Does lower ford sales + GEC = no GTHO

jphanna · 07-02-2009, 09:12 PM

The four most famous letters in the Australian performance world, (GTHO) have been bandied on more than a few occasions since FPV were formed in 2002. Last I read some time ago, was that it was gonna be a ‘track day special’ that the EVO and WRX would not be able to beat. Then there was talk of different engine configurations, including of course, very early in the FPV history, that ‘V10’ that was bandied about. The Hurricane?
Do you guys think that the current GEC, combined with Ford Australias own problems, (can they be separated?) will mean that those letters may never appear again?
i recon that if ford did a ‘dress up’ anniversary GTHO special, with a few commemorative labels stuck on the sides including the superoo sticker, that it would be a shame.
In the current economic climate, does FPV have the balls and resources to produce a GTHO ‘track day special’, that cant be beaten? If they cant or wont, would you buy a stickers and fancy wheels GTHO ‘anniversary special’?

Zed7fiddy · 07-02-2009, 09:26 PM

Holden did it wit the W427... cant see why they cant do it with the GTHO... hell even cobras sold out and they were a limeted run.

**Falcon Coupe** · 07-02-2009, 09:36 PM

GTHO twin turbo V10OMGBBQWWTF

snappy · 07-02-2009, 09:37 PM

I think it would be far to say Holden has a few more dollars lying around .

platinumXR · 07-02-2009, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

GTHO twin turbo V10OMGBBQWWTF

BAxtER · 07-02-2009, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

GTHO twin turbo V10OMGBBQWWTF

hahahaha!!..omg..bbq..wtf classic falcon coupe..classic!!!!

GTP290 · 07-02-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snappy84

I think it would be far to say Holden has a few more dollars lying around .

How the hell did you come to that assumption? Last I heard Ford rejected a handout from the US government, while GM took it with both hands, at a local level theres no corporate stand at the Clipsal 500 for Holden while Ford have still got theres, not to mention Holden pulling out funding to some of the V8 supercar teams.
When Ford done this a few months ago they nearly got castrated by the media, Holden do the same thing and not a negative comment by anyone! Youve got to give it to Ford for copping and absorbing a lot of crap, yet they always pull through with the goods!

snappy · 07-02-2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTP290

How the hell did you come to that assumption? Last I heard Ford rejected a handout from the US government, while GM took it with both hands, at a local level theres no corporate stand at the Clipsal 500 for Holden while Ford have still got theres, not to mention Holden pulling out funding to some of the V8 supercar teams.
When Ford done this a few months ago they nearly got castrated by the media, Holden do the same thing and not a negative comment by anyone! Youve got to give it to Ford for copping and absorbing a lot of crap, yet they always pull through with the goods!

Granted its a guess .
Forget GM forget Ford U.S
Holden have a higher sales volume and have for the last decade.
More sales = more service , more parts more mechandice if holden dont have more cash then ford somthing is terribly wrong with there admin.
Even if there not more spare cash lying around they have a larger networth .
There they could lend more .
Put that with the fact that they are starting to build a new 4 cylinder platform with the goverment contract to buy from them . There laughing

An you said it youself ford pull out of everything first . What does that tell you Holden can stand to lose a bit more before it starts to hurt

DanielXR8 · 08-02-2009, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTP290

How the hell did you come to that assumption? Last I heard Ford rejected a handout from the US government, while GM took it with both hands, at a local level theres no corporate stand at the Clipsal 500 for Holden while Ford have still got theres, not to mention Holden pulling out funding to some of the V8 supercar teams.
When Ford done this a few months ago they nearly got castrated by the media, Holden do the same thing and not a negative comment by anyone! Youve got to give it to Ford for copping and absorbing a lot of crap, yet they always pull through with the goods!

A Cobra was a sticker pack with some upgrades piggy backed off the FG program.

A GTHO is an investment too far for a car that is declining in sales year by year.

Dan

geckoGT · 08-02-2009, 02:42 AM

I would say with the way the big three are tightening their belts a GTHO is unlikely. Remember the W427 was signed off on financially long before the recession really took bite.

Holdens key advantage over Ford AU is in their exports, like others have said a larger market to spread the R&D costs.

In my opinion we do not have a hope of seeing a GTHO in the next couple of years but hopefully in the future.

IDT · 08-02-2009, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geckoGT

I would say with the way the big three are tightening their belts a GTHO is unlikely. Remember the W427 was signed off on financially long before the recession really took bite.

