Ford AU Falcon

Infobox Automobile
name = Ford AU Falcon


manufacturer = Ford Motor Company of Australia
production = 1998–2002
assembly = Campbellfield, Victoria, Australia
predecessor = Ford EL Falcon
successor = Ford BA Falcon
class = Full-size car
body_style = 2-door ute
4-door sedan
5-door station wagon
platform = FR EA169
engine = 4.0 L "Intech" I6
4.0 L "Intech Dedicated LPG" I6
4.0 L "Intech VCT" I6
5.0 L "Windsor" V8
5.6 L "Windsor" V8
transmission = 4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
wheelbase = Auto mm|2793–Auto mm|3096
length = Auto mm|4907–Auto mm|5077
width = Auto mm|1870–Auto mm|1871
height = Auto mm|1870–Auto mm|1871
weight = Auto kg|1437–Auto kg|1645
related = Ford Fairlane

The Ford AU Falcon was a full-size family car, manufactured by the Ford Motor Company of Australia between September 1998 and September 2002. The AU sported a radically different design that was dubbed "New Edge", to attract the younger generation with its "out there" looks. [Cite web | date = 1998-09-03 | url = http://autoweb.com.au/A_50679/cms/newsarticle.html | title = AU Falcon - A Dedicated Australian | publisher = Web Publications Pty Limited | accessdate = 2007-07-09] Other changes included a Auto kg|35|0 reduction in weight for the base car, 17.5 per cent stiffer bodyshell, and an eight per cent improvement in fuel consumption. [cite web | last = Kenwright | first = Joe | date = 2005-04-01 | url = http://www.carpoint.com.au/car-review/2778434.aspx | title = Holden VT/VX Commodore (1997-2002) AND Ford Falcon AU (1998-2002) | work = CarPoint Australia | publisher = ninemsn | accessdate = 2008-06-24]

Model history

The AU Falcon was developed after considering proposals to replace the Falcon platform with one derived from an overseas model, such as the American Ford Taurus, European Ford Scorpio, or the Japanese Mazda 929. These were eliminated in favour of a substantial redesign of the Australian platform, due to concerns about towing, interior size, and local employment. Design started in 1994 and the program cost 700 million Australian Dollars before product launch. It was launched under the slogan "You've come a long way baby". [ [http://carsguide.news.com.au/story/0,20384,5535657-26236,00.html Cars Guide 1998-2002 Ford Falcon AU Road Tests] ] The AU featured Ford's New Edge design style, and an optional IRS, for the first time on a Falcon. The IRS was a double wishbone design on an isolated subframe, standard fitment on the XR6 VCT, XR8 and Fairmont Ghia, and was an option on most other sedan models (although not with limited slip differential - this combination was reserved for IRS XR models).

Sales of the AU did not match those of the previous model, the EL Falcon , partly due to a lack of enthusiasm by customers for the New Edge styling, alteration of fleet sale pricing, and the long term decline in the market for large cars.

eries II and III

Many of these issues were addressed with the AU Series II (April 2000) and Series III (November 2001) updates, which brought with them minor styling changes that gave the cheaper models styling features from the Fairmont, a laminated firewall to reduce NVH and incremental power upgrades for the V8, among other things.

During this period the Windsor was phased out of production with the last being sent to Australia. These Windsors were then hand assembled by Tickford Engineering and turned into the most powerful EFI Windsor V8 made in the world. It was stroked to 5.6 litres and boasted Convert|250|kW|hp|0|abbr=on and Auto Nm|500|0 of torque. The six cylinder engine was not forgotten during this period, with the XR6 version receiving VCT, making Convert|172|kW|hp|0|abbr=on . The same engine, detuned to Convert|168|kW|hp|0|abbr=on through the use of a quieter exhaust system, was fitted to the Fairmont Ghia.

Specification levels

The base model AU Falcon was called the Forte, which was the replacement of the old GLi and was marketed to fleets and families. When new the car was priced at $30.690 AUD.

The more 'up-spec' model was called the Futura, which was also marketed to families. The Futura had a more conservative grille than the Forte. The Futura had more options than the standard Forte, like cruise control, and alloy wheels. The price of the car when new was $34,990. [ [http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=8366&vf=1 Ford AU Falcon Futura Review] ]

A limited edition AU Falcon model was made and was called the 'Classic' model and was designed while series I was in production. It was an independent model from the Forte and Futura which features included the AU Falcon Utility Vehicle's grille, 'Classic' badging, alloy wheels, a low level spoiler, and a 'warm charcoal interior. The price when new was $30,690. [ [http://trueblueford.com/Specs_Pages.htm Ford Classic Speculation Pages, True Blue Ford.com] ]

The Ford Falcon S, for Sports, was designed as an entry-level sports edition, with added features such as a painted grille, alloy wheels, "S" decals on the rear quarters, and a high level spoiler. The colour choices were limited to Hot Chilli Red, Liquid Silver, Dynamic White, Galaxy (Metallic Blue) and Silhouette (Black) and the car was a sedan only model.

The Fairmont was the entry level luxury model for the Falcons. The Fairmont had all of the qualities of the Futura but included extra features that included a honeycomb grille, a 80 second headlamp off delay, wood grain inserts, unique 15" wheels, dual horns, Fairmont badging on the boot lid, and an analogue clock. The car came in sedan and station wagon. Above that was the Fairmont Ghia, which was the highest non-performance specification Falcon available. It had even more features that included unique wheels, more wood grain inserts and other features.

The XR Series was the performance end of the range, comprising of the XR6 HP, XR6 VCT and the XR8, which was the 'hero' car of the range, although the aging Windsor V8 struggled to keep up with Holdens new LS1 engine. All had the standard body kit that the XRs always have.

Towards the top end of the market were the T-Series motors. These were based on the XR8 (TE50 and TE56), Fairmont Ghia (TS50) and Fairlane/LTD (TL50). The T-Series were built under Tickford's banner with hand-built engines, accompanied by an engraved plaque of the name of the builder.

Utility vehicles

The AU Falcon utility vehicles, launched in June 1999, were the first tray utility vehicles that Ford had produced for several years. In fact, they were the first full redesign of the Falcon utility range since 1979.Fact|date=July 2007

The body of the AU Falcon utility was different in design from the equivalent Holden Commodore ute in that the cab was separate from the cargo tray (the tray was an integral part of the body shell in the Holden) - resultantly this allowed the rear to accept different after market body types, including tray decks, service bodys, and camper van shells. Unlike the sedan, the AU Falcon utility vehicles were very popular. The model options were XL, XLS, XR6 and XR8.

References