Press Release
Software and calibration
The ZF transmission is able to tailor its responses to individual driving styles courtesy of a number of software functions and Driver Recognition features, all designed to deliver increased transmission functionality and performance, and a refined shift quality.
The Sequential Sports Shift feature introduced on BA Falcon is a key element of the six-speed automatic transmission, offering the same style of adaptive and performance automatic modes as well as total manual control through sequential manual shifting.
Torque converter clutch lock-up is available in all six forward gears, not just in the top two overdrive gears.
When towing heavy loads at low speeds, such as in city driving or through hilly terrain, converter clutch lock-up in all gears assists with better transmission cooling and reduced fuel consumption.
Electronic control of all gearshifts in the six-speed automatic transmission is via clutches rather than bands, delivering a more direct and refined shift quality.
Calibration features of the six-speed automatic transmission include:
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Grade Control Logic (Automatic modes)
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When driving downhill, with sufficient brake pedal pressure, the transmission will downshift to provide increased engine braking.
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Upshift prevention at zero throttle (Automatic modes)
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When coasting downhill from rest, this feature inhibits upshifts beyond 2nd gear with zero throttle pedal input, to prevent a ‘running away’ feeling.
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Emergency downshift (Manual mode)
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When in manual mode, if the throttle pedal is pushed through the detent to activate the kickdown switch, the transmission will downshift to a lower gear (depending on vehicle speed) to provide acceleration in an emergency situation. The transmission will then revert to full manual control, remaining in the kickdown gear and requiring the driver to input for upshift.
Driver Recognition
A host of advanced features are accessible to the driver as part of the Driver Recognition software with the six-speed automatic transmission.
Driver Recognition matches transmission performance to the current driving style by considering acceleration and deceleration rates, brake and throttle applications, and cornering speed, to ensure the vehicle is in the right gear at the right time without undesired gear shifts.
The transmission ‘learns’ the driver's style and assigns a theoretical point system to certain driving scenarios to determine the activation point of particular features.
The point system extends from a “base” fuel economy bias (0 points), through stages such as “sporty” driver (100 points), up to “enthusiast” (200 points).
The transmission software recognises various performance-based actions, such as rapid acceleration / pullaways, enthusiastic cornering, pushing the accelerator pedal through the detent and moving the shift lever into performance mode, and increases the number of points accordingly.
By moving the shift lever across from adaptive to performance mode, the driver recognition function increases by 100 points instantly, making the advanced features more accessible. If the transmission had already learnt to 40 points in adaptive mode, then when the shift lever is pushed across into the performance mode it would become 140 points.
In performance mode, driver recognition can learn from “sporty”, representing 100 points, up to “enthusiast” (200 points).
Points can be gathered quickly as increases occur in blocks, while a more graduated, single point decrease in the score occurs when you return to a less sporty driving style.
Advanced features
Advanced features accessible through the Driver Recognition software include:
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Brake support downshift (Automatic modes)
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Driver Recognition will enable early downshifting during heavy braking, to provide engine braking and to optimise gear selection for tip-in (throttle reapplication) response.
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Gear hold around corners (Automatic modes)
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This feature will enable the selected gear to be held when the vehicle is cornering enthusiastically, to avoid an unwanted upshift or downshift through the corner. Differential wheel speed and the ABS sensors on each wheel detect cornering.
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Gear hold going uphill / downhill (Automatic modes)
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If the throttle pedal is released when travelling up or down hills, upshifts are prevented to reduce shift busyness on grades (on tip-in when going up hill) and to assist with vehicle speed control (reduce the need for repeated brake application).
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Gear hold, fast-off throttle (Automatic modes)
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Upshifts are prevented when the throttle position sensor detects the driver has instigated a rapid lift off of the throttle pedal (fast off) and maintains the current gear until the driver tips-in (reapplies throttle pressure). It also helps prevents shift busyness in sporty driving and inhibits the ‘running away’ feeling when cresting hills.
The Driver Recognition features allow for a tailored driving experience, where the transmission rewards different styles of driving at both ends of the performance spectrum.
A lower point count and more normalised driving style will deliver significant benefits in terms of refinement and fuel economy, while a greater point count will reward sporty driving with sharper responses and a more defined sporty feel.
All the Driver Recognition features are available on all models fitted with the ZF six-speed transmission, although certain features are more accessible on the sports XR models through a more performance-biased calibration.
Transient rpm limit
The transient rpm limit allows the engine to momentarily exceed the prescribed rev limit during upshifting. This enables wide open throttle upshifting of gears to be scheduled at an engine speed closer to the rev limiter than would otherwise be possible.
The transient rpm feature allows the engine to exceed 6000 rpm – up to 6250 rpm – while the transmission is completing the gear change, thereby taking full advantage of the high rpm performance of Barra 190 and 245T engines.
Improved fuel economy
Falcon XT customers opting for 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.
Powered by the most technologically advanced six-cylinder engine ever produced by Ford Australia, with its dual independent variable camshaft timing and dual knock sensors, four-speed automatic Falcon I6 models across the range have benefited from a program of continued refinement that has delivered:
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Improved transmission thermal management – faster warm-up and reduced friction losses allow it to reach optimum efficiency earlier, improving fuel consumption during cold starts and on short trips (a common usage pattern for many drivers)
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Revised Powertrain Control Module (PCM) calibrations in line with the optimised transmission thermal management
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Improved aerodynamic performance (reduced drag) of the new front bumper design
"The extensive engineering program undertaken at BF Falcon delivered significant gains in the areas of fuel efficiency and refinement, as well as more useable performance from our Barra 190 six-cylinder engine," Mr Gorman said.
"But the process of improvement is a continual one and our engineers have responded with further improvements on the top-selling four-speed auto Falcon I6 models, delivering greater real world benefits to Falcon owners.
"In the last two years we've delivered a seven per cent improvement in fuel efficiency on the Falcon XT. The availability of the six-speed automatic transmission on Falcon XT with the BF MkII program has taken the level of improvement even further, to more than 11 per cent."
E-Gas
Fuel 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 dedicated LPG Falcon 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 Control
Dynamic Stability Control will also be available across the wider Falcon sedan range as part of an optional "Euro Sports Package", which 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 on 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 compared to Fairlane and LTD variants.
