Should Ford bring the Australian Falcon here?

[Jaguar D-Type]

Actually, the 2005 Mustang is much better than the 2002/2003 Mustang.

The 2005 Ford Mustang convertible's chassis has more than twice the torsional stiffness of the previous Mustang convertible.

Read the following 2005 Mustang article:

http://www.motorsportscenter.com/article_462.shtml



The 2005 Mustang GT's 4.6 liter V-8 weighs 75 pounds less than the previous model year's engine thanks to a switch from an iron block to an aluminum block.

The 2005 Mustang won five races in Grand-Am Cup this season.

check here

http://www.multimaticmotorsports.com/mustang/index.html





Carroll Shelby rejoined Ford in the summer of 2003.

Edit:

Officially, the 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 has a 5.4 liter supercharged V-8 with 500 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. It will be hand-built at the Romeo engine plant.

[Thunda Downunda]

Originally Posted by Jaguar D-Type

Actually, the 2005 Mustang is much better than the 2002/2003 Mustang.

The 2005 Ford Mustang convertible's chassis is more than twice as rigid as the 2004 Mustang convertible's chassis.

Australian road tests said the pre '05 Mustang Cobra convertible's chassis had the torsional strength of a matress (their words, not mine) so anything is an improvement I guess

Good pics & links!

Btw although under-rated, current 5.4 DOHC Falcon GTs produce about 20 more rwhp than 400hp HSV LS2, so not too shabby

[Jaguar D-Type]

The new Mustang convertible doesn't shake going over bumps like the old one.

How much hp and torque do the current FPV GT and F6 Typhoon have at the flywheels?

[Thunda Downunda]

Originally Posted by Jaguar D-Type

How much hp and torque do the current FPV GT and F6 Typhoon have at the flywheels?

HSV Clubsport (400hp LS2): 297kW @ 6000rpm. 530nm @ 4400

Falcon GT: 290kW @ 5500rpm. 520nm @ 4500
Review

F6 Typhoon: 270kW @ 5250rpm. computer-limited 550nm between 2000~4250rpm (over 400nm @ 1500rpm)
Review

[Jaguar D-Type]

The interior is nice.

[Jaguar D-Type]

It is sold in not only Australia and New Zealand, but also South Africa.

It isn't engineered for left-hand drive and that costs a lot of money to do. It may replace the Crown Victoria in 2008 in North America.

It costs around $33,000 to $35,000 (U.S.D).

[Jaguar D-Type]

Brembo brakes come standard on the FPV GT-P.

[Jaguar D-Type]

New 3.5 liter V-6

Besides building the Falcon here, SVT should take the Falcon and Ford's new 3.5 liter V-6 and give it twin-turbochargers and a lot of other performance parts.

The new Ford Edge crossover will get the new V-6 later this year when it goes on sale.

Press release:

11-9-2005

- New 6-speed automatic transaxle that saves fuel - up to 7 percent in highway driving and nearly two tanks of gas a year compared with typical 4-speed automatics

- Engine designed with the future in mind - capable of super-clean PZEV emissions, hybrids, direct-injection and turbocharging

- Work begins on Ford's third-generation hybrid technology for future I-4 and V-6 engines

New 3.5-Liter V-6

The new 3.5-liter V-6 was designed to deliver the best combination of fuel economy, refinement and performance for the customer and be compact enough to fit into a variety of vehicles. The height and width of the engine is the same as the smaller displacement Duratec 30 V-6.

The engine produces 250 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque in its CUV [crossover utility vehicle] applications. It uses a dual-overhead cam valvetrain for peak power capability and smooth operation at high RPM. It incorporates intake variable cam timing to optimize fuel economy by adjusting valve timing for a smooth idle, optimal part-load driving and an impressively broad torque curve with good power.

In anticipation of future needs, the new V-6 has been designed to accommodate advanced technologies, including gasoline direct injection and turbo charging.

The engine will be built in the fall of 2006 at Ford's Lima (Ohio) Engine Plant.

6F 6-Speed Transaxle

Ford also underscored its leadership in fuel-saving transmissions with the reveal of a new 6-speed for the new Ford Edge and Lincoln Aviator. Ford is an industry leader in 6-speed transmissions with 24 nameplates already offered with the highly efficient technology.

Six-speed automatic transaxles improve performance and fuel economy. It is estimated that, for every 500,000 6-speeds - rather than traditional 4-speeds - fitted to vehicles, 12 million gallons of fuel can be saved annually (based on 25 mpg combined fuel economy for 15,000 miles).

