Ford reveals its series 2 BF

[andrewmac]

Ford have released the series 2 of there BF falcon.
This is what they have released to counter the VE.
Heres a link for some pics http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthre...t=59584&page=3 .
I dont think it looks the best and am dissapointed that Ford havnt done better.
I Dont think they have changes it enough to compete with the VE in the looks department and the changes that have been made make it look worse.
Neways that my opinion what bout the rest of you?

[vztrt]

What would you expect? A whole new designed car for a series two? Orion is to compete with the VE.
Mind you 6 speed auto as an option across the entire range (petrol motors only).....thats rated at 10.2(i know the sticker is BS) that'll make the swaying buyer think.

[1991_Vn2nV]

A summary of the 11 areas where Ford claims it has the VE on the ropes include:

VE Commodore will not perform as well as the BF Falcon.
VE Commodore's Alloytec engine is not as technologically advanced as Falcon's Barra 190.
VE Commodore does not offer six-speed automatic transmission on any six-cylinder models.
VE Commodore is larger and heavier than its predecessor. BF Falcon can achieve fuel consumption as low as 10.2lt/100km on the Barra 190 engine with six-speed automatic transmission.
VE Commodore does not currently offer a dedicated LPG or dual fuel LPG option.
Air-conditioning is a $2000 optional extra on the VE Commodore Omega. Air-conditioning comes standard on the BF Falcon XT.
BF Falcon comes with a full-size spare wheel standard across the range including wagon and Ute (excluding E-Gas).
BF Falcon has a luggage capacity of 504lt with a full-size spare wheel compared to VE Commodore at 496lt.
The cost of replacing original tyres has increased on VE Commodore. A set of four new tyres on the VE Commodore Omega costs $928 RRP (or $232 RRP each) compared to the BF Falcon XT, Futura or Fairmont at $569.52 RRP (or $142.38 RRP each)
BF Falcon offers a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat back.
There is no VE wagon or Ute until late 2007. GM-Holden Ute no longer offers a Chassis Cab (i.e. One Tonner) while Falcon Ute offers a full range of XL, XLS and RTV Chassis Cabs

Not really anything there that really sticks other than the 6 speed auto option and also air con as standard.

The 380 is dead and buried now and I think this will hurt the new Camry. If the Falcon can match a 4 cylinder Camry in terms of fuel economy that damages the major advantage to the new Camry imo... I still think the Aurion with 204kw will be the VE's main competitor, not the Falcon.

[andrewmac]

What would you expect? A whole new designed car for a series two? Orion is to compete with the VE.
Mind you 6 speed auto as an option across the entire range (petrol motors only).....thats rated at 10.2(i know the sticker is BS) that'll make the swaying buyer think.

Ofcourse not a new car but at least change the design enogh to make it different from the 2002 model!!!
I think it should be a kind of upgrade where it is actually trying to be a bit different.
I think they should have done this with the original bf upgrade but no.
I was expecting something considering this car is the thing which will have to get sales for the next 18 months for ford against the ve.

[andyman]

VE Commodore does not currently offer a dedicated LPG or dual fuel LPG option.

The cost of replacing original tyres has increased on VE Commodore. A set of four new tyres on the VE Commodore Omega costs $928 RRP (or $232 RRP each) compared to the BF Falcon XT, Futura or Fairmont at $569.52 RRP (or $142.38 RRP each)

what a load of crap correct me if im wrong but isnt there a dual fuel omega, also isnt the tyre size the same as falcon now?

i can see a bit of a toyota avalon mk111 styling in the front of the bf11

[JT090]

to get 6 speed auto on xt you need to upgrade to performance suspension, brakes and wheels i was told and was stated on LS1.com

[vztrt]

Ofcourse not a new car but at least change the design enogh to make it different from the 2002 model!!!
I think it should be a kind of upgrade where it is actually trying to be a bit different.
I think they should have done this with the original bf upgrade but no.
I was expecting something considering this car is the thing which will have to get sales for the next 18 months for ford against the ve.

The big change for the BA to BFI was the 6sp auto, that thing is huge and alot of internal body changes had to be made.

to get 6 speed auto on xt you need to upgrade to performance suspension, brakes and wheels i was told and was stated on LS1.com

What a load of crud, the brakes on the XR6 NA are the same as the XT and you can get a 6sp on that. The SR has the upgraded suspension (Non XR) and wheels and thats pretty much a futura. Dont think LS1.com is gospel.

