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Ford Falcon Facts
In November 2001, Ford sprung a surprise AU Falcon Series III. The press was unaware that the upgrade was planned, however it was mainly equipment and trim adjustments, to maintain sales. Released at the Sydney Motor Show, the Forte now featured ABS brakes, making them standard across the range.
AUIII Falcon(2001 - 2002)
Exterior changes included body-coloured mirrors and side strips, side skirts and clear side indicators. Headlights became a shade darker, a dot matrix windscreen was added, reducing sun glare, and some models got different wheels.
Inside, the Futura added rear power windows and velour trim. The Fairmont gained a six way power adjustable seat, while Fairmont Ghia’s seat was adjustable 10 ways with memory and trimmed in leather. Unfortunately, some cars actually lost equipment - LSD was now optional on the XR6, and the stereo was downgraded to a 4-speaker single CD unit in the XRs.
Havoc was a bold new body kit optional on any Falcon. It added a low, aggressive stance to Falcon, with new front and rear bumpers with stainless mesh inserts, fog lights, side skirts and an optional rear spoiler. As well as the Havoc body kit, XR8 buyers had the choice of either the Tickford body kit or the Ford Racing body kit (from the AUII XR8 Rebel).
There were several limited edition models, the most notable being the XR8 Pursuit 250 ute. Powered by the 5.6 V8 from the T3 T-Series, it featured the works including 18 inch rims and unique body kit.
REX (Rear Entertainment XTreme) became optional, allowing Fairmont and XR owners to watch movies and play games anywhere.
AUIII Falcon Photos (photos are cropped, click to enlarge)
       
Ford AUIII Falcon
On Sale: November 2001 - October 2002
How do I know it's an AUIII? Visually very similar to Series II. Series III badges, standard body-coloured mirrors and side strips, side skirts, clear side indicators, darker shade headlights.
Models available:
Falcon Forte:
Falcon Futura:
Falcon XR6:
Falcon XR6 VCT:
Falcon XR8:
Fairmont:
Fairmont Ghia:
Falcon XL:
Falcon XLS:
sedan, wagon
sedan, wagon
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 SR:


Falcon XL Tradesman:


Falcon XL Sports Edition:

Falcon XLS Marlin:


Falcon XR8
Pursuit 250:






Arrow Ford coupe:

 (Limited Edition) Based on Forte. Rear spoiler (sedan), chrome exhaust tip, 16 inch alloy wheels, cruise control, sports trim fabric, SR decals, sports suspension (wagon), roof racks (wagon). March - September 2002.
(Limited Edition) Cab chassis with 16 inch alloy wheels, factory aluminium tray or $1000 towards custom tray, Tradesman decals. $2200 value for $500, March - September 2002.

(Limited Edition) Ute with 16 inch alloy wheels, air conditioning and SE decal. $3000 value for $500, March - September 2002
(Limited Edition) Ute with air conditioning, polished alloy sports bar with tonneau cover, six stack CD, Marlin decals. $3300 value for $500, March - September 2002.

(Limited Edition) Tickford 250kW 5.6 V8 engine, Tremec 5-speed manual (optional adaptive shift auto), brakes with huge grooved front and rear discs and Bosch ABS, 18 inch alloy rims with high performance Dunlop SP9000 tyres, unique bodykit including front airdam spoiler, side skirts and rear bumper, leather seats, Momo steering wheel and gear knob. Optional hard tonneau cover with rear spoiler and optional Brembo brake package, $54250, February - September 2002.
(Aftermarket) Falcon modified by Hillier Conversions and Autotek. 6.4L Windsor V8 with 370kW, six speed manual, 18 inch front and 19 inch rear Speedline alloys, Mercedes-style headlights, yellow-green colour, yellow marble dash inserts, Recaro seats.
What’s new? Equipment and styling tweaks, REX
Falcon Firsts: ABS brakes standard across the range.
Prices at introduction: Falcon Forte auto sedan - $32515, Fairmont sedan - $39290, Falcon XR8 manual - $48420
Total AUIIIs built: 31320
Transmission: 5 speed manual, 4 speed automatic
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)
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)
Bore and stroke: 102 x 76 mm
Power: 200kW 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 XR6 VCT, 4 speed auto):
Top speeds in gears
1st: 82km/h
2nd: 135km/h
3rd: 196km/h
4th: 225km/h
0-100km/h: 8.5 seconds
Standing 400m: 16.2 seconds 		 
Suspension:
Front
Fully independent double wishbone
XR models - Fully independent double wishbone sports suspension
Rear
Sedans - Watts Multilink
Wagons - Wide Trac
Fairmont Ghia - Fully independent double wishbone suspension (IRS), optional on all other sedans
XR6 VCT, XR8 - Fully independent double wishbone sports suspension (IRS), optional on Fairmont Ghia
Sports suspension - optional (not with IRS)
Brakes:
Front
Power assisted ventilated discs with asbestos-free pads, anti-lock braking standard
Rear
Power assisted discs with asbestos-free pads, standard anti-lock braking
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
XR6 - 16 x 7 inch alloy wheels
XR6 VCT, 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 - 16 x 7 inch alloy wheels, 17 x 8 inch Tickford 5 spoke alloy wheels, 17 x 8 inch alloy wheels
Tyres:
Forte, Futura, Fairmont, Fairmont Ghia - P215/60 R16 steel belt radial ply. XR6 - P225/50 R16 unidirectional tyres. XR6 VCT, XR8 - P235/45 ZR17 unidirectional tyres. Optional on all models - P235/45 ZR17 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
-
3096
1566
1547
2420kg
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.
Rear Entertainment		 Falcon
Forte
opt
•
•
front
•
•
•

radio (4)
•
•
•
cloth
opt
•
•
•
opt
•
opt

X		 Falcon
Futura
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

radio (4)
•
•
•
velour
•
•
•
•
•
•
opt

X		 Falcon
XR6
opt
•
•
front
•
•
•

radio (4)
•
•
•
cloth
•
•
•
•
•
•
opt

opt		 Falcon
XR6 VCT
opt
•
•
•
•
•
•

radio (4)
•
•
•
cloth
•
•
•
•
•
•
opt

opt		 Falcon
XR8
opt
•
•
•
•
•
•

radio (4)
•
•
•
cloth
•
•
•
•
•
•
opt

opt
Fairmont
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

radio (6)
six-stack
•
6-way pwr
velour
•
•
•
•
•
•
opt

opt		 Fairmont Ghia
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

• (11)
six-stack
•
10-way pwr
leather
•
•
•
•
•
•
opt

opt
Awards:
Rivals: Holden VX Commodore, Mitsubishi TJ Magna, Toyota Avalon
 
AUIII Falcon Links (new window)  Related pages
Falcon/Fairlane/LTD: AU Falcon Hub
AU Ford Owners
NRMA Car reviews
Carsurvey: Falcon reviews
FPV: 2002 AUIII XR8 Pursuit 250 Utility 		Falcon Facts: AU Falcon owners read this
Falcon Facts: FTE T-Series
Falcon Facts: AU Fairlane/LTD
Falcon Facts: AUII Falcon
Falcon Facts: BA Falcon
 

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