Ford Australia public affairs director Sinead Phipps told Drive: “We have no plans to

[csv8]

From DRIVE 28/06/2012

Ford Performance Vehicles is about to introduce the fastest Falcon GT of all time – although it will fall short of being the much-anticipated successor to the iconic GTHO.

Codenamed “Panther”, the Falcon GT’s supercharged V8 will have the same power as before (335kW and 570Nm) but it will accelerate more quickly because of wider rear tyres and retuned suspension.

Although Ford does not publish acceleration claims, Drive understands internal testing has shown the new model can reach 100km/h in less than five seconds.

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The upgraded Falcon GT is due to be unveiled within the next two months in the lead-up to October’s Sydney motor show.

There are also plans afoot to revive the Falcon XR8 nameplate, thought to have been left for dead when it was dropped from the line-up in June 2010.

There is widespread speculation the XR8 will replace the budget-priced but slow-selling FPV GS – which, ironically, was supposed to be badged XR8 but Ford changed its mind at the 11th hour.

However, reliable sources say the decision to revive the XR8 nameplate is yet to be made and, if approved, won’t reappear until 2013 at the earliest.

It is also unclear what engine would power the XR8.

The 315kW supercharged V8 used in the GS would have to meet stricter Ford reliability standards if the car were to wear Falcon XR8 badging.

Ford could also choose to power the XR8 with a non-supercharged V8.

However, whichever option Ford goes with, it will cost time and money to undertake either engineering overhaul.

Meanwhile, enthusiast websites are rife with speculation the FPV range is about to be rationalised to a single GT model, dropping the GT-E and GT-P variants from the line-up.

However this is wide of the mark.

Dealers were last week sent a bulletin advising them to bring forward any production orders for GT-E and GT-P models because they will be unavailable while the limited edition GT “Panther” is built in one batch.

Regular production of all GT variants and the turbocharged F6 are expected to resume afterwards.

There is also speculation Ford Australia is about to take control of Ford Performance Vehicles. But this, too, seems premature.

FPV has been 51 per cent owned by British firm Prodrive since 2002, with Ford owning the remaining 49 per cent.

Prodrive’s chief operating officer, Clive Scrivener, was in Australia this week – at the same time as the Asia-Pacific boss of Ford, Joe Hinrichs. However, the parties did not meet.

The takeover conjecture started after three FPV engineers – Bernie Quinn, Paul Cook and Jim Jovonoski – bought an engineering offshoot of Prodrive last month. But that division is not part of FPV.

That said, Ford Australia is believed to be reviewing its relationship with the FPV business.

Ford and FPV have been slow to recoup the $40 million investment in the supercharged V8 upgrade introduced in the GT Falcon in October 2010.

While sales of high-performance Falcons have increased since the introduction of the supercharged V8 engine, Ford was expecting even higher demand.

Despite Ford building the most powerful locally-made V8 sedan on sale in Australia today, FPV sells less than half the number of cars as rival Holden Special Vehicles.

Although there is wild speculation about a takeover on a number of Ford internet forums, the company says there are no changes or announcements imminent regarding FPV.

Ford Australia public affairs director Sinead Phipps told Drive: “We have no plans to make any kind of announcement in relation to FPV in the near future.”
http://brisbanetimes.drive.com.au/mo...628-214ow.html

[Rockape]

I dont know what to think anymore. Long live the Ford Falcon

[StrikeTwiceXR6]

Originally Posted by Rockape

Long live the Ford Falcon

x 2 Long live the Ford Falcon

[mr smith]

Originally Posted by Rockape

I dont know what to think anymore. Long live the Ford Falcon

Uncertainty, will be the death of Falcon.

[StrikeTwiceXR6]

Originally Posted by csv8

Although there is wild speculation about a takeover on a number of Ford internet forums, the company says there are no changes or announcements imminent regarding FPV.

Ford Australia public affairs director Sinead Phipps told Drive: “We have no plans to make any kind of announcement in relation to FPV in the near future.”
http://brisbanetimes.drive.com.au/mo...628-214ow.html

Originally Posted by mr smith

Uncertainty, will be the death of Falcon.

Sorry guys, but I can't see any uncertainty from Ford Australia's direction with FPV. Looks good to me!

[BHDOGS]

good news to hear

[mr smith]

The real truth must be deciphered from the posts of people in the know, a sence of reality and a little of Fords official line. Do you really think Ford will let the real story out the bag yet? As suppliers and companies with long lead times start getting orders cut short you can bet your bottom dollar the s%^ts going down.

[Geez Louise]

This was already posted in the FPV section guys

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11369760

[FGX-351]

I'm going to reserve my judgement.

On one hand I want to believe them on the other hand the original info was posted by Spoolman, he wouldn't have started the topic unless his sources were reliable.

Yep reserving my judgment but definitely watching closely.

[Pepscobra]

Here's a bizarre thought....

What are the chances that Ford/FPV intentionly leaked the story that Spoolman reported this morning to cause a bit of a buzz?

The news article quoted above came very quickly and specifically refers to the activity on the forums today.

Maybe I'm clutching at straws here, it could have been a clever way for FPV to address the elephant in the room without making a big deal about it themselves.

[au2000]

Originally Posted by Pepscobra

Here's a bizarre thought....

What are the chances that Ford/FPV intentionly leaked the story that Spoolman reported this morning to cause a bit of a buzz?

The news article quoted above came very quickly and specifically refers to the activity on the forums today.

