Falcon in the wind

Ford is banking that the updated Ford Falcon range will emulate the success of the outgoing AU model, New Zealand's best-selling car last year.

The facelifted Series II AU goes on sale in New Zealand in June, nearly two years after the Series I was launched here. It is said to be an altogether better car with a much improved ride.

Sales of the Series I haven't suffered in New Zealand like they did in Australia, where Ford admitted it made a car Australians didn't want.

"We were happy with it but the public weren't," Ford Australia president Geoff Polites says.

"We did 32 research groups on the product, but not one on the customer."

The most obvious differences in the new-look Falcon are the grille, bonnet and rear end. The interior is expected to be freshened too.

The Tickford-built XR8 version of the Series II AU will get a new engine, a 5.0-litre V8 producing 200kW instead of the old model's 185kW.

The XR8 also gets a new front bumper, rear spoiler, body-kit and wheels.