Ford Falcon (EA169). 1998–2002 (prod. n/a). 4-door sedan, 5-door wagon. F/R, 3984 cm³ (I6 OHC), 4942 cm³ (V8 OHV). Ford adapts New Edge styling philosophy to its full-size Falcon, but buyers balked at the proportions of the car. Forté, the new base model, unloved, especially its Mercury-style “waterfall” grille, while XR8, at the other end of the scale, had a double stacked spoiler that also proved unpopular. It was all too much for traditional Australian buyers, so a Series II was rushed in to production for April 2000, with all models sharing a more formal grille borrowed from the Fairmont. Series III in November 2001. Second in sales to Holden Commodore (VT), which stuck with more conservative styling.

Manufacturing location: Broadmeadows, Victoria, Australia

Marque: Ford | Model: Ford Falcon | Predecessor: Ford Falcon (EL) | Successor: Ford Falcon (BA)

q.v. Ford Fairmont (AU)