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The BA Fairlane range ushers in a new generation of prestige motoring.

"Building on the extensive values we engineered into the Falcon range, the BA Fairlane range redefines the term prestige car," said Ford Australia President Geoff Polites.

"We are particularly excited about the newest member of the Ford Australia family, the Fairlane G220.

"This all-new model offers a heady mix of Barra 220 5.4-litre V8 engine, responsive sports-tuned Control Blade IRS, 17-inch alloy wheels and a range of interior options.

"The Fairlane G220 is a direct response to a rapidly growing sector of customers looking for a prestige car that also offers exceptional driving dynamics - a car that combines luxury and performance in a spirited driver's car."

"The BA Falcon redefined its market in terms of performance and handling and the BA Fairlane range promises to do the same in its segment."

Polites said the Fairlane was a vitally important car for Ford Australia.

"The Fairlane is very special to everyone involved with Ford Australia. We created the locally built long wheelbase segment with the ZA Fairlane in 1967.

"The BA version represents nearly 40 years of improving that concept and is the finest example we have yet produced."

BA FAIRLANE MODEL BY MODEL

Fairlane Ghia:
Barra 182 engine
Sequential Sports Shift four-speed automatic transmission
Luxury Control Blade IRS
16" alloy wheels
Bright headlight bezels with bright surround
Chrome mesh grille
Reverse Sensing System
Premium Interior Command Centre
Premium audio with 6-disc in-dash CD
Dual zone climate control
Trip computer
Leather seats
6 way driver (with memory) and passenger seat (without memory)
Power adjustable pedals and mirrors (with memory)
Woodgrain trim
Leather wrapped steering wheel
Leather wrap sequential sports shift
Cruise control with steering wheel mounted switches
Front and rear power windows
60/40 split fold-down rear seat back
Bright badge inserts on front scuff plates
Intelligent Safety System
Collapsible pedals
Anti-Lock Brakes
Passenger and driver airbags
Side Airbags
Remote keyless entry with panic alarm
Mobile phone presenter (with wiring)

Fairlane G220:
Barra 220 5.4-litre V8 engine
Sports Control Blade IRS
17" Elegance alloy wheels
Ebony headlight bezels with bright surround and unique lens
Reverse Sensing System
Premium Interior Command Centre
Premium audio with 6-disc in-dash CD
Dual zone climate control
Trip computer
Redline leather seats with warm charcoal perforated leather inserts
6 way driver (with memory) and passenger seat (without memory)
Power adjustable pedals and mirrors (with memory)
Brushed aluminium style trim
Perforated leather wrapped steering wheel with brushed aluminium style insert
Perforated leather wrapped sequential sports shift with satin inserts
Cruise control with steering wheel mounted switches
Front and rear power windows
60/40 split fold-down rear seat back
Bright badge inserts on front scuff plates
Intelligent Safety System
Anti-Lock Brakes
Passenger and driver airbags
Side Airbags
Remote keyless entry with panic alarm
Mobile phone presenter (with wiring)

Note: Items in bold indicate major differences from Fairlane Ghia.

LTD:
Barra 220 5.4-litre V8 engine
Sunroof
Leather seats with LTD emblem
10 way driver (with memory) and passenger seat (without memory)
Leather wrapped Sequential Sports Shift with LTD emblem
Electrochromic rear view vision mirror
Embroidered floor mats with LTD emblem

Note: Items in bold indicate major differences from Fairlane Ghia.

EXTERIOR

The BA Fairlane range has benefited enormously from substantial design revisions.

"We listened long and hard to customer concerns and worked extremely hard to provide them with a car they would justifiably be proud of," Exterior Design Manager Graham Wadsworth said.

"We're confident the substantial design work we've performed on the BA Fairlane has created a prestige car that clearly defines it as a status symbol."

Wadsworth said stance and proportions were two key focus areas for the BA Fairlane's exterior design.

"It's so important to get the car sitting right and that's something I'm confident we've achieved. The BA Fairlane hugs the road.

"You can't over emphasise that point. The relationship between the rocker and the floor has to be absolutely as tight as you can get it."

Wadsworth said the design team was thrilled with the overall proportions of the car.

"It's just turned out to be a fantastic looking prestige car. In terms of styling it's much wider at the front than its predecessor even though it's coming off the same points at the base of the A-pillar.

"We've made it a much more purposeful looking car. It looks sportier, more powerful and much more athletic."

Wadsworth said the team drew from a design brief of simplicity, with elegant proportions and clean surfaces.

"We spent a lot of time fine tuning the surfaces. They are more geometric with clean, contemporary edges.

"I'm really proud of the way the surfaces have worked out," Wadsworth said.

BA Fairlane sees the introduction of three exciting new colours to the Ford Australia colour palette. Off Shore is a strikingly refreshing and vibrant blue. Luscious is an intensely deep burgundy with silky black undertones and a dramatic gold highlight, offering a freshening of a classic burgundy to replace Barossa Red. Harvest Green, which draws inspiration from nature, is dark and saturated in colour, with a layered, jewel-like depth and complexity.

