This is why i6 engine had to go

[Pedro]

This well written article by Joe Kenwright explains why Ford Aust. had no choice but to drop the i6 engine.
http://www.carpoint.com.au/car-review/2747626.aspx

This is the V6 replacement which I'm sure will have improved horsepower for the local market.

"The Duratec 35 is unique in that it will deliver its 265 hp (198 kW) rating on regular (87 octane) gasoline, giving it an advantage when compared against its Japanese competitors of similar displacement and power levels. There is a 3.7L version with 275hp/270tq, slated to go in a fwd passenger car around 2008-2009.

The Duratec 35 is expected to replace the Barra I6 engine in the Australian Ford Falcon and Ford Territory models, following the announcement that Ford Australia will close it's Geelong engine plant in 2010."

[bigAl]

interesting read, i think they have made a smart move.

[Ringo]

When you look at it like that it takes on a whole new light. Tough call to make but it will go some way to ensuring the future of Ford in Australia.

Haven't we Aussie Ford fans wished we had to some of the engines in the Aussie line up that Ford have overseas?

I feel for the workers but they have got almost three years warning to prepare themselves and set up their affairs etc.

Plenty of other manufacturing workers get little or no notice before having the rug pulled out from under them.

[XAGSV8]

:

[Lukeyson]

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=109525

[Pedro]

Originally Posted by XR8fella

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=109525

Sorry, I didn't see it as I'd got sick of reading all the conjecture in that sub-forum.

[V3RSAC3]

LMAO @ Back to the Future

good read though!!!

[samftr]

At the top end, this has delivered at least an extra $7000 in a buyer's pocket that Ford can't match. The Fairlane was the first casualty. If the rest of Ford's local models are not to follow, the Geelong engine has to go -- even if it is better than its rivals or its replacement.

I like that, at least its honest. Well I suppose it means we will be in the same engine boat as holden with rattly clunkers eh...
farq that sucks

[xe351]

as long as they dont stick that v6 in the wrong way and have a front wheel drive falcon.............. that would be ........ i have no words to describe the dumbness

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by xe351

as long as they dont stick that v6 in the wrong way and have a front wheel drive falcon.............. that would be ........ i have no words to describe the dumbness

I think its pretty safe to say the majority of Large car consumers in Australia are "programmed" to demad Rear Wheel drive and understand the advantages it offers over FWD.
I can't ever see the Falcon becoming FWD...

[xe351]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

I think its pretty safe to say the majority of Large car consumers in Australia are "programmed" to demad Rear Wheel drive and understand the advantages it offers over FWD.
I can't ever see the Falcon becoming FWD...

i agree, i was thinking worst case scenario

[Deanodriver]

Originally Posted by xe351

i agree, i was thinking worst case scenario

I believe that the utes and the sport models kinda ensure that it won't go FWD. However, if it was AWD, it wouldn't matter so much (and the Taurus platform does have AWD variants).

Still, RWD is what Aussie buyers want.

[new2ford]

That Carpoint article does tend to emphasis how "Australian" Ford has been for the last 20-30 years and how "unAustralian" Holden has been.

I understand a reason small car manufacturing fell over in this country was that it was uneconomic because of smaller potential returns (particularly when a car sells for only $15000). They have the same problem in Europe. Someone from Holden told me once the reason they were (at that time) changing to Korean models is that Opel couldn't supply small cars cheaply enough to compete with the Asian buzz boxes (Australian car-buyers' only purchase criterion being price!). I imagine the Ford decision would have to have a healthy export component with it.

[ECOJET]

on the great scheme of things, i wonder if it all really balances out.. sure European might initially be more expensive, but you'd expect a better quality car compared to something purchased from korea.. interesting comparison will be the vectra (pretty sure it was made in germany?) to the new epica.

[[Tonko]]

Holy crap, How many threads have to start about the V6?
Just have one and everyone can repost the same crap over and over.
/over it

[SB076]

Some Australians buy on price but not all, I would like to think that there are a range of factors that influence what I buy (ie quality, specifications etc)

[Falcon Coupe]

Repost.