Ford Falcon 2015 News

If you're looking for a new set of wheels, economists say buying a car now is the most affordable it's been since 1976.CommSec compared how many weeks of wages are needed to pay for a standard new Ford or Holden.An average income earner today has to toil for 25.4 weeks to purchase a Ford Falcon XT auto sedan.Four years ago, it took 32 weeks of work to pay for an equivalent model. A decade ago it took 37 weeks.A Holden Commodore Executive V6 auto costs 27.9 weeks in average wages, down from 31.8 weeks four years ago and 37 weeks a decade ago.CommSec's Savanth Sebastian said wages growth off the back of the mining boom had driven up affordability.While pay packets were easing, car manufacturer competition was expected to help contain future prices.CommSec's research found that a BMW 318i four-door auto was worth 41.4 weeks of work for an average earner now, compared with 55.2 weeks a decade ago.For those with plenty of cash, a Porsche Boxster will set you back 72.8 weeks' worth of average wages. That compares with 121.5 weeks in 2004.

Ford’s final V8 Falcon to match SS V Redline with $52,490 starting price, but with up to 75kW and 53Nm of extra grunt.The Falcon XR8 is about to rejoin Ford’s model lineup for the first time since 2010, replacing the FPV performance brand when the FG MkII Falcon lineup bows out later this year.The new V8 sedan will be the halo model for the FG X Falcon, the last Australian-built Ford sedan as the brand prepares to close its local manufacturing facilities in 2016.Using the 335kW/570Nm ‘Boss’ 5.0-litre supercharged V8 that was previously exclusive to the FPV GT, the new XR8 is only bested by the 351kW FG MkII Falcon GT F for outright grunt when it comes to fast Aussie Fords.But where the now sold-out GT F was limited to just 500 units for Australia and 50 for New Zealand, the new XR8 will be an ongoing model.Priced from $52,490 with a six-speed manual transmission or $54,690 with the six-speed auto, the XR8 will also be significantly cheaper than the GT F’s $77,990 list price.It’s not like has Ford cheaped out on the suspension either, as the XR8 gets the same hardware as 2012’s GT RSPEC and the GT F.The new XR8 is only bested by the 351kW GT F for outright grunt when it comes to fast Aussie FordsThe RSPEC suspension adopts retuned rear springs and dampers, a thicker rear stabiliser bar, revised front dampers, stiffer front spring mounts and stiffer front control arm bushes over the standard Falcon.The XR8’s tyres also mimic the staggered-fitment of the RSPEC and GT F, with wider 275mm hoops at the rear, while Brembo four-piston brakes feature up front with single-piston items at the rear.On top of these additional features, the XR8 adopts a limited slip differential, quad-tip exhaust system, upgraded cooling fan, and sports steering setup.It also rides on the same ‘shadow-line’ 19-inch alloy wheels as the RSPEC and GT F models, and features a bulging bonnet that is unique to the V8 hero model.Other styling features include ‘W’ shaped daytime running lights, rear spoiler and more aggressive grille treatment.Inside, the XR8 gains leather sports seats with grey inserts, sports pedals and steering wheel, satnav with traffic message channel, dual-zone climate control, and eight-inch display with Ford’s SYNC2 multimedia interface.The system brings voice-activated satnav and climate control systems, as well as DAB digital radio and Wi-fi hotspot connectivity.The XR8 Falcon will also be fitted as standard with a reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers and front parking sensors on top of the rear sensors already fitted to current FG Series II sedans.Ford has priced the new XR8 identically to its track-tuned Holden Commodore SS V Redline arch rival. However, the lion brand’s naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V8 pumps out 65 fewer kilowatts and 40 newton metres less in manual guise than the Ford’s blown 5.0-litre ‘Miami’ motor.This gap widens to 75kW/53Nm when comparing automatic variants, with SS autos using the less powerful Active Fuel Management (AFM) equipped engine.Ford are yet to make any performance claims for the new XR8, but 0-100km/h should be a match for the sub-5.0 second times achieved by the RSPEC with the same outputs.Combined fuel consumption for the manual is 13.6L/100km and 13.7L/100km for the automatic. Both models represent the last of the Aussie performance car genre and won’t be directly replaced once Ford and Holden close their local manufacturing facilities in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

