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Refined range evolution

Wheels Magazine
May, 2008

While the FG represents a major styling and engineering overhaul of the Falcon, it is also a major tweak in marketing. Gone are the Futura, Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia badges that have, over the decades, represented Ford's beyond-basic models in the line-up.

Don't forget the long-wheelbase Fairlane and LTD have also been put on ice. In place of the short-wheelbase upper-order, the new model designations we have to get used to are the G6, G6E and G6E Turbo.

From an engineering perspective, the G6 and G6E are very close, and not so distantly related to the XT. The standard drivetrain package is the same 195kW 4.0-litre six, but where the G6 has the new five-speed auto as standard equipment, the G6E gets the ZF six-speeder.

Both these G-Series models share a suspension tune that's a step-up from the XT - Ford refers to it as "sports luxury" - that's nonetheless more comfort and less performance oriented than either the quicker Turbo or more muscular XR suspension specs.

In particular, the increased spring and damper rates are aimed at stiffening the rear suspension. Also contributing to the G-Series' chassis upgrade are 235/50R17 tyres on eight-inch-wide alloy rims.

The G6E is effectively the natural successor to the Fairmont Ghia, being the uppermost non-turbo model in the Falcon range, which, apart from the XR8, no longer includes a V8 model. It gets a raft of equipment upgrades over the G6 such as dual-zone climate control, leather seats with eight-way power adjustment, a colour screen for the driver interface, a reversing camera and side curtain airbags.

The good news though, is that the latest iteration of the Falcon six works just as well in the G6E as it does in the XT. In fact, our best standing start acceleration times were identical for the two, meaning the closer-stacked transmission ratios in the ZF six-speed were only enough to neutralise the weight of extra luxury equipment.

Same goes for rolling acceleration, where the G6E's time of 4.8 seconds from 80-120km/h was shaded by 0.1sec by the XT. But the engine's delightful ability to rev, its responsiveness across the range and the promise of improved fuel consumption - enhanced even more by the six-speed - makes it a vast improvement over the BF Falcon.

Ultimately a 7.3-second 0-100km/h time and 0-400 metres in 15.3 are not only quick for a large family sedan, but vastly ahead of what we've recorded for a four-speed auto Holden Berlina, and marginally in front of the class-leading (performance-wise) Toyota Aurion.

Better still, the G6E has distinctively different driving characteristics to the base-model Falcon while retaining, and even improving on, the best bits. It's almost eerily quiet with wind and road noise at 100km/h negligible, and barely rising at the much higher speeds available at Ford's proving ground.

The ride is a little firmer but still safely on the comfortable side of hard, and the six-speed automatic works as well as ever; deftly picking a higher ratio without slur or flare, kicking-down with aplomb, and tenaciously holding a ratio if needed, despite varied throttle inputs.

The G6E has the XT's deliciously weighted and accurate steering but with less kickback. The lower-profile rubber no doubt helps to improve turn-in and front-end grip. The rear is tied down more firmly and is less likely to shift laterally under load, giving the driver more confidence to push on through corners. The stability control works brilliantly at speed by making minute adjustments to compensate for any wheel's loss of grip.

Overall, the combination of useful six-cylinder power, the intelligent transmission, enviable refinement and handling that encourages and rewards the driver makes for an eminently comfortable yet quick sedan, all for just under $47,000. Yet Ford has an exponential increase in performance available, but for that you have to reach for the G6E Turbo.

G6: range evolution
The G6 largely shares the G6E's chrome detailing, but misses out on mirror-mounted indicators, silver driving light surrounds, leather trim, and some electronic entertainment gizmos.

It has essentially the same engine, suspension and tyre package, so the two are very similar. The key difference is the G6's five-speed auto, which works just as well as in the XT, and the six-speed is available as an option anyway. Our performance figures were virtually identical for XT, G6 and G6E. If you don't need the added equipment its sub-$40,000 price tag will be attractive.

This makes it more a competitor for Holden's Berlina, while the G6E is still attractively priced compared with the similarly specced Calais V.

*  Track: You Yangs, dry. Temp: 16°C Driver: John Carey
** Track: You Yangs, dry. Temp: 15°C Driver: John Carey

Read more on the Ford Falcon FG here:

XT:  Base model, but no longer basic ...	XR8: Overshadowed by same-price Turbo sibling ...
G6E Turbo: Blindingly quick luxury-sports blend ...	Open road: XT, XR8, G6ET - three cars, long days, big kays ...
XR6 & XR6T: Sports styled, but only Turbo truly delivers ...

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