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So Huntsman is going to remain Orion with revised engine mounts and no hardpoint changes? That seems particularly strange. That means a V-config engined car is stuck with proportions forced on the chassis by the original Ford 144-170ci six - in the late 50's! Talk about a long platform life!
The one that worries me about Ford Oz, is that economics of large cars is going to catch up with them, regardless of their best efforts. 8-track cartridges were the greatest in terms of sound quality but the instant people decided cassettes were more handily sized - gone.
I had two 8-track cartridges in my LC Torana - took up virtually the whole front seat!
If anyone is keen on owning a RWD, Oz-made Falcon, I would be buying one in the next two years. I just have this sick feeling it isn't going to make another generation. And maybe neither is the Commodore.
There is no reason a RWD car cannot be just as economical as a FWD one. Case in point - BMW cars including the 3 litre six 530 which are rated at overall economy of well over 30mpg.
A transverse engine directly drives the transmission input via a hellical gear and doesn't lose power like a 90 degree diff gear does, but loses a lot of power through drag of the CV joints when they are not in straight ahead position. If you only ever drove in a straight line the FWD might be marginally more efficient. Mostly it would be a wash.
The reason a car like the G8 gets 1-2mpg worse economy than the Malibu with the same engine is down to vehicle mass (plus 5 vs 6-speed trans), which does tend to be higher with RWD as the rear chassis must be more robust to resist twisting forces - it is also a bigger car. It is harder to build it lighter, but not impossible, as BMW shows. Just costs more money.
Honda makes a AWD Legend which dwarfs the G8 GT for weight, even though it is physically smaller V6 and is full of alloy underpinnings, so it swings both ways.
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Huntsmen= 2010 refresh and replacement of the i6 for the v6
GWRD=2012 global rear platform and new falcon, new mustang