| Ford Falcon (BA) | |
| Manufacturer: | Ford Australia |
| Assembly: | Australia: Melbourne, Victoria (Broadmeadows) |
| Class: | Full-size car |
| Production: | September 2002 – October 2005 |
| Platform: | Ford EA169 |
| Layout: | FR layout |
| Body Style: | 2-door cab chassis 2-door coupe utility 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon |
| Transmission: | 4-speed automatic BTR 5-speed manual - BW/Tremec T-5 6-speed manual - BW/Tremec T-56 |
| Wheelbase: | 2829NaN |
| Length: | 4916NaN–5053NaN |
| Width: | 1864NaN |
| Height: | 1444NaN |
| Weight: | 1620NaN–1740NaN |
| Related: | Ford Fairlane Ford Fairmont Ford Territory |
| Predecessor: | Ford Falcon (AU) |
| Successor: | Ford Falcon (BF) |
| Designer: | Graham Wadsworth |
The Ford Falcon (BA) is a full-sized car produced by Ford Australia from 2002 to 2005. It was the second significantly re-engineered iteration of the sixth generation of the Falcon, and also included the Ford Fairmont (BA)—the luxury-oriented version. This platform also formed the basis of the Ford Territory sport utility vehicle.
To address the relatively poor reception of the preceding AU series, the BA series was heavily updated for launch in September 2002—the same time as its biggest rival, the Holden Commodore (VY). It featured a substantially revised and more conservative exterior styling, with every panel new except for the carry-over door skins. Interiors, too, were substantially revised, while mechanically, a new independent rear suspension setup was fitted to all sedan derivatives and the engine and transmissions received extensive upgrades. In October 2004, Ford introduced a Mark II update, bringing subtle styling and mechanical changes,[1] and in October 2005, replaced the BA with the BF.
In the final months of 2002, the BA model received the influential Wheels Car of the Year award,[2] breaking a 36-year drought.[3] The BA also won four consecutive Australia's Best Cars awards, spanning three years.[4] [5] [6] [7] The model's market share briefly topped that of its chief competitor, the Holden Commodore on two occasions, but have failed to match those of the record-breaking EL Falcon.[8] [9]
The BA model represented a A$500 million investment, and 24,000 hours of engine and durability testing. Germany's Nürburgring test track was used for some suspension testing. The anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control were calibrated in Sweden, as well as Australia.[10]
Exterior styling was led by design director Scott Strong, then chief designer for Ford Australia. After Strong departed from operations at Ford in 2001, Simon Butterworth took over this role.[11] Ford Australia's intention was to create a European influence for the vehicle, whereby most aspects of the AU's "New Edge" design would be revised. The result was a significant update of the existing AU body shell, rather than a completely new design.[10] The BA model introduced an integrated aerial in the car's rear window, instead of the conventional retractable antenna. The aerial placement improved the vehicle's aerodynamics and ended the breakage issues that had plagued the retractable type found on previous models. Interference from the engine did not affect the radio reception.[12]
From the inside, the "New Edge" interior of the AU was discarded in favour of a contemporary style, based upon European designs.[13] Marcus Hotblack, the director of interior design, focused on improving user friendliness. The resulting design was an ergonomically-correct interior command centre, highlighted by the satin-finish centre console.[14] The theme was further extended by the audio and cruise control switches' location on the steering wheel.[12]
A prominent feature of the new command centre was a large liquid crystal display which displayed information regarding the air conditioning unit and sound system. Buyers could opt for a premium sound package, standard on the Fairmont Ghia, which included a full-colour screen.[13] Ventilation outlets were larger than those of previous models, resulting in a cabin that could be more effectively and efficiently heated or cooled.[13] Another change was the headlamp switch, which was now located on the end of the turn signal stalk for easier reach.[13]
Interior colour schemes varied from model to model, but shared a common design approach. The entry-level XT featured a black plastic panel for the upper half of the dashboard, with either a black, charcoal, or beige panel for the lower half. Not all variants offered the distinctive colour palette; the sports variants could not be optioned with the two-tone interior.[13]
