Staff, Thursday October 26, 2006.
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“The introduction of the new BF Falcon MkII is the next step in the evolution of the iconic Falcon brand,” Mr Gorman said.
“BF Falcon MkII builds on the strong engineering foundations laid by the BF Falcon program, while also delivering a host of fresh exterior and interior styling elements that further refine the Falcon’s contemporary design.
“The depth of engineering and technological innovation in the Falcon range has been extended with BF MkII, with greater access across more models to some of the Falcon’s class-leading features and technologies.”
A revised recommended retail pricing structure for the BF Falcon MkII line-up strategically realigns the sports and sports luxury models to maintain competitiveness in their highly important sectors.
“We have taken the deliberate strategic action of repositioning some of our most popular vehicles, in order to ensure that the competitiveness of our price offering is as customer-focused as the design changes we have made to the vehicles,” Mr Gorman said.
“The large car market is more competitive now than at any time in recent memory. These pricing actions will allow Ford to maintain our strong share of this segment, while also increasing the attractiveness of the Falcon range to other customers.”
The new BF Falcon MkII range represents outstanding value for money, delivering new styling and additional features including an optional Bluetooth®^ mobile phone kit, as well as continuing Ford’s commitment to engineering innovation and world-class technology with wider availability of the six-speed automatic transmission and Dynamic Stability Control system.
“Recommended retail pricing of our premium Falcon XR models has been reduced by up to 12.4 per cent, while Fairmont Ghia has benefited from a reduction of 12.1 per cent compared to the previous model,” Mr Gorman said.
“Combined with new styling and finishes, we believe these actions make both the sports and sports luxury models a compelling value proposition.”
There is no change to the recommended pricing for Falcon XR6 and Fairmont models, while Falcon XT and Futura models have risen by just 0.3 per cent.
In conjunction with the release of the BF Falcon MkII range a new Euro Sports Package will be optional on the Falcon XT, Futura and Fairmont sedan, comprising the six-speed automatic transmission, Dynamic Stability Control, Sports Control Blade Independent Rear Suspension and 17-inch alloy wheels and tyres.
The combined RRP of the features in the Euro Sports Package is $3,900, but at launch it will be available as part of a recommended offer for an additional $250¹ on Futura and Fairmont.
Falcon XR6 customers can also enjoy a special value offer at launch, with the optional six-speed automatic transmission and DSC packaged together to deliver $2,350 of recommended retail value for a special offer price of $250².
The recommended retail price of the six-speed automatic transmission as a stand-alone option at BF Falcon MkII is $1,500 on Futura and Fairmont, and $2500 on XT.
“With the recent influx of new models sparking renewed interest in the Large car segment, the new BF Falcon MkII offers customers an exceptional family car package that delivers outstanding fuel economy, performance, refinement and safety,” Mr Gorman said.
“BF Falcon MkII builds on Falcon’s core strengths of world-class engineering, state-of-the-art technologies and superior driving dynamics, with a fresh and aspirational design that is sure to appeal to customers and keep the Falcon nameplate at the vanguard of the local car industry.”
Improved fuel economyFalcon XT customers optioning the six-speed automatic transmission will notice an improvement in fuel consumption of more than six per cent when compared to the BF Falcon with the four-speed automatic, with an accompanying Australian Design Rule (ADR) 81/01 fuel economy test figure of 10.2 l/100km.
Fuel economy on petrol BF Falcon MkII models with the four-speed automatic transmission, including Falcon XT, Futura and Fairmont sedans, has also improved. As a result of further drivetrain efficiencies that have been achieved on these Falcon models, fuel economy will improve by a further two per cent, dropping 0.2 l/100km to 10.7 l/100km.
E-GasFuel economy on the E-Gas range of Falcons ? which includes sedans, wagons and utes ? has improved as well, benefiting from the same program of development and refinement applied to the petrol I6 engine, with the revised calibration contributing to the even greater percentage improvement.
BF Falcon MkII models powered by the E-Gas engine have gained a five per cent improvement in fuel consumption, with the official ADR figure dropping 0.8 l/100km to 15.1 l/100km.
