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SPECIAL

Ford Territory

SPECIAL

Ford Territory

Sydney International Motor Show Releases - General

Staff, Thursday October 17, 2002.

Page 1 of 1

Sydney Motor Show patrons can get up close and personal with the next generation of Ford V8 Supercars at this year's show.

Ford?s 2003 BA Falcon V8 Supercar, which turned its wheels in public for the very first time at last Sunday's Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 at Bathurst, will be a key element of the Ford Performance Vehicles stand.

It will line up alongside its road going sibling ? the new FPV GT.

Bathurst fans saw the car for the first time prior to Sunday's race, with Ford legend and five-time Australian Touring Car Champion Dick Johnson at the wheel.

His passenger was an obviously excited Ford Australia President Geoff Polites.

?That was an amazing experience,? said Polites after completing the one-off lap.

?Everyone at Ford is very proud of this car and we hope the race fans will be too. We have put a lot of effort into this program and we are really looking forward to going racing in 2003.?

Now retired from race driving but still an active Ford team owner, Johnson said he was honoured to debut the first 2003 Ford Falcon V8 Supercar built.

?Ford has something very special here, ? the three-time Bathurst victor said.

?When Ford asked me to drive the first 2003 Ford Falcon V8 Supercar I was blown away. It is a great honour and will certainly live with me forever.?

The car is the first built to the new V8 Supercar ?Project Blueprint? rules, developed in close liaison with TEGA (the Touring Car Entrants Group), which for the first time in 2003 will align the Falcon and Holden racers more closely.

In 2003 ?Project Blueprint? will see both Falcon and arch-rival Commodore share suspension configuration and aerodynamic parameters for the very first time, while extending other shared technical details such as the same six-speed Holinger transmission and 9-inch Ford differential.

The primary difference between the two cars will be in body shape and under the bonnet, with the Ford powered by its now well-proven 5.0 litre V8.

?It?s an exciting program and should see success shared much more evenly between the two manufacturers, which is what the category was always intended to be about,? Polites said.

?Building our own racecar for the first time since the heyday of the GT Falcon has allowed us to provide our teams with a great deal of immediate and important knowledge, saving them time and resources.

?And we will continue to use this development program to assist them to get the job done.?

Ford's 2003 Ford Falcon V8 Supercar will make its racing debut at the Australian Grand Prix meeting at Albert Park (Melbourne) March 7-9.

BA Falcon ? The Ultimate Driving Experience

Ford fans eager for a close inspection of the new range of BA Falcons will be able to inspect the range ? from the superb entry level Falcon XT through to the stunning performance-bred XR6 Turbo and the elegant Fairmont Ghia ? at this year's Sydney International Motor Show.

Ford Australia's $500 million BA development program focused on putting a smile on the face of Falcon drivers, with new engines and a highly sophisticated Control Blade Independent Rear Suspension delivering an outstanding motoring experience. A luxurious interior boasting new levels of craftsmanship and ergonomics completes the package.

?The starting point for the BA Falcon program was quite simply the customer. We talked to existing and prospective Falcon customers about what they wanted in a vehicle," said Ford Australia President Geoff Polites.

?They told us they weren?t looking for transportation, they were looking for something that appealed to them on an emotional level, as well as a practical one.

?That has been our main goal with this program. From the way the car looks on the road, to the way it drives and the way you feel when you sit in it, the whole BA Falcon experience is designed to be addictive ? you can?t get enough of it,? he said.

Although the BA is a brand new Falcon, it shares the core values that have endeared Australian buyers to this iconic nameplate for more than 40 years.

One of those is safety.

Ford has built on the award-winning AUII safety system*, with a range of enhancements designed to deliver new levels of occupant protection.

* The AUII safety package won the Gold Award at the Australian Society of Automotive Engineers? 2001 Engineering Excellence Awards.

New passive safety elements include optional side airbags, dual stage front airbags, an intelligent crash sensor and restraint triggering system, and a range of CAE-designed structural improvements.

?At AUII we delivered a safety system that included standard passenger airbags, a laminated impact protection panel to reduce footwell intrusion, wide ranging structural enhancements, energy management seat belt retractors, pyrotechnic seat belt buckle pretensioners and new technology airbag inflators.

