Monday 18 May 2009

The Amazing 2008 Ford Falcon Ute and XR6 Turbo Sprung!

Unlike Holden, Ford seems to be preparing their Falcon Utility to coincide with the release of their new model - codename Orion.

Our spy photographer has sprung the Falcon Ute during testing in an undisclosed location in Victoria’s bushy countryside. Although the photos aren’t quite crystal clear, there is an obvious indication that body size will remain similar to Ford’s currently successful utility range.


The model photographed seems to be a base model with tray attached. It’s also nice to see the Ute decked out with a big set of alloy wheels which - I would think - probably won’t be seen on the ready model.


Ford Falcon Orion Ute Spy Shots - CarAdvice

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Ford Falcon Orion Ute Spy Shots - CarAdvice

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Whilst waiting for the Ford Falcon Ute to come past, our sleuth photographer snapped off a few shots of a car we have seen before.



This time around, the car was much closer, revealing some more information about the vehicle’s shape and contours. The front end reveals new sculpting for the fog lights and also some humps on the bonnet…we’ll leave that to your imagination.



Many European vehicles are now fitted with Xenon headlights, it’s unclear whether the Falcon will also feature such a headlight treatment. One thing that is clear though is that the vehicle pictured below has several objects protruding from the headlight assembly, suggesting ad-hoc headlight washers (which are required as ADR for Xenon/HID headlights). And is that a carbon-fibre spoiler fitted to the vehicle pictured? You betch’ya. Will it make it to production? Probably not.


Ford Falcon Orion Spy Shots - CarAdvice

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Insiders have informed us that the mold featured in the following photo is not representative of the tail-lights. Cladding has been employed to emboss the tail-light surrounding in a bid to throw off onlookers.


Ford Falcon Orion Spy Shots - CarAdvice


The front end close up shot suggests a new fog light arrangement and bonnet contours. The vehicle photographed is probably an XR6 Turbo variant. Our spy photographer has suggested that it was towing a trailer filled with cement and other heavy objects and had a noise reminiscent of the current turbocharged Falcon lineup.


Ford Falcon Orion Spy Shots - CarAdvice

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Ford Falcon Orion Spy Shots - CarAdvice


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And finally, the following picture clearly shows the outline of the window. It’s unclear why Ford went to such extremes to pad the C-pillar windows. This photo shots that nothing all too interesting is going on behind there. It is encouraging to see that the old AU rear door frame is gone. There were many complaints about the lack of ease getting in and out of Falcons from the AU - BF, this new door frame will hopefully rectify the issue.


Ford Falcon Orion Spy Shots - CarAdvice


One thing’s for certain, Ford is working hard to ready the Falcon for sale next year.

2008 Ford Falcon Orion Interior and GT Exposed

Sporting a set of woolen mitts and beanie, our elusive spy photographer braved the frosty conditions to bring you the latest pictures that the blue oval don’t want anyone to see.

First up, Ford has been extensively testing the use of ’space-saver’ tyres. The following photo shows a space-saver tyre fitted to a vehicle. Our spy photographer tells us that the vehicle seen in the picture - along with crash-helmet clad driver - were performing continuous evasive and high-speed swerving maneuvers, most probably testing the strength and capacity of the space-saver tyre. This suggests that Ford is likely to follow in Holden’s footsteps and also offer this tyre on the new Falcon.


Ford Falcon Orion Spy Shots

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Second on the agenda is the FPV range of vehicles. Spotted below is either the GT or GT-P. One thing’s for certain, the bulge is here to stay. The cover on the right hand side of the lights is labeled with “remove for night driving,” possibly indicating a Xenon headlight treatment to the upper models in the range. Also written on the front and rear wheel arches is “160mm,” possibly indicating a protrusion of 16cm for the wheel arches.



Ford Falcon Orion Spy Shots

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Ford Falcon Orion Spy Shots

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Our spy photographer said that the vehicle photographed had an extremely meaty and mean note. It was also running a quick-shifting automatic gearbox, indicating that the ZF will remain on the cards.