Powerplants consisted of both straight sixes and V8s, with the entry-level Barra 182 six-cylinder being a significant improvement over the AU Falcon's six. The base model engine contained substantial mechanical changes such as dual infinitely variable cam timing for a gain of 25kW of power for a total of 182kW.[15] The Barra 182 can also take advantage of higher octane fuels, where a small increase of torque can be achieved. The 156kW LPG-only Barra E-Gas engine was offered as an option on lower specification models.[16]
A turbocharged variant of the Barra engine was introduced in a new XR6 Turbo model and produced 240kW of power.[15] A 5.4-litre V8 replaced the Windsor engine of the AU. The new V8 was a modified version of Ford's North American Modular V8 available in two variants: the Barra 220 generating 220kW and a 260kW Boss 260. The Boss 260 was known to make significantly more power than its nominal "260" name figure where figures closer to 288 wHp or 290 kW (390 Hp) at the engine were not unusual and 400 lb-ft.[15] The new engine was smoother, more fuel efficient, and quieter than the engine it replaced.[17]
Two transmissions were available for the BA—a four-speed automatic and a five-speed manual, both floor-mounted.[18] The automatic unit featured Sequential Sports Shift, a first for the Falcon nameplate in Australia.[19] Utility body styles were also available with an optional column-mounted automatic shifter (without Sequential Sports Shift) in lieu of the floor-mounted system also offered.[20] The new Control-Blade independent rear suspension (IRS) fitted to all sedans—first used in development of the Ford Focus and the Jaguar X-Type— was superior to the optional double wishbone IRS suspension used on AU sedans, and was cheaper. However, it was heavier than the previous live rear axle used for base models, and the change contributed to the base model XT sedan's 130kg (290lb) weight increase from the previous model. The wagons and utilities retained the leaf spring live axle rear suspension of the AU wagon and utility; consequently, they did not gain as much weight as the sedan.[21]
The BA Falcon was also smoother on the road, with increased towing capabilities from previous models. Fuel consumption in the Barra 182 was measured at 12.5NaN for city driving and 8.2NaN for highway driving. These numbers were government figures, measured indoors using a dynamometer. Real-world testing has shown that an extra 12% is actually consumed.[22] [23]
| Power | Torque | Transmission | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual | Automatic | |||
| 4.0 L Barra 677 I6 (petrol) | 182kW | 380NaN | 4-speed BTR M93LE automatic | |
| 4.0 L Barra E-Gas I6 (LPG) | 156kW | 372NaN | ||
| 4.0 L Barra 240T TI6 (petrol) | 240kW | 450NaN | 5-speed BorgWarner/Tremec T5Z manual | 4-speed BTR M95LE automatic |
| 5.4 L Barra 220 V8 (petrol) | 220kW | 470NaN | 5-speed Tremec TR-3650 manual (BA) 6-speed Borg-Warner T-56 manual (BA II) | 4-speed BTR M97LE automatic |
| 5.4 L Boss 260 V8 (petrol) | 260kW | 500NaN | ||
Passenger safety was a key design aspect for the Ford engineers. Anti-lock brakes were standard on all models; electronic brakeforce distribution was also standard on most variants. The addition of traction control for higher trim levels helped to prevent loss of traction. On top of this, dual front airbags were a standard fitment across the range; side-impact airbags were equipped on higher luxury levels such as the Fairmont. In a crash safety assessment conducted by ANCAP, the BA model scored 27.27 out of a possible 37 points, giving a rating of four out of five stars.[24]
The newly introduced Falcon XR6 Turbo (XR6T) received critical acclaim at launch, and the Australia's Best Car's judges even awarded it the Best Sports car under $57,000 in 2002.[5] At heart visually identical to the XR6, the turbocharged derivative gained extra features, with the additional turbocharger boosting the car's total power output to 240kW.[30] The turbocharger is a Garrett GT35/40 unit.[31]
These were later joined by two additional models:
Ford released the Mk II (BA II) Falcon in October 2004 to maintain sales interest until the 2005 introduction of the BF update. Modifications included some cosmetic changes and a new six-speed Tremec T56 manual transmission replacing the five-speed on XR6 Turbo and XR8 models.
