Ford Falcon BF

Auto Trader NZ
Author
Published 3 September 2020

The big news about the BF, whose styling is an evolution of the BA’s with more rounded front and rear end treatments, is the six-speed automatic gearbox which is available on selected models.

The new car has also been engineered to be quieter and more refined than its predecessors, with reductions in mechanical and road noise.

The engines have also been retuned to improve fuel economy. Ford quotes reductions of up to 11 per cent on some models. The BF range introduces Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) on selected models.

Traction control is standard on all petrol-powered BF sedans and wagons and, for the first time, on XR Utes.

The BF Falcon line-up starts with the XT with the upgraded Barra 190 six-cylinder engine with Dual Independent Variable Camshaft Timing and an improved four-speed automatic transmission, delivering class-leading power levels and fuel efficiency improvements of more than five per cent.

The Futura has the same engine and also comes complete with new 16-inch alloy wheels and Reverse Sensing System. The Fairmont has the Barra 190 engine, new alloy wheels and two new paint colours – Wired and Deja Vu.

The range-topping Fairmont Ghia adds Dynamic Stability Control, new alloy wheels, six-speed automatic transmission and an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat.

 Falcon XR6s get the new six-speed automatic transmission as standard. The XR6 Turbo gets power and torque increases, the no cost option of a new six-speed automatic transmission, new 17-inch alloy wheels and DSC.

The XR8 gets new 18-inch rims, new front bumper and new taillights. The bonnet bulge remains, housing the 5.4-litre DOHC V8, which is also available with the new six-speed automatic transmission as a no cost option.

The Barra 190 engine, is now standard in XL and XLS utes, complemented by revised four-speed automatic transmission. XR utes get traction control, and XR6 Turbo and XR8 versions get the new six-speed automatic transmission.

BF Fairlanes come with a choice of the new Barra 190 six or Barra 230 V8, teamed with the six-speed automatic transmission. All lone wheelbase models – the Fairlane Ghia, G8 and LTD – have DSC and new 17-inch alloy wheels.

BF Falcon range
XT 4.0-Litre 190kW, 383Nm DOHC, dual independent VCT six
E-Gas LPG 4.0-litre engine available as an option
Air-conditioning; power-adjustable driver’s seat; power front and rear windows; cruise control; auto-on headlights
four-speed Sequential Sports Shift automatic gearbox
Single CD player; trip computer; 16-inch steel wheels; dual-stage front airbags; Traction Control System (not available with E-Gas); ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution.

Futura adds Reverse Sensing System (sedan only); passenger seat lumbar support; rear centre armrest; rear cupholders; 16-inch alloy wheels; body-coloured mirrors; side airbags.

The Fairmont has unique 16-inch alloy wheels, and adds dual zone climate-control air-conditioning’ six-stack CD player with six speakers; woodgrain trim inserts; leather-wrapped steering wheel’ dual horns, and a trip computer.

 The Fairmont Ghia offers a choice of the six-cylinder engine or a 5.4-litre SOHC 230kW/500Nm V8. It also adds a performance brake package; new ZF six-speed automatic transmission with Sequential Sports Shift; chrome strip in body side protection mouldings; new 17-inch alloy wheels; high-series Interior Command Centre with colour TFT screen; Premium six-stack CD player; leather park brake handle; leather seats; shopping bag net in boot; eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat; power adjustable pedals; leather-wrapped T-bar gear shifter and foglights. Dynamic Stability Control is standard along with sports suspension.

The XR6 adds the new ZF six-speed automatic transmission to the XT specification. It also has sports seats in cloth seat fabric; a sports instrument cluster; leather-wrapped steering wheel; body kit; foglights; bootlid spoiler; sports suspension; Limited Slip Differential (LSD); side airbags; sports front bumper; 17-inch alloy wheels; optional 18-inch alloy wheels.

The XR6 Turbo has the Barra 245T turbocharged motor developing 245kW and 480Nm. The ZF six-speed automatic transmission is a no cost option. It also has Dynamic Stability Control; Performance brake package, and the Premium six-stack CD player.

The XR8 has the Boss 260 DOHC V8 engine; Premium six-stack CD player; new 18-inch alloy wheels; six speed manual gearbox and optional six-sped auto at no extra cost.

BF Falcon pricing
Ford New Zealand Falcon brand manager Don Leong says the average price increase for the BF Falcon range over the BA Mark 2 is 1.7 per cent.

Selected prices from the range:
XT four-speed auto $44,790; LPG-powered XT, $46,290
Futura four-speed auto, $47,490
XR6 six-speed auto $50,990
XR6 turbo, six-speed manual $57,990
XR6 turbo, six-speed auto $57,990
XR8 six-speed manual $64,290
 XR8 six-speed auto $64,290
Fairmont six-cylinder, four-speed auto $50,690
Fairmont Ghia six-cylinder, six-speed auto $61,990
Fairmont Ghia V8, six-speed auto $67,990
XT wagon, four-speed auto $45,790
XT wagon, LPG, four-speed auto $47,290
Futura four-speed auto $48,490

Ute prices starts with the XL Chassis Cab four-speed auto at $33,390, and peak with the XR8 six-speed manual and autos at $53,490.

The long wheelbase range starts with the Fairlane Ghia six-cylinder, six-speed auto at $71,490, and peaks with the LTD V8 six-speed auto at $87,990.