NEW FALCON: space is no final frontier

This is what's known in the trade as a punt... Because after a full day of embargoed briefings on the new FG Falcon range, as we write this there are still many vital facts we don't know -- like a full set of dimensions.

Thus, ahead of the car range's unveiling, before we've even sat in the car, we're forced to take the burghers at Ford's word for it -- that the new Falcon is the roomiest 'standard' wheelbase Aussie large car yet.

The packaging of a new car is somewhat of a black art. Until you get to sit in and drive a car it's hard to appreciate the effect of what can be relatively small dimensional changes. Thus as media and public alike get to study and experience the new FG Falcon in the flesh, some or indeed all of the following could be disputed.

Nonetheless, Ford insiders are mighty proud of the job they've done with the new range, claiming it is not only "stylish, safe and refined" but that it delivers class-leading space in a host of key areas.

The key change to the FG packaging, says Ford, is improved ingress and egress via larger door openings and wider door opening angles. The carmaker also says it has produced not only a roomier interior and a significantly stronger safety structure, but that the new FG also delivers better vision for the driver.

Though the FG range is built on the existing Falcon platform, the proportions of the car have been almost totally changed. In the absence of a full set of official dimensions, we can reveal that the A and B-pillars have been moved forward while the C-pillar has been recontoured and rear wheel arch intrusion reduced for better access

In addition, though the car is a scant 4mm wider than the current model, the new body style carries its effective width higher. In styling speak there is less tumblehome to the new car. The effect of this is around 60mm of extra space outboard of the occupants heads -- space that's been used to house the new full side-curtain airbags for instance.

The FG has also seen a major structural change that has yielded strength and significant noise reduction benefits. Where as the AU-BF series of Falcons feature clamshell 'limousine' style doors that wrapped both the roof rail and sill, the new car uses conventional stamped inset doors.

Not only does this structure allow more freedom in designing the door sealing systems, but it also by definition 'protects' the doors from the airflow across the front of the car and over the roof. Ford Australia 'borrowed' technology from Volvo for the FG's door systems.

BEST IN CLASS
Ford not only claims the FG Falcon improves on the packaging of its predecessor, but it also provides the most head room, hip room and shoulder room, front and rear, in its class.

In addition to the general changes detailed above, the A-pillar section has been designed to reduce "driver vision obscuration" -- a regular complaint from VE Commodore drivers.

Ford says the header intersection between the top of the windscreen and the interior roof lining has also been repositioned, to improve forward-up vision and give better sight lines to tall objects such as street signs and traffic lights.

The roof is flatter to maximize headroom and rear passenger vision. Ford says its designers also optimized the side window sill level (or belt height) for rear passengers. To help with this effect the rear seat H-point has been raise 10mm.

In the front seat, the cowl (effectively the base of the windscreen) has been moved forward to allow the dash and instrument panel to follow suit for more room and better control layout, says Ford. The new firewall twixt cockpit and engine bay has fewer openings to help reduce noise pathways.

INNER SPACE
The combination of changes has increased headroom all around -- particularly at the rear (+13mm), claims Ford.

The carmaker says the new door structure and interior trim designs (which we hadn't seen when this was written) have increased front and rear shoulder room by 10mm and 24mm respectively, while front and rear hiproom have increased by 25mm and 22mm respectively.

The new higher rear seating position and redesigned front seat backs have increased rear legroom by 10mm, says Ford.

Interior space  Dimensions (mm) Change (in mm)
Front row
Headroom  1012*   +2
Shoulder room  1523*   +10
Hiproom  1486*   +25
Legroom  1080   -

Rear row
Head room  989*   +13
Shoulder room  1518*   +24
Hiproom  1504*   +22
Legroom  990   +10

* Denotes best in class (Commodore, Aurion and 380)

GIVEN 'EM THE BOOT
The FG Falcon is equipped with a space-saver spare but Ford has retained the ability to accommodate a full-size tyre in the boot.

The FG "provides a 535-litre capacity luggage compartment when fitted with the standard temporary use spare wheel/tyre," says Ford. In the case of a full-size tyre, capacity is reduced by 30 litres.

The car carries over the BF MkII's 60/40 split-fold rear seat "for added flexibility".

Though the FG sedan range carries over the existing Falcon's 68-litre fuel tank, Ford says the vehicle's useable fuel capacity has been increased thanks to a new 'contactless' fuel gauge.

The ute's fuel tank has grown from 75 to 81 litres in the generational change.

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