Australia's most powerful police car -- the Ford Falcon GT-F -- has been tuned by racing legend Dick Johnson and now has 800 horsepower.It has more power than any of the V8 Supercars at this year's Bathurst 1000.It can detect stolen cars in milliseconds, and spot speeding drivers from up to a kilometre away.It's not a bird, it's not a plane. It's Australia's most powerful -- and most technically advanced -- police car.The NSW highway patrol have taken delivery of one of the last ever Ford Falcon GT sedans -- which, in a one-off special, has a supercharged V8 tuned by racing legend Dick Johnson to a staggering 800 horsepower, or 600 kilowatts in modern terms.RELATED: Australian police could get Ford MustangsMORE: Police take delivery of a supercharged Falcon GT Not only does this police car's power eclipse the V8 Supercars on the grid at next weekend's Bathurst 1000 (which each have about 600 horsepower or 450 kilowatts) it has almost twice as much grunt as a standard Ford Falcon GT.The high-powered and high-tech police car was funded by the NSW Centre for Road Safety and joins two other special models -- a HSV GTS and an earlier Ford Falcon GT -- to target hoon drivers.The police super-computer in a super-car is due to be unveiled today at the launch of the long weekend double demerits road safety campaign and will make its first official public appearance in the spectator areas of the Bathurst 1000 car race.Since double demerit points were applied to speeding and seatbelt fines in 1997, figures show there has been a 20 per cent reduction in fatal crashes over the relevant holiday periods.While the new police car is equipped with the latest technology to catch high-speed crooks and banned drivers, it will spend most of its time parked at shows and community events."It's about talking to car enthusiasts on their level and having them understand the technology we have available," said John Hartley, NSW Police assistant commissioner and commander of traffic and highway patrol."The vast majority of motoring enthusiasts are safe drivers who do the right thing...but once more people realise how much technology we have to detect dangerous drivers, hopefully they'll be less inclined to break the law."Since NSW Police fitted number-plate reading technology to its fleet of 400 highway patrol cars in November 2009, the cameras have detected 141,000 unregistered cars, 20,000 unlicenced drivers, and 5600 wanted criminals. The roof-mounted cameras also helped police detect 47,000 other driving offences.Figures show unregistered cars and unlicenced drivers are involved in 25 per cent of all road deaths, even though they only account for about 1 per cent of all cars and drivers on the road.Police regularly use high-profile cars to attract attention rather than write tickets.Police in North Sydney's Harbourside Area Command have just been loaned their third Porsche in as many years.Queensland police have previously had a fleet of 10 hotted-up Holden Monaros and currently have a fleet of five HSV Clubsport V8 sedans; known as the "Fatal Five" they're used to target trouble spots.Victoria police have previously had a HSV GTO V8 coupe and once had a turbocharged Falcon ute to line up against hoons at off-street drag races.Meanwhile, the highway patrol in all states and territories are unsure what will replace their trusty V8 Holden Commodore and turbo Ford Falcon pursuit sedans once Australian car manufacturing ends in 2017.The Falcon and Commodore are due to be replaced by imported front-wheel-drive four-cylinder and V6 fleet cars similar to the Toyota Camry and Mitsubishi Magna.High-powered BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes used by German police are deemed too expensive in Australia -- costing at least twice as much as a Falcon or Commodore.It means the highway patrol could end up like real life Mad Max-style cops in Ford Mustangs, which is expected to cost the same as a Ford Falcon V8.Police in Victoria, NSW and Queensland regularly used V8 coupes -- such as Valiant Chargers and Falcon coupes -- in the late 1970s.The only V8 car confirmed for Holden and Ford showrooms so far is the new Mustang. Holden does not yet have a V8 model of any description confirmed beyond 2017.Fast facts:Ford Falcon GT-F: most powerful police car everSupercharged 5.0-litre V8 enginePower: 600 kilowatts in modern measurements or 800 horsepower in old-school numbers (up from 351kW or 470hp)In modern terms, the Falcon GT-F's power has increased from the standard output of 351kW to 600kW, hence the ‘600' plaque next to Dick Johnson's name under the bonnet.Racing grade Brembo brakes front and rearDunlop high-performance tyres (wider at the rear than at the front to improve grip)Technology: how fast are you going now?On-board tablet computer to check licence status, outstanding warrants, photo ID the driver (mobile fingerprint