The AU Falcon Introduction:

The AU received a brand new horn / air bag Mylar cover giving more depth to the shape of the horn boss - a change that is more noticeable when viewed with the EL & AU side by side. Audio controls were now mounted on all AU steering wheels (including Forte) giving added convenience for the Falcon owner - an advantage that would not be matched until the VX Commodore of 2000. A new optional Momo red leather steering wheel gave added pizzazz to the interior with the T-series offering a grey leather Momo steering wheel standard with integral gear shift control on automatic equipped models.

The steering was sharper and more direct than ever before due to new front suspension geometry and an ultra-rigid suspension design introduced for the first time in AU. In fact the AU's steering was so precise and accurate that many who didn't come out of similarly equipped European vehicles felt the AU's steering to be nervous - a result of their growing up with the dulled responses and feedback lacking early model vehicles.

In comparison to what they had driven, many who were used to front wheel drive levels of steering or that of early Holden's / current Commodores mistook the VT's dulled steering response in combination with it's defective IRS as added stability. This was in stark contrast to most media drivers who having sampled the best the world had to offer, found the AU's steering rewardingly responsive with just the required amount of feedback built in. Those in the know used comments like 'wooden' and 'un-communicative' about the VT's steering - in comparison they spoke highly of that included in the AU often speaking of it's 'liveliness' and accuracy.

With the AU's new found accuracy came an entirely new state-of-the-art laser sensing system for getting that wheel alignment correct first time off of the factory floor. With this came the need to be extra careful when changing the settings ex-factory - with many back yard work shops failing to come to grips with Ford's new IRS system which in turn had it's own effect on the AU's steering. Still, once adjusted correctly one seldom turned back - giving rewards every time a corner was sighted.

(Back to the AU1 Intro INDEX.)

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