Bf Falcon Info

[SavageF6]

Just got the Ford email about the new Falcon. It confirms designation BF, more power and torque, but doesnt give details. Does show a nice XR front though (I think anyway).

[tab]

Is the independent CAM Control just a software change? Is it something that could be applied to the BA’s to gain the lower idle RPM and better fuel economy?

Trent.

[Venom XR6]

Full details won't be released until Sydney Motor Show. XR8 and GT have same power and torque as now, dumb move Ford, obviously don't want to sell any. Engine has a host of revisions and should be a very sweet unit, especially the turbo with 6 speed auto and the extra torque. 480nm at 2000rpm, very impressive.

[Ford Grunt]

I cant believe they did almost nothing to the body,

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My thoughts exactly.

Thought the next model variation would have some different body cues than what looks to be a simple change in front bar (spose haven't seen any rear pics yet), seems to be something like the EF-EL upgrade.

Spose cant improve on perfect right

Ford Grunt.

[SweetXR]

Not sure I like the new front bumper. Hard to tell though without seeing it in the flesh.

[tquarrell]

I think it looks the goods. Better fuel economy is definate plus (better than the opposition as well!).

I'd like a bit more info (I think we all do) where do we get it? Anyone know the gearing for the 6 speed auto (I hope it's got a really short 1st gear, is that to much to ask? not like the six speed manual I hope) Anyone know if the ECU has changed? I was under the understanding from the the mk 1/2 turbo project manager at ford that the current (mk 1/2) ecu couldn't adjust the cam timing, but now it's being adjusted. Hope this doesn't cause to much trouble with the editors. Only a matter of time until they'd crack it anyway I guess.

In the interest of continuos evolution, I'd like to see the "cammer" 5.0l DOHC alloy blocked (94mm bore, 90 mm stroke) 7,000 rpm, 373kw engines fitted to the GT's and detuned for the xr8 (matches the M5's v10 without the multi throttle body's or vct, not a bad effort from similar displacement!). Good to see the sohc v8 pushing more power, but that stroke just isn't the ticket for big horsepower.

[seventytwo]

I hope in the next couple of months I can walk into my local dealer and get the BF flash all that torque for nix , ford can keep the rest that front bar looks (insert four letter Word).

[Goldbullet]

No reason for me to change to the new BF id rather keep my MK1

Dave.

[Venom XR6]

I hope in the next couple of months I can walk into my local dealer and get the BF flash all that torque for nix , ford can keep the rest that front bar looks (insert four letter Word).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not possible, the BF engine has a heap of revised parts and needs 2 knock sensors to keep knock under control. Changing the tune for a BA wouldn't work.

[Falchoon]

Inside Ford's new Falcon
The Age
Wednesday August 17 2005

Ford has given its venerable Falcon the biggest makeover in three years. But as TOBY HAGON reports, the big changes are under the bonnet.



It will take a keen eye to spot the first notable update to the Falcon range in three years. But at least owners will get to hold a more upmarket and stylish key.

The humble Falcon, rescued from poor sales just a few years ago, is preparing for renewed large-car competition, sporting a facelift that sees the BA series become the BF.

It is crucial for Ford Australia, which has to fend off an all-new Late model camira VE next year and interest in Mitsubishi's Magna replacement, the 380.

Large-car sales are down and the share of the big two Australian players - the Expensive Daewoo Late model camira and Ford Falcon - are slumping as competition heats up.

But the large-car game is about to shift up a gear and Ford's Falcon headlines the action.

So what's changed for the BF Falcon? Lots, or not much, depending on what you consider significant.

Codenamed "Copperhead" internally, the biggest change is the new ZF six-speed automatic transmission, fitted to selected premium models (base variants will continue with a revised version of the four-speed auto). It is the first Australian-made car to have a six-speed auto and introduces a world-class transmission locally to Ford. The transmission is also used in the BMW 7-Series and the Jaguar XJ.

Along with performance and fuel economy improvements, the smart six-speed helps make the most of an ageing engine.

The Falcon's engines have been updated but in an evolutionary way. Deep down, they're the same, which means a 4.0-litre in-line six-cylinder for most of the line-up and two 5.4-litre V8s (with different power outputs) on selected models.

The turbocharged version of the six-cylinder also continues.



All now meet emission regulations that affect all cars sold in Australia next year.

The 4.0-litre six-cylinder has a more advanced variable valve timing system that adjusts the intake and exhaust camshafts independently for improved efficiency and a lower idle speed.

Power is up from 182 kW to 190 kW (picking up the name Barra 190 in the process). This is ostensibly the same as the maximum output of the most potent of Holden's new 3.6-litre V6s, the Alloytec 190. But Ford and Expensive Daewoo use different international standards to measure engine output. Ford's results in bigger figures by a few per cent.

For the popular turbo version, power is up 5 kW to 245 kW ( the Barra 245T), which is plenty, while torque climbs to 480 Nm, up 30 Nm.

The entry-level V8s are improved, with the addition of knock sensors that allow more spark advance to increase output by 10 kW and 30 Nm to 230 kW and 500 Nm (called the Barra 230). That's still down on the Expensive Daewoo Gen III 5.7-litre V8 that delivers 235 kW in its base form. But Ford is relying on its muscular low-rev performance as a significant selling point. Another selling point is its more prominent V8 growl, courtesy of a revised exhaust.

The Boss 260 (for 260 kW) in the XR8 sports model remains unchanged.

Fuel consumption benefits claimed for the BF couldn't be more timely: large cars are on the wane, thanks to $1.20 a litre petrol, and customers are favouring small cars.

The Falcon was the thirstiest of the Australian-made cars, which has a heavy influence on price-conscious fleet buyers.

Various changes in the drivetrain have provided the volume-selling Falcons with a claimed 5.2 per cent improvement in fuel economy, to a combined figure of 10.9 L/100 km.

The Fairmont Ghia, one of the recipients of the new six-speed transmission, has an 11.3 per cent reduction to 10.2 L/100 km.

According to Ford Australia powertrain development supervisor Ian Cole, "customers will notice the difference every time they fill up their car".



Visually there's not much new, and the basic interior layout and available space is much the same.

Designers have taken the easier (and cheaper) option of changing plastics - a popular ploy at this stage of a car's life. If you look closely, you'll notice revised front bumpers.

The Fairmont Ghia also gets some subtle chrome treatment and redesigned fog lights to lift the mood of its face. The XR models get a more pronounced front bumper with bold bars in a lower grille. The volume-selling XTs and Futuras make do with some mild changes.

Wheels, trim colours and materials, tail lights and colours have been also altered to freshen the BF's appearance.

But why no total makeover?

Ford vice-president of product development Trevor Worthington says customers didn't ask for it.

"All the research we did after (the) BA (model), customers said they didn't want much changed. So there's visual changes at the front and rear," he says.



Ford is staying quiet on improvements to the Falcon's equipment, mainly because the BF doesn't go on sale until late October.

But among expected safety improvements is an electronic stability program (ESP) - which can brake individual wheels to help control a slide - on some models, including the Fairmont, Fairmont Ghia, XR6 Turbo and XR8, and the luxury long-wheelbase models, the Fairlane and LTD. But the XTs and Futuras will miss out on the feature.

But the curtain airbags that arrived in the Territory aren't available in any Falcon-based sedan.

"They just don't fit," Mr Worthington says. "But the important thing, from a crash perspective, is that you have side airbags with head protection, which we've got."

Pricing is a closely guarded secret, but Ford says the new models will be competitive. Some increases seem inevitable, considering the extra features and refinements.

Many of the changes will flow to the Falcon-based Territory off-road wagon, which picks up the model code SY (currently SX).

But it's a minor update. The Territory gets a fresh colour palette and an automatic headlights-on feature for the entry-level model.

All-wheel-drive models, a little less than half of all sales, pick up the ZF six-speed automatic. The rear-drive models make do with a revised version of the four-speed.

As a sweetener for the rear-drive models - expected to maintain their $4000 price advantage over the AWD model - the ESP system will be fitted across the range.

Territory fuel economy has been improved to a combined 12.2 L/100 km for rear-drive models and 12.8 L/100 km for AWDs.

There is also a new transmission selector lever that differentiates the interior ever so slightly.


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What's changed:


Falcon


New key
Fuel economy improvements of 5.2 to 11.3 per cent
XR6 Turbo engine up from 240 kW to 245 kW
Basic V8 engine up from 220 kW to 230 kW
Beefier exhaust rumble on V8s
Six-speed automatic fitted to Fairmont Ghia, Fairlane, LTD, XR6 Turbo, XR8 and sporty FPV models
ESP fitted to some Falcons and all Territorys
Bigger, more powerful brakes with firmer pedal feel
Quieter tyres
17-inch tyres fitted to all long-wheelbase models
Suspension refinements to improve ride
Styling revisions front and rear
New wheels and wheel covers
New trims and materials
New auto transmission shifter
New exterior colours
New interior trims


Territory


New key
Falcon-based engine up from 182 kW to 190 kW
All engines meet Euro 3 emissions regulations, in line with upcoming Australian regulations
Six-speed automatic for all-wheel-drive models
Fuel economy improvements: 6.8 per cent for RWD, 5.2 per cent for AWD
ESP on all Territorys
New auto transmission shifter
New exterior colours
Auto headlights on added to base models

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What hasn't changed


Sheetmetal
XR8 engine remains at 260 kW
Curtain airbags still not available on Falcon and Fairlane because of space
Four-speed automatic remains for entry-level models
The basic interior layout
Basic dimensions
Steering

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The shakedown


It's a grey day in Geelong and the clouds are threatening. We're perched on a hill in Highton, with a Ford Fairlane that looks like any other on the road - except for the black tape covering crucial aspects of the first major changes to the Falcon and Fairlane since the BA model arrived in 2002.

This is our introduction to the BF model, due in dealerships in October.

Our steed is a Fairlane Ghia and the purpose of the exercise is a final engineering sign-off of Ford's big local hope. First, I'm in the back seat observing before the forms are signed and the validated components sent to the production line.

Up front is Ford's product and development vice-president Trevor Worthington, and Falcon and Territory vehicle line director Russell Christophers. We're ready to tackle a road loop designed to test everything from performance and ride to road-holding and quality.

Fresh from an identical loop in the morning with the rival Expensive Daewoo long-wheelbase, jumping into the V8 Fairlane is designed to ensure the team has got it right.

As Mr Worthington explains, we are signing off how a customer would use the car - at slow speed as well as giving it some stick.

One of the most noticeable changes is the deep V8 sounds from a revised exhaust system.

Mr Worthington says V8 customers want the right sound quality. "We have a much better understanding of what good noise quality is," he says. "The market is so much more competitive now . . . people like us are looking to find the greatest amount of differentiators we can."

While our Fairlane "mule" looks nothing special, it's an important part of the development puzzle.

"In terms of the dynamics . . . it's entirely representative of how the Fairlane V8 will drive," Mr Worthington says.



Now it's my turn, and the first thing I notice is the new key and the classier transmission selector. It provides a more precise shift feel and is the only indicator of the new transmission that lurks beneath.

The German-engineered ZF six-speed is the same basic unit used in various BMWs and Jaguars, an asset Mr Worthington believes is worth the extra money.

"We worked very, very closely with (German company) ZF," he says. "I don't know if it's the fact they like beer and we like beer . . . but we worked absolutely seamlessly."

Mr Worthington says the transmission constantly monitors driver input, the road gradient, steering and cornering angles and the car's speed to select the best gear ratio.

"This transmission is absolutely intuitive," Mr Worthington says. "For example, the corner-hold feature is fantastic. When you're in a long sweeping corner it will hold the gear (for better control)."

Like the four-speed Falcons, you can shift the lever over into a separate gate, to initiate a sports mode. As well as kicking down a gear with less of a shove to the throttle, the sports mode automatically selects a gear one lower than usual.

The extra ratios also provide punchier performance, with shorter first and second ratios, and generally closer spacing that means there's a better chance the engine will be ready to react.

Changing down is better controlled, with the extra ratios providing more delicate shifts.

There are other notable changes with the BF update, but Mr Worthington and Mr Christophers are careful with their words, so as not to upset the carefully planned PR campaign.

But Mr Worthington says: "We've been doing a fair bit on ride quality, which includes new tyres and revised suspension rates, that make for a notable - if evolutionary - improvement.

"The whole idea with the suspension was for the customer to have ride and handling."

The brakes feel meatier and more up to the near-two-tonne weight of the Fairlane. They're apparently bigger, a change that should translate to other locally-produced Fords.

So how did our test car go?


Good, at least to the point of performing as expected in all but a handful of situations. A jerky gear change caught Mr Worthington's attention after an aggressive acceleration and back-off. But it's a minor calibration issue he believes will be fixed in for production.

"When you are managing the amount of power and torque that this thing's got, one of the challenges is when you're on and off the throttle," he says. "I'll probably ask that a couple of things be looked at. But from my experience of the drive this afternoon, we are ready to go (to production)."