Design chief: Ford cancels RWD sedan program

[sportyaccordy]

The current Falcon platform, much like the R34 Skyline, will not accomodate an LHD conversion.  You're talking basically re-engineering the platform to get LHD.

I have seen Skylines with LHD Maxima dashboard....

[omicron]

I have no idea.  I realize the drive shaft can take away a bit of efficiency but I don't get it.  From a manufacturing and packaging standpoint I can see it being easier to build but why would it use more fuel?

I don't get it either. A 3.5 V6 FWD Toyota Aurion (268hp/248lb-ft/3505lb) achieves 23.8mpg combined and an 0-60mph time of 7.4s, and a 4.0 I6 RWD Ford Falcon (262hp/288lb-ft/3756lb) achieves 23.3mpg and an 0-60 time of 7.3.

In other words, a Falcon that is 251lb heavier and faster (and torquier, longer, higher and wider, incidentally) than an Aurion travels half a mile shorter from one gallon of fuel, and that's supposed to be sufficient justification to dump large RWD platforms on the basis of fuel efficiency? Bollocks.

[the Teuton]

I have seen Skylines with LHD Maxima dashboard....

There are companies that specialize in retrofitting 240SX steering columns and make reverse molds of GT-R dashboards.

It's more the firewall and some plumbing issues with the Skyline than anything else.

I hear the biggest problem is that they have to run a single turbo setup in the GT-Rs instead of the twin-turbo setup.

[omicron]

In any case, every Falcon generation since the 1988 EA has been almost exactly the same boat - the Taurus was earmarked to replace both the EA and the '94 EF, to the point whereby the Ford Australia president at the time was shown the door; the '98 AU was never meant to be; the '02 BA was fought tooth-and-nail but eventually approved by Dearborn as Ford Australia's last chance; and the FG is now apparently the last of the RWD Falcons.

My goodness, Ford Australia - do whatever you can to get the next-generation Falcon into the Middle East and South-East Asia.

[3.0L V6]

I thought the killing of the rear-drive sedan was limited to the North American market only.

[MX793]

I thought the killing of the rear-drive sedan was limited to the North American market only.

This was their global RWD program (akin to GM's Zeta platform), which was slated to replace the Falcon in Australia and be sold in other markets as well (namely Europe and the ME, America wasn't really in the plan as a market but wasn't entirely ruled out either).

[MX793]

There are companies that specialize in retrofitting 240SX steering columns and make reverse molds of GT-R dashboards.

It's more the firewall and some plumbing issues with the Skyline than anything else.

I hear the biggest problem is that they have to run a single turbo setup in the GT-Rs instead of the twin-turbo setup.

My understanding was that the location of some parts prevented a simple LHD conversion.  I thought I read that it was related to the steering box interfering with something when moved to the left side, or something blocking the path of the steering column (possibly one of the turbos).

[Catman]

My local PD used primarily Luminas, now lots of Impalas. That's not an option?

Both of those cars you mentioned are universally despised among police.   FWD just is not as durable and usually more expensive to repair.

[ifcar]

Both of those cars you mentioned are universally despised among police.   FWD just is not as durable and usually more expensive to repair.

What about Explorers?

[SVT666]

What about Explorers?

The RCMP uses a lot of Explorers.  They also use a lot of Yukons and Full size Ford and GM pickups.  Of course they really only use these vehicles in areas where going offroad may be required to pursue a suspect or go to a crime scene.

[ifcar]

The RCMP uses a lot of Explorers.  They also use a lot of Yukons and Full size Ford and GM pickups.  Of course they really only use these vehicles in areas where going offroad may be required to pursue a suspect or go to a crime scene.

It's a RWD heavy-duty alternative to the Crown Victoria that can't cost too much more than the CV. And if officers don't like the comfort levels of the Charger, it may be a decent option.

[TBR]

Keep in mind the Explorer is going unibody in its next redesign.

[ifcar]

Keep in mind the Explorer is going unibody in its next redesign.

It's still around for now.

[Catman]

What about Explorers?

We have two.  With a gun belt on they are very uncomfortable and are very expensive to maintain.  The Charger is far more comfortable. 

[Raza]

My local smokies all drive Yukons or Tahoes.  We have a few CVs, but not many.

[J86]

I see alot of Tahoes on the NYS Thruway.  Maybe this is just coincidence, but everytime I see an 18 wheeler pulled over on 90 it is always an SUV cop.

