Falcon Moving To Awd Platform

P71_CrownVic · January 11, 2011

Yet another dumb, boneheaded decision by Ford.

Ford Motor Company’s global design chief J Mays all-but confirmed the news long-dreaded by Aussie 'Blue Oval' fans at the Detroit motor show today.

“I wouldn’t be holding my breath for a rear-wheel drive Falcon,” Mays told Drive. “I think the chances are we will be all-wheel-drive.”

Now...let's celebrate, in pictures, the last remaining GOOD Ford...the Falcon:

We haven't seen an IP cluster this nice in an American Ford...forever!

Read the terrible news here.

MikeNH · January 11, 2011

AWD>RWD.

All a rear drive car has on that one is easier burnouts.

P71_CrownVic · January 11, 2011

AWD>RWD.

Opinion.

I suppose that is why all the great driving cars in the world are either RWD or heavily rearward biased AWD.

RWD is for people who know how to drive. FWD/AWD are for people who don't.

How's that Subaru?

MikeNH · January 11, 2011

AWD>RWD.

Opinion.

I suppose that is why all the great driving cars in the world are either RWD or heavily rearward biased AWD.

RWD is for people who know how to drive. FWD/AWD are for people who don't.

How's that Subaru?

My car is just fine and I hope you're not sitting there all smug because you insinuated I can't drive. I know I can and the opinion on AWD of someone who probably has never owned a sporty AWD car means nothing to me. I wouldn't compare a Falcon to the $100K+ stuff from Italy and Germany. It's obviously a non-issue in Australia but making an car like that AWD means it can be driven year round instead of being garaged in areas that see snow. The Falcon is a sporty sedan that should be compared to other sports sedans. I don't have the time to look for numbers now but I'd have to assume it competes quite well against the various M/AMG/S stuff from Germany, most of which also can be had in AWD.

P71_CrownVic · January 11, 2011

but making an car like that AWD means it can be driven year round instead of being garaged in areas that see snow.

Why would it have to be garaged in the snow? That's the most absurd thing I have ever heard.

Nick The Great · January 11, 2011

I've been saying for a long time than an American company needs to make an AWD sedan. Now I've also said they need to make a RWD sedan.

I don't have any problems driving in the winter. I drove 6 Iowa winters in my 99 RCSB 2WD Chevy. But I can say without a doubt that my 4WD truck is better in every respect in the snow. I've never driven an AWD car, but I don't see why it wouldn't be 200% better in the snow than a RWD (or even a FWD) Taurus.

MikeNH · January 11, 2011

but making an car like that AWD means it can be driven year round instead of being garaged in areas that see snow.

Why would it have to be garaged in the snow? That's the most absurd thing I have ever heard.

Because RWD sucks in the snow. I've only been to MN once and I don't really remember what it was like but even with snow tires you'd be stuck on the hills here. I have never and will never rely on a 2WD in the snow.

Nick- deep snow aside my current Subrau is the best thing I've ever driven in the snow. Its much more sure footed than the 4x4s I had in the past and much more fun if you want to mess around.

jdubub · January 11, 2011

Everything ok Matt?

Rear wheel drives are fun- except in snow

AWD is safer in all aspects- just not always as fun depending on your spirited driving style

I had an audi a4 AWD and it was unstoppable from a sport traction stand point

jro909 · January 11, 2011

hey guess what..another ford hate thread awsome

mhenshaw · January 11, 2011

hey guess what..another ford hate thread awsome

+1 on this

Why anyone would want a AWD car is beyond me. Who wants to put the power to the ground thats just stupid.

AThomas7782 · January 11, 2011

hey guess what..another ford hate thread awsome

Ford could build a GMT900 down to the last bolt and it would be hated on in one of these threads.

[email protected] · January 11, 2011

AWD>RWD.

Opinion.

I suppose that is why all the great driving cars in the world are either RWD or heavily rearward biased AWD.

RWD is for people who know how to drive. FWD/AWD are for people who don't.

How's that Subaru?

I agree with that although I bet AWD is nice.

old-chevy-dude · January 11, 2011

AWD>RWD.

All a rear drive car has on that one is easier burnouts.

AWD>RWD.

Opinion.

I suppose that is why all the great driving cars in the world are either RWD or heavily rearward biased AWD.

RWD is for people who know how to drive. FWD/AWD are for people who don't.

How's that Subaru?

FWD based AWD drive cars suck ass, plain and simple.. just because they are AWD doesn't negate the torque steer in the front wheels from the trans-axle.

RWD based AWD drive vehicles offer 100 times better handling that FWD based AWD cars.. however RWD vehicle in general cost a grip more to manufacturer than the FWD based ones, and seeing as Ford is going the way of the Eco-Boost FWD/AWD systems in every other country it comes as no surprise that they would do the same in Aussy, thus allowing them to utilize the same platform from the new Taurus for the Aussy Falcon..

P71_CrownVic · January 11, 2011

Because RWD sucks in the snow. I've only been to MN once and I don't really remember what it was like but even with snow tires you'd be stuck on the hills here. I have never and will never rely on a 2WD in the snow.

My prior vehicle was a Crown VIc. It was RWD and did not have a LSD or traction control. I was never stuck ONCE in a MN winter. Snow tires make a FAR greater difference in the snow than AWD does.

AWD is safer in all aspects- just not always as fun depending on your spirited driving style

Actually...you're wrong.

All FWD/AWD/all these fancy computer-based traction "enhancers" allow for is people to drive faster than they should and faster than their skill level allows. They mask the conditions of the roadway so the driver believes that they are on clear tarmac. But when it comes time to turn or stop, they can't.

That is why the disappointing Taurus with AWD for police use is very short sighted. Aside from the increased maintenance and repair costs...the FWD-based AWD system will not help you AT ALL at turning or stopping. It will get you up to speed quickly (which is the opposite of what you should be doing in adverse conditions) but when it comes time to stop, you are SOL.

That is why SNOW TIRES are the far better and cheaper choice. Not only will snow tires allow you to get moving better, they will also allow you to stop and turn. AWD and all the fancy computer gizmos can't make that claim.

Those systems I mention above are being used as supplements to basic driving skills. Back 50 years ago...people still got around....in RWD cars with rudimentary tires (compared to today's tires). How did they do it? Basic driving skills.

If you have to rely on FWD/AWD to get around in adverse conditions, you shouldn't be driving. I hardly EVER use Auto 4WD/4WD in my truck in the winter. I leave it in 2WD and not only do I get to my destination with no problems, I get there safely because I know what the road surface is like.

renegadeking · January 12, 2011

thats a nice car. looks like the newer gto's.

i think it should come with both options.

AWD cars are great for the 90% of the people out there. how many people do you now that are going to be spinning the tires around every corner. AWD car has better handling and all terraines. and this car probably won't have a big engine so i wouldn't be worried about burning the rubber off this car. that is why they make a mustang.

have you ever heard of ken block? the worlds greatest drifter. his first car was a AWD Subaru wrx sti. the car he is using now is a AWD fiesta.