Falcon Falcon FG 2008 Review

It is arguably the best car ever built in Australia and certainly the new benchmark for Australian family cars. The styling may not be a drop-dead revolution, rather a gentle evolution retaining all the cues of a line of Falcons stretching back eight generations, but dynamically the FG is a triumph.

And now after months of drip feeds and look-but-don't-touch reveals the all-new FG Falcon range hit the roads this week and we were there to drive the entire range. Here's our verdict.

The immediate impression of the FG range, from the fleet special XT through to the G6E Turbo in the luxury stream, is refinement. The cabins look good, the materials and tonings are well thought out and even the XT's trim, while certainly cost effective, is not nasty.

Ergonomics are generally good with the restyled and repositioned central information screen easy to read with clear, well placed graphics. The seats are comfortable with the upper luxury models benefiting from a soft leather treatment while the sports line of XR6, XR6 Turbo and XR8 are fitted with a moderately bolstered sports seat.

Height adjustment on the seats is reasonable but the bottom of the range of movement is too high, particularly with the steering wheel tilt adjustment in need of more upward range.

However, it is when you fire up the FG that the real winning character of the car comes through. It is not the attributes of the 4.0-litre in-line six, even in its brilliant turbocharged state, nor even the 5.4-litre 290 Boss V8. It is what the engineers have done in three key areas of the FG that set it apart from the rest of the pack.

The improvements in noise, vibration and harshness are more than substantial, from the refinements to the front suspension through a virtual pivot control link, modifications to the control blade independent rear suspension and the use of monotube shock absorbers across the sedan range. Wind noise improvement is the result of an industry-leading inset door design perfected from earlier work done on similar design by Ford of Europe and Land Rover.

The result is the ability to carry on a normal tone conversation in the cabin at speeds above 100km/h on typical Australian rough-chip roads.

The third major step forward is in the use of the Bishop variable ratio steering system recently incorporated into the Mercedes-Benz SL roadsters. The Australian-developed system provides precise road feel, good on centre balance without any hint of nervousness while still providing ample assistance for slow speed parking or manoeuvring.

The full FG sedan range is:

XT ($36,490): May be the “fleet special” in the FG range but has not been punished for that. Shares the same inline six-cylinder engine and five-speed automatic drivetrain as the G6 and rides on the same platform as the rest of the range. Interior is more basic but drives with the same refinement as higher-spec cars.

G6 ($39,990): The entry-level model for the luxury sports line-up picks up a more up-market interior, a luxury sports suspension tune and 17-inch alloys. The engine/transmission package is the same as the XT with the ride more focussed through the sports tuning of the monotube shocks and control blade rear suspension.

G6E ($46,990): Gains further luxury interior trims with leather seats and reversing camera and curtain airbags as standard. The suspension tune and drive characteristics are the same as the G6 again with 17-inch alloys.

G6E Turbo: ($54,990): This is the prize in the crackerjack box. As Holden's Calais V stood out from the VE range as a special package, so does the G6E Turbo in the FG range. With a bespoke luxury performance suspension tune this car is a delight to drive. The ride is unfussed, power delivery smooth and wide-ranging and the general balance and manners of the car without peer in the large family sedan world.

XR6 ($39,990): The entry to the performance stream comes standard with the five-speed automatic, sports-tuned rear suspension and 17-inch alloys. Optional are a six-speed automatic, six-speed manual and 18- or 19-inch alloys. The XR rides tighter than the G cars but benefits from the NVH and general refinements.

XR6 Turbo ($45,490): Has all the creamy smooth power of the I-6 Turbo now coupled to a suspension and steering package that notably enhances the experience. Huge grabs of torque are on tap from way down in the rev range

right through to approaching peak revs. A six-speed manual is standard fit with the six-speed ZF automatic optional.

XR8 ($45,490): The Boss 290 V8 benefits from being coupled to the new 6-speed manual with shorter throws and more precise gates. It shares specification levels with the XR6 Turbo but drive characteristics all its own.

So what's the pick of the bunch? We asked new Ford Australia boss Bill Osborne for his choice.

“I liked all the cars I drove but the G6E Turbo is my personal choice. This car is an absolute credit to all the guys who worked to develop it.”

Following the static launch of the FG last month, Osborne predicted the Blue Oval would regain dominance over arch rival Holden in the large family car segment.

“It's something that's not going to be accomplished overnight,” Osborne said at the time. “But I think it [FG] is head and shoulders above our principle competitors in the market.”

SNAPSHOT

FORD FALCON FG

Price: from $36,490 (XT) to G6E Turbo $54,990

Engine: 4.0L/6-cylinder, 195kW/391Nm; 4.0L/6-cylinder E-Gas, 156kW/371Nm; 4.0L/6-cylinder Turbo, 270kW/533Nm; 5.4L/V8, 290kW/520Nm

Transmission: 5-speed auto (XT, G6; optional XR6); 6-speed auto (G6E, G6E turbo; optional XT, XR6, X8, G6); 6-speed manual (XR6 Turbo, XR8)

Economy: 10.5L/100km (XT, G6), 10.1L/100km (XR6, G6E), 11.7L/100km (XR6 Turbo, G6E Turbo), 14L/100km (XR8 opt 6-speed auto)