![]() The BA is said to have cost Ford Australia half a billion dollars to design and develop, though it was considered a worthy investment with its success in the marketplace undoing the stain of the AU. The XR range would also feature a more dynamic look with a lower ride height and wide-open air intake. The design was more in line with Ford’s global designs a cleaner and more sophisticated appearance. Ford Australia ended the AU’s manufacturing cycle in four years, the shortest in the manufacturer’s history, and the BA series was unveiled in July 2002.Įvery panel was new except for the carry-over door skins. A clean slate was required to undo the damage caused by the AU, which was failing in the marketplace and on the race track. Ford Australia reported a pre-tax loss of $33.6 million in 2001, and sales of Falcon sedans slumped to a 35-year low.ĭesign plans for a new model, including the involvement of head office designers and a new philosophy within Ford Australia, began ahead of schedule in 1999. But the radical design of the front grille, which varied greatly from the standard range to the XR series that formed the basis for the V8 Supercar, coupled with interior-design flaws and reliability issues, set Ford back. The AU was rushed into production to compete with Holden’s VT Commodore and released in September 1998. Ford was left trailing with what many consider to be the worst Falcon produced, the AU. ![]() Led by Mark Skaife and the Holden Racing Team, the Commodore ruled on the race track with a string of championship and Bathurst wins, while the VT and VX Commodores also dominated in the marketplace. But into the 2000s it was a one-sided fight that threatened to derail the category. The rebranded V8 Supercars category had been built on the rivalry between Holden and Ford. We profile the BA Falcon along with other iconic cars from the history of Australian touring cars in SupercarXtra Magazine issue #125, on sale now!ĬLICK HERE to purchase the print edition of issue #125.ĬLICK HERE to access the digital edition of issue #125. Then along came the Project Blueprint regulations and Ford’s BA Falcon to level the playing field. Holden ruled V8 Supercars from 1999 to 2002 with four straight championship and Bathurst doubles.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |