Audio Display:
All Audio display functions are
now incorporated into Ford's new Interior Command Centre with control available
via buttons conveniently located on it's lower edge and below. This
display center is shared with the climate controls giving a one stop viewing
center located just in the right place without having to look all over the place
for the necessary viewing information.
Audio Controls:
With it's centrally located volume
control knob on Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia, the BA finally fixed what has been
for a long
time a fault of most RHD (right hand drive) vehicles - having the volume control
on the left - in the furtherest position from the driver as possible!
Operation has been significantly simplified with a multi-function design
allowing one button to do a multitude of tasks. Fortunately the display
center itself is also more conveniently placed allowing reaching of the dials,
buttons and viewing of the display itself right where you want it to be - every
time. Right: BA Fairmont Ghia
center consol.
Falcon's convenient volume /
seek radio controls continue to be located at finger tip's reach via buttons on
the steering wheel. Each of those buttons has been given a new high
quality 'feel' to it's operation - one that had us checking again to see whether
the surface of the button was soft or not. With the buttons continuing to
be made out of hard wearing grained plastic, the new 'feal' leaves you with a
renewed confidence in the reliability of the controls - something that
occasionally let you down in previous models.
Hidden Aerial:
With the BA Falcon came the move from the more traditional retractable (both
powered & manually operated) aerials to a more European style integrated
aerial as part of the vehicle's rear glass. Located via 2 vertical strips
on the rear window (sedan & ute) or on the rear side window of wagons, the
new placement avoided the increased windscreen expense normally associated with
on-glass placement via use of these less often broken panes rather than on the
windscreen itself.
The change brings with it minor aerodynamic
advantages with reduced wind noise, but more importantly puts an end to broken
aerials and gives instant radio reception on turning on of the radio without the
need to manually raise the aerial or wait for the electric motor to do it's
job. - A boon to those who choose to use mechanised car washes, the new
technology also avoids the burnt out electric motors encountered as vehicles age
- giving a worth while reliability increase as well. Another benefit of the on-glass application is that the unsightly mast is gone from the front mudguard removing the need for a hole in the panel as well as eliminating a key NVH generator.
Improved Reception:
According to Ford, special pulse filters have been fitted to all BA radio systems to help reduce interference that commonly degrades reception within inner-city areas. AM station listers
especially should receive crisper reception thanks to the new circuitry that dials out interference.
Audio and ICC security:
Replacing the previously used coded audio systems by which you had to remember
the radio code for re-entering when ever the power had been disconnected, the BA
now has it's own security codes permanently embedded within the stereo head unit
and ICC (Interior Command Center) meaning that your radio will not operate in
another BA Falcon. The ignition key transponder initiates another security
check, by sending a signal to the Powertrain Control Module to provide power to the audio
system - but only once the PCM has determined the correctly matched audio system is installed.
The audio system emits a unique code at start-up that has to match a pre-programmed code held in the PCM memory.
If the code is incorrect the audio system will refuse to work, rendering it useless.
After a battery disconnection, the security code for the radio does not need to be re-installed, saving inconvenience for drivers and owners who may have misplaced the back-up card with the radio code inscribed.
The Interior Command Centre module is also protected by the same coding system that prevents stolen modules being swapped from car to car.
The ICC and Radio security code is buried deep in the unit's electronic memory and does not rely on battery function to continue to work.
Audio and cruise control button upgrade:
Falcon's steering-wheel-mounted button feature has been enhanced for greater customer benefit with the arrival of the BA family.
The audio (and cruise control where fitted) buttons now number four per side, with the addition of a 'mode' button for the audio and an 'on/off' for the cruise.
The mode button allows drivers to cycle through AM, FM and CD options, as well as being able to change discs and
tracks, while the button operational 'feel' has been vastly improved removing
the cheap and flimsy sounding 'click' of the AU items replaced by a silent
rubbery feel that has you scratching the surface of the buttons to see if they
are really rubberised or not.
