Ford Australia has announced fuel efficiency gains for the 2014 Ford Falcon FX and 2014 SZ Territory Mk II of 9% and 3.9%, respectively.

FORD HAS ANNOUNCED the fitment of a lighter and more efficient ZF automatic transmission has helped both vehicles see small reductions in their official fuel figures. How much of a difference the new gearbox will make in the real-world remains to be seen.

According to Ford, fuel economy for the Falcon six-cylinder petrol sedan improves from 9.9L/100km to 9.0L/100km – a 9% improvement. Falcon XR6 automatic and G6E six cylinder petrol models have improved from 9.9L/100km to 9.5L/100km – a 4% improvement.

The petrol SZ Territory MkII TX now achieves a 3.9% fuel economy improvement (10.6L/100km to 10.2L/100km) while the Territory SZ Mk II TS and Titanium petrol models have improved 1% (10.6L/100km to 10.5L/100km). The combined fuel economy figure for the 2.7-litre V6 TDCi models remains the same, at 8.2L/100km (TX TS, Titanium RWD) and 8.8L/100km (TX AWD) and 9.0L/100km (TS and Titanium AWD).

In addition to the new-generation transmission, Ford says the aerodynamic package used on the Falcon EcoBoost has been rolled out across the entire Falcon range (the entry-level Falcon gets 16-inch low-rolling resistance tyres), except for the Falcon XR8.

Suspension settings have been made uniform across the Falcon range, meaning the entry-level Falcon gains a modified FG MkII G6 petrol suspension package and the Falcon EcoLPi gains the XR6 EcoLPi suspension package. Compared to the current entry Falcon FG MkII this means:

• Larger diameter front stabiliser bar, from 31mm to 32mm;
• Retuned front and rear springs and dampers;
• Front suspension geometry adjusted to complement new Michelin tyre; and
• Smaller rear stabiliser bar (18 mm to 14 mm) on the EcoLPi for increased rear grip.

The Falcon EcoBoost sedan gains a modified FG MkII G6E EcoBoost suspension package. These improvements see the adoption of:

• Retuned front and rear springs and dampers;
• Introduction of a 14 mm rear stabiliser bar; and
• Front geometry adjusted to complement new Michelin tyre.

Falcon and Territory Vehicle Line Director, David Wilkinson, said even the 1 mm larger diameter larger stabiliser bar in the Falcon had improved the vehicle cornering. The added thickness helped to better manage the roll experienced during cornering, he said.

“In developing the suspension, Ford used various sets of known springs and dampers (both softer and firmer) to ensure the right level of handling was achieved to meet customer expectations,” Wilkinson said.

“In the case of the Falcon sedan, we actually ended up staying with the G6 springs and dampers as they best suited the low rolling resistance Michelin tyres. But we still reviewed the tune as part of the on-going testing program to find the right mix for the customer.”

Wilkinson said the product development team pursued an accepted Ford DNA for suspension feel in the 2014 Falcon range. “The result is something our customers will appreciate,” he said.

Adopting the Falcon XR6 EcoLPi suspension on the other EcoLPi models helps provide an enhanced grip via the smaller stabiliser bar, he said. “The better grip is achieved through a more compliant rear suspension,” he said.