2012 Falcon updates?

[Jason[98.EL]]

Originally Posted by vztrt

EA to EL, EA got the big upgrade...well EAII did with the new 4sp. Egine upgrades (and engine trials). The I6 had a few different options but that was with tickford being formed. EB got the V8. Ed was just refinement. EF and EL were really just outside upgrades.A/C also came standard.

AU - well IRS is a big one, VCT, complete new body, engine upgrades and weight savings. 5 different 6's 2 different V8's.

.

I have to sort of go against you there and i say sort of

my 98 el has alot of parts that are also on the 98 au one biggy is the head and if icansay so what a mongrell to get a good cam for it ( hence me going to a standard e-series head)
the rest i wuld agree with 100%

Jason

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Jason[98.EL]

I have to sort of go against you there and i say sort of

my 98 el has alot of parts that are also on the 98 au one biggy is the head and if icansay so what a mongrell to get a good cam for it ( hence me going to a standard e-series head)
the rest i wuld agree with 100%

Jason

lol, I was trying to point out that hasn't really been that big of a difference with what Ford has done from when the Falcon was first built here. Unfortunately they have lost the wagon and LWB. But gained the Terri so its a fair trade off IMO.

[Jason[98.EL]]

I know what you were trying to point out but someone has to be the devils advocote here lol

Jason

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by vztrt

EF and EL were really just outside upgrades.A/C also came standard.

EF gave us a standard drivers airbag, and the option of a passanger (EF-2)

Engine wise, the EF got coil packs, and also had the sepintine belt set up, removing the clutch fan and using thermo fans.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Nikked

The VE update comming up is visually no more then new bumpers. The most we will see with the FG over the nex few years will be the same. Sheetmetal changes are too costly.

I'm not talking about the update coming this year, I'm talking about the Zeta refresh at the end of its cycle in 2012 which is what this thread is about...

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

I'm not talking about the update coming this year, I'm talking about the Zeta refresh at the end of its cycle in 2012 which is what this thread is about...

Yes, and its at its 4th year refresh now, 2012 will the the FG's 4th year...

[JPFS1]

There's some minor cosmetic updates to FG next year in line with introduction of ecoboost.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Yes, and its at its 4th year refresh now, 2012 will the the FG's 4th year...

GM Holden are on record as stating that they are no longer utilising the 'standard' 10 year platform cycle for the Commodore and that Commodore generations from VE onwards will be on 6 year cycles. Meaning the VE will fall due for replacement around 2012. Whether this is the much talked about 'VF' update or a new top hat remains to be seen. Ford will need some updates up the FG's sleeve to combat this.

Holden have not stated that they have abandoned the 6 year cycle for something else; this does not mean they have done so anyway and kept it quiet due to GM's financial problems, but unless we're told otherwise it should be assumed that the VE won't have as long a lifespan as its predecessors.

[Bossxr8]

With no money to spend I don't know wether Holden will be able to keep to those 6 year cycles.

[FPV GTHO]

They announced the 6 year cycles at launch; the basic architecture was supposed to last 12 years and after 6 a new top hat. I dont know if theyre still on a 6 year plan, but its nothing like what was originally planned anymore. VF was supposed to be launched 2008.

[Falc'man]

Originally Posted by JPFS1

There's some minor cosmetic updates to FG next year in line with introduction of ecoboost.

They better give the XT a bit of a makeover. In my book it's the worst looking standard Falcon ever.

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by Falc'man

They better give the XT a bit of a makeover. In my book it's the worst looking standard Falcon ever.

That is where I disagree.. I think the FG XT looks just fine for a base model..

And how can you go past that grill on AU Series I as the worst ever base model?

[block58]

Originally Posted by Falc'man

They better give the XT a bit of a makeover. In my book it's the worst looking standard Falcon ever.

*cough* AU1 Forte *cough*

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by JPFS1

There's some minor cosmetic updates to FG next year in line with introduction of ecoboost.

When you say minor are you talking plastic only or is there minor sheet metal too??

[Falc'man]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

That is where I disagree.. I think the FG XT looks just fine for a base model..

You're entitled to your opinion.

Originally Posted by Joe5619

And how can you go past that grill on AU Series I as the worst ever base model?

Yes, I considered that.
The FG XT is not only been made to look very bland, but has a couple of things that appear to be purposely included to make it look not only bland, but also very bad.
For instance, it's not sharing it's rear lights with any other model, so why go to the trouble of making it's butt look that bad?
The grille's chrome brow/strip puts the whole front-end out of balance. It was made like this to make it look appealing in some way but again, it's going against the grain. Either have a full surround chrome grill (for some balance with lights), of fully colour-coded.

The AU's fan grill isn't out of sync with the car's design cues. But importantly, the difference between it and the other AU models wasn't that much. I preferred that grill to the Futura's.

It's all subjective anyway, my opinion of the FG XT hasn't changed one bit.