17 May, 2008
62 Comments 
In this video we see a performance demonstration of the launch control feature on the new Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo manual model.
The launch control system works by holding the revs at 3500rpm and deactivating two of the cylinders which are instead used to spool the turbo to reduce lag at take-off.
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May 17th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Well bugger me, I just mentioned this vid on the “FPV First Steer” blog.
Vote:May 17th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Ford have nailed it with the FG Turbo….it will define it’s own legend. I’ve got a BA XR6T and it’s quite a good unit, but geez this new one is something else. Launch control is spectacular, but you’d probably be thrown in the clink and have your car squashed into a small metal cube if the coppers caught you using it….
Vote:May 17th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
lol nice work the watto_cobra after u said bout it on the “FPV First Steer” blog i went on youtube on it then came bak on then this was up hahaha
Vote:May 17th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Awsome car, All for $45k, they will sell like hotcakes,instant classic car, well done Ford.
Vote:And will blow a HSV GTS, so HSV go blow me.
Lets face it , you only buy a V8 for the sound now…..
May 17th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Gotta be quick Name (Required), haha. Launch control looks good, but I’m lazy now, I’ll have the ZF 6-speed.
I6orNothing, I agree it’ll become a cult car. The last and best Australian engine is getting a great swansong.
I may be proven wrong, of course, but I doubt the TT Duratech will match the last I6 XR6T/F6.
One of the many reasons I’ve decided on an FG F6.
Vote:May 17th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
lol i got my P’s 2 weeks ago lol
Vote:my learner car was a xr6t 5spd man
but i like my car 2000 au classic auto fun times
May 17th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
I test drove the FG G6E Turbo today….WOW. The boost comes on so much stronger than my old BA XR6T. Trac Cont onand the wheels would struggle to keep traction. Trac Cont off however and first and second drifts. The dealership was quite busy with people waiting to test drive after me. Pity though no XR6T at all until July….Overall very impressed with the G series, quality and finishes above the VE. Even the handbrake has a nice leather cover unlike the VE’s dicky little lever…not as roomy as the VE but alot more cumfy. Almost signed for a FG XR6T auto, premium sound for $48000 drive away but want to test drive manual before ordering. This video may help my decision.
Vote:May 17th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Actually one last interesting note…the dealership has sold 10 FG XR8 Utes and a few sedans. Apparently not as many turbos sold…I didn’t get to drive the XR8 but it did sound nice driving by.
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 1:46 am
Wowaweeewa!! I’m going for a test drive this wednesday, its all booked and i cant wait!!! That sounds tough on the 3500 limiter, sounds like its being hammered but its obviously not.
I imagine quite a few people are going to be using that on the way to the shop just for the sake of showing off that they’ve got launch control.
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Shane,
48K drive out?
thats not a bad price on the road with those few extras.
I’d really like to see a video of the Auto beside this as well as someone in a manual not using launch control to see a direct comparison
this launch control sounds like a hell of a lot of fun
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Nothing bad can come of this. I’m a long time Holden supporter, but i have endless respect for Ford’s recent offerings. Technically, they are a masterpiece.
I still think styling wise they are a generation behind the Holden’s. But this XR6 Turbo is something else. Almost back to the 2002 days again when the turbo was the way to go for performance.
But competition can only be a good thing, i can’t wait to see Holden’s retaliation to this.
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 10:39 am
TOM; ANDREW M;
Vote:Hey it was great reading of DRIVE liftout in yesterdays SMH paper. They said that the Falcon in the models they tested makes an excellent case for Holden supporters to jump ship for first time in like ages and ages (or words closely aligned to these). I think Ford have got it right and to all who think that the new Falcon is too similar to BF…..smidgeon agree but after sighting one I can say no way and new Falcon has slick lines now and is sharp as a tack for cute looking. The other thing that stuck out to me is the whole car gels really well and great model differentiation as one goes up range!
