First look: Ford’s BA MkII Falcon
BY MARTON PETTENDY | 3rd Aug 2004
Not due on sale until October, the so-called BA MkII will be headlined by a new six-speed manual transmission to compliment a significant standard equipment upgrade across the sedan, wagon and utility range.
In particular, cruise control and automatic headlights will become standard across the entire Falcon range, while Futura buyers will benefit from the addition of standard power-adjustable pedals and front side airbags.
There will be no official word on pricing until the upgraded model goes on sale, by which time Holden will have revealed pricing for its VZ Commodore range, which will feature a new 3.6-litre DOHC alloy V6 as the final change for Commodore until the redesigned VE series appears in 2006.
Meantime, Falcon will not be renewed until at least 2007, having become virtually an all-new model earlier than scheduled in 2001 with the BA series, following the sales disaster of the 1998 AU Falcon.
It is believed BA MkII pricing will be dictated by that of VZ Commodore, in which the new V6 is more costly to manufacture.
But while base VZ Commodore fuel consumption figures are expected to be at least as high as that of the current 3.8-litre model (11.3 litres per 100km in Executive guise, as per the ADR81/01 combined-cycle average), BAII Falcon is not expected to alter its kerb weight figures nor its 11.5L/100km fuel consumption in base Falcon XT form.
But a new six-speed close-ratio manual transmission – plus new final drive ratios - for XR6 Turbo and XR8 variants is expected to further increase the performance of XR Falcon models, sales of which have surged from just 6.8 per cent in 2002 to more than 27 per cent so far in 2004.
Supplied by Tremec, the close-ratio manual is the same as that found in HSV and V8 Commodore models – as well as the supercharged Mustang Cobra R and Aston Martin Vanquish - and replaces the notchy five-speed T5 Borg Warner manual currently found in XR6-T and XR8.
Claimed to offer improved shift feel, the new transmission will also be employed by Ford Performance Vehicles’ BAII models due on sale in October - including the upcoming turbocharged F6 Typhoon, which is largely the reason for the tougher new manual’s existence.
While regular Falcon variants will continue to employ the current five-speed manual, XR6-T and XR8 will also benefit from revised, shorter final drive gearing, which goes from 3.23 to 3.46 in XR8 and from 3.46 to 3.73 in XR6-T.
All BA MkII sedan, wagon and ute variants receive new "MkII" badging
Unique gearsets for both models are said to make fifth gear well suited to the 60km/h speed limit and provide strong acceleration from below 100km/h in sixth gear.
Firmer spring rates for XR8 sedan are aimed at delivering sharper handling, as is the addition of 18-inch alloy wheels, while Ford’s V8 flagship also gains alloy pedal covers, a second row centre armrest, power window controls illumination, Prestige sound system, auto headlights on/off and a new gearshift knob.
All BA MkII sedan, wagon and ute variants receive new "MkII" badging and the availability of a new Shockwave paint colour.
Heading down the Falcon family tree, the BA MkII XR6 Turbo sedan adds new 17-inch alloy wheels, alloy pedal covers, a second row centre armrest, power window controls illumination, auto headlights on/off and a new gearshift knob – plus new paint colours Blaze red, Rapid yellow, Velocity blue and Shockwave.
XR6 sedan gains all of its turbo sibling’s upgrades, plus rear power windows and traction control for both manual and auto versions, while the luxury flagship Fairmont Ghia gets new 17-inch alloy wheels, a leather and woodgrain sports steering wheel, leather and woodgrain gearknob and new Shockwave, Velocity and Blaze paint colours.
BAII Fairmont buyers will benefit from the addition of power-adjustable pedals and a reverse sensing system as standard, plus the option of Shockwave paint.
Futura sedan and wagon will come with standard side airbags, power adjustable pedals and auto headlights on/off, while Shockwave will also be added to its colour palette, along with that of the entry level XT.
Come October, the base Falcon sedan and wagon will also get standard cruise control, auto headlights on/off and new wheel covers, while six and eight-cylinder manual sedans will also add the availability of traction control as an optional extra.
On the BA MkII ute front, the entry level XL and tall-riding RTV variants add auto headlights on/off, a second remote key, variable and speed-sensitive wipers and the Shockwave paint colour, while the XLS gets all that plus new side skirts, new body coloured side protection mouldings and one-tonne suspension on chassis cab versions.
BAII XR6 Turbo and XR8 ute variants will include the above plus of course the new six-speed manual transmission and gearknob.
"The award-winning BA Falcon not only gained critical acclaim but won a host of important motoring, engineering and safety awards as well," said Ford Australia president Tom Gorman.
"More importantly, it spearheaded a revival in the sales fortunes of Ford Australia built on providing product that inspires passion and confidence in the market.
"It also heralded a new era in motorsport with Marcos Ambrose reclaiming the V8 Supercar championship for the Blue Oval.
"MkII represents a further development of the BA Falcon with the changes driven by customer demand for extra features.
"This update signals Ford Australia's intention to continue providing locally designed and engineered product that motivates people into Ford showrooms." BA MkII models will also come with an expanded accessory range, including roof storage options originally designed for Territory including a bike carrier, canoe/kayak holder, 375-litre or 405-litre roof luggage box or ski/snowboard carrier.
Finally, a new 15-litre Day Tripper car fridge will also be available, along with a games adaptor to make the optional REX3 DVD system compatible with the latest Xbox, Playstation2 or Game Cube video games.
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