Ford Falcon 2009 News

Ford has suffered a signficant sales setback over the past 18 months but the company's new chief, Marin Burela, says it has all the ammunition it needs to hit the target in Australia.He believes everything from the baby Fiesta to the homegrown Falcon has been undersold and is pushing a new line to revitalise the showroom action.An upbeat Burela was launching the $20 million Advanced Centre for Automotive Research and Training's environmental wind tunnel, noting the investment highlights the technology and innovation Ford is using to appeal to efficiency conscious consumers."This was once a myth and a dream," he says of the XT Falcon's 9.9-litres for 100km fuel consumption."There are some mainstream large volume four-cylinders that achieve that economy ... you can actually have a large car and be socially responsible."We've also been locked out of certain markets because we didn't have a large car with sub-240g/km emissions."Governments wouldn't even put us on their shopping lists."This Falcon now achieves emissions of 238g/km."I'll be knocking on the door of those governments (departments) and fleets.""For those who choose not to drive a large car, then the Fiesta actually provides better fuel economy than the (Toyota) Prius and at $15,000 less."Behind the positive spin is a simple fact — Ford's marketing hasn't matched its product.The Falcon was awarded Car of the Year by Carsguide and Wheels last year — and was last month outsold by the Commodore by 1554 cars.Ford is touting Paul Gover's assessment of the Fiesta as "the best car in class — simple as that" on a 12m billboard next to Melbourne’s Bolte Bridge — yet the best car in the segment is being outsold by the Toyota Yaris and Hyundai Getz."All we have to do is get Australian customers to accept the world is at their door," Burela says."We'll be advertising in a very focused, very specific way.""We need to get people to drive the cars and judge for themselves." 

