New FG 2009 Ford Falcon XT, G and XR

The new FG Ford Falcon has been unveiled in Australia, and it comes in three rim levels: the baseline XT, the G and the top of the range sporty XR. Other than the different exterior kit that each trim level comes with, the biggest difference between the cars is under the hood.


The baseline Ford Falcon XT comes equipped with a 4.0 liter normally aspirated inline-6 producing 261 horsepower and 391Nm of torque, mated to a 5-speed automatic gearbox with sequential manual shifting, or an optional ZF 6-speed automatic. The other engine option is an LPG engine that produces 209 horsepower mated to a 4-speed auto, likely to be the choice of Australian taxis.

The Ford Falcon G is pretty much the same as the XT with the 5-speed, except it has the G series front bumper, fog lamps, 17 inch wheels and a more luxurious interior. The suspension is also tuned for a sportier drive compared the more comfort oriented suspension of the XT. The Falcon G6E adds the ZF 6-speed gearbox and more interior luxuries like Bluetooth mobile phone integration, a premium audio and DVD system, leather seats, power driver seat and dual-zone climate control.

The top of the range G is the Falcon G6E Turbo which features a turbocharged inline-6 engine producing 363 horsepower at 5,250rpm and 533Nm of torque between 2,000rpm and 4,750rpm, mated to a 6-speed ZF automatic. The G6E Turbo also has iPod integration with its audio system.

The Ford Falcon XR series comes in either XR6, XR6 Turbo or XR8 trims. The XR6 features the normally aspirated inline-6 with similiar gearbox options as the XT, but you also get a Tremec 6-speed manual option. The XR6 Turbo shares the G6E Turbo’s turbocharged engine, but adds a limited slip differential. The top of the range XR8 has a normally aspirated 5.4 liter Ford Boss V8 that produces 389 horepower at 5,750rpm and 520Nm of torque at 4,750rpm.

So the performance Falcon enthusiast will be quite spoilt for choice really, on one hand you get a delicious sounding normally aspirated V8, but on the other hand a mega large and wide torque curve inline-6, and they both make about the same power and twisting action, just delivered differently. Being a Falcon and for the Australian market, the car is naturally large and rear wheel driven.