Also noted was that the GT featured cross-drilled and slotted Brembo brakes, possibly opening the doors to a higher-capacity braking system.


Ford Falcon Orion Spy Shots

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Ford Falcon Orion Spy Shots

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Next on the agenda is Ford’s XR8. Sources confirm that the XR8 nameplate will stay and the following photos also confirm that the bonnet bulge will stay.



According to sources, the Fairmont, XR6, XR8, Futura names will remain in the Orion lineup.


Ford Falcon Orion Spy Shots

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Ford Falcon Orion Spy Shots

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Ford Falcon Orion Spy Shots

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The spy photographer then managed to spot a Futura model doing the rounds near one of Ford’s facilities in Victoria. The images show that Ford’s new Orion will probably carry over the same rear suspension setup as the BF Falcon.


Although a large portion of the interior was covered up, the photos indicate the Futura model spotted will receive woodgrain highlights on the doors. Also evident is a new handle for the door release, along with revised switchgear for the window operation.



A remodeled steering wheel is also on the cards as per the images, along with a new gear selector. A triangular shaped repeated on the side will replace the oval shaped repeater used on the BF. It’s still unclear if Ford will use repeaters on the wing mirrors. Every model spotted so far has had its wing mirrors covered up and the GT or GT-P photographer earlier in this post also has a small portion taped up.



Ford Falcon Orion Spy Shots

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Ford Falcon Orion Spy Shots

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Ford Falcon Orion Spy Shots

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Ford Falcon Orion Spy Shots

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Ford Falcon Orion Spy Shots

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Padding is visible in the bottom right of the next photo, indicating that the bumper bar is a somewhat fake layout.



Ford Falcon Orion Spy Shots

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Ford Falcon Orion Spy Shots

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Ford Falcon Orion Spy Shots

Indicator repeater


The development of the new Falcon seems well in advance. It won’t be long before more and more vehicles are seen on the streets.

Top Review For The 2008 Ford Falcon

2008 Ford Falcon Ute Video


While our spy photographer is taking a break, rest assured that the general public are not!


Ford Falcon Orion Ute Spy Shots - CarAdvice


The guys over at FordForums recently obtained video footage of two 2008 Ford Falcon Orion utes undergoing public testing in Melbourne. It’s clear that the evaluation utes are fitted with steel trays to disguise design elements of the final product.


Amazing Spy shots for the 2008 Ford Falcon Orion Ute Interior

After an arduous day at the office, our spy photographer has snapped the first shots of Ford’s rehashed centre console, along with the new speedometer/tachometer cluster.

The seemingly base model Ford ‘Orion’ Utility spotted in traffic is not dissimilar to the one spotted earlier by our photographer, except without the funky looking alloy wheels.


1.


The following shots of the interior confirm several things. Firstly, a telephone button on the steering wheel (on what appears to be a base model) suggests that Ford’s new Falcon will mimic Holden’s Bluetooth availability across the entire range, allowing the driver to connect their phone to play through the car’s speakers.


Ford Falcon Orion Ute Interior Spy Shots


2.



Next up, Ford’s new dashboard layout has been revealed. The first - and most noticeable - feature is the display at the top of the dashboard. This, presumably, being a base model indicates that the screen may simply be an analogue unit, similar to the one featured in Holden’s Commodore Omega, displaying vital information such as radio and CD controls.


The other noticeable feature of the dashboard unit is that the air vents have been shifted from the top of the dash to the middle. The vehicle pictures is also fitted with a column shift unit, negating the need for a floor shifting unit.


Ford Falcon Orion Ute Interior Spy Shots

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Ford Falcon Orion Ute Interior Spy Shots

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A new steering wheel has also made it to the new Falcon. The steering wheel design seems to have been somewhat reverted back to EF/EL style. It’s hard to tell if the Utility is fitted with a different steering wheel to the Futura model photographed some time ago by our spy photographer.