[Puggle]

Ugliest thing on the planet. Wow. Heading for the next AU?...

keep trying Ford.

[Wombat]

I'm assuming that Holden is going to sell a lot of Omega's to just basic family buyers...

Air conditioning is a $2000 option on the Omega!!!
tyres to suit will cost $230-odd each!!!

F*ck that for a game of soldiers as a family car...bloody expensive to buy and to run. Who needs huge low profile wheels on a normal family car anyway...give me a Commodore with ordinary (16") wheels thanks...
...and before someone jumps down my neck, yes, wavering buyers on a budget who are looking a a brand new family car do look at running costs and how much tyres and so-forth will cost in the long term. We personally knocked back several very nice VT-VX's solely because they had 17" or 18" wheels on them.

As for the air-con, I have always been astounded that companies are still offering it as an "option". A comment from a motoring magazine from nearly twenty years ago sticks in my mind...it says in a hot country like Australia, why is heating standard and air conditioning an option?


And yes...Ford has seriously stuffed up if that's the new Falcon...what were they thinking...

[Scotty_Doesn't_Know]

I'm assuming that Holden is going to sell a lot of Omega's to just basic family buyers...

Air conditioning is a $2000 option on the Omega!!!
tyres to suit will cost $230-odd each!!!

F*ck that for a game of soldiers as a family car...bloody expensive to buy and to run. Who needs huge low profile wheels on a normal family car anyway...give me a second hand Commodore with ordinary (16") wheels thanks...

And yes...Ford has seriously stuffed up if that's the new Falcon...what were they thinking...

Tyre prices come down as popularity increases. Remember when 17's weren't popular or common? The Omega doesn't have "huge low profile wheels" anyway.

[Wombat]

I agree with what you've said, but my point I suppose is that they have stuffed up if they think making larger and larger tyres is going to be a selling point...as I said, people will look at the tyre prices and baulk at the replacement cost. Years from now might be different, but initially I can see it turning a lot of ordinary budget-driven people off...rising costs of running due to fuel and oil will see a lot of people more closely scrutinise what costs are involved in buying a certain car, and if they aren't totally "badge driven", then they will look for a car with the lowest overall running costs, as seen in figures the RACQ and other organisations put out regularly, and which a lot of people study, probably more now with fuel rising sharply.

[Scotty_Doesn't_Know]

Fact is, larger wheel/tyre packages are safer and provide better fuel economy (as well as performance). And apparently the new tyres are a new type of tyre technology too... I'm no tyre expert though.

Still, won't stop me buying a car that comes with 18's. SV6 standard rims mean I don't have to spend another $2000+ on wheels and tyre.

[hakhawk]

im taking a punt that almost every ve in a dealer will have aircon fitted and you can option to get a ve without it, thus saving $2000

and on the pricing, im sure there was a "special" where you get aircon, bigger spare wheel and a couple extras or something for like $500

was only for one model i think though.

[greenfoam]

May not be as horny looking as a VE, But at least you can get a manual with the budget Falcon and blow any VE Omega into the weeds, twice

You can get a Falcon XT manual with LSD and Sports Suspension for $35,705, Holden have nothing to compete with that and if their current thinking continues they never will

[ucwepn]

Bahahahahaha the bfII still looks like the au that its based on, even more now than with the ba and bf1. They seem to have mixed up the development of the Au platform, this model looks like it should fit in between the AU and BA as a go between model but ford were dying so they just brought out the BA. Very interesting.

!7 inch tyres aren't really that expensive anymore, the prices ford are quoting for 17's are a mid range tyre, there are lower spec tyres that are just as good but without the big brand name .

Of course the VE is heavier, it has side curtain airbags and esp, more sophisticated suspension and a very stiff chassis, all this adds to the weight. The next gen falcon will be bigger and heavier than the VE.

[Full Spectrum]

I think the base doesn't look great, But the BF Ghia doesn't look to bad at all to be honest. Wish there was more change at the rear but this is the first real change to the front and it's going to stand out heaps more, No-one front on will mix the BA and BF up with the BF II.

