Your thoughts on FG's design, 20 months on.

[yanknbank]

No bootlid carpet (does the G6E get it?)

Yes it does.

[ED Classic]

I like the look of the G6ET, and F6 but prefer BA's and BF's accross the other models. The Stipes of the BA-BF FPV's are much better style IMHO and not taken of the XR's compared to BA-BF

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by markof

Overall, in my opinion, very good. Don't like the decal and stripe kits on Gt's.. Time for a re-design me thinks.. Had a silver decal on mine and decided after delivery it looked tacky, so promptly took off. Much happier with the result. Think BA/BF hood decals were much better.

i got some of ebay. $31 for the old style one and they look great

[kezzer]

Originally Posted by CDAA

I think the VE shape is generally more desirable especially in HSV form. For a complete sheet metal change I can't help but feel they could have done so much more to make the styling more cohesive and more aggressive overall.

My next car is probably going to be a HSV, dont get me wrong, love my fg xr6, looks, handles and drives nice. As far as FPV vs HSV, its a no brainer, I just wish FPV would get there act together, most of them look like plastic toys.

[IngoStang]

I am very happy with mine. Before buying my XR6 I was also considering the SV6. I felt that the interior on the SV6 was very primitive looking compared to the XR6. The SV6 had the big chunky dials for A/C and air control, seating looked very plain and technology wise seemed a little behind compared to the FG (only 3.5mm jack input for iPod in commodore) and I wasnt a fan of the amber dash lighting, much preferring Fords blue lighting.

IMO I just think there are alot of little subtle things Ford have done that Holden have not (and vice versa Im sure) but for me the Ford ticked all my boxes

[irlewy86]

Originally Posted by kezzer

My next car is probably going to be a HSV, dont get me wrong, love my fg xr6, looks, handles and drives nice. As far as FPV vs HSV, its a no brainer, I just wish FPV would get there act together, most of them look like plastic toys.

Up close with the E2 it's use of plastic is far more than the FPV's. While painted, still prefer the less flamboyant style of the Ford. One looks like a pub brawler the other looks like a drag queen fresh from the offices of a blind plastic surgeon.

[kezzer]

each to his own, HSV's to me look mean, modern day muscle cars.

[data_mine]

I'd agree on the series 1 VE's, but the new ones (had a good look at one today at a car show), are fugly.

So many conflicting design elements, imho it just doesn't 'work'.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by kezzer

My next car is probably going to be a HSV, dont get me wrong, love my fg xr6, looks, handles and drives nice. As far as FPV vs HSV, its a no brainer, I just wish FPV would get there act together, most of them look like plastic toys.

I would have been the same with an E1 HSV but E2 has taken a leaf out of FPV's book of tackiness.

[TUF_302]

i really like it, one of the best designed falcons ever, and by far the best when it comes to quality, The best thing is definetly the G6E addition to the range

[Nikked]

ES HSV's have reached Grp A SS levels of takiness. The new HSV's are right up a pre 15 year olds ally though. Its a shame. HSV make decent cars in stupid tupperware containers

On topic...





The GT's aren't as visually arresting as a HSV, but thats not a bad thing.

[SSD-85]

True, cars dont have to look like something in a Hot Wheels box to be appealing. To grown men anyway.

[jamesson1980]

Originally Posted by BOSHOG

...despise the utes external "styling". the tub just doesnt fit the cabin, it looks like an after thought..

Agreed, looks like the ute's rear arches are pre-tubbed for some dragster wheels to be slipped in there in future. Everything else about the whole series I totally love. I only have the XR6 but it's awesome in looks and feel for a bog model. Off the topic a little, it still disappoints me a little that there is no WAGON, V8 G-SERIES or V8 entry level ute in the FG range.. Imagination goes spaz thinking of how hot an FG XR8 WAGON could look.
As for the aging of the model, for the first time ever, I haven't got my next car in mind.. I see myself holding onto the FG long after it's been paid off.

[block58]

Originally Posted by Nikked

This image doesnt do the GT E Justice.

Heres a better one :

[iliov]

i love the front on the of the cars but i still hate the rear.

[boris]

I would love for the falcon to bring back the coke bottle curve in the rear quarters like the new mustang and falcons/mustangs of old I think the FG would be the ideal shape to do it with because it is such a nice shape. Plus design wise it would aline the falcon with mustang which would be good for the future of falcon, if we can get ford america to think of the falcon as a four door mustang (xt xy falcons were base on the mustang design) rather than a taurus type car, they are more likely to keep the falcon alive in the future. Plus that coke curve is just plain cool, a real muscle car character.

[Falc'man]

Originally Posted by boris

I would love for the falcon to bring back the coke bottle curve in the rear quarters like the new mustang and falcons/mustangs of old

It's called the "hockey stick". It would be a nice touch, but it would also need to blend in.

A lot was talked about FG's Euro look when it was released, and that it was a step away from the traditional American/Aussie large car with the rugged, muscle car looks. Although it has been difficult to instill this muscle-car character in the FG XR/FPV range, overall the Euro theme has been a success. This is why the G series looks so bloody good; the FG was made for it.

[R-Design]

The main problem I have with the FG is they didn’t go far enough to differentiate it from the BA-F series. Probably the most disappointing thing is the lack of new wheel designs across the range.