?For BA, we have raised the standard even further, taking advantage of Ford?s vast global supercomputer network to move our safety research and development to a new level,? Mr Polites said.

Other safety enhancements include sophisticated Control Blade IRS, more powerful brakes with electronic brake distribution, steering refinements and interior ergonomics designed to keep a driver focused on the road ahead.

?There is no doubt the anticipation levels out there for this car are high - and we're confident that the car will match them,? Mr Polites said.

?New looks, new engines, new transmissions, new interiors, new suspension, new safety measures ? there?s not too much on the new Falcon that isn?t new.

?The levels of craftsmanship in the car are exceptional, while the exterior design is both elegant and powerful. We wanted every car in the range to be truly aspirational, from the XT right through to the Fairmont Ghia," said Mr Polites.

"And customer feedback has been outstanding. Now we are ready to have those customers take the time to inspect the range on display here at the 2002 Sydney International Motor Show and organise a test drive of the car," said Mr Polites.

Falcon XR6 to Blow Away Show Patrons

The BA Falcon XR6 Turbo will demonstrate a new direction in performance motoring to Sydney International Motor Show patrons this week.

Powered by a high performance Barra 240T engine, the Falcon XR6 boasts a turbocharger and intercooler to boost power to a class-leading 240kW.

It is available in both XR6 sedan and Ute models in manual and optional automatic transmission.

The aptly named Garrett GT40 turbo blows to 6psi, helping the 4.0-litre in-line six-cylinder engine to 450Nm of torque between 2000rpm and 4500rpm.

The Falcon XR6 Turbo shares the enhanced rev limit of the standard I6 engine, now redlined at 6000rpm.

The turbocharged engine has a knock sensor, which can run on regular unleaded fuel. However, for optimum performance PULP is recommended.

Full wastegate control is managed by the modified Powertrain Control Module and oil and water are used to cool the turbo during driving and during shut-down.

The engine is calibrated for minimum lag, ensuring maximum enjoyment of the extra power and torque.

A special cast stainless steel exhaust manifold has been designed to provide durability and reliability in service. Casting stainless steel exhaust manifolds is the new preferred technology employed by Ford and its premium European brands for turbocharged vehicles.

The base I6 engine is modified with the adoption of new pistons with a dished bowl and fully floating gudgeon pin. The top two piston rings are of a different design, in order to cope with the higher peak operating temperatures and the combustion pressure.

The compression ratio is 8.7:1, down from the 9.7:1 of the standard in-line six, and a heavier duty lubricating oil is used in the engine.

Retaining all the Barra I6 engine updates of the standard engine, the turbocharged version has revised variable camshaft timing actuation to suit the turbo engine characteristics.

The cylinder head incorporates unique exhaust valves to cope with higher temperatures. It is topped by a red rocker cover complete with black insert bearing the legend ?Turbo?.

Connecting rods, bearings and the crankshaft are all carried over from the standard engine.

The fuel delivery system is up-rated to 4 bar, a 40 per cent increase on the standard fuel pressure. The turbo has a larger capacity in-tank fuel pump.

The cooling system is up-rated to cope with the extra heat generated by the turbocharger and uses twin cooling fans.

To maintain engine performance in typical Australian summer conditions, the Falcon XR6 Turbo uses a Garrett air-to-air intercooler.

The intercooler is mounted low in the front of the car, visible through the under bumper air intake slot.

Heat shields are used in several locations to protect components such as the steering column assembly and the under-floor area above the three-inch diameter dump pipe and the catalysts.

The exhaust pipe splits into two tracts on leaving the catalyst before recombining at the rear muffler and exiting as a large oval tailpipe. The exhaust note has been specially tuned for the turbo engine and matches the high-tech sound of the revised I6 engine.

Designing the turbocharger and intercooler to fit in the BA Falcon engine bay required significant effort by the computer aided engineering team. Development of the turbo package was contracted to Ford Performance Vehicles.

The turbo engine is mated to either a five-speed BTR T5 manual gearbox or the optional Sequential Sport Shift four-speed automatic, with modified adaptive shifting unique to XR models.

Manual models have a unique clutch, and traction control is standard on all turbo sedan models.

The Falcon XR6 Turbo retains the powerful standard XR6 braking set-up featuring performance levels on a par with the (optional) premium-braking package of the previous generation vehicle.

