DEARBORN, Michigan — Spy photographers continue to spot prototypes of future Australian-built Falcons near Ford's Glass House headquarters here, fueling speculation that Ford of Australia is playing a leading role in the development of Ford's future rear-wheel-drive vehicles in North America.

Inside Line reported last July that Ford's Australian subsidiary is doing much of the initial engineering work on a new family of rear-wheel-drive coupes and sedans for the U.S. for model-year 2012. The automaker's new Global Large Rear-Wheel-Drive Vehicle platform, as it is known internally, is expected to provide the base for the next-generation Crown Victoria, Mustang and Town Car in North America. For Australia, there will be replacements for the Falcon, Fairlane and LTD sedans, and there may also be a new rear-drive flagship sedan for Ford of Europe.

Ford's new RWD platform is being engineered to accommodate both V6 and V8 engines, including the new twin-turbo gasoline direct-injection TwinForce power plants that are being developed in Dearborn, as well as the company's new dual-clutch six-speed PowerShift transmission. Among the TwinForce engines reportedly under development for North America are a 3.5-liter V6 and a 5.0-liter V8.

Last month, Ford of Australia unveiled a heavily face-lifted Falcon, with new exterior and interior architectures and designs, an all-new front suspension, plus new powertrains with more power, more torque and better fuel economy.

What this means to you: Ford needs to lock in a plan soon for the next-generation Mustang, especially with the new Camaro and Challenger breathing down its neck. — Kelly Toepke, News Editor

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