INTERIOR
"The Fairlane interior generates a feel of precision, quality, comfort and driving pleasure," said Ford Interior Design Manager Marcus Hotblack.

"It's a car which, despite its generous proportions, feels nimble from behind the wheel and is, ultimately, a real driver's car."

Hotblack said the new seats in the Fairlane were a good example of the qualities and image that reflect the range.

"The G220 boasts a sporty, luxury seat with crisp, precise panelling, good lateral support and tailored leather trim with perforated inserts.

"The Fairlane is classic luxury with prestige appointments and soft, gently gathered seam and central perforated inserts contrasting with taut, tailored side bolsters.

"There is a traditional feel to the LTD seats, but with a contemporary twist. Driver and passenger alike will enjoy the bespoke nature of the leather, fluted inserts and French seams which combine to provide a prestige ambience."

Both driver and front passenger seats are powered in all models - with six-way adjustment in the Fairlane Ghia and Fairlane G220, and 10-way adjustment in the LTD, with memory function in the driver's seat.

Colour and Trim Design Manager Sharon Gauci said highlights of the BA Fairlane range included more luxurious and detailed materials and colour, perforated seat detail for a luxury sports appearance, woodtrim emphasis for sophistication and richness and brushed aluminium for an enhanced, sporty look.

"Customers sitting behind the wheel of the Fairlane G220 will immediately notice the new Redline leather seats and the absence of woodgrain inserts. This is in combination with darker, sporty leather and Warm Charcoal environment surrounds.

"Perforation details have been added to the leather to visually enhance the spirited cues of the car and the essence of driving.

"In keeping with the sporting prowess of the G220, we have chosen a brushed aluminium finish which really compliments the clean, athletic styling of the car and is highlighted by the darker backdrop created by the overall environment."

Gauci said the colour and trim team had catered for more traditional customers, with Fairlane and LTD boasting sumptuous interiors of darker Warm Charcoal leather, or warm, rich Stone and lashings of woodtrim.

"Fairlane and LTD interior is completely harmonious, plush and comfortable. They are both luxurious and driven by quality reflecting status. The elegant interiors aren't compromised and the finish design elements work together."

Gauci likened the leather seating material used to a glove.

"It's soft and subtle and exudes quality. Importantly, it emphasises the crafted nature and beautiful details in the seats. The twin needle finish adds the decorative finishing touch."

Fairlane and LTD both get woodtrim on the T-Bar, in addition to the instrument panel and doortrims. The maple in Fairlane has warm brown undertones, while the maple in LTD has rich red undertones with dark wooden knots and burls.

"The fabric available in Fairlane is excellent in both touch and appearance with a velvety soft touch. We have deliberately chosen a glossy, napped surface which adds to the opulence of the interior."

Each variant of the Fairlane family comes complete with a premium Interior Command Centre featuring colour TFT screen, dual zone climate control air-conditioning and 260 watt premium sound system with 11 speakers and six-stack in-dash CD player.

The BA Fairlane range has a roof-mounted pole antenna for AM and FM radio as well as dual band GSM mobile phone reception. An in-car mobile phone kit is pre-wired to integrate with the vehicle's audio system.

Overall length of the BA Fairlane has stretched 13 mm over its predecessor to 5153 mm, ensuring the car offers class-leading front leg room, as well as front and rear head room.

POWERTRAIN

Two engines from the acclaimed Barra range of performance engines motivate the BA Fairlane range.

Fairlane Ghia will come standard with the Australian made and designed Barra 182 in-line six cylinder engine.

Boasting class-leading technology including variable camshaft timing, double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, the Barra 182 offers excellent power and torque figures of 182 kW and 380 Nm.

Fairlane Ghia buyers can also opt for the Barra 220 5.4-litre V8. Boasting VCT variable camshaft timing on the single overhead camshaft per cylinder bank and three valves per cylinder, the Canadian-sourced V8 delivers a heady 220 kW of power and an exceptional 470 Nm of torque at just 3250 rpm.

This fat, flat torque curve ensures the engine develops plenty of torque low down in the rev range, and keeps pulling strongly throughout the rev range.

The Barra 220 engine is standard in the Fairlane G220 and LTD models.

DYNAMICS

The introduction of Ford's award-winning Control Blade Independent Rear Suspension has ensured new levels of comfort and handling performance for the BA Fairlane.

"We demonstrated with Falcon how it is possible to provide guaranteed control over toe and camber without sacrificing ride comfort," said Vice President Product Development Trevor Worthington.

"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 and the use of silica compound tyres has provided a plusher ride than the BA's predecessor.

"However, the big story with BA Fairlane is the dramatic improvements in body control, chassis grip and steering."

Worthington said the Fairlane G220 exemplified new levels of ride and handling.

"Fairlane G220 comes with slightly stiffer front springs than those on Fairlane Ghia or LTD. The front spring rate is 35 Newtons per millimetre on the G220 and 32.5 Newtons per millimetre on the Ghia and LTD.