Suspension calibration was fine-tuned by V8 Supercar racer John Bowe in association with Ford Performance Vehicles.

New Falcon XR8 Swoops on Sydney Show

Ford Australia will provide 2002 Sydney International Motor Show customers with a first look at the next generation of Ford V8 performance vehicles ? the stunning BA Falcon XR8.

"There's little doubt that everyone will know the new Falcon XR8 when they see it," said Ford Australia President Geoff Polites.

"The power bulge in the bonnet is a real give-away.

"And it's not just for looks. Underneath the bonnet lies a unique V8 engine that will deliver a new level of response and refinement to the Australian performance car market."

The Falcon XR8 will be powered by a 5.4-litre V8 boasting quad camshafts, four valves per cylinder, high flow cylinder heads and stainless steel extractors.

"What all that means is 260kW of power and 500Nm of torque, and a new chapter in Ford's rich performance history."

Mr Polites said the BA Falcon XR8 would be released in early 2003, with a recommended retail price in the range of $51,000 - $53,000.

BA Falcon Model by Model

XT (new features in bold)

4.0-Litre 182kW, 380 Nm DOHC, dual equal VCT I6 engine with ETC
Roadside Assistance
Air Conditioning
Power Driver?s Seat (4 way)
Front Power Windows
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
Optional Sequential Sports Shift automatic gearbox
Low Series Interior Command Centre
Tissue Box Holder
Single CD
Trip Computer
Raschel Seat Fabric
16-inch Steel Wheels
Dual Stage Front Airbags
Control Blade Independent Rear Suspension
Intelligent Safety System (ISS)
Front Passenger Grab Handle
Rear Coat Hooks
60/40 Split Rear Seat
Anti Lock Brakes
Glovebox Lamp
On Screen Antenna

Futura

As XT but with the following features:

Cruise Control
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support
Rear Power Windows
Rear Centre Armrest
Rear Cup Holders
16-inch Alloy Wheels (spare = steel)
Body Coloured Body Side Protection Mouldings
Body Coloured Mirrors
Rear Grab Handles
Rear Reading/Courtesy Lamps
Standard Automatic Transmission with Sequential Sports Shift (SSS)

Fairmont

As Futura but with the following features:

Automatic headlamps on/off
Dual Zone Climate Control Air Conditioning
Velour Seat Fabric
Mid Series Interior Command Centre
Prestige 6 Stack CD Player (6 speakers)
Woodgrain (IP) Inserts
Overhead Console
Leather Steering Wheel
Dual Horns
Side Air Bags
Traction Control
Footwell Illumination (front)
Trip Computer (ICC located)

Fairmont Ghia

As Fairmont but with the following features:

Illuminated - Vanity Mirrors
High Series Interior Command Centre with Colour TFT Screen
Premium 6 Stack CD Player
Leather Park Brake Handle
Leather Seats
Leather T-Bar Handle
Shopping Bag Net in Boot
Memory Power Driver?s Seat (6 way), Exterior Rear View Mirrors and Power Adjustable Pedals
17-inch Alloy Wheels

Front Door Courtesy Lamps
?Sports? IRS Suspension
Reverse Sensoring System
Automatic Reverse Dipping Door Mirror

XR6

As XT but with the following features:

Sports Seats in Cloth Seat Fabric
Sports Instrument Cluster
Cruise Control
Leather Steering Wheel
Body Kit
Unique Front End Styling
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support
17-inch Alloy Wheels (spare = steel)
Body Coloured Body Side Protection Mouldings
Body Coloured Mirrors
Fog Lamps
Deck lid Spoiler
Single Oval Exhaust Outlet with Chrome Tip
Sports IRS
Dual Horns

XR6 Turbo

As XR6 but with the following features:

Barra 240T Turbocharged Engine
240kW, 450Nm
Limited Slip Differential (LSD)
Rear Power Windows
Rear Grab Handles
Traction Control

BA Falcon Pricing

Ford Australia Marketing and Sales Vice President Bruce McDonald has announced recommended retail pricing for the new BA Falcon sedan range on display at the 2002 Sydney International Motor Show.

Outlining the depth of newness and content in the BA model line-up, McDonald said "new exterior, new interior, new high technology engines coupled with a new Sequential Sports Shift transmission and the superb ride offered by Control Blade IRS all combine to make the BA Falcon a truly exhilarating driving experience."

BA Falcon recommended retail pricing will start at $33,640 for the Falcon XT manual sedan, through to $49,980 for the Fairmont Ghia.

Sequential Sports Shift transmission is standard with all automatics. Where the automatic is a specified option, it is priced at $920.

Recommended retail pricing for Futura starts at $37,750, Fairmont $41,615 and Fairmont Ghia $49,980.

Falcon XT wagon recommended retail pricing starts at $36,335, and Futura wagon from $39,180.

The stunning new Falcon XR6 with the Barra 182 engine will retail at $37,775, while the exhilarating 240T turbocharged version will retail at $43,965.

RECOMMENDED RETAIL PRICING

A Ute for All Seasons

The new BA Falcon Ute range on display at this year's Sydney International Motor Show will offer the ultimate combination of heavy duty work tool and high performance recreation vehicle.

Building on the reputation of the market-leading AU range of Falcon Utes, the BA Falcon Ute will continue to offer the choice of Supercab or Chassis Cab, payloads up to 1.26 tonnes and towing capacities up to 2300 kg.

Powered by a stunning new range of six-cylinder and V8 engines, new Falcon Ute will give buyers a wealth of riches to choose from in XL, XLS or XR guise.

Starting point is the new Barra 182 six-cylinder engine, the most technologically advanced to be designed and built by Ford Australia's engineers.

Boasting double overhead camshafts, dual VCT, 24 valves and Electronic Throttle Control, the Barra 182 will offer Ute drivers a class-leading 182 kW of power and a thundering 380 Nm of torque.

Matched with infinitely variable valve timing, this ensures great performance low down in the rev range for optimum towing performance, and economical fuel consumption at cruising speeds.

XR6 Falcon Ute owners can tick the options box on engine and have their vehicle powered by the brilliant new Barra 240T. This turbocharged and intercooled engine churns out a stunning 240 kW of power, while peak torque of 450 Nm arrives at just 2000 rpm ? staying at that level right through to 4500 rpm.

Boasting unique styling and an optional hard tonneau cover, the XR6 Falcon Ute is set to steal the show in town or country.

V8 owners will enjoy the benefits of the new Barra 220. This multi-valve, overhead camshaft engine is good for 220 kW and a healthy 472 Nm of torque.

Inside, BA Falcon Ute buyers will revel in the luxury of all new seats and a totally redesigned interior that complements perfectly Falcon Ute's unique Supercab design.

A new Interior Command Centre dominates the interior, controlling all audio and heating/cooling features. The ICC resembles an expensive European hi-fi and offers brilliant sound quality. It has also been ergonomically designed to be easy to use with clever, intuitive features.

"The Falcon Ute is one of Australian motoring's genuine success stories, enjoying unprecedented levels of dominance in the sales market," said 4WD and Commercial Vehicle Marketing Manager, Kevin Lillie.

"To improve on that we had to offer an exceptional ute, and the BA Falcon Ute certainly delivers on that front.

"The list of changes is enormous ? all aimed at providing the ultimate vehicle for work and play," he said.

New XR8 Falcon Ute Talks the Torque

The Sydney International Motor Show will provide Ute fans with their first look at the stunning new BA XR8 Falcon Ute.

"This is a ute that definitely talks the torque," said 4WD and Commercial Vehicle Marketing Manager, Kevin Lillie.

"The power bulge in the bonnet points to a unique V8 engine underneath boasting 260kW and 500Nm that redefines the term 'performance ute'," Mr Lillie said.

The XR8 Falcon Ute will be powered by a 5.4-litre V8 boasting quad camshafts, four valves per cylinder, high flow cylinder heads and stainless steel extractors.

"That means superb towing performance in a utility that combines power, comfort and all the benefits of Ford's unique Supercab construction."

Mr Lillie said the BA Falcon XR8 would be released in early 2003, priced between $41-$43,000.

BA Falcon Ute Pricing

Ford Australia Marketing and Sales Vice President Bruce McDonald has released recommended retail pricing for the new BA Falcon Ute range.

"The new Ute comes with a host of new features including a range of powerful, technologically advanced engines, a totally redesigned interior and new aggressive exterior styling," McDonald said.

