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Ford Australia President Tom Gorman announced today the new Fairlane Ghia MkII, Fairlane G220 MkII and LTD MkII would go on sale in March.

"Fairlane MkII will follow in the tyre tracks of the successful Falcon MkII launch and continue to build on the impressive heritage of Ford's iconic long wheelbase.

"Ford Australia created the local prestige market segment with the launch of the ZA Fairlane back in 1967 and the Fairlane nameplate is a very special one in the Ford world."

Gorman said the long wheelbase update focussed on customer needs that had been identified since the launch of the BA series in 2003.

"The new BA Fairlane MkII and LTD MkII deliver true sports luxury vehicles, surrounding the occupants in opulence while delivering a spirited driving experience," Gorman said.

"Customers told us they enjoyed the superb driving dynamics of the long wheelbase models and we've upped the ante in that department even further by adopting the sports version of our award-winning Control Blade Independent Rear Suspension across the range. "Fairlane has provided us with the opportunity to further demonstrate Ford's prowess in delivering superior road handling without sacrificing comfort.

"The longer wheelbase gives us even more stability, while the silica compound tyres continue to provide the plush ride characteristics for which the Fairlane and LTD models are renowned."

Gorman said the MkII update would deliver on customer wants of more luxury, both inside and outside the car.

"We have added lashings of opulence to truly signify the Fairlane, G220 and LTD as prestige vehicles.

"The new interior surrounds the occupants with rouched leather seats, suede-look finishes and a luxury steering wheel.

"Drivers and passengers will delight in the thoughtful craftsmanship evident in the black onyx interior command centre fascia and silver accented piano key instrumentation.

"A refined exterior design highlights the classic sculptured lines of the long wheelbase range with chrome body side protection mouldings, high chrome exterior mirror scalps, two-tone exterior paint on Fairlane Ghia and LTD, revised alloy wheel designs and new badging," Gorman said.

Ford Australia Fairlane Marketing Manager Ross Booth said excellence in local engineering resulted in the spirited driving performance of the Fairlane MkII and LTD MkII.

"Fairlane MkII is a truly exhilarating drive with the Sports Control Blade IRS, a choice of two high tech overhead camshaft engines – the Barra 182 or Barra 220 V8 – and featuring adaptive shift on its automatic transmission.

"Owners will truly notice the MkII upgrade when they sit inside the vehicle with revamped leather seats available in a range of colours, suede-look finishes and a luxurious woodgrain and leather steering wheel in the Fairlane Ghia and LTD.

"The sporting overtones of the Fairlane G220 are immediately obvious when you grip the soft feel leather clad sports steering wheel.

"The innovative instrument panel constantly relays vital information to the driver via the large LCD colour screen.

"Rear seat passengers in the LTD MkII will enjoy not only the extra legroom, but also the DVD Rear Entertainment System which is now standard. Customers have the option of replacing the DVD player with a sunroof at no additional cost," Booth said.

More exterior colour choices are available with the addition of Icon – a chromatic mid-blue reflecting sophistication and style.

On Fairlane Ghia MkII and LTD MkII, Winter White, Luscious, Silhouette, Lightning Strike, Zest and Blue Pearl will be matched with Prysm rockers and lower valences. Icon, Vibe and Mercury Silver Fairlane Ghias and LTDs come complete with Pewter rockers and lower valences.

A new interior trim, called China Beige, is another addition to the extensive list of interior refinements. It epitomises the sophistication and style synonymous with Ford's long wheelbase range and, by contrast, perfectly highlights the new black onyx interior command centre fascia.

The Fairlane G220 boasts an elegant new seven spoke alloy wheel with large centre cap. Alloy wheels on the Fairlane Ghia and LTD feature new, larger centre caps finished in high chrome.

Fairlane MkII comes complete with the Intelligent Safety System that won the coveted Gold award at the Society of Australia Engineers Excellence Awards in 2003.

Employing a number of sensors, the system monitors information such as driver seating positioning and crash severity.

In the event of an accident this information is fed to the Advanced Restraints Module (ARM), which instantly decides how best to deploy modern safety technologies such as dual stage inflation driver and front passenger airbags, front side airbags, front seat pyrotechnic seat belt pretensioners and energy seat belt retractors.

Other safety features include an anti-intrusion (collapsible) brake pedal, front and rear impact management body structure, and ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution for improved stopping performance and steering control.

Model by model upgrades

BA Fairlane Ghia MkII:

• Chrome body side protection mouldings
• Two-tone exterior paint on rockers and lower valances
• High chrome exterior mirror scalps
• New rear chrome appliqué (deck lid and tail lamp)
• Sports Control Blade IRS
• Alloy wheel centre cap with Ghia badge
• Revised Fairlane Ghia badging
• New paint colour – Icon
• Soft feel rouched leather seats
• New interior leather trim – China Beige
• Eight-way power driver's seat with memory function
• Instrument cluster with high chrome finish
• High chrome interior door handle
• High chrome driver's door lock button
• Suede-look front door bin mouldings
• Suede-look driver and front passenger seat backs and map pockets
• Analogue clock face
• Fairlane scuff plate insert
• Rhui Maple woodgrain and leather steering wheel
• Chrome accents on air-conditioning vents
• Black onyx ICC fascia, console, cupholder, door and rear vent surround
• Silver finish controls for heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and LED screen

BA Fairlane G220 MkII:

• Chrome body side protection mouldings
• New rear chrome appliqué (deck lid and tail lamp)
• New 17-inch alloy wheel
• Revised Fairlane G220 badges
• New paint colour – Icon
• G220 scuff plate insert
• Leather-wrapped sports steering wheel
• Eight-way power driver's seat with memory function

BA LTD MkII:

• Chrome body side protection mouldings
• Two-tone exterior paint on rockers and lower valances
• High chrome exterior mirror scalps
• New rear chrome appliqué (deck lid and tail lamp)
• Stone Maple woodgrain and leather steering wheel
• Sports Control Blade IRS
• Alloy wheel centre cap with 'LTD' badge
• New paint colour – Icon
• DVD Rear Entertainment System

A comprehensive range of genuine Ford accessories will be available to allow Fairlane MkII and LTD MkII customers the opportunity to personalise their vehicle.

The range includes car fridges, bonnet and headlamp protectors, bike holders and roof luggage boxes.