FAIRMONT GHIA comes standard with a new version of BTR's existing four-speed adaptive automatic transmission. It now features a Tiptronic-style manual shift function that has been dubbed Sequential Sports Shift.

Unlike many similar systems used by other manufacturers, the Falcon's manual mode requires a push forward to downchange and pull back to upchange - the configuration generally considered to be the most natural, although only BMW's auto transmissions currently employ the same method.

As well as adaptive shift programming, the revised auto offers a "Performance" or sports mode, which locks out fourth gear to provide greater engine braking and response below highway speeds.

When the gearshift lever is moved left into the manual shift plane, "PERF" is displayed in the instrument cluster for five seconds. Moving the lever forward or back will then transfer the transmission into manual shift mode.