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Ford Falcon Facts
The most important of the AU Falcon Series II’s many improvements was a piece of plastic. Similar to the Series I Fairmont, the new grille was more conservative in style and replaced Forte’s and Futura’s controversial designs.
AUII Falcon(2000 - 2001)
Unfortunately, the public still hadn’t warmed to the AU’s radical styling, so Ford assembled a team to improve the car, most of whom weren’t involved with the original AU. The new grille was a simple design of five horizontal grey bars and a larger Ford oval badge. On the Futura, there was a thin silver line between the bars and the body, and the grille was body-coloured on the Falcon S. All models now used the high series Fairmont bonnet, except for the XRs and utes.
New standard 16 inch wheels better filled out the wheel arches, while the rear bumper was given a squarer look, and this better concealed the fuel tank and suspension. Also at the rear, all tail lights now had clear indicators, and an applique was added above the number plate featuring the blue oval badge and the word Falcon. Rounding out the visual changes were 3 spoilers: the carry over S spoiler, new XR spoilers and a new low wing spoiler standard on the Futura.
Safety was greatly improved in the Series II, with twin airbags and seatbelt pretensioners standard on all models, as well as some structural improvements and a centre rear lap sash seat belt for the wagons.
There were a number of engineering changes, the most important being the laminated firewall. It led to a remarkable reduction in noise and vibration. Falcon’s suspension was improved over small bumps and ripples. The springs were slightly softened, among other changes, and resulted in a car with unchanged handling but improved steering and ride comfort. Brakes got thicker rotors and larger pads, as well as improved pedal feel.
AUII Falcon Photos (photos are cropped, click to enlarge)
     
