The AU Falcon Introduction:

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AU Update (Introduced 30th March 1999):

Reacting to the AU's poor sales, Ford moved quickly to re-instate a number of features & as well as adding others never seen before on the base model and significantly up-rating the security features included on AU. Responding to criticism relating to the height at which the AU sat (in particular the gap between the tyres and the wheel arches) Ford lowered all non-Tickford AU's from the 'AU Update' on reducing the ride height by a further 1" giving all the more reason to be careful with that large front overhang when entering and exiting driveways. Ford also chose to include front seat belt adjusters in the entry level models for the first time - including Forte, Futura and XR6 HP.

Power front windows became standard in the Forte (the rears remained the old wind-up style) giving the far more pleasant looking interior to this all important base model but taking away one of the reasons for buying a Futura. Security was upgraded too - with a new computer coded ignition key and revised Body Control Module - welcome additions for those choosing Ford's more expensive models and options. The key fob shape changed appropriately - having more of a square shape than the earlier 'rotor' type. The ignition barrel gained further re-enforcing necessitating a different plastic shroud easily identifiable as it protrudes past the lock helping protect the ignition barrel - rather than allowing it to stick out as in the earlier cars.

The XR received new wheels at or around this point moving from the AU1's original controversial fine spoked and hard to clean design to a far more acceptable five spoke wheel as fitted to the Falcon 'S' and later XLS utes. So while the AU Updated models contained better value than ever, the difference was not so great as to rule out the purchase of an earlier model - with a good security system being almost mandatory on any modified vehicle. If you plan to keep your AU stock however, the AU Updated vehicles definitely have their advantages.

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