FG Falcon EcoLPi Wins Best Large Car Award

MELBOURNE – Nov 30, 2011: The FG Falcon EcoLPi has been voted the country’s Best Large Car Under $60,000 in the annual Australian motoring organisations’ annual Best Cars Awards.

It is the first time an LPG-powered car has won the award.

“In considering the Falcon EcoLPi, the majority opinion of the judges was that Ford’s efforts in producing an LPG Falcon that was as good to drive, if not better than a comparable petrol Falcon deserved recognition,” the judging panel said.

“One of the key advantages of the EcoLPi is its liquid phase LPG injection system, which was a major step forward from the venturi-style vapour system used on the previous E-Gas Falcons.”

The EcoLPi beat several leading European finalists for the award, which combines the expertise of Australian Motoring Clubs including the NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, RAC, RACT and AANT.

Ford Australia President and CEO, Bob Graziano, said the award was a validation of Australian engineering knowhow and a great result in what had been a busy year for the brand.

“The Falcon EcoLPi is part of a suite of new technologies we’re delivering for customers, which now encompasses a diesel engine in the Territory SUV and soon outstanding EcoBoost technology in the FG Falcon MkII – all world-class technologies,” Graziano said.

“Importantly, the Falcon EcoLPi engine was developed locally for Australian conditions and customers.

“It delivers better fuel economy and substantial increases in both power and torque outputs compared to the previous E-Gas engine – providing real benefits to our customers.”

The Best Large Car award was also a credit to Ford’s engineers, designers and workers, he said.

“The FG Falcon represents the best of local Ford engineering and design,” he said. “We set out to develop a new LPG system for Falcon because we saw a clear place for it in this market.

“Falcon EcoLPi is all about offering Australian consumers choice and showcasing that it is, in fact, possible to have it all with outstanding performance, five-star safety and family packaging, features and comfort.”

The EcoLPi engine develops 198 kW of power at 5000 rpm and 409 Nm of torque at 3250 rpm, which is identical to the petrol I6 engine when operating on higher octane 95 RON unleaded fuel (versus regular 91 RON unleaded).

For EcoLPi that represents a 27 per cent improvement in maximum power and a 10 per cent improvement in peak torque compared to the previous generation E-Gas LPG engine, which produced 156 kW and 371 Nm. Despite the significant increases in power and torque, fuel efficiency has also improved, along with a corresponding reduction in CO2 emissions.

Australia’s Best Cars is one of the most comprehensive and independent consumer-focused vehicle testing and awards programs.