Ford Falcon Orion Ute Interior Spy Shots

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Ford Falcon Orion Ute Interior Spy Shots

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The next most noticeable feature of the photos is the speedometer and tachometer cluster which are visible from one of the photos.


Ford has adopted a similar LCD readout to Holden’s Commodore, probably to be used for fuel consumption and other trip computer features. Also noticeable is a “Menu” button (circled) which our spy photographer has suggested is used to navigate the screen.


Holden use steering wheel menu controls to navigate the screen, relinquishing the need for reaching through/around the steering wheel to access the menu. Also witnessed by the spy photographer is a new speedometer cluster which features a new font, different to that used in the BF Falcon.


http://www.caradvice.com.au/3211/2008-ford-falcon-orion-interior-and-gt-exposed/

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From another angle, the bottom of the centre cluster can be seen.


Ford Falcon Orion Utility Interior Exposed

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3.


Although not totally uncovered, the headlight angle and design is clearly evident from the embossing of the lights through the car bra.


Ford Falcon Orion Utility Exterior Exposed

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Ford Falcon Orion Utility Exterior Exposed

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Ford Falcon Orion Utility Exterior Exposed

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Ford Falcon Orion Utility Exterior Exposed

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Ford Falcon Orion Utility Exterior Exposed

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One other thing that took the spy photographer by surprise are the “Good Year” branded tyres, deviating from the “Dunlop” norm. This isn’t conclusive though, as it’s a prototype vehicle, any wheels could have been fitted for a number of reasons.


Ford Falcon Orion Utility Exterior Exposed

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Ford Falcon Orion Utility Exterior Exposed

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4.


A few more photos from the interior reveal some truths that were covered up from previous photos. Firstly, you may recall the previous photos our spy photographer took of the Ute which detailed the covering behind the driver and passenger door (as shown above).


The following interior shots reveals that there is a new design employed for the Orion Falcon Ute.


Ford Falcon Orion Utility Interior Exposed

(Courtesy of AutoNews)


Ford Falcon Orion Ute Exterior Exposed

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Ford Falcon Orion Utility Interior Exposed Ford Falcon Orion Utility Interior Exposed

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Ford Falcon Orion Utility Interior Exposed

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5.


And lastly, speculation about the rear suspension in the new Utility has been ripe. Thanks to our spy photographer, it can be confirmed that the Orion Utility - the base model at least - will use leaves.


Ford Falcon Orion Utility Exterior Exposed

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Ford Falcon Orion Utility Exterior Exposed

New 2008 Ford Falcon Orion Computer Generated Pictures

The Herald sun have been hard at work over the last week, first it was the leaked photos of the new Series III Mitsubishi 380 Sedan, and now, the Herald has published photos of the new Ford Falcon:


v3

The Herald Sun claims that these computer generated images were disposed of after an FPV meeting, soon before being stumbled upon by an eager reader.


If this is true, the production version, which is set to hit showrooms early next year (probably in time for the Melbourne Motor Show - March), may very well be near identical to what you are seeing now.



2008 Ford Falcon Orion

Click for larger image. FPV F6 Typhoon


2008 Ford Falcon Orion Pictures

Click for larger images. FPV GT


2008 Ford Falcon Orion Pictures

Click for larger image. FPV GT-P


New Falcon Orion Pictures Rear

Images show the GT and GT-P from Ford’s performance stable, FPV, along with images of the F6 Typhoon.



New Falcon Orion Pictures

Comparing these to our spy photos of the Falcon GT, there is a very noticeable resemblance.


The computer generated images sourced by the Herald Sun show what is most probably an early design of the Orion. Our spy photos and sources indicate the upper models - such as the FPV GT-P (pictured) - will feature Xenon headlights, cross-drilled and slotted brakes, along with new wheels.


A stripe package will also probably remain for the Orion Falcon, considering the big uptake of the option on B-series FPV GTs and GT-Ps.



Ford Australia have declined to comment on the images, stating that they are simply pretty images and that we should all wait until the final product is released. One thing is for certain though, all the publicity is revving up fans of the blue oval marque.