So, that is the production version of what we knew as the R7 concept car. I think it looks disappointing on those nasty looking wheels that it has there.. The concept model with the larger wheels looked much better, and more dynamic..
I also think that it's roofline is too high. It's not really my sort of car.. It's not an ugly car, but, just not as good as it could have been, and, definately, not as nice as the R7 concept car. The R7 generally looked sharper, and more dynamic.
But, this is a good market for Ford to get into, since sales of these sorts of Outback or Cross-Country-esque cars are booming. Particularly the quite smart looking Volvo XC70 (aka the V70 XC). The Volvo has in its favour, a smartly done interior, as well as appealing engines, and in general, positive, modern design.
Justin Martin
02-28-2003, 04:55 PM
Interesting, is that a home grown car or based on something else? Ford has a mid-size car based suv coming out here soon, wondering if there's a connection....
chris
02-28-2003, 05:18 PM
Yeah, we built it here, and designed it here; it's based on the Falcon platform. The Ford Freestyle SUV looks very similar. It was designed after the R7. They were both done by Scott Strong, I think.
But, it's safe to say that it is much more appealing that the ghastly and shocking BMW X3/xActivity. It's likely to be much faster too, since Ford's 4.0 litre inline 6 easily outpowers and out-torques BMW's smaller 3.0 litre one.
But, if you are wondering about exports of the Falcon, to USA, well, one new BA model already exists in USA. It''s a Fairmont Ghia V8, owned by Ford design boss J Mays. :)
Sepecat
02-28-2003, 07:26 PM
Isn't the Ford Escape a mid-sized SUV?
George`
chris
02-28-2003, 08:13 PM
Oh, you mean the Ford Tribute, or is it Mazda Escape?? ;)
The Tribute/Escape twins are probably a little smaller than mid-size, I'd say.. I generally consider large stuff like Landcruiser 100 series, and the LX470 Lexus and the new Range Rover, plus the Porsche Cayenne and VW Touareg as the biggest SUV's, and stuff like BMW X5 as the mid size, and then things like the nasty Toyota RAV4, and Honda CRV, and the Tribute/Escape twins as the smaller stuff.
Sepecat
02-28-2003, 09:41 PM
Chris here is the Ford Escape.
http://autos.yahoo.com/newcars/details/ford03escape/limited4x4600b/photo.html
I think this is a mid-size SUV.
EDIT
Ford Escape Compact SUV I see Iam wrong now. ohh well
:D
George`
VQ
03-01-2003, 02:30 AM
Yeha but they spent 500 million so about 1 billion on two cars!! The BA and this car whih is based on the BA hwo stupid Holden spend half as much money and get more market dominance and stuff.
chris
03-01-2003, 03:23 AM
Woah there, mate.. Holden's market dominance do not happen overnight, with the introduction of VY series..
It happened over many many years.. Ford has righted the wrongs of the past, and, is now picking up the sales, big time. Falcon sales are improving all the time, and, just look at the amount of new Falcons on the road, and you see the proof to support my theory. Suprisingly, the more expensive models seem very popular, especially Fairmont Ghia, and the XR6 models. The new XR8 has only been on sale for a very short time, but, already, I've seen a lot of them.
The much improved Ford cars, and the new Magna, due soon (already the great all-wheel-drive one is on sale), will benefit everyone. Holden will be left with no choice but to try and out-do the new models.
The new restyled Magna is more interesting.. Rumours of a larger V6 abound (3.7 litres), and the French designer, Olivier Boulay tells us the new Magna looks elegant, and very sporty. His previous work is very nice, as well, like the new Evolution VIII (eight) Lancer, for instance. Nevermind the brutal performance on offer, you could choose the Evo VIII just on the good looks, alone.
Magna already has tidy handling, and snappy acceleration, and a well sorted 5 speed automatic transmission, the latter being something none of its rivals have. The 5 speed automatic has a much better and more even spread of gear ratios, and it can accelerate quite a bit more responsively, where rivals with the 4 speed gearboxes don't have quite the same freedom, in choosing gear ratios. Another thing Magna has in its favour is that it is fairly light, too.
Ford and Holden might be wise to keep a wary eye on Mitsubishi.. They are a dedicated team, over in Adelaide, and, seemingly, have a knack for getting the suspension and steering tuning just right. With the assured backing of DaimlerChrysler management, now, and the announcement of the new DC design and research centre that will be built in SA, things are looking promising for Mitsubishi, now. Exports are doing okay, for Magna/Verada, too.
So, what next, after the updated/restyled/enhanced Magna? Rumour has it that the next all-new clean sheet Magna will share the same platform as the Benz E-Class, along with most of the same mechanical technology. It will still be built locally, though. But the though of the Magna sharing the same platform as the E-Class must be a worry for Ford, Holden and Toyota.
I'll also go out and make a risky prediction, that Toyota Australia's local manufacturing might end up in problems, since demand for Toyota's conservative cars seems to be dwindlng. And it can no longer claim that it's cars are more advanced, since, Falcon's engine technology is far ahead, in every aspect. Toyota will need to turn things around, and quick. I don't think it can get away with special deals and cut-throat pricing strategies alone, when the opposition are selling better products..
VQ
03-02-2003, 07:09 PM
Yeah i know Holden had to earn the respect but that happend because they had a V8 and Ford didn't in the early 1990's and lat 1980''s with the Vn but also Holden are having trouble keeping up with domand as well I'll scan in an article I saw about the Ford, Holden and Magna. Ne way the ratio of Falcons sold to holdens now is 2 holdens to 1 ford but it used to be 3 to 1 sadly, Ow well it will FORCE Holden to get better.
blackice111288
03-03-2003, 01:21 PM
it looks like ford is making a 2nd attempt at entering the honda cr-v/mazda tribute market. i gotta admit, it does look good ,for a ford:D
chris
03-05-2003, 12:30 PM
I admit, it's looks are growing on me, too. I sort of like it. Looks clean, and neat. In that pic above, is looks a bit tall, but, in other photos, it looks better proportioned.
But, it does need some bigger, more aggressive looking wheels.. Something like what the BMW X5 4.4i has, would work well, here, I think.
This one will definately be better than the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute twins that are sold in the US.. I've read about those two, and their horrid unreliability.. Yet, the ones made in Hiroshima, by Mazda, don't have the same problems.
blackice111288
03-09-2003, 07:41 PM
i was clicking links on the aussie ford website and now ive sen every thing. i saw a for i actually have to admit i like, the xr8 ute. i have never seen that before. i seen a comaro ute like thing in car and driver and i liked that too. if they sold those in the US, they would sell like hotcakes. I hate this countries auto industry. we never get the good cars like you non americans get.
thats the last straw, im savin my money and goin to japan or austrialia or britain. AHHHHHHH!! Tha U.S.D.M. makes me sick!!!!!!