The carmaker is working flat-out to boost Falcon sales and bridge the gap to the top-selling Holden Commodore.Under-bonnet tweaking is boosting economy and efficiency of the basic Falcon six to match the pace set by the Toyota Aurion, but the work does not stop there.There will also be an E-Gas XR6 coming later in the year. And ESP stability control will be available on E-Gas models from next month.The latest tweaked Territory, despite very minor body changes, also picks up a major economy boost.The improvement to the Falcon looks minor — just 0.2L/100km improvement — but that is enough to give the family Ford equal top billing with the Aurion in the large car class.Ford says a base-model Falcon XT fitted with the optional six-speed ZF automatic now uses 9.9L/100km, a figure that is a full 0.7 better than a Commodore Omega fitted with the four-speed auto.But there is a catch, as ticking the ZF box will cost an extra $2000 and takes the XT's price up to $40,290 against $39,290 for a base Omega. The six-speed automatic can also be selected on the G6, G6E and XR6 models.The latest changes to the Falcon come as the Broadmeadows battler was outsold 3544-1990 by the Commodore last month, despite the obvious edge from the six-speed self-shifter."The fuel economy program is ongoing. We've improved the efficiency more than 13 per cent since the BA (Falcon)," says Ford's product communications manager, Justin Lacy."Our share in the (large car) segment has actually increased over the past year. Obviously, volume is off, but as a percentage we're up.”The economy effort is a big one, with Ford's president Marin Burela claiming the Falcon now matches a four-cylinder car."Falcon XT continues to outclass its direct competitor on all the key performance measures, delivering 11 per cent more engine power and 20 per cent more torque, while at the same time using almost seven per cent less fuel," Burela says.To achieve the improvements on the inline six, Ford has fitted a new catalytic converter, revised the engine calibration for improved cold-start performance and a improved the calibration of the six-speed transmission.The ESP update on E-Gas models means they will be eligible for a five-star NCAP safety rating, although it has taken 14 months to get the necessary work done. Changes had to be made to calibration of the throttle control and spark retardation for E-gas-powered vehicles.Lacy says having stability control will lift the appeal of E-Gas range."This gives fleets that require stability control the option of considering the Falcons in petrol or E-Gas versions, so it's another competitive advantage," he says.The large-car refresh has also extended to the Territory with the SY Mark II boasting a five per cent improvement in fuel consumption on the five-seat TX and TS rear-wheel drive models. That drops their official consumption to 11.6L/100km, down from 12.2.The upgrade, previewed at the Melbourne Motor Show last month, also brings more standard equipment, with the TX picking up side curtain airbags, cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels and a colour-coded bumpers, door handles and mirrors, while the TS will also have a reverse parking camera, front fog lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel, handbrake and gearshift, and a third row seat as standard.Ghia models include an Alpine rear DVD system, side steps, rear privacy glass and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Courtney new hopeJames Courtney will be back in his new FG Falcon when the V8 Supercar championship gets underway again in Hamilton, New Zealand. The crash-prone new star of the Jim Beam team was relegated to an old BF Falcon for the Australian Grand Prix meet while his car was being repaired after slapping the wall during the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide.Reed near world titleChad Reed is on track for the world and AMA supercross titles despite another second place to American James Stewart in Toronto, Canada, last weekend. With four rounds to run the Aussie on the Rockstar Makita Suzuki has an eight-point break from Stewart.Boost for WallDavid Wall leads the Australian GT championship after the support races at the grand prix last weekend in his Porsche Carrera Cup S. He benefited from a disastrous weekend for Craig Baird in a Mosler. Tony Quinn was second in his Aston Martin and Jim Richards was third in another Porsche.Windus switchDarren Windus has switched brands for his home event in the Australian Rally Championship. The former Ford factory driver has hired a Toyota Corolla from Neal Bates in a deal that gives the defending champion the cash he needs to compete in the Forest Rally near Busselton, WA, this weekend.Percat at the doubleNick Percat is heads the Australian Formula Ford championship after winning both races at Albert Park ahead of 14-year-old New Zealander Mitch Evans. Chaz Mostert was third for the round. The Formula Ford title fight resumes at Winton on May 1-3.Stoner toast of JerezCasey Stoner has put another BMW in his garage after winning the qualifying test in the final pre-season MotoGP test at Jerez in Spain. The former world champion rode the latest Ducati to a 0.7 second win from Italian ace Valentino Rossi in a significant hitout before the season opener in Qatar.Mossig aims to motorPearcade rider Kade Mosig deubts for the Motorex KTM team on Sunday in the first round of the national motocross championship at Albury-Wodonga. Mosig will ride a KTM 250SX-F in the Pro Lites class and rates teammate Tye Simmonds, Matt Moss on a Suzuki and Kawasaki's Luke George as the riders to beat. Pro Open champ Jay Marmont will be the man to catch on his Yamaha.Tickets to BroadfordThe Honda Broadford Bike Bonanza is your chance to hit the track during the Easter holidays. Visitors can enjoy any or all of Broadford's circuits in a relaxed, non-competitive outing. The complex includes speedway, dirt track, minibike, observed trials, an enduro and three scrambles/motocross tracks. carsGuide has 10 passes to the event to give away.To enter, SMS the word BIKES and your name and address to 1993 3300 or ph: 1900 999 174. Competition calls cost 55c incl GST. More from mobile or public phones. Competition open to Victorian residents only and closes at midnight on Sunday. Winners will be notified by phone. 

Both the Falcon and Territory share their underpinnings, but the brake architecture of the latest FG model Falcon is different to previous model Falcons.