[Soup DeVille]

I see alot of Tahoes on the NYS Thruway.  Maybe this is just coincidence, but everytime I see an 18 wheeler pulled over on 90 it is always an SUV cop.

Motor Carrier division. They're SUVs so they have a place to put the scale.

[The Pirate]

Motor Carrier division. They're SUVs so they have a place to put the scale.

The regular NYS Police has a lot of Tahoes.  The motor carrier guys typically use Ford and Dodge vans (though they may be switching over to Tahoes).

[Soup DeVille]

The regular NYS Police has a lot of Tahoes.  The motor carrier guys typically use Ford and Dodge vans (though they may be switching over to Tahoes).

Maybe they're just insecure about pulling over a trucker with a CV?

[J86]

[MX793]

I see alot of Tahoes on the NYS Thruway.  Maybe this is just coincidence, but everytime I see an 18 wheeler pulled over on 90 it is always an SUV cop.

I believe that, in light of the fire issues with the CVPI, the NYS Police have started using the Tahoe in greater numbers.

[Atomic]

I see alot of Tahoes on the NYS Thruway.  Maybe this is just coincidence, but everytime I see an 18 wheeler pulled over on 90 it is always an SUV cop.

i have to agree. judging from the parking lots of their stations, the mainly use suv's now. i generally only see chevys and a few dodge durangos.

[J86]

Both times I've spoken with the NYS constabulary on the Thruway they were driving CVs.  I wonder how long the trucks take to come catch me

[L. ed foote]

Both times I've spoken with the NYS constabulary on the Thruway they were driving CVs.  I wonder how long the trucks take to come catch me

If the Tahoes on Rt 17 are any indication, not very long

[Northlands]

Given the current financial situation North America and its automakers are in, this might be a good decision on their part for the time being. I consider everyone here on the website to be well above the general populace in the automotive knowledge and understanding department and in this case what we understand about cars isn't what Ford either will cater to or be banking on in the near future.

They might be fearing what the general public's reaction to having a bunch of rear drive vehicle's being put in the line up will do. I'm betting there are people out there that are terrified of driving RWD cars, and possibly think they are worse on fuel than FWD. I sure as hell know many believe that FWD vehicles are absolutely superior in sketchy weather ( which IMO is false as well..). Couple this up with what it may cost in R&D for making new RWD platforms for NA cars, ( Why they don't borrow from AUS is beyond me...) it begins to sound almost like a risky proposition. They need bailout money during all of this and likely don't want the perception of thinking too far out of the box, especially if they are already in a better financial position than both GM and Chrysler.

I could be very wrong, but its just my $.02 .

[280Z Turbo]

My point is, they have to develop a few all new platforms anyhow for various markets and categories. To say that one is being kiled of for fuel efficiency's sake seems a stretch, as it can't be THAT hard to develop an all new platform for either RWD or FWD that's fuel efficient.

I mean they are already filling up the interior with center tunnels that can accomodate RWD in their mainstream and small cars, (the fact that you dont' have to modify the floor pan or center tunnel to put a 5 liter V8 longitudinally driving the rear wheels on a Focus kinda proves that), so it can't be because of interior space issues. How hard would it have been to develop a platform for a car the size of the Taurus that was RWD AND fuel efficient? Weight is as much of an enemy to fuel efficiency as the slight additional driveline loss (and again, RWD cars have gotten outstanding fuel economy as well, at least as fuel efficient as modern midsizers and up).

No, fuel efficeincy as the reason for killing them seems to be fallacious.

Americans must only want RWD if there's a big gas guzzling V8 up front.

[MX793]

Americans must only want RWD if there's a big gas guzzling V8 up front.

Or a "premium" brand badge on the front like Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, Cadillac or Infiniti.

[280Z Turbo]

Or a "premium" brand badge on the front like Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, Cadillac or Infiniti.

Strange, because I don't think a Lexus buyer even cares what moves the car as long as it's quiet.

[Schadenfreude]

Strange, because I don't think a Lexus buyer even cares what moves the car as long as it's quiet.

Wouldn't that describe most Buick buyers too?

[Eye of the Tiger]

Wouldn't that describe most Buick buyers too?

Wrong. Buick buyers demand the perfect enthusiast driving experience, with only the most cutting-edge and exciting high-performance drivetrains.