| Ford Falcon (FG) | |
| Manufacturer: | Ford Australia |
| Production: | February 2008 – October 2014 |
| Assembly: | Australia: Melbourne, Victoria (Broadmeadows) |
| Predecessor: | Ford Falcon (BF) |
| Successor: | Ford Falcon (FG X) |
| Class: | Full-size |
| Body Style: | 4-door sedan 2-door coupé utility 2-door cab chassis utility |
| Platform: | E8 |
| Layout: | FR layout |
| Engine: | Inline-four
|
| Transmission: | 4-speed M93LE automatic (E-Gas) 5-speed 5R55S automatic (I6) 6-speed 6HP 21 automatic (I4) 6-speed 6HP 26 automatic (I6, V8) 6-speed TR-6060 manual |
| Wheelbase: | 2838NaN |
| Length: | 4955NaN (XT) |
| Width: | 1868NaN |
| Height: | 1453NaN |
| Weight: | 1704NaN (XT) |
| Designer: | Steve Park |
The Ford Falcon (FG) is a full-sized car that was produced by Ford Australia from 2008 to 2014. It was the first iteration of the seventh and last generation of the Falcon. Its range no longer featured the Fairmont luxury badge, replaced instead by the G Series.
The FG series Falcon was first previewed at a press event on 17 February 2008 and sold until October 2014.
In 2011, Ford introduced a new LPG system to the Falcon, marketed as "EcoLPI" the system features liquid injection as opposed to the vapour set up used in the previous E-Gas system. The new injection set up is accompanied by new light weight pistons and rings, a higher compression ratio of 12.0:1 and other modifications that improve power and economy. The power has risen 27% from 1560NaN0 to 1980NaN0 at 5000 rpm and torque has risen 10% from 374Nm to 409Nm at 3250 rpm. These figures virtually match the petrol version for power and torque when running on 95 octane fuel. In addition to the power gains, fuel use has dropped by around 15% while moreover the peak power of 1980NaN0 is reached at just 5000rpm. In addition to the engine improvements, the new LPG system now features a 6-speed automatic as standard. The new system was available from July 2011 and was an option on models fitted with the naturally aspirated 6-cylinder engine.[5]
Ford introduced the 2.0L Ecoboost engine in 2012 which will reputedly use 20 per cent less fuel and emit significantly less CO2 emissions than the current 4.0L engine. The engine will have at least 1790NaN0 and 353Nm, peak torque will be available from 2,000 rpm all the way to 5,500 rpm.[6] The fuel consumption is estimated at 80NaN0.[7] The Falcon will be the first rear drive application using the Ecoboost engine, however, not capable of matching 380Nm of torque available at as low as 1500 rpm on the 4.0L petrol version thanks to the 4.0L petrol version's Ti-VCT or Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing, a new intake manifold, cam profiles and combustion chamber changes over the Barra182. The Barra190 and 195 were virtually identical except for the intake manifold and an extra knock sensor for the Barra195 allowing it to use (as above) RON98 to gain significant torque and power gains.
The Ford FG Falcon comprised 7 different trim levels, divided into 3 three distinct groups:
The specific models included the Falcon XT, the luxury G6, G6E, G6E Turbo, and the sports XR6, XR6 Turbo and XR8. The ute variants included the base Falcon Ute, R6, XR6, XR6 Turbo and XR8.
The naturally aspirated XT engine specification is identical to the non-turbo XR6, G6, G6E and Utility vehicle variants powered by the 4.0L engine. At launch, the standard transmission was a new 5-speed auto, replacing the previous Australian designed and made 4-speed. The ZF 6-speed auto was optional from the launch in 2008. In July 2010, the 6-speed was made standard. Both the 5- and the 6- speed retain the 2.73:1 final open differential ratio with LSD optional on XR6 models.
The new styling is based around the kinetic design Ford Europe uses for their cars. The interior was improved from the previous model. The centre console was lifted to make for a more luxurious and spacious feeling. The interior is more roomy and has better entry and exit for front and rear passengers. The XT is now better equipped, with a MP3 compatible CD player, 3.52NaN2 auxiliary audio input jack, single zone automatic climate control, cruise control, 60/40 split fold-down rear seat back, front and rear power windows, four airbags, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Emergency Brake Assist and a driver fatigue warning system.[9] From 1 September 2008, all XT models were specified with alloy wheels as standard equipment, previously an extra-cost option. This replaced the 16" x 6.5" steel wheels that used plastic wheel covers or centre hubcaps.[10]
Both the XR6 and XR6 Turbo can be optioned with the "XR Luxury Pack", which adds sports leather seats and black carbon look trim inserts, dual zone climate control, 19x8 inch alloy wheels, and premium sound. The "Tech pack" is also available and adds Bluetooth and iPod integration; both option packs add almost all the features from the G6E (minus reversing camera, curtain and side thorax airbags, an 8-way power adjustable driver's seat and memory mirrors, overhead sunglasses holder and mirror indicators)
The Falcon XR8 was discontinued in June 2010 as a result of its 5.4-litre engine not complying with the Euro IV emissions standard adopted by Australia at that time. The Euro IV emissions would have robbed the engine of power and torque and would have required further investment and R&D. Although initially expected to be reintroduced with the 5.0-litre "Coyote" engine used in the Ford Mustang GT during 2011,[11] the model was re-introduced in 2014 with the FG-X series Falcon, featuring the 5.0 litre supercharged Miami motor.[12]
Up from the XT, this is the base model in the G Series. The G6 is the direct replacement for the Futura. It is powered by the same 4.0L engine and was originally mated to the five-speed automatic (upgraded to the ZF six-speed automatic in 2010). Besides the suspension, which is the sport-luxury tune found in the G6E, the drivetrain of the car is the same as the XT. Equipment levels are increased in the G6. It comes with front fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted audio controls, rear parking sensors, sports body kit with side skirts and rear bumper, 17-inch alloy wheels.
