A stunning new six-speed manual transmission in the XR6 Turbo and XR8 performance vehicles heads a list of changes for the new Ford Falcon due in October. "The BA Falcon represented a big step forward for Ford Australia when it was introduced in 2002. Now the new BA MkII Falcon is destined to build on the success of that model," said Ford Australia President Tom Gorman. "With the launch of BA, the XR range of performance vehicles reignited the passion of driving enthusiasts around the country. "The new cars combined an outstanding mix of superb driving dynamics with a range of powerplants including the exhilarating XR6 Turbo and the heady four-valve Boss 260 V8. "XR led the showroom charge in the BA range, increasing sales mix from 6.8 per cent of total Falcon sales in 2002 to more than 27 per cent in 2004. "Now our new Tremec T56 six-speed manual transmission, fine tuned by the FPV engineers to provide optimum performance, adds the final touch to the performance line-up, resulting in improved performance feel," Gorman said. Performance Vehicle Planning Manager Gordon Barfield said the arrival of the new six-speed manual transmission heralded a new era for the high performance Ford models. "The BA MkII XR6 Turbo and XR8 confirms Ford as the manufacturer providing enthusiast cars for enthusiast drivers. "Drivers will appreciate the improved performance feel, while still having a gearbox that offers tractable performance through all the gears at typical driving speeds. "Fifth gear is well suited to the 60 km/h speed limit and sixth gear pulls strongly below 100 km/h offering peace-of-mind motoring. The close ratios in the new gearbox make it easy to select the right gear for the right occasion." Barfield confirmed the transmission would come with a unique gear set for both the XR6 Turbo and XR8, designed to match each engine's unique performance characteristics. The final drive ratio in the XR8 has changed from 3.23 to 3.46, while the XR6 Turbo final drive ratio has shortened from 3.46 to 3.73. Double synchros in all six forward gears will be a feature of the new six-speed transmission, along with a single synchro in reverse to ensure a sweet shifting movement. "Ford and the Premier Automotive Group have a distinguished history employing the T56 six-speed transmission, which features on products such as the Mustang Cobra R and the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish. "Drawing on that experience has helped in providing a transmission that further accentuates the sporting nature of the XR6 Turbo and XR8 while providing outstanding shift quality and performance feel." Barfield said the MkII XR8 would also benefit from a suspension upgrade. "Firmer spring rates have sharpened the steering response on the XR8 with a flatter ride and nimbler handling designed to further improve the athletic nature of the car," Barfield said. Gorman said the MkII update would build on the inherent strengths of the BA program. "The award-winning BA Falcon not only gained critical acclaim but won a host of important motoring, engineering and safety awards as well. "More importantly it spearheaded a revival in the sales fortunes of Ford Australia built on providing product that inspires passion and confidence in the market. "It also heralded a new era in motorsport with Marcos Ambrose reclaiming the V8 Supercar championship for the Blue Oval. "MkII represents a further development of the BA Falcon with the changes driven by customer demand for extra features." Creature comforts such as cruise control and automatic headlamps are now standard throughout the Falcon range and power adjustable pedals are standard on Futura. Futura safety levels have also been boosted significantly with the MkII version now boasting side airbags as standard equipment. The Falcon Ute range also features heavily in the MkII upgrade, with new creature comforts, alloy rims and exciting new paint colours. "This update signals Ford Australia's intention to continue providing locally designed and engineered product that motivates people into Ford showrooms." Gorman said the BA MkII Falcon would deliver a truly exhilarating driving experience with its comprehensive mix of locally engineered design excellence including: * Superb handling offered by the Control Blade IRS * Fully independent double wishbone front suspension * Five high-tech engines ranging through the economy offered by the E-Gas dedicated LPG, the technology of the DOHC Barra 182, the breathtaking performance of the turbocharged Barra 240T, the silky smooth performance of the Barra 220 SOHC V8 or the exhilarating four-valve DOHC range of Boss V8s * All new six-speed manual transmission on XR6 Turbo and XR8 * Automatic transmission with Sequential Sports Shift (SSS) allowing complete manual control over gear selection. Standard cruise and audio controls * 60/40 split fold-down rear seat back * Best in class towing capacity. "Of course, the MkII comes complete with the Intelligent Safety System that won the coveted Gold award at the Society of Australia Engineers Excellence Awards in 2003," Gorman said. Employing a number of sensors, the system monitors information such as driver seating positioning and crash severity.In an accident this information is fed to the Advanced Restraints Module (ARM), which instantly decides how best to deploy modern safety technologies such as dual stage inflation airbags, front seat pyrotechnic seat belt pretensioners and energy seat belt retractors. Other