BA Falcon ute

The BA ute was based on the most changed Falcon in its 42-year local history.

Everything forward of the cabin was new, and featured the sedan’s squared-off nose and all-new soft-feel interior that even featured altered seating and steering wheel position mounts.

A host of virtually all-new engines, complemented to a Tiptronic-style four-speed automatic or five-speed manual gearbox, were introduced.

Leading these are an 182kW/380Nm 4.0-litre OHC variable-valve timed inline six-cylinder engine (as well as a 156kW/372Nm factory-LPG version) a turbocharged 240kW/450Nm version was fitted to the XR6T and three American-sourced but Aussie-developed V8s – a 220kW/470Nm 5.0-litre SOHC 24V V8, a 260kW/500Nm Boss 260 5.0-litre DOHC 32V V8 found in the XR8, and the Pursuit’s 290kW/520Nm Boss 290 5.0L DOHC 32V V8.

All are significantly gutsier than their predecessors. There is an increase in torsional rigidity, completely new rack and pinion steering, improved safety, better brakes, an increase in refinement and far-more computer power.

Once again the range reads XL, XLS, XR6, XR8 and the FPV (Ford Performance Vehicle) Pursuit utes. From October ’03 the jacked-up RTV ute and cab-chassis models were released.

Special editions: · June 03: XL SE, Tradesman, Marlin – all featuring extra equipment levels like alloy wheels and ABS brakses· May 04: same as above