technology being rolled out)Front and rear cameras record non-stop footage to a fireproof and tamperproof safe in the bootThese two cameras can beam live images to the police operations room to monitor critical incidents (other cars will eventually be upgraded)Three automatic number plate recognition cameras can detect unregistered cars -- and cars likely to be driven by wanted or banned drivers -- day or nightDrug testing equipment joins the latest breath test units with GPS so police can track where the high alcohol readings are, and target those areasDigital encrypted radio; earlier police radio systems could be heard by scanners bought cheaply at electronics stores, today's radio network is more secureLong range radar can detect speeding vehicles up to 1 kilometre away on the open roadHandheld laser units can pinpoint individual cars in traffic, zooming in on an area the size of a number plate. The latest laser unit also records vision for evidence in court to prove the police stopped the right carNew LED blue and red emergency lights are brighter than before and have complete 360 degree coverage to be easier to spot in intersections; more powerful ‘takedown' lights beam directly into the back windows of cars stopped by police

Big price cuts and extra value for new Ford Falcon and Territory.With Falcon sales continuing to fall further behind those of arch-rival Holden Commodore, Ford Australia has announced significant price cuts across the range led by a reduction of just under $10,000 on the range-topping G6E Turbo.Additional equipment in what is destined to be the final Falcon model has also been added with front parking sensors and a reversing camera now standard in all models as well as an upgraded version of the Ford SYNC system including an 8-inch colour touch screen. There’s now also a new Wi-Fi hot spot capability, a second USB socket and new DAB+ digital radio.Styling changes include new alloy wheel designs and new graphics across the range as well as new front fascia, badging, headlamps and daytime running lights on G6E and XR6 models.The prices of the entry-level Falcon Ute have increased by $800 although that is more than offset by the inclusion of climate control air conditioning, a $2000 option in the FG Mark II. The XR6 Utes are all down by between $1380 and $3750. List prices of the new Ford Falcon FG X range (previous FG MkII in brackets) are:Falcon XT 4.0-litre petrol automatic: $35,900 ($37,235)Falcon XR6 4.0-litre petrol manual: $35,590 ($39,990)Falcon XR6 4.0-litre petrol automatic: $37,790 ($40,990)Falcon XR6 Turbo 4.0-litre turbo-petrol manual: $42,990 ($46,235)Falcon XR6 Turbo 4.0-litre turbo-petrol automatic: $45,190 ($48,235)Falcon G6E 4.0L petrol automatic: $40,110 ($46,735)Falcon G6E Turbo 4.0-litre turbo-petrol automatic: $46,550 ($56,235)Falcon Ute cab chassis 4.0-litre petrol automatic: $29,390 ($28,590)Falcon Ute SSB 4.0-litre petrol automatic: $29,790 ($28,990)XR 6 cab chassis 4.0-litre petrol automatic: $32,140 ($35,890)XR 6 SSB 4.0-litre petrol automatic: $32,640 ($36,190)XR 6 Turbo SSB 4.0-litre petrol automatic: $39,910 ($41,190) The Ford Territory SUV has received the combination of lower prices and extra equipment with all models now getting SYNC including emergency assistance and price cuts of between $3000 and $6500.List prices of the new Territory SZ Mk II (previous Mk I in brackets) are:TX RWD 4.0-litre petrol automatic: $36,990 ($39,990)TX RWD 2.7-litre diesel automatic: $40,240 ($43,240)TX AWD 2.7-litre diesel automatic: $45,240 ($48,240)TS RWD 4.0-litre petrol automatic: $41,740 ($47,740)TS RWD 2.7-litre diesel automatic: $44,990 ($50,990)TS AWD 2.7-litre diesel automatic: $49,990 ($55,990)Titanium RWD 4.0-litre petrol automatic: $48,490 ($54,990)Titanium RWD 2.7-litre diesel automatic: $51,740 ($58,060)Titanium AWD 2.7-litre diesel automatic: $56,740 ($59,990)

Ford reveals pricing and features for the FG X Falcon sedan and ute range ahead of their showroom debut later this year.The FG X Ford Falcon range will arrive in showrooms towards the end of this year carrying significant price reductions and efficiency gains over existing FG MkII models.In terms of styling the FG-X Falcon range receives a redesigned front bumper design with Ford’s new trapezoidal grille, while XR models gain daytime running LEDs integrated into the headlights.At the rear, sedan models feature a new taillight design that looks similar to those of the Jaguar XF. There are also restyled alloy wheels fitted to each model.Inside the final Falcon gains Ford’s new Sync 2 multimedia interface with voice-activated audio and climate systems, emergency assistance and Wi-fi hotspot capability. This is also accessible through an 8-inch touchscreen which