Ford takes aim at VE with new look, new price BF MkIIs

Ford has issued its both-barrels response to the VE Commodore, officially launching the new look BF Falcon MkII range and unveiling what it calls its "revised pricing structure" for the Falcon range.

The bottom line is big price cuts on some models and marginal increases on a couple of others when the cars go on sale later this month.

We've published the pricelist below, but highlights include the whopping $6000-plus off Fairmont Ghia six and XR8. The XR6 Turbo officially just became even more of a bargain, thanks to a $2000-plus price cut.

Also key to Ford's VE response are a couple of tasty deadlined deals on XR6 and XT, Futura and Fairmont.

Buy an XR6 after November 1 and get it delivered before December 31, and Ford's DSC stability control system and ZF six-speed auto add just $250. Ford says the combined recommended retail price for the pack is $2350 -- and that's how much it reverts to on January 1. Or you can pay $1500 for the six-speed auto as a stand-alone option.

The launch deal tempter for XT, Futura and Fairmont private buyers -- as opposed to fleets -- is a $250 Euro Sports Package comprising six-speed auto, DSC, 17-inch alloys and wheels, and sports suspension. Ford says the pack's combined recommended retail price is $3,900.

The fine print says that both deals are available only at participating Ford dealers.

In another counter VE strategy, Ford's offering a Bluetooth mobile phone kit across the Falcon range for $495.

Ford Australia president Tom Gorman said the MkII cars represent a strong evolutionary change for Falcon and Fairmont.

"BF Falcon MkII builds on the strong engineering foundations laid by the BF Falcon and SY Territory programs, while also delivering a host of fresh exterior and interior styling elements that further refine the Falcon's contemporary design," he said.

"The depth of engineering and technological innovation in the Falcon range has been extended with BF MkII, with greater access across more models to some of the Falcon's class-leading features and technologies."

"We have taken the deliberate strategic action of repositioning some of our most popular vehicles, in order to ensure that the competitiveness of our price offering is as customer-focused as the design changes we have made to the vehicles," Mr Gorman said.

Ford says drivetrain changes have reduced fuel consumption in four-speed auto-equipped Falcons by 0.2L/100km.

Official ADR figures for E-Gas engined BF Falcon MkII models have dropped by 0.8L/100km to 15.1L/100km.

BF FALCON MkII RECOMMENDED RETAIL PRICING (excluding dealer delivery and statutory charges)

Falcon XT sedan (manual)  $34,990
Falcon XT sedan (auto)  $35,990
Falcon XT wagon  $37,720
Futura sedan  $39,290
Futura wagon $41,375
Fairmont sedan  $43,195
Fairmont Ghia sedan (I6)  $46,490
Falcon XR6 sedan $39,710
Falcon XR6 Turbo sedan (manual)  $43,990
Falcon XR6 Turbo sedan (auto)  $45,490
Falcon XR8 sedan (manual) $44,990
Falcon XR8 sedan (auto)  $46,490
Falcon XL Ute C/C (manual) $27,450
Falcon XL Ute SSB (manual) $27,875
Falcon XLS Ute C/C (manual) $29,145
Falcon XLS Ute SSB (manual) $29,795
Falcon RTV Ute C/C (manual) $31,950
Falcon RTV Ute SSB (manual) $32,900
Falcon XR6 Ute C/C (manual) $33,990
Falcon XR6 Ute SSB (manual) $34,620
Falcon XR6 Turbo Ute (manual) $40,445
Falcon XR8 Ute (manual) $41,595

Falcon XT sedan with five-speed manual - $34,990

Options 
Four-speed automatic $1,000
Six-speed automatic $1,500
E-Gas 4.0-litre DLPG $1,400
Barra 230 V8 (includes six-speed auto) $6,000
Euro Sports Package $3,900
Prestige paint $400
Power windows (rear) $470
Prestige audio system $700
Power adjustable pedals $250
Reverse sensing system $500
Side airbags $600
Sunroof $2,400
DVD satellite navigation system $3,800
Limited slip differential $400
1600 kg towpack $495
4 x 17" alloy wheels $1,500
Bluetooth mobile phone kit  $495

Falcon XT wagon with four-speed auto - $37,720

Options 
E-Gas 4.0-litre DLPG $1,400
Prestige paint $400
Power windows (rear) $470
Prestige audio system $700
Power adjustable pedals $250
Side airbags $600
Limited slip differential $400
1600 kg towpack $495
Bluetooth mobile phone kit  $495

Futura sedan with four-speed auto - $39,290

Options 
E-Gas 4.0-litre DLPG $1,400
Euro Sports Package $3,900
Prestige paint $400
Prestige audio system $700
Power adjustable pedals $250
Sunroof $2,400
Limited slip differential $400
1600 kg towpack $495
4 x 17" alloy wheels $1,500
Bluetooth mobile phone kit  $495

Futura wagon with four-speed auto - $41,375

Options 
E-Gas 4.0-litre DLPG $1400
Prestige paint $400
Prestige audio system $700
Power adjustable pedals $250
Limited slip differential $400
1600kg towpack $495
Bluetooth mobile phone kit  $495

XR sedan

XR6 with six-speed manual $39,710
XR6 with four-speed auto (NCO) $39,710
XR6 Turbo with six-speed manual $43,990
XR8 with six-speed manual $44,990

