|
By
JOHN CRAWFORD
12 May 2008
It’s neither advisable, nor sensible to close your eyes whilst
driving fast on a twisting, undulating mountain road (nor
obviously at anytime whilst driving), but if you could while you’re
piloting a new Falcon FG ute, you’d be hard pressed to tell the
difference between driving the ute, or one of the new FG Falcon
sedans.
The new Falcon ute is possibly the most refined package yet
produced in Australia. Yes, it’s first and foremost a workhorse,
but a 400 km test drive in rural Victoria revealed that Ford has
produced a vehicle which carries a load and drives like a sports
car.
Ford’s engineers have met the challenge of creating a great
ride and handling package with completely different front and rear
suspension types. The impressive new front end and steering from
Falcon sedan, is mated to a sturdy leaf spring rear end with some
notable new features.
First, Falcon ute uses monotube shock absorbers all round (on
the popular R6 and XR models), allowing for refined tuning of the
ride; plus there’s a newly-designed rear spring shackle on the
leaf springs which makes for better location of the rear end, and
thus safer handling. The leaf spring design also spreads load
handling more evenly.
As we said earlier, when you’re driving you could be in a
Falcon sedan. Driver and passenger have the same features and
benefits of a sedan, including the option of i-Pod connectivity,
Bluetooth phone compatibility; Intelligent Safety System (with
advanced crash sensors); SD card-based Satellite navigation and
attractive, high quality interior features and fittings.
However, it’s as a workhorse that Ford has delivered several
‘surprise and delight’ items which will really appeal to
tradespeople and those who uses their ute for work. The degree of
thoughtful design is very impressive and sets the Falcon ute head
and shoulders above its competition.
There is a new retention system for the soft tonneau cover,
with very versatile loading features. There’s new side-block
mounts offering flexible and high integrity tie-down options, and
the new ‘tub liner’ is both tougher and more sensibly designed
for a variety of loads.
All utes can be optioned with a one-tonne suspension, allowing
loads up to 1000 kg, and in some cab-chassis models this increases
to 1240 kg. This also highlights the fact that Falcon comes as
either a ‘styleside’ box or cab chassis option. Thereby
ensuring Ford will dominate the work sites, as the competing
Holden ute no longer offers a cab-chassis option.
Pricing is very competitive, with the base model only
increasing $320; and the whole range sits between $27,795 and
$38,490. The highly popular XR6 model is priced at $34,990. Option
pricing is also keen, with auto transmission just $1000 (for a
very slick new Ford-designed 5-speed auto).
There is also an E-gas option (with 4-speed auto) and this
package is priced at $2400.
Despite the FG Falcon ute’s impressive performance, ride and
handling, it will be the features behind the driver which seem set
to guarantee Ford will dominate worksites. A close look at the way
the tonneau is secured will impress, and the fact that each ute
comes with four flexible tie-down brackets as standard is also
commendable.
In the rear tray, the tub-liner is moulded to allow the owner
to easily ‘segment’ loads by dividing the tray using simple
dividers.
Ford has scored highly with its new FG Falcon range in the area
of driveability, safety and operating costs; and these features
have easily transferred across to the ute range, ensuring Ford
comes to market with a very competitive and attractive package for
ute buyers.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
|
