Automotive News

No more secrets. We driven the BA Falcon and the votes are in. Is it as good as Ford has been telling us for the past six months? Glenn Butler delivers the verdict

Flashback to April, 2002, and Ford Australia embarked on an ambitious ‘Secrets Revealed’ strategy. The plan was to unveil the new Falcon piece by piece to the Australian media, and to the public via Ford’s NewFalcon.com.au website.

The official reason for this unprecedented ‘slow leak’ tactic, says Ford, was “there’s too much in this new Falcon to reveal in one hit”. The unofficial reason, we reckon, was to tempt buyers of large Aussie cars – Commodore, Camry and Magna – to hold off their purchase until the BA Falcon arrived in showrooms at the end of September. The plan could also have affected sales of AU III Falcon, but the unloved AU wasn’t setting any sales records anyway.

Whether the Secrets Revealed strategy was successful or not no longer matters. The Falcon is here, and we’ve driven it – every sedan bar the XR8, which won’t surface until February 2003. The only thing standing between follow-up failure and sales success is whether buyers like what they can now see – and finally drive. And we reckon you’ll love it. Ford’s BA Falcon undoubtedly takes locally built large cars to the next level of dynamic performance, safety and versatility.

First thing we noticed is how much more refined this 182kW twin-cam six is compared to the old 157kW single cam engine. It revs cleanly and happily right through to the higher 6000rpm limiter, where the old one would get raspy and reluctant above 5000rpm. The extra 25kiloWatts of power is apparent right throughout the rev range, delivering a stronger sense of urgency to the Falcon’s standing start getaway.

The engine is equally happy to deliver the herbs when overtaking, which is where the six percent torque increase makes itself felt. The new XT is 130kg heavier than the Forte it replaces, Ford says the extra weight is mostly in the new Control Blade IRS, though chassis reinforcements and the new seats also add to the bottom line.

Fuel economy – based on AS2877 standards – is 11.5litres/100km in city driving, 7.4litres/100km on the highway for the base six-cylinder XT. We’re skeptical of AS2877 figures, which are conducted in a laboratory, on a rolling road. It’s not real world, but then what is. According to the XT’s trip computer we managed between 10 – 12 litres per 100km in a short 100km stretch of urban and highway. Not bad.

Ford claims significant improvements in the Falcon’s brakes, previous generations accused of fading under repeated heavy applications. Larger diameter discs front and rear are better able to dissipate heat buildup, while Ford’s claims of improved stopping distances could not be quantified by its engineers – an important point given the vehicle’s 1672kg base kerb weight (by comparison Commodore Executive weighs 1522kg).

All Falcons have antilock brakes with electronic brake force distribution (EBD), and Ford says the totally new Control Blade independent rear suspension has vehicle stability payoffs under hard braking. Our repeated panic stops from 100km/h verified this as well as Ford’s claim of reducing brake fade. There’s also a marked improvement in pedal feel and feedback, not to mention comfort thanks to the adjustable pedal position – standard on Fairmont Ghia, optional on the rest.

Falcon now points and steers better thanks to a quicker steering rack which reduces turns lock-to-lock from 3.2 to 2.8. The car is quicker to react when the wheel is turned from straight-ahead, a plus on windy roads and probably more important on the sportier models like the XR6. The downside is this translates into a slightly nervous front end over bumpier, rutted roads.

Ford has also reduced the overall diameter of the steering wheel itself, and now mounts it dead centre, so it doesn’t ‘wobble’ off-centre during full rotation turns. One complaint we have sits with the new steering wheel boss, which doesn’t allow the driver to place thumbs around the wheel at ’9′ and ’3′.

That’s a minor quibble in an otherwise very friendly cabin. The driver’s seat on all models adjusts electrically for lift and tilt, via a lever for slide. The seatback tilt is still controlled by a wheel, which is fiddly to reach, tucked in beside the car’s B-pillar. The steering wheel tilts and telescopes through an acceptable range, and those electrically adjustable pedals are a godsend. Simply get the wheel right, adjust your seat, and move the pedals to fit. Brilliant. Ford’s also moved the gear shifter 30mm closer, and angled the central section of the dashboard six degrees towards the driver.

Falcon dynamics are a leap forward, the combination of stiffer chassis and body, new IRS and revised front suspension delivers a very stable, composed handling package with no obvious detriment to ride quality. Even the cheapest Falcon delivers a level of dynamics and performance that involves and enthuses the driver. Dare we say it? The BA Falcon is fun to drive. Every model.

