AU Sedan Overview

AU Sedan Overview.

The AU sedan has been the subject of much debate – I’m sure you’ve heard or read at least somebody’s opinion on it. It seems people either loved it or hated it – with very few people in between. I’ll have to admit feeling pretty damn worried when I saw my first prototype – a white AU Forte – in the middle of 1997. Seeing the separate panels on the factory floor looked great. I couldn’t understand it – the body side pressings looked sensational, the rear ¼’s looked positively wild and the bonnet left me even wondering whether this thing was going to have pop-up headlights! So why was it that the real thing looked such a dog? Now I think it was just the shock of the whole thing – with only jelly mould cars to compare it to and such a large change is it any wonder? It was as if there was meant to be another model between the EL & AU just to ease us into the new shape – but no – here we were.

But the AU grows on you. If you don’t believe me check out the photo galleries (“Sedan, Wagon, Ute, Coupe). Of course there were still some things that I still don’t like – like the large oval dash centre piece and the wind up window door trims (pre upgrade Forte) but the more show cars I saw by other manufacturers – Cadillac, Mazda, Ford Focus, Ford Mustang etc etc – the more I realised that “ this looks pretty good”. The reality of the matter was that the AU Falcon looked right up there with most of the future products planned by other manufacturers even up to 2000 – 2003!!! I remember attending the launch in September 1998 followed by which we were let loose on a room full of the things. What immeadiatly smacked me in the face was how old the VT Commodore now looked! That was it – I was hooked.

If only Fords had been more skilful with it’s introduction… It didn’t take me long to realise that Fords had the opportunity of a lifetime here – the chance to create a whole new marketing niche for the Falcon – one that would take GM years (maybe decades) to catch up on. I thought – if only they could reproduce VW’s efforts in the 50’s & 60’s with it’s Beetle where they managed to create a whole new culture for the car, one that saw it selling strongly well past it’s bedtime. The exciting thing was the Ford and Holden were so different all of a sudden. It didn’t matter how blind you were – you couldn’t confuse a Commodore with a Falcon! But unfortunately the public didn’t have 12 months to sort out it’s mixed feelings like I did – nor did they have the opportunity to stand in a roomful of gleaming new Falcons. Maybe next time hey Ford?

While Holden had gone for a style that was new in 1993 (let’s face it – jelly mould was so old even Hyundai’s featured it) it was Ford that moved straight into the 21^st Century with a vengence. And what a shape it is – while it may take time to grow on you once it does there’s no turning back… The trick seemed not to think of the car in shades of the Hyundai or Mondeo – but rather in it’s new presence as a largish café racer along side that modern street scape with all it’s curves and hard lines. The Falcon took on sophistication while the Commodore, well the Commodore just remained a huge fat blob.

While the ultra conservative types had long since turned up their noses and run away to Holden (isn’t it ironic that in deference to the XF & EA it’s Holden that is now seen as “conservative”) those of you who have stuck around or come back for a second look will notice how easily the AU Forte is transformed into the top looking Falcon ‘S’. The difference is a set of wheels, rear spoiler, decals and colour coded grill. The amazing thing is this transformation was made with none of the important details being changed! Essentially the body stayed the same – the grill was a different colour (whoopee!). Despite the fact that the same bootlid and tail lights graced the car (that everybody seemed to complain about) all of a sudden this was a really good looking car! Paint it red or black, fit Ford’s optional 17” Tickford wheels and droooolll….

Nobody could deny the Falcon XR6 & 8 were wild – and especially so with that sensational body kit (dual deck rear wing & skirts) fitted although the stock 16’s wheels of the pre-upgrade XR’s looked definitely crook (these look magic on an XE though!). The Fairmont Ghia in black with body kit, 17’s, optional black leather trim and standard sub woofer in the parcel shelf all of a sudden became the ULTIMATE gangster’s car (wicked!). The largish headlights quickly grew on the public and after the AU ute was released this criticism was finally put to bed for good (at least I haven’t heard any more about it).

The press seemed as usual favourably disposed towards the Commodore (are these guys getting paid or what?) despite the fact that the Commodore underperformed in most areas when compared to the Falcon. I have since developed this formula – if the press says they prefer the Commodore greatly over the Falcon, the Ford is probably just short of the Commodore. If they say they “still prefer the Commodore” it means that the Falcon is at least it’s equal and most likely superior in most departments. When they say that the two cars are equal it means that the Falcon is at least twice as good and shock horror – should they ever admit the Falcon is actually better than the Commodore – you know that the Falcon is so much better that they’d look like fools if they said anything else.

Making this all the more amazing is the fact that the Falcon, Fairlane & LTD are now Australia’s last entirely locally designed, developed and manufactured cars (excluding the V8 motor). What few people realise is that the Falcon is now more Australian than the FX Holden (designed in the USA) and as such justifiably deserves the title “Australia’s Own”. What shows up this fact even more is it’s clean cut quality edge over the Commodore with far less warranty claims despite generally fussier customers. Australian build quality has taken a huge leap over the last few years and the AU is no exception. While the Falcon has a typically Australian rugged design, the same cannot be said of the Commodore which has been forced to use inferior Opel and Buick designed components. This is proven by Australia’s taxis which are by far the domain of the Falcon for it’s superior lasting qualities. It is nothing for an Australian taxi to travel 1,000,000 kms or more – so longevity is a big issue. The Falcon has long had the reputation as the more relaxed long distance driver as well – a reputation proved out again by the AU Falcon. And compared to it’s imported or front wheel drive competition, the Falcon remains the cheapest to work on or repair – which is not a comment on Australia’s tariffs as the government has foolishly decided to reduce these to ridiculously low levels for a country this size.

And just in case all that isn’t enough to convince you the Falcon is the better car of the two, just consider these facts: The Falcon’s base six cylinder puts out 157kw and 357Nm vs Commodore’s 149kw and 304Nm, the AU’s steering is noticeably more accurate and responsive, the wagon can actually carry a decent load while maintaining a smooth ride (as also is the case with the Falcon ute) unlike the Commodore, the Falcon stops quicker, doesn’t chew out tyres in under 30,000 kms (unless you give it a really hard time) unlike Commodore, is more comfortable than the Holden, has better headlights, a much nicer (deeper) exhaust note, looks more distinctive, and as a independent tailed XR6 or XR8 will outhandle every Commodore you could buy from the factory at the time including the HSV offerings!

The reality is the Falcon works, while the Commodore flounders around just trying to sound like it does - but in reality disappoints (all except that sensational Chev Gen III V8 – which is imported anyway!). And the Falcon does all this while costing less to buy, insure and run!!! The AU defies the old adage that the first of a new body style should be avoided for quality and design reasons – the VT does not. I hope this site is a help to you in purchasing an AU Falcon (or any other Falcon for that matter) or even just doing one up. If there’s anything you were looking for but couldn’t find please don’t hesitate to contact me. Go Ford, Go Falcon!

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