The I6 is to go, will this make you look away at other options for your new car??

[TZENU]

What kind of enthusiast would jump ship because of a change in motor???

You wouldn't really be a Ford enthusiast if you did... Its at this point that we can finally seperate the TRUE enthusiasts from the "so called enthusiasts"

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by Slick_Aussie

Doubt that very much we don't wont them either.

No really, i insist!

[Full Spectrum]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

No really, i insist!

No No they can drive FWD 4 cylinder Camrys:P

[exrtnz]

I wouldnt consider a VE or a 380 ,but hopefully they will continue the turbo if they go to the V6.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by exrtnz

I wouldnt consider a VE or a 380 ,but hopefully they will continue the turbo if they go to the V6.

That thought just popped into my mind about the Turbo 6's, wonder what will happen. Wont voice my opinion as i WILL be shot down by all the know it all's on here. Not that i care because if i were to buy a new Ford after that time it WILL be a V8

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Good ridance i say, anyone that narrow minded to jump ship without knowing what is replacing it and how it will perform is more suited to the Holden i say....

Strongly agreed. There are just too many people saying that Ford is now off the agenda because the I6 is going. It's even more irritating to know that most of them are 14 year olds.

[Tles]

Like heaps of others I am already reconsidering whether or not I want another Territory or Falcon. Maybe a powerful yet economical engine like a 3.7V6 Di would tempt me to stay with Fords. The Orion pics show decent back door access which has kept me away from a BFII Fairmont Ghia or EGas Fairmont, after the BAGT. Otherwise I would have to consider LPG or Diesel as real options on large family transporters.
I've been test driving LR2 3.2IL and 2.2TDi, Disco3SE 2.7TDi, Prado 3.0TD and Hilux dualcab, X5, Q7 and GL, and am waiting for Jeep Patriot too. (Big $ variation I know = 1 vnice car or 2 nice ones)
I have never really considered VE, Aurion or 380 for me - not my style. Have looked at Mazda6 wagon and Subaru Outback, even 3series Touring. Still like my Territory better. Becoming another long post..
No the V6 won't make me look elsewhere it may just make me give Ford another look and keep me, for one, on the hook.

[BENT_8]

I find it increasingly humorous to read the endless whinging and dribble that is spilling from the keyboards of some so called FORD ENTHUSIASTS....

Some of you may be too young to remember the last time a decision this controversial was made by the head honcho's at Ford.
I'll remind you shall i....
It was along time ago now, early eighties if i remember correctly.
Ford decided to drop the CLEVELAND V8 from it's option list, now correct me if im wrong but together with it's WINDSOR predecessor this is THE engine which put the FALCON on the map both here and around the world during the late sixties, early seventies....
If ever there was a time when a true Ford enthusiast would have doubts it would have been at this time..
History shows that the Falcon model that followed this decision, the XF, went on to be one of Fords best selling cars of all time with a 5 yr production run.
Yes people the i6 will go but i doubt it will be the end of the line for Ford, but the beginning of a new era...and proberbly a new breed of enthusiasts too.

[FlipXW]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

I find it increasingly humorous to read the endless whinging and dribble that is spilling from the keyboards of some so called FORD ENTHUSIASTS....

Some of you may be too young to remember the last time a decision this controversial was made by the head honcho's at Ford.
I'll remind you shall i....
It was along time ago now, early eighties if i remember correctly.
Ford decided to drop the CLEVELAND V8 from it's option list, now correct me if im wrong but together with it's WINDSOR predecessor this is THE engine which put the FALCON on the map both here and around the world during the late sixties, early seventies....
If ever there was a time when a true Ford enthusiast would have doubts it would have been at this time..
History shows that the Falcon model that followed this decision, the XF, went on to be one of Fords best selling cars of all time with a 5 yr production run.
Yes people the i6 will go but i doubt it will be the end of the line for Ford, but the beginning of a new era...and proberbly a new breed of enthusiasts too.

Good post_2:

[MITCHAY]

Originally Posted by Slick_Aussie

Most think VN V6 and don't go past that. That's 19 years ago. I drove a VE Calais over 1200km and couldn't be more impressed with the engine and especially it's economy.
My brother owns a BA Fairmont, It sits behind my mums VP and my VT.. And he has been saying for years ford has to drop the I6 and go V6..

My brother has a VN and VH (I know its I6) and my mother has a VT. They are all crap but they serve their purpose which is A to B driving which is all Average Joe cares about.

They aren't performance models and were never meant to be. Some people are wishfull thinkers and it goes for both sides of the fence.

My TX5 Ghia is/was faster than all 3 Commodores, used less fuel, better built, and more luxurious.

