Review: New Ford Falcon G6E Turbo vs Holden Calais-V - The Luxury Showdown

[JoeT]

G6E Turbo vs Holden Calais-V

John Carey
21 June 2008
www.wheelsmag.com.au

Fresh from plaudits at its launch, Ford's storming G6E Turbo faces its natural nemesis, Holden's Calais V V8.

Are you the type who would never consider an Australian car simply because it was made here? If so, it’s best you left now. Seriously, there’s nothing to interest you here. If, on the other hand, you simply enjoy driving and have between $55 and $60K to spend on a new sedan, settle in and read on.

Right at the top of the new Falcon range is the G6E Turbo, a $55,000 sedan whose performance, handling, refinement, lengthy standard feature list, and interior ambience made a great first impression at the FG launch. While there’s a European flavour to the G6E Turbo’s combination of sporty nature and luxury features, its price tag says Australian-made, mate.

Of course, at this price point you could buy European metal. But the German imports that share the Falcon’s front-engine and rear-drive layout are smaller, slower and, these days, not much smarter. The BMW 320i Executive auto ($58,500) or Mercedes-Benz C200K Classic ($57,090) may boast more high-strength steel content in their body structures, more aluminium in their engines, or an extra airbag here and there, but when it comes to many tech basics, the Ford is their equal.

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[jgill16]

IS IT JUST ME, OR DOES THE CAR ON THE TOP LOOKS A LITTLE LIKE THE G8 OR AM I ON CRACK. lol

oh wait a minute it is the G8 mybad.

Now I think I'm confused.

[Baz]

Your drunk. :p

[AusCalais]

G6E better than the Calais V.... who'd have thunk it.

Looking forward to the comparison of the Statesman/Caprice to the Fairlane/LTD.... oh that's right.... there is no Fairlane or LTD.

[Baz]

I still don't like the ass of the Falcon. Doesn't look right. I've never liked the rear of a falcon though.

[RedVee8]

They're both bloody nice cars.
I'll go the Calais (argh, I love the Calais).

One pertinent point, I think the V8 is a better fit in this class of car than a rorty turbo. But I'm sure the G6E owners will be happy.

[mikmak]

^^^My thoughts exactly. You wouldn't be dissapointed with the I6T, but the low down torque of an 8 sits better with an Exec cruiser IMO.

[nota]

'Wheels' specs re low down torque:

533 Nm @ 2,000 ~ 4,750 rpm (G6E turbo)
530 Nm @ 4,400 ~ 4,400 rpm (Calais V8)

[jbernie]

The front area or the Ford where the driving lights are looks too similar to the current Civics & 9-3s, although the front grill of the ford is brighter looking i am not sold on the look.

[ford&holden]

Originally Posted by nota

'Wheels' specs re low down torque:

533 Nm @ 2,000 ~ 4,750 rpm (G6E turbo)
530 Nm @ 4,400 ~ 4,400 rpm (Calais V8)

Thanks for the truth

[ford&holden]

Originally Posted by AusCalais

G6E better than the Calais V.... who'd have thunk it.

Looking forward to the comparison of the Statesman/Caprice to the Fairlane/LTD.... oh that's right.... there is no Fairlane or LTD.

I'm looking forward to the HF V6 turbo comparison or better still a one tonne ute comparison!

[BBDOS CV8]

I think they're referring to the 'feel' of the torque and the linear power delivery as compared to non-linear way it builds in turbos and the Falcon is no exception according to what I've read. I'd pick the eight over a turbo six too - personal preferrence, YMMV. I just don't like turbos on petrol motors - you don't get anything for nothing. Somewhere it costs.

A Calais sounding boomy? I don't think so. But anyway I don't want an engine that is totally characterless except for the turbo rush. Again, personal preferrence, YMMV.

I'd say Holden will still sell stacks of Calais-Vs because of looks, and the seating plus to me the interior still looks nicer - YMMV. I'm a taller person and the Falc just don't fit me, even if I liked the look of it. Which I don't. It's unfortunate and likely not deliberate on Ford's part but to me it can't make up it's mind between Liberty and Accord.

[mikmak]

Originally Posted by nota

'Wheels' specs re low down torque:

533 Nm @ 2,000 ~ 4,750 rpm (G6E turbo)
530 Nm @ 4,400 ~ 4,400 rpm (Calais V8)

I'm sure you would have read reviews by now. I6T delivery borders on light switch characteristics. The 6.0 V8 is always there. I know the torque stats for the Ford as much as you know that exec expresses don't want to think about how hard they plant the foot.

f&h, it may be the truth that G6E was more torque (higher up by a slim margin) but not even Ferrari realised that Turbo delivery is for thugs (think post F40).

[nota]

Originally Posted by mikmak

I'm sure you would have read reviews by now. I6T delivery borders on light switch characteristics. The 6.0 V8 is always there. I know the torque stats for the Ford as much as you know that exec expresses don't want to think about how hard they plant the foot.

Like you I've read every review available to me.

None of which mention "light switch" delivery characteristics ... eg

Originally Posted by 'Motor' XR6T review

"There's so much depth to this engine, from its crisp, beautifully judged throttle response and its wonderful tractability and effortlessness, to the wheel-clenching wallop that's always primed when you want it, particularly from 4000 to the 6250 limit."

Originally Posted by 'Wheels' F6 review

"You can waft around town, or loaf along the highway pulling just 1,500 rpm at 100 km/h in sixth, with absolutely no idea of the potential under your right foot and the boost guage undisturbed. Our test car's computer showed just 7.6 L/100km on the drive from Tullamarine down the highway to South Gippsland.

Squeeze the pedal and a river of turbo torque begins to flow to the back wheels as the engine passes through 2,500 rpm

Between mild and wild are infinite variations in how you get your performance, however in all but flat out mode it's served with a smooth segue and accurately matched to your wishes 99 percent of the time."

Originally Posted by mikmak

f&h, it may be the truth that G6E was more torque (higher up by a slim margin) but not even Ferrari realised that Turbo delivery is for thugs (think post F40).

Max twist from 2,000 rpm = more G6E torque (lower down by tangible measure) as reflected by this similar-character F6 dyno graph



I readily agree with BBDOS in that the Calais V-series is a fabulously attractive sedan - uncluttered, mature, beautifully clean and devoid of useless frippery. Two years after intro I still love looking at them and those larger Calais tail lights really balance out the VE design. It's a very tempting machine. Overall the Calais presents an international level of quiet mid-luxury styling that imo makes BMW 5-series look sad - an over-wrought & over-styled try-too-hard - yuk!



And yes the overly chromed 'Aston Martin type' G6E grille treatment of the Ford is much too 'dental' for my taste, too 'Gold Coast' OTT. The more discrete blacked-out facade of the regular G6 is far preferable imo, though not to the level of the Holden

[mikmak]

Haha, I totally agree with whatr you said, and read the same reviews you did. There was one review talking about the new Typhoons delivery. Something about it being less adjustable due to higher torque delivery. But really, the defining motivation for my last post was a bottle of red and half a bottle of rum. Reading it now is suitably humbling though I'm impressed with my spelling.