The enhanced performance and fuel economy of the new 6F comes from a wide span of 6.04 between the transaxle's lowest and highest gear ratio. The high ratio span helps deliver improved fuel economy of up to 7 percent and improved sustained acceleration compared with a typical 4-speed automatic.

The new 6F will be fitted to the 3.5-liter V-6 in the Ford Edge and Lincoln Aviator. The combination delivers optimal fuel economy and powerful performance combined with smooth, refined and quiet shifts.

The new Ford 6F will be built at Ford's Van Dyke (Mich.) Transmission Plant.

More News on Hybrids

Ford also took another step toward delivering on its commitment of putting 250,000 hybrid vehicles a year on the road by 2010 with the announcement that engineering work already is under way on a third-generation hybrid transaxle - one developed using Ford's in-house hybrid expertise.

Engineered in Dearborn, the new hybrid transaxle will be capable of handling both 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines for future vehicles.

In addition, Ford announced that the Ford Escape Hybrid would debut this week as the first hybrid taxi carrying passengers throughout the five boroughs of New York City. Ford, the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission and the Coalition for Smart Transportation will mark the milestone on Thursday.

Improved NVH and Refinement

The elimination of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) was a particular target for the development team. Extensive use of CAE modeling on the transaxle case built a solid housing for the transaxle components.

Engineers used computer-aided analysis to determine exactly where strengthening ribs needed to be added to the casing to minimize radiated noise and vibration. CAE modeling also was used to add thickness to the case in appropriate areas for added strength.

In addition, the transaxle's three simple planetary gear sets are designed for robustness and use low-pinion pitch line velocities to reduce noise. All gears are cut using high-precision CNC hobbing, grinding and honing machines. The transfer and final drive gears are hard-treated for strength, and subsequently ground and honed to provide a more precise fit, thus reducing gear whine.

The 6F also features the first use of an off-axis pump for Ford. This package-enabler takes up much less space in the transaxle. Package efficiency is further enabled by the pump's chain drive. The pump porting also was optimized to improve NVH.

The 6F uses only plate clutches for each shift to deliver quiet, smooth shifts throughout the entire ratio span. In addition, the 6F uses a Ford proprietary control strategy that uses powerful adaptive algorithms. The 6F provides fast, responsive shifts throughout the operating range that are smooth yet crisp, which delivers an invigorating driving experience to the customer.

Factory Tested for Quality

To ensure the best possible shift quality, each 6F transaxle is bench tested at Ford's Van Dyke (Mich.) Transaxle Plant. There, the transaxle build quality is verified, detecting even minute variations in the manufacturing process.

Using a unique patent pending process, software programmed into the 6F's electronic controller individually trims and characterizes all solenoids and clutches to eliminate the variances that would normally lead to changes in shift feel, producing smooth, precisely controlled shifts that improve durability and customer satisfaction.

Power in a Compact, Modern Package

Ford's new V-6 produces 250 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque with a 3.5-liter displacement unit with a height and width that is the same as Ford's smaller Duratec 30 V-6. This enables Ford to install the engine in a wide variety of current and future products.

In developing the new engine, Ford engineers targeted excellent performance, fuel economy and low exhaust emissions. In addition, engineers designed the engine to work together in harmony with Ford's new 6F 6-speed automatic. By analyzing the transaxle and engine together, noise, vibration and harshness characteristics of the powertrain were optimized to ensure a quiet, trouble-free driving experience.

The all-new 3.5-liter V-6 architecture provides significant flexibility to incorporate additional engine technologies. The 3.5-liter engineering team included extra provisions to make upgrades relatively simple. These upgrades include such potential features as hybrid capability, gasoline direct injection and direct-injection turbo charging.

A Solid Foundation - Durability and NVH

Every world-class engine starts with a solid foundation. To optimize the base engine structure to provide outstanding durability and NVH, the lower-end design of the 3.5-liter engine features a forged-steel, fully counterweighted crankshaft with induction-hardened journals, fractured-split, powder metal-forged connecting rods and high-temperature alloy, cast aluminum pistons. These components are housed in a High Pressure Diecast (HPDC) aluminum cylinder block featuring six-bolt mains with cast in cast-over iron liners.

The engine's cylinder block design represents the first application of a high-pressure die-cast block for a V-configuration engine for Ford Motor Company. Ford chose HPDC over more conventional semi-permanent and sand casting processes because:

- Reduced raw material requirements (lower weight than if designed for conventional sand casting)

- Tighter casting process control capability
Better and more consistent casting qualities

- Elimination of reliance on casting processes that have byproducts requiring strict environmental controls

- Reduction of expensive post-casting processing (cleaning, heat treating, machining and assembly) requirements

- Ford deployed extensive CAE modeling to reduce lead-time, optimize die design and simulate critical process parameters to help ensure a consistent, robust casting.

