ESP back in Falcon range

[fprfpv]

ESP back in Falcon range
Courtesy of Carpoint
http://www.carpoint.com.au/car-review/2060830.aspx



Words - Joe Kenwright

Ford will offer a special ESP version of its Falcon to launch the BF Mark II update

Fast Falcon fans hearts are beating a little faster with the news the Broadmeadows boys are about to resurrect the ESP nameplate. Once ‘the’ Ford to be seen in, the ESP (European Sports Pack) variant will feature as a special-order base Falcon to herald the arrival of the BF MkII range next month.

Ironically, the new ESP won’t wear special badging and will therefore stop well short of replicating the Scheel sports-seated, striped and spoilered XD original (XE pictured). Nonetheless, the model variant will combine DSC (Dynamic Stability Control), higher-performance suspension and 17-inch wheels and Ford’s excellent six-speed auto box with some other in-car goodies.

The ESP recalls a difficult period for Ford. When it was forced to withdraw its iconic GT models in the face of punitive insurance premiums, they were first hidden behind the XC’s Fairmont GXL model in conjunction with a special 5.8-litre engine and equipment pack. For the XD and XE Falcon series, these special features were packaged under the European Sports Pack or ESP to reflect the flavour of the new models.

Ford is currently facing a different dilemma with its BF Mark II Falcon range. Holden has fitted its ESP (which today, stands for Electronic Stability Program) as standard across the whole VE Commodore range. Ford has only calibrated its DSC equivalent for a Falcon fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension and six-speed automatic. When there is an all new Falcon due in 2008, the huge cost of recalibrating the DSC system for every current Falcon combination of suspension, transmission and tyres does not add up.

It is far cheaper and better to trick its current DSC system into believing it’s fitted to a top shelf Fairmont Ghia, XR6 Turbo or XR8 with six-speed auto by replicating the critical components in a base Falcon XT. The big news for the BF Mark II facelift is the availability of Ford’s benchmark ZF six-speed auto at base level. It can be ordered on its own but if ordered with DSC, it must come with 17-inch alloys and sports suspension which adds much more than the cost of the automatic.

Currently, the similarly-equipped BF SR model with the cheaper four-speed auto, sports suspension and 17-inch alloys retails at $33,490 while the popular XR6 with these features and six-speed auto costs $40,960. Ford is under pressure to price and badge the new package at base level in such a way that it doesn’t undermine the XR6.

Thus buyers of a basic BF Mark II Falcon will soon be able to specify the six-speed auto, DSC, sports suspension and 17-inch alloys as the European Sports Pack at what Ford claims will be a very competitive price.

Sound good? We reckon it is on the way to being a worthy revival of the ESP name. That said we'd question that the mechanicals alone make it a true ESP resurrection. The fact there will be no variant-specific badging also takes away from the initiative.

When the BF Mark II Falcon 'ESP' will still have the “right stuff” long after the first buyer has finished with it, is Broadmeadows shortchanging the model and future owners over the longer term? If you were buying a BF Mark II Falcon and paid the extra for the ESP pack, would you want your car to carry special identification?

Let us know what you think and we’ll tell Ford…

[RSgerry]

i would want the badging and the V8. it should have some performance package, just like the original.

[Psycho Chicken]

I want a red over charcoal BF ESP Ghia with a 290 in it. Gold snowflakes?

[70caprigt3k]

Bilstein suspension all around, V8 whether it be the 260 or 290, The badging and interior/exterior bits and pieces only available on the ESP.

[rag top]

Turbo version would be nice as well...

[LTDHO]

Originally Posted by Psycho Chicken

I want a red over charcoal BF ESP Ghia with a 290 in it. Gold snowflakes?

Yeah same...

[jimmy_c]

Turbo/V8/Supercharged. and ESP badges.

[b2tf]

HAS to be a V8 - not a 6, not a turbo 6 - V8 only.

[GT-E]

That does not seem right about he DSC only being calibrated for 17" wheels. The XR range comes with 18" as an options and I am sure they also come with DSC.
The FPV range does not have the DSC due to the calibration required for the 19"s and Brembos. I am hoping that FPV pull their finger out and have DSC on their BF2 range and offer it as a free upgrade for the BF1 owners as it should be on every car standard.

[Cuey]

It's a must to have some sort of badging. Ford would be crazy to go without it. If i'd paid the extra $$$ to have the geat, i'd want a badge to show for it.

This is consistent with Ford's terrible marketing. Something must be done about it

[XzLr8]

ok i give you the bf esp LoL, pretty rough just a general idea i was a bit bored so i thought id mess around feedback, changes??? let me know. Obvious mods color, bigger wheels, got rid of foglamps.
Tried to keep with the original Esp concept but hey lemmeknow what you guys think.
P.S. if you have any esp badges ill stick em on i couldnt find any.

[FTE217]

xzlr8 not bad...looks better than the current BF upgrade !
Yep V8 only,needs a badge imo....

[Steffo]

If they put the Barra245T in it, that'd be a mean car...

[blueoval]

this is great news. Bringing the esp back is a top idea.

