Falcon and Mustang to be combined on the same platform.

[a_Username]

http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/new...stang_platform

The current FG Falcon is safe for at least another four years as Ford's local spearhead and plans are beginning to integrate its replacement into a new-look, globally-focussed One Ford organisation.

The move is unlikely to affect Ford Australia's local manufacturing operation, with the Falcon-based Territory SUV also set for an even longer run through to 2016, but will lead to greater efficiencies and a leaner, greener local family car. The broad sweep of the Falcon plan was outlined exclusively to the Herald Sun yesterday at the Detroit Motor Show by Ford's worldwide president, Alan Mulally. He pointed to a continued role for the Falcon in Australia within an integrated global product plan.

"We'll be in the Falcon market, yes. But as we go forward we'll continue to use all our assets around the world," Mulally said. "We have learned so much from the Falcon, because it's a dynamite car. Whatever that Falcon morphs to, for the next one, it will be available for everyone around the world.

He also effectively dismissed suggestions that the Falcon, a traditional rear-wheel drive design, would be replaced by the front-drive Taurus built for the USA. The Taurus has already failed once in Australia, in the 1990s. "We're going to have a large sedan. The whole thing about rear-wheel drive? We're going to have a rear-wheel drive car," Mulally said.

"And we've got the Mustang. So you can imagine, going forward, that there will be a next version of the Falcon that will be even better. In capital letters." Rumours of a end to the Falcon's run in Australia, and perhaps even an end to local production by Ford, were categorically denied yesterday in Detroit by the president of Ford Australia, Marin Burela.

"No company that was going to pull out of Australia would be spending $230 million on bringing the world's best powertrain technology to Australia for the Falcon," Burela told the Herald Sun.

He said the coming introduction of a four-cylinder engine in the Falcon would allow Ford to compete against new rivals, including the Toyota Camry, as well as setting a new class benchmark for engine efficiency.

"Our strategy is very clear. We took a very bold step forward when we announced a significant investment in Falcon only a few months ago. No other local manufacturer has committed that sort of investment in recent times," Burela said.

"Why did we do that? We did that to give Falcon an incremental level of growth opportunity over time."If you look at the things we have done on Falcon, and we are planning for Falcon, there is absolutely no reason for us to deviate because the plan is working."

Burela highlighted an improvement in Falcon's share of family-car sales in Australia in 2009 at the expense of the Holden Commodore, and even the need to work some weekend shifts at its factory in Broadmeadows to satisfy demand. "It's actually delivering a very, very very exciting return," he said.

Burela stressed that planning for the next new Falcon is barely into the research stage, with no urgency on any sort of commitment. He also hinted that it would be possible for the car to share much of its basic mechanical package with the next all-new Mustang, but with a local body above the mechanical package.

"The Falcon's changeover is due to take place at the end of 2014, or early in 2015. Our decisions . . . for Falcon don't have to be made until we get through to the middle of 2011. So we have time on our hands. "At the moment, all is well on the Falcon side of things. All is very well."

[truth411]

Would that mean the next mustang will Have a IRS, the control Blade IRS in the Falcon is nice. It would be a dumb move to get rid of it and put a SRA in the next Falcon.

[garagelogic]

Let me go on record, as a previous owner of three IRS performance cars, that I do NOT want the Mustang to move to that setup. I'd rather live with everyone calling the setup inadequate and/or outdated than have to deal with an IRS setup again. That is all.

I would, however, like to see Ford bring the Falcon over to the US marketplace.

[BackinBlackSS/RS]

Originally Posted by garagelogic

I would, however, like to see Ford bring the Falcon over to the US marketplace.

[a_Username]

Originally Posted by garagelogic

Let me go on record, as a previous owner of three IRS performance cars, that I do NOT want the Mustang to move to that setup. I'd rather live with everyone calling the setup inadequate and/or outdated than have to deal with an IRS setup again. That is all.

I would, however, like to see Ford bring the Falcon over to the US marketplace.

Regarding your IRS comment, it's not the name of the system's fault, it's the company's fault who built it inferior to an outdated system. Basically, Ford built an IRS the way YOU AREN'T supposed to build one.

[garagelogic]

Originally Posted by a_Username

Regarding your IRS comment, it's not the name of the system's fault, it's the company's fault who built it inferior to an outdated system. Basically, Ford built an IRS the way YOU AREN'T supposed to build one.

