Ford Falcon 2005 News

The next-generation Ford Falcon will go better and use less fuel than the current BA model.The Orion-series Falcon will be on the road in March and take Ford's elderly in-line six into its final years before it is replaced by an imported V6 in 2010.But Ford Australia has not given up on the engine, company vice-president of product development Trevor Worthington promises CARSguide some significant improvements for next year, when it appears in the Orion.“The engine has a lot more opportunity in it and we are going to wring its neck for all of that opportunity,” Worthington says.“I'm not going to sit here and say what we are doing, but every time we have improved the engine since BA, (including) performance, fuel economy and refinement and you can be guaranteed we are going to continue down that path.”The Falcon's in-line six was substantially upgraded for the introduction of the BA Falcon model range in 2002 with a package that included twin-overhead camshafts with variable valve timing, as well as the turbo for the XR6.The engine was further improved for the introduction of the 2005 BF Falcon, when camshaft revisions increased power to 190kW and torque to 383Nm.Significantly, fuel consumption was reduced and the six-speed ZF automatic transmission added.That gave the six-speed BF Falcon an official fuel economy figure of 10.2 litres for 100km - 0.7 litres less than the leanest model in the VE Commodore range, though still 0.3 litres more than Toyota's locally developed Aurion V6.GM Holden's $1 billion VE Commodore did not deliver a significant improvement in fuel economy last year and some models actually used slightly more fuel because of extra weight, than the models they replaced.Worthington does not name the VE, but hints at Holden's competitor to the Falcon when he says it is imperative that any new Ford model should deliver fuel savings over the last.“That is what the customers want. If you are not moving forwards, you are going backwards,” he says.“You can't introduce a new car and (have) worse fuel economy. Some of our rivals have done that, but if you were a customer, what would you say?”He says other elements of the car must be as good or better than those of the previous models and it is the same with the engine.“If I get into a car and I have worse ergonomics or worse brakes . . . if you are trading in the old one, you expect everything to get better, and the powertrain is a really big part of it.”Though some improvements will be introduced for the Orion Falcon, others include design changes that would have seen the in-line six upgraded to satisfy Euro4 emission requirements, which were frozen when Ford Australia decided to switch to a US-sourced V6 from 2010. 

The type of used car you buy could mean the difference between life and death, an Australian study says.The study found, for example, that drivers and passengers are 26 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a Daihatsu Hi-Jet microvan (made between 1982-1990), than a VW Golf hatch (1999-2004), the 2007 Used Car Safety Ratings report says.And the Transport Accident Commission believes the report's release could potentially slash the road toll by a third.Released in Melbourne yesterday, the study examined more than 2.8 million cars of 279 different types involved in crashes from 1987-2005 in Australia and New Zealand.Researchers rated vehicles on how much protection was offered to drivers and how much the vehicle was likely to harm other road users in an accident.Small cars and other vehicles built before 1990 performed worst for safety, with the Daihatsu Hi-Jet, Daewoo Kalos (2003-2004) and Ford Falcon XE/XF (1982-1988) poor examples.About two-thirds of cars in the worst performing category were light cars, including the Daewoo Kalos (now badged as Holden Barina) and the Hyundai Getz.Cars rated the highest for protection were the VW Golf and Bora models (built between 1999 and 2004) and the Holden Astra TS (1998-2005).Most four-wheel drives scored average or better results for occupant protection, but were more likely to harm or kill other road users.The report was conducted by the Monash University Accident Research Centre with support from Royal Automobile Club of Victoria, TAC, VicRoads and state and federal road authorities.VicRoads vehicle safety chief Ross McArthur said selecting a vehicle that met minimum safety standards was not enough.“You can get good performing cars that are cheaper and you can get cars that are more expensive that don't perform as well,” Mr McArthur said.“As a rule, the newer the car is, the better performance it has, but that's not always the case so you need to be informed.”The cost of a vehicle also did not necessarily mean it was safer, said RACV chief vehicle engineer Michael Case.Consumers needed to consider the safety ratings when buying a car to ensure its safety.Mr Case said structural design and safety equipment such as airbags played an important role.“Among small cars, the Toyota Corolla, the Holden Astra and the VW Golf have performed well and these vehicles are very affordable for used-car buyers,” he said.  Safety scoreVehicles scoring better than average in crashes:VW Golf/Bora (1999-2004)Holden Astra TS (1998-2005)Toyota Corolla (1998-2001)Honda Accord (1991-1993)Mercedes C Class (1995-2000)Peugeot 405 (1989-1997)Subaru Liberty/Legacy (1989-1993)Toyota Cressida/Mark II (1989-1993)Subaru Forester (1997-2002) Models that scored worse than average:Mitsubishi Cordia (1983-1987)Ford Falcon XE/XF (1982-1988)Mitsubishi Starwagon/Delica/L300 (1983-1986 and 1987-1993)Toyota Tarago (1983-1989)Toyota Hiace/Liteace (1982-1986 and 1987-1989 and 1990-1995).Source: 2007 Used Car Safety Ratings report 

Less than 20 laps have been completed in the past hour with two separate safety car periods for crashes to Michael Caruso and Paul Radisich.

Skaife, who drove the last of the flying laps, finished in 2min 07.422sec to earn his fifth Bathurst pole, just one behind all-time leader Peter Brock, who has six.This year's trophy has been named in honour of Brock, who died last month in a crash during the Targa West rally near Perth, and Skaife remembered him after his super lap."Everybody from 'red land' is so supportive and hoping the red team brings home a special victory for Peter, if that happens," Skaife, who will drive tomorrow's endurance race with teammate Garth Tander, said.The front row of the grid tomorrow will be left empty as a mark of respect to Brock, who won the Bathurst 1000 a record nine times.Skaife was third fastest in this morning's practice session at Mount Panorama, with Todd Kelly and Jason Bright nipping ahead of him in the early hours.But Skaife, who is defending the title he won at Bathurst last year, said he wasn't expecting to move too quickly this morning, but knew he would be hard to beat later in the day."I needed to work very hard on the first sector as yesterday I didn't do a good job there," Skaife told Channel 10."But it was a great lap, and good enough to be there (in position one)."This is the best race track you'll ever drive around, and this afternoon, the ambient temperature is right up and the track temperature is up, so that's as fast as you're going to go."Toby Forage is editor of FOXsports.com.au

Holden's Mark Porter and Ford's David Clark have both been taken to hospital after a heavy crash in the Fujitsu V8 Supercar series race.Ambulance crews and paramedics attended to both Porter and Clark at the track for over an hour, the NRMA Careflight helicopter departing the track a short time ago.Officials have yet to comment on the accident. New Zealand born Porter, 31, is based on the Gold Coast and is married with one child.He was scheduled to also contest the main Bathurst 1000 race for the sixth time this weekend in the Team BOC Falcon shared with Dale Brede.Western Australian born Clark, 26, lives in Adelaide and is married with three children.The accident occured on lap 12 of 14 of today's Fujitsu series race.Porter spun sideways near Reid park on the climb up the mountain, stalled and was left stranded in the middle of the track in an area blinded to oncoming traffic.Chris Alajajian put his car sideways and ripped the rear of both his and Porter's car.Then Clark, who also put his Falcon sideways in an attempt to escape collision, crashed directly into the driver's side door of Porter on his driver's side.Police closed the circuit immediately following the accident.Racing resumed after an hour delay with the Bathurst 1000 qualifying session.AAP

Holden young gun Rick Kelly fired the first salvo at Ford by flaunting the past seven Bathurst victories by the Commodore at Mount Panorama.

