Falcon coupe's future uncertain

THE future of the Melbourne motor show-stopping Falcon 300+ concept coupe will not be known for at least two weeks, pending a meeting between Ford Australia president Geoff Polites and Danny Williams of Advanced Engine Components Limited - the company behind the radical 300kW-plus two-door V8.

The meeting was originally scheduled to take place last week, as reported recently by Automotive Networks.

It is believed the viability of the AEC/ Millard Design joint-venture - which includes building a limited run of at least 100 of the blown 4.6-litre V8 Falcon coupes - hinges on its ability to sell certain components of the super coupe to Ford customers on an ongoing basis to disperse the costs of building an independent manufacturing facility.

Ford has already committed to selling, servicing and providing the majority warranty coverage for the Falcon 300+ through its national dealer network.

If the project can be made financially viable, the flagship Falcon would be sold alongside Tickford's own upcoming 5.7-litre, 255kW T-Series range and, later, alongside the new 5.4-litre V8 and a locally developed turbocharged six-cylinder in the 2002 AV Falcon range.