http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleD...62920&vf=12

Blue Oval admits the demand for V8s will go into decline but a new 300kW 5.0-litre is favourite to slot into Falcons in 2010, writes BRUCE NEWTON.

Ford Falcons such as the XR8 are set to switch to a smaller-capacity, 5.0-litre V8 in 2010, which will be cleaner and more powerful than the current 5.4.

Ford Australia has confirmed it is staying in the V8 business beyond the life of the current 5.4-litre Boss engine.

And the favourite to take over from the ageing Boss is an aluminium double overhead cam 5.0-litre codenamed ‘Coyote’ that is currently under development in the USA with baseline outputs reported to be around 300kW and 540Nm.

While timing for the changeover remains a closely guarded secret, at or around the upgrade from the Euro III to Euro IV emissions standard from July 1 2010 shapes as a logical point.

Ford Australia product development director Russell Christophers confirmed to drive that Coyote fits in the Falcon’s engine bay and he likes the figures being quoted for it. However, he has yet to sample it.

“I have seen the performance curves and it is a pretty good engine,” he said.

The decision to continue with V8s is good news not only for Ford performance car fans but also Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV), which continues to sell more V8s than turbo six-cylinders despite the latter offering superior performance and fuel economy.

“We are going to have to take a punt,” said Christophers. “It is amazing how that segment has really stood up. If people just want performance they would buy the turbo, but plenty of people are still buying the V8.

“The window of opportunity is small because there will not continue to be a demand and a need for V8s. The thing you are punting on is there going to be enough demand to get a payback on this program. The demand is going to be in decline.”

Christophers admitted that the financial uncertainty surrounding the future of General Motors was a motivator for Ford continuing to offer a V8.

“If something happened to Holden, and HSV (Holden’s equivalent to FPV) folded, we would be mad not to continue in that (V8) business,” he said. “But I don’t know that is going to happen.”

This new V8 looks good on paper, let's hope it can live up to it.

Edited 19/05/09 10:30 AM19/05/09 10:30 AM by NB4C

Yea read that in Autoblog

The lighter weight should offset the drop in power and will help with the handling

The mighty 302 is back.

Well, in capacity terms anyhow.

The lighter weight should offset the drop in power and will help with the handling

The rumor is that this motor is the base motor for the Xr8 and the FPVs will either run a stroked (5.8 ltr 351) or a charged version of the base motor. These are just rumors though.

Would be nice though.

Edited 20/05/09 07:13 AM20/05/09 07:13 AM by TUFGSR

My question is what kind of RPM willl the be pumping out to 1. meet emission standards 2. pull 300Kw.

Me hopes for a high RPM 302. something ballpark to the BMW's or old school Ferrari's.

O that would be nice, I LOVE a high reving V8.

finally! a serious LS competitor....

I don't know it will compare with an LS, it's a full 1000 cc smaller than the LS and 1200 than the HSV's. I'm afraid all the fun will be happening high in the RPM. A boosted version on the other hand.....

7000rpm is the limiter and it runs VVT . It apparently has it all over the Boss in every way .

Finally some weight savings and a smaller engine (hopefully higher reving).

Nice move