jbugeja

OK so ford went back to the drawing board with the Barra - $500 million dollars. I think most people agree the first AU looked crap. The AU series II however looked like a huge improvement, inside and out - BUT this STILL didn't lift sales. The Barra still looks like a AU so how will sales improve just by the look of the car. Without question the new breed of engines and other interior enhancements are fantastic but I think the car will suffer by it looking too much like a AU.

... and they WILL shoot themselves in the foot if they touch the XR 4 headlight setup! They have already gone back to old days by making the low series cars look similar to the high series models (criticism of the EL).

Have they done enough exterior changes?

Jules

Venom XR

What about the new engines, suspension, features, etc?

__________________
The Internet is so big, so powerful and pointless that for some people it is a complete substitute for a life. - Andrew Brown

Spinksy

You have to remember that this model is a lot more than just exterior changes and also the facelift is quite significant compared to the difference between AU1 to AUIII.

The all new engines, interior and suspension is all part of the package and I think it is going to do very well

__________________
_______

95' EF Falcon Series II

RAPTOR

Joe public will perceive this as an all new car.
It is in all reality probably closer to an all new car than it appears to us (H/Core auto enthusiasts with a leaning to Ford). The swith to BA from AU will help with this perception.

I am still amazed that people can not pick EF-EL as being from the same lineage as EA-ED. To the non-enthusiast these were all-new Falcons also.

__________________

DR XR

Could not have said it better Spinksy. Its the package thats got to make the difference not just the look alone. All that needs to happen with the looks is that they dont offend and can be seen as a competitor to Commode in the looks department. I think its the goods in these areas for a neutral person not just my biased opinion. This is also comparing to the current Commodore which is at the top of the tree and no matter how succesfull has to be facelifted. From spy pics the new Commode its looking too rounded for its body even though it has nice individual feutures eg headlights etc.

Then theres the rest of the package such as the suspension,NVH,extra feutures,Kick butt engines, {possibly side airbags and improved safety} etc. The only thing going for Holden is momentum but as we all know that can turn quickly. On the flip side of the coin what will VY have that new Falcon wont? 5 Auto is yet to be confirmed and people will hardly buy a Commode for Xenon lights.

ford.boy

The new Bommerdore, I hope, will get the publicty it deserves. None. Some parts in the "all new" VT can be traced back to the VL. Quite sad actually.

__________________

"When I joined the marines all they gave us was two sticks and a rock! And we had to share the rock between the whole platoon!"
-----------
H2 pwnz j00 foo.

DR XR

Yeah yet you never hear any of that all you hear is Falcons engine is that many years old blah blah blah.

marine1

Don't jinx the new car by talking it down B4 it has even been released. Wait till 3-6mths after then see.

ford.boy

Sorry, I should have made it clearer. Parts of the Chassis go back. An old version of the transmission (auto) was used in Rolls Royces in 1945. The Body panels come from the 94 Opel Omega (see attached).

PETE_XR6

maybe they should have changed the rear lights completely
It does not matter how good the suspension or engine is , if the public don't like the look of the car they wont buy it