Ford XR8; Review

 

Those who know me will tell you that I'm pretty passionate about motorsport. I view it on television as often as time will allow and regularly attend race meetings. I was lucky through the last season of summer motorsport, I saw two meetings at Ruapuna and travelled to Timaru and Manfeild.

Although I view single-seater racing as the epitome, I can't help but get excited with the New Zealand V8 touring cars, an offshoot of the Australian Supercar series which pits Holden's Commodore V8 against Ford's Falcon V8.

Each marque has had various rates of success and both series are fuelled by the passion Ford and Holden buyers generate. And there are plenty of road-going models in the showrooms to symbolise those on track.

Take Ford, for example. They have a fabulous Ford Performance Vehicles programme which engineers high powered engines into the Falcon body and with special suspension and cosmetic treatment the cars aren't that dissimilar to those on the racetrack. However, for those who can't stretch to the entry-level FPV at $77,590, Ford fans shouldn't be disappointed, the venerable Falcon XR series is still around.

The latest XR variant to come my way was the XR8 and, as its name suggests, it is V8-powered and packs a fair punch in terms of power and performance. I've written several times before about the origin of the quad-camshaft Ford V8, its US source and hand-built assembly in Australia is truly a story of unheralded success.

In XR8 form Ford rate the 5.4-litre V8 at 260kW (5250rpm), and with a hearty 500Nm of torque available at 4000rpm there is an abundance of power just waiting to be unleashed, and when it is the Falcon will surge to 100kmh from a standstill in 7.1sec and will make 120kmh from 80kmh in a fabulous 4sec.

A deep V8 rumble characterises the surge of power and it echoes through the cockpit in a tone that wills the driver, it has true V8 sound and is an absolute joy to listen to; especially, as engine revolutions rise, it howls and growls substantially, the purist will not be disappointed.

Consider, though, that the V8 engine is largely unstressed, such is its desire to work at low speed, in normal driving conditions the rev counter barely hovers over 2300rpm, at which time it is operating reasonably efficiently providing realistic fuel usage returns.

According to the on board trip computer my city/highway average was a respectable 13 litres usage per 100km (21mpg). Instantaneous readouts of 10.8l/100km at 100kmh (26mpg) was also far from disgraceful, the key for this respectability is largely thanks to the new ZF transmission Ford have fitted to the XR8, other Falcon models and, incidentally, the Territory.

The new six-speeder has transformed these models and not only provide the smooth sophistication buyers expect from today's automatic gearboxes, the ratios are designed to ease engine stress, the gaps between gears short and engine power filling the gaps easily.

The engine/gearbox combination works in complete harmony to provide shock-free driveline operation at slow and stop-start motoring. On the open road the engine turns over ever so slowly at 1600rpm in sixth helping provide the economy I mentioned before.

As the XR8 is encouraged to move quickly it also handles with all the expectation of a performance car. Riding on wide and low profile performance rubber (Dunlop Sport, 245/40 x 18in), the XR8 has prodigious grip, and with well firmed fully independent suspension it puts power to ground perfectly, bearing in mind that the Falcon is traditionally rear-wheel-drive, offering the purist form of handling prowess.

Electronic traction control devices are linked to the ABS system, so sending that amount of power down the driveshaft is well controlled, rear end breakaway can be encouraged with TCS turned off but even then oversteer can be easily controlled, I must admit it is rather tempting to try every now and then.

While the XR8 has wonderful power and performance, it must be remembered it isn't a performance car in the true sense of the word, it is Falcon-based and firstly it is the large, comfortable car in which to travel. It represents all of the ingredients that Falcon buyers know and love so well with a few extra goodies to tempt the sporty buyer.

At $64,290 it lists towards the top of the Falcon price range, but comes with a good level of specification which includes air conditioning, fully electric operating systems including seat height adjustment, cruise control, variable intermittent wipers, leather-wrapped steering wheel on tilt and reach-adjustable column, central locking with remote and nice sounding six-disc audio.

Safety features include no fewer than six air bags and five full overshoulder seat belts.

It's not hard to be enthused by the XR8, it looks purposeful and is a very capable all round family car, bearing in mind it is also a better value-for-money package in BF Falcon form.