2008 Ford FG Falcon range overview
April 14, 2008 by George Skentzos
The second half of Australia’s family car rivalry has today been unveiled, with Ford having announced the official specifications for its new FG series Falcon range.
CarAdvice’s first impression of the new Falcon fleet is promising, with the more specialized line-up receiving rave reviews due to the addition of the brilliant new G Series range, and far more inspiring XR sports range.
“For the first time in Falcon’s history, the new model will come to market with three distinct faces on the vehicle, offering both private and fleet customers, and both sports and luxury customers, a new Falcon to suit their lifestyle.”
There are now three families in the Falcon range, including:
All Falcons will feature an advanced safety package as standard, incorporating driver and front passenger airbags, front side head/thorax airbags, driver and front passenger Beltminder system, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control (TC), and Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA).
Premium models also add side curtain airbags, in conjunction with front side thorax airbags as standard – also available as an option across the Falcon sedan range.
The G6E and G6E Turbo sedans also receive a new reverse camera system as standard, which is optional across the sports XR range.
The Falcon sedan range begins with the XT. Designed to meet the requirements of fleet buyers without the stereotypes of an entry-level model, the XT focuses on interior appointments and standard safety features.
The first of the G Series range and no doubt the best option for private buyers is the G6 sedan, matching the XT for standard equipment albeit in a far more handsome package with a few more added creature comforts.
For those who prefer to lead the quieter life in uncompromising comfort, the G6E offers the highest standard equipment levels in the FG range without the force-fed powerplant.
Adding a few more performance-oriented features to match its 270kW turbocharged I6 engine, the G6E turbo sedan cements its position as the flagship model in the new FG Falcon range.
Life in the fast lane begins with the new Falcon XR6, sporting a normally aspirated inline-six engine and signature XR styling, including a new Tremec six-speed manual transmission as standard, or optioned with either the five-speed automatic or the ZF six-speed automatic transmissions.
Arguably the new flagship for the Falcon performance range, the XR6 Turbo will for the first time be specified to the same levels as the XR8 – differentiated only by its 270kW turbocharged I6 engine.
Standing beside the XR6 Turbo is the new XR8, developing 290kW from its BOSS 5.4-litre V8 engine, differentiated only by its trademark bonnet power bulge. For the iconic presence and sound of a V8 delivered through the unique active muffler design, buyers cannot go past the new XR8.
Fuel consumption across the range has also improved as follows:
4.0L DI-VCT I6
5-speed Auto – 10.5L/100km – 1.9% Improvement
4.0L DI-VCT I6
6-speed Auto – 10.1L/100km – 1.0% Improvement
4.0L DI-VCT I6 Turbo
6-speed Auto – 11.7L/100km – 4.9% Improvement
5.4L Boss 290 4v V8
6-speed Auto – 14.0L/100km – 6.9% Improvement
Print it: 
I like ford’s but this new FG range looks extremely similar to the old BFII range. The only real difference is the XR8 range. So its a 6/10, so I won’t be buying it!
Infact it looks like the honda accord euro! Which I like!!
^So do u know what u are going to buy?
ive also been told by a guy who runs a taxi fleet that the falcons do last much better, but its not just that reason.
he tells that if something does go wrong, they are easier and cheaper to fix. “just keep a spare diff and tranny in the shed” he reckons.
it amazes me how when you jump in a taxi, and they show 1 mill k’s on them, that they still pull away very smoothly.
taxi drivers dont take it easy either.
its 100% throttle or nothing.
but yeah 1 mill clicks and they still run smooth as
Did anyone see the article on drive.com.au that Ford maybe considering having the side curtain air bags standard on the FG?
“You have just witnessed the last Iteration of a wholly Australian Built/Developed Car.
Have a cup of toughen up Luv.”
Actually, it’s the last iteration of a wholly Australian built/developed AND SOLD (or not) Car. Otherwise known as bad business.
Have a cup of reality Luv.
So what if the v8 goes from Ford or Holden? By 2010 Holden will have a 10 litre !!! With new technology coming they are becoming obsolete. God i wish I had the money for an FG FPV F6 !!!!!! What a great car…….
Well Done Roddy, you’ve gone and misquoted me. Fool.
I’m not concerned about the Bad Business side of it.
Its a factor in this being the last Falcon but so what, at least its going out in a blaze of glory. Go and hang out with primary school students if you want to be a smart arse.
they said they cant promise the V8 will be available after 2010…. but if they do keep the V8 in the line up they will be looking at using the next gen 5.0 litre Mustang engine… which you would think would be a good high compacity engine and would do great supercharged… i only read about this on Drive.com so not shore how true this is… i hope the V8 stays…
2010 will be an exciting year for ford Aus i think with hopefully a new V8 and the V6 to be rolled out and the 321kw Twin Turbo V6 to be unleashed on the Australian Market….
yes i think on the First of may the ford is having a meeting regarding the Falcon… with Ford Bosses from america coming over to review the new falcon, decide regarding the Air bag issue… and osbourne has stated he will be pushing to get the falcon to be exported as well… so lets there is some good news from thos meeting.
Aww whatsamatter Bucket…can dish it out but can’t take it hey
Have a cup of calm down Luv
Roddy, why don’t you tell us why you continue your pathetic negativity towards the new Falcon? Show is where Ford announced “FG is Ford’s last Falcon ever”? I highly doubt you would. Ford was granted 52.5 million for Building the next Falcon for 2010, this will be the model with the V6 engine.
No matter how this model Falcon sells, the Falcon name will be here for awile.
QUOTE: “Aww whatsamatter Bucket…can dish it out but can’t take it hey Have a cup of calm down Luv”
The way you say “Luv” at the end of your comments, that is becoming suspicious sign that you are a little…..Let’s say abnormal.