Due to a late release, however, Ford's BF Falcon did not make it into contention; the older BA was judged instead. Just how much does this mix things around?Coming in fourth in the Best Car stakes, and with neither a Lumina nor Executive available for this comparison, the Commodore misses out as CARSguide rates Australia's leading family cars.PriceThe Sonata (Elite) comes in below the other two at $34,490 for the auto. The Falcon XT in auto is $35,880, the 380 in auto is $35,990.It is here that it must be noted why the Elite (the top-spec model) is in. The Sonata's price and specification levels make it a tough competitor in this group.EngineAll three cars feature a six-cylinder engine. The BF takes out the power stakes with 190kW, the 380 has 175kW, the Sonata 173kW. Talking torque, the Falcon again dominates with a solid 383Nm, the 380 is next with 343Nm then the Sonata with 304Nm.But this is all mixed up when power-to- weight ratios are looked at. The Sonata and the XT end up with the same power-to-weight ratio (9.1kg per kilowatt), the 380 marginally higher at 9.5kg per kilowatt.On the road, the Falcon is punchy throughout most of the rev range and the Sonata is also responsive. The 380 is a bit doughy when compared to the other two but has plenty of power nonetheless. The Sonata has a Euro 4 compliant engine, the other pair are Euro 3.TransmissionsBoth the 380 and the Elite scored high with five-speed automatics. The BF only has a four-speed auto. All three have the option of manual shifting. All three have smooth gear changes, the 380's probably slightly better.Driving dynamicsOn ride, handling, braking, noise and vibration, Sonata and the XT both give comfortable rides but the Sonata lost out in the handling department with light steering that gets kickback and is vague on turn-in.The 380 and the BF both handle well, although it comes down to personal tastein the front-wheel drive versus the rear-wheel drive debate. The XT has the quietest ride.Fuel economyThe Sonata uses 10.1 litres of fuel every 100km, the most miserly of the trio, but it must be stressed here that less than one litre every 100km separates them.SafetyThe Sonata again gained top marks. All three get standard driver and passenger front airbags. The Sonata adds curtain airbags and a standard electronic stability program and the 380 has side airbags as standard. Both the Falcon and the Elite have a traction control system as standard fitment whereas the 380 does not. All have standard ABS brakes, the XT and 380 add electronic brakeforce distribution.Exterior stylingThe Sonata rates well here, with a more aggressive stance, bigger wheels and its dual rear tail pipes. The 380 has some nice angles on the road but the front is not its best side.The BF is a little bland, with not much change from the once-radical BA.The Sonata has 17-inch alloys (and also has an alloy spare), while the 380 and BF wear 16-inch steel shoes.InteriorFor comfort, space and practicality, the Elite is the only one to have a leather interior; the Falcon gets velour, the 380 cloth.For interior looks, it's a battle between the Sonata and the BF. The 380's interior is fresh-looking but there were a few quality issues.Vibration-deadening material has dislodged from the gap between the dash and the side of the car on both sides, leaving a sticky ugly strip. The side seat-plastic fell off and the CD player became stuck with a CD in it. All three have plenty of rear leg room.In terms of practicality, though, the 380's lack of split-folding rear seats is a disadvantage when compared to the other two, with just a small hatch to put long objects through. The BF has split-folding rear seats but while it hasn't much of a full-size opening from the boot it is much larger than the 380's.The Sonata's boot is the largest and the most practical. It is the only one with full split-folding rear seats (lockable) and also has a lining on the boot lid. The hinges are non-intrusive on all three.Standard featuresThis is the section where the Sonata excels. All three have standard airconditioning and power mirrors. The BF misses out on standard rear power-windows ($470). The Sonata has one-touch driver's window raising as well, not just lowering.The BF's wheel is the most comfortable, albeit a little fat. The 380's wheel is too skinny, while the Sonata's wheel makes the hands feel sweaty. But it is the only one that is reach adjustable. Sonata and BF have steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. The 380 also features stereo mounted controls which are located at the back of the wheel.Sonata features in-dash six-CD, the others a single-disc player. Sonata also has rear parking sensors, fog lights and grip mats on all the cupholders.WarrantyThe 380 was tops here, with a five-year warranty, combined with 10 years' warranty on the drivetrain (up to 130,000km) and five-year roadside assistance. Hyundai offers five-year/130,000km new car warranty on the Sonata, Ford a three-year/100,000kmwarranty and roadside assistance.VERDICT:Total scores: Sonata 74/80, XT Falcon 69/80, 380 64/80. Even though the driving dynamics suffered against the other two, with high levels of safety, comfort and good engine and transmission package, Elite tops the tree. BF also offers a good package, but lacks a five-speed box. The 380 is still well above average but suffered in standard features, lack of traction control and no split-fold rear seats.

