which will produce a historically significant 351kW from its huffed 5.0-litre V8 engine – the only powerplant left in the FPV stable.

Dropping the F6 from the FPV line-up leaves the entry-level GS, GT and GT-P in production until the GT F’s arrival next month. The GT F will then sell as the final FPV-badged model, although most cars that will roll off the Broadmeadows production line have already had buyers allocated.

As reported, the FPV name will disappear altogether in December when a facelifted ‘FG MkIII’ version of the current Falcon, which will reintroduce the XR8 badge for one last fling, goes on sale and carries the car-maker to the end of Australian production in late 2016.

To compensate for the loss of FPV, Ford will amp up its performance model line-up with a four-cylinder and V8-engined version of the next-generation Mustang, due on sale in Australia next year, that also features a number of suspension set-ups borrowed from the Falcon.

Ford reabsorbed FPV, which was run as a standalone company, in February last year as part of a buy-out of the go-fast division’s 51 per cent shareholder, British racing and performance car specialist Prodrive.

FPV’s turbo six engine dates back to 2004 when it was first developed for the F6 Typhoon sedan, and later the F6 Tornado ute.

In 2008, the name was shortened to just F6 as the brand dropped its trend of naming its vehicles after what customers viewed as natural disasters.

The F6 name was applied to a number of richly specified cars, including the more luxury-laden F6 E, and was even developed to power a seven-seat FPV version of the Ford Territory SUV known as the F6X.

Ford does not reveal separate sales numbers for its FPV range, sold through a network of more than 70 dealers nationwide.

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...257CCF000E6916

[rancidpunx]

What a sad way to say goodbye to the F6, just letting it fade away.

[Road Games]

Fade away ?

It Came It Saw It Conquered !!

Best thing FPV ever built, so jealous i was never in a position to afford one Brand New :/

It may have been dropped but i doubt it will ever be surpassed for Bang for Buck$

[FERG_51]

Surely they could have done a limited number SE F6 alongside the final GT for a send off.

[rancidpunx]

Originally Posted by XR6menace

Fade away ?

It Came It Saw It Conquered !!

Best thing FPV ever built, so jealous i was never in a position to afford one Brand New :/

It may have been dropped but i doubt it will ever be surpassed for Bang for Buck$

Yes, Fade Away.

I Agree it was a brilliant engine and car combination but Ford have done nothing to celebrate that. No send off for the F6, no fanfare they are just letting it fade away into the night.

[Bobman]

when a facelifted ‘FG MkIII’ version of the current Falcon

Huh!?

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by rancidpunx

Yes, Fade Away.

I Agree it was a brilliant engine and car combination but Ford have done nothing to celebrate that. No send off for the F6, no fanfare they are just letting it fade away into the night.

Very sad letting it just fade away. The amazing incarnation of Grandpa's Axe deserved a lot better than that...

[csv8]

so, its now, FG Mk111. ? , sounds ominous..prefer FH or FZ...

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by csv8

so, its now, FG Mk111. ? , sounds ominous..prefer FH or FZ...

Just because GoAuto says so, doesnt make it fact.

[Focused]

Originally Posted by csv8

so, its now, FG Mk111. ? , sounds ominous..prefer FH or FZ...

Relax, they're just guessing. This was discussed many pages ago.

Surely they could have done a limited number SE F6 alongside the final GT for a send off.

The problem is that Ford don't have any more money. If they just did a sticker pack, everyone on here would be crying sarcasm (as usual...like they did with the GT-F which no one has even seen yet), and if the upped-ed the power they'd need to do a whole lot of testing (which costs money).

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Focused

The problem is that Ford don't have any more money. If they just did a sticker pack, everyone on here would be crying sarcasm (as usual...like they did with the GT-F which no one has even seen yet), and if the upped-ed the power they'd need to do a whole lot of testing (which costs money).

They could have brought forward the F6 goodies into the 201X and made that the new XR6T, much like they have done/are doing with the 335 motor for the XR8.

[Alexlees]

Originally Posted by csv8

so, its now, FG Mk111. ? , sounds ominous..prefer FH or FZ...

XZ is what it should be, especially for the GTF

[Focused]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

They could have brought forward the F6 goodies into the 201X and made that the new XR6T, much like they have done/are doing with the 335 motor for the XR8.

Then everyone on here would be saying that Ford are disrespecting current F6 owners. I imagine they'd have to carry over the F6's whole drivetrain into the XR6T which is just going to cut into already nonexistent profits.

[timetaker]

The latest Wheels magazine has a comparision between the Audi S4 Vs FG F6 Vs Volvo Polestar.The F6 is half the price of the other two yet it has a faster 1/4 mile than the Volvo and it came even with the S4(13 secs).The 1/4 mile terminal speed of the F6 was much higher than the S4 and it would've pulled like a train past the Audi.
It's sad that we will never again see an Australian built car for around $60,000 that can take on imported cars that can cost twice as much.
I believe that some of the new dies have arrived in the Geelong stamping plant so the ball has began rolling in terms of stamping the new parts.There will be months of trialing the new parts before actual production begins.

