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F
ord Australia’s final Falcon ute has hit the road for a
two-year fling before the company closes its factories
here in October 2016 and, in doing so, pulls down the
shutters on the unique two-door workhorse.
Unlike the Falcon sedan, which will also be retired, there is
no high-performance V8-powered XR8 to take the ute out with
a bang, leaving the XR6 Turbo at the top of the new FG X series,
priced from $41,990 (plus on-road costs) in ZF six-speed auto
guise – a $1,380 reduction on the previous model.
That said, the final model is easily the most advanced to
emerge from the Broadmeadows assembly plant, bringing
with it a host of new technology and high-grade equipment
headlined by the latest ‘Sync2’ in-car connectivity system
which offers voice control of entertainment, audio and climate
systems – using unique Aussie accent recognition and a female
voice known as Karen!
A high-resolution 8" colour touch screen is part of the
package, along with the standard inclusion of digital radio, WiFi
hot spot capability, an SD card slot, extra USB port and Ford’s
‘Emergency Assistance’ system, which can automatically call
emergency services if the vehicle is involved in a crash.
Climate control air conditioning and front parking sensors
are now fitted to the base model, simply known as Falcon,
adding to the long list of features already onboard including
electric windows/mirrors, power-adjustable driver’s seat,
cruise control, Bluetooth and iPod integration, electronic
traction and stability control, ABS brakes with EBD and brake
assist, and front and side head/thorax airbags for both the
driver and front passenger.
Entry level pricing for the Falcon ute has climbed
$800 in both cab chassis and style side box form, starting
from $29,390 and $29,790 respectively; however, the value
equation has skyrocketed with the extra cabin equipment,
exterior styling upgrades and, not least of all, the inclusion
of a new, lighter and more fuel efficient six-speed ZF
automatic transmission.
This is now the standard-issue gearbox with the venerable
195kW/391Nm 4.0L inline six-cylinder engine used on Falcon
and the XR6 ute, the latter now priced from $32,140 as a cab
chassis and $32,640 with the boxed back end – a saving of
more than $3,500 compared to the previous FG MkII series.
A manual transmission is still available on the boxed XR6 in
both natural-breathing and 270kW/533Nm turbo form, while
the new ZF auto also now applies to the 198kW/409Nm EcoLPi
dedicated gas version available for an extra $2,500 on base
Falcon and the non-turbo XR.
The new XR models are easily spotted on the road with their
unique LED daytime running lights, sports grille and new alloy
wheel designs – an 18" set on XR6 and 19" rims on XR6T. Rain-
sensing windscreen wipers also now kick in at XR level, along
with upgraded interior trim across the sports-themed cabin.
Ford Australia
www.ford.com.auFORD FG X FALCON UTE