272kW AWD Taurus spotted in Sydney

[Troutman]

From Wheels magazine's Facebook page. A Taurus was spotted sneaking into the country at Sydney airport. It will never truly replace the Falcon but is a well respected car in its own right. In various FWD and AWD, V6 and turbo forms it has been a popular replacement for the RWD Crown Victoria in the US law enforcement market.

Ironically, one of its main competitors in the US fleet market is the Caprice. The same way Falcon enthusiasts in the new car market will have to choose between brand loyalty or RWD/Aussie (aka GM) loyalty after the unthinkable happens.

Cheers.

[SnipeZ]

I think I'd have to go with the tarous as I just don't like the holden look or the Camry. Suppose we won't know until the time comes


Cheers

[Michael (HYPOEB)]

It's a shame that this is all ford fans have to look forward to..
IF they are still making the commodore after 2016 would you think they would have a big sales jump because of the lack of RWD performance cars around?

[SnipeZ]

They'd have too. I wouldn't want the fwd. would need to be awd. But being fwd the v6 would have to be east west which sucks.

Commodore will get a big boost if they can hold out past 2016.


Cheers

[EFFalcon]

not sure about a big boost...
some will buy a commodore, but others will buy what ever ford replace the falcon/terri with, and some will look elsewhere completely.

[nstg8a]

This is popping up in all the forums... But it's a pity wheels didn't do their homework. Ford na has said more than once Taurus will not be made in rhd.

[Troutman]

Keep in mind by 2016 it will quite possibly be a new model and a new chassis. It is quite likely they would be engineering the new model with RHD availability, though having said that it would be understandable if they didn't bother.

If memory serves, the latest Explorer is closely related chassis and engine-wise and would surely be a strong seller if brought here.

As for the RWD performance car market, it is shaping up to be Holden/HSV vs. the equivalent Dodge/Chrysler products. I heard rumours the Charger may be brought here.

[Nikk O'lass]

The 2016 update is said to be based on the mondeo/fusion platform. If Australia was desperate, I can't see why a RHD model wasn't produced...



Perhaps Ford Au could have put there hand up to do this, instead of trying to keep the 4L RWD platform alive...we will never know.

[hokko]

It's ugly! It won't sell here. History has shown that all those other large fwd cars have been so successful here......
Is the commodore garrenteed past 2016? They committed to aus manufacturing until 2022, but I have not seen a commitment to the Rwd commodore? (possible I've missed that)

[nstg8a]

It's ugly! It won't sell here. History has shown that all those other large fwd cars have been so successful here......
Is the commodore garrenteed past 2016? They committed to aus manufacturing until 2022, but I have not seen a commitment to the Rwd commodore? (possible I've missed that)

times have changed, and these days the vast majority either dont know, or dont care, which wheels are doing the driving.

realistically even the old magnas pre 380 were bloody decent cars, and stock for stock, weren't embarrassed by its equivalent rwd local competition.

rwd is now for enthuiasts only.

[Nikk O'lass]

Camry, Mazda 6 and Mondeo are all doing well for Large FWD cars...


Ford cannot get enough mondeos to sell here.

[Dumpsta]

Ugly? They look so much better then the fg's imho. Granted this one is lowered on wheels but I'd do no different to an fg. One of these with the barra would be perfect...

[hokko]

It's ugly! It won't sell here. History has shown that all those other large fwd cars have been so successful here......
Is the commodore garrenteed past 2016? They committed to aus manufacturing until 2022, but I have not seen a commitment to the Rwd commodore? (possible I've missed that)

times have changed, and these days the vast majority either dont know, or dont care, which wheels are doing the driving.

realistically even the old magnas pre 380 were bloody decent cars, and stock for stock, weren't embarrassed by its equivalent rwd local competition.

rwd is now for enthuiasts only.

Really? Did you ever drive them?
1 in 4 commons sold now is a v8 I'm relatively sure. You think the people still buying these aren't semi enthusiasts?

[hokko]

Camry, Mazda 6 and Mondeo are all doing well for Large FWD cars...


Ford cannot get enough mondeos to sell here.

Camry Mazda 6 etc are all 4 cyl cars. Not large v8 or 6's.
How many Aurions are being sold?.....

[Nikk O'lass]

Camry, Mazda 6 and Mondeo are all doing well for Large FWD cars...


Ford cannot get enough mondeos to sell here.

Camry Mazda 6 etc are all 4 cyl cars. Not large v8 or 6's.
How many Aurions are being sold?.....