"Add to that the ongoing benefits of standard Supercab interior space, the option of a Chassis Cab, payloads up to 1.26 tonnes and towing capacity up to 2300 kg and you've got the ultimate vehicle for work and play," McDonald said.

BA Falcon Ute recommended retail pricing will start at $25,590 for the Falcon Ute XL Chassis Cab manual, with the Styleside Box version costing $26,190.

Sequential Sports Shift automatic transmission is available as a $920 option.

Recommended retail pricing for XLS Chassis Cab starts at $28,580, and $29,380 for the Styleside Box version.

Falcon Ute XR6 recommended retail price is $34,205, while the stunning new Falcon XR6 Turbo, boasting an exhilarating 240 kW turbocharged engine, will retail at $39,675.

RECOMMENDED RETAIL PRICING

Personalise Your Falcon

The BA range of sedans and utilities comes complete with a line-up of Ford accessories on display for the first time at the Sydney International Motor Show.

BA Falcon buyers can enjoy the latest in digital technology with the new Rear Entertainment Xtreme (REX) in-car entertainment system. Costing $3165 (RRP), it features a roof-mounted 17.3 cm antiglare screen and plays DVDs, CDs, VCDs and CD-Rs through the vehicle audio system, or via infrared headphones.

Sydney Motor Show also signals the release of a new body styling kit for the BA sedan range, designed in-house by Ford's Design Studio. The $2185 (RRP) price tag includes an exterior body styling kit and high arched spoiler.

Falcon Ute buyers now have the option of a colour-coded hard tonneau for their Style Side Box XL or XLS. Fully lockable, the $1695 (RRP) hard tonneau was previously only available on the high performance XR8 Pursuit 250 Ute and can be dressed up with a hard tonneau spoiler for an additional $585.

A Focus for Everyone in Sydney

Ford Focus is sold in a range of three-, four- and five-door variants, from the entry level 1.8 litre CL to the sporty two-litre ST170 ? due for release in 2003.

The range will feature four engine choices and five models.

?The Focus range offers something for everyone. The base model is very well equipped for its class, while the sports and prestige models offer genuine value in terms of extra features,? said Focus Brand Marketing Manager, Melissa Wenn.

Focus CL

The Focus CL is available as a five-door hatch or four-door sedan.

It offers a choice of a 1.8 litre engine with manual transmission or an optional 2.0 litre engine with automatic transmission.

?The CL?s interior has a youthful and spirited feel, with a quality European interior and a wide range of standard features. These include remote central locking, CD player, steering column-mounted audio controls and fully adjustable steering column,? Ms Wenn said.

The safety package includes a centre rear lap-sash seatbelt, standard driver?s airbag, anti-submarining front seats and front seat-belt pre-tensioners.

Focus LX

The Focus LX is also available as a hatch or sedan, with 1.8 litre manual or optional 2.0 litre automatic variants.

?Focus LX is a smart choice for buyers looking for the extra features that make a journey more comfortable and enjoyable,? Ms Wenn said.

Added standard equipment over the CL includes air-conditioning, power front windows and power, heated side mirrors. Stylish 15-inch alloy wheels are also standard.

Safety features include a standard passenger airbag, a centre-rear head restraint, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution and four-wheel disc brakes.

Focus Zetec

The Focus Zetec model is an affordable sports variant, with more power, sports suspension and unique styling cues.

Powered by a revised two-litre engine producing 96kW of power and 178Nm of torque, the Focus Zetec will be available in manual and automatic guises, with three- and five-door variants.

The Zetec provides similar equipment levels to the Focus LX, but is set apart by a sportier suspension calibration, unique 16-inch alloy sports wheels and a chrome-tipped exhaust.

Zetec buyers can also choose options such as VDC AdvanceTrac, 17-inch alloy wheels and a stylish bodykit.

Focus Ghia

The Focus Ghia comes equipped with all the features a prestige buyer is looking for in an automatic sedan.

It is set apart from other Focus models by a series of subtle styling cues, inside and out. These include a colour keyed grille treatment, plush velour trim and tasteful woodgrain and chrome highlights.

?The Ghia?s stylish interior in particular will appeal to the prestige buyer, with its quality craftsmanship and attention to detail,? Ms Wenn said.

