New feature Falcons should have

[Brazen]

On the weekend, I had the chance to witness a feature I think all Falcons should have. Pulling up to horse-riding meet I ran into an old mate of mine who has a VW Jetta, He parked his VW in very muddy clay as there were no more parking spaces on the gravel.

Anyway after the meet, we all went back to the cars and a guy in a Landcruiser said to my mate he will need a tow to get out of the mud, my mate said 'na it will be fine'. He jumped in the VW, turned off traction control, and after a split second as the wheels thought about it the VW hauled out of there like it was on bitumen. All of us were quite stunned. My VW mate explained that all VWs have a EDL or Electronic Diff Lock.

The EDL uses the ABS wheel sensors to constantly direct power to both wheels by using the brakes to split torque 50:50 to each wheel. Unlike traction control, the EDL does not reduce or cut engine power when the wheels slip. So you can rev the guts out of the VW and just power through anything. The VW actually acted like it had a mechanically locked diff (like a RTV) as both drive wheels had power when it went through the mud.

Looking at my big, powerful, rear wheel drive Ford with its 2.3 tonne towing capacity I am just shocked Ford could not see an opportunity to add this simple electronic feature to Falcons, as all of the ABS, traction control wheel sensors are already there. I can never use traction control in mud as cars just bog down when it senses both wheels slipping, but with the EDL the car would continue to power through.

With Falcon utes used on construction sites, other Falcons used to tow horses, caravans and boats an EDL would be brilliant addition. And with the staggering amount of compact, midsize and large SUVs being bought for towing and light off-road uses a EDL would be a great marketing angle to get some of these buyers to reconsider a Falcon.

[dallasv8]

all of this cost coin to develop etc,the more and more features we start putting in cars the more and more the prices will climb.could be made as an optional extra but i guess.

[Wally]

Isn't EDL just part of the stability control system (ESP/DSC)= add friction via the brake pads to the slip wheel and by default transferring power to the other wheel?

[cosmo20btt]

Originally Posted by Wally

Isn't EDL just part of the stability control system (ESP/DSC)= add friction via the brake pads to the slip wheel and by default transferring power to the other wheel?

EDL came out on a certain earlier BA-BF Falcon ute but it only locked the two rear wheels. As stated above.

[GS608]

RTV?

seems like a good idea to add to the range

[iliov]

Heated seats

[AC/DC]

espresso machine in dash

[SSD-85]

EDL seems like a pretty good idea, even just for feature bragging rights. And if they beat holden to the punch that would be even better.
A few other things I wouldn't mind seeing:
- No cost option ZF auto on all models
- Heated seats for G series (optional at least)
- Technology & Safety packs standard on XR & G series
- A no cost option for towbars may entice people into a large sedan?
- A neat idea ive seen on the latest fiesta was unlocking the car turned on the parkers

Im sure a couple may have been done already, and im equally sure theres plenty more ideas out there. On a side note, I watched a FG XR drive past today and I got an interesting thought. If they separated the headlights into quads for the FG2, i think it would be a return to the chiseled look of an EL (not EF) XR. And quite frankly would look awesome on the frontend of the FG, it would really add to the differentiation too.

[Pinch]

Scotty, don't think the ZF will ever be a NCO on lesser models. I would LOVE to be proven wrong though. That gearbox is freaking awesome. I will only rent G6E's now when I travel interstate (given up the full size luxo's as they are only 5 speed Statesmans now all the Fairlane's have been retired). Or an A6 from Europcar!

Thing is is if they make all the good stuff standard, then prices climb. Hard. Make it an option and some people might still be able to get behind the wheel, give or take some good stuff.

For mine though I can't believe more of the newer Fords, especially the higher series' don't get LSD standard.

I got caught on a low tide boat ramp with a 600kg ski boat with my traction only BA XR6 once. Same ramp, low tide, 1500kg boat behind the LSD'd NC and nary a slip - straight out. And that was 15's instead of 17's.

