Galan

Well,
I was test driving a GT today at the dealer who sold me the TE. I let my sales guy know why I wasn't going to buy one (Marriage, Falcon interior) and told him I was probably going to wait and go for a 6-speed auto XR6-T. Well, out popped a shiny little titbit...

"the next version of the XR6-T is rumoured to be 290kw"

Nice! That would mean the T5 would be given the flick so it would be a choice between a good-shifting auto or a good-shifting manual!

Makes sense when you consider how broadly Motor hinted that the XR6-T would have won Performance Car of the Year had it had an acceptable shift quality.

Now, who do we vote for P.M. David Flint or Geoff Polites????

DansEdgli

Wont that just completely **** over the current gt owners with a car that is about $20k less. There will be more unhappy people than now with their TS50's which all of a sudden became massly underpowered.
I dont know if i believe that one. Would be nice tho. Imagine what the next gt will become!!!

Dan

AUForte

I really hope Ford don't, although they don't really have a great track record in this area lately.

How would the BA GT and GT-P owners feel when their power output is matched by a 6 with snail?

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Dual Fuel 10/98 AU1 Forte

Galan

It's starting to get crowded at the Top of the Ford Performance heap :-)

The weird thing is that I can't see 'em squeezing much more out of the 5.4L Boss. Though the rumoured GT-HO is rumoured to be supercharged. Meaning the sky's the limit - if you have the dollars...unlike me!

Maybe they'll blow the GT and drop the GT-HO idea?

You're right - it's not clear how a 290-T would fit into the lineup.

Here's my suggestion...based on absolutely nothing!
XT/XR - 200kw (XR6's are selling their arses off)
XR6-T - 250kw (but no extra torque so it keeps the T5)
XR8 - 290kw
GT-6cyl Turbo - 290kw
GT-HO - 8cyl, supercharged for 330kw

Drop the daft GT-P because they can afford to have the Fairmont interior in the GT anyway now they are using the cheaper Turbo engine.

AUForte

Hmmm I can't help but notice the absence of a GT V8 N/a, which it what the GT was all about.

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Dual Fuel 10/98 AU1 Forte

Galan

The key word in your reply is "WAS".

With the Turbo 6 threatening the best naturally aspirated 8's at an all-Australian designed and built cheaper price, things are set to change. If you doubt this then take a look at http://www.airpowersystems.com.au/falcon/xr6turbo.htm

Then take a look around the world for a high performance V8 under 200k Australian. It's a lot easier to find fast Turbo sixes unless your looking at Maserati/Ferrari prices.

I hope I'm wrong - I love my V8s and the GT I drove today was a blast, but not to the point where I'm going to tolerate being laughed at by people in cheaper, faster, better handling, more economical cars that can be aftermarket modified for even better results with a lot less dollars than V8 mods cost.

AUForte

True but I don't think it's time yet to retire the N/A V8

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Dual Fuel 10/98 AU1 Forte

Galan

Definately not retire - but it wouldn't fit well into the GT lineup if there was a 290kw XR6 available for under 50 grand!

I'm just kicking the possibility around that's all...

IAN SCHMIDT

FROM A DEALER TEST DRIVE COME FORMAN AT ONE LOCAL DEARLER UP HERE THERE IS A 290 KW PROGARM SITTING IN SOMEONES LAP TOP A FORD IN MELBOURNE TO BE USED LATER THEY ARE TYING TO GET IT FOR ME

Galan

Ahhh - the rumour gains momentum first day out...interesting.