Ford BF Falcon MkII in detail

Press Release

Ford Australia President Tom Gorman today officially launched the new BF Falcon MkII range, which will go on sale later this month.

"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 and SY Territory programs, 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."

Mr Gorman also announced new model pricing for the BF Falcon MkII line-up, revealing a revised pricing structure that 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, which has been the genesis of our success over many decades, 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 for just $250¹ as part of a special value offer.

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 also of $250².

The recommended retail price of the six-speed automatic transmission as a stand-alone option at BF Falcon MkII is $1,500.

"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."

^ 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. Limited offer at participating Ford dealers.
² Recommended offer price for retail customers only. Limited offer available on new Falcon XR6 vehicles
purchased & delivered between November 1 and December 31, 2006, at participating Ford dealers.

World class six-speed automatic

Where the BF Falcon introduced performance and luxury buyers to the benefits of a world-class six-speed automatic transmission and state-of-the-art Dynamic Stability Control system, BF Falcon MkII opens up this world of technological advances to even more Falcon sedan customers.

With the release of BF Falcon MkII, the ZF six-speed automatic transmission – which was the first six-speed automatic to be fitted to an Australian-built vehicle at BF Falcon – will be available on all petrol Falcon sedan models.

Falcon XT, Futura and Fairmont sedan customers can option their vehicle with the six-speed automatic transmission and delight in the real-world benefits it offers in terms of reduced fuel consumption, increased functionality, precision and refined performance.

"The six-speed automatic transmission has proven to be a standout feature of the BF Falcon, especially for its ability to deliver a tailored driving experience for customers," Mr Gorman said.

"Not only does it reward a sporty driving style with livelier performance and sharper responses, but it also delivers significant benefits in terms of reduced fuel consumption and greater refinement, with smoother shift quality a notable feature during everyday use."

ZF 6HP26 six-speed automatic

The six-speed automatic is a compact and lightweight, high efficiency, high torque capacity transmission with a low first gear, higher top gear and smaller, more graduated steps between each gear.

With a larger spread of ratios, the six-speed transmission offers real-world benefits in the traditionally divergent areas of performance and fuel consumption.

A low first gear greatly improves launch feel, while the larger and tighter spread of ratios delivers livelier performance, especially at wide open throttle, along with the added benefits of smoother shift quality and reduced fuel consumption.

Gear shifts between the top few gears are often imperceptible, while the smaller steps between 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th also ensure less ‘busyness’ within the transmission as it determines the right gear.

The end result of the transmission being in the right gear at the right time is both an improvement in vehicle performance and a reduction in fuel consumption.

There are two versions of the six-speed automatic transmission – a standard version with a torque capacity of 450 Newton metres and a performance version with a torque capacity of 600Nm.

The performance version features upgraded clutches, with extra plates in the clutch packs, to increase the torque capacity for use with higher torque output engines.

Falcon models using the Barra 190 engine are fitted with the standard version, while Falcon models using either the Barra 230, Barra 245T or Boss 260 powerplants will be fitted with the higher torque capacity performance version.