Would you buy a Falcon Hatchback?

[Chucky]

Been thinking about this for a while now.

With the decline in popularity of the 3 box sedan, I think it's high time that Ford Oz came out with new variations of the humble Falcon.
Consider this..

Falcon already has a 60:40 split fold rear seat.
How many times have you loaded the boot of your car thinking "Shyte! I just need a fraction more room!" I know I've done that on more than one occasion.
When-ever I've needed to carry something a little bigger than the norm I've always resorted to our laser hatch as it can carry items fractionally bigger than the Falc can.

My question is thus... Why can't we have the best of both worlds?

Mazda have done it with the 6 and hatches have been around in B & C segment cars for donkeys!
I'm expecting my first child in the next few weeks & while our current BA Falc will do the job, I know I could get far more use from a Falcon Hatch for weekends away with wifey & the new grom.
Not really being interested in a Tezza as I'm not too keen on the weight slug & handling compromises that come with these sorts of cars, I reckon a Falcon Hatch would be ace.
Hell Holden have already thought of the idea with the SSX concept (albeit an AWD). Imagine jumping into your XR8 hatch for some spirited driving then coming home & carrying whatever you needed to in the same car coz it's a hatch!

I know it suits me to a T, and it could only give the sales of Falcon a shot in the arm.

What do you reckon guys & gals?

[MITCHAY]

Personally i wouldnt buy a falcon let alone a hatchback falcon but i can see the practicallity in it. But i think people would just go for a wagon. Personally hatchbacks are the way to go. Not a lot of room but just a bit more that you could use.

[Dave_au]

I owned a Mazda hatch and it didnt really have any more room than the sedan, plus you get more road noise from the rear.

The development cost would be quite high too, remember Ford does not, nor have any need to use the metal pressing technology that Holden uses to throw out 30 different commodore variants.

[b2tf]

I think you'll find the closest Ford will ever get to this is already here - Focus and Territory.

I know theyre 2 very different types of vehicle but they still have rear access similar to a hatchback.

[paul7v7]

it may work but at the moment i am gonna say no i wouldn't get one. love the sedan.

[Casper]

not a chance

[svo347]

The only hatchback i would buy would be an A9X

[3Toed]

*cough* Falcon Wagon? *cough*

Dunno, but it seems to match your description. :shrugs:

[RED_EL_XR8]

It has merit, but I dont think now is the time, give it a few more years, and the fashion peak will have passed from the 4WD High Hump Haulers back to the more practical RWD sedan platforms. That'd be the time for more variants on a proven platform.

And before the Territory fans come baying I think Territory a good enough package to survive long after, the 4WD fad has waned.

Would I buy one, nah, but I dont see why they wouldn't be popular.

[neb]

yeah i agree... just buy a wagon... theres no point in a falcon hatchback

[svo347]

Ahhhh but how bout a Boss 290 wagon with all the fruit...

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by svo347

Ahhhh but how bout a Boss 290 wagon with all the fruit...

Could be tempting but it would be most likely nothing more than what SSX was with VY - a concept car which was floated as a possible new model when Holden hand no intention of doing so - they did it simply to create hype.

[T_Terror]

Id love it, would need to be a coupe but. Youre right, XR6T in hatch form would be sexy

[Biggoggs]

Not really being interested in a Tezza as I'm not too keen on

`Tezza'?

*cough* Falcon Wagon? *cough*
Dunno, but it seems to match your description. :shrugs:

Exactly what I was thinking. A hatch is just a small wagon with a sedan boot (or `cargo cover')

Could be tempting but it would be most likely nothing more than what SSX was with VY - a concept car which was floated as a possible new model when Holden hand no intention of doing so - they did it simply to create hype.

Ahh but hype must've meant interest! Besides, it should be possible to drop a boss from an xr8 into a Futura/XT wagon, right?

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by Biggoggs

Ahh but hype must've meant interest! Besides, it should be possible to drop a boss from an xr8 into a Futura/XT wagon, right?

The engine bay is the same size but suspension would be a bit tricky I'd say, cos its a wagon.

[Yaw]

Uhhh would'nt that just be a Taraus ??????

[Biggoggs]

Originally Posted by back2thefutura

The engine bay is the same size but suspension would be a bit tricky I'd say, cos its a wagon.

Why would it be tricky? Wouldn't you only need stiffer springs (or higher height) at the front?

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by Biggoggs

Why would it be tricky? Wouldn't you only need stiffer springs (or higher height) at the front?

Admittedly I am not the most knowledgable about this sort of thing but I imagine you would need to basically redo the whole suspension to cope with the power of the engine. That and to make it ride decently, and more importantly have traction at the rear end.

[Raptor]

My initial reaction was no way, but after giving it some thought there is no doubt it could find some buyers.

I wouldn't expect it to ever eventuate whilst the wagon LWB structure soldiers on but if that's eventually dropped a hatch designed on the Sedan (which should remain) could be viable. Style it like the new generation US Charger and Holden SSX concept with 4 doors but a coupe style roofline.

[RED_EL_XR8]

Originally Posted by Yaw

Uhhh would'nt that just be a Taraus ??????

No!!! You dont build something as butt ugly as a Taurus by making it a variant of a long running model like Falcon!

Taurus tech required reseach and lots of one off custom ugly bits all formed into something that looks like it scurried out from under a damp flower pot!

[Racecraft]

Yea i did that as a chop for the Feb comp.


A 2 door Falcon Hatchback...although 4 doors would be just as good (more pratical thats for sure)

The wagon is alittle to bulky and utilitarian, the Focus alittle too small and the Territory alittle to soccer mum.. A V8 sporty hatch would be a great aquisition to the Ford line-up

[outback_ute]

There is actually a bit of a trend back to wagons more recently – look at all the smaller Euro wagons (not just the ones we see here) sold on a “lifestyle” basis ie more room for “stuff”, which has also extended to tall-format vehicles like Ford C-max. Also the reintroduction of the Corolla wagon and new Lancer wagon.

A lot of people avoid Falcon wagons because they are so damn big (long).

I don’t think there would be the volume to justify it, and a large percentage of sales would be stolen from the Falcon sedan. However if the Falcon was produced in sufficient numbers you could have a case for a large boxy wagon (perhaps with high roof to take over from the panel van) and a short wheelbase lifestyle wagon.

Re wagon suspension – it is very closely related to the utes, so an XR8 or FPV wagon should be possible.

[Yellow Fire]

I'd consider a Falcon hatch. When I looked at cars last I decided that the BA was just too big/heavy for what I need. I like their looks & performance, but I don't need a big car for a daily driver.

Make a shorter BA with a weight reduction & I'll be first in line.

[The Stylist]

I wouldn't go for a Falcon hatch, but I would go for a MY2005 Mondeo hatch with Falcon running gear.

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by The Stylist

I wouldn't go for a Falcon hatch, but I would go for a MY2005 Mondeo hatch with Falcon running gear.

mmm... I6 Turbo in a AWD Mondeo :

[Filthy GT-P]

Where do I sign (but I WILL NEVER sell the GT-P) it would be a second car.


Steven

[zetec]

Mondeo Hatch is the one you want. Move to NZ or England isn't worth it just for the car though...

[Dez]

if it looks anything like tibbo's bring it on...

and yeah, my car can carry way more shit than my mums EF and my dads BA....

[loxxr6]

Not really being interested in a Tezza as I'm not too keen on


`Tezza'?

Biggoggs :

Tezza aka Territory


That photoshopped Falc hatch doesn't look too bad actually. It's not as ugly as what I thought it may have looked.

[Racecraft]

heres a better impression of it witout the gay aqua color