Last Falcon to be called FG X

Ford Australia has today announced that its next – and last – locally produced Falcon will be known by the series nameplate 'FG X'.

Ford's local marketing team says that the series designation pays tribute to the "strong heritage of the Falcon nameplate", with the 'FG' part of the coding referencing to the current FG-series (on which the new model is based), while the 'X' suffix pays tribute to the four generations of Falcon models built here between the 1960s and 1990s.

The coding was decided upon after what Ford Australia says was "significant feedback from key enthusiasts as well as the senior product development and marketing teams".

"As one of the country’s most recognised nameplates, Ford wanted to make sure this celebration Falcon was worthy of the FG X name," explained Ford Australia President and CEO, Bob Graziano.

"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. 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," he concluded.

Like the current FG-series Falcon range, the revised FG X will feature a choice of four, six and eight-cylinder engines (the latter in the born-again XR8, rather than FPV models), as well as EcoLPi (LPG) and turbocharged inline sixes.

The global design DNA featured on the all-new Falcon sees Ford's new signature trapezoidal grille, chiselled headlight treatment and smoother, wrap-around LED tail-lights accentuate what the manufacturer says are "high levels of design refinement that will appear across the refreshed Falcon range".

Meanwhile, the refreshed Territory SUV will be dubbed SZ II, following on from its current SZ-series designation. The model will be facelifted only slightly in its final revision, and will retain the current variant grades TX, TS and Titanium – each with the choice of 4.0-litre petrol or 2.7-litre turbo-diesel power.

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

Since 1960, Ford Australia has sold more than 3.5 million Falcons and (since 2004) 155,000 Territory models.

Full pricing, specification and feature details for both the new Falcon and Territory will be announced closer to the models' launch in November.