FORD AUSTRALIA HAS today announced a number of significant upgrades to its FG Falcon range, including the ZF six-speed automatic transmission confirmed in January. The Falcon's inline-six is now also compliant with upcoming Euro IV emissions regulations - an upgrade announced by Ford in 2008.

Replacing the five-speed automatic transmission in naturally aspirated sedan and Ute variants, the introduction of the ZF unit and a number of hardware upgrades sees fuel consumption drop by up to 8.5 percent.

Entry level Falcon ute models currently fitted with a column shift gain a new six-speed column shift mechanism, helping the workhorse utes maintain their three-across bench seat.

All Falcon variants powered by either the 4.0 litre I6 or 4.0 litre I6 Turbo engines are now available with the six-speed auto either as standard or as an option. The Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual remains the standard transmission for XR sedans and all Falcon Ute models.

Helping the homegrown inline-six advance from Euro III to Euro IV compliance, the updated FG Falcon gets a new catalytic converter, along with an upgraded Powertrain Control Module (PCM).

Software updates to the PCM include optimised cold-start, warm-up and hot idle calibration, revised pedal progression for a more linear launch, optimised upshift and gear selection and enhancements to the Deceleration Fuel Shut-Off for improved fuel economy in city driving.

Fuel consumption for all naturally-aspirated petrol Falcon sedan variants with automatic transmissions is now listed at 9.9 l/100km - down from 10.5 l/100km (10.1 for G6E) - making for an improvement of 5.7 percent for the XT, G6 and XR6, and 2.0 percent for the G6E.

Exhaust emissions are listed at 236g/km, equating to a 5.5 star Greenhouse Rating.

Naturally-aspirated Ute variants see an 8.5 percent improvement, the Ute, R6 and XR6 models listing a fuel consumption figure of 10.7 l/100km.

Neither the XR8 Falcon sedan or Ute are included in the Euro IV upgrade. Ford Australia says it will reveal its plans for the XR8 at "a later date". This follows news in January that Ford will add the upcoming 'Coyote' V8 to the local Falcon line-up.

Safety upgrades across the FG Falcon range include the addition of side head/thorax airbags as standard equipment. Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and iPod compatibility are now also standard across all Falcon sedans and Utes.

Pricing and Availability

Pricing has increased by up to two percent across the range, ranging from an extra $100 for the XR6 to an increase of $1100 for the G6E Turbo.

Sedan

• 2010 FG Ford Falcon XT - $40,290 (up $600)
• 2010 FG Ford Falcon G6 - $43,490 (up $500)
• 2010 FG Ford Falcon G6E - $50,390 (up $500)
• 2010 FG Ford Falcon G6E Turbo - $58,990 (up $1100)
• 2010 FG Ford Falcon XR6 - $42,990 - (up $100)
• 2010 FG Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo - $48,990 (up $600)

Ute

• 2010 FG Ford Falcon Ute Base (CC) - $31,095 (up $600)
• 2010 FG Ford Falcon Ute Base (SSB) - $31,295 (up $500)
• 2010 FG Ford Falcon Ute R6 (CC) - $33,095 (up $600)
• 2010 FG Ford Falcon Ute R6 (SSB) - $33,395 (up $500)
• 2010 FG Ford Falcon Ute XR6 (CC) - $37,890 (up $600)
• 2010 FG Ford Falcon Ute XR6 (SSB) - $38,190 (up $500)
• 2010 FG Ford Falcon Ute XR6 Turbo (SSB) - $42,190 (up $500)

ZF Six-Speed Automatic Transmission - Option Price:

Sedan

• XT, G6, G6E, G6E - Standard
• XR6 - $1000
• XR6 Turbo - $2000

Ute

• Base - $1000
• R6 - $1000
• XR6 - $1000
• XR6 Turbo - $2000

All prices are Manufacturer's List Price and do not include on-road costs and dealer delivery. Where applicable, Luxury Car Tax is not included.

Leave a comment:

• 
• 
• 

Or use the form below, without registering.

User: Password: Register

Name: Required

Email: Required

Remember me

Enter comment here.

Notify me (by email) when there are more comments on this article.

Click here to prove you are human.

• reply ” like !

  

  Callous says,
  3 years ago

  1 like

  I find these cars boring nowadays I'm afraid. Economy isn't clever and there are still numerous forums full of disgruntled owners and previous owners due to ongoing reliability issues. I wouldn't by a locally made car but that's just me .
  • reply ” like !

    

    Martin1491 says,
    3 years ago

    1 like

    I'm with you on that. I wouldn't buy a locally made car either. They're nice and all, but yeah, reliability is a concern.
    
    It's good that Ford have put the 6-speed on all the range though.
• reply ” like !

  

  Kieran says,
  3 years ago

  They've only just achieved Euro IV, given that Euro V came into effect in Sept '09? Is this a joke?
  I've heard a few cars coming out of Europe are getting close to Euro VI compliance, which isn't required until 2014.
  Add to this the growing concern of locally-made cars' reliability, the reasons for getting a Falcodore don't quite stack up!
  • reply ” like !

    Cameron Giles says,
    3 years ago

    The Euro V that came into effect in Sept' 09 didn't apply to this class of vehicle, that starts in july. Theres going to be reliability complaints about every cars, user fault cant be avoided... id be happy to know that you can normally find a ford dealer within a few kms and if you need any parts they don't have to order them from germany etc.....
• reply ” like !

  

  Wheelnut says,
  3 years ago

  You say that reliability of Aussie built cars may be a concern - [more so with the older cars than the newer models] However; there is no doubt that they last longer than most other cars - as evident by the number of 20+yo Falcons and Commodores on our roads that are still pretty close to the way they were when new.
  
