BF mKIII - Yup, Series 3

[XR8putts]

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST POST BEFORE VOTING!


I don't think this has been mentioned before.
Was having a conversation with a friend of mine and it hit me. I don’t think the next Falcon (after the current BF2) will be Orion.

I think Ford Australia will **** a lot of their fans off with a BF Series 3.

Let’s look at the facts:

1) The BF2 has new headlights, bonnet and front bumper. This is a series 2 update. They didn’t even do anything this drastic with BA to BF. Infact neither Ford nor Holden have never updated a car like this for a series 2 update in recent history.
2) Ford has done the Series 3 before. The AU (series 3) just wouldn’t die when the BA couldn’t come soon enough. The last Series 3 Falcon was only 4 years ago.
3) We have not seen a single Orion sketch or mule, let alone a spy shot.
4) With the BF2 released (well I consider it released) then do you think Ford will drag it on until 2008 when the Orion is set to debut? (According to numerous magazines and general consensus) that is one long run – Has Holden or Ford ever done that before?
5) The last all new Commodore was 8 phases: VT, VT2, VX, VX2, VY, VY2, VZ and VZ2. Including the latest BF2 we are only at 7 phases: AU, AU2, AU3, BA, BA2, BF, and BF2. To square up to Commodore and follow a logical trend, there would have to be a BF3.

So unfortunately I believe there will be a BF Series 3. At a time when Orion could not come soon enough. I hope I am wrong. :

What do you guys and girls reckon? :

[Falcon Freak]

There is no time for a BFIII model as the BFII model's life is only 18 months before the all new Orion model is released in early 2008. BFII is the last update for the current AU/BA platform.

FF

[Professor Farnsworth]

Originally Posted by puts99

What do you guys and girls reckon? :

i think you're completely out of your mind Models don't have to be in unison with the competition, there is no 'rule' dictating this. Models are released as required. I highly doubt there will be a BF3. Only minor changes were made for BF2, headlights and bumper, bonnet on Ghia etc. Besides current design rules are dictating higher fronts on sedans, well higher chassis anyway for better crash resistance against 'SUV's. I dare say the BF/2 design will not pass this.

AU had 3 series primarily because at the time it was so unpopular. By series 3 they seemed to be on the money. No other falcon i can remember has had 3 series (unless you count 1991 anniversary EA's as series 3).

I'm tipping Orion will be what it's said to be.

[XR8putts]

18 months is a long time without an update. And is Orion confirmed for early 2008?

Also to the person above, its actually new bumper, bonnet and headlights for Ghia, Futura, XT and RTV, that other ute and all wagons? (or are wagons discontinued)

Trust me, I hope like hell I'm wrong - but it just wouldn't surprize me if it happend.

[Smoke Pursuit]

For Ford to bring out a series III that is feasable doesnt make sense.

If you look back to the AU series this is how it went.

APRIL 2000 AU series II was released.

Not till 18 months after was the AUIII Released, which in this case the Orion is due.

Ford cannot afford to bring another B series model out, it costs them too much not only in development, but marketing and also rebates they have to hand over to dealers to move old stock.

[Professor Farnsworth]

Originally Posted by puts99

Also to the person above, its actually new bumper, bonnet and headlights for Ghia, Futura, XT and RTV, that other ute and all wagons?

isn't that what i said ? lol (if you're talking to me)

[BTTB]

You forgot the 3rd option

~ Who Cares !

[Falcon Freak]

Originally Posted by puts99

18 months is a long time without an update. And is Orion confirmed for early 2008?

Also to the person above, its actually new bumper, bonnet and headlights for Ghia, Futura, XT and RTV, that other ute and all wagons? (or are wagons discontinued)

Trust me, I hope like hell I'm wrong - but it just wouldn't surprize me if it happend.

Yes Orion timing is confirmed (but not to the public).

And yes you are wrong.

FF

[vztrt]

Aint gonna happen.

What you need to remember the later model prepare you for the next update (look at the VZ and VE headlights not much of a diff) so the BFII is to get you ready so Ford dosn't shock the public like the AU did.

[Professor Farnsworth]

Originally Posted by vztrt

Aint gonna happen.

What you need to remember the later model prepare you for the next update (look at the VZ and VE headlights not much of a diff) so the BFII is to get you ready so Ford dosn't shock the public like the AU did.

there's some inside info for you ;p

i hope the BF2 bonnet bears only a minor resemblance to Orion in that case, coz i am not a fan

[The Stylist]

Can't see it happening. Even if there was a BF3, I think Ford would be picking at straws as to what could be changed. New colour and BF MkIII badge anyone?

Also not entirely convinced on the 18 month wait theory for the E8's reveal.

[Dezza]

I doubt there will be a BFIII. Most models last between 12 and 18 months anyway

[BlueJ]

I would assume Ford would introduce injection LPG systems on Falcon e-gas AND Territory e-gas when available, would that be enough change to justify calling the vehicles BF Series 3 and SY Series 2?

[LethalLeigh]

AU series 1 went on for more than 18 months didn't it? 18 months is entirely feasable for a final model run.

[MoreHPformyXR6]

I can cant see another B series after the BF Mk II I think given the time involved b4 the Orion to be release early 2008 there is not time for BF Mk III.

[XR8putts]

When I say MkIII all I mean is new colours, options becoming standard and a few tacky changes and badges.

If I recall correctly thats all the AU3 update was? Ofcourse Ford made a big deal of it, trying to justify the series 3 badge. :

[GT-E]

I think there WILL be a series 3 as Ford seem to like to release their major models for the Sydney motor show. This is the last 1/4 of the year and would be 2 years after the Mk2, so it is realistic they offer a refresh model this time next year as they do EVERY BLOODY YEAR.
Nice way to kill the resale. They should have 2 year model runs not 1 year.

[GT-E]

I think there WILL be a series 3 as Ford seem to like to release their major models for the Sydney motor show. This is the last 1/4 of the year and would be 2 years after the Mk2, so it is realistic they offer a refresh model this time next year as they do EVERY BLOODY YEAR.
Nice way to kill the resale. They should have 2 year model runs not 1 year.

[The Stylist]

Originally Posted by puts99

When I say MkIII all I mean is new colours, options becoming standard and a few tacky changes and badges.

Haha, I thought that's what BF2 upgrade was for. I guess Ford could make some running changes in the lead up to the 2008 E8 Falcon, DSC could be made standard across the range as with side airbags (except utes).

[FPV]

I don't see why Ford don't switch to the european upgrade cycle. Instead of calling the upgrade by a new model code, they should just call it by model year. I think it would not hit depreciation rates as hard as new model coding, people will probably not look upon older models as if they have a disease either. But the actual upgrades stay the same(eg. The W211 E Class went under a similar, possibly bigger upgrade with E63, similar to the BF MKII, but just called it MY07(Model Year 2007)

[The Stylist]

Personally I think Ford should consider shortening lifecycles of the Falcon range. For example instead of keeping the basic architecture for 9-10 years, lower it and bring out all new model every six years like Holden are doing with the VE and onwards.

[WASP]

No series 3 IMO, but running updates (some sagnificant) during the model cycle.

[Bossxr8]

Won't happen, 18 months isn't long enough to put a new model in between. Ford would not want to spend any more money on an old platform so close to Orion. I think GoAuto already said that this is the last update of the B series.

[Tles]

Originally Posted by The Stylist

Personally I think Ford should consider shortening lifecycles of the Falcon range. For example instead of keeping the basic architecture for 9-10 years, lower it and bring out all new model every six years like Holden are doing with the VE and onwards.

Now you are onto something. Mazda has lead a push to develop more regular update models and shorter lead times into production. I expect Orion will have more regular update schedules than before.
As for your first question....No. Personally I expect to see more of 'definition of the range' models released sort of like Holden.
Probably Sports Luxury - Fairmont Ghia Turbo, Territory Turbo, Fairlane G8 and G6T
Sports - Fiesta XR4, Focus XR5, Falcon XR6T Luxury and so on - Hero/Halo Cars
because - Territory has shown Ford how to sell to Private buyers and user choosers and therein lies the profits needed to pay for Orion.

[Professor Farnsworth]

i suggest they may release a commemoration model of the BF2 a few months prior to Orion, like an SR but maybe with a few more bits - to celebrate the long running (about time) success of the B series shape. But if that happened it would still be a BF2.

[Deadman]

Nah, BFII has only just got here and the new falcon is approx 18 months away.

They'll offer sell off deals and "Classic" and "SR" falcons with lots of extras, but no BFIII in my opinion.

[The Stylist]

Originally Posted by fantz

i suggest they may release a commemoration model of the BF2 a few months prior to Orion, like an SR but maybe with a few more bits - to celebrate the long running (about time) success of the B series shape. But if that happened it would still be a BF2.

I think that would be the most likely scenario to happen. Now I wonder what they could call it?...

* Falcon SR-SP ESP Marketing Edition?
* Falcon AU-BF "Delight" Special?
* Falcon Super SR?
* Falcon SR Force 2?
* Falcon XT-P?
* Falcon Omega V?
* Falcon "just another update" GLI-R ?

[[Tonko]]

Originally Posted by The Stylist

I think that would be the most likely scenario to happen. Now I wonder what they could call it?...

* Falcon SR-SP ESP Marketing Edition?
* Falcon AU-BF "Delight" Special?
* Falcon Super SR?
* Falcon SR Force 2?
* Falcon XT-P?
* Falcon Omega V?
* Falcon "just another update" GLI-R ?

* GTHO

[Bucket]

BF III... You're kidding right? New models so close to each other? Thats something Holden would do ;)

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Bucket

BF III... You're kidding right? New models so close to each other? Thats something Holden would do ;)

They are! Holden are going to a 6yr cycle.