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Class-leading accommodation, user-friendly technology, a spacious,
driver-oriented cockpit and stylish new environments across the range are all
hallmarks of the all-new FG Falcon interior.
Building on the contemporary interior architecture of the previous model, the
FG Falcon revises the relationship between the car and its occupants while
creating a dynamic and sophisticated appearance that reinforces the vehicles'
athletic and involving driving dynamics.
"Our goals for the creation of the interior were very similar to those of the
exterior design team," said Ford Australia Chief Designer, Interiors, Marcus
Hotblack.
"Our research indicated that customers were looking for increased sporty
characteristics and luxury from their Falcon and that this was just as important
for the inside of the car as it was for the outside. After all, the interior of
a vehicle is where most people spend the majority of their time interacting with
the vehicle."
Accordingly, one of the key goals for the interior design team was to create
greater series differentiation across the range to match the new FG Falcon
line-up. While the basic interior architecture remains consistent across the
range, the three distinct Falcon families each receive their own distinct
interior environment, consistent with the exterior.
"The interior of our Falcon XT was designed to appeal to modern families,
offering practicality and durability while maintaining outstanding aesthetic
qualities," said Hotblack.
"The XR interior is bright, bold and visually as potent as what's under the
bonnet, while the G Series interiors acknowledge performance but in a more
refined, sophisticated manner.
"The different interior environments are matched by comfort and technology
that equally suit the demands of owners of each vehicle."
Cockpit feel
The common theme across all vehicles is an interior that has been designed
with an affinity towards detail, function and ease of use.
Interaction with the interior begins with significantly improved ingress,
which is followed by a spacious cockpit feel, with all controls oriented towards
the driver.
Spaciousness was created by expanding the glasshouse and moving the A-pillar
forwards. The result is a spacious feeling to the glasshouse around the head and
shoulders but a snug, cocoon-like ambience lower down.
A new seating environment, which makes occupants feel more at one with the
car, has been created by raising the Interior Command Centre (ICC) screen within
the Instrument Panel (IP) to align it with the instrument cluster, while the
centre console has also been raised and enlarged.
In order to retain balance, the door-mounted armrest has been raised to match
the new height and dynamic look, while the instrument panel has been rotated
five degrees towards the driver for improved visibility and reach.
"Our desire was to create a feeling of the occupants, particularly the
driver, being at one with the car," said Hotblack.
"By raising the screens, controls and surfaces that the driver most interacts
with, we have not only improved their relationship with the driver but also
lessened the time the driver has to have their eyes off the road."
The new ICC screen in the FG Falcon has also increased in size and is matched
by new menu systems that are intuitive and easy to use, along with enhanced
graphics that provide greater contrast, easier and faster identification of
information and a more attractive layout.
A new Human Machine Interface (HMI), which incorporates the ICC,
Multi-function Display (MFD), instrument cluster and steering wheel controls,
provides increased functionality to control key aspects of the vehicle. Further
information on this new system can be found in the separate HMI section.
The gear lever has also been raised and angled closer to the driver for
improved operating comfort, while the raised centre console provides better
support for the driver's arm.
A new park brake with an integrated self-adjuster mechanism reduces the
required travel angle of the lever when pulled into the active position,
resulting in less effort to apply the park brake as well as less lever intrusion
into the driver's space when it is applied.
Similarly, the switch for adjusting the exterior mirrors has been moved from
the window sill to the driver's door armrest, optimising its placement for
easier reach by the driver and integrating with the power window controls.
Switch locations and feel for other functions has also been optimised to
improve the overall cabin ergonomics.
Accommodation
In addition to delivering improved ingress and egress for front and rear
occupants, a refined cabin environment and optimised primary controls, the
all-new FG Falcon also provides enhanced visibility, and class-leading luggage
space and rear seat flexibility.
The overall vehicle package links seating and ergonomics with the mechanical
package to develop a vehicle architecture that delivers minimum space for the
hardware and maximum space for the occupants.
The new roof structure and vehicle silhouette, in conjunction with the new
roof rails and interior seating position, have increased head room all around,
particularly at the rear with an increase of 13 mm.
