Australian International Motor Show 2011

[jed]

Originally Posted by aquahead2001

Yes, a huge increase inside.

Went to the Motor show last night and was finally able to drool over the Ranger. I am looking forward to getting mine even more now!

Re the Ford Stand, I was impressed in the fact that most of the Booth Staff were actually Ford Engineers. I talked to the young lady that's in the Ford Territory Adverts ("I can visit all my Facebook Friends on 1 tank of fuel") and there were 2 engineers who worked on the T6 project that I spoke to. Needless to say I spent a long time chatting to the Engineers who worked on the Ranger as I'm dead keen on one.

One was a power train specialist and he suggested that the Auto in low Ranger was a standout feature and the 2.2L TDCi (375nm) could out pull the existing 3.0L TDCi (380nm) up a mountain road with a heavy towed load. He said the 3.2L was a torque monster.

The other engineer was from the electrical team and she said that challenge fro them was to ensure that connections and wiring were better placed and protected against water, dust and debris damage.

i walked away from the Ford display thinking that Ford had done a great job with using it's team of young, dynamic and super enthusiastic engineers on their booth. And if these guys were representitive of Ford's engineering capability in Australia, then we will be in for some very exciting Ford product in the future.

i did hear a rumour that the future territory will be based on the new ranger, if thats the case and it runs similar specs to the ute then it'll be a usefull wagon , ie; proper 4wd capacity.....

[Polyal]

jed you might be getting your wires crossed, ford will be making a "canopy" Ranger which has the potential to replace the Territory if things go bad.

[jed]

yeah its only a rumour i heard somewhere, brings back memories of "Raider" what an abortion that was trying to be like 4runner i spose

but a nice territory with a REAL 4wd option , that might even sell

[BrisVegas]

Mulally said it last year. http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2577B10083B2E5

I think it will be a success, up against the likes of Pathfinder/Prado/Challenger etc..

I think Territory (sadly) will more likely become the Explorer.

There is room for both in the lineup. Look at Kluger & Prado, Challenger & Pajero for instance.

[aquahead2001]

Ford Australia is developing the next Everest/Endeavour off the T6 Ranger platform at the moment. The Everest (Endeavour is the Indian named version) has always been a wagon version of the Ranger, the same as the illfated Raider was to the Courier. But it's basically sold in Asia and Africa only. That's because up 'til now it's very truck like with a leaf spring rear and the dynamics of a truck. It would have really struggled to sell here.

There are rumours that the new Everest will be significantly improved, but nothing has turned up about what the rear suspension will be, leaf, coil or independent. if it's the latter, there is a chance that it might come here, not sure that it will replace the Territory or be a seperate model though.

[Rodge]

Thanks to those who posted pictures up, especially Poyal, top effort mate.

[FG50T]

Anyone go today to see Allan Moffat? Wasn't as busy as I thought it would be, highlight of the motor show for me though. Black GT is a stunner and I was shocked how much of a monster the new Patrol is. Merc's weren't bad but typical to only see the salesman letting middle age women sitting in the new AMG's. Fell in love with the Audi A7. Jaguar and the Amarok was disappointing, the back doesn't look like it'll take a bump like a Hilux. HSV Black Edition...

[DFB FGXR6]

Well I went today and, yes got to meet Allan Moffit and a signed poster. Absolutly made my day. Was star struck! Most people seemed a bit oblivious to who he was. Spotted him later having good look at the Lexus LFA too.

Overall, I think the Ford stand was probably the best in show. Lots to see and do, involving the crowd with its new products rather that just pretty girls handing out show bags. Very impressed with the new Focus and the Ranger. Huge steps forward for both.

And yes, the Patrol was HUGE. Dose a 4x4 need to be that big?

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by aquahead2001

Ford Australia is developing the next Everest/Endeavour off the T6 Ranger platform at the moment. The Everest (Endeavour is the Indian named version) has always been a wagon version of the Ranger, the same as the illfated Raider was to the Courier. But it's basically sold in Asia and Africa only. That's because up 'til now it's very truck like with a leaf spring rear and the dynamics of a truck. It would have really struggled to sell here.

