Ford Falcon 2007 News

     

The dedicated gas Falcon is also good news for anyone hit by the rising price of petrol. The EcoLPi liquid phase injection promises zero compromises for the Falcon's six-cylinder engine, right up to the XR6, with  27 per more power and 10 per cent more torque than previous E-Gas LPG system and fuel consumption cut by 12-15 per cent. The new-age LPG system is coming a little late, a delay put down to the engineering load at Broadmeadows for the global T6 pickup development program, but nothing like the six-month overrun on the EcoBoost four-cylinder Falcon that won't hit showrooms until January 2012. Ford says it is using the most up-to-date LPG technology available, with much-improved operation and driveability than the previous ventur-  style vapour system fitted to its E-Gas Falcons. The heart of the system is an injection system that is similar to a conventional petrol engine, using a high-pressure fuel rail that delivers liquid LPG directly to the intake port. So there is no gas conversion before the liquid is fired into the cylinder for combustion. The system is also more controlled and efficient, which provides the boost to performance while also cutting consumption and CO2 emissions. "Falcon EcoLPi offers customers the power, torque and overall engine performance they expect from a traditional Aussie six ... while at the same time delivering the fuel costs of a smaller car," says the president of Ford Australia, Bob Graziano. Ford has yet to reveal the exact economy of the LPG system or the pricing.

The humble Ford Falcon depreciates faster than any other car on the Australian market, retaining only 47.9 per cent of its value after two years. The Falcon BF MkII slid from $39,890 when new in 2007 to a mere $19,100 to delight used car buyers but create a financial headache for its first owner. But though it topped the list for the car to lose more money in two years than any other, information from automotive researchers Glass's Information Services show the Falcon wasn't much different from its rivals, the now-obsolete Mitsubishi 380 SX and the VZ Holden Commodore. The 380, dumped from Mitsubishi's line up after its Adelaide factory closed last year, retained the same 47.9 per cent as the Falcon and is according to Glass's data, is now worth only $15,800. Glass's operations manager, Chris D'Sousa, says there should be no surprises that the large car sector — of which the 380, the Falcon and Commodore belong — has been hit the hardest on the used car market because of last year's surge in petrol prices. However, he acknowledges that the niche market of the FPV range resulted in the GT Cobra retaining 92.2 per cent of its value after two years. On the other side of the ledger, small cars fared much better. The 2007 small car that retained its value more than any other was the Honda Civic Hybrid with a massive 87.6 per cent of its value retained. It is listed as costing $32,990 new and is now $28,900. But it isn't all good news for the little cars with the worse performer being the Alfa Romeo 147 GTA three-door that fell from $63,990 new to $37,600 now. Even the baby light-car segment has its heroes — the Mazda2 with a whopping 92.1 per cent retained value — and losers. In this case the Proton Satria lost 40.5 per cent of its value, slipping from $18,990 new to $11,300 now. There were interesting winners in the medium-car class, where the Mercedes-Benz C-Class diesels occupied the top 10 places. Sports car winners were dominated by the Ferrari models — the best is the Scaglietti with a 101.9 per cent retention meaning it's worth more after two years than when new in 2007. Even more bizarre is the Ford F250 and F350 range that record a retained value of between 112 per cent and 122 per cent. Mr D'Sousa says these cab-chassis and crew-cab trucks wee highly sought after by tow-truck operators and fifth-wheel buyers and, because they were now out of production, the used market has soared. 2007 LARGE CARS (retained value): THE WORST: 1. Ford Falcon BF — 47.9% 2. Mitsubishi 380 — 47.9% 3. Holden Commodore VZ — 48% THE BEST: 1. Ford FPV GT Cobra — 92.2% 2. Mercedes E-Class — 72.9% 2007 MEDIUM CARS (retained value): THE WORST: 1. Saab 9-3 sedan — 56.4% 2. Jaguar X-Type V6 — 56.4% THE BEST: 1. Mercedes C-Class diesel — 80.8% 2. Ford Mondeo LX — 76.7% 2007 SMALL CARS (retained value): THE WORST: 1. Alfa Romeo 147 GTA — 58.9% THE BEST: 1. Honda Civic Hybrid — 87.6% 2007 LIGHT CARS (retained value): THE WORST: 1. Proton Satria — 59.5% THE BEST: 1. Mazda2 — 92.1% 2007 SPORTS CARS (retained value): THE WORST: 1. Citroen C4 VTS — 51.9% THE BEST: 1. Ferrari Scaglietti — 101.9% 2007 SUV COMPACT (retained value): THE WORST: 1. Ssangyong Actyon — 54.4% THE BEST: 1. Mazda CX-7 — 82.7% 2007 SUV MEDIUM (retained value): THE WORST: 1. Holden Adventra V6 — 56.8% THE BEST: 1. Toyota Prado diesel — 88.9% 2007 SUV LARGE (retained value): THE WORST: 1. Ford Explorer — 55.7% THE BEST: 1. Mercedes GL diesel — 92.2%