Ford’s dedicated LPG E-Gas engine, introduced in 1999, boasts all the technological benefits of the Falcon petrol engine with double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, dual variable camshaft timing and coil-on-plug ignition.
A unique induction system was developed to work with the advanced Electronic Throttle Control while a new balancer hose and new ductwork and piping improve under-bonnet layout and reliability.
The E-Gas engine dispenses with all petrol system components including fuel tank and pipes, reducing complexity while saving weight and cost.
E-Gas technology is available on nine vehicles in the Falcon range, including the Falcon XT and Futura sedans and wagons, the Fairmont, and the XL, XLS, RTV and XR6 Utes.
Dynamic Stability ControlDynamic Stability Control will also be available across the wider petrol Falcon sedan range as part of the Euro Sports Package, which is optional on XT, Futura and Fairmont.
The package includes the six-speed automatic transmission, Sports Control Blade Independent Rear Suspension and 17-inch alloy wheels and tyres.
“The BF Falcon introduced traction control as standard on all petrol Falcon sedans, as well as on XR Falcon Utes, while also incorporating the very latest in chassis control systems as standard on premium Falcon sedans,” Mr Gorman said.
“Now the BF Falcon MkII raises the bar even further with the availability of DSC as an option on petrol Falcon XT, Futura, Fairmont and XR6 sedans, adding to the high levels of active safety already built into each Falcon.”
Ford has developed four distinct levels of DSC calibration, ranging from comfort to sports, to cover the variety of engine, transmission and body styles available across the Territory and Falcon vehicle families.
The calibration of the DSC system when fitted to a Falcon XT, Futura, Fairmont or Falcon XR6 matches the system currently fitted to the Fairmont Ghia, with DSC interventions being tuned to the overall sportier nature of the package.
Fresh new styling inside & outIn addition to the wider availability of DSC and the six-speed automatic transmission, BF Falcon MkII also introduces a host of exterior design and interior styling upgrades within the Falcon line-up.
Fairmont Ghia leads the way with a new European-inspired sports luxury exterior look, reflected in its new, dark accent headlamp treatment, tapered bonnet, chrome grille, bejewelled fog lights and front bumper finishes, and new seven-spoke 17-inch sports alloy wheels.
An exposed chrome exhaust, XR-style side skirts and rear bumper, and contemporary block font ‘Ghia’ badging complete the distinctive Fairmont Ghia package, resulting in a fresh, aspirational appeal and bold road presence.
Inside, the BF Fairmont Ghia MkII is a statement in refined elegance, from the black chrome instrument cluster, chrome air vent highlights and black onyx Interior Command Centre to the sumptuous leather seat trim, suede feel seat backs and door trims, and new front seat headrests.
Falcon XT, Futura and Fairmont receive notable upgrades to the exterior design, including a stylish new tapered bonnet, new grille, an aggressive new front bumper design, sporty new headlamp treatments and revised rear bumpers on sedan models.
Falcon Ute XL, XLS and RTV models also receive the same front end styling enhancements as the Falcon XT, including stylish new tapered bonnet, new grille, aggressive new front bumper and sporty new headlamps. These upgrades further enhance Falcon Ute’s car-like positioning and combine to produce the most modern, stylish and sporty looking Falcon Ute ever.
The RTV Ute also picks up some new rugged styled steel wheels, more befitting of a vehicle with the RTV’s off-road capabilities, while alloy wheels are available as an option for customers who prefer a sleeker look.
A new addition to the Falcon Ute range at BF MkII is the XR6 Chassis Cab Ute, which was released earlier this year as a special edition with a model run of just 450 units.
Keen interest in the special edition XR6 C/C has seen it become a permanent part of the Falcon Ute line-up, where it combines the practical capability of a cab chassis with the stylish good looks of the XR, meaning customers do not have to compromise looks for functionality.