There is more to towing than just hitching the trailer or caravan and pulling into traffic for a trip.Anyone who has lost control of a loaded trailer or caravan can tell you that getting it wrong can have serious consequences.Even taking a load of junk to the tip or picking up a box-trailer load of garden supplies can get ugly — or worse — if you are not adequately prepared.And learning to back and park with a trailer on the tail takes skill.The potential for disaster is everywhere: from choosing the right tow vehicle and preparing it for the job, to carrying too much weight, incorrectly distributing the weight of the load, or failing to maintain a trailer or caravan.STARTING POINTThe first step into tow land is to decide what you want to tow.More importantly, you need to calculate how much it weighs when fully loaded and ready for the road.This will help you work out if you can keep your existing car or whether you need to buy something new, perhaps a four-wheel-drive if you have horses or a big boat, to handle the tow work.TOWING CAPACITIESAll modern vehicles have a rated towing capacity.For example, a big 4WD such as a Nissan Patrol has a maximum towing capacity of 3500kg, but a small car such as a Toyota Corolla has a towing capacity of only 1300kg.The towing capacity includes the trailer or caravan, as well as all its contents, so people intending to tow a caravan should include everything they plan to take with them, including full water tanks.If you already have the caravan/trailer and can borrow a friend's tow car for a while, then it is easy to work out the weight of what you are towing.Just go down to a public weighbridge and roll the trailer on to the scales.Most new caravans have a rating that tells you how much the van is able to safely weigh, then you can compare this figure with the car's towing capacity.If your vehicle doesn't have a specified towing capacity (this often happens with older cars), you are allowed to tow up to 1 1/2 times the unladen mass of the tow vehicle, as long as the trailer and braking system complies with the relevant Australian Design Rule.If the trailer is not fitted with brakes, the mass of the caravan/trailer must not exceed the unladen weight of the tow vehicle, or 750kg.BRAKESThere are two common types of trailer brakes.The older type is mechanical, which triggers a hydraulic system that reacts when the tow vehicle decelerates.New trailers and caravans have an electric braking system that is much easier to control.Apart from being adjustable, electric brakes can be operated separately from the tow vehicle's brakes. If a trailer or van starts to sway, the driver can apply its brakes separately and have a much better chance of bringing it under control.WEIGHT-DISTRIBUTION HITCHA tow vehicle running with its nose in the air and rear almost rubbing on the ground is dangerous.Apart from all the wear and tear it causes, it also affects steering and braking.So a weight-distribution hitch is an important part of safe towing.OTHER GEARIt is a legal requirement for drivers to have a clear view of the road at all times, so you should consider fitting larger mirrors or mirror extenders, especially if towing a caravan.SPREADING THE LOADThe way a trailer or caravan is loaded is important.Put too much weight at the front or too much at the back of the caravan/trailer and it will negatively affect the handling, perhaps leading to a crash.MAINTENANCEMost trailers are stored in the back yard and are not used often, so it is important that they be regularly check and maintained.Wiring can easily corrode, causing lights to stop working, tyres can crack from old age, wheel bearings can dry up and braking systems can seize.The same goes for caravans.They may also be fitted with gas cylinders for cooking, which need to be regularly checked.GETTING IT RIGHTTow-Ed driving instructor John Eggenhuizen, who runs a national towing course, says towing accidents happen far too often.He tells of a just-retired couple who bought a $70,000 Toyota LandCruiser and a $65,000 caravan to set off on holiday, only to lose control and write them off in a crash.Eggenhuizen says such accidents are often caused by poor caravan/trailer set-up and a lack of experience.He says proper training prepares drivers for such situations, but also helps drivers with the sometimes difficult task of backing a trailer or caravan.BUYING A TOW CARBigger is usually better when it comes to tow cars.You don't need to have a giant 4WD, but they are often the best machines for the job.Vehicles designed for carrying heavy loads, including 4WDs such as the Nissan Patrol, Toyota LandCruiser and Land Rover Discovery, are the best if you have a heavy caravan/trailer.Mid-sized 4WDs such as the Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Prado are also excellent, and family machines such as the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore are good.Ford Falcon wagons and utes make better tow cars than Holden Commodores and regular Falcons because they have leaf-spring suspensions, and the Ford Territory's extra weight and reduced rear overhang makes it a good tow vehicle.Small 4WDs such as the Subaru Outback or Nissan X-Trail are OK for towing relatively light loads.Turbo diesels are the prime engine choice for many tow cars because they have lots of torque and don't use as much fuel as a petrol engine.Six or eight-cylinder petrol engines are good because towing requires maximum pulling force. The more torque an engine has the better it will be for the job.Four-cylinder petrol engines can pull lighter loads, but often struggle with heavier cargo.TOW DRIVING TIPSAllow extra distance in traffic.Apply throttle and brakes more gently.If the caravan/trailer starts to sway do not apply the tow vehicle's brakes. If the trailer/caravan is fitted with independent electronic brakes, apply them slowly. If not, continue at a steady speed or accelerate slowly.Engage a lower gear for better control downhill.If possible, pull off the road to allow faster traffic to pass and stop more often to rest. 

