Falcon Ute

[David M 7173]

Why does Ford not offer Austrailia's Falcon Ute here it would certainly draw people to the show room, plus they would not have to retool to build it. I would purchase one as soon as I could get my hands on it. Also does anyone know how the U.S. $ stacks against the Austrailian $
David

[rpatton3]

Re: Falcon Ute

[rpatton3]

Re: Falcon Ute

A quick Google search revealed they're available with a 4.0 or 5.4 engine. Sounds like standard Ford fare. Why not?
http://finance.yahoo.com/currency is the link. A US dollar is $1.0455 AUS dollars at the time of the posting.

Surely the RHD conversion, ala GTO, is not a huge problem.

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: Falcon Ute

It's a nice looking vehicle and they may just possibly due that to respond to the competition from GM.

Earlier this year there was news about Pontiac bringing over an Australian ute from GM's Holden subsidiary. Right now it's being referred to as the G8 Sport Truck but they had a contest on Pontiac's web site to name the new vehicle. Here's an article about this new El Camino:

http://jalopnik.com/366699/2010-pont...camino-is-back

I will add that given gas prices, they need to have a moderately priced V6 version of this truck to make it a success. Otherwise if it's only available as a high performance V8 truck as described, it will have the same success as the ill-conceived Chevrolet SSR in my humble opinion.

[rpatton3]

Re: Falcon Ute

It's a nice looking vehicle and they may just possibly due that to respond to the competition from GM.

Earlier this year there was news about Pontiac bringing over an Australian ute from GM's Holden subsidiary. Right now it's being referred to as the G8 Sport Truck but they had a contest on Pontiac's web site to name the new vehicle. Here's an article about this new El Camino:

http://jalopnik.com/366699/2010-pont...camino-is-back

I will add that given gas prices, they need to have a moderately priced V6 version of this truck to make it a success. Otherwise if it's only available as a high performance V8 truck as described, it will have the same success as the ill-conceived Chevrolet SSR in my humble opinion.

I kinda think the G8 is the same basic Holden as the ill-fated 04-05 GTO which was not available with Onstar (TM) since they must not have had it down under back then. The 4.0 might be economical enough but I would want the 5.4 3V or 4V.

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: Falcon Ute

With all the new retro-style cars that we've had in the past decade, I would have liked to have seen Chevrolet bring back the El Camino on the recent Impala platforms.

[jimvit1]

Re: Falcon Ute

In my observations it seems that the V8's can get as good or better mileage than some of the V6's and have power to boot. ie 3.9 Ford Thunderbird V8 25 to 30 mpg highway depending on your foot. and thats in a 4000 lb car.

[David M 7173]

Re: Falcon Ute

I Talked with my son tonight and he said he thinks Pontiac will have the Pontiac ute in early 09, Feb. or March. He had his New GM ring on tonight which signifies that he sold 100 new cars last year. He sold 106 new last year and 82 used, I AM VERY PROUD OF HIM.
David

[Ol'Dave]

Re: Falcon Ute

THink MERCURY!! With the "new" global platforms coming to the US. FORD say's Mercury WILL be their catlyst for the "B" & "C" platforms. IT IS COMING!!!!

[Ol'Dave]

Re: Falcon Ute

FORD GOES GLOBAL FOR MERCURY!

MERCURY CAPRI based on the Mazda MX5
MERCURY COMET based on the Ford Focus Coupe-Cabriolet
MERCURY MACRO based on the Ford S-Max
MERCURY MARAUDER based on the FPV Falcon GT
MERCURY MARQUIS based on the Ford Falcon G-Series
MERCURY META based on the Ford Kuga
MERCURY MICRO based on the Ford Ka
MERCURY MONDEO based on the Ford Mondeo

[texasbird]

Re: Falcon Ute

As the mini-trucks (Couriers, Luvs, D-50's) have evolved into midsize trucks (Rangers, Colorados, Durangos), we really need some new small trucks in our market. Especially with the gas prices where they are.

[yelobird2002]

Re: Falcon Ute

I'm sure the 4.0L is the standard fare Explorere V6 which should be plently economical.

[David M 7173]

Re: Falcon Ute

I went on line and looked at the Austrailian GM ute. It is also a good looking vehicle. The car cost $36000 in Austrailia, a little strong for a poor old country boys pocketbook. I wanted to get a good view of the interior space but it was not on line. I may try to trade for one if I can afford it.
David

[Ol'Dave]

Re: Falcon Ute

I'm sure the 4.0L is the standard fare Explorere V6 which should be plently economical.

It is, and it isn't. The 4.0 is the old Ford V-6, and is lousey on gas in the Sport-trac (Explorer spin off). They need to get that new Eco-Boost V-6 into production vehicles, or they will lose whatever market share is left. For the Adrenalin I chose the 4.6 V-8. Comperable mpg, but power for towing and passing. Plus with a tad of modification to the ridiculous single exhaust on a V-8, coupled with a better air induction, it should perform much better in all categories, ie., performance and mpg.

Now if it had the RIGHT engine: The 3.5L V-6 as standard. That would be great, but the 4.0 is a sled.

[MATBird]

Re: Falcon Ute

Hang tight David, there are supposed to be a return of these type vehicles, according to the Auto rags.