[jalopnik.com]

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Only problem is the 4x4 version of the Ranger. The Falcon Ute isn't exactly ideal for that role. Still, could probably fill that with the Ford F100 or F050 that was rumoured a while ago - a smaller, stripped down F150 for light-duty needs.

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Seriously, think of this as a replacement for the 2wd Ranger, then it makes sense. In Australia, thanks to it's big beefy V8, it is used to tow far more than the Ranger can, and the only reason it's more expensive is that the Ranger hasn't seen a REAL update since the first Bush presidency. If we step away from the stereotype of the El Camino as an odd-ball muscle... thing... and look at it in the Australian model, it makes sense. These are the workhorses for most businesses down there. The low bed makes it easier to load, and the car-like ride makes it a more comfortable place to spend a day. Yes, Americans (and Canadians) love their big beefy trucks, but for a small business, a straight-six or turbo-four Ute is an appealing option.

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I get the feeling Ford is watching the G8 very carefully, and I have a sneaking hunch they've got something up their sleeves. The absence of any updates to the Crown Vic, despite its standing as the only viable choice for most police forces, which is still a profitable business for them, makes me wonder if they're using that profit towards development of the Falcon.

I was talking to a cop yesterday, while I was nose-down in a ditch, who was saying that the Crown Vic is still the only viable police cruiser the RCMP is considering. They tried the Charger, but once all the RCMP equipment was installed, they had zero visibility out the rear window. They have abandoned the Impala, as it doesn't leave enough room, once the equipment is installed, for some of the larger officers. Anyone over 6'3" was refusing to drive them. They looked at the G8, but Pontiac won't bring over enough GTs to fill their orders. So the Falcon looks like the only real option, unless Ford completely re-vamps the Crown Vic.

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Plus, many taxis are used police cars, since they're cheap and well-maintained. So you're right, but it wouldn't help Ford much.

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The original reason for moving to V6 vs. I6 was two-fold. Length of the engine and strength of the crank. The long straight-six had a tendency to bend the crank in the middle, necessitating a center-engine crank-bearing, which would make the engine even LONGER.

Today, though, that's not really a problem. With all the electronics involved, we need more space on either side of the engine, not so much for the engine themselves.

The I6 is also one of the few naturally-balanced engines (along with, if I recall, the two VW W-engines, the W8 and W12.) This means it requires no external balancing, and is exceptionally smooth, and more efficient than an otherwise-identical V6, because there's less rotating mass to deal with. That also means exceptional low-end torque.

All this for the trade-off of a longer hood... which looks sexy ANYHOW.

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Man, I loved that fuel mileage.

...uh, I mean, RAW POWER! RRRRGH!

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I don't know about you, but I, want to rock and roll all night, and party ev-uh-ree day.

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