What gave you the impression I was talking about a Ford product? I guess you assume that because I currently drive a Ford product, that is all I have ever owned. The car I owned before the GT500 was a 2006 GTO. Y'know, that LS2 powered, IRS-suspension having wonder from down under?

[a_Username]

Originally Posted by garagelogic

What gave you the impression I was talking about a Ford product? I guess you assume that because I currently drive a Ford product, that is all I have ever owned. The car I owned before the GT500 was a 2006 GTO. Y'know, that LS2 powered, IRS-suspension having wonder from down under?

I just assumed because the only performance vehicle I've heard of that had a terrible IRS system were the Terminators, and I also assumed you had one of the older Cobras considering you currently own a GT500.

[comiskeybum]

the mustang is due for a TOTAL redesign in 2015. it will be interesting to see what they do.

and by total redesign i mean everything. new sheet metal, interior. everything.

[BackinBlackSS/RS]

Originally Posted by comiskeybum

the mustang is due for a TOTAL redesign in 2015. it will be interesting to see what they do.

and by total redesign i mean everything. new sheet metal, interior. everything.

I hope they don't screw up the looks like they did going from 1970 to 1971.
Although they do need to make the rear much more aggressive.

[a_Username]

Originally Posted by comiskeybum

the mustang is due for a TOTAL redesign in 2015. it will be interesting to see what they do.

and by total redesign i mean everything. new sheet metal, interior. everything.

Yeah, that's probably why they wanted to combine the Mustang/Falcon during that MY.

[Ninjak]

Originally Posted by a_Username

I just assumed because the only performance vehicle I've heard of that had a terrible IRS system were the Terminators, and I also assumed you had one of the older Cobras considering you currently own a GT500.

Wrong. The IRS in the Terminator Cobra was a good system. It was built to do road racing style driving, and it that regard it did very well. The problem owners had were that most were 1/4 racers. You do a a chip, pulley, exhaust and you were already at 450~475 RWHP. You do a swap, to say a KB or Whipple, now your over 600.

The STOCK IRS was not built to hold that type of power to drag race, and many were breaking the half shafts at the track. I saw one implode myself at the track. So since many mustang owners are 1/4 racers, or do 1/4, they did the swap to live axles on their Cobras.

When the 2005 was being design, Ford put a survey out to many Cobra owners, including myself, as with other Mustang enthusiast. The response came back to have the live axle put back in the Mustang. So Ford has come up with what currently resides in the s197 platform. Which is doing quite well.

[comiskeybum]

IRS is the way of the future and actually mostly the present. its gonna happen.

As for whoever said they hoped that they didnt screw up the next generation mustang and make it look like the 71's I agree even though i liked the 71 mach 1.

But I believe Ford will take Mustang into the future in 2015 and the "retro" years will be over. 2015 Mustang will be radically different in every way and probably look nothing like any previous generation with the exception of the fastback roofline and the trademark tail lights. Thats they way cars are going.........

[garagelogic]

Originally Posted by Ninjak

The STOCK IRS was not built to hold that type of power to drag race, and many were breaking the half shafts at the track. I saw one implode myself at the track. So since many mustang owners are 1/4 racers, or do 1/4, they did the swap to live axles on their Cobras.

Something the high-horsepower Camaro guys are going to find out soon enough.

[a_Username]

Originally Posted by Ninjak

Wrong. The IRS in the Terminator Cobra was a good system. It was built to do road racing style driving, and it that regard it did very well. The problem owners had were that most were 1/4 racers. You do a a chip, pulley, exhaust and you were already at 450~475 RWHP. You do a swap, to say a KB or Whipple, now your over 600.

The STOCK IRS was not built to hold that type of power to drag race, and many were breaking the half shafts at the track. I saw one implode myself at the track. So since many mustang owners are 1/4 racers, or do 1/4, they did the swap to live axles on their Cobras.

When the 2005 was being design, Ford put a survey out to many Cobra owners, including myself, as with other Mustang enthusiast. The response came back to have the live axle put back in the Mustang. So Ford has come up with what currently resides in the s197 platform. Which is doing quite well.

The IRS in the Camaro seems to be holding up very well to drag racing, so you have a very moot point. The IRS in the Terminators were nothing less than the example of how not to do an IRS system.