Holdens key advantage over Ford AU is in their exports, like others have said a larger market to spread the R&D costs.

In my opinion we do not have a hope of seeing a GTHO in the next couple of years but hopefully in the future.

When would be a better time then now? GM is in the news for all the wrong reasons. They don't have the funds to pull a rabbit out thier $%^& like they did at the launch of the FG. Lay the boot in I say, in Australia, times are tuff, but like australians Holdens are tuffer.

They can easily put the G6E style interior into a GT (no R&D and they already have the gear), throw in a mustang GT 500 Supercharger (little R&D as its already being done by the aftermarketeers and is an inhouse purchase) . Give it a suspension overhaul and a V8 Supercar style body kit.

It would be the most powerful australian factory built car ever!

IT CANT BE THAT HARD. Make them to order at less than $100,000 a throw. If the economy is that bad FPV must have the spare bods to do the work and would surely love the extra business let alone a chance to smash holden with a V8 even if it's SC.

XR8putts · 08-02-2009, 09:19 AM

Do you even know that Holden/HSV has had to cut the production number of the exclusive, limited-run W427 by half because no one wants it?

jphanna · 08-02-2009, 09:32 AM

V10OMGBBQWWTF

I know its gonna be a PASTING about repetitive topics, but exactly what does this stand for word for word? (include the swearing if you can)

I think that FORD owes it to the high performance fans to do what its heritage has proved it can do. maybe the fact that the turbo 6 can get around a track quicker than the 8 (weight/power both?) is the problem. it will mean that the best reincarnation of the GTHO name, based on current technology and engines available, is a turbo 6 and that will upset the diehard GTHO fans that insist it must be an 8.

would you buy a Turbo6 GTHO, if it was a true track day winner?

GTP owner · 08-02-2009, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puts99

Do you even know that Holden/HSV has had to cut the production number of the exclusive, limited-run W427 by half because no one wants it?

That's right - reduced from 427 to 200. And even then they have not all sold!
That would be the answer to the question of the thread - no way in these times will the gtho be built.

prydey · 08-02-2009, 10:26 AM

If ford have any sense at all, the GTHO nameplate should NEVER be resurrected. it will only detract from a very important part of australian automotive history.

even if ford had money to burn, it should be left alone. holden built a w427. big engine, race suspension etc etc and ended up with a $150k+ pricetag. the first thing everyone wanted to know was the straightline figures and once they started to appear it was only a small margin quicker than the hsv/fpv quickies and even the ss/g6et have posted times on paper that are not worlds apart. would anyone really like to see ford pour their money into a 'supercar' project and deliver a car that can't justify itself. it could be the best handling, best driving car on the planet but it seems all people care about sometimes is 1/4 mile times.

JG66ME · 08-02-2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jphanna

V10OMGBBQWWTF

I know its gonna be a PASTING about repetitive topics, but exactly what does this stand for word for word? (include the swearing if you can)

I think that FORD owes it to the high performance fans to do what its heritage has proved it can do. maybe the fact that the turbo 6 can get around a track quicker than the 8 (weight/power both?) is the problem. it will mean that the best reincarnation of the GTHO name, based on current technology and engines available, is a turbo 6 and that will upset the diehard GTHO fans that insist it must be an 8.

would you buy a Turbo6 GTHO, if it was a true track day winner?

V10, Oh My God, Barbeque with What the Fu^$

Whitey-AMG · 08-02-2009, 10:42 AM

I think we'll be lucky to see a continued V8 program..........period !!!!

Too much media bagging along with the GEC and coupled with renewed vigorous Environmental concerns + slow sales...........a V8 of any sort for a mainstream company like FORD is coming to an end.

That doesn't mean that it might not invest some $$ in other platforms to mainatain its high performance division..........Hot hatches and Hot sixes are clearly the way forward as they will be based on the volume sellers and it makes economic sense to capitalise on your projected future sellers.

Bossxr8 · 08-02-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ESP

I think we'll be lucky to see a continued V8 program..........period !!!!

Too much media bagging along with the GEC and coupled with renewed vigorous Environmental concerns + slow sales...........a V8 of any sort for a mainstream company like FORD is coming to an end.

That doesn't mean that it might not invest some $$ in other platforms to mainatain its high performance division..........Hot hatches and Hot sixes are clearly the way forward as they will be based on the volume sellers and it makes economic sense to capitalise on your projected future sellers.

Ford know the V8 is essential, both here and in the US. It won't be dropped anytime soon thats for sure, especially with the adding of direct injection which lower emissions by upto 25%, and economy by upto 10%. DI V8's are on Fords agenda to keep them relevent.