Options 
Six-speed automatic $1,500
Prestige paint $400
Chromaflair paint $1,590
Prestige audio system $700
Premium audio system $1,100
Power adjustable pedals $250
Sports steering wheel $750
Reverse sensing system $500
Side airbags $600
Dynamic Stability Control $850
Sunroof $2400
DVD satellite navigation system $3800
XR leather seats $2,100
XR luxury interior package $4850
Limited slip differential $400
1600 kg towpack $495
Bluetooth mobile phone kit  $495
4 x 18" alloy wheels (standard on XR8) $1600

(NCO -- No cost option)

Fairmont sedan - $43,195

Options 
E-Gas 4.0-litre DLPG $1400
Barra 230 V8 (includes six-speed auto) $6000
Euro Sports Package $3900
Premium audio system $1100
Sunroof $2400
DVD satellite navigation system $3800
Sports Control Blade IRS $500
1600 kg towpack $495
4 x 17" alloy luxury wheels $1500
Bluetooth mobile phone kit  $495

Fairmont Ghia sedan - $46,490

Options 
E-Gas 4.0-litre DLPG $1,400
Barra 230 V8 (includes six-speed auto) $6,000
Euro Sports Package $3,900
Premium audio system $1,100
Sunroof $2,400
DVD satellite navigation system $3,800
Sports Control Blade IRS $500
1600 kg towpack $495
4 x 17" alloy luxury wheels $1,500
Bluetooth mobile phone kit $495

BF FALCON UTE MkII RECOMMENDED RETAIL PRICING (excluding dealer and statutary charges):

XL Cab Chassis five-speed manual - $27,450

Options 
E-Gas 4.0-litre DLPG $1,400
Barra 220 V8 (inc ABS and 16" alloy wheels) $5000
Four-speed auto $1000
Four-speed column auto $1100
Air conditioning $2295
Passenger airbag $520
ABS $980
Prestige paint $400
Cruise control $660
Prestige sound system $700
Limited slip differential $495
1600kg towpack $495
Bluetooth mobile phone kit  $495
Aluminium tray $1460

XL Styleside Box five-speed manual - $27,875

Options 
E-Gas 4.0-litre DLPG $1400
Barra 220 V8 (inc ABS and 16" alloy wheels) $5,000
Four-speed auto $1000
Four-speed column auto $1100
Air conditioning $2295
Passenger airbag $520
ABS $980
Prestige paint $400
Cruise control $660
Prestige sound system $700
Limited slip differential $495
1600 kg towpack $495
Bluetooth mobile phone kit  $495
Tonneau cover $270

XLS Cab Chassis five-speed manual - $29,145

Options 
E-Gas 4.0-litre DLPG $1400
Barra 220 V8 (inc ABS & 16" alloy wheels) $5000
Four-speed auto $1000
Air conditioning $2295
Passenger airbag $520
ABS $980
Prestige paint $400
Prestige sound system $700
Limited slip differential $495
1600 kg towpack $495
Bluetooth mobile phone kit  $495
Aluminium tray $1460

XLS Styleside Box five-speed manual - $29,795

Options 
E-Gas 4.0-litre DLPG $1400
Barra 220 V8 (inc ABS & 16" alloy wheels) $5000
Four-speed auto $1000
Air conditioning $2295
Passenger airbag $520
ABS $980
Prestige paint $400
Prestige sound system $700
Limited slip differential $495
1600 kg towpack $495
Bluetooth mobile phone kit  $495

RTV Cab Chassis five-speed manual - $31,950

Options 
E-Gas 4.0-litre DLPG $1400
Barra 220 V8 (inc ABS & 16" alloy wheels) $5000
Four-speed auto $1000
Four-speed column auto $1100
Air conditioning $2295
Passenger airbag $520
Cruise control $660
Prestige paint $400
Prestige sound system $700
1600 kg towpack $495
Bluetooth mobile phone kit  $495
4 x 16" alloy wheels $500
Aluminium tray $1570

RTV Styleside Box five-speed manual - $32,900

Options 
E-Gas 4.0-litre DLPG $1400
Barra 220 V8 (inc ABS and 16" alloy wheels) $5000
Four-speed auto $1000
Four-speed column auto $1100
Air conditioning $2295
Passenger airbag $520
Cruise control $660
Prestige paint $400
Prestige sound system $700
1600 kg towpack $495
Bluetooth mobile phone kit  $495
4 x 16" alloy wheels $500
Tonneau cover $270

XR Ute

XR6 Ute Cab Chassis five-speed manual $33,990
XR6 Ute Styleside Box five-speed manual $34,620
XR6 Turbo Ute six-speed manual $40,445
XR8 Ute six-speed manual $41,595

Options 
Four-speed auto (XR6 only) $1000
Six-speed auto (XR6 Turbo, XR8 only) $1500
Passenger airbag $520
Prestige paint $400
Chromaflair paint $1,590
Prestige sound system $700
Sports steering wheel $730
XR leather seats $1070
1600 kg towpack $495
Bluetooth mobile phone kit  $495

*Automatic transmission a mandatory option with E-Gas

(Prices and details correct at publication date)