Ford Falcon V8 Reborn: The roar of a V8 engine once synonymous with Australian roads may soon return in a surprising new form. Industry insiders reveal Ford’s ambitious plans to develop a four-door sedan version of its iconic Mustang, spiritually succeeding the beloved Falcon that departed Australian shores in 2016.
This bold move signals Ford’s renewed commitment to the Australian market and recognition of the enduring appeal of high-performance family cars Down Under.
The Ghost of Falcon Past
When the last Ford Falcon rolled off the Broadmeadows production line in October 2016, it marked the end of an era for Australian automotive manufacturing.
The Falcon, particularly in its XR8 and FPV GT forms, had carved a special place in Australia’s car culture over its 56-year production run. Its departure left a V8-shaped hole in the hearts of enthusiasts nationwide.
“The Falcon wasn’t just a car for Australians,” explains James Morrison, former Ford Australia engineer and automotive historian. “It represented our unique automotive identity—a practical family sedan with the heart of a muscle car. Nothing has truly replaced it since.”
The vacuum left by the Falcon’s demise was supposed to be filled by imported models like the Mondeo and later the Focus, but these global platforms never captured the same emotional connection with Australian buyers.
Sales figures reflected this disconnect, with Ford struggling to maintain its historical market share in the large sedan segment.
The Mustang Connection
Ford’s Mustang has been a runaway success in Australia since its official introduction to the market in 2015. Against all expectations, Australia quickly became the largest right-hand-drive market for the pony car globally.
“Australians bought Mustangs at a rate that shocked even Ford’s most optimistic projections,” reveals Sarah Thompson, automotive market analyst.
“What this demonstrated to Ford’s global leadership was that the performance car ethos of the Falcon hadn’t died—it had simply transferred to the only vehicle in their lineup that offered similar thrills.”
The current two-door Mustang, while popular, serves a different market niche than the family-friendly Falcon. Its limited practicality makes it a second or third car for most households rather than a primary vehicle. This distinction hasn’t gone unnoticed at Ford headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.
Project Resurrection
Sources close to Ford’s product planning department have revealed the existence of a secretive project internally dubbed “Resurrection.”
The initiative aims to develop a four-door sedan based on the Mustang’s rear-wheel-drive architecture, creating what would effectively be a spiritual successor to the Falcon.
“This isn’t just taking a Mustang and stretching it,” explains our anonymous source within Ford’s design division.
“It’s about creating a unique vehicle that honors the Falcon’s legacy while pushing Ford’s design language forward. Think of it as what the Falcon might have evolved into had local production continued.”
The project reportedly gained momentum following an extensive market research study conducted across Australia in late 2023. The study found substantial latent demand for a high-performance sedan with V8 power, practical interior space, and the emotional appeal of a muscle car.
Technical Specifications
While Ford remains tight-lipped about official details, industry insiders suggest the four-door Mustang sedan would likely feature:
- The same 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine found in the current Mustang GT, potentially producing around 480 horsepower
- An available 10-speed automatic transmission and possibly a six-speed manual option to appease enthusiasts
- Rear-wheel drive architecture with an independent rear suspension
- A wheelbase extended by approximately 300mm over the standard Mustang
- Seating for five adults with a significantly more spacious rear compartment
- A trunk capacity comparable to traditional large sedans
The vehicle would reportedly retain much of the Mustang’s front-end styling but feature a unique greenhouse and rear-end design more befitting a sedan.
Weight would increase by an estimated 150-200kg over the coupe variant, with some performance compromises offset by possible chassis tuning specific to Australian conditions.
The Australian Connection
What makes this project particularly significant for the Australian market is Ford’s alleged commitment to local input in the development process.
Sources suggest that Ford Australia’s engineering team, which has continued to play a role in global vehicle development since the end of local manufacturing, has been heavily involved in the project.
“Ford hasn’t forgotten the expertise that exists in Australia,” says David Wilson, automotive industry consultant. “The company recognized that if they’re going to create a vehicle with genuine appeal to Australian buyers, they need Australian engineers who understand the unique conditions and preferences of this market.”
This involvement reportedly extends to substantial local testing, with camouflaged prototypes expected to begin appearing on Australian roads by late 2025. The Victorian High Country and outback NSW are said to be key testing grounds for the vehicle’s suspension tuning and cooling systems.
Market Positioning
If the four-door Mustang makes it to production, industry analysts expect it to be positioned as a premium offering rather than the volume seller the Falcon once was.
Pricing would likely start above the current Mustang GT, potentially around $75,000-85,000 AUD, placing it in competition with vehicles like higher-spec BMW 3 Series models and the Genesis G70.
“This isn’t going to be a mass-market vehicle,” notes Thompson. “It’s targeting enthusiasts who’ve grown up with Falcons and Commodores but now want something with modern technology, safety features, and performance.
