ge4947316770805818712
Tim Britten8 Jan 2015
REVIEW

Ford Falcon XR6 EcoLPI 2015 Review

Ford’s EcoLPI gas-fired version of the XR6 sedan offers comparable performance and lower running costs
Review Type
Road Test

Not too many compromises are asked by the EcoLPI version of Ford’s top-selling Falcon, the XR6. The only real question is whether you are prepared to wait three years or so before the added $2500 required to step-up to an EcoLPI is covered by the lower running costs... The Falcon XR6 EcoLPI is available as an automatic only, priced at $40,290 before on-road costs.

All right, all right. We’ve been maxing out on Ford Falcon XR6 pretty much since the FG X series was announced in November this year, and now we have another one up for consideration: Not the ballsy 270kW turbo version, but the 'humble' EcoLPI gas-powered model that sits alongside the big-selling petrol XR6 equivalent at a sizeable premium of $2500.

Why would anyone bother?

Well, as most of us know, LPG ain’t always LPG. Ford’s approach when developing the EcoLPI version of the venerable 4.0-litre six-cylinder Falcon engine was to not just convert for dedicated gas power, but to at least match the output of the petrol-fired version.

Injecting the LPG, still in liquid form, straight to the intake ports rather than turning it into gas then releasing into a throttle body – as in the previous LPG system – has resulted in a measurable power boost that actually outdoes the petrol engine when operating on regular 91 RON unleaded fuel, and matches it when 95 RON premium unleaded fuel is used.

It’s quite a bit cleaner too, outputting 189g/km of CO2 where the petrol version produces 225g/km.

And what about the value for money equation?

LPG, compared on a litre-for-litre basis, is gobbled up more thirstily. Where the petrol auto-transmission XR6 claims 9.5L/100km, the (auto-only) EcoLPI gas Falcon XR6 is quoted at an official combined figure of 11.7.

Then again, LPG is typically a lot cheaper at the pump than petrol. It’s hard to settle on a precise ratio, but current prices in some parts rate LPG at not much more than 50 per cent of the price of regular unleaded.

According to calculations by carsales.com.au, this means it will cost around $55 to fill an 88-litre LPG tank (as fitted to the EcoLPI XR6) and about $83 to fill a petrol XR6’s 68-litre tank.

The bottom line though is that, while you’ll fill your gas tank significantly cheaper than the guy with a petrol-powered XR6, you will still have some ground to make up – namely, the fact that the EcoLPI XR6 is more expensive to purchase than its petrol equivalent.

This means, on average, you’ll run your EcoLPI for something like three years – depending on how many kilometres you cover annually – before you’ve recovered your original costs.

So what’s the payoff?

Well, looking at the figures again, you will find that the EcoLPI’s power (and torque) advantages are basically wiped out by its slightly greater kerb weight. The EcoLPI tips the scale at 1789kg compared to 1703kg for the petrol model, meaning the gas XR6 makes 110.7w/kg where the petrol makes 111.6. So, in the end, there’s no apparent gain there.

But now we come to the crunch: The way the EcoLPI XR6 drives compared to the already familiar petrol version.

There is a difference; largely because the gas-powered XR6 develops its power much lower in the rpm range (its 198kWs comes in at 5000rpm against the petrol’s 195kW at 6000rpm) and quotes a higher torque figure (409Nm at 3250rpm against 391Nm, also at 3250rpm), the characteristics are not the same.

The EcoLPI tends to feel noticeably more responsive in the mid-range on part-throttle; and in some situations is almost suggestive of a low-blow turbo. However, it runs out of puff more quickly once maximum power is developed. You end up driving the gas-powered XR6 differently, tending to use less throttle and running out to fewer rpm, finishing up essentially with the same result against the stopwatch but finding more mid-range punch to fire out of a corner.

In the final wash, the EcoLPI’s strong mid-range surge won us over. The figures might not suggest it, but the gas XR6 felt stronger and more responsive where it counts.

We found, in our week with the EcoLPI, driving without particular emphasis on achieving maximum economy, that we couldn’t match the combined 11.7L/100km ADR figure, and regularly saw more than 14 litres on the display. The projected cruising range was therefore more like 600km, and the actual dollars per kilometre higher than the official figures suggest.

As for other aspects of the gas XR6, there’s little to separate it from the petrol version.

Other than the reduction of boot space from 535 litres to a still-useful 464, and the use of a repair kit rather than a spare wheel (full load-through is still provided), it offers the same, planted feel on the road with the same nicely balanced steering and the same comfortably absorbent ride.

Likewise, there’s still the awkward-for-some relationship between steering wheel (too low) and seat height (too high) and the general, old-school interior presentation, although the kit isn’t too bad with sat-nav, a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate-control, voice control and digital radio all included in the standard equipment.

It’s all a matter of whether or not you’re prepared to wait three years before that extra $2500 investment starts paying off...

2015 Ford Falcon XR6 EcoLPI pricing and specifications:
Price: $40,290 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 4.0-litre six-cylinder LPG
Output: 198kW/409Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 11.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 189g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

XR6 Petrol model shown for illustrative purposes

Share this article
Written byTim Britten
See all articles
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Expert rating
69/100
Engine, Drivetrain & Chassis
14/20
Price, Packaging & Practicality
14/20
Safety & Technology
14/20
Behind the Wheel
15/20
X-Factor
12/20
Pros
  • Mid-range torque
  • Lower running costs
  • Ride/handling balance
Cons
  • Hard to match ADR figure
  • Old-school interior
  • Slightly smaller boot
Stay up to dateBecome a carsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Looking for a family car?Get the latest advice and reviews on family car that's right for you.
Explore the Family Hub
Family
Disclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.

If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
Download the carsales app
    AppStoreDownloadGooglePlayDownload
    App Store and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
    © CAR Group Ltd 1999-2024
    In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.