Fuel economy in entry Falcon petrol six-cylinder sedan down from 9.9 L /100km to 9.0 L/100km – a 9 per cent improvement
Aero pack, new six-speed ZF automatic contribute to Falcon sedan gains
Suspension retune on Falcon delivers key customer improvements in ride and handling .
MELBOURNE, 07 Oct., 2014 – Ford has confirmed fuel efficiency gains for the 2014 Falcon sedan, as part of a range of improvements designed to deliver greater comfort, driving performance and efficiency for customers.
Fuel economy for the Falcon six-cylinder petrol sedan improves from 9.9 L/100km to 9.0 L/100km# – a 9 per cent improvement. Falcon XR6 automatic and G6E six cylinder petrol models have improved from 9.9 L/100km to 9.5 L/100km# – a 4 per cent improvement.
Key contributors to the fuel efficiency improvements are aero gains and a new, lighter and more fuel efficient six-speed ZF automatic transmission, which has been adopted on I6 petrol models, including the EcoLPi.
Apart from the new aero pack, Australia’s ultimate entry Falcon sedan model also benefits from 16-inch Michelin low rolling-resistance tyres.
The aerodynamic pack from the Falcon EcoBoost has now been adopted across the entire Falcon sedan range, except XR8. New front and rear bumper designs also contribute to improved aerodynamic performance.
As well as the fuel efficiency improvements, the Falcon suspension has been harmonised across models, to provide the driver with a more connected, sportier driving experience without compromising ride comfort.
The Falcon gains a modified FG MkII G6 petrol suspension package and the Falcon EcoLPi gains the XR6 EcoLPi suspension package. Compared to the current entry Falcon FG MkII this means:
- Larger diameter front stabiliser bar, from 31 mm to 32 mm
- Retuned front and rear springs and dampers
- Front suspension geometry adjusted to complement new Michelin tyre
- Smaller rear stabiliser bar (18 mm to 14 mm) on the EcoLPi for increased rear grip
The Falcon EcoBoost sedan gains a modified FG MkII G6E EcoBoost suspension package. These improvements see the adoption of:
- Retuned front and rear springs and dampers
- Introduction of a 14 mm rear stabiliser bar
- Front geometry adjusted to complement new Michelin tyre
The cascade of suspension improvements has been delivered to provide a better control ride without any degradation of occupant comfort. In the Falcon sedan, the combination of the new suspension tune, combined with the Michelin low rolling-resistance tyres, has made this an even better driving package without any compromise and sacrifice of occupant comfort.
Falcon and Territory Vehicle Line Director, David Wilkinson, said even the 1 mm larger diameter larger stabiliser bar in the Falcon had improved the vehicle cornering. The added thickness helped to better manage the roll experienced during cornering, he said.
“In developing the suspension, Ford used various sets of known springs and dampers (both softer and firmer) to ensure the right level of handling was achieved to meet customer expectations,” Wilkinson said.
“In the case of the Falcon sedan, we actually ended up staying with the G6 springs and dampers as they best suited the low rolling resistance Michelin tyres. But we still reviewed the tune as part of the on-going testing program to find the right mix for the customer.”
Wilkinson said the product development team pursued an accepted Ford DNA for suspension feel in the 2014 Falcon range. “The result is something our customers will appreciate,” he said.
Adopting the Falcon XR6 EcoLPi suspension on the other EcoLPi models helps provide an enhanced grip via the smaller stabiliser bar, he said. “The better grip is achieved through a more compliant rear suspension,” he said.
Apart from suspension upgrades, customer-focused smart technologies have cascaded across the Falcon range and now include Ford’s SYNC2™ connectivity system with Emergency Assistance standard across the range. As well, customers will gain a digital radio and twin antennas for improved audio quality, front parking sensors and a rear camera on sedans with static overlays as standard.
The Falcon sedan is the only locally built large car available with four cylinder, six cylinder and V8 power-trains, as well as a turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine and EcoLPi six-cylinder engine.
The in-line six cylinder 4.0-litre petrol engine available in the Falcon sedan, Falcon G6E sedan and Falcon XR6 sedan develops 195 kW at 6,000 rpm and 391 Nm at 3250 rpm^. The outputs remain the same for the Falcon cab chassis ute, Falcon Styleside box ute, and Falcon XR6 ute (cab chassis and Styleside box).
Falcon customers will have the choice of six sedan models while Falcon ute buyers will have a choice of five utilities when the range goes on sale from December.
Fuel Efficiency
Ford’s in-line six cylinder engines have shown continual improvement in both fuel efficiency and refinement over the years. Compared to the Falcon BA MkII, the 2014 Falcon delivers a 22 per cent per cent improvement – down from 11.5 L/100km to 9.0 L/100km (combined).
“This is a significant story for our customers,” Wilkinson said. “Achieving good fuel efficiency in modern cars is inherently more challenging because of added weight from contributing things like extra features and added safety equipment.
“The extensive use of high-strength light-weight steels in the 2014 Falcon helps but the further refinement of the I6 petrol engine is testament to the continual process of improvement being done here at Ford. The in-line six cylinder engine in the Falcon is recognised as one of the most refined six cylinder engines around with a great balance of smooth power and fuel efficiency.”
Transmission - ZF 6HP21 6-speed automatic transmission
The light-weight ZF 6HP21 automatic transmission will be used on all Falcon and Territory 4.0-litre naturally aspirated six-cylinder engines, petrol and EcoLPi.
The EcoBoost equipped models already use the 6HP21. The six-speed ZF 6HP26 automatic continues to be used in Falcon 4.0L turbo and V8 applications. Territory Diesel keeps the current 6R80 automatic transmission.
In customer terms, the 6HP21 has small improvements over the 6HP26 – lighter and more fuel efficient, with the same driver-style features as before. The 6HP21 in 4.0L applications has higher torque capability than the 6HP21 in the EcoBoost.
This light-weight unit with its slightly lower torque capacity when compared to the ZF 6HP26 is an optimised match to the 4.0L normally aspirated six-cylinder engine characteristics with the well-known seamless gear changes that contributes not only to improved driver comfort and control, but also delivers livelier performance through shift calibration and better fuel economy. It has ‘next generation’ controls and valve body that also contribute to fuel economy improvement.
The features of the 6-speed automatic transmission include:
Driver recognition/characterisation: Matches transmission performance to the driving style by considering acceleration rates, brake application and cornering speed to ensure the vehicle is in the right gear, without undesired gear shifts.
- Enhanced Adaptive Shift Strategy: Transmission modes adapt according to speed and load. Modes include: economy, performance, sports, up-hill, down-hill and trailer towing.
- Upshift prevention at zero throttle: Prevents upshifts beyond 2nd gear with zero accelerator pedal application to prevent a running away feeling when travelling down steep hills from rest.
- Grade Control Logic: When driving downhill, the transmission will downshift to provide increased engine braking.
- Upshift inhibit on grades: If the accelerator pedal is released when travelling uphill, upshifts are prevented to reduce business on grades
- Gear hold around corners: This feature prevents up-shifts when cornering quickly and provides improved response when exiting the corner.
- Brake support downshift: When heavy braking is detected, the transmission downshifts early to provide increased engine braking and be in the right gear for tip-in.
- Gear hold, fast-off throttle: Upshifts are prevented when the throttle is backed off very quickly.
- Emergency down-shifts: When driving in the “manual” mode, if the accelerator pedal kick-down switch is activated the transmission will down-shift to 3rd gear (or even 2nd) to provide good acceleration when the driver forgets they are in “manual” mode, which is useful if overtaking.
Fuel Efficiency Gains for Refreshed Ford Falcon
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