[amiers]

So while we all start to feel sad as the end nears for the falcon, what are you all going to be driving in the future? I have already put a deposit on a FH/FZ XR8, but I have also thought about the future. would I drive a Holden/HSV? NO! a SRT8? possibly, a new Mustang very possible, but my mind is close to made up, a C63 Merc.

[Bobman]

Originally Posted by amiers

So while we all start to feel sad as the end nears for the falcon, what are you all going to be driving in the future? I have already put a deposit on a FH/FZ XR8, but I have also thought about the future. would I drive a Holden/HSV? NO! a SRT8? possibly, a new Mustang very possible, but my mind is close to made up, a C63 Merc.

The only way forward is with BMW. Straight six and RWD, as well as some beautiful V8s. C63 is a very nice car too.

There is nothing exciting from the Ford USA stable that compares to the Germans IMHO. Have yet to see decent build quality from an American-made car as well, even compared to our ones or Korean cars.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Focused

Then everyone on here would be saying that Ford are disrespecting current F6 owners. I imagine they'd have to carry over the F6's whole drivetrain into the XR6T which is just going to cut into already nonexistent profits.

How so? It's not like the F6 powertrain "owes" Ford anything in a development sense, and considering all iterations of the I6 are being carried over unchanged (and the F6 would use the HP26 instead of the "new" lighweight ZF trans so there's nothing to change there either) I don't see how it would have hurt Ford's profits unless you're talking about the actual costs of the parts which is a bit of a stretch...

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

How so? It's not like the F6 powertrain "owes" Ford anything in a development sense, and considering all iterations of the I6 are being carried over unchanged (and the F6 would use the HP26 instead of the "new" lighweight ZF trans so there's nothing to change there either) I don't see how it would have hurt Ford's profits unless you're talking about the actual costs of the parts which is a bit of a stretch...

Profits? What profits

It would have been nice to see the old F6 gear in the FH XR6T, there'd be hardly any cost difference between the engines at this point. While FH probably won't be up to par with VF on equipment, an F6 powered XR6T would have been a hilarious slap in the face to the VFs, enough to make a few people forget about the gadgets. Oh well, given current sales at least they're continuing the I6Ts at all.

[CyberWasp]

With the 'Software Tweaks' being mentioned as being implemented to the new Falcons Engine Management, when it comes out wont the XR6T gain a little from it. Maybe the output will rise from 270 to 280 or something. It is not much but is still something.
I think the XR6T will live on for a long time. It is the sort of Car / System that will benefit from the aftermarket scene immensely in the future long after production stops of the actual car. With turbo charged cars the sky is the limit as to what you can do.

[stevefreestyle]

Originally Posted by Adrenaline

Profits? What profits

It would have been nice to see the old F6 gear in the FH XR6T, there'd be hardly any cost difference between the engines at this point. While FH probably won't be up to par with VF on equipment, an F6 powered XR6T would have been a hilarious slap in the face to the VFs, enough to make a few people forget about the gadgets. Oh well, given current sales at least they're continuing the I6Ts at all.

And an XR8 with GT 335 engine & drivetrain won't be "a hilarious slap in the face to the VFs, enough to make a few people forget about the gadgets" ?????

Strangely, when I went to school 335 (Kw) was actually more or greater than 310 as a value - which in turn was more than 260 (SS Auto).

[Joe5619]

I can't understand why they didn't just make the F6, the new XR6T.. Just like the GT is the new XR8.. Talk about kicking **** on Commodore if that was to happen!!

Seriously, can someone from Ford come on here & tell us when the big unveiling is? We must be getting close?

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by stevefreestyle

And an XR8 with GT 335 engine & drivetrain won't be "a hilarious slap in the face to the VFs, enough to make a few people forget about the gadgets" ?????

Strangely, when I went to school 335 (Kw) was actually more or greater than 310 as a value - which in turn was more than 260 (SS Auto).

If you're expecting a $42k XR8 you're going to be very upset when they announce the pricing. XR8 will be priced well into Redline territory and at that price people have demonstrated that they want more than an unguided missile. So unless Ford have some big things lined up for the chassis, despite the grunt it's going to have a hard time making the Redline look bad.

The XR6T on the other hand will still be the most direct competitor to the SS and the 270kw I6T doesn't blow away the 6.0 like it used to, so the F6 motor would have been great. But who knows, maybe they'll tickle the existing tune.

And I'm glad you're learning lots in school

[SensationFG8]

The redline does a fine job of making itself look bad.

Has anyone seen those awesome white suede stripes on the seat and dash? That alone makes the interior look rubbish to me.

I'd imagine we'll be seeing a 45k XR8 with small brakes, cloth and standard interior. I also think 315 motor not the 335, I don't think they will put the full GT driveline in the XR8.

For 55k or 65k you'll get leather, premium audio, big brakes and all the other trimmings.

[Bossxr8]

No way the XR8 will be 45. I'd say the starting point will be 49-50.

[Polyal]

You will get a xr8 easily once the pin is pulled and dealers want to offload them quickly, lets see who is the first dealer to slap 40% on rrp and mention interceptor.

Stuff Ford for not doing say a small 50 batch of RSpec F6's....DGAF about the business case, that car kept FPV relevant.

[Professor Farnsworth]

Yeah xr8s will be in the low 40s eventually, I'll post an invoice when I make that happen lol