[minux]

mmmm turbo fairmont ghia, luxury performance. Sweet. (stirs the pot)Defiantly looks better then this ugly VE holden have released.

I think the base doesn't look great, But the BF Ghia doesn't look to bad at all to be honest. Wish there was more change at the rear but this is the first real change to the front and it's going to stand out heaps more, No-one front on will mix the BA and BF up with the BF II.

what base model ever looks good?

[Full Spectrum]

mmmm turbo fairmont ghia, luxury performance. Sweet. (stirs the pot)Defiantly looks better then this ugly VE holden have released.



what base model ever looks good?

The VE omega in the flesh.

[blackahcdx]

I'm assuming that Holden is going to sell a lot of Omega's to just basic family buyers...

Air conditioning is a $2000 option on the Omega!!!
tyres to suit will cost $230-odd each!!!

As for the air-con, I have always been astounded that companies are still offering it as an "option". A comment from a motoring magazine from nearly twenty years ago sticks in my mind...it says in a hot country like Australia, why is heating standard and air conditioning an option?

OMG, when will ppl get over this A/C stuff?

Put A/C on and the price is the same as the Falcon.

ITS A MARKETING PLOY!

Holden can say "This special edition car has $3000 worth of extra's" rather than if A/C was "standard" and saying "This special edition car has $1000" of extra's"

Which sounds better to you?

And it allows Holden to advertise a cheaper starting price.

If you think about it, Holden are actually very smart.

Anyway, i wonder if u can actually get an Omega without A/C and how long it would take to get one?


:

[blackahcdx]

May not be as horny looking as a VE, But at least you can get a manual with the budget Falcon and blow any VE Omega into the weeds, twice

You can get a Falcon XT manual with LSD and Sports Suspension for $35,705, Holden have nothing to compete with that and if their current thinking continues they never will

ask Ford how many of those they ACTUALLY sell


Sure its nice to have the option, but i bet it makes up less than 1% of Falcon sales

[tsalad]

Must say I think the falcon looks better than the VE.

Anyone with any sense will have a look at the falcon - Holden fanboi or not.

First rule in buying cars NEVER buy the first version of a new model!!!!

[ucwepn]

Must say I think the falcon looks better than the VE.

Anyone with any sense will have a look at the falcon - Holden fanboi or not.

First rule in buying cars NEVER buy the first version of a new model!!!!

That is true in the majority of cases with the first models of each platform but there are exceptions like the VB commodore was the most solid of that platform although it did have it problems with its super sharp steering, where the VL is the last of the platform it is also the one where most corners were cut. The VR can develop nasty cracks in the rear cross member but is mechanically well refined. The Gen 3 commodores up to even the later vy's had nasty piston slap and oil burning problems in 1 out of 10 cars.

I'm sure there will be problems with the VE also it will just take time for them to surface.

Turbo fairmont ghia does sound like a good car even though I wouldn't buy a ford, I would have it if they gave me one.

[vztrt]

Holden can say "This special edition car has $3000 worth of extra's" rather than if A/C was "standard" and saying "This special edition car has $1000" of extra's"

Which sounds better to you?

And it allows Holden to advertise a cheaper starting price.

If you think about it, Holden are actually very smart.

Anyway, i wonder if u can actually get an Omega without A/C and how long it would take to get one?

You cant option the A/C out!! You have to pay the option pricewhen you buy a base model. But when the BFII is released there will be a special edition Omega released with 17", spoiler and the steering wheel will be the same colour as the car.

ask Ford how many of those they ACTUALLY sell
Sure its nice to have the option, but i bet it makes up less than 1% of Falcon sales

You would be pretty silly to buy a fully optioned XT, the SR has all that already. The XT is for fleets and gov cars. At $35,000 you can find an XR6 N/A with a higher ratio diff, F6 suspention, better interior and instrument cluster for a few grand more. Also a better resale price.

[drewins]

You seriously cant say that the BA,BF whatever, is better than the VE. The BA couldnt even outsell the outdated VZ how will it beat the VE for the same price?. And about the fuel economy part it would not be much better than the VE when you add up everything else fuell consumption wouldnt even come into it. I liked the BA design better. the back sort of reminds me of the old AU's(throw up).

[vy_storm]

I know the BF is meant to be a competitor of the VE, but not sure why this thread is in the VE section...... am moving it to the pub.