A G6 Limited Edition consisting of just 1500 units, based on the G6. It's unknown how many of these 1500 units were Ecoboost. The G6 Limited Edition added leather seats in Shadow, Bluetooth, iPod integration, sports leather-wrapped steering wheel, unique fog lamp bezels, unique front grill (upper and lower), a unique rear bumper insert, side curtain airbags and 18-inch alloy wheels (17-inch on the E-Gas model).
The G6E is a step up from the G6, it is the replacement for the old Fairmont Ghia. It includes all of the features of the G6, plus a ZF six-speed automatic transmission, dual zone automatic climate control, a premium audio system, leather seats, Bluetooth mobile phone integration, reversing camera, curtain and side thorax airbags, an 8-way power adjustable driver's seat, 17 x 8-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, front scuff plates and an overhead sunglass console. It also features Mercedes-Benz styled side indicators on the side mirrors, similar to that on premium European cars.
GPS-equipped Ford Falcons (Ford G Series)[13] can warn of traffic incidents via TMC.[14]
The G6E Turbo is the same as the G6E, except it has an I6 turbocharged engine, 18 x 8-inch 7-spoke alloy wheels, lower suspension, piano black centre console rather than silver, iPod integration, turbo decals and a boot mounted spoiler. The engine is the same as that found in the XR6 Turbo.
From April 2009 production, an update was introduced. This involved an improvement in fuel consumption on six-cylinder models fitted with the optional six-speed automatic. It was also announced that the LPG E-Gas models, like the petrol-powered versions of the FG sedan range, had been awarded the full five-stars in the ANCAP crash safety test. The five-star rating, up from four, was not due to any structural changes to the FG, but by the introduction of electronic stability control (ESC) which was previously only fitted to petrol-powered FG sedans. ESC was also made standard on the E-Gas BF III Falcon wagons still in production (previously unavailable). ESC fitment was extended to the utility body styles from May 2009, excluding the base XL and R6 Ute, where it was optional.[15] From June 2010, all sedan models received Bluetooth mobile phone integration and iPod integration as standard equipment.
The FG II was introduced in 2011, is the first major visual upgrade for the FG Falcon since its introduction in 2008. The MkII has a revised front fascia similar to that of the SZ Ford Territory, this includes a smaller upper grille and a larger octagonal lower grille, along with revised headlight and fog light assemblies, G6E and G6E turbo models come standard with LED running lights. All new specification levels (except XT and XL) get the new ICC (Interior Command Centre), the unit is an 8" touch screen with 2D and 3D maps, SUNA traffic updates overspeed and speed camera warnings, street house number display and is fully integrated.
Improved safety features on the MkII include six airbags (dual front, side and curtains) will be standard on all sedan models, the 'Generation 9.0' Dynamic Stability Control system is standard across the range and rear parking sensors are now standard.The MkII was placed on sale in late 2011, with a turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost engine option becoming available in early 2012.[16]
See main article: Ford Performance Vehicles.
See also: Ford Falcon GT.
As with the previous Falcon BA and BF series, Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) produced high-performance versions of the Falcon FG. They included the F6 and V8-powered GT, GT-P and the GT E variants of the sedan the F6 Ute and V8-powered Pursuit and Super Pursuit models based on the Falcon Ute. The F6 models featured a 4.0L turbocharged DOHC 24-valve in-line six-cylinder engine, which produced a maximum power of 3100NaN0 at 5,500 rpm and maximum torque of 565Nm across the range from 1,950 to 5,200 rpm. All other models were powered by a 5.4L Boss V8 engine, which produces 3150NaN0 at 6,500 rpm and 551Nm of torque at 4,750 rpm. As of October 2009, FPV released a luxury F6-E model variant, which was equipped the same as a GT E but with an F6 engine. Also in October 2009, FPV released a GS model to commemorate the historic GS nameplate from the 1970s, which was sold in lieu of a Falcon XR8. It was limited to 250 sedans and 75 utes, and was powered by a detuned V8 from the GT. Its distinguishing exterior features included unique "GS" decals and dark argent wheels.
In October 2010, FPV introduced a supercharged all-alloy DOHC 4 valves per cylinder Coyote "Miami" 4951cc V8 engine to replace the older 5.4 L Boss unit. A 3150NaN0 version was introduced in the FPV GS model (which replaces the defunct XR8 model) and a 3350NaN0 version was developed for the FPV GT, GT E, and GT-P models.
Limited editions in this series included the 5th Anniversary,[17] GT "Black", GT "R-Spec" and, most importantly, the GT F "351". These cars had more powerful engines (3350NaN0 for the first two and 3510NaN0 at 6000 rpm and 570Nm at 2500-5500 rpm of torque for the GT F)[18] and both the "R-Spec" and "351" also featured an enhanced handling package highlighted by wider 9-inch rear wheels. Furthermore, the dyno testing shows that this engine makes significantly more power than the quoted 315, 335, 345 and 351 kW, figures in excess of 380-400 kW (510-535 hp) at the rear wheels or ~ 450-470 kW (600-630 hp) at the flywheel. They also introduced launch control and the "351" nomenclature of the GT F, which has become the "Final GT Falcon" ever, represents both its engine output but also pays tribute to the original Falcon GT's cubic inch displacement.[19] [20] [21] [22] [23]