It's showtime

Wheels Magazine
May, 2008

Four years were invested in creating it, but Ford doesn't like to talk about how much it cost to design, engineer and develop the new FG Falcon. It was a bigger job in every way, budget included, than the 2002 BA Falcon. The bill for that car was $500 million, but these days senior Ford Australia executives don't like to get involved in corporate one-upmanship.

Blame the reticence on the $1 billion budget Holden boasted for its 2006 VE Commodore. Ford's people believe they have created a better big car than their arch-rivals, but have certainly spent a lesser sum doing it. Instead of losing budget comparisons, they'd rather win road-test comparisons.

Long-time Falcon ergonomic failings are finally dealt with. Handling and ride are impressive. Best of all, Ford has given new Falcon upgraded drivetrains, that are more economical, refined and responsive. Along the way, they also managed to turn the home-grown turbo engine into a truly great performance powerplant ...

» FORD FG FALCON XT:

Base model, but no longer basic

For glamour and excitement, move right along. Here we're discussing the plain looks and honest nature of the most basic member of the new Falcon family, the XT.

Inevitably, it will be the best-selling member of the FG line-up. More people will drive it than any of the more desirable models, and because it will provide the most volume, it's therefore also under greatest pressure to succeed.

Priced at $36,490, the new XT costs only $500 more than its BF II predecessor. Considering the significant drivetrain and suspension upgrades, this is a modest rise.

The new gearbox is the most noticeable difference. The five-speed unit, manufactured by Ford in Europe, replaces the BF II XT's 18-year-old Australian-made four-speeder.

On the road, the benefits of the additional ratio are instantly apparent. Even though its ratio spread is greater, the gaps between gears aren't so wide. This means the XT's updated 4.0-litre in-line six doesn't need to rev hard to bridge yawning gaps between gears, and spends more time in the meaty middle of its rev range. The transmission is decisively responsive, shift quality is fine, and the electronic control unit's software includes measures to cut unnecessary shifting and improve fuel efficiency.

While the new auto is the drivetrain highlight, Ford's clean-sheet front suspension and steering design are the focus of the chassis upgrades. The front-mounted steering rack delivers noticeably calmer steering around centre. While some may lament the reduction in on-centre sharpness, the steering delivers a real sense of connection as lock is wound on and the variable-ratio rack grows more direct.

Ride comfort is, as expected, very good. While the XT, like the remainder of the FG range, makes the move to monotube dampers, its shock valving is less tuneable.

There is mild understeer at the limit, which is appropriate. But the big sedan is also responsive to throttle, tightening its line sweetly in response to a lift of the right pedal. Extreme driving will provoke oversteer, but the standard electronic chassis stability system provides an effective safety net when overstepping the boundaries of the car's inherent ability.

While the base model has surprisingly polished handling, the average customer will probably more appreciate the benefits of the car's redesigned body. Bigger and wider-opening doors greatly enhance accessibility, and once inside, driver and front passenger will notice that the cabin doesn't crowd around the head. The slimmer A-pillar intersects with the front and side header rails at a comfortable distance.

While plain, the interior is ergonomically sound. The seats are decently supportive, and the basic controls are all in the right place while being intuitively user-friendly.

Standard safety equipment includes DSC (which includes TC and ABS), plus pairs of front and side airbags; there are two ways to upgrade the car's passive safety array. With or without the extra safety equipment, the new XT is clearly a better base model for just a little more money. Superiority is the first requirement of any new-generation car, and Ford Australia has delivered.

*Track: You Yangs, dry. Temp: 16°C Driver: John Carey

Read more on the Ford Falcon FG here:

G6 & G6E:  Euro-looks clothe Aussie dimensions ...	XR8: Overshadowed by same-price Turbo sibling ...
G6E Turbo: Blindingly quick luxury-sports blend ...	Open road: XT, XR8, G6ET - three cars, long days, big kays ...
XR6 & XR6T: Sports styled, but only Turbo truly delivers ...

  » Visit Wheels magazine website