I work for a large Ford dealer here in Australia.
Ford have just released their new Falcon models, which are a huge improvement over their older cars. They are big, roomy rear-drive sedans, powered by big, torquey motors, yet they are very nimble. They weigh between 3,300lbs and 3,800lbs.
They have a starting motor which is a 4.0 inline six, with variable cam timing for intake and exhaust cams. They are of a 24-valve configuration and push out 242bhp in standard trim. They have 380nm of torque (I don't know how to convert this to lb/ft.). 0-60 in around 8 seconds.
There is a turbo 6 cylinder model, which is intercooled and pumps 320 bhp and 450nm. 0-60 is 5.9 seconds.
A 5.4 SOHC 3-valve V8, which provides 300bhp and 470nm, but with 400nm from
1,000rpm! My old 928 had 400nm at it's peak!
A 5.4 DOHC 4-valve V8... 350bhp/500nm.
1st quarter, 2003 a 5.4 DOHC "GT" model will arrive with around 390-400 naturally aspirated bhp.
My question is.. would this car be desirable in the USA? They start here at around US$18k and goto about $30k for the loaded V8 models. The GT could cost close to US$40k.
Most of the models come standard with alloy wheels (most of them 17", but 18" on the high-line cars).
What do you guys think?