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Carsales Staff2 Apr 2009
NEWS

Ford gives Falcon a boost

Fuel economy cuts and equipment additions highlight updated Falcon and Territory

Following last week's embarrassing Territory recall Ford Australia has better news this week. The folks at Broadmeadows have released new fuel economy, emissions and safety ratings for the updated FG Falcon range and new-look SY Mk2 Territory line-up.


Modifications to the six-speed automatic transmission, upgraded catalytic converter and new engine calibration are the major changes that have resulted in the improvements. Ford claims the updates have reduced fuel consumption on the XT Falcon to 9.9L/100km from the previous version's 10.1L.


The changes also apply to the G6, G6E and XR6 to reduce combined economy on those models to 10.1L/100km; a reduction of 0.1L/100km.


Unsurprisingly Ford Australia President Marin Burela is trumpeting the adjustments as a major breakthrough for the under-performing model.


"Since the new Falcon was introduced last year, we have continued our process of ongoing engineering development and refinement of the award-winning FG Falcon range," Burela says.


"This development has delivered genuine fuel economy improvements on volume-selling six-cylinder sedans fitted with the six-speed automatic transmission.


"The Falcon XT with a six-speed auto now equals the fuel efficiency of the top selling medium-size four cylinder auto model currently sold in Australia.


"Customers can now choose a true family size vehicle that delivers fuel efficiency equal with a four-cylinder model, while also providing all the traditional benefits of a large car package, such as performance, refinement, interior space, passenger comfort, five-star safety, luggage capacity and towing capability."


Ford also announced that its E-Gas range had joined the rest of the FG sedan line-up with a five-star ANCAP safety rating. The ratings increase is thanks to the introduction of Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) which was previously not offered on the LPG-powered models.


A new DSC system has been calibrated especially for the E-Gas sedans and will be available as standard on the sedan and wagon range, as well as the XR6 ute.


The changes to the petrol Falcons will take effect from April production onwards while E-Gas modifications come on stream in May with no effect on pricing.


Ford will also expand its E-Gas range to include an XR6 model in the third quarter of this year. However it will be a performance model in looks only. The regular E-Gas engine will be transplanted with its 156kW/371Nm figures.


But the Falcon isn't the only model to benefit from the revisions. The SY Mk 2 Territory range that shares most of its drivetrain components with the Falcon will also receive the upgrades.


In addition to the changes mentioned above the new-look Territory also benefits from improved aerodynamics thanks to the redesigned front end and lower weight.


Ford is claiming a reduction of 0.6L/100km for the five-seater TX and TS rear-wheel drive models to get them down from 12.2 to 11.6L/100km. The seven-seat models and the Ghia RWD have had economy gains of 0.2L to achieve 12.0L/100km.


For more on the new Territory see here.


 

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Written byCarsales Staff
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