New Ford FG Falcon

Ford has launched the new Falcon, just ahead of a product offensive that includes the facelifted Focus, including the hot XR5, and the diesel powered Mondeo.

The new FG Falcon is essentially an evolution of the previous Falcon, although there have been plenty of changes in the new car. No external body panel is shared with the previous BF mark II and engines have been lifted from the FPV range for the XR6 turbo and XR8.

The car also gets a new front suspension that has been adapted from that of the Ford Territory to improve steering performance. The Virtual Pivot Control Link front suspension includes a new forward mounted steering gear with variable ratio and Y-shaped rack for better steering feel.

The rear suspension remains the Control Blade setup, but has been retuned for the FG Falcon. Wheel track is wider on all FG Falcons, and the wheelbase has been extended for extra stability.

Ford claims class leading interior room for the FG Falcon, which is a big change from the BF, which had a roofline that intruded into the cabin. The A pillar has been moved forward and out at the top, which increases the size of the door opening, while the header intersection between the top of the windscreen and the interior roof lining has been repositioned to give three degrees more forward-up vision.

The rear of the B pillar has been moved forward, allowing the rear doors to be longer and to swing open wider. All up, the changes have increased interior room by 10mm in shoulder room at the rear and 24mm in the front, while rear head room has been increased by 13mm. Most importantly, the changes have allowed the fitment of curtain airbags for the first time.

All petrol models of the FG Falcon (there's an LPG version as well) come standard with dual front airbags, front side head/thorax airbags, dynamic stability control, traction control and ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and emergency brake assist. Higher spec models get side curtain airbags but you can option them on any Falcon in the range.

As before, the range opens with the NZ$39,990 XT model, which is available with the 4.0 litre 195kW inline six cylinder engine or a NZ$40,390 4.0 litre 156kW LPG engine option. The petrol gets a five speed auto with the option of a six speed if you want, while the LPG model sticks with a four speed auto.

A new model in the FG Falcon range is the G Series, which essentially replaces the mid and high spec models. It's powered by the 4.0 litre straight six cylinder engine, in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged guise. The entry level $45,990 G6 series model takes the XT spec and adds a G Series front bumper and grille, fog lights, 17-inch alloys, and luxury sports suspension. A reverse sensing system is also standard.

The next model up is the NZ$50,990 G6E which adds the six speed automatic ZF transmission, new front grille and design of 17-inch alloy wheel, and on the inside you get a premium audio system, six CD in dash stereo, dual zone climate control, leather seats, side curtain airbags and a reversing camera.

The most interesting Falcon in the range is the new NZ$55,990 G6E turbo, which brings the turbocharged six cylinder engine into the mix. It's essentially the same engine out of the previous generation FPV F6 Typhoon, which means 270kW and 533Nm of torque. As with the rest of the models the G6E gets unique grille treatments, but adds 18-inch alloys and an iPod integration kit.

The XR range continues to be the performance side of the Falcon, with the NZ$45,990 XR6 entry level gaining a new Tremec six speed manual transmission as standard, with the option of either a five speed or six speed automatic. Sport suspension is standard, and as before the headlights have a double-drop lens look to them and the body kit is a distinctive XR treatment.

The NZ$50,990 XR6 turbo moves up in spec to match that of the XR8 for the first time, reflecting the growing importance of the six cylinder engine over the V8. As with the G6E turbo the engine comes via FPV for 270kW and 533Nm of torque and the car comes standard with a limited slip differential, upgraded front brakes and 18 inch wheels as standard. A six speed manual is standard, while the ZF six speed auto is available as an option.

The NZ$52,290 XR8 maintains its power lead over the XR6 turbo by inheriting the Boss 290 5.4 litre litre engine, although the turbo six actually has 13Nm more torque. The XR8 gains a semi active muffler which Ford claims gives a throaty exhaust while maintaining lower levels of sound inside the cabin.

The new FG Falcon is only part of Fords plans for New Zealand, as the company has also launched the facelifted Focus and introduced the diesel powered Mondeo, and it will be most interesting to see how the mix of product sales turns out as New Zealanders continue to look at downsizing their cars.