also houses the DAB digital radio and satnav. The new model will also come standard with front parking sensors, in addition to the rear sensors fitted to existing FG MkII Falcons.FALCON SEDANThe entry grade will now simply be known as the Falcon, and the automatic 4.0-litre six-cylinder model’s $35,900 list price is $1,335 cheaper than the outgoing FG MkII XT, but still more expensive than its $35,490 Holden Commodore Evoke nearest rival.Combined fuel consumption for the base Falcon has been improved by a significant 0.9L for a new official figure of 9.0L/100km – but still can’t quite match the petrol Commodore Evoke’s 8.3L/100km.Ford says a new ZF 6-speed automatic transmission, along with improved aerodynamics, has resulted in reduced fuel consumption across and all naturally aspirated six-cylinder Falcon models and the base Ecoboost, compared to the outgoing FG MkII.   The more advanced 6HP21 ZF six-speed auto introduced with the FG MkII Ecoboost models will now also be fitted to all naturally-aspirated six-cylinder Falcon models - including EcoLPi.The more aerodynamic FG X body shape has also contributed to improving efficiency, along with the FG MkII EcoBoost models’ underbody aerodynamic aids now being applied to all bar the XR8. At $35,490 or $4400 less than the outgoing model, the manual 4.0-litre XR6 sports model will actually be the cheapest FG X Falcon model available, while the automatic version starts at $37,790 – representing a $3200 price drop. The Commodore SV6 is priced from $36,490.Fuel consumption for the XR6 auto has dropped by 0.4L to 9.5L/100km combined, while the manual remains the same at 11.1L/100km.The new XR6 Turbo carries a $3245 price drop at $42,990 in manual form, while the automatic version will be $3045 cheaper at $45,190.Fuel consumption figures for the high-performance turbo model are unchanged from the outgoing FG MkII XR6 Turbo, at 11.7L/100km combined for the auto and 12.0L/100km for the three pedal version.The revised Falcon G6E luxury range receives the biggest price cut with the 4.0-litre automatic model priced from $40,110 - $6625 less than the outgoing equivalent.The new G6E mirrors the efficiency gains of the non-turbo XR6, with a 0.4L improvement to 9.5L/100km combined.The force-fed G6E Turbo model will take a $9685 price cut for 2015 and start at $46,550, significantly less than the $53,990 Holden Calais V8 sedan.Combined fuel consumption for the turbo luxury model is also unchanged from its FG MkII predecessor at 11.7L/100km.The best Falcon fuel consumption continues to be available with the 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine, which now consumes 0.1L less at 8.0L/100km in base Falcon form, but 0.2L more at 8.7L/100km in G6E trim. The turbocharged four-cylinder Ecoboost engine will remain a no-cost option on the base and G6E Falcon sedans. Ford's EcoLPi gas system remains a $2500 option across auto-equipped base and XR6 Falcon models, while the G6E EcoLPi will no longer be available.The base LPG model uses 11.7L/100km - down from 12.3L/100km -, while the XR6 drinks 0.2L/100km more than before at 12.6L/100km.FALCON UTILITYFord has also revealed pricing for the updated Falcon Utility range, which kicks off with the $29,390 4.0-litre automatic cab-chassis model. The tub model is slightly more expensive at $29,790, while both base models carry an $800 price increase over their FG MkII equivalents.The new XR6 cab-chassis ute will be priced from $32,140, or $3750 less than the outgoing model, while the tubbed model will cost $32,640 – representing a $3550 price drop.The new XR6 Turbo ute will only be available in tub body style and will start from $39,910, or $1380 less than the current model.Ford is yet to confirm fuel figures for the new FG X Utility lineup. SUSPENSIONThe final Falcon has also been treated to a number of suspension upgrades that aim to provide a more involving driving experience without sacrificing ride comfort. Base FG X Falcon sedans use a modified version of the outgoing G6 luxury model's suspension, adding a thicker front stabiliser bar, retuned front and rear springs and dampers, a smaller rear stabiliser bar on the EcoLPi model and new suspension geometry to compliment updated Michelin tyres. The base EcoLPi Falcon adopts the same suspension tune as the current XR6 EcoLPi in FG X form. The new EcoBoost models ride on a modified G6E suspension with retuned springs and dampers at each corner, while a rear stabiliser bar has been added and geometry changed made to suit the new Michelins. These changes are said to improve grip during turn-in, while increasing traction and retaining suspension compliance and comfort. The FG X Falcon range and SZ MkII Territory lineup will be the final Australian-built Ford products, as the brand prepares to close its local manufacturing facilities in 2016. Ford Australia will however continue to design and engineer vehicles for the global market.

