First drive - Ecoboost!!

[csv8]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

I dont understand a comment like this.. Give me more, too late becuase..........

I have a warped sense of humour !!!!!

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by csv8

Like Custers last stand !!!! indians are circling, coming in for the kill....Too late to save the mighty Falcon..about a year too late..If I was after a 4cyl in that price range..Mondeo, i45 or Optima would be my interest....

In jest perhaps but why would you buy a EB Falcon over a EB Mondeo? I mean really?

Other than Aussie made it makes no sense, the mondeo is cheaper AFAIK, probably is better appointed aswell.

IMO Ford Oz should discontinue the petrol Mondeo and make it TDi only, and bring in a manual option on it FFS.

That or the dealers will need to do some major upselling on the Falcon.

[FPV GTHO]

If they have to manipulate the market to buy what they want to build/sell, its flawed business. Some other manufacturer will offer a similar product and Ford will just lose overall.

[yift]

Here is a pic of the engine bay.

we had a ford car at work for a couple of days a few weeks ago.

very nice and smooth to drive, a bist raspy under full throttle.

when the aftermarket tuners get a hold of them and clean up the tune it will wake them up abit.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by FPV GTHO

If they have to manipulate the market to buy what they want to build/sell, its flawed business. Some other manufacturer will offer a similar product and Ford will just lose overall.

I believe it already happens with Ford.

[Franco Cozzo]

Engine bay looks real easy to work on, always a plus

[IceValk85]

ohh god, it uses a MAF sensor.

i hate MAFs on turbo cars, its just shat.

[08ESE]

hope it sells....

i just dont see why ford ever spent a cent on the FG, with eco lpi and now this.

they wont advertise them on tv... so why bother investing the $.... FORD... if you actually read stuff here.... COPY HOLDENS ADVERTISING times on tv... you might sell a car!!!


the govt just gave you 110 million... spend a little of that on adds!!

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by 08ESE

the govt just gave you 110 million... spend a little of that on adds!!

That was a co-investment. The total government contribution was only about half.

[4.0i OHC]

Originally Posted by Polyal

IMO Ford Oz should discontinue the petrol Mondeo and make it TDi only, and bring in a manual option on it FFS.

I've been calling for this for a very long time. However, in the countries where the Mondeo sells best, people only drive automatic cars if they have a disability (also the only way you will find me owning an auto car). Maybe Ford Oz is just selling what it can get its hands on?

[4.0i OHC]

Originally Posted by Polyal

I believe it already happens with Ford.

I believe that dealers are instructed to turn every potential Mondeo sale into a Falcon sale.

[4.0i OHC]

Originally Posted by yift

Here is a pic of the engine bay.

we had a ford car at work for a couple of days a few weeks ago.

very nice and smooth to drive, a bist raspy under full throttle.

when the aftermarket tuners get a hold of them and clean up the tune it will wake them up abit.

This has been similar to my experiences with an Ecoboost Mondeo. Smooth, linear power delivery. A torque curve flatter than a billiard table. Eats hills for breakfast (which is why the OP's comments about the Ecoboost Falcon struggling on hills took me by surprise). Overall, a worthy substitute for the I6 (with greatly improved fuel economy to boot). I am so glad that Ford didn't go for the high revving smaller V6 option (resulting in fuel economy figures unachievable in the real world, high pollution ratings, and a generally unpleasant car to drive).
Unfortunately though, no other engine configuration will ever provide the addictive sound of an inline six.

[xr gr8]

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

This is so much more appealing than a 4cyl Camry.

My lawnmower is so much more appealing than a 4cyl Camry!

[Resurrection]

No comment about the car's handling? I am keen to know if the reduced weight over the front wheels can be noticed when punting the car around corners.

[Elks]

I heard of some FoMoCo pilot cars getting in excess of 1100km from a tank of fuel. mix of freeway and mountain roads. If that holds up they wont be able to build enough of them

[monte.b]

Originally Posted by FPV GTHO

That was a co-investment. The total government contribution was only about half.

im thinking they sent home some money to USA ,they are struggling a bit over there ,it seems to me ford as much as i love them have way too many models on the go at the moment ,its a bit confusing for us mere mortals

[Paxton]

Originally Posted by 4.0i OHC

I believe that dealers are instructed to turn every potential Mondeo sale into a Falcon sale.

