Ford AU Falcon
Encyclopedia
The Ford AU Falcon and Fairmont are the first of the sixth generation series of the Ford Falcon
, a full-size car
produced by Ford Australia
. Replacing the EL Falcon
, the last of the fifth generation Falcons, the AU series launch in September 1998, being replaced in September 2002 by the BA
range of Fords.
The AU sported a radically different design that was dubbed "New Edge
", to attract the younger generation with its "out there" looks. Other changes included a 35 kg (77 lb) reduction in weight for the base car, 17.5 per cent stiffer bodyshell, and an eight per cent improvement in fuel consumption
.
, 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". 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.
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 normally aspirated EFI Windsor V8 made in the world. It was stroked to 5.6 litres and boasted 250 kW and 500 newton metre of torque. The six cylinder engine was not forgotten during this period, with the XR6 version receiving VCT, making 172 kW . The same engine, detuned to 168 kW through the use of a quieter exhaust system, was fitted to the Fairmont Ghia.
The more 'up-spec' model was called the Falcon Futura and was also marketed to families. The Futura differed from the Forte in having a body coloured grille, ABS
, cruise control
, alloy wheels and a digital clock fitted in the centre console (Series I Only). The price of the car when new was $34,990.
A limited edition Falcon Classic model was released in June 1999. It was an independent model from the Forte and Futura which featured the AU Falcon Utility Vehicle's grille painted body colour, 'Classic' badging, alloy wheels, a low level spoiler, and a 'warm charcoal' interior. The price when new was $30,690.
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 bootlid, 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 of the AU range. It had all of the qualities of the Futura but included extra features such as 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 Fairmont was offered in sedan and station wagon bodystyles. Above the Fairmont was the Fairmont Ghia, which was the highest non-performance specification model in the range. It had additional features that included unique wheels and more wood grain inserts. Fairmont & Fairmont Ghia models were not badged as Falcons.
The XR Series was the performance end of the range, comprising the XR6, XR6 VCT, XR6 VCT Sprint, and the XR8, which was the "hero" car of the range. All had the standard body kit that the XRs always have.
model and a cab-chassis with factory fitted drop-side tray. The latter was the first tray utility vehicle that Ford Australia had produced for several years.
The body of the AU Falcon utility was different in design from the equivalent Holden Commodore
utility in that the cab was separate from the cargo tray (the tray was an integral part of the body shell in the Holden). As a result, 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.
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Towards the top end of the market were the T-Series models, the Falcon XR8 based TE50, the Fairmont Ghia based TS50 and the Fairlane
based TL50. These were marketed under the FTE name, FTE being an acronym for Ford Tickford Experience, a joint venture between Ford Australia
and Tickford
. The FTE T Series models, which were produced from 1999 to 2002, featured hand-built engines with an engraved plaque bearing the name of the engine builder.
Ford Falcon (Australia)
The Ford Falcon is a full-size car which has been manufactured by Ford Australia since 1960. Each model from the XA series of 1972 onward has been designed, developed and built in Australia and/or New Zealand, following the phasing out of the American Falcon of 1960–71 which had been re-engineered...
, a full-size car
Full-size car
A full-size car is a marketing term used in North America for an automobile larger than a mid-size car. In the United States, the EPA uses "large car" to denote full-size cars....
produced by Ford Australia
Ford Australia
Ford Australia is the Australian subsidiary of Ford Motor Company and was founded in Geelong, Victoria, in 1925 as an outpost of Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. At that time, Ford Canada was a separate company from Ford USA...
. Replacing the EL Falcon
Ford EL Falcon
The Ford EL Falcon is a full-size car that was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company of Australia between 1996 and 1998. The EL Falcon served as the final chapter of the fifth generation "E-series" architecture, which began with the EA of 1988. Ford discontinued the car in 1998, and replaced it...
, the last of the fifth generation Falcons, the AU series launch in September 1998, being replaced in September 2002 by the BA
Ford BA Falcon
The Ford BA Falcon is a full-size car, produced by the Ford Motor Company of Australia between September 2002 and October 2005. The exterior styling of the BA was a substantial revision of that used for the preceding AU model. A new independent rear suspension setup was fitted to all sedan...
range of Fords.
The AU sported a radically different design that was dubbed "New Edge
New Edge
New Edge was a styling theme used by Ford Motor Company for many of its passenger vehicles in the late 1990s and early 2000s and initially authored by Jack Telnack, who served as Vice President of Design for Ford from 1980 to 1997...
", to attract the younger generation with its "out there" looks. Other changes included a 35 kg (77 lb) reduction in weight for the base car, 17.5 per cent stiffer bodyshell, and an eight per cent improvement in fuel consumption
Fuel economy in automobiles
Fuel usage in automobiles refers to the fuel efficiency relationship between distance traveled by an automobile and the amount of fuel consumed....
.