?The list of extra features is truly impressive: cruise control, automatic climate control, a six-stack in-dash CD player, power rear windows and global closing. And for added peace of mind, the Ghia comes with standard side airbags,? Ms Wenn said.

ST170

Available early in 2003, the ST170 is a sleek and sporty three-door performance hatch that builds on Ford?s rich rally heritage.

It is powered by the unique high performance two-litre Duratec ST engine, developing 127kW of power at 7000rpm and 196Nm of torque from 5500pm.

?ST170 is the ultimate driver?s car, offering exceptional driving dynamics, responsive steering and distinctive sports styling inside and out,? Ms Wenn said.

From the stylish front seats, which feature blue cloth inserts and large leather side bolsters, to aluminium pedal covers and 17-inch alloy wheels, the ST170 makes a strong statement.

Heavy-duty brakes, a short-throw six-speed Getrag manual transmission, sports suspension and throaty exhaust note provide plenty of feedback for the driving enthusiast.

Ford?s VDC AdvanceTrac stability system is standard equipment.

Focus is offered in a range of colours, including Capri Blue, Colorado Red, Diamond White, State Blue, Metropolis Blue, Machine Silver, Neptune Green, Pepper Red, Panther Black*.

ST170 will be exclusively available in Imperial Blue.

* Not all colours are available across the entire range.

Australianise your Focus

A wide range of styling and functional options is available for Focus, from a stylish bodykit to a Reverse Sensing System to help with parking.

The factory-fit, optional bodykit includes front, rear and side skirts.

It was designed in-house by the Ford Australia Design Studio and has been rigorously tested to meet Ford standards.

The kit, available on Focus hatch models, gives the vehicle a lower, more aggressive stance.

It is a factory fit option on Zetec and LX models and an accessory on other models.

European-designed 17-inch alloy sports wheels are also available, with 215/45R17 tyres.

The stylish seven-spoke design is available as a factory fit option on Zetec and LX models and as an accessory on the rest of the range.

Other personal styling options available on both sedan and hatch include a rear spoiler and a carbon-fibre style applique featuring the Focus logo.

There are also interior styling accessories, including a polished aluminium and leather gear knob and handbrake cover, as well as alloy-look scuff plates.

The Reverse Sensing System helps the driver judge distances for safer and more accurate parking.

It features an LED display and warning tones, with the tone frequency increasing the closer the vehicle is to an object. The system automatically switches on when the reverse gear is engaged.

Best of Both Worlds with New Courier

The new PG range of Courier light trucks takes it to the Sydney International Motor Show stand this year with a comprehensive list of upgrades and all-new styling designed to make it the instrument of choice for work and play.

?We are confident the Courier will continue to set new standards in this market in terms of style, roominess and customer-friendly features,? Ford?s 4WD and Commercial Vehicle Marketing Manager, Kevin Lillie said.

?The new styling, similar in looks to the legendary F-Series, and the innovative Rear Access System on the four-door Super Cab add to the considerable heritage the Courier has already created," Mr Lillie said.

The new Rear Access System design provides greater versatility and improved ingress/egress to the rear compartment of the Super Cab models. This feature will be standard on all 4x2 and 4x4 Super Cab models.

New Courier continues to provide customers with outstanding payload capacities, with almost 1.5 tonnes of payload in the single cab chassis 4x4 model.

New features

Styling changes add a muscular look to the PG Courier with new grille, headlights, front bumper and front fenders. The top-of-the-range XLT models will boast high series chrome on the front and rear bumpers, door handles, tailgate handle and mirrors.

A bigger 265/70R15 tyre will be standard on the 4x4 XL and XLT vehicles.

Other new additions include optional two-tone exterior, two new colours ? Amber and Spruce Green ? and new alloy wheels.

Inside, buyers will appreciate new mid and high-series fabrics, chrome door handles (XLT), an upgraded stereo system (with six-stack CD on XLT), engine immobiliser on crew cab turbo-diesel models and a handy keyless entry system.

Ride quality has been improved with revisions to the suspension componentry, while twin-piston ventilated discs on the 4x4 XLT significantly reduce fade resistance in high-speed braking manoeuvres.

The Courier retains its two tried and tested powerplants; the 2.6-litre petrol version and the highly praised 2.5-litre intercooled, turbo-charged diesel.

