for the Forté and XR6 and lowering the rear suspension of non-XR variants by 24 mm. To heighten its interior quality, the Forté was offered with 'medium graphite' interior trim (slightly darker than originally) and the patterned seat material was changed from the bolsters to the seat centres. Buyers were also able to order the darker 'warm charcoal' colour scheme of other Falcon variants. The only limited edition launched with this initial series, was the Falcon Classic of June 1999 marketed till October 1999 to boost sales. It inherited an eggcrate grille from the non-XR Utility range, dual airbags, ABS brakes, cruise control, upgraded sound system, a "warm charcoal" interior, power aerial, special trim, 15-inch alloys, low profile rear spoiler, bumper inserts and paint. Its recommended retail price was . Utility The range of AU Falcon Utility vehicles was launched in June 1999. It offered Falcon XL, XLS, XR6 and XR8 style side utility models, a cab-chassis model and a cab-chassis with factory fitted drop-side tray. The latter was the first tray utility vehicle that Ford Australia had produced for several years. The body of the AU Falcon utility differed in design from the competing Holden Ute in that the cargo tray was separate from the cab, whereas the tray was an integral part of the body shell in the Holden. As a result, this allowed the rear to accept different after market body types, including tray decks, service bodies, and camper van shells. Unlike the sedan, the AU Falcon utility vehicles were somewhat popular. Series II (AU II) Many of these issues were addressed with the AU Series II (April 2000). They included: the "high series" raised bonnet from the Fairmont models a more conventional and common front grille for the volume Forté and Futura range increase depth and width for the rear bumper a laminated firewall, increased under-carpet asphalting and rubberised engine mounts to reduce NVH upgraded braking system (as detailed below) 16" wheels (in lieu of the previous 15 due to the larger twin-piston calipers) lowered ground clearance with new shock absorbers and ball-joints higher quality interior plastics (e.g. less oval central dashboard pod with silver highlights) standard cloth (in lieu of vinyl finishes) and darker "warm charcoal" interiors uprated sound systems upgraded SmartShield security system with a transponder located in the key (in lieu of the previous SmartLock that could not prevent thefts with copied keys)