BA 'XLS' utility interior featuring optional Momo steering wheel
and stereo shared with the 'XT', Futura and XR.
Accessory Connection
Port:
Recognising the keenness of Australians to adopt new technologies, Ford has added an extra auxiliary input cable to each audio system to allow customers to plug MP3 players, Walkman cassette players
or even a Play Station into the standard BA audio systems.
The plug is connected via an easy-to-use under-dash connector.
Multiplexing:
As part of servicing all this added complexity the BA has moved
to Multiplex and CAN bus (Controller Area Network) allowing the audio system to communicate with
powertrain components (re: speed sensitive volume and security requirements)
while reducing wiring loom thickness and increasing data transfer speeds.
Debuting multiplex wiring that is used as the carrier system for the data required by the Controller Area Network, the BA's main electronic nervous
system joins the huge list of changes for this mid-life cycle model change.
Linking the main on-board computers, it allows each to communicate their status and report faults. These include the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), Body Electronics Module (BEM), heater integrated module, instrument cluster, audio system and traction control.
The high-tech communications system also allows the easier implementation of smart user-friendly features such as speed-dependent audio volume control.
Music lovers will enjoy their favourite tracks at optimum volume irrespective of the driving environment thanks to speed-dependent volume control that increases volume to compensate for road noise.
The advanced CAN bus system also allows far more detailed reporting and storage of faults should they occur, helping to cut down service and fault finding times.
Trade audio, limited to XL style side
& tray back:
Single in-dash CD,
LCD interior display center,
Embedded security code,
50W output,
Two speakers.
Standard audio, including:
Single in-dash CD,
LCD interior command center,
Auxiliary input for MP3/PlayStation,
Embedded security code,
Speed dependent volume control,
AM noise reduction,
100W output (vs. the VY's 80W output).
Four speakers.
Prestige audio, as per Standard audio
plus:
Adds in-dash 6-CD stacker.
Premium audio, as per Prestige Audio
plus:
Colour TFT central display,
digital signal processing offering a choice of sound modes,
CD compression that cancels out road noise.
Standard in Fairmont Ghia.
Sat-Nav & Parking
System Interface:
The BA Falcon's speakers are connected to the audio system but also provide delivery of spoken navigation instructions.
When these are issued, the sound level is biased towards the front of the car and the audio system mutes.
The rear speakers on Ghia also double as the audible warning emitters for the Reverse Sensing System that chimes in over the audio system.
Fairmonts optioned with the Reverse Sensing System employ a separate, rear-mounted
speaker for this function.
While being an item highly subject to personal taste (and therefore not able to
please everybody), the new Falcon's audio system goes pretty close taking it's
inspiration from high quality home theatre systems. Thankfully moving away
from the over abundance of buttons on some audio systems, the BA's appearance is
especially pleasing towards the front of the cabin with the only aberration
being the ghastly sub-woofer cover on the rear parcel shelf for those vehicles
so fitted (replacing the AU's much more pleasant looking item).
Oh well, I
guess you can't win them all! Overall a very well executed, well thought
out and innovative system that continues Ford's tradition of providing great
looking, quality sounding systems at a price that makes some more expensive
marques look oversubscribed...
Right: BA Fairmont Ghia interior showing
fresh new styling, ICC and improved remote button feel & function.
Modifications:
Incorporated into the dash like never before, there is no doubt system swaps
will be harder than ever although it is only a matter of time before somebody
comes up with a way of improving the system - as is the classic Aussie saying -
where there's a will there's a way! As such, we have set up a discussion
topic for people to discuss the latest ways and discoveries in making this a
reality (see our Discussions
Pages or go straight to the thread by clicking
here). With Ford's exorbitant optional upgrade prices and sky-high
spare parts listings (most manufacturers are the same including GM) God knows
there's a market out there for those able to crack the factory system and give
professional looking and sounding upgrade options to the new and second hand car
buyer. So go to it - and make sure you include your successes on the
thread on our Discussion Pages!
