Ford Australia has announced a wide ranging series of changes to the entire Falcon range. These see the engine running more economically and producing fewer emissions. Additionally there are numerous safety upgrades.

The big Ford 4.0-litre straight six engine now complies with the upcoming Euro 4 emissions regulations, thanks to alterations in many areas, including better cold starting and a faster warm up, as well as faster fuel shut off during deceleration. The engine modifications are complemented by slight changes to the shift pattern of the six-speed automatic transmission. This six-speed is now the standard fitment on all petrol automatics, the LPG engine continues to use the older four-speed auto.

                 

Not only has Ford made the engine cleaner it has reduced the petrol consumption at the same time. Savings of as much as 8.5 per cent have been achieved when the latest engines are measured to official Australian standard tests. That's on the utes; sedan petrol savings range from 2.0 to 5.7 per cent on the naturally aspirated engines. The turbo engine has the same fuel consumption as before, but that's probably irrelevant to the typical owner of that powerplant.

On the downside, Ford Australia has been forced to fall into line with Ford's global policy of having more progressive takeoffs from a standstill. This contradicts the well-know Aussie drivers’ love of getting away from the lights like a drag racer at every opportunity. Commodore drivers may chose to take advantage of this – just joking, we couldn’t possibly condone anti-social behaviour.

         

Note that the above details apply to the six-cylinder engines in the Falcon range, improved version of the V8s are currently under development and will be introduced later in the year.

As well as the powertrain modifications, Ford has also improved safety levels on the XR6 and XR6 Turbo ute. Both now have the protection of side head-thorax airbags during a crash.

Bluetooth phone integration and iPod connections are now be fitted as standard across all FG Falcon sedans and utes except for utes with a column shift automatic transmission.

Though the Ford Falcon has slipped in popularity since the halcyon days when it was number one in Australia for long periods at a time, it continues to provide many with everything they need in a car. Its styling is elegant, ride comfort is brilliant even on rough bush roads, there's good interior space and the easygoing nature of this family car makes it simple to live with.

         

Price increases to reflect this range of changes are small and detailed here with old prices in brackets:
XT sedan: $40,290 ($39,690)
G6 sedan: $43,490 ($42,890)
G6E sedan: $50,390 ($49,890)
G6E Turbo: $58,990 ($57,890)
XR6 sedan: $42,990 ($42,890)
XR6 Turbo: $48,990 ($48,390)