The XR6 C/C is available with the half-tonne sports suspension and 17-inch five-spoke XR alloy wheels as standard, while for customers that require a heavier payload, a full one-tonne suspension and 16-inch wheel/tyre package is offered as a no cost option.
A new interior environment sets the BF Falcon MkII range of XR sedan and ute models apart from their predecessors, with a new “Chicane” metallic yarn seat trim, new instrument cluster design and satin alloy inserts in the instrument panel.
The new seat trim can also be customised with a wide range of stitching and embroidery colours, which lend the interior a subtle or high impact finish, depending on personal taste.
Colour paletteFive new exterior paint colours herald the arrival of BF Falcon MkII, including three new hero colours and a new Chromaflair® colour for Fairmont Ghia and the XR range, while another two colours ? Seduce and Ego ? were released in the lead-up to the new model.
Neo ? bright and youthful, Neo is a dynamic new blue loaded with energy. One of three new hero colours, Neo is only available on Falcon XR models. Octane ? an intense, retro orange designed to fuel the passion and ignite the senses of XR enthusiasts. One of three new hero colours, Octane is only available on Falcon XR models. Breeze ? a fresh, modern turquoise that creates a visual sensation. One of three new hero colours, Breeze is only available on Falcon XR models. Obsession ? a decadent, dramatic chameleon colour that moves from dark chocolate into cherry (Chromaflair®). Obsession is only available on Falcon XR and Fairmont Ghia models. Flare ? a blazing, earthy orange, Flare emulates the intensity of a sunset on a hot summer’s day. Flare is available across the Falcon range. Bluetooth® mobile phone kitThe release of BF Falcon MkII signals the introduction of a Bluetooth®^ mobile phone kit, available on all Falcon sedan and wagon, Falcon Ute, Fairlane and LTD, and Territory models, as a dealer fit accessory.
Available from December 1, 2006, the Bluetooth® kit allows you to make phone calls from your vehicle with the convenience of a wireless system that is fully integrated into the vehicle’s audio system and operated by a single push button control located beneath the Interior Command Centre.
The ICC screen switches to telephone mode automatically when you make or receive a call, while the audio levels can be adjusted by the control buttons on the steering wheel.
The Bluetooth® mobile phone kit allows you to answer a phone call at the touch of a button for the ultimate in hands free communication.
^ The Bluetooth® trademark is owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of the mark is under license. Bluetooth® mobile phone kit only suitable for Bluetooth® compatible phones
¹ Recommended offer price for retail customers only on October to December 2006 build BF Futura and Fairmont MkII. Limited offer at participating Ford dealers.
² Recommended offer price for retail customers only. Limited offer available on new BF Falcon XR6 MkII vehicles purchased & delivered between November 1 and December 31, 2006, at participating Ford dealers.
BF FALCON MkII RECOMMENDED RETAIL PRICING*Prices start from:
Falcon XT sedan (manual) $34,990 Falcon XT sedan (auto) $35,990 Falcon XT wagon $37,720 Futura sedan $39,290 Futura wagon $41,375 Fairmont sedan $43,195 Fairmont Ghia sedan (I6) $46,490 Falcon XR6 sedan $39,710 Falcon XR6 Turbo sedan (manual) $43,990 Falcon XR6 Turbo sedan (auto) $45,490 Falcon XR8 sedan (manual) $44,990 Falcon XR8 sedan (auto) $46,490 Falcon XL Ute C/C (manual) $27,450 Falcon XL Ute SSB (manual) $27,875 Falcon XLS Ute C/C (manual) $29,145 Falcon XLS Ute SSB (manual) $29,795 Falcon RTV Ute C/C (manual) $31,950 Falcon RTV Ute SSB (manual) $32,900 Falcon XR6 Ute C/C (manual) $33,990 Falcon XR6 Ute SSB (manual) $34,620 Falcon XR6 Turbo Ute (manual) $40,445 Falcon XR8 Ute (manual) $41,595*Pricing excludes dealer delivery and statutory charges
For further information, please contact:
Ford Australia Public Affairs
Phone: 03-9359 8491
Fax: 03-9359 8900
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