GP confirms no V8 Territory - Page 3 - Ford Forums

Kieron · 05-07-2003, 02:28

I don't see a problem myself. Ultimately who is going to buy it? mums and dads wanting a softroader.
As for costing Ford sales, maybe they score 300 more sales/year but what did it cost them to develop A V8 4wd and will it ever recoupe this cost?

Can't see that huge heavy V8 helping handling to much with the 4WD's higher centre of gravity neither.

Ford now has its hero models, no need for big arse V8 4wd's to take that role.

I say well done Ford for reading the market for a soft roader correctly.

Kieron

mattyc · 05-07-2003, 02:56

Quote:

Originally posted by Kieron
Ford now has its hero models, no need for big arse V8 4wd's to take that role.

I say well done Ford for reading the market for a soft roader correctly.

Kieron

DUNNO BOUT THAT! I think that the FALCON has a hero car. Thats like saying the Evo is a hero car for Mistubishi and therefor the Pajero is going to benifit from it.

Ford definately need to find a way to engineer the V8 into the territory. Even if its not for our market, at least for export potential.

Quote:

Originally posted by JR

I have no other comment to make at this time - I'm too busy crafting voodoo dolls of the members of the Product Planning & Marketing Departments at Ford.

Heres one I prepared earlier!

davocol · 05-07-2003, 03:43

Holden dominate us in the wagon market well at least they did last month.

Quote:

Originally posted by Ford Fanatic
I thought we'd got over this thing where Ford just build things.

Too true, Big Man. They need to get it right first time - there's no reason why they can't, it worked for BA. This includes what RPO said about building up expectations, if people knew from the kick off there'd be no 8, opnion might be different.

Anyone know what Falcon wagon sales are like compared to Holdens?

Mr Sparkle · 05-07-2003, 04:16

Quote:

Originally posted by Kieron
I don't see a problem myself. Ultimately who is going to buy it? mums and dads wanting a softroader.
As for costing Ford sales, maybe they score 300 more sales/year but what did it cost them to develop A V8 4wd and will it ever recoupe this cost?

Can't see that huge heavy V8 helping handling to much with the 4WD's higher centre of gravity neither.

Ford now has its hero models, no need for big arse V8 4wd's to take that role.

I say well done Ford for reading the market for a soft roader correctly.

Kieron

Hmm can't agree with you here old friend! A V8 Territory would indeed be lardy, but so is the I6. None of them are lightweights by any stretch.

Back to the main point though - it seems to me that they are trying to re-define the segment forcefully, according to their commitment to dropping the V8 out of all non-sedan/ute applications, but all they are doing in reality is painting themselves into a corner, and giving Holden a free ride by not offering any direct competition. Simply telling people that they don't buy V8 AWD's is a pretty lame argument, and hardly a convincing solution. It is hardly going to stop Holden from marketing theirs, and no doubt, very successfully.

Another thing to take into consideration is todays news regarding the commitment of Holden to the SSV. This is a great concept, and I would be sorely disappointed if Ford took this opportunity to again offer no alternative to that model.

I'm starting to wonder exactly what crystal ball the product planners are looking into, because it sure as hell doesn't reflect any hopes and thoughts that we have about future models!

RATT · 05-07-2003, 05:25

While dissapointed, I would like to ask who of those who want the V8 option here would actually buy one?

Curls · 05-07-2003, 06:09

Quote:

Originally posted by RATT
While dissapointed, I would like to ask who of those who want the V8 option here would actually buy one?

Having owned a Futura wagon now since Feb I can honestly say I don't miss not having a V8 option (even though it would have been good to have the option). In that 60-120kph range she just hussles brilliantly and sounds great as well. We don't tow 2 tonne trailers so it's ample power for our needs. I would think that with Holden having only a V8 in their AWD would actually hold back their sales as the V6 is the biggest seller by far and we all know that putting it in their AWD wagon with the extra weight would have shown up its lack of power until the new engines are available. Many companies have a no V8 policy and lets face it: V8 sales vs six sales is no contest. Most cars are sixes, we would all love to own V8's but that's not the reality.

On a side note, I have also been told that fit a turbo exhaust and air inlet onto your Barra 182 and it could then be renamed Barra 200. Sounds nice!!!

XD 351 Ute · 05-07-2003, 06:11

As I just posted in another thread.
Holden IS building the SS wagon, with Gen 3 V8 and ALL the fruit.
Read into it what you will.
As for buying a Ford Falcon V8 wagon, I can't afford one now, but once the house is paid for......

Imagine a GT wagon if you will.... Yum!!!!

Ed :)

jonk · 05-07-2003, 06:30

You are all jumping the gun about the there being no v8 in the Territory.

There is going to be an eight cylinder motor in the Territory just not any of the eights that Ford Australia are using here in Oz at the moment.

It's all to do with packaging and engineering; that the transfer cases and other gear that get in the way will mean it gets something straight from Ford OS.

I think it was in The Australian on the 6th on what will be happening.

Ford4Eva · 05-07-2003, 06:59

I saw the territory at the motorshow and it ain't no wagon. It's the size of my Ford escape or even bigger. I think it's for the SUV/softroader market. With 182kW it would be competitive in this market.

With the hatred towards the softroaders/4wds who from this forum would really buy a V8 version of this SUV? I would but the I6 is adequate for me. The compact 4WD drivers want something that doesn't compromise too much on on-road abilities but has a 'little' offroad ability for holiday/camping trips. This isn't a car you would take to the strip or blow people off at the lights.

It would be an image builder to have a V8 version but GP has stated that he's into making a profit. And yes Holden are releasing a GENIII wagon. They have money to burn, Ford doesn't.

I think the BA lifts the brand image and the territory just adds another dimension to FOA.

trx440 · 05-07-2003, 07:41

As a Yank, I'll apologize on behalf of Detroit. Your Territory is our Freestyle and it's under pinnings will actually be the same as our midsized Five-Hundred sedan. It is designed for AWD here in the states and thought I read it would accept the 4.6L - 16v. That's 260hp / 300 ft/lb.

Here in the States it will be a definite 'Cross-over' or 'Soft-Roader'.

Now, if we could get some XR6T engines from ya for the Five Hundred AWD version, I might quit cryin' like a soiled child over the lack of XR/GT at my dealership.