Falcon buyers have a choice of four different suspension setups, mostly dependent on the model chosen. XT, Futura and Fairmont buyers get the standard suspension tune, which is impressively supple and smooth on bitumen and dirt. Tyres are one inch larger – 205/60 16inch Dunlop SP Sport on XT, same size Goodyear NCT rubber on Futura and Fairmont.

Sports suspension is standard on the Fairmont Ghia model, optional for XT, Futura and Fairmont. It couples slightly lower profile 225/50 17inch Dunlop Le Mans tyres with 15mm lower ride height, stiffer springs and anti-roll bar, and revised shocks absorbers. Ford claims this delivers improvements in vehicle agility and feedback, along with slightly sharper steering response.

XR6 and XR6T get an FPV developed suspension package, which stiffens springs, shocks and anti-roll bar, and lowers the ride height 32mm below XT. This package is not available as an option on any other models.

When it comes to fun, you can’t beat the XR6 Turbo. We drove it, we love it, we’re addicted. It’s hard to see how the low-$50,000 XR8 will be able to top the Turbo when it arrives in February 2003. The 3-valve V8 engine adds around 70kg to the base model XT, suggesting the XR8 will top 1750kg at the kerb, giving it a specific power to weight ratio of 6.7kg/kW compared to the Turbo’s 6.97kg/kW. Bugger all, really.

The Turbo’s biggest addictive quality is its power and torque delivery. Contrary to most turbos which do all the work high up in the rev range, Ford’s relatively low boost pressure (6 psi) means peak torque of 470Nm is on tap from just 3250rpm. More than 450Nm is available from just 2000rpm – barely off idle – and it’s this wealth of grunt that propels the Turbo towards the horizon with a ferocity unmatched by any locally built six cylinder sports car.

The engine pulls strongly from low revs, flinging the XR6T forward with a ferocity usually the exclusive realm of hi-po V8s. The power delivery is seamless, linear, and unstoppable, the XR6T engine and exhaust belting out a rip-roaring tune that’s gotta be the best sounding local six we’ve ever heard. And those outside the car will have just as much fun, listening to the FPV-finessed freak howl menacingly on full throttle. Pure bliss.

Don’t bother with the five-speed manual unless you really must change your own gears, the clutch is doughy and lifeless, and the heavy gearbox – needed to handle the torque – fights against quick changes. Ford’s BTR-sourced Sequential Sport Shift four speed auto is a gem. Gearchanges aren’t as smooth as some European autos, but it swaps cogs quickly and gets on with the mumbo, never dropping out of turbo boost range.

Even in ‘D’ mode the adaptive shift holds gears and changes late when you’re on the charge. Slide it left into Performance Auto mode and the ‘box holds longer, changes down later, almost negating the need for driver involvement. And, unlike plenty of Euro ‘boxes, the BTR auto doesn’t second guess the driver in fully manual mode – if you want to bounce off the rev limiter, it will, all day. Dawdle into a low speed corner in fourth, however, and if you bang the throttle wide open on exit it will change down into a lower gear – still, one out of two ain’t bad.

Ford’s traction control system is chalk and cheeses with Holden’s hyper-intrusive pedal pusher. It lets you get away with a little bit, then comes in quietly and seamlessly to keep everything on the blacktop, a subtle, low pitched chime and a flashing dash-light the biggest giveaway to its life-saving intervention. And the chime is so quiet it’s barely audible from the passenger seat, so the other half need never know you’re pushing the limits of adhesion.

Our first drive of the XR6T took place on a very wet, mossy section of road up and over the Grampians, and with hundred foot drops on one side, unyielding cliff faces on the other, we were reluctant to turn the traction control system off. Given a better set of circumstances and we will, purely so we can sample the Falcon’s re-invigorated chassis setup, of course.

The XR6T’s trip computer reported a 16.4litre/100km fuel economy figure for our 120km jaunt across the mountain, and we can’t be accused of babying the throttle. Bugger that for a joke, there’s 240kW of turbocharged power to be tried, tested and tamed in what we reckon is the best mainstream Aussie sports sedan today.