It’s official: the updated Falcon and Territory can save your life in one phone call to Triple Zero. .Ford has confirmed that the last ever Ford Falcon and the refreshed Ford Territory SUV will come with lifesaving technology that will automatically call 000 immediately after a crash. If the airbags deploy, the car will automatically call emergency services, providing a mobile phone is already connected via Bluetooth and is in range. The line will stay open -- and block all other calls -- until the emergency operator can make voice contact. If there is no response, the operators at Triple Zero can send police and ambulance crews to the scene because they have the exact location thanks to the GPS co-ordinates sent by the phone. There are no costs or subscriptions associated with the service; it will be free on every new Falcon sedan and ute and Territory SUV from later this year. The technology has been available on some imported Ford models for about a year but this is the first time it has been fitted to an Australian-made car. Ford says the technology will be on all Ford vehicles sold in Australia by 2017. “Ford’s Emergency Assistance has already proved itself as a life-saver overseas and we expect our Falcon and Territory customers will appreciate the reassurance that comes with this technology,” said Ford Australia Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Service, Graeme Whickman. 

New Ford Falcon the first Australian-made car to automatically dial 000 if you crash. The Ford Falcon may be heading for the car park in the sky but it could save your life with help from above. The new Falcon due in local showrooms later this year -- the car that will see the end of the line for Ford manufacturing in 2016 -- will become the first Australian-made vehicle that can automatically dial 000 if you have a crash. If the airbags are deployed the car will automatically call emergency services, providing a phone is paired via Bluetooth. If the 000 operator cannot make voice contact with the driver or passengers, emergency services will be able to send police, fire and ambulance officers to the crash scene using the GPS co-ordinates sent by the phone. Given that time saves lives -- especially in remote areas -- it is expected the technology will increase the chances of survival in severe crashes.Ford has had the 000 technology in a selected number of its imported cars for 12 months, but the system is expected to be fitted to all new Ford Falcon sedans and Territory SUVs from later this year.It is part of Ford's plan to put every available piece of technology into the last Falcon to broaden its customer appeal and make it all the way to the proposed deadline of October 2016, when the Broadmeadows car assembly line and Geelong engine and stamping plants are due to close. Contrary to reports warning of an early shutdown Ford Australia is adamant it will continue to build cars until the very end, in part because the imported vehicles that replace them will not be ready until then. When asked by News Corp Australia last month if the current production rate of just 83 cars per day was sustainable, the boss of Ford Australia, Bob Graziano, said: "Yes." When asked if there was any cause for concern about an early closure, Mr Graziano said: "No". The man of few words said it was always Ford's plan to go the distance, but the picture had become clearer in recent months and that the current output was enough to the keep the factory running. "There is no change to the plan," said Mr Graziano said, adding that the Falcon and Territory were selling relatively well compared to other vehicles in their segments. Ford's 000 technology is part of a system that the company calls "SYNC 2"; it also enables the driver to control the radio, air-conditioning and navigation systems by voice commands so they can keep their hands on the steering wheel. Before its introduction locally Ford tailored the system to understand Australian accents after some misunderstandings with earlier versions. The Ford system is the first of its type in an Australian-made car because it calls emergency services directly.  Holden had a telematics system from 2001 to 2010 but it required a third party to make a call to emergency services. The Holden system could also unlock the car if the keys were left in it, and could track and immobilise the car if it was stolen. But Holden stopped fitting the system to its luxury cars in 2008 and made it available as an option until 2010, when it switched off the system. 

