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  The engine could be in line to replace Ford Australia's current 5.4-litre FPV V8.

A wild Coyote is stalking Ford.

But it's not the four-legged animal that runs around parts of North America prairies, it's Ford's new alloy V8. Coyote is believed to be the codename of Ford Detroit's new light-weight engine that could end up powering local Ford Performance Vehicles.

The new 5.0-litre V8 is slated for the Ford Mustang and F150 in North America soon and the engine could be in line to replace Ford Australia's current 5.4-litre FPV V8 ahead of moves to Euro IV emission standards from next July.

A decision on Ford's in-line six-cylinder and V8 engine strategy is expected at the end of the month. However, neither Ford president Marin Burela or FPV boss Rod Barrett are not giving anything away.

FPV is not commenting, and Burela is only saying that the I6 Falcon engine remains a key part of Ford's future. Nor is he saying if Ford will broaden its V8 reach from its hot FPV cars to the rest of the Falcon range.

Burela has hosed down suggestions that Ford could add a V8 Falcon model to sit above the G6-E turbo, aimed directly at the Commodore Calais V8.

"We've looked at that and our response has always been what the market is looking for," Burela says.

"It's been very clear to us that the G6-E turbo is the right solution.

"We have the V8 but when you look at what people are asking for, inquiring about, it's the turbo six that ticks the box for them."

The Coyote 32-valve V8 is said to develop around 330kW and 540Nm in standard tune with a hotter supercharged version possibly powering some top-end FPV cars.

Burela acknowledges that GM-Holden has made its V8 more relevant to consumers by adding cylinder deactivation technology in an effort to chase better fuel economy. But Ford also has plans, he says.

"We've got a comprehensive plan that we've been working on between us and FPV," Burela says.

"We've been focused on ensuring that we put our efforts in the right place to cater to the different consumers."

Burela believes there will always be a desire and need for a Ford V8.

"But the question is how do you deliver that without creating an aura around the brand that you are only a large car company with large engines, which then tends to send these messages that you're not about fuel efficiency and not delivering the right emissions levels," he says.

Burela says Aussies love their large cars but are increasingly becoming more aware of the environment.

"But they want the costs to be competitive and emissions to be responsible," he says.

Ford is slowly shedding its blokey Falcon car company image with a more focused European range from the Fiesta right up to the Euro-inspired Falcon.

"People saw us as old fashioned … no technology," he says. "Now they see us as being relevant."