It’s a clear indication of how good this new Falcon package is overall that you don’t need to turn traction control off to have fun. Whether you stump up just enough for the base XT, or the bank manager green-lights the Turbo, it makes no difference to whether you’ll smile or not driving the BA Falcon. It’s only the size of the grin that changes.

But that alone doesn’t make Falcon a winner. In this spoilt for choice Australian large car market buyers demand quality build, plenty of useable room, value for money and real world safety. For Ford, this Falcon has to claw back the massive advantage built up by Holden over the last five years of AU misery.

For Ford boss Geoff Polites, he’ll be happy if the Blue Oval can sell every one of the 412 Falcon’s Broadmeadows will churn out each day. We reckon BA Falcon is up to that task. It scores consistently well in most areas and sets new benchmarks in others, and, based on our two-day first impression, is the best Aussie car currently on the market.

There’s one question that remains to be answered: Is the Australian car buyer ready to forget AU and embrace BA, or will the AU’s legacy haunt – and hinder – Falcon for some time to come? According to Glass’ Guide, a 1998 AU Forte is worth less than half its original retail price – in just four years. And while private purchasers are important to Ford, close to 80 percent of Falcon sales come from fleets – where resale is king.

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Used-car leasing has become more popular as the economy worsens. It seems like to provide a cheaper way to drive a car than new-car buying or leasing, or maybe used-car buying. But is it all it seems?

The apparent benefits of used-car leasing are:

* You avoid a new car’s rapid first-year depreciation

* Used car prices are lower than new-car prices, for the same make/model

* Late model used cars may have remaining manufacturer’s warranty

Compared to new-car leasing, used-car leasing might be more complex. Here are some of the reasons:

* New cars have an established MSRP sticker price, on which future depreciation (lease residual value) is based; used cars do not

* New cars have industry-established residual values; used cars don’t

* New cars often have manufacturer-sponsored lease deals and rebates; used cars don’t

* New cars have a full manufacturer’s warranty; used cars do not

However, for used cars, setting residuals isn’t so simple. There aren’t any standard prices on which to base residuals. Condition and mileage can vary widely, even for vehicles of the same year, make, and model. Prices could be different in different parts of the country.

New-car leases have full manufacturers’ warranties, which means a leasing consumer is protected for a life of his lease as long as he chooses a lease term (months) that is no longer than the length of the warranty. A late-model used car may come with some remaining warranty but usually not enough to pay a normal 3-year lease.

Does this show that leasing a used car is not a good idea?

Definitely not. It is very possible to have a great deal on a used car lease, although a bit difficult to evaluate.

The best way to evaluate a used car lease is usually to do a couple of comparisons. First, compare your lease payments to loan payments for the same vehicle, same terms (months), and same down payment, if any. Also compare your used-car lease payments to lease payments for a new car from the same make and model with comparable equipment. In the two cases, if you are used-car lease payments are not significantly less than either of the two comparisons, it might not be good deal.

his name is James Tano, originally comes from TX. He has written several articles about Automotive . Check out his other guide on Auto and Car Insurance tips, and Used Cars For Sale guide!

Car valeting means, primarily, the job of cleaning and polishing both the inside and the outside of cars. Private car owners as well as garages and car rental companies are the commonest clients of car valets.

Cleaning is the main part of the job. In addition, a car valet may also have to use marketing skills to convince customers. It is essential to ask the client exactly what he wants, and offer any necessary advice, before commencing work. It is simply as imperative to give the car a thorough check after finishing.

A car valet requires to look at the windscreen, the bodywork and the paintwork, and the wheels and tyres. Small parts such as mud flaps probably need to be replaced. Inside, the engine as well as the windows and the upholstery need cleaning.

If you wish to go into car valeting service, you have the choice of working on your own or with a company. To work as a mobile car valet, you’ll require your own car and driving license and the necessary equipment to go with.

If you are dreaming up becoming a car valet, learn to operate the equipment well. Familiarize yourself with the different sorts of paint used on cars, as this determines the choice of material and technique of cleaning. Be conscious of health and safety issues, for some of the cleaning solutions are toxic.

It takes about three hours to spruce up a car. The work is exhausting. Your fitness level should be high and you should be ready to work outdoors in the heat or rain. Good focus and attention to detail are necessary. You shouldn’t miss the smallest speck of mud or the littlest scratch. So is communication skill. You need to work out what your client’s needs are and provide him all the advice you can.