May 18th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
hmmm funa at the traffic lights hey
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
cant wait to see it leave a
W427 looking like its a W253
LOL
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
I dont get this two cylinder deactivating thing? How does turning off two help spool the turbo?
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
I read somewhere that it’s meant to be used very rarely.
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Sounds good, but personally i believe that anyone buying an GF XR6 turbo is absolutely mad if they don’t go with the ZF auto! It’s just such a more complete car with that little box ticked.
As a dedicated holden mad, i must admit, the FG XR6t is a jewel. Holden sucessfully countered the BF XR6t with the VE SS which i and many others believe is a better car, however ford have most definetly counter pounched with the FG XR6t. It will be VERY interesting to see what holdens reaction will be come VE series II.
Who said the performance car industry in australia is dead! No matter which side your on you just have to love it!
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
please excuse my two spelling errors in last post, GF XR6t was obviously meant to be FG, and pounched, i meant punch. appologies
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Max, from my understanding, it cuts spark and opens the valves on two of the cylinders, letting the air flow straight through because a piston engine is really just an air pump, which gets the turbo (which is now smaller) spinning, therefore much less turbo lag.
Fantastic idea. That sentence was a bit long tho, lol.
Also, on the autos, during full throttle acceleration gear changes, spark is briefly cut to three cylinders, dropping the torque for a fraction of a second, allowing faster and smoother gear changes. Must be a part of why the XR6T/G6ET is nailing 5.1’s in auto form.
Richo, I agree there. SS is good cheap power (why else did it win BFYB 2 years in a row). Me being on the blue side, thank god we have an answer (at least til 2010 :-( )
And I definitely will have the “ZF” box ticked.
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
While the XR6T offers a good alternate to the VE, its not like the SS is a generation behind or anything (ie, the xr8), the Ford is just packing more firepower. Everything else in the Commodore is up to scratch, and another 20kw would even the cards out.
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Looks QUICK. Sounds like crap though (when at standstill)
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Trying to hijack a non-toyota topic TP just like your beloved Dingo; as you know nothing about any other car apart from Toyota and are going through withdrawal as ther hasnt been a story on Toyota on this site for a whole 2 days – must be hard..
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
TP, it sounds like that because it’s hitting an artificial 3500rpm rev limiter. If I heard that next to me at the lights, knowing what I know now about it, I’d think “well, I won’t even bother trying, cause I’ll be eating dust!”
Not that I’m into stop light drag races, still damn impressive.
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Quote from Junes motor magazine
“Seriously. Why any Motor read would buy a dull-sounding, Ill-geared Commodore Sv6 or an uninspired, personality deprived Aurion Sportivo over the new Falcon XR6 is purely down to brand bias.”
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
TW, when it comes to base models, I think a person would be mad to choose Omega with its wheezy/gruff Alloytec V6 and 4-speed auto over XT. For hot versions, those Chev V8 are hard to beat. Thankyou FordOZ for I6 turbo.
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
TW, those comments are a bit out of context mate, its worthwhile reading the whole article… i think the falcon XR6t is a fantastic car, but its not head and shoulders above the VE commodore and after reading the same june motor mag i can tell you neither do they!
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
TP,
do you know what a rev limiter is? let alone ever heard one in action?
Question guys,
Vote:is there a launch control button, or does the vehicle sense that it is revving whilst the vehicle is not moving?
May 18th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Andrew.M, there is no button. You just hold the clutch in 1st, flatten the throttle, the electronics do the rest.
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Launch control is a good thing, although should be able to be turned off and on. Being on all the time is annoying for some. Things like this should be at the driver’s discretion.