The Mk II XT included the following changes over the Mk I: MKII badge, wider spokes on the hubcaps, auto headlights, cruise control standard, and a different cup holder.
The Futura model gained power adjustable pedals, and side airbags, with a DVD entertainment system being offered on upmarket trim levels.[1] The XR8 sedan variant also received the premium audio system.[40]
The Falcon BA was raced in the Australian V8 Supercar category from 2003. Marcos Ambrose won the V8 Supercar Championship Series in 2003 and 2004 driving a BA. Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup won the 2006 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 driving a Falcon BA.
After winning the V8 Supercar Championship Series in 2004 with racing drivers Marcos Ambrose and Russell Ingall Ford Australia released two limited run Ford Falcon BA XR8 dealer run-out vehicles denoted 'Enforcer', (only available in Envy Green) and 'Devil R' (named after Ambrose's nickname "The Devil Racer" (in reference to the Tasmanian Devil from his home state)) available in Shock-Wave blue only. These warmed-over XR8 base vehicles came with the same 'Boss 260’ 5.4 litre V8 engine as the base XR8 producing the same 260 kW (353 HP) output as the base XR8. Ford Australia has stated only 125 (56 manual 69 auto) of each model were produced. Both vehicle types were not sold with an individual build number as per the FPV range. These vehicles were equipped with a signed owners manual with Russell Ingall's signature, for the 'Enforcer'model or Marcos Ambrose's signature, for the 'Devil R' model, as well as respective signed engine bay plate. Both vehicles received 18" shadow chrome alloy wheels, carpets with the appropriate 'Enforcer' or 'Devil R' embroidery, leather seats with the model logo embroidery, Momo steering wheel, 'premium' brake package (non Brembo), either the 'Enforcer' or 'Devil R' badging to the exterior and the appropriate model name applied to the XR8 bonnet bulge side decals. These vehicles were priced below the FPV GT and GT-P hero cars in the non-FPV range, intended to be up-spec packaged versions of the base XR8 vehicles where Ford Australia intended to run out the remainder of optional-extras equipment during the last of the BA Mk.2 vehicles prior to the incoming redesigned BF model.
See main article: Ford Performance Vehicles.
See also: Ford Falcon GT. Ford Australia's performance vehicle partner Ford Performance Vehicles produced a range of models based on the Falcon BA and marketed under the FPV name. The 2003 BA range included the GT, GT-P, and the Pursuit. The GT was the entry-level vehicle that started with a suggested retail price of A$59,810. The GT-P was the upmarket version of the GT, with a price tag of A$69,850. The Pursuit was a ute (utility) version of the GT, featuring the same seats, basic dash/interior package and wheels. FPV specific body-kits were applied to all cars, using the lights from the XR-range. The kit had a strong resemblance to the BA Falcon V8 Supercar, highlighting the connection to FPR.
All three were powered by a unique version of Ford's 5.4-litre Modular V8, with DOHC 4-valve cylinder heads from the Mustang Cobra R engine. FPV named this uniquely tuned engine as the Boss 290 because of its power output—it produced 290kW at 5500 rpm and 520Nm of torque at 4500 rpm.
New six cylinder sedan and utility models were added to the range, the F6 Typhoon (sedan) and F6 Tornado (ute). The F6 was visually separated from the GT range with the use of a different pattern in the front bumper grill mesh, and a smaller boot spoiler on the Typhoon. They were powered by FPV's version of the Ford Falcon Barra engine, a 4.0-litre DOHC 24-valve turbocharged and non turbocharged inline-six with variable cam timing. It produced 270kW at 5250 rpm and 550Nm at 2000–4250 rpm.
Critics in the media noted some build quality faults in the BA Falcon, such as inconsistent gaps between trim sections and joints,[41] although other commentators praised the interior design and craftsmanship.[42] In the used car market, non-FPV BA Falcons tend to suffer from poor depreciation rates, due to influxes of ex-fleet models entering the second-hand market and because of the cost of fuel.[43]