There are rumours that the new Everest will be significantly improved, but nothing has turned up about what the rear suspension will be, leaf, coil or independent. if it's the latter, there is a chance that it might come here, not sure that it will replace the Territory or be a seperate model though.

Yes, the Everest is just a 7 seater Ranger ... which isn't a bad thing but the ride quality is definitely truck like and speed bumps are not friendly at all to those sitting in the back seat ...... but they are working on the new version and it will still be way more a 4x4 than an SUV (Territory)type car. How they improve the ride for those in the rear I am not sure just yet. It is still 12 months away at least.

As a replacement to the Territory? If they improve the ride without loosing its 4x4 capacity ..... why continue with the Territory just for Aust market? They tried the Terri in South Africa but true 4x4's are the order of the day and the Territory is just too soft for their bad roads.

As far as comparing the Everest to the Raider ..... well no comparison in looks. Drove the Everest for a month and was extremely impressed with it. I have the 2.5 TD tray here which is back breaking and this certainly wasn't but was very capable in 4x4.

[Road_Warrior]

Here's hoping the T6 SUV has fully independent suspension and the clever design features that made the Territory a success.

In the future however, I can forsee the Territory leaving us and we will have just the T6 and possibly the Edge in its place. And the Kuga hopefully.

[ACEz]

Went on Friday, Really enjoyed it as said before the ford stand was probably 2-3x busier than all other stands which really suprised me, Considering the dwindling sales figures.Although the FPV's let me down a bit no F6 no idea what they were thinking, Maybe it was the free top gear magazines they were handing out, although the black edition GT was very nice although the only performance mod was a 3" cat back exhaust.One thing i did notice is the lack of difference between the GTP's interior and the XR6's which was really disappointing, Especially when the GT-P's have an 82K RRP price tag on them,although i must admit FORD finally did something right in the marketing area.All the staff were really good to me considering I'm 17 and not a "perspective buyer" ,

HSV were dicks and didn't even open there pieces of **** probably because the doors don't work or something.

Other than that i really enjoyed the C-63 biturbo that thing is a mean machine and the aventador which was the car of the show IMO (anyone have a high res pic of it ? would be much appreciated).

[Resurrection]

I went last night and was left generally unimpressed. The show seems to have lost some of it's spark. The Ford stand was disappointing as the most important model didn't get the focus it needed. EcoLPi was not displayed in a prominent position which it should have been.

[Mitch89]

Originally Posted by Stealth00

Yep Sydney 2012 - although I went to Sydney last year and Melboure this year is tons better.

Agreed, much better showing this year. I think it helped that a lot of the manufacturers had new stuff to show off.

As people have said, Fords showing was pretty good. Good numbers on the new EcoLPi Falcon, 198kw/409Nm is fantastic.

Not surprised the Focus is their lead, that's the market that's ballooning. The Mazda3 is proof of that.

[SteveJH]

Originally Posted by Resurrection

I went last night and was left generally unimpressed. The show seems to have lost some of it's spark. The Ford stand was disappointing as the most important model didn't get the focus it needed. EcoLPi was not displayed in a prominent position which it should have been.

It might be the most important, that doesnt mean its the most impressive looking though.

[XRtowcar]

(anyone have a high res pic of it ? would be much appreciated).

[SteveJH]

Were either the JOSS supercar or the Alan Jones supercar there?

[XRtowcar]

Joss was there in camoflage.
Maybe getting close to a release?
AJ-F1 wasn't there as far as i know.

[ACEz]

Originally Posted by XRtowcar

(anyone have a high res pic of it ? would be much appreciated).

Thank you sir! (turns out I live near you)

[distortion]

Dad and I had a big chat to the owners of JOSS, and were completely blown away with the down to earth nature and friendliness of them... Spent a good 20 mins one on one with them, and no hint of a 'hurry along now' comment... cant wait to see the next Australian supercar... Its not far away now and will be of Mclaren quality apparently!

[Polyal]

I still dont get the JOSS thing, has anyone ever seen them on the street or track, or knows anyone who might have brought one? Even a rumour?

Its an awesome thing to have such a car being R&D'd here, but wheres the market for it unless they are undercutting the main players which would be surprising.