New car prices are on the rise, demand is on the decline, used prestige cars have become hen's teeth and yet interest rates are spiralling to historic lows.It's a difficult market for the new car buyer who's chasing value.So we've come up with the list of the six best light cars and sports cars: Ones that will hold their value more than others over a five-year period.And just to show you how better these cars are compared with others, we've included the model that is expected to devalue the most.Australian-built cars provide a comparison. For example, the base-model Ford Falcon is expected to retain 27 per cent of its value after five years, slicing more than two-thirds off its $37,690 purchase price to $10,176. Toyota and Holden products are similar.Glass's Information Services' Operations manager, Chris D'Sousa, devised a future value list that forecasts what new models will be worth in five years.It's used mainly for fleet buyers — government, councils and big business — though has implications for private motorists.Rather than crystal-ball gazing, Mr D'Souza says there's a lot of analysing of data from a broad field."Forecasting includes 20 indicators and to that is applied an adjustment factor," he says."For example, we knew the VE Commodore was coming so values of the then current VZ Commodore were adjusted downwards early."We use the data of 40,000 cars each month and then adjust for odometer readings, condition, the type of model, the options and so on."These are some of the factors that are used to determine future value."Private buyers can determine the future value of their next car by visiting www.glassguide.com.au and clicking on the yellow VW Beetle. LIGHT CARS: 1. RENAULT Clio Sport 197:new $36,490after 5yrs — $15,690retained value — 43% 2. PEUGEOT 207 (range):new from $26,990after 5yr $11,336retained value — 42% 3. VOLKSWAGEN Polo GTi:new $26,990after 5yr $11,336retained value — 42% 4. FIAT 500 Lounge:new $28,990after 5yr $12,176retained value — 42% 5. SUZUKI Swift:new $19,990after 5yr $7996retained value — 40% 6. MAZDA2:new $20,860after 5yr $8344retained value — 40% 7. KIA Rio hatch:new $16,990after 5yr $5267retained value — 31% Sports cars have traditionally held their heads higher on the resale list because of their emotive value.Buyers yearning for an exotic sports car generally wait until one falls in their price range and often that means a used example.So prices are stronger than, say, sedans. However, all are not equal.Note that the Top 6 in this list are, with the exception of the RX-8, all convertibles. The RX-8 enters this fraternity partially because it is a four-seater sports car.Unusually, an Alfa Romeo makes it into the Top 6 with the Spider 3.2-litre V6. However, in the same breath, one of the lowest in the list is also an Alfa — this time a GT Coupe. SPORTS CARS:1. BMW 125i Convertible:new $79,644after 5yr $36,636retained value — 46% 2. MAZDA MX-5:new $49,835after 5yr $22,426retained value — 45% 3. ALFA Romeo Spider 3.2new $92,990after 5yr $41,846retained value — 45% 4. NISSAN 350Z Roadster:new $75,490after 5yr $33,971retained value — 45% 5. MAZDA RX-8:new $58,084after 5yr $26,138retained value — 45% 6. VOLKSWAGEN Eos:new $50,430after 5yr $22,694retained value — 45% 7. ALFA Romeo GT Coupe:new $69,990after 5yr $19,597retained value — 28% COMPARISON CARS:FORD G6E Turbo:new $56,390after 5yr $18,045retained value — 32% HOLDEN Calais Sportwagen:new $57,290after 5yr $18,333retained value — 32% HOLDEN Commodore Omega:new $36,890after 5yr $11,067retained value — 30% TOYOTA Camry:new $28,490after 5yr $8262retained value — 29% TOYOTA Aurion Prodigy:new $39,990after 5yr $11,197retained value — 28% FORD Falcon XT:new $37,690after 5yr $10,176retained value — 27% 

It’s not the one at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, but the one played out under lights at dealerships across the country for almost every day of the year.When the sales top one million vehicles it has to be rated as a good year, even though there were plenty of tests, trials and tribulations on the way to the second-best result in motoring history.The eventual mark was 1,012,164, although that will not be matched in 2009 despite the excitement generated by the newcomers at this year’s Melbourne show.All forecasters are predicting a 10-15 per cent slide in new-car demand, as the global economic meltdown and rising unemployment take the edge off consumer confidence, with a likely result in the 850,000-900,000 range.But there is no questioning the million-car run through 2008, which followed a record in 2007, as Toyota stormed to its sixth straight year as sales leader while the Holden Commodore was Australia’s favourite car for the 13th consecutive year.“This is positive news for the Australian automotive industry,” says the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce’s Murray Collins.“There is little doubt that 2008 was a challenging year, so to achieve one million new vehicle sales is a very good effort.”There were plenty of highlights last year, as Maserati claimed “fastest growing car company” rights, Audi had another boom year, and Mazda, Subaru and Volkswagen also improved their results among the top-10 runners.But Holden and Ford went backwards again, as their big Aussie sixes suffered the worst results on record thanks to fuel prices.Mitsubishi, Nissan and Honda were also down from the highs of 2007. Their combined results were actually beaten by Toyota, which topped the charts with 238,983 sales — and also exported more than 100,000 Melbourne-made Camry and Aurion sedans.Brand T is almost certain to be No.1 again in 2009, thanks to its momentum and GM Holden’s decision to concentrate on profits ahead of outright showroom volume.“The next 12 months are expected to be tough for all concerned,” Collins says.“But the industry is looking ahead with confidence after receiving significant support towards the end of 2008.”The $6.2 billion New Car Plan showed the Rudd Government was committed to a sustainable automotive industry. And the Special Purpose Vehicle — the $2 billion floorplan rescue package — was a timely breakthrough by Treasurer Wayne Swan to end the dealer finance crisis.”The story of Australia’s new-car showrooms in 2008 was a win for buyers, as big dollar deals on everything from a $29,990 Holden Commodore to a $9990 Hyundai Getz helped prevent a total meltdown.Big stocks mean the analysts were predicting continued deals through to this month to clear ‘08 vehicles, followed by the arrival of the major newcomers of ‘09.But there will be a penalty, with prices rising off the back of the slide in the Australian dollar through the second half of last year. Greats ‘08 TOP MODELSHolden Commodore 51,093Toyota Corolla 47,901Toyota HiLux 42,956Mazda3 33,755Ford Falcon 31,936Toyota Yaris 26,097Toyota Camry 23,067Mitsubishi Lancer 19,688Toyota Aurion 19,562Nissan Navara 18,574TOP BRANDSToyota 238,983Holden 130,338Ford 104,715Mazda 79,826Mitsubishi 60,692Nissan 59,214Honda 52,571Hyundai 45,409Subaru 38,492Volkswagen 29,875 The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show... 

New challenge aheadCarrera Cup racers in Australia are looking for other challenges, including the latest GT championship, after the collapse of the Porsche one-make series. This year's championship was canned after only eight entries were received for the planned season opener on the streets of Adelaide for the Clipsal 500 meeting.A grip on the gridSebastian Bourdais has filled one of the few open seats on this year's Formula One starting grid, being renewed for a second year at Toro Rosso. Bourdais is a former multiple Champ Car series winner.Johnson in EnduroSteven Johnson will tune up for the V8 Supercar season by racing a Falcon at Bathurst. He is a late addition to the field for the 12-hour Showroom Enduro at Mount Panorama on February 22, sharing an FG-model Falcon GT-P with Nathan Tinkler and Nathan Callaghan.Life ban for drag racerChampion drag racer Brett Stevens has been banned for life and all his records and championships suspended after being charged with drug offences.Ambrose Daytona debutMarcos Ambrose will become the first Australian to start in the Daytona 500 this weekend in Florida, as he begins his first full season in Nascar's Sprint Cup with a Toyota Camry. 

The wraps come off his all-new FG Falcon this morning and Frosty is already working on what he needs to improve from runner-up to champion in this year's series."Every year is a different challenge. Every year you have to do the best you can," Winterbottom says."Last year we came close, and as a driver or sportsman you want to improve. There are definitely areas we need to improve, and if we do then we'll be around the money."The goal for the year is to minimise mistakes, and that should put us up there."Winterbottom believes his new Orrcon-backed FG, which was also displayed as it will be raced by Steven Richards, is the best thing yet from Ford Performance Racing. But he is not predicting a walk-over."You instantly think a new car should be quicker. But tte BF was already a pretty dominant car over the VE. So to think it will be a lot quicker - well, it won't happen," he said."You have to up the success rate, and that means being quick at all tracks. Not being quick at one track and then struggling at the next.We need to improve the consistency and minimise the mistakes."Winterbottom says he has done all he can to boost his own performance, even using a renovation project in Melbourne to improve his fitness."I've been up on the roof, ripping things out. And I run to the house, so it all helps," he says."I'm fitter now than I have ever been, by a long way. You look at all the areas you can improve."Everyone can improve. I'm pretty hard on myself, so I look at some rounds last year and realise where we made mistakes. That's where I can focus, so that's what I've been working on."He is expecting a similar step up from the FPR crew, which is one of only two factory-backed teams - Stone Brothers Racing is the other - to survive a Ford cull at the end of 2008."The team is pretty tough on themselves. They want to improve."Winterbottom will not drive his new FG until the start of March but has been keeping close tabs on development."I've been to sit in it and have a look around. I'm happier," he says."Also, the guys are happy because it is a lot easier to work on. If everyone is happy at the workshop, and they are not working 24 hour days, the team functions a lot better." 

It is believed to be the first time the brand has grabbed number one sales spot for a month.