It is safe and sure, this purple kilometre eater, as it sweeps past slower travellers. Now it settles back into a loafing run, swallowing up the lumps of highway. With the going down, out through Goondiwindi and down the Newell highway, onto the Oxley, into Dubbo for the night, there is the anticipation, the dreaming of The Great Race. It is some 1100km from the centre of Brisbane to the hallowed Mount Panorama at Bathurst, 210km west of Sydney. There are truck stops – with dining rooms for professional drivers and prints with campfire Indians dreaming of buffalo. There are wide open plains, stands of cypress pines and tidy country towns. There are the spring-green paddocks of Bathurst, dotted with sheep. And then there is the Mountain, home since 1963 to the greatest of Australian motor races and now the domain of Australia's V8 Supercars. It is the old argument, handed from father to son, Ford versus Holden. This is a solid 12-hour run from Brisbane without red flags and with a co-driver. It is a run through the heartland in a V8 Falcon and V8 Commodore, a run through places where these sedans can stretch out a bit. Out here a V8 tourer makes sense, for comfort, safety and fuel economy. The 5.4litre, Ford V8 returns 12.4litres per 100km going south. Holden's 5.7litre comes in at 11litres per 100km on the run back. The big V8s are strolling here, the Commodore running just over 1500rpm in sixth gear for 110km/h. The four-speed auto Ford is running closer to 2000rpm. Neither car is stressed, not even when the taps are opened to flow past slower-moving machinery. There is need to sweep past, with hard acceleration and some V8 authority, as a little Korean machine is tucked between an interstate trucker and caravaner struggling uphill at 90km/h, and all nose-to-tail. Maybe the Ford or the Holden, slip briefly into the illegal zone. This happens from time to time, for it is a far safer option than hanging out on the wrong side of the bitumen. Tell that to the judge. And tell it on the Mountain, this big lump of hill that rises out the central western plains of NSW. This is a sacred place and on October weekends an extra special place for rumbling and roaring V8 Holdens and Fords that share body shells and some other bits with these road-going SS and XR8 warriors. This year it was again Greg Murphy and Rick Kelly's KMart Commodore at the end of a long day, 161 turns up and over the mountain. Then the tribes disperse, back to all corners of the country. The return is a bit more of a drag, more traffic, more tired. The sandwich stops are quicker, less fun. Up and back the red SS Commodore attracts the most attention. This is the VZ with the fake air-intakes on the flanks. The XR8 is a more subtle purple and there is less detail work. It is bold in the bonnet, the power bulge standing tall and proud. That minimalist feel is carried through to the cabin. It's simple and workmanlike, yet comfortable and more spacious than the SS. The Holden cabin too works well. It is a bit busier and bolder in detail work, with shades of grey, silver and red instrument dials. The SS has more sporting ambience; the XR8 is more sombre in its approach. The Holden turns in a little sharper and the ride is a little edgier. Here with the six-speed manual there is the chance to run up and down the gearbox for maximum effect and best use of the 470Nm of torque for the best chance of getting away from trouble. It may be a little notchy but the six-speed manual is tops for touring. Drop back to fifth for the uphill climbs or a gentle pass, back to fourth for a quick and hard run around another convoy of trucks and trailers. Sixth helps with highway economy. The Ford XR8 is that bit smoother over this 1100km run to the top of the mountain. This is a more gentle tourer, the ride more compliant, the four-speed auto less work. Never be fooled, for when the lever is flicked to sport and revs lift, the 5.4 litre Ford rises to the occasion with a full-throated bellow. There's a little extra, and earlier, torque here over the Holden. And here the Ford recognises its connection to those Falcons running up Bathurst's mountain straight. Neither Ford nor Holden put a wheel wrong over the Brisbane-Bathurst haul. Both cabins are quiet and comfortable, packed with bits from six-stacker CD players to airconditioning and cup holders. Both run with good economy, stress free. Both these heroes can run hard to stay out of trouble on the wrong side of the road. These are fine road machines that pay homage to those mighty V8 Supercars and they still make sense on these long runs.