2008 Ford Falcon Orion Ute Interior Spied!
July 4, 2007 by Paul Maric
After an arduous day at the office, our spy photographer has snapped the first shots of Ford’s rehashed centre console, along with the new speedometer/tachometer cluster.
The seemingly base model Ford ‘Orion’ Utility spotted in traffic is not dissimilar to the one spotted earlier by our photographer, except without the funky looking alloy wheels.
1.
The following shots of the interior confirm several things. Firstly, a telephone button on the steering wheel (on what appears to be a base model) suggests that Ford’s new Falcon will mimic Holden’s Bluetooth availability across the entire range, allowing the driver to connect their phone to play through the car’s speakers.
2.
Next up, Ford’s new dashboard layout has been revealed. The first – and most noticeable – feature is the display at the top of the dashboard. This, presumably, being a base model indicates that the screen may simply be an analogue unit, similar to the one featured in Holden’s Commodore Omega, displaying vital information such as radio and CD controls.
The other noticeable feature of the dashboard unit is that the air vents have been shifted from the top of the dash to the middle. The vehicle pictures is also fitted with a column shift unit, negating the need for a floor shifting unit.
A new steering wheel has also made it to the new Falcon. The steering wheel design seems to have been somewhat reverted back to EF/EL style. It’s hard to tell if the Utility is fitted with a different steering wheel to the Futura model photographed some time ago by our spy photographer.
The next most noticeable feature of the photos is the speedometer and tachometer cluster which are visible from one of the photos.
Ford has adopted a similar LCD readout to Holden’s Commodore, probably to be used for fuel consumption and other trip computer features. Also noticeable is a “Menu” button (circled) which our spy photographer has suggested is used to navigate the screen.
Holden use steering wheel menu controls to navigate the screen, relinquishing the need for reaching through/around the steering wheel to access the menu. Also witnessed by the spy photographer is a new speedometer cluster which features a new font, different to that used in the BF Falcon.
From another angle, the bottom of the centre cluster can be seen.
3.
Although not totally uncovered, the headlight angle and design is clearly evident from the embossing of the lights through the car bra.
One other thing that took the spy photographer by surprise are the “Good Year” branded tyres, deviating from the “Dunlop” norm. This isn’t conclusive though, as it’s a prototype vehicle, any wheels could have been fitted for a number of reasons.
4.
A few more photos from the interior reveal some truths that were covered up from previous photos. Firstly, you may recall the previous photos our spy photographer took of the Ute which detailed the covering behind the driver and passenger door (as shown above).
The following interior shots reveals that there is a new design employed for the Orion Falcon Ute.
(Courtesy of AutoNews)
Click for larger version
5.
And lastly, speculation about the rear suspension in the new Utility has been ripe. Thanks to our spy photographer, it can be confirmed that the Orion Utility – the base model at least – will use leaves.
Remember, if you have any spy photos of Ford’s new Falcon – or any other vehicle for that matter – contact CarAdvice, if the photos are decent, we’re willing to pay cash (more than the major magazines). High-resolution copies of the images attached are available. Please contact CarAdvice to request copies.
Print it: 
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Yes, very solid OZ, stick the boots where it hurts, around his kidney area, I will back you if he reacts again..
Both Ford and Holden have had plenty of recalls. The AU had 6 recalls from memory, and three series to fix the issues. I think the VT of the same era had 2 or 3. There’s always problems with cars produced in high numbers.
DAMN RIGHT GREG!!!lol
Pete, my last comment was to show you and your fellow biased Holdenwoo fans some painfull history which is likely to return in may this year…
Importjap, my memory is a little fuzzy. What were the AU recalls?
I remember getting a new brake line during a routine service, but don’t remember the others. Maybe they didn’t affect my model.
Ford AU models have only had 4 recalls not 6 …
1: Product Info: Ford AU Series I and AU Series II Falcon Forte, Futura, Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia, XR variants, Fairlane, LTD, Utes and FTE Vehicles built from 1 June 1998 to 22 May 2001 inclusive.
Defect Details: There is the possibility that inappropriate servicing of the steering rack retaining hardware may affect the integrity of the steering rack mounting stud. Overtightening of the steering rack mounting hardware may degrade the thread locking compound.
2: Ford Au Falcon & Fairlane Vehicles
Product Info: Campaign Srcc176. Built From March 19, 1999 To March 22, 1999 Inclusive.
Defect Details: The Bolts Securing The Upper Suspension Arm To Upper Arm Bushes May Be Affected By Hydrogen Embrittlement Resulting In Suspension Noise And In Extreme Cases, Upper Arms May Separate From The Bushes.
3: Product Info: All Au Models To March 24, 1999.
Defect Details: May Have Incorrectly Torqued Front Spindle Upper Ball Joint Retaining Bolts.
4: Product Info: Au Models Specified With Front Bench Seat And Passenger Airbag, Built To March 15, 1999.
Defect Details: Front Centre Seat Belts Have A Passenger Airbag Warning Label Attached To The Belt Which Prevents The Belt From Being Shortened To A Level Which Complies With Adr.
An emotive subject methinks.
Here’s an outsiders view. Holden Ford who cares (I don’t) I buy what’s suitable for me. Yep both in competition with each other, oh and both losing money faster than Bill Gates makes it. PENI S above was pretty much correct, its all about badges and not the Australian thing to car manufacturers. Think about it population of Australia 20million, Europe population dunno say 250million, USA/Canada 300million say. Do you honestly believe that there’s enough sales opportunity in Australia alone to develop a peculiar model for Oz. Nope not a chance. That’s why we’re sharing platforms and engines (the expensive bits) globally.. live with it. You can hang whatever body work you like on the platform mostly its down to looks. If you could put General Motors/Holden and Ford on a pair of scales the balance would go to Ford but only by a small fraction. I for one didn’t like to look of Falcon but that’s my opinion. The only reason the likes of Holden and Ford sell well is they are cheap and plentiful and have no competition. BMW/Merc/Audi are out of there league both in performance and price. Holden do have strange perception of the Australian market thinking people want re-badged Korean stuff when what would be better is a lightly adapted Euro model like things used to be with the Rekord/Commodore thing, until they realise that its Ford who will benefit of the Markeyt share.
Anyway the Falcon…the interior is definitely not up to Eurocar standards… see the Mondeo as an example.
The thing that gets me… Magazines like “Wheels” and “Motor” will run spy photos of the latest local Falcons and Commdore… They “guess” what the newest models look like, they ask the readers to send in their photographics…
And when the new models are released, they run “inside stories” of their involvement in the project (suspension tune on the BA Falcon was attributed to a team consisting of Ford specialist and “Wheels” magazine journos). They feature pictures of their secret test runs to the Northern Territory, etc, etc…
They did it with the Avalon, AU, BA, VT, VE…