Ford AUII Falcon
On Sale: April 2000 - November 2001
How do I know it's an AUII? Forte, Futura: New formal grille, black mirrors, boot applique, alloy wheels (Futura), spoiler (Futura). S: As for Forte, with body-coloured grille. Fairmont, Fairmont Ghia: Similar to Series I, with squarer boot applique. XR6, XR6 VCT, XR8: Grille with two horizontal bars, new bumpers, body kit and spoilers. Ute: Similar to Series I
Models available:
Falcon Forte:
Falcon Futura:
Falcon S:
Falcon XR6:
Falcon XR6 VCT:
Falcon XR8:
Fairmont:
Fairmont Ghia:
Falcon XL:
Falcon XLS:		 sedan, wagon
sedan, wagon
sedan
sedan, style side ute
sedan
sedan, style side ute
sedan, wagon
sedan
cab chassis, style side ute
cab chassis, style side ute
Option packs/prototypes/limited editions:
Falcon Futura Classic: (Limited Edition) 16 inch Prestige alloy wheels, side skirts, body coloured mirrors, leather steering wheel, velour interior, four power windows, chrome exhaust tip, floor mats, Classic decals. $2500 value, July - October 2001.
Falcon Futura 75th Ann: (Limited Edition) 16 inch alloys, side skirts, body-coloured mirrors, bright insert in bumpers and body side mouldings, “75th” badges on each front fender, chrome grille surround and exhaust tip, velour interior, four power windows, six stack CD, floor mats. July 2000 - March 2001.
Fairmont Ghia 75th Ann: (Limited Edition) 17 inch “Elegance” alloy wheels, side skirts, rear spoiler, “75th” badges on front fenders, leather interior, wood/leather Momo steering wheel, floor mats, security alarm. November 2000 - March 2001.
Falcon SR: (Limited Edition) Based on Forte. Rear spoiler, side skirts, body-coloured mirrors and grille, chrome exhaust tip, 16 inch alloy wheels, ABS brakes, cruise control (from June). $3000 value for additional $400, April - October 2001.
Falcon XL Tradesman: (Limited Edition) Cab chassis with 16 inch alloy wheels, factory aluminium tray or $1000 towards custom tray, Tradesman decals. $2200 value for $500, May 2001 - February 2002.
Falcon XL Sports Edition: (Limited Edition) Ute with 16 inch alloy wheels, air conditioning and SE decal. $3000 value for $500, May 2001 - February 2002.
Falcon XLS Marlin: (Limited Edition) Ute with air conditioning, polished alloy sports bar with tonneau cover, six stack CD, Marlin decals. $3300 value for $500, May 2001 - February 2002.
Falcon Pursuit: (Limited Edition) XR6 VCT ute or XR8 ute. 17 inch alloy wheels, aggressive body kit, polished aluminium sports bar and tonneau cover, power windows, cruise control and CD player. February - April 2001.
Falcon XR8 Rebel: (Limited Edition) Ford Racing body kit, Momo gear knob and steering wheel, 18 inch Speedline alloy wheels, Rebel decals, PlayStation 2. Colours Venom (red), Silhouette (black), Monsoon (blue). July - October 2001.
Falcon XR8 Xplód: (Show Car) 350kW, 5.7 litre V8 engineered by Rod Herrod, unique exhaust system with twin 4” silencers, Koni shockers and Lovell springs on suspension system, Momo 18” alloy wheels, Dunlop SP Sport 9000 P245/40ZR 18 tyres, “Firestorm” yellow paint finish, Tickford body kit, Recaro leather-trimmed driving seats, Sony sound system with 6 subwoofers (boot mounted), Sony Active Black Panel head unit, pivots to reveal the CD slot and controls, Sony DVD in boot with dedicated exterior speakers, 15” LCD screen on decklid.
Falcon 300+ Coupe: (Concept Car) Falcon coupe by Advanced Engine Components, unveiled at Melbourne Motor Show 2001. 4.6L Mustang V8 develops more than 300kW (300+), 0-100km in 4.6 seconds, 18 inch alloys, Brembo brakes, Fairmont-based interior.
Ford R5: (Concept Car) Debuted at Sydney Motor Show, Nov 2000. Became 4WD for Melbourne Motor Show, Mar 2001. Based on Falcon Ute. 'Uluru Sunset' paint scheme, high mount driving lights, nudge bar, sculptured front bumper bar, wheel arch flares, integrated side skirts, 17” wheels, twin sideport exhaust outlets, integrated sports bar with several Hella high output lights, electronics including telematics, prestige sound system, auto climate control, satellite navigation and mobile communications.
What’s new? New grille, revised interior, suspension improvements
Falcon Firsts: First Australian car with: standard dual airbags across the range, standard CD player across the range, standard 16 inch wheels across the range, laminated firewall to quieten interior, dedicated LPG option
Prices at introduction: Falcon Forte sedan - $32415, Falcon Forte wagon - $34415, Falcon XR6 - $39715, Fairmont sedan - $39915
Total AUIIs built: 93250
Transmission: 4 speed automatic, 5 speed manual
Engines:
4.0L Intech 6 cyl
Bore and stroke: 92 x 99 mm
Power: 157kW at 4900rpm
Torque: 357Nm at 3000rpm
Overhead camshaft, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: EEC V fuel injection
Compression ratio: 9.6:1
4.0L Intech Dedicated LPG 6 cyl
Bore and stroke: 92 x 99 mm
Power: 143kW at 4500rpm
Torque: 362Nm at 2750rpm
Overhead camshaft, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: EEC V fuel injection
Compression ratio: 9.6:1
5.0L V8
Bore and stroke: 102 x 76 mm
Power: 175kW at 4600rpm
Torque: 395Nm at 3200rpm
Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: EEC V fuel injection
Compression ratio: 9.1:1		 4.0L Intech VCT 6 cyl (Fairmont Ghia)
Bore and stroke: 92 x 99 mm
Power: 168kW at 5000rpm
Torque: 370Nm at 3500rpm
Overhead camshaft, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: EEC V fuel injection
Compression ratio: 9.6:1
4.0L Intech 6 cyl (XR6)
Bore and stroke: 93 x 99 mm
Power: 164kW at 5000rpm
Torque: 366Nm at 3150rpm
Overhead camshaft, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: EEC V fuel injection
Compression ratio: 9.6:1		 4.0L Intech VCT 6 cyl (XR6 VCT)
Bore and stroke: 93 x 99 mm
Power: 172kW at 5000rpm
Torque: 374Nm at 3500rpm
Overhead camshaft, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: EEC V fuel injection
Compression ratio: 9.6:1
5.0L V8 (XR8 sedan until April 01; Ute, March 01-)
Bore and stroke: 102 x 76 mm
Power: 200kW at 5000rpm
Torque: 420Nm at 3750rpm
Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: EEC V fuel injection
Compression ratio: 9.1:1		 5.0L V8 (XR8 sedan, May 01-)
Bore and stroke: 102 x 76 mm
Power: 220kW at 5250rpm
Torque: 435Nm at 4000rpm
Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: EEC V fuel injection
Compression ratio: 9.4:1
5.0L V8 (XR8 ute until Feb 01)
Bore and stroke: 102 x 76 mm
Power: 185kW at 5000rpm
Torque: 412Nm at 3500rpm
Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: EEC V fuel injection
Compression ratio: 9.1:1		  
Fuel consumption: AS2877 City/Highway per 100km: 11.5L/6.8L (Falcon Forte 4L auto sedan)
Performance:
(Falcon Futura 4L sedan, 4 speed auto)
Top speeds in gears
1st: 86km/h
2nd: 142km/h
3rd: 180km/h (speed limited)
4th: 180km/h (speed limited)
0-100km/h: 9.2 seconds
Standing 400m: 16.6 seconds
(Falcon XR8 220kW, 5 speed manual):
Top speeds in gears
1st: 65km/h
2nd: 99km/h
3rd: 143km/h
4th: 191km/h
5th: 240km/h
0-100km/h: 6.6 seconds
Standing 400m: 14.8 seconds
Suspension:
Front
Fully independent double wishbone
XR models - sports suspension
Rear
Sedans - Watts Multilink
Wagons - Wide Trac
Fairmont Ghia, XR6 VCT, XR8 - Fully independent double wishbone suspension (IRS), optional on all other sedans
Falcon S - Tickford sports suspension, optional on all other models (not available with IRS)
Brakes:
Front
Power assisted ventilated discs with asbestos-free pads, anti-lock braking standard (Forte and S optional)
Rear
Power assisted discs with asbestos-free pads, standard anti-lock braking (Forte and S optional)
Steering: Power assisted rack and pinion, 3.1 turns lock-to-lock
Wheels:
Forte - 16 x 6.5 inch steel
Futura - 16 x 6.5 inch alloy wheels
S, XR6 models - 16 x 7 inch alloy wheels
XR8 - 17 x 8 inch alloy wheels
Fairmont - 16 x 6.5 inch alloy wheels
Fairmont Ghia - 16 x 6.5 inch alloy wheels
Optional on all models - 16 x 7 inch alloy wheels, 17 x 8 inch 5 spoke alloy wheels
Tyres:
Forte, Futura, Fairmont, Fairmont Ghia - P215/60 R16 steel belt radial ply, Falcon S - P215/55 R16 steel belt radial ply. XR6 sedans - P225/50 R16 unidirectional tyres. XR8, optional on all models - P235/45 ZR17 unidirectional tyres.
Dimensions (in mm):