- High Airflow, Optimized Combustion - Performance, Fuel Economy and Emissions

The 3.5-liter V-6's upper-end was designed as a system, all the way from the throttle body to the exhaust manifolds, to create the optimum flow for peak power and a broad torque curve. CAE analysis was used to fine-tune each component to deliver the required airflow without the need for intake flaps or butterfly valves in the system. Advanced throttle-control software enables precise tuning of engine response to fit the character of each vehicle application while setting the engine to run at its peak efficiency for optimal fuel economy.

The 3.5-liter V-6 uses a compact, lightweight dual-overhead cam valvetrain for peak power capability and smooth operation at high RPMs. The engine also incorporates intake variable cam timing (iVCT) to optimize valve timing for a smooth idle, optimal part-load driving and an impressively broad torque curve with good power. The iVCT system uses a hydraulically actuated spool valve that can rotate the intake camshafts up to 40 degrees within a half-second. A low-friction, roller-chain cam drive contributes to fuel efficiency.

Optimized Cylinder Head Produced with Flexible Machining

The aluminum cylinder heads in Ford's new V-6 are designed for high airflow and optimized combustion to support performance, fuel economy and low emissions. CAE was used extensively to develop the airflow and combustion system performance for this cylinder head design. This efficient combustion is enhanced by incorporating a centrally located spark plug and a high 10.3:1 compression ratio. The cylinder heads also were designed to accommodate fuel-efficient technology upgrades such as gasoline direct injection.

Low Emissions Capability

Ford's new 3.5-liter engine is PZEV capable right out of the box. Careful design consideration for the combustion system and catalysts create an engine that can meet stringent emissions standards without the need for expensive add-on technology.

The 3.5-liter V-6 is capable of achieving PZEV certification by delivering low cold-start emissions and enabling rapid catalyst light-off, which is a significant accomplishment for a larger displacement V-6 engine, says Tom McCarthy, engine systems manager for the 3.5-liter V-6 engine program. This is accomplished with low heat-loss exhaust manifolds and close-coupled catalysts for fast light off during cold start. Optimized fuel injector targeting minimizes cold-start emissions before the catalysts reach operating temperature.

3.5-Liter V-6 and 6F Automatic Technical Specifications

ENGINE

Type: 3.5 liter DOHC 24-valve V-6

Manufacturing Location: Lima Engine Plant, Ohio

Configuration: 60-degree V-6, aluminum block and heads

Intake Manifold: Composite, slit plenum

Exhaust Manifold: Cast iron

Crankshaft: Forged steel

Throttle Body: 65mm, electronic

Valvetrain: DAMB, 4 valves per cylinder, intake variable camshaft timing

Valve Diameter: Intake: 37mm Exhaust: 31 mm

Pistons: High temperature cast aluminum alloy with low-friction coated skirts, low-tension rings

Connecting Rods: Cracked-powder metal

Ignition: Pencil coil

Bore x Stroke: 3.6 x 3.4 in/92.5 x 86.7 mm

Displacement: 213 cu in/3.496 cc

Compression Ratio: 10.3:1

Horsepower: 250 at 6,250 rpm (estimated)

Horsepower per Liter: 71.5 (estimated)

Torque: 240 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm (estimated)

Redline: 6,700 rpm

Recommended Fuel: 87 Octane

Fuel Capacity: 20 gallons

Fuel Injection: Sequential multiport fuel injection

Oil Capacity: 5.5 quarts, with filter

Recommended Oil: GF4, 5W-20

TRANSMISSION

Type: 6-Speed Automatic

Gear Ratios

1st: 4.484:1

2nd: 2.872:1

3rd: 1.842:1

4th: 1.414:1

5th: 1.000:1

6th: 0.742:1

REV: 00034

About PZEV

The acronym PZEV stands for Partial Zero-Emission Vehicle. PZEV rated vehicles are supposed to produce 90% fewer emissions than the average new car and also have zero evaporative emissions.









The lower-end design of Ford's new 3.5 liter V-6 engine features a forged-steel, fully counterweighted crankshaft with induction-hardened journals, fractured-split, powder metal-forged connecting rods and high-temperature alloy, cast-aluminum pistons that are all optimized for the base engine structure to provide outstanding durability and NVH. These components are housed in a High Pressure Diecast (HPDC) aluminum cylinder block featuring six-bolt mains with cast in cast-over iron liners.



Careful design consideration for the combustion system and catalysts create an engine that can meet stringent emissions standards without the need for expensive add-on technology.



Aluminum block, cylinder heads, valve covers, and oil pan.





