2012 Ford Falcon EcoBoost

[Falc'man]

Those are very big points, Maurie. I think the best thing is to have her test drive one, maybe a G-series but even looking at the XT it has come out looking classy.
In the end it goes without saying that it really does come down to how she feels sitting inside it, it's the best way for her to get to know it. When she drives it that is then the best way for her to judge.

And THAT is what Ford need to do - get bums in seats. I think it was you who mentioned something similar to do with FPV; have reps at major shopping complexes and invite people to sit in, and drive these things.

[flappist]

I am sure the mainstream magazines are already doing tests and articles on the ecoboost. Once the figures are published the forum debates will rage.

0-400m has always been the battlefield for the "experts" and that is where the ecoboost will win or lose in the eyes to the true believers.

My prediction is that the ecoboost will be quicker of the 0-400 than both the AU and BA XR6 running line ball with the BF auto and slightly slower than the FG.

[FTe217]

Why would the ecoBoost need to be a weapon to the 400 ? sure it needs to perform BUT is this purely based on forum/s debating history ?
Fleets buyers couldn't give a toss but price and service costs and joe public/wife the other market they don't care much by the current buying trends so I suppose your post F6 is based on forum debates as mentioned.....or am I reading this wrong ?

Falc yes I consider this Fords biggest hurdle getting the ROI here - unless they get out there and really sell this pup its going to be a long road relying on Fleet sales imo.
Yes you recall my mention re FPV grass roots sales/marketing....articles and test mules to print mags as NRMA,RACV etcetc so the grey nomads get amongst it, bugger all everyday people buy Motor/Wheels etc.
As for my wife wow it sure would be hard getting her into a Falcon as her daily but she did like the mondeo wagon but I won't go there.
Once we go serious shopping I'll in the coming month/s I'll monuvere her into the Falcon and see.

[flappist]

Yes purely the "forum experts". The average buyer has no idea whatsoever on their cars performance capability and furthermore does not care. Even the majority of Ford or Holden enthusiasts really have no idea, they just drive the car they like.

[4Vman]

Why would the ecoBoost need to be a weapon to the 400 ? sure it needs to perform BUT is this purely based on forum/s debating history ?
Fleets buyers couldn't give a toss but price and service costs and joe public/wife the other market they don't care much by the current buying trends so I suppose your post F6 is based on forum debates as mentioned.....or am I reading this wrong ?

No you are spot on, at the market segment this will be aimed at straight line performance would rank extremely low in terms of important KPI's. But if you want to win a debate and receive favorable comments from the "Experts" then 400 is the ONLY thing that's important for any new car!!! Just look at how many want an XR version with ecoboost and talking performance upgrades... i mean WTF???!!

[Lynton]

I think it is just normal of car enthusiast forums to look at a new model and think how can it be hotted up. Ecoboost is not for the average member here or any other enthusiast forum, not as a car to satisfy their interest. It may well suit their daily driver though, I know it may well suit mine quite well when it comes time to select my next car.

Knowing the characteristics of a lot of the low boost "eco" turbo petrols I would say that it is not going to set the world alight in its 0-400m and 0-100km/h times but I suspect it will be no slouch in its in gear acceleration. To me this is a good thing, sure you won't win the traffic light derby but you will have enough stonk to get past that truck out on the highway.

[Airmon]

Any idea's what kind of gearing ratios it will be running? I'd be interested to see what it sits on the freeway and how it does it. The figures are good but if its got to downchange everytime it gets a headwind because the gearing is too tall most of the benefits will disappear quickly, but on the other hand you don't want it revving its tits off either. I guess it's main focus is urban driving, but it most major cities you still need to be able to cruise nicely on 110 with a full load.

[prydey]

not sure if ford sets the ratio's in the gearbox or if its like an 'off the shelf' item from zf. it is running a smaller version of the zf in the 6cyl. (6hp21) according to zf, the ratio's for this box are..

1. 4.17
2. 2.34
3. 1.52
4. 1.14
5. 0.89
6. 0.67
Rev 3.40

they look pretty similar to the ones in mine. mine has a diff ratio of 2.7 i think. i would expect ecoboost to go back to a 3.08 or possibly shorter. similar to AU or BA i would think.

[Lynton]

I would imagine they will have the ratios set do the greatest economy is in top gear at 100 km/h and it kicks back to 4th for the meat of the torque curve for overtaking, that is how the zf in my typhoon behaved.

[prydey]

looking at everything on paper, i can't see why they can't make the driving experience very similar to the current car. maybe not quite the same at the extremes, but in everyday commuting, it should be very similar. thats all in theory.