Meanwhile, the new door structure and interior trim designs have increased
front and rear shoulder room by 10 mm and 24 mm respectively, while front and
rear hip room have increased by 25 mm and 22 mm respectively.
Rear leg room has increased by 10 mm, while the new instrument panel, new
steering column shroud and redesigned footwell have improved driver knee
room.
"The interior design team worked very closely with our package engineers to
deliver an interior environment that is more spacious and comfortable than ever
before," said Hotblack.
"Increases in occupant space were achieved while packaging additional safety
equipment such as curtain airbags on some models and increasing levels of
sophistication and plushness across the range."
Increases in interior accommodation continue through to the luggage
compartment, with the FG Falcon offering superior packaging at 535 litres when
fitted with the standard temporary spare wheel, and 505 litres when fitted with
the optional, matching full size spare wheel.
The hinges and boot lid struts on FG Falcon do not protrude into the boot
cavity when closing, thereby protecting stored items and ensuring the luggage
space can be fully utilised.
The Falcon's luggage compartment useability is further enhanced by its
design, layout and packaging of the spare wheel, which provides a practical
recess to help prevent small luggage items from sliding across the boot floor
when driving.
Seats
The FG Falcon continues with the very popular 60/40 split fold rear seat
set-up from the BF Falcon MkII.
This flexible rear seat package offers customers more space and the ability
to fit larger items in the vehicle than would normally fit in the boot itself,
such as skiing equipment.
New seat bolster design on both front and rear seats ensures occupants sit
'in' the seat rather than 'on', while the introduction of new soft seat backs
front and rear, and the use of more luxurious fabrics on all models, provides
improved interior plushness and comfort.
Rear seats also feature improved seat contours, including more foam and
increased cushion depth, and a revised rear seat cushion frame structure for
enhanced occupant comfort. Rear seat passengers also benefit from new centre
armrest cup holders as well as smaller front seat track foot covers, which
provide increased rear occupant foot space by 10 mm.
Larger headrests provide more support and improved occupant protection.
Stylish new environments
The dynamic and sophisticated interior design of the FG Falcon carries over
into the interior environment treatment, creating a modern evolution of
well-loved colours and fabrics.
"Each colour used throughout the mode line-up has been specifically chosen to
create a more sophisticated appearance throughout the vehicle," said Ford
Australia Colour & Trim Manager, Debbie Pascoe.
"The colours were carefully refined to look softer and reduce the feeling of
plastic, while the combination of colour and grain textures raises the bar for
Ford vehicles in this area."
Environment colours
The new environment colours for the FG Falcon are Shadow, which is a slightly
softened new black used throughout the vehicle, and Cashmere, which is an
elegant high end neutral that is used only as a lower section colour in the
vehicle. Grain strategy
A specific Instrument Panel (IP) grain strategy was also developed for the
new Falcon, with the creation of a new grain called Natural. Deliberately
designed to vary subtly throughout the IP in size, scale and depth, Natural
gives a softer, more leather-like appearance.
The complementary grains which support the IP follow this same strategy to
create an ambience of sophistication and appropriateness for the vehicle.
In addition, the technical grain which appears in detail areas such as cup
holders, has the appearance of a refined chain mesh – a detail widely referenced
and used extensively in all areas of modern design from fashion to
interiors.
Notably, for the first time, woodgrain inlay is not available on any Falcon
across the range, reflecting the modern, sophisticated positioning of today's
vehicle.
Painted and decorative finishes
A number of painted and decorative finishes are available across the new
Falcon range, including:
Dark Nickel – a warm yellow tinted silver, which is reminiscent of
cutting edge metals, is rich and inviting and used on different elements
throughout the range to create a different look in each vehicle.
Liquid Metal – incorporating a slight blue tint, Liquid Metal has
been used before on Falcon but retains its modern look while being smooth and
lustrous.
Satin Alloy – bright and clean, this colour has chameleon-like
qualities, changing and adapting when used on various parts throughout the
vehicle, and gives a very effective metal appearance.
Black Onyx – a superior, super high gloss black, this colour
provides the ultimate in regal, yet sporty and modern appearances.
Matte Shadow – a matte version of the environment colour, this
painted finish looks soft and sophisticated.