You don’t need to carry a formal certificate to search employment. But if you want training, there are numerous apprenticeship courses at numerous levels to assist you. In practice, though, most car valets sharpen their skills by learning from more experienced colleagues.

Your pay will depend on in which part of the world you are, how much demand there is in your neighborhood, how many hours you work, whether you are self-employed or with a company, and experience. And in the end, don’t take up car valeting if you don’t have an interest in cars normally.

Mobile Valeting Leeds is the most affordable and friendly service available within your area. Mobile valet leeds have fully functional vehicles that hold all tools required to complete the job. You are welcome to reprint this article – but get your own unique content version here.

Life without a car in today’s world is quite a misery. In today’s fast paced life where most of our time is spent on moving around and on the road, a car is of absolute necessity for most people. You will see every now and then, people buying car and in turn, the oil companies taking the advantage by raising the oil prices at regular intervals. It is not just the demand of car alone, because of which the oil prices are soaring higher and higher, it’s also because of the gradual scarcity of oil. Because of recession, again we have to bear the burden of the expenses in life. The very notion of “How to run your car on water” seems quite exciting.

Well, the fact is, water being a very good source of energy, the scientists and the researchers with various methods have made it more feasible to use it in everyday life. Running your car on water is not a joke.

It took almost 20 years of hard work and research to actually make it feasible to transform water into fuel. Scientists were successful in transforming water into “Oxyhydrogen”, a flammable gas obtained by the electrolysis of water through the car’s battery, which can be used as a fuel for the car’s engine.

This write up is specifically written to tell the reader the effort that goes into making water run a car.

Water is a molecule of hydrogen as well as oxygen and if it is treated with electricity with the help of a car battery, then it can be modified and converted to brown gas or oxyhydrogen.

However, one cannot make use of brown gas to run cars without mixing it with “gasoline”. If mixed in a good and correct proportion it gives a good mileage. It gives 10-50% efficiency. Thus, it is absolutely important to mix Oxyhydrogen with brown gas.

Various industrial applications make use of oxyhydrogen for cutting, wielding of glasses etc. And, the same new technology is used to run your car or vehicle with the water as an input source.

Now, it’s a well know fact that a car can be run on water. With modern technology getting more affordable, anyone can think of owning a car and not pay the hefty fuel charges, if the right option is chosen. Alternatives are many, but the right decision is one which fit one’s pocket the best.

The technologies invented by the scientists have made life easier. Switching over to water powered cars will not only keep the environment pollution free but also will increase the fuel efficiency. It is one of the best alternative methods and is also a cheap one.

Now as you already know how to run your car on water it’s time to get ready for the future with so many benefits available to us.

It’s time to stop using the unclean gasonline behind and get with the better solution of car gasonline. How about you try to run your car on water! It’s been used before and we have the information you want to get your cars run on water. Http://www.waterpoweredcarsite.com

Of course, we are all hoping that you will never need this information. There are a few things to do both before the accident as well as after to make sure that this issue is handled in the best possible way.

To start make sure that you are insured when renting your vehicle. While your credit card company and your car insurance policy may cover any issues that may arise, it is good to find out this information in advance. Then, it is always a wise investment to take the additional insurance offered to you by the car rental agency. Usually you can do this for as little as $10 per day, but it can really help make the process a much smoother one.

If an accident should occur you should call the police immediately. Do not leave the scene of the accident and try to keep the car was it was at the time of impact. After you have phoned the police you should then contact the rental company and inform them of what happened. When speaking to the rental company never admit fault, and you should also never offer to pay for damages or agree to settle with the other driver without consent from the rental company.

Next be sure to provide copies of all relevant information to the agency that you rented the vehicle from. This includes repair receipts, police reports and any other documents that you receive in regard to this accident. Also, be willing to keep communication open with them providing them with any additional information that they need to help settle the claim.

If you are going to be using your personal vehicle insurance and credit card insurance, then these companies also need to be notified on the spot. They will also need copies of all the paperwork that you have collected, relevant to the accident. Afterwards, stay in contact with all companies so that you are update on what is going on, otherwise you will be hit will a bill that you were not expecting. Since the ultimate liability lies with you, it is important that these steps are completed.

If you are looking into car hire Gold Coast you can look online for great rentals. Also I have heard that car rentals Coolangatta will also provide you with some amazing deals. To rent you vehicle today log onto www.budget.com.au.