Series I (AU)
The first series of the AU Falcon was launched in September 1998 and remained on sale until a major upgrade in April 2000. It was marketed under the new slogan "I've come a long way, baby.".[10]
The standard AU range included:
Tickford Vehicle Engineering, was responsible for the XR models that carried the "Tickford" wings badge. From July 1999,[11] the newly formed Ford Tickford Experience (FTE) launched the following higher-specification and performance T series (T1) models:
The new Forté model was the replacement of the old GLi designation. It was designed and marketed to attract to fleet buyers as well as younger, more inexperienced drivers. When new, the car was competitively priced at A$30690 with automatic transmission and air conditioning (at the time an option on the other Australian-made rivals) fitted as standard.
The more 'up-spec' model was called the Futura, which was marketed as a family-oriented safety package in the same vogue as the rival Holden Commodore Acclaim. The Futura differed from the Forté in having a body coloured grille, standard ABS, cruise control, alloy wheels and a digital clock fitted in the centre console (series I only).[12] The price of the car when new was A$34990.[13]
The Ford Falcon S (for Sporty) sedan was also based on the Forté but designed as an entry-level sports edition. It achieved this through additional features such as body-coloured grille, alloy wheels, S decals on the rear quarters and bootlid, and a high level spoiler. The colour choices were limited to Venom (Red), Liquid Silver, White, Galaxy (Metallic Blue) and Silhouette (Black). Ford eventually offered a "ESP" option pack that added an LSD equipped IRS and ABS to the S-pack.[14]
The XR series was the high performance end of the range. It originally comprised the XR6 HP, XR6 VCT, and XR8 models all sharing a unique quad-lamp front bumper bar and non-high end bonnet. All series I XR's could have the option of a full Tickford bodykit and unique bi-plane rear spoiler.
The Fairmont was the entry level luxury model of the AU range to face-off its main rival, the Holden Berlina. It had all of the fittings of the Futura but included extras such as a honeycomb grille, an 80-second headlamp off delay, wood grain-look dash inserts, unique 15" wheels, dual horns, Fairmont badging on the boot lid and an analogue clock. The Fairmont was offered in sedan and station wagon bodystyles. Above the Fairmont was the Fairmont Ghia, which was the highest non-performance specification model in the range and sedan only. It had additional features that included unique 16" wheels, toggleable traction control, 4-channel ABS, 250 watt audio system with separate amplifier, 11 speakers, and more wood grain-look dash inserts. Fairmont & Fairmont Ghia models were not badged as Falcons.
In terms of safety equipment, the Futura, XR and Fairmont models all had ABS brakes in addition to a driver's airbag, which was the only main safety feature on the Falcon S and Forté. The brakes featured 287x24 mm vented front discs and 287x10.5 mm solid rear discs.[9]
External model differentiation was achieved via the use of different grilles and bonnets (low bonnet and vertical "salad slicer" grille on Forté, horizontal single bar on Futura, integrated quad-lamp bumper bar and grille on the XR sports range; high bonnet and large grille on Fairmont range) and more basic fittings such as different alloy wheel designs, rear light clusters (clear turn signals on Fairmont), body colour-coordination and chrome fittings. The wagons featured a new rear-end relative to the previous generation Falcons. Inside, the Fairmont and XR model featured full instrumentation (oil and battery meters) and the Fairmont twins also adopted a different dashboard. As opposed to the standard Falcon featuring a large oval pod incorporating air conditioning and stereo, the luxury twin featured a 2-level shared with the long-wheelbase AU Fairlane/LTD, with a separate upper level featuring a woodgrain-like trim across to the passenger side that incorporated an analogue clock, trip computer and climate control.
Only the Falcon XR6 VCT and Fairmont Ghia featured "Intech" engines produced by Tickford Vehicle Engineering with variable valve timing. The VCT was developed by Tickford in conjunction with Unisia Jecs who also supplied Jaguar for its V8 engines.[15] IRS was fitted as standard on the Falcon XR6 VCT, XR8 and Fairmont Ghia, and optional on most other sedan models; the XR models being the only ones that could also be fitted with a limited slip differential.
Despite competitive pricing and high standard equipment relative to its rivals, especially for the new entry-level Forté, sales of the AU did not match those of the previous model, the EL Falcon. This was partly due to a lack of enthusiasm by customers for the "New Edge" styling, alteration of fleet sale pricing as well as the long-term decline in the market for large cars.
In May 1999, the AU range received a minor update, introducing a bigger brake booster, front power windows for the Forté and XR6 and lowering the rear suspension of non-XR variants by 24 mm. To heighten its interior quality, the Forté was offered with 'medium graphite' interior trim (slightly darker than originally) and the patterned seat material was changed from the bolsters to the seat centres. Buyers were also able to order the darker 'warm charcoal' colour scheme of other Falcon variants.[9]
The only limited edition launched with this initial series, was the Falcon Classic of June 1999 marketed till October 1999[9] to boost sales. It inherited an eggcrate grille from the non-XR Utility range, dual airbags, ABS brakes, cruise control, upgraded sound system, a "warm charcoal" interior, power aerial, special trim, 15-inch alloys, low profile rear spoiler, bumper inserts and paint. Its recommended retail price was A$30690.[16]
The range of AU Falcon Utility vehicles was launched in June 1999. It offered Falcon XL, XLS, XR6 and XR8 style side utility models, a cab-chassis model and a cab-chassis with factory fitted drop-side tray.[17] The latter was the first tray utility vehicle that Ford Australia had produced for several years.
The body of the AU Falcon utility differed in design from the competing Holden Utility in that the cargo tray was separate from the cab, whereas the tray was an integral part of the body shell in the Holden. As a result, this allowed the rear to accept different after market body types, including tray decks, service bodies, and camper van shells. Unlike the sedan, the AU Falcon utility vehicles were very popular amongst tradespeople and individuals alike.
- Falcon Forté, 4.0 L, "Intech" I6, Sedan/Wagon, 157 kW, 357 Nm
- Falcon Forté, 5.0 L, "Windsor" V8, Sedan, 175 kW, 395 Nm
- Falcon Futura, 4.0 L, "Intech" I6, Sedan/Wagon, 157 kW, 357 Nm
- Falcon S, 4.0 L, "Intech" I6, Sedan, 157 kW, 357 Nm
- Falcon XR6, 4.0 L, "HP Intech" I6, Sedan, 164 kW, 366 Nm
- Falcon XR6 VCT, 4.0 L, "Intech VCT" I6, Sedan, 172 kW, 374 Nm
- Falcon XR8, 5.0 L, "Windsor" V8, Sedan, 185 kW, 412 Nm
- Fairmont, 4.0 L, "Intech" I6, Sedan/Wagon, 157 kW, 357 Nm
- Fairmont Ghia, 4.0 L, "Intech VCT" I6, Sedan, 168 kW, 370 Nm
- Fairmont Ghia, 5.0 L, "Windsor" V8, Sedan, 175 kW, 395 Nm
- TE50, 5.0 L, "Synergy 5000" V8, Sedan, 200 kW, 420 Nm
- TS50, 5.0 L, "Synergy 5000" V8, Sedan, 220 kW, 435 Nm, automatic only.
