Predecessor Ford Falcon (FG) | ||
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Production 20 October 2014 – 7 October 2016 Transmission 6-speed 6HP21 automatic (I4, I6)6-speed 6HP26 automatic (I6-T, V8)6-speed TR-6060 manual | ||
The Ford Falcon (FG X) is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia. Introduced in 2014, it is a significantly restyled second and final iteration of the seventh and last generation of this Australian-made model, production of which ceased along with that of the related Ford Territory in October 2016.
Contents
Naming
Internally known as project 201X, Ford Australia revealed its last Falcon in August 2014 and explained that its series code, "FG X", was chosen following significant feedback from key enthusiasts. The new code, like the preceding FG, pays homage to the Fairmont Ghia nameplates of past generations whereas the X alludes to Falcon's most popular series, from the XR to the XF.
Model range
The FG X was officially launched in December 2014 and was offered in both sedan and utility body styles.
The sedan is sold in eight variants comprising:
The latter nameplate returned after being absent from the Falcon range since June 2010. In this final iteration, the XR8 is based on a FPV drivetrain, which includes the locally developed "Miami" variant of the Coyote supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine producing 335 kW (449 hp) and 570 N·m (420 lb·ft) of torque. All variants have the option of manual or automatic transmissions, with the exception of the G6E/G6E Turbo which come as automatic only.
The utility range included the base Ute (replacing the previous XL), XR6 and XR6 Turbo only—each with the option of cab chassis or utility (style side box) bodies. The Falcon utility ended production on 29 July 2016.
The G6, which was introduced with the FG series in 2008 to replace the Fairmont badge, was discontinued and, unlike past series, the XR8 sedan was not complemented by a utility version.
This Falcon range is the first Australian-made vehicle to feature Wi-Fi connectivity and DAB+ radio courtesy of its upgraded in-car entertainment and command system, now marketed as "SYNC2". The system also features voice control and emergency call functionality.
Engines
The Ford Falcon (FG) X is available with the following engines:
Successor
Come October 2016, due to Ford Motor Company's "One Ford" product development plan introduced in 2008 to rationalise its global range, the Falcon will not be directly replaced by a similarly sized vehicle, such as the much-speculated North American Taurus however due to extreme disapproval by Australian supporters the Taurus was scrapped for the Australian market. Instead, Ford Australia will offer the fourth-generation Mondeo from Europe and the sixth-generation Mustang, the latter as part of Ford's efforts to boost sales of the Mustang brand worldwide and still give Ford Australia a halo car to replace the Falcon XR and Falcon GT V8 range.
The Ford Falcon was labeled as 'inextricably linked to Australian Heritage' by the former CEO of Ford Australia (Bob Graziano) Although Ford has sourced the Mustang and the Fusion/Mondeo, they have no plans to bring in a direct replacement for the Falcon. Ford have respectfully retired the Falcon name plate as of October 7th 2016 after 56 years of production therefore making it the longest running name plate in the history of Ford MoCo.