  Mind you what would you prefer a car with a couple of minor "reliability issues" which are relatively cheap and easy to fix; or a car with some major "safety issues" such as a sticking accelerator or faulty brakes etc?
  
  • reply ” like !

    

    Callous says,
    3 years ago

    I think the reason you see a lot of 29 year old falcons and commodores is that they sold so many 20 years ago. That isn't a good indication of reliability and without actually asking the owners you also have no idea how much they have spent on them over the years. There are still heaps and heaps of 20-25 year old corollas and camries too, but I'll bet they have all had the timing belt replaced for starters.
    
    I only really have to go to forums to see that our local cars (particularly the commodore and falcon) have been painful to own. I bought a vu series two ute brand spanking several years back and it developed a noisy diff by 7,000 k's. I have spoken to owners of both holdens and fords and the news is often not much better. Endless brake issues and vibrations in the ford. Yet when I speak to people who own hyundais I don't get anything but positive feedback. Based on that alone it is apparent they do it better than we do here at home. Infact Hyundai rates only second to lexus in the USA for customer satisfaction.
    
    Holden's sales increase is largely due to the introduction of the Cruze. I realise the commodore has increased in sales also but the Cruze can be thanked for their spike in sales. Ford has barely moved and the reason is simple. Fleet buyers changed their habits several years back due to the woeful resale of falcodores. Holden's commodore always enjoyed a higher private ownership than the falcon and that is now playing out in the sales charts now that the fleets have gone elsewhere.
    
    My partner's Kia Rio is as good as the day we bought it with 30,000 k's put on it. It was less than half the price of the commalcon new. How do they compete with that? They can't. Which is why Holden made the wise move to go to Korea for their vehicles and that is now starting to pay off. The focus is dated and people don't want the falcon anymore. People need to remember that there is a long heritage with the falcodore and many buyers simply traded their local car in on another with the same badge. That tradition is dying fast. Many are fed up with the reliability issues and so their loyalty has worn down to nothing.
    • reply ” like !

      

      Jim says,
      10 months ago

      I have an FG auto XR6 Turbo 2010 model in which I purchased new. I'm a mature aged fellow with a bit of coin and bought it for a bit of fun. 30k later third set of rear tyres, flash tuned but the rest is standard and honestly it gets a hiding every time I sit my back side in it. To date I have had absolutely no problems with the car, none !!!!
      It goes hard and I love taking off at the lights beside an imported luxury sports car that probably owes the fellow two or three times what mine owes me and blowing most away, yes in my local made family car with a PCM upgrade. I invested the other $100k in a block of units.....and not in an imported car that I'd lose half the money I would pay for it in a couple of years. Dont get me wrong I like fast cars of any sort local or imported but there's nothing better than blowing off some guy with a carrot shoved up his @#$!and just smile at his girl friend in the passenger seat (in my local built car)
      
      For $40 plus some change I am very happy and have had a hell of a time in it.
• reply ” like !

  Troy Fisher says,
  3 years ago

  Any updates to the E-Gas model ??
• reply ” like !

  

  Callous says,
  3 years ago

  The best thing holden can do to ensure its future is develop the Torana sized car they showcased a few years back and put that twin turbo V6 in it. They could run it along side the Commodore for a brief time and they would see the commodore collapse. The world has changed its habits. People who have large families buy people movers. people who don't like mid to small sized cars nowadays.
• reply ” like !

  

  MJ says,
  3 years ago

  A lot of people with large families can't afford people movers.
  Hence high demand for second hand Falcons and Commodores.
  Mid to small FWD cars, no thank you.
  And I'm people.
  
• reply ” like !

  

  Wheelnut says,
  3 years ago

  Yeah; Holden should introduce the TT-36 Torana. However I wouldn't be too surprised if they eventually import the OPC AWD Twin Turbo V6 Insignia instead.
  
  If or when the Insignia arrives in Oz; I don't think it would see the end of the Commodore. Because there will always be those who want/need a Large RWD Family Sized Sedan like the Commodore. I mean Large Euro sedans such as the 5 series BMW are still proving to be just as popular aren't they?
  
  Not only that but there are rumours that Holden could introduce a Twin Turbo 3.6L V6 Commodore - capable of producing 300+Kw
• reply ” like !

  

  SUV says,
  3 years ago

  Callous......you are totally wrong. The Commodore only sells about 12000 to private buyers. Fleet are the only reason the Commodore survives which accounts for mostly the base model sold at a very cut rate with virtually no profit, hence a massive loss as just reported. The Falcon sells only 3% of the base XT and sells more of higher profit models such as XR6 and G6. Where did you get your info that Commodore sells more to private buyers ? Commodore is basically a fleet vehicle that why they can get away with having worst in class driveline, interior......etc.....
  
  
• reply ” like !

  

  MJ says,
  3 years ago

  @ callous to quote you.
  "I only really have to go to forums to see that our local cars (particularly the commodore and falcon) have been painful to own"
  Go to any Forum you'll get Ten complaints for each good comment.
  That's the nature of forums.
  Get out in the Real World.
  
• reply ” like !

  Bryant Morris says,
  3 years ago

  Good updates for the Falcon, though these should have been done a while ago. A little bit late I think.
• reply ” like !

  

  Wheelnut says,
  3 years ago

  Why would Ford bother with these updates improvements and changes on a car that [according to some] is going to be axed in a couple of years.. and [supposedly] replaced with the fully imported Taurus from the USA?
  Surely if that was the the case; they would leave the 5 star Falcon the way it is? and start working on the FWD car