Ford BA Falcon

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Ford BA Falcon
Manufacturer	Ford Australia
Production	September 2002–October 2005
Assembly	Campbellfield, Victoria, Australia
Predecessor	Ford AU Falcon
Successor	Ford BF Falcon
Class	Full-size
Body style	FR 4-door sedan FR 4-door station wagon FR 2-door ute
Engine	I6 4.0 L Barra 156 kW E-gas 4.0 L Barra 182 kW 4.0 L Barra 245 kW Turbo V8 5.4 L Barra 230 kW 5.4 L Boss 260 kW
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2829 mm (111 in)
Length	4916 mm-5053 mm (193 in-198 in)
Width	1864 mm (73 in)
Height	1444 mm (56 in)
Curb weight	1620–1740 kg (3571 lb-3836 lb)
Fuel capacity	91 RON / 69 L.(18.2 gallons)[1]
Related	Ford Fairlane Ford Fairmont Ford Territory
Designer	Simon Butterworth

The Ford BA Falcon was a full sized car that was produced by the Australian division of the Ford Motor Company, known as Ford Australia. The car was manufactured in Campbellfield, Victoria, Australia starting in September 2002, and concluded production in October 2005, being succeeded by the Ford BF Falcon. ^[2]

Contents 1 Development and design 2 Specification levels 2.1 Falcon XT 2.2 Futura 2.3 XR6 2.4 XR6 Turbo 2.5 XR8 2.6 Fairmont 2.7 Fairmont Ghia 3 Overview 3.1 Interior design 3.2 Performance and handling 3.3 Safety 3.4 Market 4 Police cars 5 Issues and criticisms 6 Police cars 7 Awards 8 References

[edit] Development and design

Simon Butterworth was the styling director for the BA and the next generation BF^[3] . His main intention for the design was to create a European impression for the vehicle. The BA was focused on accommodating Australian needs, families and roads.

Ford Australia spent in excess of AU$500 million^[4] on the development and testing of the BA, as well as 24,000 hours of engine and durability testing. The vehicle’s suspension was tested on the Nürburgring test track in Germany, and the brake system was tested in Sweden in order to calibrate the ABS brakes and VDC.

In the outgoing AU Falcon, rear seat passenger ingress was raised as a customer concern. The engineers developed an alternative for the BA, which eliminated the problem. The BA model name was chosen to represent the new Barra engine type. The BA also replaced the more common retractable aerial by a European styled integrated aerial which is part of the rear glass. Two strips are located vertically on the rear window on the sedan and Ute or on the side windows of the wagon variants. This change reduced the aerodynamic drag, reduced wind noise, and stopped the aerial from becoming damaged.^[5]

The development of the BA lead the development of the Ford Territory, which was released approximately two years afterwards. The Territory saw similar styling to the BA, as well as a near identical interior look to its Falcon counterpart.

Approximately 11 months after the official release of the BA, sales had increased substantially, and during the month of September 2003, it outsold its current rival at the time, the Holden VY Commodore.

[edit] Specification levels

Main article: Specification levels of the Ford BA Falcon

The BA range consisted of six specification levels, all of which were available in sedan and a select few were available as station wagon and pick up body styles. The range consisted of the entry-level XT and the semi-luxury variant was known as the Futura. Three sports variants were offered, known as the XR6, the XR6 Turbo and the XR8. Two luxury variants were incorporated, these were known as the Fairmont and the Fairmont Ghia, with the former being situated at the top of the Falcon hierarchy.^[1]

[edit] Falcon XT

The Falcon XT was the entry-level model marketed toward fleet sales, and sold in the most numbers by large majority. Sedan, station wagon, utility, styleside or cab chassis, body types were available. When new, the XT had a starting price of AU$32,000. The XT had a 182 kilowatt (244 hp) Barra six-cylinder engine, air conditioning, front power windows, and a choice of either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. XT's were most commonly seen as company cars, taxicabs or police cars.^[6]

[edit] Futura

The Futura was the semi-luxury variant heavily based on the XT and marketed to families, cruise control, 16 inch alloy wheels, body-coloured side-view mirrors and side-protection mouldings as standard. Side impact airbags and power adjustable pedals were available as an option. The Futura featured the same basic engine and mechanicals as the XT, and was priced from AU$38,000.^[7]

[edit] XR6

The XR6 was the baseline sports variant in the BA range. At one point Ford Australia considered not releasing the XR6 because of the XR6 Turbo, Ford said that "there was no room for two such a like models" but this decision was overturned.^[8] This entry-level marque featured a specially designed body kit, LCD colour screen although utilised the same basic engine and mechanicals as the XT and Futura. As well as this a 5-speed manual transmission came as standard. The XR6 had a base price of AU$39,000 when new.^[9]

