Could this be Huntsman?

[Falc'man]

Just found this on FAF posted by JDP80. Looks like the Yanks could be getting some Aussie knowhow. Could also mean Orion will only be around for 3-4 years.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=121698

DEARBORN, Mich. — The Ford Motor Company plans to challenge crosstown rival General Motors with a new family of rear-wheel-drive coupes and sedans, but the first of the new U.S. cars aren't expected to hit the street until model-year 2012.

IL has learned that Ford's Australian subsidiary will do much of the initial engineering work on the new rear-drive architecture — in effect, borrowing a page from GM's playbook. The General's Holden subsidiary likewise is leading the engineering on GM's new Zeta rear-drive family.

Why Australia? Because the product development teams at both automakers have broad experience at developing rear-drive vehicles, including performance editions of standard production models.

Ford of Australia is preparing to launch a redesigned Falcon sedan in early 2008 and already has begun development work on the next-generation Falcon, which will continue with rear-wheel drive. Now, top executives at Ford headquarters in Dearborn want to expand that work to encompass derivatives for North America and perhaps Europe.

Ford suppliers know the future architecture generically as the "global large rear-wheel-drive vehicle platform."

Ford's plan for its new RWD/AWD range is relatively modest.

For North America, it is expected to include replacements for the Mustang, the Crown Victoria, the Grand Marquis and the Town Car. For Australia, there will be replacements for the Falcon, Fairlane and LTD sedans. There may also be a new rear-drive flagship sedan for Ford of Europe.

Ford may even develop a car-based replacement for its Explorer SUV, using the new architecture, while its Australian arm will likely base the next-generation Territory tall wagon on the same component set.

Ford's new RWD/AWD platform is being engineered to accommodate both V6 and V8 engines, including the new twin-turbo gasoline direct-injection TwinForce power plants that are being developed in Dearborn, as well as the company's new dual-clutch, six-speed PowerShift transmission. Among the TwinForce engines reportedly under development are a 3.5-liter V6 and a 5.0-liter V8.

The first of the new RWD/AWD vehicles for North America are expected to reach production in calendar-year 2011, according to suppliers, and would likely be marketed as 2012 models.

A prospective successor to the Crown Victoria could draw styling inspiration from the Ford Interceptor concept that made its debut earlier this year at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show, according to Ford insiders. The Interceptor was built from scratch, on a cobbled-up derivative of the Mustang platform, but its design cues point the way to a big Ford sedan of the future — it could be called Galaxie — that could function, in different guises and with different powertrain teams, as both family hauler and performance car.

Replacements for the Crown Vic, Grand Marquis and Town Car can't come too soon. The current cars are virtually dinosaurs, even by Detroit standards. They are built on a rear-drive platform code-named Panther that dates to model-year 1979.

What this means to you: Ford CEO Alan Mulally apparently thinks GM's Australia-sourced RWD scheme is a good one, since he wants to copy it.

[exED]

Well, that's good news for the guys at Broadmeadows. Maybe it's a kind of trade - you give up your I6, and you can do the initial engineering on the large RWD platform.

It might tie in with the death of the Fairlane as well. Maybe it will be a 2012 when it's re-introduced having ripped off one of the Yank models.

And it better be nothing like the current Crown Vic and co. They are not just dinosaurs, they are an abomination.

[Mongoose]

omg 2 rubbish engines, what they need is the 250, 302 and 351.

[JBomb3000]

Originally Posted by Mongoose10

omg 2 rubbish engines, what they need is the 250, 302 and 351.

yeah that would be awesome:

[Bucknaked]

I was waiting to see a picture of a hunstman. Man I hate spiders

[R0BD0G]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

I was waiting to see a picture of a hunstman. Man I hate spiders

lol...exactly what i thought

[MO]

Best I could come up with at short notice

[exED]

That is clearly a redback, not a huntsman!

[MO]

Well i did say it was short notice!!!

[Bundy]

Originally Posted by Falc'man

Ford's new RWD/AWD platform is being engineered to accommodate both V6 and V8 engines, including the new twin-turbo gasoline direct-injection TwinForce power plants that are being developed in Dearborn, as well as the company's new dual-clutch, six-speed PowerShift transmission. Among the TwinForce engines reportedly under development are a 3.5-liter V6 and a 5.0-liter V8.

This bit sounds quite interesting, twin turbo'd V8, that'd haul even in street trim. Reminds me of the blue cortina 302w twin turbo runing sub 9's at the drag strip at eastern creek and here willowbank winternats this year.
Hehe :

[Kryton]

i think this could be the rebirth of the Coupe.

also re the twin turbo engines: these arent specifically being built for the power alone. this is the easiest way to meet upcoming tougher emission regulations that an otherwise N/A engine would have no hope of meeting.

[XRQTOR]

Originally Posted by bundy

This bit sounds quite interesting, twin turbo'd V8, that'd haul even in street trim. Reminds me of the blue cortina 302w twin turbo runing sub 9's at the drag strip at eastern creek and here willowbank winternats this year.
Hehe :

Doesn't that run high 6's or low 7's.

[Falc'man]

I found this on FAF. It almost confirms Ford Aus' role in Fords Global "One Ford" vision.
http://www.autosavant.net/2007/07/af...allys-one.html

This could mean the turnaround of Fomoco's fortunes.

[Aussie Falcon]

Great article thanks for the link. Some of the decisions are starting to make more sense now. The 2011 Version 3 Focus also ties in with it being made here around the same time.

[nb_351]

is that new focus still going to share platforms with the mazda 3 and the volvo?
cant wait to see how these decisions pan out, they must have some good iseas planned... but then thats what they get paid for... lol