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Ford Falcon to go all-wheel-drive | Ford axes rear wheel driveFord Falcon to ditch rear-wheel-drive
Years of heritage could be axed with the Ford design chief all but confirming the end of the traditional rear-drive Falcon.
The rear-wheel drive Australian-designed Ford Falcon is almost certainly dead.
Instead, the next generation Falcon due after 2015 seems certain to be part of a global front and all-wheel drive family of large cars.
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.”
Mays acknowledged the news would be met with shock and dismay among Australian Ford fans, who celebrated the nameplate’s 50th anniversary in 2010.
Rear-wheel-drive 'critical' to Commodore futureRear-wheel-drive 'critical' to Commodore future
Rear-wheel-drive is expected to remain a key selling point of future Holden Commodores well into the next decade with an imminent decision on the locally-made large car’s future.
Holden has reinforced that the locally-produced Commodore has a prosperous future as a large rear-wheel-drive car.
The brand that has built the best-selling car for 15 years running also says a return to a four-cylinder model to save fuel is not in keeping with the traditional six- and eight-cylinder engines found in Australian-made large cars.
Comments by chairman and managing director Mike Devereux ahead of the 2011 Detroit motor show suggest Holden will stick with a rear-wheel-drive architecture, which is considered superior for driving dynamics and high performance versions, well into the next decade.