Intake manifold



The new V-6 uses a High Pressure Diecast (HPDC) aluminum cylinder block, featuring six-bolt mains with cast in cast-over iron liners.

[acemotorsport]

dont change a good thing

[Jaguar D-Type]

Ford Australia Tapped to Design New Global Light-Vehicle Architecture

By Alan Harman

WardsAuto.com, May 5, 2006

CANBERRA – Ford Motor Co. of Australia Ltd. will receive a $52.5 million ($40.4 million) grant from the Australian government for two projects, including the design and engineering of the architecture for a new range of light-commercial vehicles to be sold in 80 countries under the Ford brand.

Engineered for both right- and left-hand drive and to be manufactured in multiple locations, the first derivative most likely will be a pickup truck, although the architecture has the capability for a variety of configurations and body styles, company officials say.

“"he (research and development) work Ford will do in Australia on behalf of its global parent company will be a showcase for Australian expertise and will help lift the profile of the country’s entire automotive sector," Federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane says.

The auto maker, one of Austalia’s Big Four vehicle producers, says its new strategic direction includes investment in the new projects and accompanying facilities totaling more than $1.8 billion ($1.4 billion) over the next decade.

Prime Minister John Howard says $40 million ($31 million) of the government grant is for the design, engineering and manufacture of the next-generation Ford Falcon large car and Territory SUV.

The remaining $12.5 million ($9.6 million) is for the design and engineering of the new light-commercial vehicles.

"The light-commercial-vehicle project will involve the construction of a new R&D facility by Ford Australia in Victoria," Howard says. "This will not only serve to position Ford Australia for the global market but will significantly strengthen Australia as Ford (Motor’s) major design and engineering center within the (Asia/Pacific) region."

Howard says the projects will create 273 jobs at Ford Australia and help secure the future of more than 6,000 Australian families as well as "the iconic" Ford Falcon.

The Australian government’s assistance is conditional upon Ford providing the Australian automotive parts sector with every fair and reasonable opportunity to supply the necessary components for the projects.

“The funding has helped Ford Australia secure the largest automotive R&D project ever undertaken in Australia,” Macfarlane says. “This is an investment in the domestic automotive industry’s move towards a more high-tech, high value-added future and opens a new door for our local, world-class components makers."

Ford Australia says its product development team will take an enhanced role as an engineering and design center for the Asia/Pacific and Africa region. As a result, it will expand its core design and engineering staff.

The long-term goal has the blessing of the parent company.

"As we work to build Ford Motor Co.'s global competitiveness, it is critical that we continue to invest and grow our capabilities in the Asia/Pacific region," Chairman and CEO Bill Ford says in a statement from Detroit.

"The engineering experience and capability we have in Australia is a strategic advantage for Ford, and it is important that we use this great resource not just to benefit Australian customers but to benefit customers in markets around the world. The skills and technologies available in the Australian marketplace are some of the best in our global organization."

Trevor Worthington, Ford Australia vice president-product development, says significant engineering and design work over a number of years still is required before formal program approval for the new light vehicle will be granted by the parent company.

"Once this occurs, the architecture derivatives are expected to result in more than 400,000 sales annually," he says.

The design and engineering program is expected to generate in excess of $470 million ($362 million) in research and development revenues for Ford Australia during the course of the project.

Ford vice president and president-Asia/Pacific and Africa, Peter Daniel, says the Asia-Pacific region is vitally important to the car industry globally.

"The design and engineering capability built up by Ford Australia's product-development team with the success of recent projects, such as the BA and BF Falcon; the Territory; and most recently the design and engineering of a new Fiesta specifically for the Indian market, has ensured the team is best placed to lead major new projects in this region," he says.

"This regional capability is critical as Asian economies mature and consumers continue to demand outstanding motor vehicles tailored to their specific requirements."

Says Ford Australia President Tom Gorman: "Although some of these plans are longer term in nature, the recognition shown to our product-development team and the broader Ford Australia business through projects, such as the light-commercial-vehicle architecture and the state-of-the-art rear-wheel-drive platform, proves that we are on the right track, and that our direction is the right one for the future of our company."

[acemotorsport]

id like to see the falcon f6 (typhoon f6) go to japan

[mr-200sx]

I Think That The Australian Ford, Fpv Is A Hundred Times Better Than The American Fords, The Aussie Ford Has More Grunt And Stylish Looks, And Its A Family Car. I'd Like To See The Aussie Ford Go World Wide In Sales

[peterpaul]

Hi,
Yeah!I too have the same opinion that Ford should bring back the falcon model and hear to the people about their views.It is having all the qualities thnat a good car should have.