Ford BA Falcon

Ford BA Falcon
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company of Australia
Production	2002–2005
Assembly	Campbellfield, Victoria, Australia
Predecessor	Ford AU Falcon
Successor	Ford BF Falcon
Class	Full-size car
Body style(s)	2-door ute 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Platform	FR EA169
Engine(s)	Straight-6 4.0 L Barra E-Gas 4.0 L Barra 182 4.0 L Barra 245T V8 5.4 L Barra 220 5.4 L Boss 260
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual 6-speed manual
Wheelbase	2829 mm (Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character "{" in)
Length	4916 mm (Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character "{" in)–5053 mm (Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character "{" in)
Width	1864 mm (Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character "{" in)
Height	1444 mm (Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character "{" in)
Curb weight	1620 kg (Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character "{" lb)–1740 kg (Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character "{" lb)
Related	Ford Fairlane Ford Fairmont Ford Territory

The Ford BA Falcon is a full-size car, produced by the Ford Motor Company of Australia, between September 2002 and October 2005. The exterior styling of the BA was a substantial revision of that used for the preceding AU model. A new IRS setup was fitted to all sedan derivatives, and the engine and transmission received further upgrades. In late 2004, Ford introduced a Mark II update, bringing subtle styling and mechanical changes,^[1] and exactly twelve months after that, replaced the BA with the BF. 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.^[2][3] In the final months of 2002, the BA model received the influential Wheels Car of the Year award,^[4] breaking a 36-year drought.^[5] The BA also won four consecutive Australia's Best Cars awards, spanning three years.^[6][7][8][9]

Development and design

The BA model represented a AU$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]

XR8 (MkII) interior fitted with the premium sound package and optional "Luxury Pack".

Exterior design

Exterior styling was led by design director Scott Strong, then chief designer for Ford Australia. After Strong departed from operations at Ford in 2001, Simmon Butterworth was overtook this role.^[11] Ford Australia's intention was to create a European influence for the vehicle, whereby most aspects of the AU 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. Interestingly, interference from the engine did not affect the radio reception.^[12]

Interior design

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, emphasising convenience and safety. 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]

Engine and mechanicals

Powerplants consisted of both straight-sixes and V8s, with the entry-level Barra six-cylinder being a significant improvement over the AU Falcon's six, with a gain of 25 kilowatts (33 hp) of power for a total of 182 kilowatts (244 hp).^[15] The 156 kilowatt (209 hp) LPG-only Barra E-Gas was used in the taxi-pack Falcon E-Gas.^[16] A turbocharged variant of the Barra engine was introduced in a new XR6 Turbo model and produced 240 kilowatts (321 hp) 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 220 kilowatts (295 hp) and a 260 kilowatt (348 hp) Boss 260.^[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. The automatic transmission featured Sequential Sports Shift, a first for the Falcon nameplate in Australia. The new Control-Blade independent rear suspension 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 130 kilogram (287 lb) weight increase from the previous model. The wagons and utilities retained the leaf sprung live axle rear suspension of the AU wagon and ute; consequently, they did not gain as much weight as the sedan.^[18]

The BA Falcon was also smoother on the road, with increased towing capabilities from previous models. Fuel consumption was measured at 12.5 L/100 km (Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character "{" mpg U.S.) for city driving and 8.2 L/100 km (Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character "{" mpg U.S.) 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.^[19][20]

Safety

Passenger safety was a key design aspect for the Ford engineers. ABS brakes were standard on all models; electronic brakeforce distribution was also standard on most variants. The addition of traction control for higher trim levels provided enhanced safety. On top of this, dual front airbags were a standard fitment across the range; with side-impact airbags being equipped on the Fairmont, and Fairmont Ghia. ANCAP gave the car four out of a possible five stars in their automotive safety assessment.^[21] Reverse parking sensors were available for the first time in the BA. The sensors emitted a beeping noise to alert the driver of nearby obstacles in the vehicle's path, and featured an automatic turn-off function for use when the vehicle was towing a boat or trailer. They were optional on the Fairmont and the performance models, but were standard on the Fairmont Ghia. AutoLamp automatic headlights, which turn off or on depending on surrounding environmental conditions, were now standard on all models.^[22]

Specification levels

The Falcon One Tonne Ute, was a top choice amongst tradesmen with its one-tonne payload capacity.

The BA range consisted of six specification levels, all of which were available in sedan form, with others offered as station wagon and utility body styles.

Falcon XT

Marketed largely towards the fleet industry, the entry-level Falcon XT sold in the most numbers.^[13] Featuring the base Barra 182 six-cylinder engine, air conditioning, front power windows, and five-speed manual, with the choice of a four-speed automatic, the XT was sold in sedan and station wagon body types.^[23] Judges of the Australia's Best Cars awards crowned the XT Best Family Car in 2002,^[6] and again in 2004,^[9] with the Futura receiving the award in 2003.^[8]

Futura

The semi-luxury Futura variant was heavily based on the XT, and marketed towards to families. Futura models gained cruise control, 16 inch alloy wheels, rear power windows and full body-coloured side-view mirrors and side-protection moldings. But, side-impact airbags and power adjustable pedals were only available as options.^[24]

Falcon XR6

Building on the features of the XT, the sports orientated Falcon XR6 was at one point considered not to be released. This was because of the new XR6 Turbo model, however, Ford overturned this decision before production.^[25] A specifically designed body kit distinguished the XR6 from other variants, save for the XR6 Turbo and XR8 which shared the sports bodywork. The naturally-aspirated engine was identical to the engine used on the XT and Futura, and the five-speed manual transmission came as standard.^[26]

The eight-cylinder XR8 muscle sedan, produces 260 kilowatts (348 hp) of power.

Falcon XR6 Turbo

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.^[7] 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 240 kilowatts (321 hp).^[27]

Falcon XR8

Being the flagship sports variant, the XR8 credited specially tuned sports suspension, seating trim displaying the "XR8" insignia, 18 inch wheels and the new 5.4 litre Boss 260 engine, outputting 30% more power the previous model.^[29]

Fairmont

The Fairmont model opened up the luxury sector the Falcon nameplate. Standard features included traction control, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, and velour upholstery to name a few. The basic mechanical setup carried over from the XT, although buyers could opt for the Barra 220 V8 engine, as well as manual transmission.^[30]

Fairmont Ghia

By far the most expensive variant in the BA range, the Fairmont Ghia featured leather upholstery, wood grain highlights, full power options and a unique suspension assembly.^[31] The premium sound system, which incorporated a full-colour LCD screen, was standard, and the centre console stack was characterised by an analogue clock.^[13] The Ghia acted as a doorway to the prestige long-wheelbase Fairlane/LTD range.

Mark II

The Mark II version of the BA Falcon XT.

Ford released the Mark II (BAII) 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-speeder. The Futura model gained power adjustable pedals, and side airbags, with a DVD entertainment system being offered on upmarket trim levels.^[1] The XR8 variant also received the premium audio system and a newly designed bonnet.^[32]

Issues and criticism

Like its forebear, the BA copped its fair share of criticism. One of these being the extra 100 kilograms (220 lb) it carried over the Holden VY/VZ Commodore rival. Critics in the motoring industry were quick to point out the below par build quality, such as inconsistent gaps between trim sections and joints.^[33] In the used car market, BA Falcons tend to suffer from poor depreciation rates, due to influxes of ex-fleet models entering the second-hand market and rising fuel costs.^[34] Poor resale values may also be attributed to the residual prejudice from the previous model's controversial styling.^[35]

References