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The Ford Falcon (AU) is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1998 to 2002. It was the first iteration of the sixth generation Ford Falcon and also included the Ford Fairmont (AU)—the luxury-oriented model range. The AU series replaced the EL Falcon constructed on the previous generation architecture, and was replaced by the updated BA series. ==Development and design== The AU series was conceived under "''Project Eagle''" that begun in February 1993, and gained the official codename "EA169" in October 1994. It was developed and brought to market in 1998 only after Ford Australia had given consideration to a revamped fifth generation Falcon and a fully imported replacement such as the American front-wheel drive Ford Taurus or rear-wheel drive Ford Crown Victoria, the European rear wheel-drive Scorpio and, reportedly, even the Japanese rear-wheel drive Mazda 929 (then part of the Ford conglomerate). The above alternatives were eliminated in favour of a substantial redesign of the indigenous platform, due to concerns about the Australian market preference for high towing capacity, large interior size and local employment. Specific factors included, for example: research at the time indicated that 69% of Falcons were fitted with towbars and the perception that rear-wheel drive cars were better at towing better; the fact that the import models had limited body style options (sedan only or sedan and wagon) and no capability to use a V8 engine.〔 Stylistically, this new generation Falcon sported Ford's radically new global design language, labelled "''New Edge''". The aim of this design was to attract a younger generation of buyers with avant-garde looks, however, in Australia it polarized public opinion to the benefit of the more organically designed rival, the 1997 Holden Commodore (VT). For the first time in Falcon's history, Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) became available as standard on some models and optional on others. It also featured Australian production firsts, such as Variable Cam Timing (VCT) on some 6-cylinder models and an adaptive automatic transmission on the high-performance T series with steering wheel gear shifting buttons.〔http://www.eccosoftware.com.au/FTE/t-series/vehicles/techFrameset_files/fte_tech_main.htm〕 Key changes from the fifth generation Falcon included a reduction in weight for the base car, 17.5 per cent stiffer bodyshell, and an eight per cent improvement in fuel consumption. Peculiarly, Ford Australia decided to use the original 1950's font for the new "Falcon" and "Futura" badges. As stated previously, the AU was the first Falcon to offer IRS (a double wishbone design on an isolated subframe) and its 6-cylinder engines in particular, incorporated advanced features such as VCT on some models and a temperature sensor in the cylinder head, which detected coolant loss and allowed the car to “limp home” safely by cutting cylinders. The engine range comprised: the base ''Intech'' model producing 157 kW (which was carried over from the EL series but now with the above advanced electronic features); an "HP" version reserved to the XR6 producing 164 kW (thanks to: unique cylinder head; reshaped inlet port; redesigned exhaust port; ‘open’ combustion chamber shape to restrict pre-detonation from hot spot areas; unique camshaft; higher fuel pressure; recalibrated EEC V engine management system); the VCT version producing 172 kW for the XR6 VCT; a "Windsor" V8 producing 185 kW (also carried over from the EL series but without major upgrades).〔(【引用サイトリンク】 Review: Ford AU Falcon (1998-02) )〕 Transmissions were improved for better shift feel and the auto was recalibrated to better suit the upgraded engines. The six and eight cylinder models had a 4-speed BTR M93LE and M97LE automatic transmissions, respectively for the six and eight cylinder models, respectively. The automatic XR series models had an "adaptive shift" with five shifting strategies depending on driving conditions. The manual transmission, were available, was a 5-speed BTR T5 model.〔 The program cost before product launch〔http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/ford-fg-falcon-what-it-cost-to-build-20080217-1436u.html〕 and key staff included chief designer, Steve Park, and Marcus Hotblack, Manager of Interior Design. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Ford Falcon (AU)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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