>>Ford BF Falcon

Ford BF Falcon

Ford BF Falcon

Manufacturer	Ford Australia
Production	October 2005 – February 2008 (utility, sedan) October 2005 – June 2010 (wagon)
Assembly	Australia: Campbellfield, Victoria
Predecessor	Ford BA Falcon
Successor	Ford FG Falcon
Class	Full-size car

2005–2006 Ford BF Falcon XR6 Turbo utility

The Ford BF Falcon is a full-size car that was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in Victoria, Australia. The BF Falcon started production in October 2005 and a MkII update was released in October 2006. The engines are the same as those used on the previous BA Falcon, with significant technical upgrades.

The new model brought many mechanical upgrades to the Falcon, including but not limited to dual-independent variable cam timing on the six-cylinder engines and improved knock sensing on the SOHC V8 which, in conjunction with ECU modifications, led to increases in power, torque and fuel economy, required to comply with recently introduced Euro III emissions standards. The changes to the six-cylinder engine further decreased the engine’s already low noise and vibration while increasing power from 182 to 190 kW (244 to 255 hp). With the BF, Ford introduced a six-speed automatic developed by German company ZF and Bosch. The XR6 Turbo got a power increase to 245 kilowatts (329 hp), along with the ZF six-speed automatic.

Locks and security

With the BF Falcon Ford updated the keys and security of the Falcon, replacing the ageing Tibbe lock system with a Huf manufactured 2 track key.

Mark II

2006–2008 Ford BF II Falcon XT sedan

On the 6 October 2006, the BF Mark II was officially launched by the late Ford President Tom Gorman. BF Falcon MkII went on sale 22 October 2006. The XT, Futura and Fairmont sport a facelift, while the XR range gets some minor interior updates. Small changes to the exterior are barely visible on the BF range, but the sporting image has been incorporated greatly throughout the range. The Fairmont Ghia has had a major exterior image upgrade (compared to the other models) including more chrome and larger diamond finished alloy wheels. The Fairmont Ghia featured the BA series XR6 Skirt kit, minus the XR badging. Simple and elegant. The Fairmont on the other hand does not receive this "special" sports body kit but still receives small visual upgrades.

November 2007 onwards BF Mk II XR6 Turbo

In the final months of production (July 2007 onwards), the XR6, XR6 Turbo and XR8 received a special edition body kit with dark gray inserts on the bumpers and skirts (November 2007 onwards), shadow chrome 18" alloys with dark gray inserts on the spokes, and Premium Sound/Climate Control as standard. The naturally aspirated XR6 was gifted these options only with the added option of the ZF six-speed automatic. In New Zealand the cars with the special edition body kit were known as the 'Rebel' model and had Rebel badging with the Rebel title sewn into the leather headrests. The NZ Rebel models included all of the optional upgrades.

It is interesting to note that much of the Falcon's success in Australia can be attributed to Ford Australia (and indeed also Holden) continuing to face the same problem that led to the Falcon's introduction in the 1960s: the resistance of Australian Ford buyers to "smaller" models. Attempts to sell the US Ford Taurus in Australia and New Zealand as a possible future replacement for the Falcon proved disastrous. Conversely, the Mondeo - which proved unpopular in Australia (but a success in New Zealand)—is the largest model available from Ford in Europe since the Scorpio was dropped in 1998.

Mark III

2008–2010 Ford BF III Falcon XT station wagon.

The replacement of the BF Series sedans and utes with the FG models in May 2008 also saw the release of a Mark III version of the BF Series Falcon wagon. The Futura model was discontinued, leaving the base model XT the only model remaining.

The BF wagon was discontinued in late 2010, leaving its entire Estate to the Mondeo as the only wagon variant offered in Ford Australia's entire range.