FG Falcon: Ford's taut new trim

FORD took a bold risk by entrusting the development of the final surfaces for its classy new FG Falcon interior to someone who knew nothing of the automotive industry until just three years ago.

To the credit of the company as well as new colour and trim manager Debbie Pascoe, the gamble seems to have paid off, with the final result being a pleasing combination of new and proven materials and patterns that lend the Falcon interior a distinctive and comfortable ambience.

Although American-born and speaking with a twang that is all too familiar at Broadmeadows, Ms Pascoe has only been with Ford for three years and has never previously had anything to do with cars.

Ms Pascoe ran her own commercial interior design company in Australia for 11 years, having married an Australian and moved here 14 years ago. Prior to that, she worked for a US textile company.

Bringing no preconceptions to the job, she worked closely with one of Ford’s suppliers to develop a new man-made suede material that features on the G6 models and which she says has amazed people overseas who have seen it.

Although she recognises that it is unusual for someone without automotive experience to be managing such a program, Ms Pascoe said there is little risk of making a major mistake because of the approval processes and experience within the company.

She was also amazed at the thoroughness and toughness of the testing procedures for any materials used in a car.

One of the more interesting decisions taken with regard to interior finishes was to drop woodgrain from the entire range. Instead, there are a range of more modern metal, black and carbon fibre-look decorative finishes.

The primary interior colour for the FG range is called Shadow, which is a softened black colour that is standard for the dash and upper doors. The seats and lower door trims come in the same Shadow colour or a neutral creamy hue called Cashmere.

Ms Pascoe said the new Shadow environment ensured the XT model does not feel like a base model while mesh inserts give the XR models the required sportiness and soft-feel materials like the suede-like seat bolsters and flock inserts or soft leather provide the G6 range with a more luxurious ambience.

“Each colour used throughout the mode line-up has been specifically chosen to create a more sophisticated appearance throughout the vehicle,” said Ms Pascoe.

“The colours were carefully refined to look softer and reduce the feeling of plastic, while the combination of colour and grain textures raises the bar for Ford vehicles in this area.”

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