Ford Falcon (BA)

The BA model represented a A$500 million investment, and 24,000 hours of engine and durability testing. Germany's Nürburgring test track was used for some suspension testing. The anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control were calibrated in Sweden, as well as Australia.[10]

Interior design

Interior

From the inside, the "New Edge" interior of the AU was discarded in favour of a contemporary style, based upon European designs.[13] Marcus Hotblack, the director of interior design, focused on improving user friendliness. The resulting design was an ergonomically-correct interior command centre, highlighted by the satin-finish centre console.[14] The theme was further extended by the audio and cruise control switches' location on the steering wheel.[12]

A prominent feature of the new command centre was a large liquid crystal display which displayed information regarding the air conditioning unit and sound system. Buyers could opt for a premium sound package, standard on the Fairmont Ghia, which included a full-colour screen.[13] Ventilation outlets were larger than those of previous models, resulting in a cabin that could be more effectively and efficiently heated or cooled.[13] Another change was the headlamp switch, which was now located on the end of the turn signal stalk for easier reach.[13]

Interior colour schemes varied from model to model, but shared a common design approach. The entry-level XT featured a black plastic panel for the upper half of the dashboard, with either a black, charcoal, or beige panel for the lower half. Not all variants offered the distinctive colour palette; the sports variants could not be optioned with the two-tone interior.[13]

Falcon XT

Marketed largely towards the fleet industry, the entry-level Falcon XT sold in the most numbers.[13] Featuring the base Barra 182 six-cylinder engine, air conditioning, front power windows, and five-speed manual transmission, with the choice of a four-speed automatic, the XT was sold in sedan and station wagon body types.[26] The Barra 220 V8 engine was available as an option.[27] Judges of the Australia's Best Cars awards crowned the XT Best Family Car in 2002,[4] and again in 2004,[7] with the Futura receiving the award in 2003.[6]

Futura

The semi-luxury Futura variant was heavily based on the XT, and marketed towards families. Futura models gained cruise control, 16-inch alloy wheels, rear power windows and full body-coloured side-view mirrors and side-protection moldings. But, side-impact airbags and power adjustable pedals were only available as options.[28]

Falcon XR6

Building on the features of the XT, Ford Australia at one point considered not releasing the sports-oriented Falcon XR6 because of the new XR6 Turbo model. However, Ford overturned this decision before production.[29] A specifically designed body kit distinguished the XR6 from other variants, except for the XR6 Turbo and XR8 which shared the sports bodywork. The naturally aspirated engine was identical to the engine used on the XT and Futura, and the five-speed manual transmission came as standard.[30]

The newly introduced Falcon XR6 Turbo (XR6T) received critical acclaim at launch, and the Australia's Best Car's judges even awarded it the Best Sports car under $57,000 in 2002.[5] At heart visually identical to the XR6, the turbocharged derivative gained extra features, with the additional turbocharger boosting the car's total power output to 240 kW (320 hp).[31] The turbocharger is a Garrett GT35/40 unit.[32]

Falcon XR8

Being the flagship sports variant, the XR8 credited specially tuned sports suspension, seating trim displaying the "XR" insignia, 17-inch wheels and the new 5.4-litre Boss 260 engine, outputting 30 percent more power than the previous model.[33]

Fairmont

The Fairmont model opened up the luxury sector for the BA range. Externally, the Fairmont could be distinguished from the other BA models with its 16-inch alloy wheels[34] and grey mesh grille with chrome surround.[30] Some of the standard features included traction control and dual-zone climate control air conditioning, an analogue clock on the top centre console stack,[34] wood grain highlights,[34] and velour upholstery.[30] Automatic headlights, which turn off or on depending on surrounding environmental conditions, were now standard on the Fairmont model.[30] In addition to this, the Fairmont also received illuminated footwells.[35] The basic mechanical setup carried over from the XT, although buyers could opt for the Barra 220 V8 engine.[36]

Fairmont Ghia

By far the most expensive variant in the BA range, the Fairmont Ghia featured leather upholstery, wood grain highlights, full power options and a unique suspension assembly.[37] The premium sound system, which incorporated a full-colour LCD screen, was standard, and the centre console stack was characterised by an analogue clock.[13] Reverse parking sensors were available for the first time in the BA, standard on the Ghia. The sensors feature an automatic turn-off function for use when towing a boat or trailer for example.[13]

Falcon Ute

The BA series Falcon utility was introduced in October 2002 in six model guises.[38]

• XL Cab Chassis
• XL Wellbody
• XLS Cab Chassis
• XLS Wellbody
• XR6 Wellbody
• XR6 Turbo

These were later joined by two additional models:

