Ford's eight-litre Falcon

Ford has officially released the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures for the EcoBoost Falcon, ahead of its retail launch date in the second quarter of this year.

EcoBoost, the petrol engine that nobody claims to have wanted in a Falcon, has been applauded by journalists who have driven the car, but as our own Mike Sinclair put it, the question everyone wants answered now is just how frugal is the four-pot Falcon?

Well, the answer is 8.1L/100km for the XT variant — and for those who care, 192g/km of CO2 emissions. That makes the EcoBoost the second engine variant in the range to achieve figures below 200g/km; the other being the LPG-sipping six in the EcoLPI Falcon.

And if there were a follow-up question, it would be this: How will it compare with the six for purchase price? Quite simply, the EcoBoost engine will be available in the XT, G6 and G6E grades of Falcon, at no extra cost. Ford has gone for pricing parity with the six, which may surprise some readers.

Where Falcon EcoBoost buyers will score a substantial saving is at the petrol pump. According to Ford's calculations, the EcoBoost engine in the Falcon XT uses 18 per cent less fuel than the standard six-cylinder model.

G6 and G6E models powered by the four-cylinder are rated at 8.5L/100km and 201g/km, an improvement of 14.8 per cent over the six-cylinder equivalents.

“Ford’s EcoBoost technology really is the best way to achieve improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions at a price consumers can afford,” Ford Australia President Bob Graziano was quoted saying in a press release.

“Our goal has been to find the sweet spot for Australian consumers – to give them the fuel efficiency they need, combined with the power they want. Ford’s global EcoBoost technology does just that - without any price premium.”

The Falcon was the first rear-drive vehicle in the Ford world to be groomed for the EcoBoost four, which produces 179kW @ 5500 rpm and 353Nm @ 2000 rpm. But EcoBoost has been around in front-drive vehicles in other parts of the world. According to Graziano, the direct-injected and turbocharged powerplants have been warmly received by owners.

“Ford customers have embraced EcoBoost technology because of its ability to deliver power and performance with uncompromised fuel economy,” he said. 

“With its introduction to Falcon, we’re expanding its reach to more customers so they can enjoy its unique blend of power, performance and fuel economy.”

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