MIMS 2008 Falcon ready to boogie

Though Holden has been threatening to upstage Ford at the Melbourne International Motor Show with a wagon and a surprise reveal, it was the Blue Oval that took opening day start honours – and combined both wagon and surprise into one single stage star.

Today at 5pm, the gates open to the public, and Australia will finally be able to see (and sit in) the future of Falcon and FPV. While the full range of XT, XR and G Series Falcon sedans, both six- and eight-cylinder FPV models, and the Falcon Ute are on display, Ford will continue the long striptease by holding on to its pricing and power figures until the Falcon and FPV launch in late March.

One noted absentee on Fords huge new motor show stand was the BF MkIII Wagon. The only carryover BF in the new Falcon range was usurped on the stand by a Mondeo.

According to Ford Australia president Bill Osborne, the booted Mondeo is essentially a test case for Ford, who will use its presence at the show to gauge customer reaction and make a business case for the car.

Underneath the PR veneer, this wagon has to be a dead cert.

“The Mondeo Wagon creates a new niche, fitting in between the Mondeo sedan and hatch, and the Falcon sedan and wagon,” said Osborne.

“This will not detract from FG Falcon Wagon sales – that is more of a fleet prospect, while the Mondeo Wagon is aimed at the private buyer.”

This would explain the decision to continue the Falcon wagon as a refreshed BF for now; and in affordable XT base spec only…

Tellingly, the stylish Mondeo wagon on display features a 2.2-litre 129kW/400Nm diesel engine. Osborne admitted that the diesel powerplant is in high demand, and supply may be an issue when it comes to importing the oily wagon.

The display vehicle is highly specified, with dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and keyless start, voice activated Bluetooth, and a six-stacker stereo. It also hits a high point in safety, with seven airbags (including a driver’s knee ‘bag) and standard traction control and stability control. The boot holds up to 1733-litres of cargo volume.

And it doesn’t look half bad, either.