I would NEVER buy a Holden V6 as it stands now. My mates BA XR6 was far better than all of the Commodores we have in power, handling and refinement.

Before you play the bias card I have been a Holden supporter in the V8s for a long time, yet never owned one.

Once again I don't put this down to engine configuration rather poor engineering. But if it's a pov pack, well you get what you pay for! :

Let's just see how they can trick this new V6 before casting judgement;)

[Full Spectrum]

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

My brother has a VN and VH (I know its I6) and my mother has a VT. They are all crap but they serve their purpose which is A to B driving which is all Average Joe cares about.

They aren't performance models and were never meant to be. Some people are wishfull thinkers and it goes for both sides of the fence.

My TX5 Ghia is/was faster than all 3 Commodores, used less fuel, better built, and more luxurious.

I would NEVER buy a Holden V6 as it stands now. My mates BA XR6 was far better than all of the Commodores we have in power, handling and refinement.

Before you play the bias card I have been a Holden supporter in the V8s for a long time, yet never owned one.

Once again I don't put this down to engine configuration rather poor engineering. But if it's a pov pack, well you get what you pay for! :

Let's just see how they can trick this new V6 before casting judgement;)

I'll start from the bottom first, I know you follow Holden in motorsport;). And i have never accused anyone of being biased..
But We are talking A-B cars.. My mums old VB had more heart and sole for a car that was old tech without anything that would say hi i'm ok, But i loved it more then any car we have had, Because it had heart it made me smile. I don't think much of VN's to be honest when i was in need of a car i went to the VP first, VR was just a look not much difference, I played with it over the years it's been a very good reliable car and not to shabby in the power department.. But last month i wanted to move up and my mother and i both needed a car, After i was involved in a accident last year my mum freaked out because she couldnt get to me because i was in our only car.. I made the decsion then to think long and hard about a 2nd car. I found some auction cars repo's etc and found a 2000 Berlina.. After looking at a Ls1 Executive which would have been a super sleeper i was let down it was a mess. Bought the car next to it berlina, Some front damage but low km's and very luxuries and comfortable with surprisingly a huge list of standard features i have never herd of before.. It came from NSW looks to be in super condition a mum and dad car very clean i'm over the moon. But it was my brother that was on cloud nine over it, He owns a BA Fairmont and to be honest seems to hate it.. He will go with you on power once it gets over 3500rpm but that's it, He bought it with less then 50,000km today it's 83,000km and it seems worn and he treats cars like his kids if he see's hail he dives under ground. It's nothing special, Yet i think more of it then he does ive driven it around a bit go from BA to VP you know the gap:P..
He's going past geelong and he is going to snap a pic at the engine plant with his bonnet up he said, He's really looking forward to the V6 change.

[BaYa]

I'm just gonna wait till they do switch to the V6 then put it up against the last I6 and if the I6 is faster ill LMAO. ill stay true if its not the same as a dunniedoor engine if it is then ill go to the V8 :P

[Fordman1]

This is a good article on the end of the I6:

http://www.carpoint.com.au/car-review/2747626.aspx

I think it explains the reason for the decision better than anything I've seen so far.

[XAGSV8]

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

This is a good article on the end of the I6:

http://www.carpoint.com.au/car-review/2747626.aspx

I think it explains the reason for the decision better than anything I've seen so far.

Yes very good article but I bet some people still won't understand why this has to happen. :

[anita]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

I find it increasingly humorous to read the endless whinging and dribble that is spilling from the keyboards of some so called FORD ENTHUSIASTS....

Some of you may be too young to remember the last time a decision this controversial was made by the head honcho's at Ford.
I'll remind you shall i....
It was along time ago now, early eighties if i remember correctly.
Ford decided to drop the CLEVELAND V8 from it's option list, now correct me if im wrong but together with it's WINDSOR predecessor this is THE engine which put the FALCON on the map both here and around the world during the late sixties, early seventies....
If ever there was a time when a true Ford enthusiast would have doubts it would have been at this time..
History shows that the Falcon model that followed this decision, the XF, went on to be one of Fords best selling cars of all time with a 5 yr production run.
Yes people the i6 will go but i doubt it will be the end of the line for Ford, but the beginning of a new era...and proberbly a new breed of enthusiasts too.

I could not agree more, the immature children on this board who spit the dummy over absolutely nothing is jaw dropping, as a female who loves both 8's and 6's, the question that also needs to be asked is......

if they do bring in a new motor, and if it's up to date with modern technology etc, the biggest question is what will power it??????

before anybody say's "duh petrol of course", think again. :

[Bobman]

Sorry but I can't see a diesel Falcon in full production post 2010, or even hybrid technology. Ford still lags behind other car manufacturers in terms of working towards zero emissions.

