I test drove a BA XT 5.4 Manual - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

chevypower · 10-27-2003, 04:18

Ok I had driven the XR8 manual before, and plenty Gen 3s, Windsors, Holden 5 liters, and other stuff... I was pretty desperate to drive the 220kw version of the 5.4 I have also driven the 182kw

I LOVED IT!!! which i found amazing, cos it doesnt look or feel sporty, but you can definately feel muscle. I had the dealer enjoying himself, and another customer asked if he could come too, and when i tried to pull out on to the main road, the car barely moved while the rear rubber turned to smoke. You can plonk the smooth-shifting 5 speed in any gear and she will get up and go. I LOVED how it wound up in 2nd!

The roar of the Barra 220 is good enough for me, and sports exhaust would make it even nicer. I hope i have given a good enough description here for anyone who cares.

This was also fitted with the alloys, rear spoiler, and not sure if it was lowered. It didnt look silly, so it probably was.

Worthy contender for the SV8? Well i havent driven that, but I would assume it is.

laminge · 10-27-2003, 04:23

Sounds like you had fun and the dealer wondering how long it would take to scrub the lines off the road!

Perana XR8 · 10-27-2003, 04:39

Yeah the Barra 220 is a very underrated engine. Its a pity Ford dont do an XR with this engine and a sports exhaust for a bit more power and make it a bit cheaper than the XR8 say around 42k. I know this puts it in XR6T territory but there are a lot of people that will always want an 8 over a six.

chevypower · 10-27-2003, 05:12

Perhaps they should drop the N/A XR6 (not helping the image of the Turbo)
insert a Falcon S220? Mr. Polites? What do you think?
(sports exhaust and new mods for BAII will take it to 230 or 240)

so Falcon XT, S240, Fairlane G240, XR8 and LTD should have Boss280
GT/GTP 320

blackout · 10-27-2003, 05:21

I dont think the XR6 Turbo would lose its XR6 prefix.

But on another note, it'd be nice to see even the optioned up Falcon XT 5.4 220 done up in the following way:

No bodykit,
Lowered - lots
18-19" rims
Exhaust
Dark tint.

I think something that I like with originality is when people do things not everyone else has done (eg, buy an xr8)

Ive seen vt commodores around, very low with big rims etc.. and they look a treat with no spoiler n such..

But thats my preference.

EAFGhia · 10-27-2003, 16:47

With the amount of NA XR6's that are getting around I woudn't think that it will be dropped in a hurry. what they could do is release an XR8 with the 220, bodykit suspension and have an affordable XR8 and a BOSS XR8.

Brent-EA Ghia · 10-27-2003, 16:57

silly question but when u mention NA XR6, what does the NA stand for?

rod c · 10-27-2003, 17:08

Naturally Aspirated. Meaning self induction (standard engine), not forced induction (turbo).

TurboDOHC · 10-27-2003, 17:15

yeah Motor mag sure did enjoy booting around the XT 220 V8 in there BFYB competition. From all reports, firmer suspension- XR6 level), a bit more power (and rev limit) and better body control and it would absolutely rock

Perana XR8 · 10-27-2003, 17:17

Naturally Aspirated. meaning that it has the Barra 182 motor not the Turbo