[DJM83]

Xenons

[xtremerus]

Originally Posted by Scotty85

EDL seems like a pretty good idea, even just for feature bragging rights. And if they beat holden to the punch that would be even better.
A few other things I wouldn't mind seeing:
- No cost option ZF auto on all models
- Heated seats for G series (optional at least)
- Technology & Safety packs standard on XR & G series
- A no cost option for towbars may entice people into a large sedan?
- A neat idea ive seen on the latest fiesta was unlocking the car turned on the parkers

.

Just a thought, why would you want heated seats in Brisbane

[XR Martin]

I drove a 2wd Territory down real muddy road, and unbenounced to me it was a no through road. I was amazed how well it maintained traction, despite not having a LSD and road biased tyres. You could feel the individual wheels being braked, while the car got slower and slower, I thought I was done for, but it still maintained momentum. It was crawling along at about 10-15kmh (with my foot flat to the floor, but little or no wheelspin), but still kept going. And then I had to turn around and do it all again
I was quite impressed.

[Mick K.]

I had a 99 middle-of-the-range Golf that had EDL too, so it has been around for awhile as a fairly standard feature. I think it was designed for icy / snowy take offs as it deactivates at abut 30-40 kmh, so it isn't really a substitute for an LSD, but quite a nice feature nonetheless.

MK

[Road_Warrior]

Waste of R&D resources for anything but the Territory.

I'd like to see LED's, Xenons and the SYNC and buttonless console on the Falcon first.

EDIT: vvvv probably not.

[b2tf]

I'm just wondering if all the people asking for heated seats have ever sat in a Falcon after it's been parked on a 35+ deg day?

[G6ET8U]

Originally Posted by b2tf

I'm just wondering if all the people asking for heated seats have ever sat in a Falcon after it's been parked on a 35+ deg day?

For that I have also added to your reputation.

Heated seats. Are you having a laugh? We live in Australia... not Antartica.

I have a black G6E Turbo with black leather and on a hot day... it takes about 10 minutes with the A/C on to get it to a point where I can sit in it. Stuff heated seats. Give me better A/C.

And for those that want heated seats... wear pants on a cold morning to work or just harden up. The choice is yours... and I would even prefer to have this EDL... I won't use it, don't have the need. But at least I might use it. Heated seats I would never use. EVER.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by b2tf

I'm just wondering if all the people asking for heated seats have ever sat in a Falcon after it's been parked on a 35+ deg day?

Particularly with the leather, you'll walk away with 3rd degree burns. I'd like cooled seats!

And Re: the original post, that's a pretty cool idea - I imagine it could be useful in a ute on a worksite.

[SSD-85]

Originally Posted by xtremerus

Just a thought, why would you want heated seats in Brisbane

Well it is rather cold here in winter at 5 in the morning. Naturally not as cold as the southern states, but enough to warrant it being a useful addition. Personally it doesnt bother me, I was just thinking of it as an idea in general. Some will like it, some wont. Whilst it may not make a good business case for Ford either, still just an idea thats all.

[csv8]

"A neat idea ive seen on the latest fiesta was unlocking the car turned on the parkers" The previous Fiesta Zetec does it.

[csv8]

How about..digital radio, electric seat passenger side, drivers seat massager (BMW,Benz)
puddle lamps, auto dim rear vision mirrors.
Why bother ? just rebadge Mondeo Titanium as a G6E !!!!!!!!!!!!
V8 would be nice !!!!

[Elks]

The electric diff lock sounds like a good idea. at least as an option.

things I'd like to see.

Full iPhone (or insert you brand of phone) integration
Internet acess via in dash screen, available now in US F series
I like heated seats (but Im in melb) Ive had them in other cars realy nice.
Cooled seats, more useful than heated seats.
options lots of options BMW doest it, its not a volume issue as they tell you, its more a logistics exercise than anything else. choose wheels, suspension, trim colours, diff ratios etc
programmable features light on/off etc
lane guard
engine bays actually painted
solar panels that run a/c when car is parked.

im sure there is more..

