[fpv_gtho]

Model designation FG (FuGly....good one Ford). Model range trimmed. XT, XR6, XR6T and XR8 remain. Futura and Fairmont dumped. G6, G6E and G6E Turbo replace Fairmont lineup. G is a tie-in to Ghia nomeclature, 6 and Turbo relate to the engines whilst E refers to its fake Euro direction.

Power increases to 195kw, torque is 391nm IIRC. Both increase to 198kw and 409nm on 95 octane. No official figures for 98 octane, but claims of over 200kw. Old F6 engine becomes Fords new turbo engine, with slightly less torque. XR8 gets old GT engine with identical 290/520 figures.

New Ford US sourced 5 speed auto replaces outdated 4 speed unit on all petrol sedans, still retained for some utes and Egas models. 6 speed ZF auto remains, new Tremec 6 speed manual replaces T-56. Manual turbo's come with a pseudo launch control that allows a new (smaller?) quicker spooling turbo to reach full boost before launching.

New virtual pivot front suspension and foward mounted steering rack adapted from Territory with new monotube shock absorbers. Ford claim weight savings with the new suspension through use of high tensile steel and alluminium. Theyre also claiming weight savings with a new composite engine plenum chamber, although havent released vehicle weight figures yet so not known whether its lighter or heavier. Modified Control Blade IRS tuned for the new front end, and accompanied with wider track and longer wheelbase, giving a bigger footprint on the road.

XT comes standard with ESP and 4 airbags, XR and G series standard with 6. Ford claims new Falcon will be safest Australian car made yet, with high expectations it'll be the first car to score a 5 star ANCAP rating. Falcon ute and wagon dont recieve the same safety attention, wagon remains infact in the form of BF Mk3.

Exterior and interior more evolutionary than revolutionary. Ford are making a big mistake releasing so many pictures of the car in that blue colour, too many people wont even realise it as a new car if its painted in a BF colour.