Length:
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase:
Front track:
Rear track:
Kerb weight:
Turning circle:
Fuel tank:
Boot space:		 Sedan
4907
1870
1437
2793
1566
1547
1530kg
10.9m
68 litres
460 litres		 Wagon
5058
1870
1469
2922
1566
1547
1581kg
11.3m
68 litres
1284 litres		 Ute
5077
1871
1465
3096
1566
1547
1696kg
11.5m
82 litres
-
Interior dimensions (in mm):

Front headroom:
Rear headroom:
Front shoulder room:
Rear shoulder room:
Front hip room:
Rear hip room:
Front legroom:
Rear legroom:		 Sedan
974
974
1518
1512
1495
1245
1081
992		 Wagon
983
1039
1518
1517
1495
1245
1081
992		  
Features (at introduction): Legend


Automatic
Air conditioning
Power steering
Power windows
Power mirrors
Immobiliser
Central locking
Radio cassette
  (speakers)
CD player
Steering adj.
Seat height adj
Seats
Cruise control
Driver Airbag
Pass. Airbag
ABS brakes
Alloy wheels
Cup holders
Satellite Nav.
Falcon Forte
•
•
•
front
•
•
•

• (4)
•
•
•
cloth
opt
•
•
opt
opt
•
opt		 Falcon
Futura
•
•
•
front
•
•
•

• (4)
•
•
•
cloth
•
•
•
•
•
•
opt
Falcon S
opt
•
•
front
•
•
•

• (4)
•
•
•
cloth
•
•
•
opt
•
•
opt
Falcon XR6
opt
•
•
front
•
•
•

• (4)
•
•
•
cloth
•
•
•
•
•
•
opt
Falcon XR8
opt
•
•
•
•
•
•

radio (6)
six-stack
•
•
cloth
•
•
•
•
•
•
opt
Fairmont
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

radio (6)
six-stack
•
•
velour
•
•
•
•
•
•
opt		 Fairmont Ghia
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

• (11)
six-stack
•
6-way pwr
vel/leather
•
•
•
•
•
•
opt
Awards:
Rivals: Holden VT/VX Commodore, Mitsubishi TH/TJ Magna, Toyota Avalon
 
AUII Falcon Links (new window)  Related pages
Falcon/Fairlane/LTD: AU Falcon Hub
Steven's AU Falcon Forte Series II
AU Ford Owners
Drive.com.au: AUII Falcon review
Drive.com.au: AUII Falcon LPG wagon
RACV review: AUII Falcon Futura comparison
NRMA Car reviews
Carsurvey: Falcon reviews
CarNet: AUII Falcon XR8 220kW review
FPV: 2001 AUII Falcon XR8 220kW
FPV: 2001 AUII Falcon XR6 Pursuit Utility
FPV: 2001 AUII Falcon XR8 Pursuit Utility
Johno’s 3D AUII Falcon XR8
AUII Falcon XR8 Xplód		 Falcon Facts: AU Falcon owners read this
Falcon Facts: FTE T-Series
Falcon Facts: AU Fairlane / LTD
Falcon Facts: AU Falcon
Falcon Facts: AUIII Falcon
 

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Inside, there was a new range of trim materials, fabric on the front seat backs instead of vinyl, either warm charcoal or dark graphite interiors, and silver finish highlights on the CD slot, ventilation controls and gearshift surround. An overhead sunnies holder was added, as well as a speed alert and variable intermittent wipers. Sound systems were upgraded to 100w and single CD players were added, while an in-dash six stacker was added to XR6 VCT, XR8, Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia. Service intervals were lengthened from 10000km to 15000km and free scheduled servicing up to 60000km was included. Satellite navigation became available in July 2000.
Engines were unchanged, apart from the XR8’s powerplant, with improvements resulting in 200kW of power. A new dedicated LPG engine was added to the range, which gave respectable performance despite having less power. In May 2001, the XR8 was again enhanced with a more powerful 220kw V8. This model can be identified by body-coloured mirrors. At the same time, the XR8 ute inherited the 200kW V8. Also in May, a 5 speed manual became available on the Forte.
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