[edit] XR6 Turbo

The XR6T has received critical acclaim, winning the Best Sports car under $57,000 Award in 2002 judge by the Australian Best Car Awards and is widely regarded as one of the best sports sedans made in this country for many years and considered by some to be the next Australian cult car. The XR6 Turbo was almost visually identical to the XR6, but featured an added turbocharger, and improved features. The additional turbocharger boosted the car's total power output to 240 kilowatts (321 hp) and had a base price of AU$45,000.^[10]

[edit] XR8

The XR8 was the top of the line sports variant. The car featured specially tuned sports suspension, 18 inch wheels and had a new 5.4 L Boss 260 kW engine which had a 30% increase of power from the previous models.^[11] The XR8 had a base price of AU$51,000.^[12]

[edit] Fairmont

The Fairmont sat at the bottom of the short-wheelbase luxury marque hierarchy. Standard features seen on the Fairmont were traction control, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, velour upholstery, as well as a long list of other features. The Fairmont had a base price of AU$47,000 and carried over the existing engine and transmissions used on the XT. A 220 kilowatt (295 hp) V8 engine, as well as manual transmission were available as options.^[13]

[edit] Fairmont Ghia

The Fairmont Ghia was the top-spec luxury variant, and featured satellite navigation, leather upholstery, full power options and four airbags as standard. Both vehicles the Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia were based on the XT and was the second most expensive luxury model the large wheelbase Ford Fairlane. A new 220 kW (295 hp) V8 engine was added ABS, traction control and side airbags were standard. A large LCD screen was added and is standard on the Fairmont Ghia and the analogue clock is now situated in the middle and more wood grain features.

The Fairmont Ghia also had its own suspension calibration as well as 17 inch alloy wheels. The Fairmont Ghia had a base price of AU$56,000 and like the Fairmont featured the same mechanical options.^[14]

[edit] Overview

[edit] Interior design

Interior Design Manager for the BA was Marcus Hotblack his main endeavors was to emphasize the "user friendliness".^[3]In automotive terms this meant that the audio and cruise control buttons were to be situated on the steering wheel to make it easier, and more importantly safer for the driver to reach. A large and easy to see LCD screen which displayed information regarding the air-conditioning, sound system and the time, was also featured in the BA. This was known as the Interior Command Centre. The Fairmont Ghia specification level went a step further by incorporating a full colour LCD screen as standard, although it was also available on other variants as an option if the buyer was to opt out for the additional sound system package.".

The interior colours used on the entry-level XT were black, grey and beige. A black plastic panel was used for the top half of the dashboard and either beige or a black plastic panel was used for the lower half of the dashboard. The centre console as seen on the XT and other derived specification levels featured a "brushed metal" appearance. The Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia’s interior colours were mainly a combination of matte black and a high-gloss black, which gave a similar appearance to the centre console used on the Holden VZ Calais.

The ventilation outlets were larger than such seen on previous models; this was done to receive more effectively and efficiently heating or cooling of the vehicle cabin. The headlight switch was now located on the end of the indicator switch so it would be easier to reach.^[15]

[edit] Performance and handling

Three transmissions were available for the BA, all of which, except for the manual featured Sequential Sports Shift, a first for the Falcon nameplate in Australia. The transmissions available on the BA were a four-speed automatic, which was standard on XT variant, a five speed automatic and a five-speed manual, which was subsequently standard on performance models. The new Control-Blade Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) fitted to sedans was superior to the IRS used on some AU variants, and was more economical to build. This change also contributed to the base model XT sedan being 130 kg (287 lb) heavier than the previous version. The wagons and utilities retained the leaf sprung live axle rear suspension of the AU and hence did not gain as much weight as the sedan, the suspension technology was first used in development situations for the Ford Focus and the Jaguar X-type.^[16]

With the BA, came two new engines were introduced. The first was known as the Barra 4.0 litre in-line six-cylinder, and was not a completely new design, but was a significant upgrade and had 182 kilowatts (244 hp) of power, 25 kilowatts (33 hp) more than the previous AU Falcon SOHC six-cylinder engine. An LPG motor was added as an option and had 156 kilowatts (209 hp). The second was the new 5.4 litre V8 Boss engine which was designed in North America and was also more fuel efficient, smoother and quieter than the previous engine used. Larger front and back brakes were added to improve braking performance due to complaints from customers that the brakes would “fade out” after moderate usage.^[17]

