BA Falcon benefits from a number of active and passive safety improvements, not the least of them the 88 per cent stiffer bodyshell and, for the first time in a Falcon, the availability of side impact airbags to match Commodore.

Optional in all Falcon variants below Fairmont, the seat-mounted items necessitated the relocation of each front seat inboard by 12mm.

The Falcon XR6-T's safety package includes ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution), dual front airbags, three-point lap/sash seatbelts at all seating positions, front seatbelt height adjustment, seatbelt warning chime and head restraints for outboard seating positions - although there's only non-adjustable high seat backs in the rear.

Traction control is standard on XR6-T, XR8, Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia, while it is optional on Futura (not available on XT and the base XR6). A limited-slip differential is also standard on the two XR models.