Ford Falcon (BF)

Sold between October 2005 and February 2008 in sedan and utility body styles or as a wagon until June 2010, the BF series brought many mechanical upgrades, including but not limited to a raised compression ratio (10.3:1) and improved now-independent dual variable cam timing on the six-cylinder engines and improved knock sensing on the DOHC 3 Valve V8 which, in conjunction with ECU modifications, led to increases in power, torque and fuel economy, required to comply with recently introduced Euro III emissions standards. The changes to the six-cylinder engine further decreased the engine's already low noise and vibration while increasing power from 182 to 190 kW (244 to 255 hp). With the BF, Ford introduced a six-speed automatic developed by German company ZF and Bosch. The XR6 Turbo got a power increase to 245 kilowatts (329 hp), along with the ZF six-speed automatic.

With the BF Falcon Ford updated the keys and security of the Falcon, replacing the ageing Tibbe lock system with a Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst manufactured 2 track key.

The original BF Falcon exterior cosmetic changes from the previous model included a split lower grille on the front bumper of non-XR based models, an updated front bumper on XR models, updated tail lights on sedans, and new style alloy wheels on XR models. The interior changes included updated cloth patterns on seats and door cards, XR models featured a tyre tread pattern on the cloth sport seats.

The BF Falcon started production in October 2005 until it was updated with the Mk II in October 2006.

Its original range comprised the following model variants:

• Falcon XT
• Falcon Futura sedan and wagon
• Falcon XR6, XR6 Turbo, and XR8 sedan and utility
• Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia sedan
• Falcon XL and XLS utility

In February 2006, the limited edition Falcon SR was also launched with a higher level of equipment relative to the XT.

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  Ford Falcon (BF) XR6 sedan
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  Ford Falcon (BF) XR6 Turbo utility
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  Ford Falcon (BF) Futura sedan
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  Ford Fairmont (BF) sedan

Engine specifications remain unchanged. Of particular note, the BF & BF2 Boss 290 engines were fitted with a standalone air-to-oil heat exchanger behind the front bumper, eliminating the 'milkshake' problems of all other lower spec BF cars. All models share the same six-speed manual and were now offered with an optional SS made German ZF six-speed automatic (the same as featured in Jaguars and BMWs but recalibrated by FPV). The GT received the GT-P's old 19-inch wheels, and the GT-P and Super Pursuit received their own specific road wheel styles. Typhoon & Tornado versions had optional 18-inch road wheel design used on the previous model, or a new 19-inch design with black spokes. All models received new body kits, with the F6 Typhoon benefiting from its own unique styling changes. The F6 now had color coded fog lamp surrounds, and a lower grill insert emphasizing the intercooler. The rear now had a new bumper with mesh inserts, a deeper diffuser, with the GT-P models now sporting a dual exit exhaust system cut into the deep rear diffuser.

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  FPV GT sedan
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  FPV GT-P sedan
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  FPV GT 40th Anniversary sedan
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  FPV GT Cobra sedan
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  FPV F6 Typhoon sedan
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  FPV F6 Typhoon sedan

2006 BF MkII update

Minor changes such as a new knurled power mirror control switch knob and interior footwell illumination were introduced with this update; however, all models now came standard with 19 inch rims. Subtle styling & accent colour changes were made, but the most significant news was the introduction of new Force 6 and Force 8 models. Built to rival HSV's Senator Signature, they are mechanically identical to the auto-equipped base GT model, but in a more luxury-focused package with more conservative visuals than GT-P or GT (no rear wing and more conservative colour range). The Force models are essentially an FPV version of the Fairmont Ghia (luxury model in the Falcon range). In the final months of the BF MkII Falcon, a number of limited-edition models were released - the GT 40th Anniversary,[4] the F6 Typhoon R-Spec,[1] the GT Cobra sedan and the Cobra Ute - all of which received stiffer "R-Spec" dampers, and in the case of the GT Cobra, a power increase. (The GT Cobra motor produced 405 hp (302 kW) and 398 lb·ft (540 N·m)).[5]

300 R Spec model Typhoons were produced in 2007, these had different Argent Dark Silver colour accents on wheels and spoilers, leather upholstery, R spec floor mats, Brembo 4-pot front brakes, ten of these R-Spec Typhoons were exported by Ford Australia into Ford New Zealand, of that ten, one was fitted with a 6-speed manual transmission and the other nine were equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions.

Only 200 BF Mk.2 GT-P 40th Anniversary models were produced, making it the rarest and most sought after of all the limited edition GT models, as it was released to commemorate the 40 year anniversary of the GT Falcon legend in Australia (which stretches back to 1967 with the release of the original XR GT Falcon.)

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ford Falcon (BF).

• Ford press release which lists all updates for BF Falcons
• Ford Falcon Homepage
• Ford BF Falcon Review