Comments on: 2008 Ford FG Falcon XR8 specifications

By: Carfanatic

Carfanatic — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 06:36:00 +0000

Can you not get one from the states? I know it might cost a bit more ( although the US is pretty crap so you might get a bargain). But at least you get the motor you want.

By: sol

sol — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 05:29:26 +0000

In 5 years time when the XR6T is in need of constant attention at the workshop the XR8 will still be motoring on and worth a few dollars to boot.

By: Cobralover

Cobralover — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 10:47:36 +0000

I am building an AC Cobra kit car designed to use 5.4 litre ford. Because of stupid RTA emmission regulations I am required to use FG engine which of course are not available at this stage. Does anyone know if the BF engine can be reprogrammed to suit Euro 4 regulations or point me to a website that will give me that info. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

By: Jp

Jp — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 09:37:52 +0000

Duck – I have sat in 3 different VE’s, all were poorly built, all had a rough ride, and the 2 of which that I drove (Omega and SS) were the most unimpressive machines I have been in. The 6.0L in the SS was athsmatic and wouldnt give me 0-100 in less than 6 seconds, and I can pull consistent 5.5’s in the XR8, and the 6speed auto was pathetic, didn’t even know what gear to select on a 20%-WOT tip in at 40km/h (took 4 gearchanges before it finally decided that 3rd was the best gear, when 2nd clearly was). Seats were comfy, and the handling was good in the SS, but the Omega’s had more body roll than an 80’s volvo estate, and the 4sp auto as used by ford in an EB falcon was pathetic. Build quality was pathetic, and the books quoted towing capability of 2100kg is pushing it as it struggled to get over Mt. Macedon with that load (trans temps went throught the roof trying!), while the base Ford with the 5sp auto got up in 4th with 2300 on the back.

And the XR6T is being slightly outsold by the XR8, and will probably continue to do so, as the XR8 has the noise and feel that the turbo doesn’t have, despite its ridiculously quick acceleration.

TP – Equally good 6sp in the Aurion? Are you joking? It is smooth, but it ends there. The tip-shift is a gimmick, as it will happily shift despite what gear you leave it in, and when pushed, it hunts pretty badly, (but not as bad as the 6sp in the SS). And the wiggly prindle is annoying.

By: Lynton

Lynton — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:43:29 +0000

Fred, I would imagine the handling problems with the Ford XR8 compared to the Holden SS is related to the position of the front wheels and overall chassis geometry. The Commodore has a longer wheelbase and has adopted a more “euro” look with the shorter front fenders, etc. The Falcon on the other hand has kept a shorter wheelbase, more akin to the BF, and as a result the engine would sit further over the front wheels compared to the Commodore, and thus understeer is the result.

I would go the XR6T over the XR8. Its 1 second quicker to 100km/h and handles better. Pretty much a no brainer… the V8 would have a wicked sound, and I guess with some aftermarket bits it would go just as quick, but at least with the XR6T you don’t have to spend any extra… :)

By: Phill

Phill — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:57:06 +0000

I seen a red XR8 like the one in the photo today,it looked Awesome much better in the flesh.Gave the guy the thumbs up.

By: Fred

Fred — Fri, 09 May 2008 07:33:08 +0000

Anti-spam is 911GT4. Is there such a car?

Well anyhow, drive.com.au tested the XR8 against the XR6T and Commy SS, and it ended up in last place. The Turbo was almost a second quicker to 100, handles better and uses less fuel. The Ford V8 understeered a lot, thanks to the heavy front. But I’m just wondering why the lower-tech SS, also with a V8, didn’t have major handling problems?

Ford was also on the verge of discontinuing the XR8 altogether, but it may be replaced with a new 5-liter, 3-valve V8 that could also find its way in a new Mustang.

By: jbot

jbot — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:19:45 +0000

TP, the Aurion may be a bit more powerful, but the new Falcon will be a faster car.. even the current Falcon is as fast as your beloved Aurion.

By: TP

TP — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:04:47 +0000

Grant… Toyota beats both, equally impressive 6 speed but more powerful!!!

Id say 2010 would be a reasonable estimate, maybe a tad earlier, they will bring it out when sales drop… right now 4 speed Omegas sell, why would you increases costs for when demand is still their.

By: Duck

Duck — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:01:07 +0000

^I wish it was sooner but i heard that it will be 2010.

By: Golfschwein

Golfschwein — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 07:00:20 +0000

I’d be surprised if the wait goes to 2010, Duck. Sooner, surely?

By: Duck

Duck — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 06:51:05 +0000

Grant, id say a 5 speed auto would come standard on the omega and berlina in 2010 in the VF.

By: Grant

Grant — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:21:07 +0000

the new falcons seem much classier inside. and the thing i like is that all the engines have been updated, and even the cheapest models have a decent engine/gearbox. unlike holdens 4 speed and low output v6. and i’m a holden fan

By: Duck

Duck — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:26:42 +0000

^I meant Holden not Hodden.

Hey Crouchy i dont think there will be a Series 2 VE.

By: Duck

Duck — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:25:21 +0000

Ah. The good old VT/VX (not that old). That was one exceptional car for hodden that they needed.

By: EscortGhia

EscortGhia — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:41:51 +0000

yeah the old man looker at updating the old VS Calais to a ve when it came out but he’s like me don’t like the looks and his Calais goes better than the ve + its on gas he’s waiting to look at a G6E T or XR though hes not shore if he wants a 6T or an 8

By: Crouchy

Crouchy — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:02:53 +0000

Duck, had to take a Berlina for an extended drive when my boss first got his. Have to say I wasnt happy with the quality of the materials or the driving position. Just wasnt impressed with some of the fit and finish (one of the most notable being that handbrake).

Perhaps at the time there was a lot of hype about the VE and I maybe got a little over excited. The falcon just looks extremely comfotable to me.

That said, I am confident the series II will be a much better car. Just think back to the VT and consider the difference between series 1 and the VX series 2. The VE is only going to get better and better where i feel Ford has a tendancy to be a little complacent..

By: AC COBRA

AC COBRA — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:45:47 +0000

I HAVE DUCK, THEY ARE VERY UNCOMFORTABLE COMPARED TO ANY FALCON OVER THE YEARS, ALWAYS HAVE BEEN, HOLDENS ARE KNOWN FOR ROUGH RIDES….

By: BOSSCR

BOSSCR — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:45:16 +0000

BTW, Ive sat in a VE, pretty ordinary feel. Even if the build quality is good, the materials quality is shocking!

By: BOSSCR

BOSSCR — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:43:29 +0000

Ford should do more XR8 promo phots in the red, it looks horny! Cant wait to hear the exhaust, hopefully it’ll sound good enough to sway some XR6T buyers and keep some balance….