[G6ET8U]

Originally Posted by Elks

The electric diff lock sounds like a good idea. at least as an option.

things I'd like to see.

Full iPhone (or insert you brand of phone) integration
Internet acess via in dash screen, available now in US F series
I like heated seats (but Im in melb) Ive had them in other cars realy nice.
Cooled seats, more useful than heated seats.
options lots of options BMW doest it, its not a volume issue as they tell you, its more a logistics exercise than anything else. choose wheels, suspension, trim colours, diff ratios etc
programmable features light on/off etclane guard
engine bays actually painted
solar panels that run a/c when car is parked.

im sure there is more..

In bold. I want my iPhone recognised! I have an iPod but it may as well be a very light paper weight now... and my car already has programmable lights etc with the ICC

[XR8putts]

Xenon headlights and well designed LED taillights.

[StrokedXT]

Originally Posted by cosmo20btt

EDL came out on a certain earlier BA-BF Falcon ute but it only locked the two rear wheels. As stated above.

wasnt the rtv an eaton elocker very different to the system being discussed by the OP

[banarcus]

Simple options such as:
Sunroof;
Auto up and down windows;
Powered front passenger seat.

[mik]

you can do a claytons diff lock by pulling the handbrake on , it will put enough friction on the spinning wheel to make the other wheel turn, good for short distance`s.

[mac_man_luke]

Originally Posted by puts99

Xenon headlights and well designed LED taillights.

+1

also led daytime running lights would be nice

[T3man]

Originally Posted by Brazen

On the weekend, I had the chance to witness a feature I think all Falcons should have. Pulling up to horse-riding meet I ran into an old mate of mine who has a VW Jetta, He parked his VW in very muddy clay as there were no more parking spaces on the gravel.

Anyway after the meet, we all went back to the cars and a guy in a Landcruiser said to my mate he will need a tow to get out of the mud, my mate said 'na it will be fine'. He jumped in the VW, turned off traction control, and after a split second as the wheels thought about it the VW hauled out of there like it was on bitumen. All of us were quite stunned. My VW mate explained that all VWs have a EDL or Electronic Diff Lock.

The EDL uses the ABS wheel sensors to constantly direct power to both wheels by using the brakes to split torque 50:50 to each wheel. Unlike traction control, the EDL does not reduce or cut engine power when the wheels slip. So you can rev the guts out of the VW and just power through anything. The VW actually acted like it had a mechanically locked diff (like a RTV) as both drive wheels had power when it went through the mud.

Looking at my big, powerful, rear wheel drive Ford with its 2.3 tonne towing capacity I am just shocked Ford could not see an opportunity to add this simple electronic feature to Falcons, as all of the ABS, traction control wheel sensors are already there. I can never use traction control in mud as cars just bog down when it senses both wheels slipping, but with the EDL the car would continue to power through.

With Falcon utes used on construction sites, other Falcons used to tow horses, caravans and boats an EDL would be brilliant addition. And with the staggering amount of compact, midsize and large SUVs being bought for towing and light off-road uses a EDL would be a great marketing angle to get some of these buyers to reconsider a Falcon.

It's not so special - my AU III Fairmont wagon does the same thing in effect but not quite as sophisticated. Below 40km/h the T/C will first power down the engine, and, if one wheel persists in slipping it applies the brake to that wheel and therefore transfers power to the wheel with more grip. It is disconcerting at first when on a steep incline because you lose power but the thing just keeps going. Not as good as a AWD but definitely as good as (if not better than) any LSD.

[FPV GTHO]

I'm no engineering expert, but what would EDL do that a normal LSD doesnt?

For a FWD it sounds great, where you can activate it to work when you need it and operate an open diff for normal driving conditions where an LSD might be an issue for novice drivers, but for a RWD i dont really see the benefit unless you tuned it to work like Ferrari's electronic diff.

[waggaclint]

How about a good handbrake system and a 6cyl engine that idles smooth..