The recall involves all BF Series II and III and the new FG Falcon sedan, wagon and utility fitted with the factory-fitted LPG system, called E-Gas, which are popular with fleets and tradies.The cars affected were built from January 16, 2007 to August 22, 2008.The defect involves the brake booster check valve, which may develop a vacuum leak.Ford spokesman, Justin Lacy, said the valve can develop a leak, leading to reduced power assistance for the brakes.Details of the latest recall surfaced on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's website last Friday, ahead of the holiday weekend but have, until now, slipped under the radar.Worried owners should contact their local Ford dealer or Ford's customer relations line on 1800 503 672.In recent months Ford has been hit with a range of glitches that are damaging its hard-fought reputation.In March it was forced to recall 83,000 SX and SY Territorys to replace front brake hoses after widespread consumer reports of brake failures.The Herald Sun's Carsguide has uncovered a raft of quality problems at Broadmeadows after months of consumer complaints covering everything from brakes to rust and paint.The most recent concerns relate to front balljoint failures on high-mileage Territorys.In addition, Ford last month recalled its Focus and Mondeos to check problem with brake vacuum pumps.The recall for the LV Focus and MA Mondeo, built since last year, only affects those with a diesel engine.Ford says under certain conditions the supply of vacuum to the brake booster may be reduced causing a hard brake pedal and increase stopping distances.Ford is contacting known owners by mail.In March, Ford recalled more than 83,000 Territorys to fix a brake hose defect which was uncovered by Carsguide after complaints from readers.

This year has seen the market share of Commodore, Falcon and the Mitsubishi 380 fall to 19 per cent of new passenger vehicles, with only Toyota's Camry more or less immune.And while it was the biggest sales October ever, the share enjoyed by big Australian cars was reduced to 17.2 per cent. The lighter fare from Thailand achieved a best-ever 15.4 per cent. The Vfacts monthly bulletin, released this week by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, recorded that 89,289 motor vehicles were sold in October; an increase of 9359 on the same month last year.It beats the previous record for October, set in 2004, by more than 8000 sales. Year-to-date the market is up by 70,000 vehicles as it continues its charge towards breaking the one million mark for the first time.Yet against this bumper backdrop, 15,382 Australian-made units were shifted last month, mostly to fleets.Japanese-made cars continued their dominance but Thailand is where Honda's CR-V, Civic and Accord sedans are made. These and others, including Ford's Courier, which accounted for 13,825 sales in October.In sharp contrast to ever-diminishing local sales, that Thai-built percentage has increased by almost 50 per cent so far in 2007.Petrol prices are blamed for the decline of the great Australian six-cylinder. But the fact four medium-sized SUVs sold more than 1000 units each last month gives the lie to that.Yes, light cars, spearheaded by 1193 sales of the new Mazda2, experienced a sales surge, but the truth for the big Aussies is grimmer than the rising cost of the stuff that makes them go. The fact is that given wealth of choice, fewer and fewer Australians want the types of cars made in Australia.FCAI chief executive Andrew McKellar says the locals have never had it tougher.“The intensely competitive situation in the motor-vehicle market is being driven to a significant degree by the ongoing strength of the Australian dollar,” he says. McKellar says 4400 Commodores (excluding utes) were moved last month, so with about 300 more sales than the Corolla, it is the nation's number-one seller.Toyota's eggs are in more than one basket with the ever-competitive Yaris, Camry, RAV4 and Prado prominent among its 20,212 October sales. Holden managed 11,415 and Ford 8206. It was the first time that Toyota had outsold the combined total of Holden and Ford in any single month.Year-to-date Toyota leads Holden by 71,360 with the launch of the new LandCruiser this month.If Toyota's lead is unassailable, surely the success story is Mazda.At number four, the leading full-imported marque sells not a single car to fleets or rental companies. They all go to private buyers.October's best-ever 7271 sales represented Mazda's 10th record month in a row. Mazda's year-to-date total of 64,929 already surpasses its 2006 full-year sales result of 63,664.  Snapshot   Country of originJapan 31,838Australia 15,382Thailand 13,825Korea 9830Germany 3901South Africa 2434Belgium 1525US 1448Spain 1422France 1206 The biggest sellers1 Holden Commodore (Australia) 44402 Toyota Corolla (Japan) 41233 Mazda3 (Japan) 31254 Ford Falcon (Australia) 24395 Toyota Camry (Australia) 19946 Hyundai Getz (Korea) 18967 Toyota Aurion (Australia) 18318 Mitsubishi Lancer (Japan) 14469 Honda Civic (Thailand) 140910 Honda CR-V (Thailand) 129111 Toyota RAV4 (Japan) 129312 Toyota Prado (Japan) 127313 Suzuki Swift (Japan) 119714 Mazda2 (Japan) 119315 Ford Territory (Australia) 119016 Toyota Kluger and Subaru Forester (both Japan) 117317 Holden Astra (Belgium) 111818 Mitsubishi 380 (Australia) 110019 Holden Captiva (Korea) 109320 Nissan Tiida (Thailand) 1087 