The upcoming 2015 Ford Mustang muscle car could keep Ford in the V8 Supercar championship. Prominent V8 Supercars team owner Rod Nash says Ford's famous Mustang-branded muscle car could be the future for the brand in the Australian motorsports category.The last model of the Ford Falcon is set to be released toward the end of the year and Ford's decision to cease local manufacturing by October 2016 has increased doubts over the company's continuing participation in V8 Supercars.Nash, who is a co-owner in the factory-backed Ford Performance Racing (FPR) team, believes the two-door Mustang coupe could be the car to keep Ford in the championship. A sixth-generation version of the Mustang is due for release in Australia in the latter part of next year.Nash says the possibility of racing the car in future years of the V8s is one his team has to look at. "The opportunity is there for a V8 Supercar to be a two-door," Nash said before the round in Townsville this weekend."If we want to do a two-door vehicle going forward then that will be part of it. It's all part of manufacturers going forward and being able to accommodate what they want to do."With the Holden Commodore also facing extinction no later than 2017, V8 Supercars has opened itself to the possibility of changing current regulations to allow two-door coupes to race alongside or in place of the current four-door sedan designs allowed. If that change is adopted, not only will Ford be able to race Mustangs but cars such as Chevrolet Camaros and Dodge Challengers could join the grid."Nothing is granted until you put it up through the V8 Supercars Commission," Nash said. "Any subject has to go up so it's not mandated that you just go out and do it."

The final Falcon and Territory have been caught testing on the road. These are the best pictures yet of the final Falcon with a see-through car bra revealing the shape of the production car's grille.We also snapped the first shots of the facelifted Territory, confirming there will be some minor facial work but no significant revisions to the rear.Ford will launch the last Falcon in November, weeks before the updated Territory goes on sale. Production of both ends in late 2016.Despite plummeting Falcon sales and the accepted wisdom that it will be ditched early, Ford is carrying out significant body revisions to its former hero. The model, known internally as the 201X Falcon, will have a fresh bonnet and bumper, a new bootlid and rear guards, as well as narrower headlights and flatter tail-lights that spread into the bootlid.There will be daytime LED running lights at the front and a fresh Ford family grille, more prominent than that of the current FG II as well as new-look alloy wheels.The mechanical changes are minor, except for the return of the eight-cylinder XR8. Most of the work has gone into driving down the fuel consumption of the base car from 9.9L/100km to 9.5L/100km. A key impetus for this is that Ford Australia was given a $34 million Federal Government grant in 2012 and promised to hit that target.The last Falcon and Territory models, except the XR6 Turbo and XR8, will use a lighter Chinese-built ZF six-speed automatic tuned for economy. The German-made ZF high-torque gearbox, used for the two Falcon performance models, ceases later this year leaving Ford to stockpile those it needs to get through to the end of the Falcon's life. The diesel Territory sticks with its Ford developed six-speed auto. Other economy gains will be made through the introduction of tyres with less rolling resistance.There will be no extra power and torque across the Falcon range and the suspension settings will not change. Carsguide understands the Falcon's interior upgrades will be restricted to minor trim changes and graphic upgrades for the centre info screen.Limited changes will be made to the Territory, including the front end and interior. 

