NEW FALCON: Ford aims for dynamic leadership

Look out Holden! According to Ford's vehicle dynamics team, the new FG range is about to re-open the Falcon-Commodore roadholding gap.

Indeed, though the Blue Oval's chassis guys are happy to admit the VE Commodore has brought Team Red up to the same level as the BF MkII, they're now boasting that FG will put the VE back where (in their opinion) it should be -- second place.

Ford says it's aiming for dynamic leadership for the FG and has invested heavily in new componentry to achieve it. In addition to an all-new aluminium front suspension and revised rear IRS, the FG gets a new front-mounted steering rack and moves to monotube one-piece dampers all around.

THE POINTY END
Arguably the showpiece of the range's new mechanical package, the FG's all-new Virtual Pivot Control Link front suspension uses aluminium and high-strength steel components to shed 22kg -- much of it unsprung mass.

Based on the proven Ford Territory suspension, the new double-wishbone set-up delivers track and wheelbase increases and geometry changes which Ford says improves stability under brakes. The design also ensures camber changes are minimized when cornering -- this improves tyre contact with resulting benefits in traction and driver feel.

The FG also gets a relocated steering rack with variable ratio technology and a Y-shaped rack cross section.

Variable ratio steering provides quick wheel movement at low speeds for manoeuvrability, but more stable, relaxed steering at higher speeds. It also results in a reduction in the number of turns lock-to-lock (now 2.6).

Y-shaped racks are used by brands like BMW and Porsche. The shape functions to better locate and reduce the propensity of the steering rack to 'rock' as the steering pinion gear is rolled across the rack. Ford says this eliminates "the knobbly, discontinuous feel that is normally prevalent in vehicles with a variable ratio steering gear."

There are two calibrations for the FG Falcon's new power-assisted steering as well as two new steering wheel designs -- one for  base and luxury models and a sports wheel which "provides for a more confident grip on the steering wheel during enthusiastic driving".

Ford says the FG's (unchanged) 11.0m turning circle is "best in class".

Interestingly, the maker benchmarked BMW's 5 Series for steering -- though not the Australian-model 5 equipped with BMW's Active Steering but the "more pure" European-spec car.

SHARPENING THE BLADE
Ford's Control Blade independent rear suspension (first introduced on the BA Falcon in 2002) has been honed for the FG range with springs, dampers and the anti-roll bar links all "significantly revised" to partner the new front suspension set-up.

The rear suspension's geometry has been changed to raise the rear roll centre to match that of the new front set-up, to improve straightline stability and optimize the car's 'attitude' and eliminate diagonal pitching in hard cornering. Other changes, such as beefed up suspension and subframe mounting points, have been aimed at improving NVH (noise vibration and harshness) and steering precision. 

As noted above, the FG moves to monotube one-piece dampers all around. Manufactured by Sachs, the new dampers have inherent design advantages and are typically fitted to more expensive and high performance vehicles.

The units specified by Ford for the FG feature more elaborate valving and better damping characteristics than the traditional twin-tube shockers used previously.

To ensure the most appropriate vehicle dynamics, Ford has developed six suspension tunes for use across the FG Ford and FPV ranges. The settings -- standard, heavy-duty, luxury sports, luxury performance, XR sports and FPV sports -- are matched to wheel sizes ranging from 16-inch on the cooking models through to 19-inch on the luxury performance and FPV sports variants.

A range of Goodyear and Dunlop tyres has been developed specifically for the FG Falcon models. These deliver improvements in road noise, wet grip, dry grip and handling, steering compliance, ride, rolling resistance and steering linearity, says Ford.

NOT JUST HARDWARE
With Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) set to be offered across the range of petrol engined Falcons (we're not sure about the E-Gas models -- more here), the FG range sees new stability calibrations to match the cars' enhanced dynamics.

At least two DSC calibrations will be used. The standard setting is similar to that offered today and will likely be applied to standard and luxury models. A more enthusiastic calibration will feature on XR and other performance oriented models.

Other driver aids standard across the FG Falcon range are Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA).

In characterising the car's handling and steering dynamics (remember nobody outside Ford's inner circle has driven the car), the carmaker's chassis boffins drew the media's attention to Ford's handling-related brand 'DNA' -- precise, agile but not nervous.

According to chassis boss Alex de Vlugt: "The FG Falcon delivers improved steering precision and feel. We've reduced high-speed responsiveness for a more relaxed drive and at the same time we've improved manoeuvrability. We have an improved ride performance with more body control and improved rolling plushness. We have improved dry and wet handling and for the customers we have an increased choice of suspension tunes... In short we think we've delivered a world class driving experience..."

De Vlugt's contention won't be tested until early April when the first media drives of the FG range take place...

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