• XR8: reintroduced to the range early in 2003 (last seen in the previous AU III series).
• RTV: was released in September 2003. The name "RTV" stood for "Rugged Terrain Vehicle" and featured an increased ride height, additional underbody protection, a lockable rear differential, a unique grille, flared guards and 16-inch alloy wheels.[39] Originally dubbed "Hi-Ride" prior to release, in early 2003 Ford Australia held a competition to find a name for this variant, with "RTV" announced as the winning entrant in July.[40]

• 
  BA Falcon XT sedan
• 
  BA Falcon XT sedan
• 
  BA Falcon Futura sedan
• 
  BA Falcon Futura sedan
• 
  BA Falcon XR6 sedan
• 
  BA Falcon XR6 Turbo sedan
• 
  BA Fairmont sedan
• 
  BA Fairmont Ghia sedan
• 
  BA Fairmont Ghia sedan
• 
  BA Falcon XR6 utility
• 
  BA Falcon XR6 Turbo utility
• 
  BA Falcon XLS cab chassis

Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup won the 2006 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 driving this Ford Falcon BA for Triple Eight Race Engineering. The image was taken in 2018.

The Falcon BA was raced in the Australian V8 Supercar category from 2003. Marcos Ambrose won the V8 Supercar Championship Series in 2003 and 2004 driving a BA. Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup won the 2006 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 driving a Falcon BA.

After winning the V8 Supercar Championship Series in 2004 with racing drivers Marcos Ambrose and Russell Ingall Ford Australia released two limited run Ford Falcon BA XR8 dealer run-out vehicles denoted 'Enforcer', (only available in Envy Green) and 'Devil R' (named after the phrase; ”Devil... Aaargh!”) available in Shock-Wave blue only. These warmed-over XR8 base vehicles came with the same 'Boss 260’ 5.4 litre V8 engine as the base XR8 producing the same 260 kW (353 HP) output as the base XR8. Ford Australia has stated only 125 (56 manual 69 auto) of each model were produced. Both vehicle types were not sold with an individual build number as per the FPV range. These vehicles were equipped with a signed owners manual with Russell Ingall's signature, for the 'Enforcer'model or Marcos Ambrose's signature, for the 'Devil R' model, as well as respective signed engine bay plate. Both vehicles received 18" shadow chrome alloy wheels, carpets with the appropriate 'Enforcer' or 'Devil R' embroidery, leather seats with the model logo embroidery, Momo steering wheel, 'premium' brake package (non Brembo), either the 'Enforcer' or 'Devil R' badging to the exterior and the appropriate model name applied to the XR8 bonnet bulge side decals. These vehicles were priced below the FPV GT and GT-P hero cars in the non-FPV range, intended to be up-spec packaged versions of the base XR8 vehicles where Ford Australia intended to run out the remainder of optional-extras equipment during the last of the BA Mk.2 vehicles prior to the incoming redesigned BF model.

FPV BA GT Boss 290

Ford Australia's performance vehicle partner Ford Performance Vehicles produced a range of models based on the Falcon BA and marketed under the FPV name. The 2003 BA range included the GT, GT-P, and the Pursuit. The GT was the entry-level vehicle that started with a suggested retail price of A$59,810. The GT-P was the upmarket version of the GT, with a price tag of A$69,850. The Pursuit was a ute (utility) version of the GT, featuring the same seats, basic dash/interior package and wheels. FPV specific body-kits were applied to all cars, using the lights from the XR-range. The kit had a strong resemblance to the BA Falcon V8 Supercar, highlighting the connection to FPR.

All three were powered by a unique version of Ford's 5.4-litre Modular V8, with DOHC 4-valve cylinder heads from the Mustang Cobra R engine. FPV named this uniquely tuned engine as the Boss 290 because of its power output—it produced 290 kW (390 hp) at 5500 rpm and 520 N⋅m (380 lb⋅ft) of torque at 4500 rpm.

2004 BA Mk II update

The GT, GT-P and Pursuit received a new stripe package with bonnet decals, a six-speed Tremec T56 manual and the GT-P received 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels. FPV also released the Super Pursuit, which was a Pursuit ute with GT-P extras.

New six cylinder sedan and utility models were added to the range, the F6 Typhoon (sedan) and F6 Tornado (ute). The F6 was visually separated from the GT range with the use of a different pattern in the front bumper grill mesh, and a smaller boot spoiler on the Typhoon. They were powered by FPV's version of the Ford Falcon Barra engine, a 4.0-litre DOHC 24-valve turbocharged inline-six with variable cam timing. It produced 270 kW (360 hp) at 5250 rpm and 550 N⋅m (410 lb⋅ft) at 2000–4250 rpm.

Critics in the media noted some build quality faults in the BA Falcon, such as inconsistent gaps between trim sections and joints,[42] although other commentators praised the interior design and craftsmanship.[43] In the used car market, non-FPV BA Falcons tend to suffer from poor depreciation rates, due to influxes of ex-fleet models entering the second-hand market and because of the cost of fuel.[44]