History of development
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 TaurusFord Taurus
The Ford Taurus is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States. Originally introduced in the 1986 model year, it has remained in near-continuous production for more than two decades, making it the fourth oldest nameplate that is currently sold in the North American...
, European Ford Scorpio
Ford Scorpio
The Ford Scorpio is an automobile that was produced by the Ford Motor Company from 1985 through to 1998.It was the replacement for the European Ford Granada line...
, or the Japanese Mazda 929
Mazda 929
The Mazda 929 was originally a mid-size car from 1973–1987 and as a full-size car thereafter. Marketed over three decades, the 929 was originally the export name for the Mazda Luce. When equipped with a rotary engine, it was called the Mazda RX-4 in export markets...
. 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". The AU featured Ford's New Edge
New Edge
New Edge was a styling theme used by Ford Motor Company for many of its passenger vehicles in the late 1990s and early 2000s and initially authored by Jack Telnack, who served as Vice President of Design for Ford from 1980 to 1997...
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
Limited slip differential
A limited slip differential is a type of differential gear arrangement that allows for some difference in angular velocity of the output shafts, but imposes a mechanical bound on the disparity...
- this combination was reserved for IRS XR models).
Sales of the AU did not match those of the previous model, the EL Falcon
Ford EL Falcon
The Ford EL Falcon is a full-size car that was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company of Australia between 1996 and 1998. The EL Falcon served as the final chapter of the fifth generation "E-series" architecture, which began with the EA of 1988. Ford discontinued the car in 1998, and replaced it...
, 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.
Series 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 normally aspirated EFI Windsor V8 made in the world. It was stroked to 5.6 litres and boasted 250 kW and 500 newton metre of torque. The six cylinder engine was not forgotten during this period, with the XR6 version receiving VCT, making 172 kW . The same engine, detuned to 168 kW 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. Automatic transmission was standard.The more 'up-spec' model was called the Falcon Futura and was also marketed to families. The Futura differed from the Forte in having a body coloured grille, ABS
Anti-lock braking system
An anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
, cruise control
Cruise control
Cruise control is a system that automatically controls the speed of a motor vehicle. The system takes over the throttle of the car to maintain a steady speed as set by the driver.-History:...
, alloy wheels and a digital clock fitted in the centre console (Series I Only). The price of the car when new was $34,990.
A limited edition Falcon Classic model was released in June 1999. It was an independent model from the Forte and Futura which featured the AU Falcon Utility Vehicle's grille painted body colour, 'Classic' badging, alloy wheels, a low level spoiler, and a 'warm charcoal' interior. The price when new was $30,690.
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 bootlid, 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 of the AU range. It had all of the qualities of the Futura but included extra features such as 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 Fairmont was offered in sedan and station wagon bodystyles. Above the Fairmont was the Fairmont Ghia, which was the highest non-performance specification model in the range. It had additional features that included unique wheels and more wood grain inserts. Fairmont & Fairmont Ghia models were not badged as Falcons.
The XR Series was the performance end of the range, comprising the XR6, XR6 VCT, XR6 VCT Sprint, and the XR8, which was the "hero" car of the range. All had the standard body kit that the XRs always have.
Utility
The AU Falcon utility vehicles range was launched in June 1999. It offered Falcon XL, XLS, XR6 and XR8 style side utility models, a cab-chassisChassis cab
A chassis cab or cab chassis is a body style, and type of vehicle construction, often found in medium duty truck commercial vehicles.Instead of supplying the customer with a factory pre-assembled flatbed, cargo container, or other equipment - the customer is given the vehicle with just 'chassis'...
model and a cab-chassis with factory fitted drop-side tray. The latter was the first tray utility vehicle that Ford Australia had produced for several years.
The body of the AU Falcon utility was different in design from the equivalent Holden Commodore
Holden Commodore
The Holden Commodore is an automobile manufactured since 1978 by the Holden subsidiary of General Motors in Australia, and, formerly, in New Zealand. In the mid-1970s, Holden established proposals to replace the long-serving Kingswood nameplate with a smaller, Opel-based model...
utility in that the cab was separate from the cargo tray (the tray was an integral part of the body shell in the Holden). As a result, 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.
FTE T Series
Ford Fairlane (Australia)
The Ford Fairlane and LTD are full-size luxury vehicles that were produced in a series of models by Ford Australia between 1959 and 2007....
based TL50. These were marketed under the FTE name, FTE being an acronym for Ford Tickford Experience, a joint venture between Ford Australia
Ford Australia
Ford Australia is the Australian subsidiary of Ford Motor Company and was founded in Geelong, Victoria, in 1925 as an outpost of Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. At that time, Ford Canada was a separate company from Ford USA...
and Tickford
Tickford
Tickford is an automobile engineering and testing company with a history of coachbuilding and tuning and is famous for such products as the 140 mph Tickford Turbo Capri.-Early years:...
. The FTE T Series models, which were produced from 1999 to 2002, featured hand-built engines with an engraved plaque bearing the name of the engine builder.