MORE than just another attempt to even up a score with Holden, Ford's new XR8 Falcon sends a message to the General -- and the populace -- that the Blue Oval is back in town. While substantial gains in market share hinge on the AV Falcon due in September 2002, Ford Australia meantime has thrown its weight behind its sports sedans to build momentum.
Price realignments, specification upgrades, special value packs and, of course, last year's AUII upgrade -- which brought improvements in looks, ride and handling, refinement and running costs -- have all helped Ford rekindle interest. But Ford is clearly banking on an XR-led resurgence in the run-up to AV.
Now accounting for 10 per cent of Falcon sedan sales, the XR range at long last has an XR8 that can run doorhandle to doorhandle with Holden's SS Commodore.
To do so, Ford has slotted in the 220kW 5.0-litre V8 from the languishing T- Series, benching the premium Falcons for a couple of months before relaunching (again) with a more serious -- read 250kW -- commitment to straight-line performance. Yep, things are getting interesting again with Ford versus Holden.
For the XR8, it represents a change in fortune. Pricing has held firm at $45, 828 for the five-speed manual -- a four-speed auto adds just $720 -- and the package still looks good alongside the VXII SS Commodore launched this week.
An updated rear suspension and further improvements to the steering via a new tyre construction should help bring the Commodore closer to the XR8 in the handling department, an area where the Ford excels. However, no significant change to the SS package, now starting from $47,370, means the XR8 remains a cheaper and better value proposition.
Just about all the Falcon misses in the equipment stakes is a bona fide trip computer, electric seats and the option of side airbags. Apart from the latter , all can be overlooked.
Despite being an ancient warrior, the Windsor V8 soon proves its worth once it emerges from the Tickford workshop after a labour-intensive operation that strips it down to the block and rebuilds it using new cylinder heads, a larger diameter throttle body, modified intake manifolds and a high-lift camshaft.
The raw numbers are inviting -- 220kW at 5250rpm, a massive 435Nm at 4000rpm and claimed acceleration of 6.6sec from standstill to 100km/h -- 0.6sec quicker than the previous 200kW engine.
But the proof is in the driving.
Maximum torque peaks later than the 200kW engine, making it feel a little blunter than it ought to be at low revs, though rewards from the additional 20kW are soon (and we mean soon) realised as the needle nears the 5750rpm redline.
On past experience, the old cast-iron pushrod V8 should be running out of puff at this point -- and sounding like it's got a lung full of phlegm and tar. But it breathes easy at the top end, showing no sign of easing up and producing a superb note.
At idle, it rocks the car like a gentle mum rather than a ham-fisted dad. And in all gears through to fifth it provides a good response as speeds rise and fall.
There are drawbacks, including a thirst for premium unleaded petrol. Our test drive returned 15.7l/100km.
The XR8 can also be a chore around town, particularly when stop-start traffic demands constant use of the starchy manual gearshift and meaty clutch. Once free of the suburban burdens, cog swapping comes easily and the gear ratios reveal themselves as being well matched to engine output. Combine this with superb rear-drive handling characteristics and it becomes clear Ford has produced a car that should prompt more than a few Holden diehards to defect.
There is no getting over the fact that this is a container ship designed to transport big Aussie families. But the XR8 is amazingly agile, exhibiting excellent balance and control, terrific grip from the 17-inch 45-series tyres , and sharp, lightweight steering.
The double-wishbone rear suspension also does an outstanding job, on dry roads at least, keeping the tail in check. It simply refuses to step out of line.
The trade-off comes with the ride, which is firm -- and harsh when the road becomes really craggy.
The ($3050) premium brake package on our test car meant stopping power was never in doubt, while refinement levels remained high, a legacy, in part, of the laminated firewall introduced with AUII.
Aside from Tickford wings on the speedo arc and optional ($735) Momo steering wheel there's not much inside to flatter the driver, but he/she is well served with steering reach and height adjustment, tiller-mounted cruise control and stereo buttons, high-mounted heater controls, reasonable seat support and plenty of room.
Rear passengers benefit from excellent door handgrips, maplights, a three- point seatbelt, centre armrest with cupholders, rear vents and room. All up, this is incredible value for below $50,000, the best looking car in the line- up and one that delivers an important counterpunch to Holden. It deserves to succeed.
How it measures up
Ford Falcon XR8
Now runs alongside the SS Commodore and in the process becomes one of the best Aussie-built sports sedans available. Not much inspiration to be found inside , but the value lies in the stirring V8 and excellent dynamics.