This has been going on for years. Ford started getting into the swing of things in earnest when the Taurus was upon our shores. 99% of people went in looking at a Taurus, and drove a Fairmont Ghia first. Not many that drove both the Fairmont and the Taurus bought the Taurus.

[4.0i OHC]

Originally Posted by xr gr8

My lawnmower is so much more appealing than a 4cyl Camry!

With body roll from the 1950s, steering feel from a Super Nintendo racing game, and an interior from Vinnies, being comatose is more appealing than a 4cyl Camry!

[4.0i OHC]

Originally Posted by Resurrection

No comment about the car's handling? I am keen to know if the reduced weight over the front wheels can be noticed when punting the car around corners.

Falcon turn in is already great. The lighter engine can only improve things.

[4.0i OHC]

Originally Posted by Paxton

This has been going on for years. Ford started getting into the swing of things in earnest when the Taurus was upon our shores. 99% of people went in looking at a Taurus, and drove a Fairmont Ghia first. Not many that drove both the Fairmont and the Taurus bought the Taurus.

Interesting. Could this be a reason for the anaemic Mondeo range that we're provided with?

[XtRmn8]

I really hope that this thing sells well.

As good as the engine may be (yet to be determined), I just cannot get over the overall packaging. The XT is just damn ugly and the G6 Limited Edition may as well be called the Retirement Edition.

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by Polyal

In jest perhaps but why would you buy a EB Falcon over a EB Mondeo? I mean really?

Simple, I can answer that!!

Mondeo does not have a touch screen, Mondeo is FWD, Mondeo's dash looks terrible (& even that is being kind), & the outside pf Mondeo is 2nd to Falcon in looks..

So really, why would anyone buy Mondeo EB over Falcon EB? i mean really?

[4.0i OHC]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Simple, I can answer that!!

Mondeo does not have a touch screen, Mondeo is FWD, Mondeo's dash looks terrible (& even that is being kind), & the outside pf Mondeo is 2nd to Falcon in looks..

So really, why would anyone buy Mondeo EB over Falcon EB? i mean really?

The Mondeo has no touch screen? You're right. However, it has a far easier to use, more aesthetically pleasing screen situated in the instrument cluster, easily controlled from the steering wheel. It's much less of a pain to use than a touchscreen. As well as this, the audio quality of the Mondeo is much better than that of the Falcon.

Mondeo is FWD? Why is that a problem? Can't do your fully sick drifting? The Mondeo doesn't torque steer or understeer (the second of which is a persistent problem in the RWD Commodore), and exhibits exceptional steering feel (again a problem in the Commodore). RWD advantage nullified.

Mondeo's dash looks terrible? Well, you're entitled to your own opinion, but I far prefer the looks of the Mondeo's dash to that of the Falcon, not to mention that the materials used in the Mondeo are of a better quality than those used in the Falcon. The Falcon's ICC system is a pain to use while driving; the Mondeo's controls are clearly laid out and easy to operate on the move (I'm a particularly big fan of the air con switches of the Mondeo LX). The Mondeo also lacks the hulking big waste of space some call the FG centre console. The Mondeo's seats are much more supportive (and don't feel like the car seat equivalent of a waterbed).

Exterior looks? Purely subjective (I happen to disagree with you there).

I'll admit, however, that there are numerous advantages to the Falcon.

[JimStone]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Simple, I can answer that!!

Mondeo does not have a touch screen, Mondeo is FWD, Mondeo's dash looks terrible (& even that is being kind), & the outside pf Mondeo is 2nd to Falcon in looks..

So really, why would anyone buy Mondeo EB over Falcon EB? i mean really?

Because I can not get behind thhe wheel of a Falcon without doing myself an injury - the steering wheel is just too damn low. So I bought a EB Mondeo.

[FreddyDUZ747]

Any bore and stroke specs avaliable?

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by 4.0i OHC

The Mondeo has no touch screen? You're right. However, it has a far easier to use, more aesthetically pleasing screen situated in the instrument cluster, easily controlled from the steering wheel. It's much less of a pain to use than a touchscreen. As well as this, the audio quality of the Mondeo is much better than that of the Falcon.

Mondeo is FWD? Why is that a problem? Can't do your fully sick drifting? The Mondeo doesn't torque steer or understeer (the second of which is a persistent problem in the RWD Commodore), and exhibits exceptional steering feel (again a problem in the Commodore). RWD advantage nullified.