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Looks awesome, but id be worried that some kid gets to take his dads XR6T out with his mates and kills it(the box/clutch/diff etc) or himself….. I am a massive fan of the ZF 6spd, thats what i’d take…
Blue Blood, I almost wet myself with your reference to the W253, or 2-fluffy-3 as i like to call them…
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
i can only see the problem as being a problem for people who want to do burnouts, because they won’t be able to dial up enough revs! But i bet everyone $100 the primary reason ford introduced this was to stop wankers dialing up 6000rpm and dumping the clutch on the thing! this way, ford prevents warranty claims which they KNOW is due to vehicle abuse but cannot prove, plus they get a handy marketing tool
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
What other cars have launch control other than the ford falcon range?
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Good point there Richo, I hadn’t thought of that.
Not sure Duck, I think it is the first Aussie car with it (well why would Toyota need it???)
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
In answer to your question Duck, I read somewhere that the previous gen BMW M3 with the cracker 6 cylinder had a ‘hidden’ launch control feature – it supposedly had a complex procedure to set it off (punching traction control buttons on and off a few times) and it was also rumoured to void the warranty after use. Anybody able to shed light on whether this was fair dinkum or not?
Back on topic, the XR6T will be marvellous – I am guessing it will be pretty much world class. Shame it is only us who get it – I wonder if Ford would be able to export a few to the UK (or alternatively the FPV variants) to compete with the Vauxhall Holdens out there? Prove how good they are on the world scale. I know this is an old argument and unlikely to happen, but it seems selfish keeping them just for ourselves :)
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Jenny Talia – as Watto illuded to the launch control is control is controlled by a computer sensor which is activated when the car is in first gear.
If you don’t want to use it simply star off in second and bunny hop off the line.
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
or don’t flatten the throttle
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
well basically, anyone who wants more then 3000rpm to take off either can’t drive or wants to do a burnout! Simple as that really, and i would suggest that if you would want to do a burnout in a 45k motor car then your a tool
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
True that Richo – then again, last week some guy had the law confiscate his $200k old Falcon for burnouts…each to their own I guess
Vote:May 18th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
BOSSCR, I once had a two fluffy three with traumatic. Moons ago, of course. Never heard them called that before.
Vote::)
May 18th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Ahhh Golfie, that must have been many moons….. ;-)
Vote:May 19th, 2008 at 4:33 am
Duck,
BMW M5/6 have a version of launch control
Vote:May 19th, 2008 at 8:49 am
I assume most have read the article about the VW Gold with the 1.4 Turbo/Supercharged motor and how it matches the 2 litre Turbo engine.
Now imagine a 3.5 litre duratec motor with twin turbos, direct injection and a supercharger and then tell me that it want match if not surpass the current FG XR6T. Will Ford do it? I bet they are already testing this configuration.
So don’t be so down about the retirement of probably the best muscle car (and I believe globally as a production car) currently (dollar per litre) in the world.
You have to be proud of Ford Australia when it comes to being ennovating.
Vote:May 19th, 2008 at 8:51 am
“So don’t be so down about the retirement of probably the best muscle car (and I believe globally as a production car) currently (dollar per litre) in the world.”
I meant the I6 turbo engine. Sorry people.
Vote:May 19th, 2008 at 8:54 am
“Also, on the autos, during full throttle acceleration gear changes, spark is briefly cut to three cylinders, dropping the torque for a fraction of a second, allowing faster and smoother gear changes.”
Watto_Cobra, Based on that little bit of info, I think I’ll be ticking the box of the ZF 6sp for sure. Sounds like they’ve really crossed the t’s & dotted the i’s this time round. I have read in the various mag’s that the 80-120km/h time is 3seconds. How good is that? Very few sub 50K cars in the world can claim that, let alone cars
Vote:May 19th, 2008 at 8:56 am
^ Should read at the end …”
Vote:May 19th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Sorry for this, but I’ve been cut off at the knees again…I’ll spell it out this time:
Very few sub 50K cars in the world can claim that (ie 3s for 80-120km acceleration), let alone cars sub 150K
(must be the less than symbol killing it)
Vote:May 19th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Interesting bit of news, was speaking to a holden dealer sales manager today (he’s a client at the company i work) and he told me that he believes holden are NOT going to copy ford with regard to a turbo 6 as holden feel that their performance market is linked too heavily with V8’s and as such holden are quite happy to let ford have domination of the turbo 6 market as they currently have domination of the V8 market (and in 2007 holden sold more V8’s then they ever have before in their history! who said people aren’t buying these gas guzzling dinosaurs?)
