Ageing Falcon given big facelift

Press, 15 November 1984, Page 20

Ageing Falcon given big facelift

By

PETER GREENSLADE

Ford Australia is said to have spent sAust4o million on a facelift and engineering improvements in a bid to to keep the ageing Falcon—the first X series was launched in March, 1979— the nation’s top-selling car. Recently revamped, the Holden Commodore, which is just as old as the Falcon, has got into Ford in recent months and wrested outright first place from the Falcon in August. The new XF Falcon series, with the larger Fairlane and LTD derivatives, has been changed subtly externally and there have been major interior improvements and significant engineering changes. These changes include more power and better economy, with digital electronic instrumentation in some models.

The Australian company is attemting to regain the initiative by retaining the current price structure, in spite of a higher standard of equipment. The extras are claimed to be worth be-

tween $3OO amd $BOO depending upon the model. Unlike GMH, Ford has decided to continue to build the Falcon utility and panel van versions. GMH recently discontinued utility and van production, thereby leaving the field open to Ford. The XF Falcon has amore rounded nose, new grille and slimline headlights. Interior changes include a fold-down section in the rear seat and new trim and instrumentation panels. The engineering changes have been accompanied by a power boost in the optional 4.1-litre fuel injection engine by 6.7 kW to 89.5 kW (120 b.h.p.). It is expected that the first examples of the XF Falcon will become available in New Zealand early in 1985. The XF is likely to be the last in the X Falcon series. A new model to replace the series is reputedly already quite advanced, but when it will appear is anybody’s guess at this stage.