The BA Falcon was also smoother on the road, and its towing capabilities were better than the previous models. Fuel consumption was said to be 12.5 L / 100 km, (3 gallons / 62 mi) for city driving and 8.2 L / 100 km (2 gallons / 62 mi) for highway driving. These figures were according to the government that was tested indoors using a Dynamometer. Real-world testing has shown that about an extra 1.5 L / 100 km (0.3 gallons / 62 mi) is actually used on top of the claimed levels.^[18][19]

Engines available:

Engine	Power	Torque
4.0 L Barra E-gas	156 kW	unknown
4.0 L Barra	182 kW (244 hp) @ 5000 rpm	380 Nm @ 3250 rpm
4.0 L Barra	240 kW (321 hp) @ 5250 rpm	450 nm @ 2000-4500 rpm
5.4 L Barra	220 kW (295 hp) @ 3250 rpm	470 nm @ 4750 rpm
5.4 L Boss	260 kW (348 hp) @ 5250 rpm	500 Nm @ 4000 rpm

[edit] Safety

Safety was greatly improved with passenger safety being a key aspect for the Ford designers. Some of the safety features incorporated into the BA Falcon were ABS brakes, which were standard on all models, EBD was also standard on most variants, being available as an option on others. The implementation of traction control on variants higher up in the specification hierarchy brought some safety advantages. Dual front airbags came standard across the entire range, however side-impact airbags were only equipped on the higher specification levels. The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) gave the car 4 out of 5 in its car safety assessment programme.^[20]

Reverse parking sensors were featured for the first time in the BA, the sensors emitted a beeping noise to alert the driver of nearby obstacles in the vehicles path, the sensors featured an automatic turn off function if the vehicle was towing a boat or trailer, the device was available as an option on more expensive models such as the Fairmont and the performance models but were standard on the Fairmont Ghia. Auto headlights, which turn off or on depending on surrounding environmental conditions were standard on all models.^[21]

[edit] Market

At the time when the BA Falcon was released it had one main competitor known as the VY Commodore. Other potential rivals included the Toyota Camry and the Mitsubishi Magna. Exporting the Falcons overseas is not a very strong point and have only been allowed in right-hand drive countries, but since the closure of Ford's assembly plant at Wiri, Auckland in the early 1990s, all BA Falcon models have been restricted to only be exported to New Zealand and South Africa.

[edit] Police cars

The BA was also used as a police car in Australia, with many examples still in use today. Minor improvements on the Falcon were implemented for police use. These included a lowered ride height, limited slip differential and electrical upgrades such as police lights, police radio and a more accurate speedometer and general equipment used by police officers. The New South Wales, Queensland, Victorian, Tasmanian, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory police forces generally tend to use Falcons along with Holden Commodores, while the South Australia and Western Australia police departments predominantly use Holden Commodores at the current time. Notable models which are used include the base model XT, the XR6 Turbo and the XR8 performance models. Several other vehicles are used within the Police Departments but the Falcon and Commodore are mostly used for general traffic duties.^[22]

[edit] Issues and criticisms

Generally the Ford BA Falcon received little or no criticism but one of the main criticisms given to the BA at launch was extra 100 kg (220 lb) it carried over its rival the Holden VY Commodore; therefore many speculated that the car would use more fuel. But this was short lived because this would only apply if heavy acceleration was undertaken past 3500 rpm. In the used car market the Falcons tend to lose more resale value compared to its rival, the Holden Commodore^{[citation needed]}. Once the BA reaches 170,000 km (106,000 mi) the it becomes harder to change gears^{[citation needed]} and water pumps for the radiator break or lose their seals^{[citation needed]}.^[2]

[edit] Police cars

The BA was also used as a police car in Australia, with many examples still in use today. Minor improvements on the Falcon were implemented for police use. These included a lowered ride height, limited slip differential and electrical upgrades such as police lights, police radio and a more accurate speedometer and general equipment used by police officers.

[edit] Awards

• The Ford BA Futura won Best Family Car for 2002 in the Australian Best Car Awards.^[23]
• The Ford BA XR6 Turbo won Best Sports car under $57,000 for 2002 in the Australian Best Car Awards.^[24]
• The Ford BA Falcon XT won Best Family Car for 2003 in the Australian Best Car Awards.^[25]
• The Ford BA Falcon Mark II won Best Family Car for 2004 in the Australian Best Car Awards.^[26]
• The Ford BA Falcon won Wheels Magazine car of the year in 2002.^[27]
• The Ford BA Falcon won the Gold Automotive Engineering Excellence Award by the Society of Automotive Engineers for the Intelligent Safety Systems in October 2003^[28]

[edit] References