safety features include; anti-intrusion (collapsible) brake pedal on automatic models, front and rear impact management body structure and ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution for improved stopping performance and steering control. Falcon also remains a leader in the technology stakes with a number of Australian firsts: * First Australian-manufactured vehicle with Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) * First Australian-manufactured vehicle with anti-intrusion brake pedal * First Australian-manufactured vehicle with power adjustable pedals * First Australian-manufactured vehicle with dual-stage inflatable airbags * First Australian-manufactured vehicle with on-screen antenna * First Australian-manufactured vehicle with optional pollen filter Model by model BA MkII XT Sedan and Wagon * Cruise control * New wheel covers * Auto headlamps on/off * Traction Control available as an option on I6 manual sedan and V8 manual sedans * New paint colour: Shockwave * Unique MkII badging BA MkII Futura Sedan and Wagon * Side airbags * Power Adjustable Pedals * Auto headlamps on/off * New paint colour: Shockwave * Unique MkII badging BA MkII Fairmont * Power Adjustable Pedals * Reverse Sensing System * New paint colour: Shockwave * Unique MkII badging BA MkII Fairmont Ghia * New 17” alloy wheels * Leather and Woodgrain Sports Steering Wheel * Leather and Woodgrain Sequential Sports Shifter * New paint colour: Shockwave, Velocity and Blaze * Unique MkII badging BA MkII XR6 * New 17" alloy wheels * Alloy pedal covers * Second row centre armrest * Illuminated power window controls * Rear power windows * Traction Control on both manual and automatic transmission * Auto headlamps on/off * New paint colours: Blaze, Rapid, Velocity and Shockwave * Unique MkII badging BA MkII XR6 Turbo * New 17" alloy wheels * Alloy pedal covers * Second row centre armrest * Illuminated power window controls * Auto headlamps on/off * New six-speed manual transmission with short throw direct acting shift mechanism * Syncromesh on reverse gear * New gear shift knob with revised technical graphics * New paint colours: Blaze, Rapid, Velocity and Shockwave * Unique MkII badging BA MkII XR8 * 18" alloy wheels * Suspension upgrade * Alloy pedal covers * Second row centre armrest * Power window controls illumination * Prestige audio system * Auto headlamps on/off * New six-speed manual transmission * Syncromesh on reverse gear * New gear shift knob with revised technical graphics * New paint colours: Blaze, Rapid, Velocity and Shockwave * Unique MkII badging BA MkII XL Ute * Auto headlamps on/off * New paint colour: Shockwave * Second remote key fob * Variable dwell and speed sensitive windscreen wipers * Unique MkII badging BA MkII RTV Ute * Auto headlamps on/off * New paint colour: Shockwave * Second remote key fob * Variable dwell and speed sensitive windscreen wipers * Unique MkII badging BA MkII XLS Ute * Auto headlamps on/off * Second remote key fob * New side skirts * New body coloured side protection moulding * One tonne suspension on chassis cab * New paint colour: Shockwave * Unique MkII badging BA MkII XR6 Ute * New 17" alloy wheels * Alloy pedal covers * Auto headlamps on/off * New paint colours: Blaze, Rapid, Velocity and Shockwave * Unique MkII badging BA MkII XR6 Turbo Ute * New 17" alloy wheels * Alloy pedal covers * Auto headlamps on/off * New six-speed manual transmission with short throw direct acting shift mechanism * Syncromesh on reverse gear * New gear shift knob with revised technical graphics * New paint colours: Blaze, Rapid, Velocity and Shockwave * Unique MkII badging BA MkII XR8 Ute * New 17" alloy wheels * Alloy pedal covers * Auto headlamps on/off * New six-speed manual transmission with short throw direct acting shift mechanism * Syncromesh on reverse gear * New gear shift knob with revised technical graphics * New paint colours: Blaze, Rapid, Velocity and Shockwave * Unique MkII badging The new alloy rims on the XR6 and XR6 Turbo Falcon retain the classic five-spoke design while Fairmont Ghia boasts an elegant new diamond turned nine-spoke alloy. The highly acclaimed Falcon palette is enhanced even further by the MkII update, with the addition of four exciting new colours. Shockwave is inspired by the BA Falcon's successes on the track, adding a wave of uninhibited excitement to the athletic exterior of the Falcon, while Blaze is a rich metallic gold that is bold and daring. Velocity is a youthful blue epitomising stand-out performance and enhances the sporting nature of the XR range while Rapid is a searing hot yellow not for the faint hearted. MkII customers will also enjoy an expanded range of accessories, with the addition of several roof storage options originally designed for the Territory. The MkII Falcon can be optioned with a bike carrier, canoe/kayak holder, 375 litre or 405 litre roof luggage box or ski/snowboard carrier. Inside, a new 15-litre 'Day Tripper' car fridge is now available, while the addition of a games adaptor ensures the optional REX3 DVD system can play the latest Xbox, Playstation 2 or Game Cube video games. "The MkII Falcon offers superior value that exceeds expectations and is both desirable and attainable, whether you yearn for the performance of the XR6 Turbo or the refined comfort of the Fairmont Ghia. "With features such as IRS, cruise control and the award winning Intelligent Safety System, the MkII Falcon value proposition is unmatched," said Gorman.