Romulus · 08-02-2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Ford know the V8 is essential, both here and in the US. It won't be dropped anytime soon thats for sure, especially with the adding of direct injection which lower emissions by upto 25%, and economy by upto 10%. DI V8's are on Fords agenda to keep them relevent.

Common Rail Direct Injection, accompanied with twin turbo's slurping diesel fuel would be very good. Massive amounts of power and torque is easily achievable.

Nikked · 08-02-2009, 12:57 PM

i don't think a GTHO was really going to happen anyway...

Dave_au · 08-02-2009, 01:36 PM

It would be a let down like most of FPVs products

Whitey-AMG · 08-02-2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Ford know the V8 is essential, both here and in the US. It won't be dropped anytime soon thats for sure, especially with the adding of direct injection which lower emissions by upto 25%, and economy by upto 10%. DI V8's are on Fords agenda to keep them relevent.

Let me clarify...........It may be on FORD's possible agenda..........but it is becoming eminently obvious that it is not on the buying public's agenda.

It has also been touted by both major AU political parties that there may also be additional emissions and consumption penalties on large engined vehicles in the future which would make registration and running costs even more ridiculous than they are now.

Ford have dropped the V8 program before in similar circumstances and they won't hesitate to do it again............especially this time since they have a recognised performance alternative..........they have nothing to lose this time.

I'm gonna stick my neck out and say we may be looking at the death throws of the AU FORD V8 program in the next 5 years.

Romulus · 08-02-2009, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ESP

It has also been touted by both major AU political parties that there may also be additional emissions and consumption penalties on large engined vehicles in the future which would make registration and running costs even more ridiculous than they are now.

And the reason for this is.....the perceived higher fuel consumption and running costs of these large capacity engine.

Should Ford decide to continue with a V8 program they must introduce engines that are cleaner, more fuel efficient, lighter and make power the market expects. Ford is in a great position to do this; it's competitor develops engines that are becoming bigger and bigger in size and lack the technology of Ford's upcoming engines.

A significant improvement in engine technology is the only way a Au Ford V8 will survive.

Whitey-AMG · 08-02-2009, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVS Super Pursuit

A significant improvement in engine technology is the only way a Au Ford V8 will survive.

Spot on !............my point exactly.

I just don't think that FORD AU beancounters will allow the investment in the first place..........there just won't be the return to justify it. FPV have enough momentum with the F6 and possibly other smaller engine projects in the pipeline to survive against HSV.

If so.....in the short term anyways....what we'll end up with is similar to what GM have done with DOD for the 8.........slightly better fuel economy ( debatable anyways ) to appease the societal conscience...BUT.. with a DECREASE in power and TORQUE...........it will be the cheap and nasty way to do it.

YUK !!!!

GTP owner · 08-02-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave_au

It would be a let down like most of FPVs products

You obviously have not owned any......

Iggypoppin' · 08-02-2009, 07:43 PM

upon seeing this thread, i thought a good ressurection would be a twin turbo'd inline 6 (think supra, skyline GTR ?) with a lighter shell and decent brakes/suspension. that'd certainly blow the doors off everything else out there. 1/4 mile times in the 12's and thats plenty.

prydey · 08-02-2009, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLWXR6

upon seeing this thread, i thought a good ressurection would be a twin turbo'd inline 6 (think supra, skyline GTR ?) with a lighter shell and decent brakes/suspension. that'd certainly blow the doors off everything else out there. 1/4 mile times in the 12's and thats plenty.

1/4 mile times are already nearing that from standard cars. plenty of 6cyl turbo models in the fg range can do low 13's off the factory floor and there was a g6et owned by someone on here that did a 12.89.

Hoops · 08-02-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTP owner

You obviously have not owned any......

I was going to say the same.

I hope there is a GTHO released however i cant see it happening in the near future

Iggypoppin' · 08-02-2009, 07:58 PM

well in that case make it 11's

something that can comprehensivly beat the W427 as well as anything else currently available with a very mean look and awesome handling, is what is needed. if the money is there, that is

Hoops · 08-02-2009, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLWXR6

upon seeing this thread, i thought a good ressurection would be a twin turbo'd inline 6 (think supra, skyline GTR ?) with a lighter shell and decent brakes/suspension. that'd certainly blow the doors off everything else out there. 1/4 mile times in the 12's and thats plenty.

I doubt that engine combo would go down very well with the die hards