Two new models have been added to the PG Courier range ? a Crew Cab 4x2 XLT and Super Cab 4x4 XLT.

Power to work and play

Motivation for the Courier range remains with the 2.6-litre petrol engine producing 92kw of power at 4600rpm and 206Nm of torque at 3500rpm.

In the turbo diesel class, Courier's proven intercooled turbo-diesel offers excellent peak torque of 280Nm at 2000rpm and 86kW of power at 3500rpm.

This advanced powerplant features an overhead camshaft, three valves per cylinder (two intake, one exhaust) and indirect fuel injection, with dual counter-rotating balance shafts that dramatically reduce vibration and contribute to high levels of smoothness and quietness in the cabin.

?The turbo-charged diesel, with its abundance of low-down torque, offers excellent towing performance. The Courier can tow 1800kg with a full load and has a Gross Combination Mass (GCM) of 3850 kilograms including trailer,? Mr Lillie said.

The Courier offers a choice of two manual transmissions, depending on engine configuration. Both transmissions have been upgraded, with revised linkages for smoother shifts.

An optional four-speed automatic transmission is available on some 2WD petrol models and features a fourth-gear lock-up function to reduce transmission power loss and improve fuel economy at cruising speeds.

An overdrive switch allows the driver to lock-out fourth gear to prevent repeated gear-changing under heavy loads and to produce an immediate downshift from 4th to 3rd gear for highway overtaking.

The strong, silent type

The Courier frame features an overlapped box-section, cross-braced ladder design that provides greater rigidity than H-beam or open beam configurations. This design contributes to improved ride, handling, durability, passenger safety and load-bearing characteristics.

The cab is mounted to the frame with shear-type mounts that minimise lateral movement, but allow for compliance in vertical movement for a comfortable ride.

Noise in the cabin has been reduced through the use of enhanced body side panels, more rigid doors and new soundproofing in the instrument panel and floor pan. Double seals on the upper door edges also help to reduce wind noise.

A new anti-corrosion floor panel and an improved panel joint sealing method have been introduced to reduce edge corrosion, while organic resin coated steel is used for many of the body panels such as the cowl, bonnet and door outers.

The Courier?s paintwork benefits from cathodic electrocoating, while undercoating, PVC and wax coatings are used extensively to protect the underbody, frame and other exposed areas.

Comfort and control

The double wishbone front suspension uses torsion bar springs and a solid stabiliser bar for good compliance, reduced harshness and greater ride comfort.

At the rear, the leaf spring system is designed to control rear axle steer to provide more precise handling and greater straight-line stability at cruising speeds.

Bias-mounted rear dampers reduce axle tramp and the sensation of ?power-hopping?. A limited slip differential is standard on 4X4 models and 4X2 XL series.

The Courier?s power steering system has been redesigned, with the manual steering gear changing from variable ratio to a fixed 24:1 gear ratio. This change makes the vehicle easier to manoeuvre during parking and low-speed cornering.

Power steering is standard across the PG Courier range and employs a constant 19.6:1 gear ratio for easy handling at low speeds and firmer steering at higher engine speed.

Both front and rear brakes use non-asbestos, non-steel friction materials. Further improvements have been made through retuning the characteristics of the brake?s vacuum assist system and increasing master and wheel cylinder diameters.

A standard load-sensing proportioning valve has been fitted to improve brake effectiveness under a variety of loads.

Safety first

The Courier incorporates an impressive array of passive and active safety features, offering owners a safe and secure driving environment.

Dual airbags and four-wheel ABS are now optional across the 4x2 range and on selected 4x4 models, while standard safety items include side-door intrusion beams and a collapsible steering column.

The cabin structure has been designed to provide maximum occupant protection, and an anti-submarining bar has been built into the front seats to help position the occupant properly in relation to the seat belts. Height-adjustable head restraints reduce the risks of whiplash injury.

"Improved seat support provides a more comfortable ride than ever before," Mr Lillie said.

The Courier?s higher driving position makes it easier for the driver to see both front corners of the vehicle, allowing for more confident city driving.

The exterior mirrors are larger than the previous model and include a drip-rail that diverts water and dirt away from the mirror surface for better visibility.

The new PG Courier will be available for sale in November this year.

For further information contact:
Ford Australia Communications
Phone: 03-9359 8491

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