2013 FORD FALCON ECOBOOST REVIEW

Ford Falcon’s 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo engine produces almost as much performance as its 4.0-litre siblings

Ford Falcon’s 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo engine produces almost as much performance as its 4.0-litre siblings

Until recently the idea of Australia’s iconic Ford Falcon being powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine would have been seen as sales suicide akin to the decision of Holden to build a compact Commodore back in the late 1970s, a decision that gave Ford market leadership for the next decade.

With just three years left before the Falcon disappears from our roads the turbo engine is far less of a gamble than it otherwise would have been. Especially so as the new EcoBoost engines are being added progressively across the Ford range and its exposure in the Falcon is likely to flow through to improved sales in other vehicles, including the recently unveiled Mustang.

Ford_Falcon_G6E_rearThe Ford Falcon EcoBoost comes in three variants. The entry level XT sells for $37,235; mid-specced G6 at $40,835; and G6E at $46,735. Interestingly these prices are identical to those of the equivalent six-cylinder models which probably accounts for the slow sales of the EcoBoost to date.

ENGINE / TRANSMISSION
EcoBoost engines are smaller and lighter than conventional petrol engines, with the combination of common-rail direct fuel injection, variable valve timing to reduce both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. At the same time they deliver power and torque outputs around the same levels as larger, naturally-aspirated engines.

The 2.0-litre Falcon engine generates maximum power of 179 kW at 5500 rpm and a substantial 353 Nm from as low as 2000 rpm. Compare these numbers to the 195 kW and 391 Nm of the Falcon 4.0-litre six and any doubts about performance should be allayed.

Fuel consumption in the EcoBoost G6E that we drove is listed at 8.5 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined urban/highway cycle compared to the 9.9 L/100 km of the six and CO2 at 201 grams per kilometre against 235 g/km.

All EcoBoost Falcons come with six-speed ZF automatic transmission, the manual option in the 4.0-litre XT not being offered.

The big Aussie sixes are often used for towing so be aware that the capacity of the EcoBoost models is just 1600 kg, well down on the 2300 kg with the 4.0-litre engine.

INTERIOR
The interior of the Falcon is spacious enough for five passengers although with my 1.8-metre height and declining suppleness I found it almost impossible to get into the driver’s seat, at its lowest setting, without brushing my head against the top of the door opening and then scraping my leg against the bottom of the steering wheel, at its highest setting. Just another reason why SUV sales are booming.

Ford_Falcon_G6E_interiorDRIVING
On the road the lower weight of the EcoBoost Falcon shows up in noticeably lighter steering and more nimble handling. The steering feels more direct with plenty of feedback.

Ride and handling are what we have come to expect from a car that’s made in Australia for local conditions.

At idle the EcoBoost Falcon sounds much like the 4.0-litre six. Outside the car the sound is slightly different to the in-line six, but no louder. Under hard acceleration both sound much the same inside the cabin.

Acceleration when overtaking is as good as a six, with negligible turbo lag.

The cabin is quieter thanks to an acoustic windscreen, inner and outer dashboard insulation, an under-bonnet sound absorber, improved engine and transmission mounts and insulated transmission tunnel.

SUMMING UP
Over the past two months we’ve done extended tests on both Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon and come away with the feeling that buyers may have over-reacted in their swing away from large cars. Cars like the Ford Falcon are just right for Australian conditions, particularly in country driving.

Add the environmental benefits of the EcoBoost model and you’ve got a real car for the future. That future is of course limited – all the more reason to get down to your local Ford dealer and do some serious haggling.

AT A GLANCE

MODEL RANGE
XT EcoBoost 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-door sedan: $37,235 (automatic)
G6 EcoBoost 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-door sedan: $40,835 (automatic)
G6E EcoBoost 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-door sedan: $46,735 (automatic)
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Ford dealer for driveaway prices.

FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Automatic Transmission: Standard in all other models
Cruise Control: Standard in all models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in all models
Electronic Stability Program: Standard in all models
Rear Parking Sensors: Standard in all models
Reversing Camera: Standard in G6E, not offered in XT or G6
USB/Auxiliary Audio Inputs: Standard in all models
Satellite Navigation: Standard in G6E, not offered in XT or G6
Bluetooth: Standard in all models
Steering Wheel Mounted Controls: Standard in all models

SPECIFICATIONS (Ford Falcon G6E 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo-petrol four-door sedan)

ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.999 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 9.3:1
Bore/Stroke: 87.5 mm x 83.1 mm
Maximum Power: 179 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque: 353 Nm @ 2000 rpm

DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Rear
Manual Transmission: Not offered
Automatic Transmission: Six-speed
Final Drive Ratio: 2.73:1

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4966 mm
Wheelbase: 2838 mm
Width: 1868 mm
Height: 1483 mm
Turning Circle: 11.0 metres
Kerb Mass: 1648 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 68 litres
Towing Ability: 1600 kg with braked trailer
Boot Capacity: 535 litres

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Virtual pivot control link
Rear Suspension: Control blade independent
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Disc

PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: Not supplied

FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Petrol 91RON
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/02): 8.5 L/100km

GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 6/10
Air Pollution Rating: 6.5/10

About Alistair Kennedy

Alistair Kennedy is Automotive News Service and Marque Publishing's business manager and the company's jack-of-all-trades. An accountant by profession, he designs the Marque range of motoring book titles, operates the company's motoring bookshop on the NSW Central Coast and the associated web site, as well as its huge digital and hard copy database. Whenever we can escape from the office he does so to cover new vehicle releases and contributes news stories. Alistair's other interests include cricket and family history on which he has written three books.
Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *