As the entry-level model in the T-Series range, the TE50 was a inspiring "blend of
performance and luxury, based on a Fairmont yet featuring XR seats
trimmed in warm charcoal suede, with XR sports IRS, premium brakes and
discreet styling changes." (words taken from Tickford's own spec sheets on the TE50)
This included new front and rear bumpers
with chrome mesh inserts, a matching chrome mesh grille,
body-coloured headlight surrounds, subtle side skirts, a "T" badge on the bonnet
and "TE50" on the boot lid. Inside a TE50 could be identified by "T"
badging on each door trim, unique white background instruments, and strange looking
"Urban Geometric" dash insert pattern. A premium NVH package also made
it's way into the mix to quieten things down a bit.
With numbers limited to 104 units by buyer demand, the AU 1 TE50 deserves the title as one
of the rarest Falcons ever built. With specifications in excess of
both the EB & EL GT's - this first serious attempt at taking HSV head on
deserved better. But time stood still for no-one, and while the TE50
featured a reliable - if not awe inspiring - 200kW of power, the comparable VT HSV's
featured more than 250kW. To be nearly $10K cheaper meant nothing in
a market that was prepared to pay for the image - another sore point with
Ford customers. The TE50 was more of a gentleman's racer with it's
oh-so-subtle side skirts and interesting use of pattern where there should
have been carbon fibre! - Or at the very least painted in body colour to match
the exterior.
For crying out loud - there was even a 'delete' option on the rear spoiler - which
surprisingly didn't look too bad!!!
But where the TE50 really lifted it's skirts was in the handling and steering department - where
it put HSV firmly to shame. Unfortunately this only further emphasized it's need for more power - feeling all the while like it could
have easily handled at least 100kW more without losing control of the situation.
Helping this point was Ford's choice of it's amazingly smooth
electronically controlled four speed auto with "adapt-a-shift" and
steering wheel mounted shift control. A manual was available as well
(not available in TS50 - doh!) which also shifted in a much smoother and
easier to find manner than Holden's imported six speed. Making sure
you stopped as quickly as you went was Tickford's standard inclusion of the premium brake package
(deleted in AU2 TE50) - a thankful addition over the AU1's standard brakes
which went on strike after a only couple of hard stops from high speed - and
only one stop if you were going fast enough!
Conclusion: Back to TE50 index.
With rarity on your side, big brakes, a stronger Tickford pedigree and
the Fairmont's climate control as well as plenty of other creature comforts - the TE50
wins out over an same year XR8 in the second hand stake - every time! And if you're
prepared to spend some of those savings over a HSV on the engine - you
can have your power back too. Overall, a successful mating between the Fairmont &
XR8 but definitely needing more power when compared to the opposition. Overly conservative styling can be
easily helped using parts and ideas from the AU2 TE50 and XR's if you
feel that way inclined.
5.0L High Output OHV V8 named "Synergy 5000" - essentially a
US built 5.0 litre Windsor rebuilt & warmed over at Tickford in Australia,
it featured:
200 kW @ 5,000 rpm.
420 Nm @ 3,750 rpm.
Bore: 101.6 mm
Stroke: 76.2 mm
Capacity: 4942 cc
Comp Ratio: 9.0:1
Unique Tickford camshaft profile.
Roller rockers.
Ceramic coated extractors and twin exhaust
Platinum spark plugs and recalibrated EECV.
Original
TE50 show car as released at the 1999 Melbourne Motor Show - note fitment of
non-standard TS50 18" wheels.
Other TE50 features included:
Tickford "Premium" brakes - see below for specs.
Optional Automatic: BTR Electronic 4 Speed with Adaptive Shift Strategy and ESS sequential shift
buttons on steering wheel. This gear box featured strengthened internals and revised valving
compared to the standard Falcon 4 speed auto.
Unique T-series Master cylinder with 1" bore and revised crack point for improved front/rear balance.
Tickford 'Premium' brake package - see below for full specs.
Unique 5 spoke - referred to as 'flower' or 'blade' design - 17" x 8" wide alloy wheels.
Switchable traction control - available with the auto only.
Momo 4 spoke grey & black leather steering wheel.
Leather wrapped T-bar handle.
Blue numbers and segments on white backgrounds with orange
lit needles on instruments.
240 km/h speedo with Tickford logo on background.
Electronic Sports Shift gear indicator on dash display - auto only.
Car Alarm standard.
Embroidered 'T-series' floor and boot mats.
Unique TE50 front bumper including built-in brake ducts and chrome mesh in
the both grills (upper & lower air intakes).
Unique T-series side skirts.
Unique T-series rear bumper including wire mesh fill - in.
Body coloured side protection strips.
Individual build numbers.
Premium unleaded petrol required.
TE50 badging on boot lid.
T-series emblem on bonnet.
Fairmont bonnet and T-series body coloured grill header.
XR seats.
"T" badging on each door trim.
"Urban Geometric" dash inserts.
Premium NVH package
Fairmont dash including message display centre (see below for full description).
As per XR8, Independent double wishbone with 75 N/mm coil spring,
gas dampers, 28mm anti-roll bar, and unique wheel alignment for much better handling and rigidity than
Commodore’s McPherson strut.
Forged steel upper and lower wishbones for greater strength.
Forged steel spindles for reliability.
Machined aluminium cross member.
Front Ride Height: 367 mm.
Lower control arm features combined 3 point anchorage for
greater stability and steering responsiveness.
Machined aluminium cross member.
Ball-joints relocated for greater steering responsiveness
vs EL.
Smartlock system makes hotwiring difficult via electronic
engine immobilisation.
Post 'AU Update' vehicles include a special key with internal transponder as
well as better ignition lock shielding. This can be identified by a
fatter key pad as well as a recessed ignition lock / fatter 'eyebrow' above the
lock itself.
Central locking standard.
Lock button on driver's door only allowing less entry
points for the potential thief.
‘Smartlock’ remote keyless door and boot entry system.
This steering has a incredibly accurate feel to it and only gets better
as you progress to the performance Falcons - unlike the VT Commodore’s
vague and unresponsive steering.
Exterior (mm)
Front track
Rear track
Front overhang
Rear overhang
Interior (mm)
Front headroom
Front legroom
Front Shoulder Room
Front hip room
Rear headroom
Rear legroom
Rear shoulder room General
Kerb weight (kg) **
Luggage capacity (L)
Minimum turning circle (m)
- diameter, kerb to kerb.
Fuel Tank Capacity
Petrol (litres)
Sedan
1566
1547
918
1197
991
1081
1523
1482
978
986
1517
1664
512
10.9
Sedan
68
*Optional Ford Sunroof reduces available headroom by approximately 40mm when fitted.
**Approximate kerb weight for a TE50 fitted with 5.0 litre Synergy, V8 OHV engine and 4 speed automatic transmission.
Original
TE50 show car as released at the 1999 Melbourne Motor Show - note fitment of
non-standard TS50 18" wheels.