This is the future for Ford in Australia. It's not called a Falcon, and it doesn't look like a Falcon, but the Everest is the Ford family car for the future.The seven-seater SUV was designed, engineered and developed in Australia and the only thing missing from the Everest plan is production at Broadmeadows. Instead, it will come from Thailand in 2015. It gets its world debut in Sydney this week as proof that Ford is still committed to Australia and the 1000-strong development team at its Melbourne headquarters."The customers here clearly want SUVs. It's just a continuation of building that portfolio," the president of Ford Australia, Bob Graziano, tells Carsguide on Tuesday at his company's giant Go Further showcase.Graziano stops short of calling Everest the new Falcon, but only because the majority of that job is likely to be handed to the mid-sized Mondeo with four new SUVs - including one still on the top-secret list - to do the other jobs that have been traditionally handled by the Falcon.Billed as a 'Vision for the Future', the key to the $4 million event is the unveiling of a range of future products that are promised to add 11 new models to the local lineup in Ford showrooms over the next five years. The Everest breaks cover at Go Further, on the same movie set used to film blockbusters including Wolverine and Moulin Rouge.Ford also makes the official confirmation of a right-hand drive Mustang for Australia and previews other debutants including the mid-sized Mondeo, punchy Fiesta ST and new Transit workhorses. For a bit of fun, there is a barely street-legal Formula Ford that's fresh from hot laps at the Nurburgring.But Ford refuses to talk about its plans for Ford Performance Vehicles or V8 engines, although it says Falcon sales will continue through the update next year to the end of local production in 2016 despite another disastrous slump since the announcement of the Broadmeadows shutdown. "That's the plan," Ford's global boss, Alan Mulally, tells Carsguide.The showroom preview at Go Further is a clear attempt by Ford to head off any buyer strike, as well as keeping its dealers and fans focussed on a future beyond Falcon and Territory. "Why are we doing this? Firstly to demonstrate Ford's commitment to Australia. Secondly, to share our vision for growth," says Graziano. "For us, the future starts today."The product preview begins with the Fiesta, including confirmation of the turbocharged ST and an EcoBoost engine - just 1.0-litres and three cylinders - that matches the performance of a convention 1.6. By 2017 there will be EcoBoost engines in 70 per cent of Ford models, including the F-Series truck that's already a sales winner with a downsized V6.The Mondeo hatch and sports wagon are next into the spotlight, although they won't arrive in Australia before 2015 as the company switches production to a factory in Valencia, Spain. Apart from their swish styling, the big product promise is airbag-style inflatable rear seatbelts and a 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine.Then comes confirmation of the Mustang, although there is no car because the all-new model with right-hand drive is not being revealed until 2014. "The Mustang is coming. With right-hand drive. We'll share many more details with you in the months ahead," is the only comment.Then comes a preview of the Transit van, in two body sizes, before global COO Mark Fields shifts into the SUV scene, starting with the existing Territory and Kuga before adding the baby EcoBoost and the giant Everest, as well as hinting about anothe secret newcomer."Nothing sums up the Australian way of life and spirit like an SUV," says Fields. He says the compact EcoBoost, which is coming from India, is the right size for urban use and then turns to Concept Everest.It's part of the T6 development program that has already produced the Ford Ranger and Mazda BT50 twins, rated by Carsguide as best in their class. There are substantial changes to the running gear, which is hidden after the brief spotlight appearance, and it's said to be much more refined than the pickup.The only changes likely for the production Everest are minor tweaks to things like the wheels. "40,000 Australians prefer large off-road SUVs and we think they might enjoy this. It's designed right here in Australia by Australians for Australians, and the world," says Mark Fields.FORD'S FUTUREFiesta ST - hot hatch - December 2013Mondeo hatch and wagon - mid-sized - early 2015Mustang - muscle car - mid 2015EcoBoost - baby SUV - December 2013Everest - large SUV - late 2015Secret SUV - mid-sized - late 2015This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover