Review: Ford FG X Falcon Ute (2014-16)

Overview

Released in November 2014, the Ford FG X Falcon Ute was available in cab chassis and styleside bodies. Manufactured in Campbellfield, Victoria, the rear-wheel drive FG X Falcon Ute was available with 4.0-litre petrol, 4.0-litre dedicated LPG and 4.0-litre turbocharged petrol engines.

Engines: Barra 195, Barra 270T and EcoLPi (LPG)

Of the engines,

• the 4.0-litre Barra 195 inline six-cylinder petrol engine had a cast iron block, a cast aluminium cylinder head, double overhead camshafts (DOHC, simplex chain-driven), dual independent variable camshaft timing, four valves per cylinder, Duratec-style finger followers, a dual resonance inlet manifold, coil-on-plug ignition, electronic throttle control, exhaust gas recirculation, twin knock sensors and a compression ratio of 10.3:1.
• For the Falcon XR6 Turbo, the Barra 270T engine added a Garrett GT3576R turbocharger which had engine oil-lubricated and water-cooled bearings, an air-to-air intercooler, and an electronic single bypass wastegate. The turbocharger was mounted off a cast stainless steel exhaust manifold and provided maximum boost pressure of 7 psi (10 bar), though a transient overboost function enabled the engine to increase boost pressure by up to 10 per cent for several seconds. Compared to the Barra 195 engine , the Barra 270T engine had ‘dished bowl’ shaped pistons, more temperature tolerant exhaust valves and increased fuel pressure (4.0 bar, compared to 2.4 bar). The Barra 270T engine also had two cam timing strategies:
  • a primary VCT strategy which balanced maximum power with fuel efficiency, and
  • a secondary strategy which optimised turbocharger response for wide open throttle acceleration events; and,
• The 4.0-litre Barra EcoLPi engine was based on the Barra 195 but had liquid-phase LPG injection whereby liquid LPG was injected directly into the intake port. Other changes included a high-pressure fuel pump, rail and injectors, lightweight pistons and a compression ratio of 12.0:1.

Transmissions

Transmission options consisted of six-speed ZF automatic and Tremec TR6060 manual units. While the standard six-speed ZF 6HP21 automatic transmission was manufactured in China, the high-torque German-built ZF 6HP26 transmissions for the XR6 Turbo were stockpiled since production of these units was to end in late 2014.

Dimensions

The FG X Falcon Ute with the styleside body was 5056 mm long, 1934 mm wide and had a 3103 mm wheelbase. The cargo compartment had a 1843 mm load length, a tailgate opening width of 1356 mm, a wheelhouse width of 1224 mm and was 442 mm deep.

The FG X Falcon Ute cab chassis was 5358 mm long, 1897 mm wide and had a 3103 mm long wheelbase. The rear tray had a 2209 mm load length, was 1804 mm wide and 240 mm deep.

Suspension

The FG X Falcon Ute’s double wishbone front suspension had two lower ball joints that connected the separate lower arms to the suspension knuckle. These two lower links created a virtual pivot of the lower arm (a ‘Virtual Pivot Control Link’) that allowed the suspension to behave as though the lower pivot point was at the intersection of the two arms. At the rear, the Hotchkiss rear suspension consisted of a live rear axle with leaf springs.

*If used with 95 RON unleaded petrol, peak power and torque outputs increase to 198 kW and 409 Nm.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Ford FG X Falcon Ute included dual front airbags, side head/thorax airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

As standard, the FG X Falcon Ute was fitted with Ford’s SYNC2 ‘Emergency Assistance’ function. In the event of an accident in which the airbags deploy or the fuel cut-off switch is activated, Emergency Assistance can deliver a voice message to 000 operators and keep the line open for hands-free communication.

ANCAP crash testing

In ANCAP crash testing, the comparably-equipped FG Falcon Ute received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 33.58 out of 37. Based on information provided to ANCAP by Ford, these crash test results were carried over to the FG X Falcon, though the FG X Falcon received a score of 34.58 due to the fitment of a front passenger seatbelt reminder (driver’s seat only for the FG Falcon Ute).

Features

Standard features for the FG X Falcon Ute included 16-inch steel wheels with 215/60 R16 tyres, a two speaker stereo with a CD player and MP3-compatibility, SYNC2 connectivity system with an eight-inch colour touch screen, voice control, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/SD card/USB), a WiFi hot spot, air conditioning, a four-way power adjustable driver’s seat, cloth seats, cruise control, automatic headlights, steering wheel audio controls, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering column, a trip computer and an immobiliser. The Styleside models were further equipped with climate control air conditioning.

From April 2015 production, the FG X Falcon Ute was fitted with satellite navigation as standard.

The Falcon Ute XR6 was further equipped with a 112 watt six speaker sound system, sports seats, projector headlights, front fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, leather-wrapped steering wheel, body-coloured door mirrors, front scuff plates, alloy pedal covers and a limited slip differential. While cab chassis models had 16-inch alloy wheels with 215/60 R16 tyres, Styleside models had 18-inch alloy wheels with 245/40 R18 tyres, an alloy sports bar and a soft tonneau cover.

The Falcon Ute XR6 Turbo was distinguished by its 19-inch alloy wheels with 245/35 R19 tyres and satellite navigation system with traffic updates.

Related links

• Brochure: Ford FG X Falcon Ute (December 2014)
• Ford Australia: Ford Falcon Ute