"Combined with a slightly heavier steering rate, the Fairlane G220 is a really fun car to drive.

"The handling is very linear, very smooth and in tandem with the good primary isolation provided by the Control Blade IRS, the BA is a far superior handling car to any long wheelbase version before it.

"But we've also maintained the high levels of driver and passenger comfort that are a hallmark of all Fairlanes."

Worthington said the Fairlane Ghia and LTD rode on a new Dunlop 225/60 R16 tyre that offered excellent handling and even more passenger comfort.

He said customers would immediately notice a sporty responsiveness behind the wheel of the new Fairlane.

"It's quite an achievement to make a car of such proportions feel so athletic and so nimble, but the BA Fairlane range is a very impressive drive." Brakes on the BA Fairlane are also the same as on Falcon, with ventilated 298 mm by 28 mm front discs with twin piston callipers, and solid 303 mm by 16 mm rear discs with single piston calliper.

All BA Fairlanes come standard with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Ford's acclaimed traction control system.

"The BA Fairlane has great pedal response providing a reassuring feeling each time you apply the brakes," Worthington said.

REFINEMENT

The high expectations of Fairlane customers for a quiet, unfussed ride represented a big challenge for Vehicle Refinement Supervisor Clive Humphris and his dedicated team.

"Fairlane is a status car and the people who own them traditionally have very high expectations of what they expect from their car in terms of refinement," he said.

Fortunately, the BA Falcon program provided Humphris and his team with an excellent base to work from.

"Compared to its predecessor, the BA Fairlane is streets ahead.

"We started with a bodyshell that is 50 per cent stiffer than AU and that ensures dramatically improved levels of vehicle refinement.

"Combined with new silica compound tyres and the Control Blade IRS, we have a car offering exceptional levels of quality."

Humphris said customers would immediately notice the quieter ride inside the car.

"We went to great lengths to ensure rear seat passengers could easily converse with the driver, as well as making sure the fantastic sound system was provided with the optimum environment.

"The Fairlane is a signature car in the Ford Australia family and the vehicle refinement team are extremely proud of the sound package we've delivered in the BA," Humphris said.

SAFETY

The BA Fairlane inherits the comprehensive safety package developed for the BA Falcon.

The BA Fairlane Intelligent Safety System includes substantial chest and head protecting side airbags, combined with dual-stage front airbags as standard equipment.

Fairlane's world class passive safety systems are complemented by a range of features including seatbelt reminder chimes, steering wheel mounted audio controls, Reverse Sensing System, Control Blade IRS, traction control, ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and collapsible pedals.

Collapsible pedals

BA Fairlane will benefit from the recent introduction of another important safety feature, with the recent introduction of collapsible brake pedals as standard equipment in all BA variants.

The feature is designed to reduce typical lower leg injuries sustained in offset frontal impacts.

These can occur in a crash when firewall intrusion drives the pedal box back at the driver while the leg is firmly locked and pushing hard on the brake pedal.

This occurs because there is a rigid link between the brake booster (mounted on the firewall) and the pedal box.

The collapsible pedal system works by decoupling the solid linkage between the brake booster and the pedal box, via an ingenious system of actuators that disconnect the brake booster push rod when a deformation threshold is breached by the firewall.

The solid link between the firewall and the brake pedal - and thus the driver's leg - is then removed, helping to lessen the potential for lower leg injuries common in this type of crash.

SPECIFICATIONS

Length:	5153 mm
Front Overhang:	931 mm
Rear Overhang:	1301 mm
Wheelbase:	2919 mm
Height:	1445 mm
Width:	1864 mm
Front Track:	1559 mm
Rear Track:	1581 mm
Luggage volume:	516 litres
Fuel capacity:	68 litres (ULP)
Kerb weight:	Fairlane (Barra 182) 1770 kg; Fairlane (Barra 220) 1830 kg;
	Fairlane G220 1835 kg; LTD 1865 kg
Engines:	Barra 182 dual equal VCT, DOHC, 24-valve, 4.0-litre in-line six
	Barra 220 VCT, SOHC, 5.4-litre V8
Power:	182 kW @ 5000 rpm (six) 220 kW @ 4750 rpm (V8)
Torque:	380 Nm @ 3250 rpm (six), 470 Nm @ 3250 rpm (V8)
Front suspension:	Independent by double wishbone and coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear suspension:	Independent by control blade and coil springs, anti-roll bar
Front brakes:	Ventilated disc with twin piston calipers, 298 mm x 28 mm
Rear brakes:	Solid disc with single piston caliper, 303 mm x 16 mm
Wheels:	16 x 7.5-inch (Ghia, LTD), 17 x 7.5-inch (G220, Ghia V8)
Tyres:	Dunlop P225/60 R16 (Ghia, LTD), Dunlop P225/50 R17
Fuel economy:	Barra 182 - 12.0 l/100 km (city), 7.4 l/100 km (highway)
	Barra 220 - 15.0 l/100 km (city), 9.0 l/100 km (highway)
Price:	Fairlane $54,950
	Fairlane G220 $62,270
	LTD $72,070