The Intech sixes may look similar to their predecessors, but their sweeter sound, smoother feel and freer revving top end performance, are instant pointers to their new and classier pedigree. Less obvious, but no less real, is the fuel savings and reduced emissions. The new Intech six is one of the most fuel efficient engines over 3.0 litres, and the hallmark of the AU Falcon's 6-cylinder engines, according to Ford Australia's Powertrain Manager, John Willems.
During development, we tapped into Ford's worldwide resources including the Advanced Powertrain unit in Ford AVT (Advanced Vehicle Technology) Centre in Detroit, Jaguar with their 50-year heritage in building refined and powerful overhead camshaft in-line sixes, as well as Tickford for the XR engines, he said. The Intech sixes are virtually new engines, with all major areas redesigned or upgraded. Only the broad architecture of in-line cylinders, 4-litre engine size (displacement), bore spacing and single overhead camshaft (SOHC) configuration, plus a handful of small components - mostly fasteners like bolts, remain from the preceding engine series.
Maximum torque of 357Nm at 3000rpm and power of 157kW at 4900rpm of the standard engine is unchanged from the preceding EL Falcon engine.
The High Performance (HP) variant of the Intech engine in the XR6 has a higher output cylinder head, camshaft and exhaust system than the standard Intech, all developed by Ford Australia's performance partner, Tickford Vehicle Engineering. The HP Intech develops maximum torque of 366Nm at 3150rpm and power of 164kW at 5000rpm, and the performance is very refined.
Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) is a new, premium engine differentiator for Falcon 6-cylinder engines. It virtually endows the VCT engine with two characters, one which optimises low speed torque and the other which prioritises maximum power at high revs. The Intech VCT six is standard in Fairmont Ghia and optional in XR6. The VCT engine develops maximum torque of 370Nm at 3500rpm and 168kW of power at 5300rpm. This is 22 per cent more maximum torque and 14 per cent more maximum power than its closest competitor.
The VCT timing module, mounted on the front of the engine, adjusts camshaft timing via an oil pressure driven helix as commanded by the EEC-5 module. The dual runner intake manifold, which Falcon sixes have had since August 1994, is ideally suited to contemporary VCT technology. The long runners being conducive to the low speed high torque mode, while the short runners suit the high revs maximum power mode.