FORD became the first Australian car manufacturer to offer a remotely-controlled sequential manual shifting automatic transmission when it introduced its locally developed Electronic Sports Shift system - with steering wheel-mounted shift buttons - as standard equipment in the TS and TL50. In fact, it is the sole transmission choice for the Fairlane-based TL, while TE50 owners must choose either the standard five-speed manual or BTR's regular two-mode/five-program adaptive four-speed automatic. The ESS system incorporates an activation button on the shift gate, plus small and large buttons for each hand on the steering wheel - one for downshifting, the other for upshifts. The 250kW engine's manual transmission is not just any old box, mind you. Hailing from the Mustang, the so-called TR3650 five-speed is a totally different, stronger five-speed with a slicker shift and far taller fifth/overdrive than traditional manual Falcon owners are used to.