BA Falcon INTRODUCTION

Seats:
With $10 million-plus to spend on a completely new interior Ford made sure it didn't waste a cent and the results are nothing short of magnificent! Featuring all-new seats with four-way power adjustment standard right across the range Falcon finally takes the fight right up to Commodore which has included this feature for some time now. - A first for Forte (now named 'XT') and Futura, the top-spec Fairmont Ghia comes with six-way adjustment as an added feature as introduced in AU3 - on top of the all new seats designed for BA.

BA Fairmont Ghia interior featuring standard leather in the 'Warm Charcoal' colour range.

The four-way adjuster controls the height and tilt angle of the seat cushion, while the Ghia adds powered fore and aft movement. Included in the redesign are greater cushion height adjustment, increased fore and aft track travel (meaning a greater ability to absorb larger drivers) and an upgraded backrest recliner mechanism to reduce seat vibration while unloaded. The backrest has also been heightened and the headrests are bigger giving a much more substantial feel to the interior. Positioning of the head rests further up ensures greater safety in the event of a rear impact while neatness has been addressed by fitting plastic covers over the seat tracks - since the extra adjustment will mean they will spend more time exposed to view.

A Computer generated rendition of the range of seats available in the new BA Falcon...

In the rear, the seat shape and squab angle have been altered in search of greater comfort, the 60/40 split-fold mechanism has been made more secure while the centre armrest is bigger and according to Ford will feature two integrated cup holders. All seat cushions have a vibration isolation mat inserted with flat springs internal to it to help improve ride comfort - so effective Ford has applied for a patent on this new technology. Computer-aided engineering has also been used to tune the seats to match body and floor vibration modes to help dial out unwanted vibes.

The seat trim is now attached to the foam pads by a new method that holds the material more tautly in the seam grooves using a new hook and loop system that is similar to Velcro, allowing greater freedom of shapes without fear of the material coming loose, wrinkling and just generally looking daggy.

As a result simple, cleaner lines with richer material feel has been able to be achieved giving the seats a real 'sit in me' invitational look and feel and should last longer without noticeable deteriation. The seats were designed by international auto supplier Lear in consultation with Ford Australia and local supplier Air International, which has set up a new facility inside Ford's Broadmeadows based assembly complex to supply the seats and other components for Barra.

Left: using Computer Aided Engineering to reduce seat vibration - complete 3D maps of each component were created.

"What we wanted to do with the seat was give a very sporty feel ... so that it wasn't seen as anything but a comfortable and sporty, dynamic seat to sit in," explained Marcus Hotblack, Barra Falcon manager of interior design.

"We wanted to give the seat much more comfort, and a feeling of being involved, of sitting in the seat, which is one of the criticisms of today's product." Helping achieve this are larger side bolsters helping guarantee better lateral support to hold occupants in place with the BA's raised handling abilities.

Right: Computer Gen picture of the new BA seat showing new hand controls, switch for electric functions and side facia panels...

· The front seats have been moved inboard by 12mm each to provide greater shoulder room and provide space for the deployment of side airbags. As a result, the driver is now positioned more centrally behind the steering wheel and has a better view out past the A pillars. Moving the seats inboard also increases hand clearance and access to the new electric seat adjuster and the backrest adjuster.
· The recliner uses a new, smoother mechanism offering finer adjustment.
· Infinitely variable lumbar adjustment is now available, replacing a stepped adjuster.
· Front seat track travel has been increased by 24mm, 12mm fore and 12mm aft from the mid-point to cater to the 95th percentile male.
· The change adds an extra notch of travel each way on the track.
· Driver's seat height adjustment range is now 50mm up by 10mm.
· Front seat cushions are mounted on a flexible mat rather than a steel pan for greater bump impact absorption
· The revised rear seat now flips in one plane thanks to a single pivot at the base of the backrest. This design also allowed the engineers to provide for higher loadings for resistance to luggage intrusion.

BA Falcon INTRODUCTION: