A quick note on the Ford Falcon

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Jul 22, 2002 | 09:33 AM

#16

guionM

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Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 13,713

From: The Golden State

Done some nosing around Z, & here's my understanding so far.

The Focus as Mustang rumor started because alot of Focus parts (including the basic rear suspension setup ..control blade suspension) will be used on the next Mustang. Ford is working on a concept vehicle to showcase the new Mustang chassis w/o it being a Mustang.

I haven't gotten enough feedback to be sure, but just taking a stab at it, if there is a RWD Focus concept car, that is probally what it is. Evidently, the AWD Focus has a rear suspension setup similar to the next Mustang (again just a guess because I haven't yet seen it as I have Falcon's)

Jul 22, 2002 | 10:34 AM

#17

Lightspeed

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Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 37

From: Perth, W.A., Australia

Quote:

Originally posted by guionM:
As far as the rear suspensions between Falcon & Commodore, I'll concede that the current Falcon is more sophisticated, but it is based on the current Cobra IRS which is basically a jerry-rigged unit that is stuffed in a place where IRS wasn't intended to go.

You were right Guion (kinda), my apologies. The IRS for the AU Falcon was developed at roughly the same time as the Cobra's. They share the concept of the tubular subframe, and the cast iron arms, and the bent upper arm, and the long lower arm, and the...

While they're similar in layout, they're entirely different in almost every detail. I'm told that there's pressure within the Ford organisation to commonise most component designs, but Ford in Oz have been able to effectively resist that pressure.

The DEW platform was different again, even if there were similarities.

Jul 22, 2002 | 02:32 PM

#18

guionM

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Posts: 13,713

From: The Golden State

Quote:

Originally posted by Lightspeed:
You were right Guion (kinda), my apologies. The IRS for the AU Falcon was developed at roughly the same time as the Cobra's. They share the concept of the tubular subframe, and the cast iron arms, and the bent upper arm, and the long lower arm, and the...

While they're similar in layout, they're entirely different in almost every detail. I'm told that there's pressure within the Ford organisation to commonise most component designs, but Ford in Oz have been able to effectively resist that pressure.

The DEW platform was different again, even if there were similarities.

The fact that Ford of Austrailia has been able to resist Ford of North America (which once pressured FOA to use the Taurus to replace Falcon) is a huge credit to them, as is the fact that the Falcon is the only Austrailan car completely engineered there.

The new Falcon is a looker. If it can keep up with the gen3 Holden, Ford may be in for a big comeback.

Then maybe Holden will have enough extra capacity to send us more then just 20,000 GTOs.

Jul 23, 2002 | 04:24 AM

#19

Lightspeed

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Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 37

From: Perth, W.A., Australia

Quote:

Originally posted by guionM:
The new Falcon is a looker. If it can keep up with the gen3 Holden, Ford may be in for a big comeback.

But Ford really is up against it! I was passed the other night by a brand new black SS Commodore, and it sure does look the goods. The Commodore is a great looking car, and many people won't look beyond that issue when they make their purchase.

And the Monaro (GTO), geeze, that looks even better. Photos don't do it justice. Its sexiness is found in its stance. And in the right colour it's stunning.