![]() ![]() The feeling is the XR6 Sprint would be a mite faster on a track although on the road, there’s no great difference dynamically on the highway. There’s also the promise of temporary overboost, which lasts for 10 seconds in every gear, upping power significantly.Ĭhoosing between the V8 and turbo six is tough. Its is torque delivery, a mere 1Nm more than the V8 but ladled out over a more agreeable rev spread, all the way from 2220 to 6250rpm. The XR6 Sprint’s 4.0-litre in-line six revs out a further 250rpm to a peak of 6000rpm. The blown 5.0-litre V8 produces peak power at 5750rpm, and a maximum 575Nm from 2750rpm. The overarching challenge was to create a ride and handling tune around the new Pirelli rubber with the objective of engine, chassis, tyres and suspension working together cohesively. There was also the understanding that having a mountain of grunt is futile if the car can’t put it on the deck. The passionate engineering team set out to produce among the most powerful V8 and turbo engines ever from the 5.0-litre Miami and 4.0-litre Barra. It started with the blokes and ladies from a small product engineering team thrashing out their achievable wish lists, with help and inspiration from the recently redundant Ford Performance Vehicles parts bin. In-line sixes and bent eights were the staple of Ford Australia local manufacturing and big in the motoring lives of many of us, so fitting it is that the Blue Oval has worked at creating standout examples of each in the form of the Falcon XR6 Sprint and XR8 Sprint. The Falcon disappears on Bathurst 1000 eve in October after a rich history dating back to 1960.īut how good it is that Ford has tried really hard to make the farewell model one to remember. IT’S an undeniably sad time, this look at the last new (and a thankfully wild) iteration of the locally made Ford Falcon breed. MINUS: Family sedan and taxi genes impossible to hide that driving position PLUS: Brutal acceleration and effortless torque, standout ride and handling potentially robust retained values You’ve missed out on the chance to own this Ford Australia collectible, and a whole lot of fun driver’s car with it. Grab yourself a piece of Blue Oval Oz history. This is the most worthy and potent final salute from Ford Australia’s engineers and designers and a telling reminder of the talents of Australia’s ride-and-handling specialists. Holden is making sure the local product is not going out quietly, not with 345kW and 575Nm of useable performance. Holden Commodore SS-V Redline with new LS3 6.2-litre V8 roars like a Lion king should, and is the most driver-focussed top-spec hot rod in the zoo. It’s $10K cheaper than the local hero and the four-potter conjures up 233kW…making it 92kW shy of the Sprint XR6. Ford Mustang 2.3 EcoBoost Turbo has the eye appeal and mystique to get potential Falcon Sprint buyers vacillating. Which one to choose…? The 345kW V8 has the numbers to impress your mates, and is your mechanical Rocky Marciano, while the 325kW turbo six is the mechanical embodiment of Muhammad Ali, brutal but with finesse. Ford Falcon XR8 Sprint is from the same nest but sibling rivalry looms large. Now with a slick eight-speed transmission replacing the old five-speed clunker. How much is rhetoric and do the impressive power and torque numbers translate into a real-world blast of the senses? More importantly, ultimately is it a fine motor car?Ĭhrysler 300 SRT8 Core represents serious Yankee 6.4-litre V8 muscle and gangsta attitude for $65,000, with 350kW and 637Nm to keep the rear tyres turning and burning. The Broadmeadows mob has shown a real determination to send the Falcon XR badge off into highway heaven with a significant bang. ![]() There’s mega interest in these last two Falcons-with-attitude. Then they added big Brembo brakes, fat Pirelli rubber, rear spoiler… From the dusty Ford Performance Vehicles parts bin they grabbed turbocharger and injectors and added a big intercooler. The 4.0-litre Ford Falcon Sprint XR6 is obviously and undeniably part family car, but like its sibling XR8 Sprint, has been tweaked and massaged by a bunch of unreconstructed enthusiasts among the Blue Oval back-room boffins. It’s lighter, ultimately faster on a track, and cheaper. The limited-edition $54,990 Falcon Sprint XR6 may not be the fan favourite (the V8 wins the popularity contest) but maybe real Ford drivers will want the XR6. THE Ford Falcon XR6 Sprint and XR8 Sprint are the final performance production models of Ford Australia’s family sedan, marking the end of 56 years of continuous local production. ![]()
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