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Four-cylinder Ford Falcon confirmed

  • By Craig Duff
  • Herald Sun
  • 01 February 2012
  • image

    EcoBoost engines are already on sale in a number of Ford vehicles around the world.

The first Ford Falcon with a four-cylinder engine is go.

And it will go head-to-head with Ford's traditional six in showrooms. The new fuel economy champion has just been confirmed at the same price as the existing six and loses little in terms of off-the-line acceleration. Carsguide recorded a 0-100km/h sprint time of 7.5 seconds during a private test at the Ford Proving Ground late last year. 

The 8.1 litres/100km fuel use represents an improvement of 18 per cent over the six-cylinder Falcon. Just as importantly, the 2.0 litre turbo and direct injection engine has similar performance and will be priced to match the in-line six in XT, G6 and G6E guise. 

The six-cylinder engine produces marginally more power and torque. Helping offset the difference is the fact the four-cylinder car weighs in around 60kg lighter, despite extra sound-deadening to soften the harsher noise of the direct-injection engine.

That translates into better turn-in during coerning and a better feel through the steering wheel while driving on roads. The EcoBoost engine will also be sold in the up-spec G6 and G6E models, where the fuel use is 8.5 litres/100km - a 14 per cent improvement; while CO2 emissions will be cut by 14.8 per cent to just 201g/km. 

Ford Australia president Bob Graziano says the Ecoboost engine is the most cost-effective way to improve fuel use and cut emissions. "Our goal has been to find the the sweet spot for Australian consumers to give them the fuel efficiency they need, combined with the power they want.

Ford's global EcoBoost technology does just that - without any price premium.'' For Australia spokesman Neil McDonald confirms the pricing will match the six-cylinder models.

"There's got to be a strong message to the fleets and private buyers that this is viable option,'' McDonald says. "This should do it.'' EcoBoost engines are already on sale in a number of Ford vehicles around the world and by 2013, will be available in 80 per cent of the company's global nameplates. The Falcon EcoBoost will be on sale around Australia in April or May this year.

Model Fuel use fuel use CO2 emissions 

Ford Falcon EcoBoost XT  - 8,1 litres/100km, 192g/km
Ford Falcon XT - 9.9 litres/100km, 235g/km

Comments on this story

Displaying 3 of 16 comments

  • I look forward to driving one - I have the current XR6T and love it to bits - you'll never explain it to a Holden owner - they're just don't get it. By the way, the 4 cylinder option Commodore sold in NZ for years after the VC. The diesel from the Territory or Ranger would work, the Ranger has heaps of grunt for towing - if enough ask we may just get. What we do need is to stop buying imported in favour of locally made - its the loss of our kids jobs we are paying for when we buy from north of the equator. Remember knowledge of the Diesel Territory was denied right up until it rolled out the door! Share the love!

    Rob from Bellbowrie of Brisbane Posted on 27 April 2012 11:23am

  • I have just come back from towing an 18' caravan to Darwin and back behind my Falcon 6, and it did it with ease - can't imagine doing that with a 4 cylinder without having it rev it's little head off all the way.

    Alan Jenkins of Pearcedale Posted on 14 February 2012 2:33pm

  • EcoLPI, Ecoboost, turbo diesel... we have the technology, why can Ford market it? Why cant the stupid car buying public (and journalists alike) say good things about these cheap-to-run, and reasonable alternatives, when they are clearly heading in the right direction? So why not turbo, direct injection, LPG, Turbo Diesel and Ecoboost, all available in the falcon - and a similar V8? All the same technology - that works! No one is hearing the good sides because your marketing team is useless FORD!

    Marshall of Adelaide Posted on 14 February 2012 2:38am

  • I don't understand - why isn't the diesel from Territory in the Falcon. I'd have thought it fairly straight forward seeing they share so much component.

    Alan of Logan City Posted on 10 February 2012 10:36pm

  • Escorts are full of rust, you will snap whats left of the chassis....

    Small Ford Stink Posted on 10 February 2012 8:59pm

  • ROTTON RON, Yes it was a flop, it also came out in the VC commodore, BUT that was a N/A motor that made less power than the 6 cylinder version, so obviously it's not even a comparison to a turbo charged motor that makes more power and more torque. Obviously delivery of power WILL be different, but so long as it's been done correctly the car will still drive as well. Maybe in future you should make informed descissions not just knee jerk reactions. Andrew: 8.1l/100km out of a full sized family car is quite good in comparison to the Mitsubishi Lancer at about half the size of the Ford using 8.8l/100km, a quick look on the interwebs at the BMW 328i shows only a 6.3l/100km. Which is 1.8 l/100km but when combined with the extra $36,000 to buythe BMW it doesn't take a rocket surgeon to figure out you would still be a long way in front in the Falcon.

    Clayton of Caboolture Qld Posted on 09 February 2012 11:34am

  • I'm very excited! I can't wait to strip one of these babies and jam it into my Escort! Yeeha. Thanks Ford. As for the shell, it makes an excellent additon to the housing crises (cup holders are more versitile than u think!) not to mention it being the core of a good dirt bike jump should you compact some mother nature on top!

    Old School Ford of Sydney Posted on 09 February 2012 10:47am

  • @ ROTTON RON FYI the 4-cylinder Cruze is bigger and heavier than the VH 4-cylinder! So that shows how out of date your argument is! Merc and BMW are switching more and more of their line up to 4 cylinder too. Get with the program, even Holden will soon have the Malibu to compete against the Falcon 4!

    Rob Filipe of Melbourne Posted on 09 February 2012 10:35am

  • Remember what happened when Holden bought out a Commodore VH 4 cylinder it was a slop, and so will this be big heavy FOrd with a piss ant 2.0l motor. LMAO.

    ROTTON RON of AUSTRALIA Posted on 08 February 2012 9:11pm

  • Agree with Woodpecker. Ford doesn't market their products well. Also, the 4cyl should be cheaper than the 6 to encourage its use as well. The car has enormous potential but it needs to shed weight which would improve performance and economy. Ford could ditch the petrol 6 now and just run LPG and ecoboost.

    Max @ of Aldinga Beach SA Posted on 08 February 2012 6:11pm

  • What about an EcoLPi four cylinder... or is that stretching the friendship?

    David of Felixstow, S.A. Posted on 08 February 2012 5:48pm

  • How is 8.1 liters per hundred good these days?? Wheres a diesel option?

    Andrew Posted on 08 February 2012 5:27pm

  • This isn't news, it was confirmed months ago

    Geoff of Melbourne Posted on 05 February 2012 11:23am

  • The more I read about this Falcon the more I love it. I'll wait for the road tests, but my slightly used, well thrashed Cruze might be on the market soon.

    Shaks Back Posted on 02 February 2012 3:51pm

  • Lets hope that Ford market it correctly, as well as the 6 cylinder gas version, which we haven't heard much about. We need an Aussie designed and built car to remain on Australian roads.

    Woodpecker of Northern Beaches Posted on 02 February 2012 10:06am

  • I'm looking forward to driving one of these and see how they go, I really hope it works for the Falcon, for the sake of Ford and our local manufacturing industry. I know lots of people want to see the diesel engine in the Falcon ... after driving a number of turbo diesels recently, I much prefer a good petrol motor for driveability and the exhaust note.

    Buddha of Brisbane Posted on 02 February 2012 9:50am
Read all 16 comments

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