Highlights:
XR with optional 19 Inch Wheels
F6 with Dark Argents
G6ET

Lowlights:
XR with standard 17 inch wheels
XT with BF hubcaps
GT Stripe Kit

I always think of the following CGI, and wonder what could have been:

[fou_bleu]

The E1 HSV's were a lot more 'agro' than the BA/F (IMO), which were never FPV's original intentions it seems to me - then the FG came out with the intentions of looking agro. The Racoon eyes give this impression, thought it is a more sophisticated 'agro' FPV was looking IMO - not all ricer like with angles and vents etc. here, there, everywhere. The E2 HSV's are a very confused looking car to me. I think they are trying to copy FPV in the respect that they want to go all agro with blackouts and shapes - but the execution has failed in my eyes. Sure the front looks remotely good w/out the blackouts - but from far away and only on the Senator / Grange, where they are a different design. The nostrils on the bonnet bring the ricer look to another level too, but I have never been a fan of 'unstylised', afterthought nostrils (ie: mainly GM cars - see Monaro/GTO), but rater integrated like the XA-C's etc. (no biasy there eh?! Lol) There was a nostril kit that I saw for the BA/F for the bonnet bulge that basically put a oval like hole in the front of the bulge which looks good though - http://www.bossvehicle.com/big_photo...jpg?1258883301 - wonder what an FG would look with that...

[tezxr8man]

I saw a UTE with a set of thick tires and a deep offset and loved it coz it really filled the guards like they should from the factory
I do remember seeing a standard hardtop with skinnies and it looked rediculous too so i guess thats what they were goin for, seen a hardtop with 11"s on the back?

I thought they looked a lil awkward when they first came out but luv them now You park them beside a VE and compare for yourself they look well finished and proportioned unlike the commy with those Circus tents pitched off the side

[BPXR6T]

I HATED the FG styling, really hated it. But recently I've been thinking of getting another ute and have been looking at the GT's and XR6T's in the carpark at work. One day it clicked and now I like the styling when compared against a BF. Guess I'm more focused on the good points rather than the bad points now.

[merlin]

When the FG first came out I was dissapointed - thought they looked the same as a B series. But this opinion has changed - I think they look very different now and have aged very well, they still look like a brand new design and I still do not see that many on the roads in Sydney.

The G6ET is such a great car - from the engine, to interior to exterior. Should get more accolades than it does. Can't wait till second hand bargains start coming up next year.

[Polyal]

I agree with most. I feel the tail lights are a bit tacky/ricey but other than that no complaints.

The XR8 and G6ET are the standouts for me.

Regarding the XT, remember guys costs need to be kept low and the more you add/bling up this model the harder it is to continue the steps up during the product line.

The XT has come a long way since the BA version.

[Chopped]

It has aged far better than I thought it would. (G6E is the pick)

[GTP-814]

When I still see base models on the road I have to look for the straight line on the rear door to know if it is the FG, thats how close the models are

[aualright]

Originally Posted by Trek

One thing that annoys me to no end about the XT/XR range is the non-body colour plastic section that sits above the exhaust on the sedans. It looks poxy to no end and screams compromise to me. If I had any input I would've at least made it body colour in the XR range, like the sections that are normally painted on previous model XR's.

This is about the only feature that lets it down as a car, even though it's only cosmetic. The rest of the range is tops.

Someone feel free to name the specific section I'm talking about

@ imugli: I'd say the P5 LTD/Landau were the classiest cars made in Aus ;) But if we're talking modern, then you'd be spot on.

I run a mile when I see unpainted plastic add-ons due to the poor aging of such 'unfinished' plastics. Didn't stop me from getting the Territory, though (re door handles). I have noticed that many new BMWs, Audis, Mazdas, Volvos, et al use this much more than you would think, especially around the guards, side-skirts and rear. I laugh when I see a $120k audi with big plastic guards that haven't been painted.

On the FG looks front, still not sold on the rear-end but can put up with that as the rest (including the interior) seems to flow nicely.

****

[DBourne]

i cant believe it's been 20 months!!

At first I couldn't stand it, but the FPV range has grown on me in a big way.

I don't like how the XR6 and XR8 look extremely "executive" but then again the XR series has been on a downward slope since tickford was cut out.

[zyweik]

Originally Posted by Boss315

I always think of the following CGI, and wonder what could have been:

looks like a mondeo...

i love the fg.. and i love the rear end unlike most

[IngoStang]

Originally Posted by zyweik

looks like a mondeo...

i love the fg.. and i love the rear end unlike most

I also love the rear end. To me the tail lights almost look like an eagles head side on. Best rear end of any falcon IMO

[Wally]

Originally Posted by boris

I would love for the falcon to bring back the coke bottle curve in the rear quarters like the new mustang and falcons/mustangs of old I think the FG would be the ideal shape to do it with because it is such a nice shape. Plus design wise it would aline the falcon with mustang which would be good for the future of falcon, if we can get ford america to think of the falcon as a four door mustang (xt xy falcons were base on the mustang design) rather than a taurus type car, they are more likely to keep the falcon alive in the future. Plus that coke curve is just plain cool, a real muscle car character.

I agree. The coke bottle influence was a nice design era (which isn't suprising to us blokes, as the hobble skirt/Mae West coke bottle does have feminine curves). The FG styling is not exciting IMO, but it's selling which proves that form and function mean different things to different people.