Falcon has a 4 too...

Get your measuring tape out and you'll find that the maz 6 and mondeo are as big as a falcon...

[vegabass]

All the people who started the shift in going away from large cars (eg falcon commodore) and bought small cars are now having kids and all of a sudden needing bigger cars (to late to buy a new falcon) so they are buying things like mazda CX5, Terri, Captiva etc. SUV and duel cab ute (navara, triton, bla bla).

People are still buying cars, the figures are showing this but could anyone have predicted this trend? Maybe but they might have been laughed at 10 years ago.

[Parfrey]

Looks ok, would be a nice car for the missus in AWD Turbo form.. replace her wrx.

Fingers crossed we get the Mustang, 55k for a 650hp GT500 in the states... surely we can have them for ~75k

[needfordspeed]

Reminds me of a 300c crossed with a ranger and some accord euro in the mix

[BROCKYB8]

Reminds me of a 300c crossed with a ranger and some accord euro in the mix

Actually i was thinking the same as you . I really dont like it from back . Front looks good tho

[Mr_4.0]

Just so everyone knows... The next commodore is Mondeo sized. It's shrunk a lot!

[TUFED6]

Would be stoked if we ended up with the Explorer too.

[Troutman]

Just so everyone knows... The next commodore is Mondeo sized. It's shrunk a lot!

Ironically the infamous VB-VL Commodore may have been a few decades ahead of its time. Downsizing isn't the end of the world, but I'd take a Camry or Mondeo (etc) over a FWD Holden and get the whole thing over with. GM already ruined the Impala, at least as far as enthusiasts are concerned.

[SnipeZ]

Yep. Impala ruined. Needed to be a huge boat that was very nice to look at and somewhat to drive. Now it's just shit


Cheers

[nstg8a]

It's ugly! It won't sell here. History has shown that all those other large fwd cars have been so successful here......
Is the commodore garrenteed past 2016? They committed to aus manufacturing until 2022, but I have not seen a commitment to the Rwd commodore? (possible I've missed that)

times have changed, and these days the vast majority either dont know, or dont care, which wheels are doing the driving.

realistically even the old magnas pre 380 were bloody decent cars, and stock for stock, weren't embarrassed by its equivalent rwd local competition.

rwd is now for enthuiasts only.

Really? Did you ever drive them?
1 in 4 commons sold now is a v8 I'm relatively sure. You think the people still buying these aren't semi enthusiasts?

Did i ever drive what?

[falcon4life]

New Commodore is still same size as a ve... They haven't gotten smaller modeos have just gotten bigger, America always gets the better and cheaper cars than oz, we need the fiesta st over here... 150ish Kw small car would be epic

[Mr_4.0]

New Commodore is still same size as a ve... They haven't gotten smaller modeos have just gotten bigger, America always gets the better and cheaper cars than oz, we need the fiesta st over here... 150ish Kw small car would be epic

When I said "next commodore" I meant the next one after VF. Not the current Model.

[WILLEBII]

They should just import the mustang and be done with it. Win

[nstg8a]

They should just import the mustang and be done with it. Win

They probably will, next mustang is being built to be a global car, ie rhd and lhd versions.

[BROCKYB8]

They should just import the mustang and be done with it. Win

They probably will, next mustang is being built to be a global car, ie rhd and lhd versions.

Still going to be expensive to own one tho .

[braad]

Thr mondeo is just as big as the FG.

[Mr_4.0]

It's close yes. Mondeo is still classed as medium sized car though. It's considerably lighter too.

[nstg8a]

Same as Camry is a medium car, but aurion is a large car... same. Same

[Mr_4.0]

Well I'm telling you, from what we have seen of the commodore to come after VF, it's considerably smaller than the current VF.

[EFFalcon]

and likely FWD

[GIFFO97]

It's a shame really it come to this, Us Car Enthusiasts really are a Minority. I can't stand seeing Hyundais/Kia's etc. on our roads.

What happened to the days where everyone had a CL Valiant, VB Commodore, XC Falcon etc... Wish we could go back to when cars were built properly.

[EFFalcon]

we've always been a minority lol.
those uninterested in cars have simply switched to cars that better suit their needs instead of the ol reliable local flavour.

the Kia/Hyundai's of the world picked up their act and are being rewarded for it.

[Mr_4.0]

People need to be made aware of our LPi and EcoBoost models. But a lot of car buyers still are not aware of these two engine derivities due to lack of advertising.