Here comes Ford's boss

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

The bulge in the bonnet of the new Ford Falcon XR8 isn't just for looks - it's there to accommodate the "Boss", the name the company gives to its 32-valve, all-alloy 5.4-litre V8.

Ford showed off the new engines and interiors of the heavily updated BA Falcon to the media in Melbourne the other day, but kept the XR8 under covers. It won't be seen in the flesh until next year.

The unveiling of the rest of the range was the fifth and final instalment of the BA Falcon's "Secrets Revealed" campaign, a drip-feeding exercise over the past few months of seats, trim, paint, the standard Control Blade independent rear suspension, exterior and other technology.

Ford staggered information about the BA Falcon - codenamed Barra - because it is treating it not as a mid-life facelift of the AU but as a new model.

"We needed to do it differently to take the time to make sure all of the messages got out," said Ford Australia president Geoff Polites.

One of the messages was that the standard AU model Forte has gone, along with the old live-axle rear suspension.

Forte will be replaced by the XT nameplate, a clear attempt to distance the BA from its AU predecessor. After all, the update cost about $500 million.

Ford sees the X in the entry-level model as a link to the performance credentials of the XR range and the T as standing for Touring, as in a comfortable long-distance car.

The new BA Falcon line-up will go on sale here in October/November. It will be launched to media and dealers later this month.

It consists of the XT, Futura, Fairmont, XR6 and XR8 - each one powered by a choice of new twin-cam straight-six and V8 engines mated to four-speed sequential transmissions.

Ford says the four-speed box better capitalises on the new engines' spread of torque. The XR series gets a five-speed manual option. Details of the gearboxes will come later.

The entry-level engine is a reworked 24-valve, twin-cam version of the long-time 4-litre straight-six. It develops 182kW at 5000rpm and 380Nm of torque - 25kW and 23Nm more than the engine in the AU.

A variation of the same engine running on liquid petroleum gas develops 156kW at 4750rpm and 372Nm at 3000rpm. Ford says it wants to promote LPG models in New Zealand.

The XR6 gets a turbocharged and intercooled version of the straight-six called the 240T. It develops 240kW at 5250rpm and 450Nm between 2000-4500rpm. Ford says it provides excellent throttle response at low speeds.

There is a choice of two V8 engines, both of 5.4-litre capacity. The 24-valve 220V8 produces 220kW at 4750rpm and 470Nm at 3250rpm. Ford says most of the torque is still available at 4000rpm.

The premium 32-valve 260V8 "Boss" develops 260kW at 5250rpm and 500Nm at 4250rpm. More than 400Nm is available right throughout the rev range, says Ford. This new engine replaces the 5-litre Windsor V8, which has gone out of production.

As for the interior, it is light years ahead of the AU, cleaner, sharper, with an all-new design, including dashboard, seats, materials, instruments and equipment.