I reckon a tricked up 5.4L version and 6cyl turbo version is the way to go.

[Smoked]

Originally Posted by XzLr8

I actually like it, seems to really work. Its unfortunate that the public and indeed marketing people have moved very far away from the "MUSCLE" car image and into the Tourer types.

[LTDHO]

xzlr8 - great version there.
It would have gold grills up front (XE's didn't).

Other than that, it would be good.

[Falcon Freak]

And a modern interpretation of the 1980s ESP stripped seat fabric would also be good.

FF

[Polyal]

HA! As if they are going to put effort into it. To me it sounds like Ford killing another great name plate. It will be as special as the falcon SR is at the moment.

Pity, has the potential to be a good car, perhaps they are scared of stuffing up the badge hence it not being on the outside....

[XD 351 Ute]

Originally Posted by Polyal

To me it sounds like Ford killing another great name plate.

That's what I was thinking too.
XzLr8's car looks good, but try doing the grille in red, make the separation between the red & black the same as XE, just below the lights.
Also do side mouldings in black rather than red & I think it would look better.
Add Boss 290, XR8 bonnet, and she's done!

Oh, and only make 178 of the Boss 290 6 speed manuals to carry on the tradition....

Ed

[suttoinc]

Didn't they do a ESP 6cyl version sometime during the AU era. From my memory it had a standard engine, IRS a mild body kit and cost nearly as much as a base XR6 so it didn't sell well.

It really is only a value pack add on to a base falcon, futura or maybe fairmont but it does have the right credentials to make it a nicer car to drive.

[4Vman]

ESP was really just a later version of the GS, 'performance" mods in the ESP were limited to cosmetic enhancements and ride tweaks only..
Im assuming by the pricing the BF ESP is replacing the SR and will be a cosmetic pack on a stock 6 cyl BF..

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

ESP was really just a later version of the GS, 'performance" mods were limited to cosmetic enhancements and ride tweaks only..
Im assuming by the pricing the BF ESP will be a cosmetic pack on a stock BF..

/watches prices of real ESP's plumet....lol

What the ESP should be will never happen now that the Force series is coming, now they are real ESP's IMO.

So the marketing guru's stuff up again, would make ALOT more sense to swap Force and ESP around if you ask me, but its all to late now.
:

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by Polyal

/watches prices of real ESP's plumet....lol

What the ESP should be will never happen now that the Force series is coming, now they are real ESP's IMO.

So the marketing guru's stuff up again, would make ALOT more sense to swap Force and ESP around if you ask me, but its all to late now.
:

Interesting... not sure why Ford would resurect the ESP name, even if the XD/E ESP was only a cosmetic option, what's next, they drop the ESP and bring out the GS again? sleep:

It kind of smells of poor mans NA XR6...

[nugget378]

Originally Posted by XzLr8

ok i give you the bf esp LoL, pretty rough just a general idea i was a bit bored so i thought id mess around feedback, changes??? let me know. Obvious mods color, bigger wheels, got rid of foglamps.
Tried to keep with the original Esp concept but hey lemmeknow what you guys think.
P.S. if you have any esp badges ill stick em on i couldnt find any.

Thats quite good,not sure about all the gold though,
how would it look with brushed alloy look,instead of gold??

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

It kind of smells of poor mans NA XR6...

edit: re-read the article RE: pricing..

And where does that leave the falcon SR? Only difference is the bodykit isn't it?
Oh and the g'box...which can be optioned on every car anyway..

Their on fire!
: :

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by Polyal

I would have thought that if anything it would be more expensive than a NA XR6.

And where does that leave the falcon SR? Only difference is the bodykit isn't it?

Their on fire!
: :

I think you'll find its to replace the SR......

I guess the reality is the ESP was the GS of the XD/E range, and the SR was the ESP of the BA range.
In 1980's Ford had no equivilant to the current XR6/8's or GT, the ESP had no special motor options or driveline options, it used the same engines as the rest of the Ford range.
In some ways its a natural replacement or equivilant to the GS or SR.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

I think you'll find its to replace the SR......

Well it just gets better, 3 odd years of making the SR badge recongiseable and then they just drop it because they want a new name.

No wonder people have NFI when it comes to Fords line up, they change names and badges as if they were going out of fashion. They really need to stick with what they have, and if its not selling then its most likely because its inferior to the commy in some way.

Ive got friends, who are not car freaks, that could list almost every Holden model. Try and get them to do that with Fords line up, XR is about as fair as you get.

[xe351]

the idea has lotsa potential - but i doubt that they will get it right

[Abacus]

I say bring back the GS!!! Add a couple of bonnet scoops.

[Smoke Pursuit]

It doesnt add up to me, why not make the FUTURA the ESP, add reverse sensors, 17s, side airbags, DSC, full power windows etc that way it can compete with the VE Berlina.

Then add 18s to the XRs - the whole range, then give the Fairmont 17s, Six Stacker, Climate Control, Adjustable Pedals, Six way Drivers Seat (no Memory) and a few other toys.

The way the range is now they cant compete with holden based on price nor features.