It's not about being immature children here, it's about losing an icon of australian motoring, the Falcon will just become another yank tank (like it was before the XA days) & the other thing is finding a suitable V6 replacement of equal or more torque, we'll wait and see but it is a sad loss. As I said earlier, the Falcon probably won't even be around for a while (or Ford and Holden Australia for that matter) the way things are going, engine change or not.

[anita]

diesel isn't the only fuel on this planet.

[andrewts]

Originally Posted by anita

before anybody say's "duh petrol of course", think again. :

The V6 engines will run on Petrol, there's no doubt about it.

[anita]

want to make a bet on that.......read on

Geelong, Australia — The news is in - Ford Australia will close its Geelong engine plant and lay off some 600 workers by 2010. The ramifications of this closure will mean hundreds of Ford employees will have to look for new work, and that Ford's inline 6-cylinder engine will cease production after the year 2010.

The reason for the engine plant closure is based on the fact that the inline 6-cylinder engine which is manufactured at the Geelong plant, would not meet new emissions standards that will come into effect in2010. It is cheaper to import a V6 engine than completely redesign the current I6.

Ford Australia also cites greater flexibility with the new Duratec V6, which will enable it to develop diesel engines and motors that can run alternative fuels.

Combined with flagging domestic sales of large cars, the decision to decommission the engine plant by 2010 will mean that a Duratec V6 engine imported from America will power the Ford Falcon and Ford Territory in the next decade.

"The Australian car market has fundamentally and permanently changed," said Ford Australia President Mr Tom Gorman in Ford's official statement regarding the 2010 engine plant closure.

The Australia large car industry has been in a state of decline for some years now, and GM Holden has managed to secure the future of the Commodore by maximising exports to places such as the Middle East and North America. GM Holden's engine operations also export V6 engines to Europe and the Americas. Because few other countries demand a 4.0-litre inline 6-cylinder engine Ford's engine export possibilities were always limited.

"Our new engine strategy is a direct response to the lower manufacturing levels of locally produced large vehicles. Although we remain committed to our current local vehicle lines – Falcon, Falcon Ute and Territory – it is imperative that we improve our ability to respond to the increasing consumer desire for alternative fuels, improved performance, and better fuel economy while spreading the investment required across a broader base of vehicles. Importing the new engine from 2010 will allow us to achieve these goals," explained Mr Gorman.

Speculation has been rife that Ford Australia is also planning to export the new Falcon and Territory - or at least their underpinnings - to the USA and other large foreign markets to improve profitability. Ford Australia's president, Tom Gorman, hinted at such a move when he remarked: "We are currently investigating a number of alternatives that will allow us to return our Campbellfield manufacturing facility to 100 per cent capacity."

Clearly local sales are not likely to do this, and exports would appear to be the most likely scenario to boost manufacturing of the Falcon back to full capacity.

The Ford Australia announcement also gave the strongest indication yet that the Falcon and Territory will get diesel engines. It stated that "...improved economies of scale resulting from the globally-sourced [V6] engine will offer increased flexibility to potentially incorporate future alternative fuel strategies, particularly diesel technology."

Ford pointed out that the closing of the Geelong engine plant by 2010 and the retrenching of 600 workers won't impact on its other operations: "The company's remaining 1400 employees in Geelong and 3000 in Campbellfield will not be directly impacted by the decision."

According to Ford, "...the decision to introduce the new engine and discontinue engine operations at Geelong follows industry-wide changes in consumer behaviour, including lower demand for large cars and the corresponding increase in popularity of smaller, imported vehicles. These changes have seen sales of locally produced vehicles as a percentage of the total industry in Australia fall from 36.1 per cent in 1998 to 19.4 per cent year-to-date in 2007 (Source: VFACTS)."

According to reports from the Geelong engine plant, workers are shattered. AAP quoted the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) vehicle division federal secretary, Ian Jones, who said workers felt abandoned.

"They feel abandoned and they feel angry," Mr Jones said of the retrenched engine plant workers, adding that the closure of the plant was a disaster for families in Geelong.

The Federal Government's Industry Minister, Ian Macfarlane, said that he had known for about a month and a half that closure of the plant was likely, stating that he had official confirmation a few days ago.

"In response to that [plant closure], the Commonwealth and Victorian governments are today announcing an innovation and investment fund to cover the Geelong area,'' Mr Macfarlane told reporters.

