The big motoring story here in Oz for the past 24 hours has been the accidental leaking of VY Commodore pictures about 16 days before the car is officially launched (September 10).

I'm reserving my judgement until I see one in the flesh, but I think Ford must be very happy with what they see.

This forum here has the pics. What do you all think?

[This message has been edited by Lightspeed (edited August 28, 2002).]

 

I think I'm confused ... is this the correct link?????? I guess I'm not into Aussie Crime Stats ....

Ted 99 TA WS6 Conv

 

This http://www.ls1.com.au/showthread.php...&threadid=3658 is the right link. My one post on fordforums has really blown up and the pics are being cover by some of the major newspapers in Australia.

 

It appears that Holden has copied the front end of an Acura TL, and the rear of a Honda Civic, for the new VY. The "inspiration" is obvious, as is the 10 year old roofline from the Opel Omega.

Holden is just too small to maintain a credible product cycle, and the same can be said of Ford of Australia. Frequent facelifts cannot take the place of genuine redesigns - why else would Honda and Toyota rework their cars on a 3-4 year basis.

 

I'm loath to say this, but Ford of Austraila did a much better job redesigning their model.

 

Looks too bland for my tastes.

 

Okay...Ford in Australia have just gone public with pictures of the interior on the new Falcon (to be released later this month) as well as pictures of the new XR8 and details on engines.

Firstly, the engines.

The base engine across the new range is a heavily revised (basically new from the ground up) 4.0 litre inline 6. It's a DOHC 24 valve configuration pushing out 245 hp. It comes with what Ford describes as dual variable cam timing (VCT).

There is also a turbo version of this engine that can be ordered on XR6 models. It pumps out 323 hp. It's a very low state of boost (only 5psi I'm told) so after market tuning should be a breeze.

The V8 option has two levels. Most folks will get a 5.4 litre all-alloy V8 with SOHC and 3 valves per cylinder. This is good for about 300 hp.

The next level is a DOHC 4 valve version of the same engine. This will be on XR8 models. Both versions of the V8 also get the dual VCT. It's good for 350 hp. To fit the thing under the car's hood a neat looking bulge was needed, as you'll see in the pictures below.

The car comes with an entirely new, and locally developed, IRS. We've discussed this system before.

So to the pics!

Interior Pic

Interior Pic #2

Exterior Pic. You'll note the hood bulge on the blue car. That's an XR8. The one below is an XR6.

If you're interested in even more details, check out www.newfalcon.com.au It will have all the details you'll need.

I'm curious for reactions, anyway. How does this compare wity US Ford products?

 

Sad to say, the Falcon looks much better. The Coommodore front end looks bland as hell.

 

It's not only looks, but technology as well. Ford has leaped ahead in almost every area with this Falcon. Holden have to wait until 2005 until it can really challenge the tech -- especially on the chasis front.

I just love that interior in the new Falcon! If I can save the pennies...then we'll see what happens next year!

 

Judging by the pictures & powertrain (DOHC 5.4 ), I'd say Ford of Austraila just may have turned the Falcon completely around!

 

Yep. I think you're right. This Falcon has me hooked. The gauntlet has been thrown down!

And one more cool interior pic...

Click Here.