Ford has taken the covers of its much hyped new FG Falcon. The exterior showed off a more chiseled look than its predecessor, obviously inspired by Ford kinetic design language already seen in the Mondeo. Sales start in May, and the FPV high-performance versions will go on-sale June 2.
FG is the last hurrah for the Falcon as a unique Australian car. In 2010 it trades its iconic locally-built 4.0-litre inline 6 for an imported V6. In 2012-13 it should adopt an all-new architecture that should be shared globally amongst Ford's rear-wheel drive vehicles including the legendary Mustang sports car. Long term, Ford has yet to guarantee Falcon will continue to be locally-built. While not a clean-sheet like Holden's 2006 VE Commodore, the FG is a massive update of the BA/BF generation that includes all-new sheetmetal and interior, upgraded engines and chassis and a claimed improvement in safety structure that is expected to yield the first five star NCAP safety rating for an Australian-built car. Front and side-front airbags will be standard on all Falcon sedans, while only the entry-level XT misses out on curtains. A reversing camera will be standard on higher level models. Stability control will be standard on all models. Inside Ford is claiming an improved driving environment and class-leading space, exploiting the new car's flatter roof, slimmer doors, slimmer doors and all-new design. Egress and ingress to the rear seat has been addressed with new wider-opening doors, a big criticism of the old car.
Ford has crafted three distinct exterior looks for FG sedan to reflect the three model channels that have been created. Significantly, all of them will now wear the Falcon badge. Unsurprisingly the most conservative looker is the XT, which continues as the base model aimed at fleet and family markets. The Futura has been dropped. Next up are the more upmarket looking Falcon G-Series models. G6 replaces Fairmont and G6E (E is for Europe) replaces Fairmont Ghia. The G6E Turbo employs the 4.0-litre turbo previously reserved for the XR6. The successful XR sports model lineup has the most aggressive looks. Its lineup is familiar, including the base model XR6, the XR6 Turbo and the XR8, which is the only V8 left in the lineup. The Falcon ute lineup hasn't been fully revealed, but expect it to be trade oriented, in contrast to Holden's ute which chases recreational customers. There will be an XR8 at the top of the range, but like all other Falcon utes will continue to have leaf springs. And there will be a Falcon wagon, but it will be a barely altered BF III that stays in the range as a 'tool of trade' vehicle, with a leaf spring rear-end and single 4.0-litre engine choice. Again, this contrasts with Holden's racier Sportwagon. The FPV lineup now comprises seven models. Stablity control is now standard on all models, there is a new six-speed manual transmission and some names have changed. However, the GT and GT-P badges continue. FPV has played a key role in the mainstream FG's engine updates, donating its old 290kW 5.4-litre V8. The FG's turbo six is also uprated to 270kW while the standard 4.0 is little changed in terms of outputs. However it does get a five-speed auto to replace the old four-speed and this helps improve fuel economy. The other engines are claimed to be thriftier too, something Ford attributes to engine development work and a tiny 10kg lift in FG's kerb weight. Ford's weight achievements in part due to the expensive decision to use aluminium for some front suspension components. Chassis-wise, this is also the area of major change as FG adopts the Virtual Pivot pioneered by the Territory. The rear Control Blade suspension has been fettled, but remains fundamentally the same. Add in new monotube dampers and improved steering Ford promises this will be the best handling and riding Falcon yet.
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