It’s essentially capturing the buyers who might have purchased an XR8 or FPV GT in years past.”
The global potential for such a vehicle remains uncertain. While sedan sales have declined dramatically in markets like North America in favor of SUVs and trucks, performance sedans retain dedicated followings in multiple regions, including the Middle East and parts of Europe.
Environmental Considerations
The elephant in the room for any new V8-powered vehicle is the increasingly stringent global emissions standards and the automotive industry’s pivot toward electrification. How does a fuel-hungry performance sedan fit into Ford’s publicly stated electrification goals?
Ford appears to be hedging its bets. Sources suggest the platform underpinning the four-door Mustang would be designed to accommodate both internal combustion and electrified powertrains. While the headline-grabbing variant would feature the V8, hybrid and potentially full electric versions could follow.
“This is likely the last hurrah for the V8 in a Ford sedan,” suggests Wilson. “They’re creating a platform that celebrates internal combustion while building in the flexibility to transition to electrification as market conditions and regulations demand.”
This dual approach mirrors Ford’s strategy with the regular Mustang, which continues to offer V8 power while the company simultaneously develops the all-electric Mustang Mach-E crossover.
Production Realities
Unlike the original Falcon, there is no possibility of Australian production for this new vehicle. If approved for production, the four-door Mustang would likely be built alongside the standard Mustang at Ford’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Michigan.
This centralized production strategy creates challenges for a model potentially targeting a relatively small market like Australia. To make the business case viable, Ford would need to sell the vehicle in multiple global markets.
“The days of developing a car specifically for Australia are long gone,” explains Morrison. “But what’s changed is that Australia’s performance car preferences are now aligned with global trends in a way they weren’t during the Falcon era.
A four-door Mustang could find homes in multiple markets, from the Middle East to South Africa and beyond.”
Timeline and Probability
Sources suggest that if the project maintains its current momentum, a production version could be unveiled as early as late 2026, with sales beginning in 2027. However, automotive product plans are notoriously fluid, and market conditions or corporate priorities could alter this timeline.
The probability of the vehicle reaching production is estimated at around 70% by industry analysts. The business case appears strong given the continuing success of the two-door Mustang and the potential to amortize development costs across multiple markets.
“Ford’s leadership has shown increased willingness to greenlight emotional, brand-building vehicles even when the immediate business case isn’t overwhelmingly compelling,” notes Thompson. “They recognize the value these halo products bring to the broader brand perception.”
Consumer Reaction
Early rumors of the project have generated significant excitement among Australian automotive enthusiasts. Facebook groups dedicated to Ford performance vehicles have been abuzz with speculation, and several online petitions encouraging Ford to pursue the project have gathered thousands of signatures.
“There’s clearly appetite for this kind of vehicle,” says Wilson. “The question is whether that enthusiasm translates to actual sales when people have to put money down. Ford will be watching the reaction to these early rumors very carefully to gauge genuine market interest.”
The Broader Industry Context
Ford’s potential move comes as other manufacturers reconsider the viability of performance sedans. While many have abandoned the segment, some signs indicate a potential renaissance.
Genesis has found success with its G70 sports sedan, and Cadillac continues to develop high-performance four-doors like the CT4-V Blackwing.
“The performance sedan segment never truly died—it just became more niche,” explains Thompson. “What we’re seeing now is manufacturers realizing there’s still profitable business to be done in this space if the product is compelling enough.”
The timing may also be fortuitous. As the initial wave of enthusiasm for crossovers and SUVs begins to plateau, some buyers are rediscovering the dynamic advantages of lower-riding vehicles. A four-door Mustang could capitalize on this potential counter-trend.
What’s in a Name?
Perhaps the biggest question remaining is what Ford would call this new vehicle. While enthusiasts might hope for a revival of the Falcon nameplate, Ford has been consolidating its global branding around recognizable nameplates like Mustang.
“My money would be on something like ‘Mustang GT4’ or ‘Mustang Sedan,'” suggests Morrison. “Ford has moved away from regional-specific nameplates, and they’re increasingly leveraging the equity in the Mustang brand across multiple products.”
Whatever it’s ultimately called, the prospect of a V8-powered, rear-wheel-drive Ford sedan returning to Australian roads represents a fascinating twist in the ongoing evolution of the country’s automotive landscape.
For those who still remember the distinctive burble of a Falcon XR8 at a traffic light, the wait to see if this rumored project becomes reality will be filled with anticipation.
As one Ford dealer put it when asked about the rumors: “The phones are already ringing with people asking to put down deposits, and we don’t even have confirmation the car exists yet. That tells you everything you need to know about how much Australians miss the Falcon.”