Cyber Carbon – a contemporary twist on carbon fibre, the Cyber
Carbon finish draws the viewer in for a closer look. A combination of blacks and
dark burnt ambers, it moves and turns with light and colour, creating an
exciting new decorative finish.
Model-by-model interior environments
Interior environments that have been specially created to suit the character
of each new Falcon family provide differentiation across the range and amongst
the line-up of vehicles in each family.
Falcon XT The XT interior is functional and durable, yet
highly modern and designed to suit the needs of a modern family in a stylish and
aesthetically pleasing manner. It is offered only in a Shadow/Shadow
environment, with Matte Shadow and Dark Nickel used for the painted decorative
finishes.
The colours match the use of the Metro fabric, which is a flat, woven fabric
that has been created for the insert, resulting in a smart, contemporary and
fresh look. The knitted bolster fabric, Domain, is simple and complements the
insert perfectly. It offers the highest level of technological advancement in
automotive fabrics, achieving a simple, clean, no pile look while delivering a
pleasant to touch feel.
G6 While sporty, the G6 interior begins the walk into
the sports luxury category with the use of more sophisticated materials, more
comfortable seats and subtle finishes throughout. It is offered in either
Shadow/Shadow or Shadow/Cashmere, with both environments offering a very smart
and modern atmosphere. Liquid Metal is the painted decorative finish in this
model, flattering and building on the Shadow colour.
The fabrics for the G6 embody plushness and softness, with the Savvy insert
moving Ford into ground-breaking technology for vehicle fabrics in Australia.
Very soft, but not velour, flocked yarns such as those used in the Savvy insert
can be difficult to get through the rigorous tests vehicle materials must pass,
but the Savvy insert has delivered the perfect combination of useability and
style.
Meanwhile, the Estate suede material on the bolster is the epitome of
fashion, being used extensively throughout domestic and commercial interiors,
and as accents in fashion, so it is sure to resonate with modern customers.
G6E The G6E interior reflects confidence and dynamism,
with the materials conveying a comfortable sophistication and colour working in
subtle harmony. The G6E is offered in both Shadow/Shadow and Shadow/Cashmere,
with a stronger use of the lower environment colour and coordinating carpets
giving the interior a more sophisticated appearance.
The use of Dark Nickel with Satin Alloy highlights plays with warm and cool
neutrals in tandem, complemented by touches of Cyber Carbon.
The standard Nudo Leather used throughout breaks new ground for Ford
Australia, with the incredibly soft leather offering a lustrous look and feel in
the vehicle, giving the customer an ideal combination of luxury and sports.
G6E Turbo The G6E Turbo interior is the ultimate in
sports luxury in the FG Falcon range. To complement the overall image of this
vehicle, the interior offers the best of the best from a luxury point of view,
while also retaining an inherently sporty nature.
The G6E Turbo will be offered in Shadow/Shadow and Shadow/Cashmere like the
G6E, with the primary difference being the Black Onyx centre stack and console
treatment. It shares the Cyber Carbon spear, which takes on a new personality
when surrounded by the Black Onyx, as well as the use of standard Nudo Leather
material.
XR6 / XR6 Turbo / XR8 The interior of the XR range of
vehicles screams performance, with a dark ambience highlighted by technical
accents. The fabric pattern is highly technical and the insert pattern
coordinates with exterior colour choices and the interior environment.
The XR series is available in Shadow/Shadow, with colour coming from the
fabrics and strong metallic accents in Satin Alloy.
Fabrics that feature three dimensional textured surfaces, which call to mind
rubber and metal, are the key statement pieces, with bright and dull yarn mixes
offering intrigue and interest.
The insert fabric Streetwise is inspired by modern, energetic street wear and
is available in a select range of colours that are matched to exterior colour
choice. Its bolster companion, Attitude, literally hugs the seat, taking full
advantage of the sports inspired shape. The Attitude bolster picks up the
interior theme colour as a feature within the twin needle stitching.
The leather option uses Nudo Leather on the bolster with Nudo Weave as the
insert. This new embossed leather insert has a very athletic, strong and
masculine appearance, offering the performance customer the ability to make an
even more powerful statement.
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