Maybe I'm clutching at straws here, it could have been a clever way for FPV to address the elephant in the room without making a big deal about it themselves.

or find a leak in their office perhaps with some mis- information?

[Nikked]

Wow...what a surprise...an internet rumour was wrong...

[Benjamin Smith]

Why doesn't someone make up a rumour that ford has plans for the falcon all the way up to 2025 or something, because it is clear where the journalist are getting there story's from.

[Nikked]

Positive Falcon threads...


http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...ht=2016+falcon

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...ht=2016+falcon

[DJR-351]

I just heard on the qt that Ford are about to announce the release of a new range of Falcon sedans/wagons/panel vans/utes and coupes with a choice of 4,6 and 8cyl engines throughout, all engines will be available in either petrol/gas/diesel and N/A or forced induction.......good times ahead....

[BaraFGXR6]

Please Please Please re release a decent priced xr8 with an n/a motor in 2013!

Lease is up and i swear on my left testicle that i would rather upgrade to a streetable n/a v8 platform then pour money into my 6. (not everyone needs or wants a supercharged v8!)

In other news, its good to see Ford finally coming out of the shadows and dispelling the rumours

Sometimes anticipating the hit is actually worse than the hit itself.

[Shonky.]

Good to hear

Originally Posted by csv8

From DRIVE 28/06/2012


The 315kW supercharged V8 used in the GS would have to meet stricter Ford reliability standards if the car were to wear Falcon XR8 badging.

Not really helpful, and is it even true?

[aussie muscle]

Ford Australia public affairs director Sinead Phipps told Drive: “We have no plans to make any kind of announcement in relation to FPV in the near future.”

so par for the course, to keep everyone in the dark. even though that hurts them.

Originally Posted by Geez Louise

This was already posted in the FPV section guys

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11369760

Geeze, Louise, you expect us to drill all the way down there to get the top stories?

[mcnews]

Originally Posted by shonkymofo

Good to hear
Not really helpful, and is it even true?

This could quite possible be true, there are global standards for all Ford vehicles worldwide that wear the badge. It is where our 15,000km service intervals come from, while if it was up to Ford Aus they would probably? be smaller intervals. There are lots of little things like that seem inconsequential but = pain to meet that FPV can probably get away with due to not wearing the Ford badge.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Wonder how hard it would have been to wring 351kw out of the engine? Or is that being saved for later on I wonder?

[Shonky.]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Wonder how hard it would have been to wring 351kw out of the engine? Or is that being saved for later on I wonder?

already makes that and then some

[Murph-51]

I think at the moment, someone is eating humble pie lol

[cobramania]

Originally Posted by mcnews

This could quite possible be true, there are global standards for all Ford vehicles worldwide that wear the badge. It is where our 15,000km service intervals come from, while if it was up to Ford Aus they would probably? be smaller intervals. There are lots of little things like that seem inconsequential but = pain to meet that FPV can probably get away with due to not wearing the Ford badge.

Few things I found strange with the FORD has higher standards than FPV statement.
1) The cars are predominately built by Ford, with performance extras put on by FPV.
2) The engines are FPV built, but the XR8's always had FPV built engines in them.
3)Maybe it's just me, but I would have thought the performance division of any car manufacturer would have to have higher, stricter standards to the base model cars manufacture. For safety & reliability, FPV would have to engineer the cars engines, brakes, suspension, etc, to keep the 5 star safety rating of the base falcons & extra stresses on various parts of the cars, when used on the racetrack or during spirited driving. FPV probably dictate safety & reliability standards to Ford, for the donor cars.
4) The big one, all FPV cars come under the FORD Factory warranty, so all would have to be built to Ford quality specs, otherwise, they'd have no warranty on them.

[TMC]

What a roller coaster ride this has been.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Wonder how hard it would have been to wring 351kw out of the engine? Or is that being saved for later on I wonder?

I think 451kW would be dead easy. The emissions side of things may be more difficult though.

[csv8]

could be the old saying.."Where there is smoke there is fire" ???

[GT]

FORD read last nights thread that was closed and the Forum Members angst and the comment of them not being as transparent as they could be, for Consumers and Australian Business Community, has prompted them to personally phone Russell this morning. He is in Melbourne busy working but will be posting tonight with the summary of his talks this morning. It would be inappropriate for me to comment but he will do so when home in his usual factual and direct way.

I do know that they want us all onside and Russell now has direct contact with them anytime it is needed.

This is IMO a great move forward and a positive step from FORD who recognise that the AFF is one of the main players in their support network. Good on them!

Gaela

[Kable72]

DELETE - Didn't read above post

[babyf6]

Originally Posted by GT

FORD read last nights thread that was closed and the Forum Members angst and the comment of them not being as transparent as they could be, for Consumers and Australian Business Community, has prompted them to personally phone Russell this morning. He is in Melbourne busy working but will be posting tonight with the summary of his talks this morning. It would be inappropriate for me to comment but he will do so when home in his usual factual and direct way.

I do know that they want us all onside and Russell now has direct contact with them anytime it is needed.

This is IMO a great move forward and a positive step from FORD who recognise that the AFF is one of the main players in their support network. Good on them!

Gaela

This is a perfect set-up. Ford AU now has the ability to see what we love and what we here about our beloved company

[Dusty1]

Off topic, but it would be great for Ford to appoint someone from the factory to the each of the forums where cars are still under warranty.

Wouldn't be that hard to get allocate a lucky person in Fprd to do this for them.

How many vehicles are there 10 -12?