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Exec express

Wheels Magazine
May, 2008

If Holden currently rules the local niche for dedicated luxury expresses with its Calais V, then Ford has just usurped the crown.

At first glance, the G6E Turbo seems to be a replacement for the Fairmont Ghia V8 and also FPV's well-conceived but unpopular Force 6. In reality the newcomer is in a different league of performance and refinement.

The G6ET is powered by the same turbocharged version of the 4.0-litre six in the XR6T, yet nothing could have prepared us for the sheer speed of this $54,990 package that combines so much power and presence.

And while the 270kW power output may seem as though it's been lifted straight from previous versions of FPV turbos, that's far from the truth.

Everything from the new induction system including a bigger and more efficient intercooler, higher compression ratio, extra boost and strengthened internals, mark this as a highly modified unit in its own right.

The biggest indicator is the torque output, which has risen from 480Nm in the BF XR6T to 533Nm from 2000rpm.

The figures speak for themselves. The 0-100km/h acceleration benchmark - tested, as always, with at least half a tank of fuel and a passenger on board - rocketed past in 5.1 seconds. From standstill to 400 metres took 13.3 seconds and 160km/h came and went by in 11.3. For overtaking, the story is just as good: with the transmission left in drive, 80-120km/h takes just a tad under 3.1 seconds.

These numbers will look familiar against the XR6 Turbo with the six-speed automatic, because the pair are identical in terms of drivetrain specification, not to mention the 245/40R18 Dunlops getting power to the ground. Strangely though, the G6ET managed a slightly better getaway off the line and was slightly faster despite the lack of the XR6T's standard limited-slip differential.

Yet despite the possibility of wheelspin on a dry surface and with traction control turned off, the G6E Turbo merely requires a heavy right foot to deliver its best performance.

The ZF auto looks after the rest, and the turbo engine simply delivers bulk levels of power and pace all the way to its 6200rpm shift point.

Noise levels are relatively subdued. There's nothing memorable about the six's turbo exhaust note - it just goes. And goes.

Driven at a quieter pace, there's so much more to enjoy about this car. The massive backlog of torque is always on tap, thanks to the ZF's welcome ability to find the right cog for a given job, and even road noise at 100 or 110km/h is barely audible. Turbo lag is mostly not an issue thanks to the combination of the engine's capacity, efficiency of the new Garrett turbocharger and the workings of the torque converter.

The Falcon's new suspension seems well up to the job of containing the potential performance. Suspension ratings on the Turbo are set firmer than other G-Series models but are, crucially, more compromising than the XRs.

So, on first impressions the ride seems to have abundant compliance to go with well-controlled body movement and the precision of the front end for directional changes. The natural tendency is for some initial understeer, then an immediate yet progressive tightening of the line on easing the throttle, and the stability control works unobtrusively in the background to keep things in line.

The cabin is probably the best execution of the FG theme, with tastefully subdued glossy black trim to complement gadgets such as power seats, full colour screen, dual-zone climate control and iPod compatibility.

One useful but largely unheralded feature on all the FG models is the deletion of internal releases for the boot lid and fuel-filler flap; the boot now has its own external release, and the fuel flap opener is part of the central locking system.

This is a car that rewards both as a quiet and refined luxury sedan at sensible speeds or, with the hammer down, a genuine performance car. The impression is that, search as you may, the world probably doesn't have a car that better combines comfort, performance and value. Australia certainly hasn't.

* Track: You Yangs, dry. Temp: 20°C Driver: Jonathan Hawley

Read more on the Ford Falcon FG here:

XT:  Base model, but no longer basic ...	XR8: Overshadowed by same-price Turbo sibling ...
G6 & G6E:  Euro-looks clothe Aussie dimensions ...	Open road: XT, XR8, G6ET - three cars, long days, big kays ...
XR6 & XR6T: Sports styled, but only Turbo truly delivers ...

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