They won only 17 per cent of a record October sales total, losing ground as family-focused four-wheel drives pushed back after a slight slump in September.The Holden Commodore was still Australia's favourite car, but light and small cars continued to drive the action in a year, which is set for an all-time result that could go as high as 1.1 million sales.The showroom total for October was 89,289 vehicles, up 9359 and 11.7 per cent on October 2006.Overall sales are now up 8.6 per cent, or almost 70,000, on the first 10 months last year.But the strength of the Australian dollar, which has contributed to massive competition among import brands and the renewed strength of four-wheel drives, took the edge off the results for Toyota, GM Holden, Ford and Mitsubishi.All four now report the difficulties of making money, with Toyota and Holden's booming export business also being hurt by the strong dollar.But the head of the motor industry's peak body; Andrew McKellar, chief executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries; denies they are making the wrong cars for Australia in 2007.“The fact is the market continues to get more competitive,” he said.But he conceded that, apart from some exceptional results in individual months, the locals' share of the market was as bad as it has been.“In part it's a reflection of the competitive position they are facing. Beyond that, I don't think it's easy to discern why the Commodore had a flat month, although the Falcon result is related to the model cycle,” Mr McKellar said.“It's the product and the mix of competitive price. The reality is, for the local manufacturers the fundamentals are making the competitive situation that much more difficult.”Mr McKellar said record new-car sales should not be a potential trigger for a rise in interest rates.Competition is toughest in the compact classes, with sales of light cars up 1150 and 11.5 per cent in October and small-car demand up 1472 and 8.3 per cent.The overall result for the month was more than 8000 sales ahead of the old record, set in October 2004.Toyota continued its run on top of the sales table, with a total of 20,212, which beat the combined results of GM Holden and Ford. 

Australia's number one party strip roared into gear yesterday with about 50,000 people arriving in Surfers Paradise for the country's most colourful motorsport carnival.The first cars screamed on to the track for practice yesterday but, with more than 300,000 people expected in the tourist mecca by Sunday, Indy week is as much about partying as it is racing.The best hotels in Surfers have been booked out for months, while landing a flight to Coolangatta airport is like finding full-strength beer at the cricket.For all the latest coverage on Indy this weekend, go to www.goldcoast.com.auBut while the hard stuff might be privy to the members at the SCG, getting a drink in Surfers Paradise is no harder than finding a bad pick-up line on Cavil Ave at 3am.With about 100 bars; not to mention the strip clubs sure to be packed over the next three nights, Indy week on the Gold Coast has been dubbed “Schoolies week for adults.”But you won't find any fake IDs in town this weekend, just a sea of black and white as grid fever grips the Gold Coast. The streets have been swamped with checkered race flags while local burger joints are serving up motor racing happy meals “V8 burgers” and “burnout fries with a large serving of high-octane cola.”The V8 Super Car Challenge; the fourth last round of the V8 championship; will take place after the Lexmark Indy 300 on Sunday afternoon. Regarded as a feeder competition to Formula One, the Indy series features the world's best up-and-coming drivers who race on tracks throughout the world in Champ cars.Although they look very similar to Formula One cars, the Champ cars are far less advanced and come at a fraction of the price.Those new to motorsport could have been forgiven for thinking Bathurst champion Craig Lowndes had parked his car in their hotel lobby; with about 15 replica 888 Fords doing the resort rounds.But V8 star Lowndes was yesterday dining with the stars of Australian motorsport at a lavish lunch at Jupiter's Casino.And while admitting even the drivers had been swept up by the party atmosphere, Lowndes declared Team Vodafone was on track to make it back-to-back series wins.“Our championship was lost here last year so we want to turn that from a negative to a positive,” Lowndes said. “We walked the track this morning and had a good chat about what went wrong last year and we have learnt from that.“We have always had a good car here and, as everyone will say, it is a great circuit because it is a street circuit with a lot of concrete walls and the crowding of the road.“We really need to put a lap together and I think it is really going to be a great weekend. We have four rounds remaining and I think this will be one of the most crucial ones.”After Holden's showing at Bathurst two weeks ago, you could forgive the red army if they decided to watch the girls instead of the race, with 30 Miss Indy finalists set to join the Gold Coast's famous meter maids for an eye-candy extravaganza. But HRT star Mark Skaife yesterday gave Holden fans a glimmer of hope when he declared the Holden team could still win the series.“We have had some opportunities to win some events and we haven't,” Skaife said.“Our speed has been good and now we have to get on with the four last rounds. Mathematically we have a hope. It is pretty remote but we are going to do the best job we can.”Fellow Holden driver and last year's Indy champion Todd Kelly said the new VE would be suited to the deadly track known as concrete canyon.“The cars are very good at Indy every year and I think our car will work well for this style of track,” Kelly said. “I can't wait to get out there.”  

