Turbocharged Falcon deserves international accolades
The Drive team has just taken the new Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo and Falcon XR8 from Melbourne to Brisbane via Bathurst and Sydney as part of our giant 14,000km mega test. The two fastest Ford Falcons - not counting the upcoming FPV versions of the Falcon - were driven back to back with the rival Holden Commodore SS or, more specifically, the slightly better equipped Commodore SS-V.
After more than 2000 kilometres in each car - including some quiet laps around Bathurst’s famous Mount Panorama track - we’ve now got a great understanding of these Aussie muscle cars.
We’re also clear on one thing - the Falcon XR6 Turbo is a winner when it comes to performance, driveability and more.
Our independent performance testing showed the Falcon XR6 Turbo to be quicker than its two V8-powered rivals, the Holden Commodore SS-V and the Ford Falcon XR8 (yes, in some ways the XR8 is a rival to the identically priced XR6 Turbo).
More impressive than the outright performance figures is the way the XR6 Turbo goes about its business in everyday driving, right down to its well balanced driving dynamics and competent cornering ability. The immense 533Nm of torque from the 4.0-litre six-cylinder turbo is so accessible, while working beautifully with the six-speed automatic to our test vehicle. It also sounds great and - as a complete bonus - uses less fuel than the V8s (according to the official fuel figures the XR6 Turbo is around 20 per cent more effecient that its V8 rivals).
The disappointment of the bunch is the Falcon XR8. Sure, it claims 290kW of power, but it doesn’t quite feel like it, something verified with our independent performance testing.
The Holden Commodore SS-V is quicker, and feels it in regular driving.
The scary thing is that Ford engineers claim there is plenty left in the six-cylinder turbo engine when it comes to performance. The imminent arrival of a V6 engine for the Falcon in 2010 means we’re unlikely to see what the Falcon’s turbo is ultimately capable of, but even in its current guise it’s a brilliant thing.
Despite its age, the Falcon’s six-cylinder turbo is a world class engine.
Toby Hagon