Wasn’t talking to you Oz.
If Bucket is happy to condescend to others, he can suck it up and take some himself.
Feel free to try to flame me now…i’m sure you will, not that it matters to me *yawn*
I’m off to work.
ciao
I hope for fords sake the new FG is a success, it looks good is refined has good fuel economy for its size, and has some exciting sports models.It would be a shame to loose ford aswell as mitsubishi. MY pick would be an xr6 turbo, would have to drive 6sp man and auto to decide on transmission..
Bucket you seem to know little of nothing, are you going to put your money where your mouth is, are you 100% sure Ford OZ will fold after FG, I wish I was a fortune teller but even skeptics that guess make mistakes….
Ford Falcon is here to stay whether you like it or not…….. :-)
Bucket probably drives a Bucket, lol hahahahahahahahahahahaha :-)
Boys & Girls, take a comprehension lesson.
I said the last Iteration of a WHOLLY Australian Built Car….when I say this, I was mainly alluding to the ENGINE which is unique to FoA.
I am a huge advocate for the Ford Falcon and everything it stands for.
FORD FALC IS HERE TO STAY… How on earth did you manage to surmise that I don’t want the Falcon here? If you were a regular visitor to this site, you would have noticed that I frequently defend the Falcon.
I only wish the US would smell the Roses and take a page out of our engineers book and develop a car based on an existing platform instead of heaping engineering $$$ into developing a new platform.
For the record, I grew up with Ford Falcons. Mum still has an EL and my Dad had every model from EA through to AU until his company changed lease to Commodores with the introduction of the VY- a real shame.
As for myself AC COBRA, I drive a 2006 LS Zetec, not exactly a cheap Bucket :)
Oh and Roddy, I don’t know why you’re trying to pick a fight with me, Jimbo was havin a jab at car advice and we sorted out our differences. If you’re looking for an argument, go elsewhere. If you read the entire thread I was annoyed at the Jab he had at Car advice and the folks at Ford who invested they’re time/no doubt overtime into the development of the FG. You’re reason to butt in is unfounded. Sure, go to work and don’t come back with that attitude.
Yes, the wasted spark method of which you spoke of is one reason the Ecotec is not the world’s best LPG engine and not to do with the I6’s iron block, like YOU originally wrote.
By the way, try not to treat every reply like an English essay, using alterative words with more syllables isn’t an automatic sign of intelligence and the least you can do is learn to spell them right :)
I have no reason to prove my Intelligence GhisGT.
I type the way I speak and can’t be arsed using spell check. There.
Like I said, I was told this by the Taxi Drivers I spoke to. No better way to get the information you want than to hear it from the horses’ mouth so I would have thought. They were obviously talking in regards to the Alloytech block and once again, I may be wrong, but i would have thought the blokes doing 500,000+ Km’s would have some authority on the issue.
I don’t have a problem with being proven wrong in fact, i welcome it.
even by the time you pay the $300 excess for the extra airbags, it still isnt any dearer than its competitors.
its not like they dont give you the bags yet still charge you the same price is it?
holden has done the same with A/C for many many years.
they would not display it as standard, yet by the time you optioned it in, it was still a comparible price to its competitors.
but yes maybe they will switch on quickly and realise that the media would give them less flack by upping the list price by $300 and displaying them as standard.
i cant understand why it has taken holden so long to standardise A/C. surely the flack from not displaying it as standard is worse than raising the list price
Andrew M, the reason Holden avoided air-con as standard had a lot more to do with fuel consumption figures than cost.
Damn I hate “bentley” as an anti-spam word, I keep forgeting the second “e”.
Bret,
yes, and then there is that too.
but also i feel it was to display the RRP Price lower in order to get the suckers in the door
Hi Everyone,
Just read some reviews on other sites like Drive and wheels and they do seem to be really happy with the way the new Falcon performs, which is a good thing for Ford. I think that new front suspension and piviot steering setup is a step in the right direction, very refined and stable handling, especially when you got that sort of power under the hood. I think Holden will find it hard to keep up with the XR6 turbo in the SS range. That car is a real threat and a massive advantage for Ford in the Performance wars. Some comparisive testing between the two ranges would be great, hopefully after the FG is on sale in May.
Look forward to hearing and reading more about this new Falcon, especially that F6.
Cheers
Prim
But Andrew M, sometimes the more options for customers to choice from is better. Like aircon. If the car for examlple came at $32,990. Say $2000 extra for aircon which would take it up to $34,990. But if the car is at the same price of competition or better price than comp. sometimes its better as an option.
But now aircon comes standard across the whole commodore range.
Duck,
its prob worse for doing it with A/C, because when was the last time holden delivered a commodore with out A/C?
everyone knows you are going to have to pay for it
New Ford FG, not bad, in fact, it’s looks are becoming more appealling as I watch all these photo’s and review’s unfold almost at a daily rate. I have a friend who recently bought a ve ss. Not a bad car either. I am deciding between a SS V and now the XR turbo luxury pack. Ahhh this FG is making me loose sleep. Both 55 grand cars. Both look great. Brut v8 power v lighting quick Turbo. FG XR turbo, what a cracker looks like the XRT FG may win me. Like that rear on this FG …
OMG… I just came back from Drive.com.au and FG Falcon vs VE Commodore comparisons have already started!! :| , :) , :D , :mrgreen:
I’m always a Ford fan & I don’t like Holdens. The new FG Falcons are nice & the XR8 has a powerful improved Boss 290 engine. Good on you & good luck Andy for choosing to buy the XR6 Turbo. It has improved from the BAII series & it now has 270 KW.