This would consist of $24 million which will be allocated to help the 600 Ford workers - and other unemployed people in the Geelong area - find new jobs.

The Victorian Premier, Steve Bracks, said that despite the announcement of the plant closure at the end of the decade, Ford's future in Victoria was not at risk. "The Ford operations in this state, in Victoria, are secure and safe for the future,'' said Mr Bracks.

"Already they're investing some $1.8 billion into the long-term production capacity of Ford, including a new research and development centre, including a next-generation Falcon, including commitments ongoing.

"As well as that Ford have agreed with the commonwealth to establish a $3 million community fund and that is to assist those people that will now face a very difficult situation as the plant is wound down in 2010 and Ford moves its next model Falcon to a V6 engine," Mr Bracks explained.

[05MkIIFutura]

Originally Posted by anita

want to make a bet on that.......read on

I think they mean that by making savings on the 6, they will be able to spend money on other developments.

As far as I know, not many engines are run in both Petrol and Diesel forms. I may be wrong tho.

[andrewts]

Originally Posted by 05MkIIFutura

I think they mean that by making savings on the 6, they will be able to spend money on other developments.

That is correct. The article is saying that there will be enough money saved through the use of an imported V6 engine to spend on developing a diesel engine.

The Revision 2 Orion will not see non-petrol/gas enignes. Perhaps these alternatively fueled engines will make it into the 2012 model.

[andrewts]

Originally Posted by andrewts

The Revision 2 Orion will not see non-petrol/gas enignes.

Editing is disabled at the moment, but this should read "The revision 2 Orion will only see petrol/gas engines."

[Pumpit]

Quoted from the article.

"If the rest of Ford's local models are not to follow, the Geelong engine has to go -- even if it is better than its rivals or its replacement."

That's the kind of logic that beggars belief. Basically you will be getting 2nd best while still paying the same price. I'm only a moron Engineer, but I thought cars improved as they evolved. Faster, sleeker, stronger. Or am I in the wrong universe?

[Stav]

Silly question . As long as the quality is there then Ford will always be my first choice !!. In saying that the toyota aurion has a pretty good v6 in it. If ford make a v6 with 250 killowatts in rear wheel drive then I am going to get into it.

[XRchic]

I will always buy Ford, but presented with the V6 option, I would probably just get a V8. Simple.

[Tiapan]

wow! i cant believe how many people who call themselves "Ford fans" would just up and leave the blue army because it has a v6....for me i couldnt care less, if ford is going to make more $$ buy doing it then good, besides every car i bu from now on is going to be a v8 anyway...addicted to the sound

[andrewts]

Originally Posted by andrewts

Perhaps these alternatively fueled engines will make it into the 2012 model.

Well I was wrong. http://fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=109846

Originally Posted by Tiapan

wow! i cant believe how many people who call themselves "Ford fans" would just up and leave the blue army because it has a v6

Yeah it's sorta sad. I guess the I6 was the only thing keeping them here.

[sleekism]

Originally Posted by andrewts

Well I was wrong. http://fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=109846

Yeah it's sorta sad. I guess the I6 was the only thing keeping them here.

Nobody is going to jump ship the demise of the L6 will coincide nicely with the introduction of the new "BOSS" V8. I think everybody is just going to go V8.

Huge waste though as Tickford and FPV spent a lot of time and money carving out the Ford performance six niche.

I highly doubt that the twin turbo V6 wil be as afordable as the single turbo L6 but I might be wrong maybe it will be cheaper in a few years time.

[AussieJason]

Originally Posted by BaYa

I'm just gonna wait till they do switch to the V6 then put it up against the last I6 and if the I6 is faster ill LMAO. ill stay true if its not the same as a dunniedoor engine if it is then ill go to the V8 :P

Probably what I'll do as well, sensible to wait and see.

I'll still buy Ford, and when the time comes I'll check out the V6. If I don't like it in a NA or Turbo 6 (if there is a Turbo 6 ?), I'll get a V8.

With the Orion apparently starting out with the I6, then phasing in the V6, I wonder if in years to come FF.com.au will have threads on people converting new Orion V6's into I6's ?

Will there become an after-market for 2nd hand I6 engines do you think ?

[andrewts]

Originally Posted by AussieJason

With the Orion apparently starting out with the I6, then phasing in the V6, I wonder if in years to come FF.com.au will have threads on people converting new Orion V6's into I6's ?

Will there become an after-market for 2nd hand I6 engines do you think ?

It's not out of the question, but I would say highly unlikely. The differences in packaging for the engine would easily make it hard to fit an I6 engine where a V6 would sit.

Imagine how many RB30 VNs there'd be if it was possible...