Dedicated LPG Falcons

13 July 2001

Dedicated LPG Falcons available from Ford have been at the forefront of clean vehicle sales in New Zealand, and are continuing to impress motorists with their reliability, dependability and contribution to cleaner more environmentally friendly motoring.

Ford's dedicated LPG Falcon is the first mass production six-cylinder family car in New Zealand to run solely on LPG, and is available in sedan or wagon form on the Forte, Futura and Fairmont with automatic transmissions.

"Customers who have purchased vehicles from the range have responded enthusiastically to the performance and economy that this unique vehicle provides," said Falcon Brand Manager, Ian Swann.

"A number of the early barriers to LPG motoring have now disappeared, and there is a new found enthusiasm for such a progressive fuel,"

“Lack of performance, limited access to filling stations, concerns about quality and safety and loss of boot space were some of the main reasons why people avoided LPG but are now a thing of the past."

The performance obtainable from a dedicated Falcon is comparable to its petrol-powered cousin. LPG has a higher octane rating than petrol (105 vs 91 RON) and delivers greater torque (362 Nm vs 357 Nm) at lower revs (2,750 rpm vs 3,000 rpm), which is great for towing.

While the dedicated LPG option is an additional $1,500 above the comparative retail price of the similar petrol power vehicle, motorists can recoup their initial investment within a year of motoring, or approximately 30,000km.

"After the first year of driving, motorists should save more than $20 every time they fill up."

Finding a place to top up the tank is not an issue either, as there are now more than 600 LPG outlets in New Zealand.
"Before launching a range of dedicated vehicles in New Zealand, we wanted to ensure that there was coverage around the entire country. There was no sense in providing an exciting new attractive alternative if it only had limited application."

"We surveyed the fuel suppliers, and ascertained that LPG is readily available at approximately 30% of service stations throughout the country. It is possible to travel around New Zealand solely on LPG."

Innovations, such as calibrating the Distance To Empty (DTE) trip computer specifically for LPG with audible reminders to refuel at 80, 40 and 20 kilometres to empty, has meant that the LPG driver has all the same information available as the petrol driver.

The entire LPG system is installed on the Ford production line, with all of Ford’s safety and quality checks. All petrol components have been removed, including fuel lines, fuel filter, fuel pump, injectors, and fuel rail and charcoal canister, which saves cost and weight.

The single-fuel LPG system which takes its place is a unique design developed by Ford and its alternative fuel partner Tickford.

With the new dedicated LPG system, the tank no longer blocks access to the rear seats from the boot. There is also little impact on overall boot space because of Falcon's ergonomic 60/40 rear seat split.

Perhaps the most important consideration associated with the dedicated vehicle is the impact – or more specifically lack of - on the environment.

"Environmental benefits have always been a major consideration associated with the dedicated Falcon range. Falcon dedicated LPG vehicles help reduce greenhouse gases by emitting 10% less carbon dioxide from the tail pipe," said Mr. Swann.

An LPG Falcon emits one tonne less carbon dioxide than a petrol-powered car driven the same distance (Ford estimate), and Australian studies show that using LPG produces 80 per cent less air toxins than petrol.

LPG also produces 30 per cent less smog-forming emissions from the exhaust.

"Dependability and reliability are key factors associated with dedicated LPG Falcons. We have a product that meets all requirements demanded of it. Ford is now in a position to start making a positive impact on the environment, one that can be directly influenced by these dedicated LPG vehicles," said Mr. Swann.

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