Ford Announces LPG FG Falcon Ute

Ford New Zealand is pleased to announce the addition of dedicated LPG FG Falcon Utilities to their product stable – and the only dedicated LPG Utes to the New Zealand new vehicle industry.

Available from today, Ford New Zealand is proud to introduce the XL and R6 Utes, the only models in their segment to offer a factory fit dedicated LPG system.

Both variants are available in Utility format, sporting a FG Falcon Super-Cab and Pick up box design with a relatively low ride height that delivers excellent ingress and egress and a wide stance.

Chris Masterson, Marketing Manager Ford New Zealand, is delighted to be able to offer customers choice with this alternative fuel solution Ute.

"The LPG Falcon Ute is perfectly suited for those high mileage customers that desire a clean burning alternative to petrol that doesn't compromise on power and performance," says Masterson.

"In fact, you don't compromise on anything with this Ute. The payload is one tonne, which is almost twice as much as the XR6 Ute. The maximum braked towing capacity is the same at 2,300kg and the vehicle has lower CO2 emissions than the XR6 – 260gm/km compared to the 276gm/km."

Both variants are fitted with the E-Gas 4.0l DOHC DI-VCT I6, which produces 156kW of power at 4,750rpm and 371Nm of torque at 2,750rpm.

XL is a 4-speed column automatic with a three seater configuration. The fixed centre seat provides room for a third passenger and has been repositioned since the previous LPG Ute model. The seat has been moved 100mm rearward and 20mm upwards for improved comfort and greater knee clearance around the instrument panel. Also, when not required the centre seat can be folded down to provide a centre armrest and a cup holder for driver and passenger.

The XL also features 16-inch x 6.5 steel wheels which are rated at one tonne. It has black side mirrors and an accent rear bumper, as well as black headlamp bezels and side rockers. The XL has an RRP of $40,290.

The R6 features a 4-speed automatic with sequential sports shift and DSC as standard (from May production). The R6 has 16-inch x7 R6 spoke alloy wheels, which are also rated one tonne. Side mirrors,

rear bumper and side rockers are all body coloured on this variant and it also sports a single oval chrome exhaust finisher and fog lamps.

Interior wise, the R6 has sports bucket seats with upgraded trim and a 4-way power driver's seat with adjustable lumbar support. The steering wheel is leather and the R6 also comes with a tech pack option which features Bluetooth and iPod integration. The R6 has an RRP of $42,190 with DSC.

Both Utes have car-like front suspension, cruise control, single zone climate air conditioning, power windows and mirrors and CD and audio. They feature the Intelligent Safety System, passenger airbags, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), LSD (Limited Slip Differential) and remote door lock/unlock and immobilizer. R6 has DSC as standard from May production and the XL will feature DSC as standard from October production.

The XL and R6 benefit from the FG Falcon cockpit design, with sophisticated yet easy to use controls in the HMI. The car-like interior also means a more modern instrument panel, flowing centre stack and fascia trim spears that do not appear on more utiliatarian competitors.

"The XL and R6 are a no-compromise way of making a real difference to CO2 emissions. These are cleaner burning, alternative fuel solutions that provide power and performance," says Masterson.