Gore will be forced to watch the motor racing event on television at his home after suffering a burst ear drum.

The race is estimated to generate about $60 million a year for the Queensland economy, and it is regarded by the United States-based Champ Car organisation as the 'jewel in its crown.'While the Champ Cars previously held top billing they now share equal status with the Aussie-bred V8 Supercars.While the Champ cars are purebred, state of the art racing machines that scream through the streets of Surfers Paradise at speeds of close to 300km/h. The V8s are not far behind in speed and thunder through one of the toughest overtaking tracks on the motoring calendar.For all the latest coverage on Indy this weekend, go to www.goldcoast.com.auThe traditional V8 rivals; Ford and Holden; command huge armies of followers that descend on the Coast each year to witness their heroes battle, it's ours on the demanding street circuit.The event is held in late October each year (18-27 October, 2007), providing organisers with a huge logistical challenge, to erect a 4.2km track through the streets of Surfers Paradise.The heart of the holiday capital is transformed into a motoring mecca which boasts not only the Champ Cars and V8 Supercars but also drag races, Carrera Cup (Porshces), V8 utes and a bevy of other motoring attractions.And if you can’t get here then you can join the estimated half a billion television viewers that tune in to watch the motoring extravaganza each year.But it hasn’t always been smooth driving for the race that winds through the streets of Surfers Paradise and boasts the best scenic backdrop of almost any motor race in the world.When the event was established in 1991, Queensland’s political leaders were sceptical of its long-term future and when it hit the skids in 1998, losing $8 million, it took a courageous Queensland Government to come forward with a $10 million a year funding grant to keep it afloat.Now, to complement the racing schedule, scores of off-track events are held, including a Brazilian street parade and the Indy ball, which attracts 800 heavy hitters.Indy chairman terry Mackenroth says the event’s future is secure after negotiations took place recently to extend the contract with Champ Car bosses to 2012.“It’s the pre-eminent major event in Queensland and we want to keep it that way,” he said.“I think the success of Indy is very much a reflection of what can happen when a go-ahead city like the Gold Coast embraces it with such enthusiasm.”  Will you be watching the Indy race from your lounge?   View great photos of the 2008 Bartercard Miss Indy finalists 

Fans flocked to see the only Aussie celebrity with a car named after them at this year's motor show — the XR by Craig Lowndes Ford ute.Jayden Morrison, 7, is a huge fan of Lowndes and on Saturday got the chance to meet his hero.And there's one reason in particular he can't get enough of the driver he describes as “cool”. “I like him because he drives a Ford,” he said.Merchandise and memorabilia featuring the Ford star sold out at Bathurst last weekend and continues to be in big demand around Australia.Even Holden stores are selling Lowndes merchandise, with a Queensland shop requesting he make an in-store visit.And while some are suggesting he is reaching the level achieved by his mentor, the late great Peter Brock, Lowndes said he wouldn't go that far.“Peter had 25 to 30 years in the industry. I have only been in it for 10 years,” he said.“But I suppose I have the same sort of philosophy.“Fans are a big part of motor racing. I have always recognised that, Peter helped me to recognise that and I enjoy interacting with the fans.”Lowndes spent yesterday afternoon signing autographs and posing for photos for fans with his Bathurst-winning co-driver Jamie Whincup.His name is attached to a whole list of memorabilia including clothing, stickers, pens, photographs, even balloons and temporary tattoos, in what has become a multi-million dollar enterprise.The latest product to feature the Craig Lowndes signature is a limited edition “XR by Craig Lowndes” ute.Only 650 models have been released with an extra $6000 worth of equipment for an added $1000 to the price tag, starting from $37,990.“We've been working with Ford trying to make it happen and it's fantastic to now have not only a close relationship on the race track, but now off the track as well,” he said.“Cars have been my life, to turn that into a road vehicle everyone can drive, I have pleasure in it, it's pretty exciting.”