Ford Australia's last Falcon breaks cover

The Ford Falcon XR8 is making a return for the first time since 2010.

We've waited and waited, and finally the new, and last Falcon is finally here - and it comes with an XR8 badge again too.

The last of the iconic Ford performance sedans blends the car's history with Ford's new global design DNA to achieve the development team's goal of creating the best Falcon ever.

See a little 2015 Mustang in the headlights? We do too.

Also joining the new XR8 performance model is the first official image of the refreshed XR6 sedan.

As a mark of distinction among the sporty XR series, the XR8 features strong exterior graphics with a distinct sporty front end treatment, as well as signature bonnet power dome that has been enhanced for the 2014 Falcon XR8. This is complemented by a specific exhaust system tuned for the sporty V8 exhaust note.

The Exterior Design Manager for the new Falcon, Nima Nourian, said the Australian design team drew on all the visual strength of the existing XR series, which provided a perfect canvas to develop the 2014 Falcon XR series.

"The challenge was delivering a powerful, yet premium look for the 2014 car," Nourian said. "I'm proud of the fact that the new Falcon XR builds on an already distinctive design and yet delivers a whole new personality.

"The Falcon is acknowledged as being one of the most iconic Australian sedans available but the 2014 Falcon pushes this theme further forward. Our customers will easily identify the new Falcon by its premium look."

On the sports XR models, the head lamp treatment is a key differentiator, which in past XR models had featured a distinctive sporty quad-head lamp design.

The Ford Falcon XR6

There XR's slim head lamps provide a high-end technical look and feature 'hockey stick'-style LED daytime running lamps that mimic the "double drop" headlight treatment of past XRs. The lens reflectors also get distinctive "XR" shields inset into the overall head lamp design. There are also unique fog lamp bezels.

"With the XR6 and XR8 the front end is not only sporty but has a premium look, which will also be apparent across the Falcon range," Nourian said.

The 2014 Falcon XR8 power dome now extends up to the windscreen cowl to deliver a stronger look. "This look is also found on the Mustang that will arrive next year so it's perfectly in keeping with Ford's V8 performance vehicles," Nourian said.

The strong family resemblance not only links Falcon to the new Mustang but highlights DNA shared with the new Mondeo which joins the line-up in the Australasian market next year.

On the rear, the jeweled split tail-lamps accentuate the car's wide, purposeful stance and smooth exterior lines. The new tail -lamps use LED technology while the new sculpted boot lid has an integrated rear spoiler on XR models. A bespoke lower diffuser on the XR8 houses the round quad exhaust tips and further emphasizes the performance of the XR8 from the rear view.

Ford President and CEO, Bob Graziano, said the XR8 badge was a welcomed return to the Falcon line-up. "We're very excited by the return of the XR8, as this badge has not been seen on a Falcon since 2010," he said. "Our enthusiasts have been asking for it so we've purposely revealed the Falcon XR6 and XR8 first."

The Falcon range will come with a choice of three engines, the acclaimed EcoBoost four cylinder, in-line six or V8 petrol engines.

"Four, six, or eight; our customers will have more choice," Graziano said. "To enhance the choice too, our six cylinder customers will also be able to choose between the locally developed EcoLPi engine or Turbo six cylinder, as well as the naturally aspirated six."
"Quite simply, we think this is the best Falcon ever. I just couldn't be more pleased with what the talented local team's been able to accomplish, I'm really proud of them," Graziano said.

Pricing, features and specifications of the 2014 Falcon will be revealed later this year ahead of the Falcon range and ute going on sale before Christmas.