Mondeo's dash looks terrible? Well, you're entitled to your own opinion, but I far prefer the looks of the Mondeo's dash to that of the Falcon, not to mention that the materials used in the Mondeo are of a better quality than those used in the Falcon. The Falcon's ICC system is a pain to use while driving; the Mondeo's controls are clearly laid out and easy to operate on the move (I'm a particularly big fan of the air con switches of the Mondeo LX). The Mondeo also lacks the hulking big waste of space some call the FG centre console. The Mondeo's seats are much more supportive (and don't feel like the car seat equivalent of a waterbed).

Exterior looks? Purely subjective (I happen to disagree with you there).

I'll admit, however, that there are numerous advantages to the Falcon.

Sorry, I forgot the most important one. Falcon is AUSTRALIAN design, engineered & built!! I personally go out of my way to support Australian jobs, not kick the boot into them at every chance!!!

But you are entitled to your opinion & allowed to spend your money on what ever you like!! Lets just hope more Australians start buying Falcon or it will be gone very soon.


P.S. in the year 2012, no touch screen, no sale IMO!! Any car without a tounch screen is outdated before it even goes on sale, let alone when it hits the 2nd hand market

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by monte.b

im thinking they sent home some money to USA ,they are struggling a bit over there ,it seems to me ford as much as i love them have way too many models on the go at the moment ,its a bit confusing for us mere mortals

Ford North America is raking in billions in profit every quarter.

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Mondeo does not have a touch screen, Mondeo is FWD, Mondeo's dash looks terrible (& even that is being kind), & the outside pf Mondeo is 2nd to Falcon in looks..

Mondeo's interior is ageing, granted, but FG isn't really the forefront of interior design either. Personally I think it's a shame that the FG didn't adopt the Fiesta/Focus styling theme for its dash, centre console and doors.

As far as exterior goes, however, the Mondeo hatch is one sexy beast, despite being a 5 year old shape. I think it's still one of the best looking cars on the market today. The Mondeo Ecoboost is a very, very tempting proposition for me. The lack of a touch screen in the Mondeo is not a deal breaker. A touch screen is just a gimmick, IMO.

For the past two days I rented an FG Mk I XR6. Even with the old 5-speed auto, it's still a terrific car to drive, and I love it. I really like the digital speedo display and the far superior ICC (compared to the B-series). I also really like the fact that it's bigger and roomier (especially at the back) than the B-series. But I'm still not sold on interior aesthetics, 4 years after its launch. Some say it's a classy interior ... sorry, but I don't see it. HVAC controls, being much smaller, are much harder to use than in my BF Fairmont.

The lack of proper door grips that Ford has had from the EF to the BF, yet mysteriously dispensed with in the FG is quite disappointing, and I find opening the door in tight, confined spaces more difficult because I can't pull the hand grip to stop the door from opening too wide. The location of the interior door handle isn't exactly user friendly. I prefer it where the armrest is, within easy reach.

FGII Falcon Ecoboost? Yes, I'd consider it when I'm in the market for a new car. I like the FGII's looks from the outside. I really enjoy driving the FG. But the way I look at it, there's not a lot that the Falcon Ecoboost can do that the Mondeo Ecoboost can't.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Just to answer a few qustions.

1) hard to tell how it handled around the burbs... felt simliar to the I6.
2) Tyres were Goodyears (Had fuel savers written on them), not sure of the model.
3) Car was not sold, I do not believe they have many orders yet, people will want to drive the car before they buy it (including fleet operators).
4) 1100 km range is optimistic, even in the XT which has a lower fuel consumption of 6.1 for highway. At that average if you run it dry your still only looking at 1114.... I think 900 - 950 per tank is more realistic for a highway car, in comparison to around the 700 mark for a petrol its still a winner.
5) The XT has a trip computer functions the same as the rest of the range.

As for the Mondeo vs. Falcon that is a tough one. I still think the RWD Falcon is a nicer drive then mondeo, and it has a better gearbox.

I still wish Ford put the V6 TDi in the Falcon, it would smash ecoboost with 440 nm of torque!

[DJM83]

Thanks for the write up Brent. Am i the only one that thinks its strange seeing a falcon without an inline 6?