Transmission: Rear-drive, five-speed manual, four-speed auto
Turning circle: 10.9m
Standard equipment: Air-conditioning, remote central locking, electric mirrors /windows, cruise control, six-speaker six-disc CD stereo, 60/40 split-fold rear seat, sports seats, bodykit, 17-inch alloys, alarm
Safety features: Dual front airbags, ABS, lap-sash belts all seats, front seatbelt pretensioners
Value: Performance:
Overall rating: 1/2
Holden Commodore SS
The VXII upgrade has brought suspension and steering improvements but at first glance it's not enough to counter the punch from Ford's 220kW XR8. Neck and neck in a straight line, but when the road starts to twist? Our money is on the Falcon.
Transmission: Rear-drive, six-speed manual, four-speed auto
Turning circle: 11.0m
Standard equipment: Air-conditioning, remote central locking, electric mirrors /windows, cruise control, six-speaker single-disc CD stereo, skiport, sports seats with electric controls, bodykit, 17-inch alloy wheels, front foglights, alarm (new )
Safety features: Dual front airbags, ABS, traction control, lap-sash belts all seats, front seatbelt pretensioners. Side airbags optional
Value: Performance:
Overall rating:
Subaru Liberty B4
One from left field, but the new high-performance all-wheel drive twin-turbo has loads to offer sports sedan enthusiasts in terms of performance, ride and handling, braking and top-shelf equipment. Need for 98 RON fuel is a downer.
Standard equipment: Climate-control, remote central locking, electric mirrors/ windows, six-speaker single-disc CD stereo, 60/40 split-fold rear seat, leather upholstery, sports seats with electric controls, 17-inch alloys, front foglights, alarm
Safety features: Dual front airbags, ABS, lap-sash belts all seats, front seatbelt pretensioners
Value: Performance:
Overall rating:
Mitsubishi Magna SportsVR-X
The other significant Aussie-made sports sedan can't match Ford and Holden in straight-line performance but nonetheless provides an absorbing drive. Things change next year when an all-wheel drive Magna debuts with at least 180kW.
Transmission: Front-wheel drive, five-speed manual, five-speed auto
Turning circle: 11.2m
Standard equipment: Air-conditioning, remote central locking, electric mirrors /windows, cruise control, four-speaker single-disc CD stereo, skiport, sports seats, bodykit, 17-inch alloys, front foglights, alarm
Safety features: Dual front airbags, ABS, lap-sash belts all seats
Value: Performance:
Overall rating: 1/2
Second opinion
Campbell Potts
Real estate agent
Clifton Hill, Melbourne
HE has an EL Ford Futura in the garage as well, but Campbell Potts is not an avid Blue Oval fan. Far from it.
He would have bought a Subaru Impreza WRX if he did not have children to lug and, as a consequence, a requirement for lots of interior room and boot space.
And he drove the Falcon XR8 and Commodore SS (VX Series I) back-to-back before making a decision.
"I took them both on fairly at-the-limit test drives and the chassis and the handling of the Ford is just far, far more enjoyable as a driver's car in my opinion," says Potts.
"The Commodore, to me, felt a little bit jumpy at the back on rough roads at the limit, around corners, whereas the Ford just sits down and hangs on. "
Potts feels the XR8 has more usable torque at low revs, making it simple -- and fun -- to drive around the suburbs, and he prefers the Falcon's automatic transmission to the Commodore equivalent, which he says kept shifting "up and down like a bride's nightie".
He believes Ford does a better job distinguishing the appearance of its sports sedans from the less-expensive "cooking" models.
The Momo steering wheel/gearshifter and optional leather seats were added to further separate Campbell's XR8 from a standard Falcon, though he notes that only the centre inserts in the seatback and squab are leather.
Yet the bottom line, and one which justifies the decision time and again, is bang for the bucks.
"If you were to go to the core essence of the car, which is its performance -- everything else is standard Falcon -- I think it actually delivers a lot for the extra cost if you are prepared to make the compromises in terms of ride quality and a bit of noise," he says.
Thats three articles on 220 XR8, and all have been positive. :rocking:
I think Drive also did a review and gave it 3 outta 5 stars :thumbdown :thumbdown
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1993 ED XR6 M5 (1 of 329)
Polynesian Green
Turbo on the way!!
1993 EBII Fairmont (Now wrecking, PM if you want any parts)
1988 Nissan R31 Skyline
The stars didn't come across in my above post. The Australian gave it an overall 4 1/2 stars out of 5, so it was a great result. Value and performance got 4 out of 5 each.
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