Makes sense really, holdens performance car marketing is dominated by their V8 supercar involvement, so a turbo 6 from a marketing point of view probably doesn’t make that much sense for holden. In other words, the battle lines have now been redifined, its now not only holden vs ford, its now also V8 vs turbo 6!
Vote:May 19th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
To disable launch control, one simply needs to turn off the traction control – easy system hey?
Vote:May 19th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Mental note: don’t be tempted to buy a demo XR6T manual in green.
Vote:May 19th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Ford usually destroy their press fleet when they are finnished with them do they? or do some poor suckers buy them? bloody hard luck if you’ve got one!
Vote:May 19th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
How long before it will start to fall apart I wonder?
Vote:May 19th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
A lot longer than a TRD Aurion!
And thats not (just) a jibe at the Aurion’s quality problems, but more a statement about a full factory engineered car vs a low budget/volume kit car.
Vote:May 19th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
To answer that persons question about launch control… alot of wrx/sti’s have been cruising around with it for years as part of the ecutek chip (they dont come standard with it). Launch it up to 5500rpm and drop the clutch – no traction control needed as its awd. Not recommended to do this to often due to clutch/gearbox wear but when they get it right it takes some decent power to pull them back in!
Vote:May 19th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Max, everyone knows a WRX and EVO launch hard when you abuse it like that, but most people with half a pounds worth of intelligence knows that this is not the way to treat a car
Vote:May 19th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Ross,
so if you disable the traction control on the falcon, it will also disable the launch control?
thanks for that mate.
Richo,
i think they may destroy the press fleet, as they are usually pre production mules.
my local dealer told me that all the utes around at the moment are hybrids/mules that are tacked together and usually start to fall apart once they have toured the country.
and how could he be so sure? because ute production doesnt start till this month.
the same would go for pre production sedans that were around.
Trackdaze
QUOTE…………
“Mental note: don’t be tempted to buy a demo XR6T manual in green.”
Yeah but I do you a good price……..
Vote:May 19th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Launch Control TP – 1st gear a FLAW it. Ha Ha :)
Vote:May 20th, 2008 at 12:17 am
I wonder if Ford Australia will follow Bmw’s footsteps and void the drivetrain warranty after so many launch control uses.
Vote:May 20th, 2008 at 6:42 am
I used to work in Marketing at Ford Motor Company…. never ever buy an ex Motor company performance car.
Vote:May 20th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Bet Ross would drive around with no traction control on like me,nanny controls!!!!pfttt. Learn to drive if you want to launch a car correctly,I think its made for those people that want a performance car but cant get the true performance out of it cause they cant drive.Wheelnut said his boss has a GT and regularly gets nailed at the lights cause he cant launch it!Clearly they shouldn’t be driving a performance car in the first place. I look at the tacho when I launch and change gear,nothing worse than being flung through the windscreen in a GT if your not looking at the taco cause the rev limiter is pretty savage.
Latest BMW M3 has been destroyed cause of all the gimmicks,made for the Americans who only know how to drive in a straight line..hahaha
Vote:May 20th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
BM,
but if you turn off the launch control, i would assume you would lose the anti lag technology too.
the dedicated 2 cylinders that spool the turbo on take off wouldnt be isolating themselves to the chore of spooling if you turn off launch control i assume???
Vote:May 20th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
no name,
thats right.
just Flaw it and hold on to the Ruth
Vote:May 20th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Bill B?…OH MY GOD!! Not BILL BOURKE???
Vote: