Ford dubs new Falcon FG X

FORD Australia has dubbed its final Falcon FG X in a tribute to some of the greatest locally made ‘X-rated’ Falcon models through four generations and more than 50 years, including the original 1960 XK.

The company has also released the first full images of the rear of the facelifted Falcon, in both sporty XR6 and luxury G6E guises, revealing a Jaguar-style chrome strip across the boot, continuing in a light-coloured strip through the tail-lights that also feature LEDs for the first time on a local Ford.

The company has also wheeled out a shot of the related Territory SUV’s revised rear end for the 2014 facelift, while also confirming it will be called SZ II.

The latest details continue the drip-feed of information on the two Australian built vehicles that mark the last hurrah for Ford Australia’s manufacturing operation in Victoria.

The factories in Campbellfield and Geelong will cease production in 2016, bringing to an end nine decades of Ford manufacturing in Australia.

The facelifted Falcon and Territory are expected to land in Australian showrooms in the final quarter of this year.

The company has confirmed the Falcon will get four-cylinder, six-cylinder and V8 petrol powerplants, as well as a six-cylinder LPG alternative. The Territory will continue with six-cylinder petrol and V6 diesel engines.

The codename of the Falcon facelift had been the subject of much speculation in media circles, with ‘FH’, and ‘FG Mk III’ among the guesses.

Ford says it arrived at the FG X model code after significant feedback from key enthusiasts as well as the senior product development and marketing teams.

The FG series prefix – taken from the long-running Fairmont and Ghia prestige nameplates – carries over, while the X represents Falcon’s history, from the original Falcon XK in 1960, as well as more popular Falcon models such as the XR, XW, XY, XA, XB, XD and XF.

Ford Australia president and CEO Bob Graziano said Falcon was one of the country’s most recognised nameplates, so Ford wanted to “make sure this celebration Falcon was worthy of the FG X name”.

“Our Falcon customers know our story, so it is appropriate we acknowledge for them, enthusiasts and all Australians that Falcon is a significant part of the fabric of the Australian cultural landscape,” he said.

“The FG X carries this on and will be recognised as one of the best Falcons ever.

“Falcon fans have quickly endorsed the styling of the 2014 Falcon and moving forward, it provides a strong visual link to our future, which will include cars like the refreshed Focus, all-new Mustang and all-new Mondeo, as well as the Australian designed and engineered Everest SUV.”

Ford says the refreshed Falcon showcases Ford’s global design DNA with a signature trapezoidal grille, chiselled head lamp treatment and smoother, wrap-around tail-lamps with LED technology on high-series models.

“These features accentuate the high levels of design refinement that will appear across the refreshed Falcon range,” it says.

Describing the Territory’s new look as purposeful, Ford says the interior packaging and space will remain similar to the current model.

“The Ford Territory sets a benchmark for family-friendly SUVs and the refreshed Territory will carry this on,” Mr Graziano said.