2008 Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo Review
August 1, 2008 by Matt Brogan
2008 Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo Review & Road Test
Weapon of mass production
Model Tested:
- 2008 Ford FG Falcon XR6 Turbo 4.0 litre auto – $46,990 (RRP)
Options Fitted:
- Prestige Paint $400; XR Luxury Pack $5000
Power & Torque; Predictable Handling; Sweet Exhaust Note
Brake Pedal Feel; Road Noise; No Seat Heaters on Leather
CarAdvice Rating: 
- by Matt Brogan
It’s not often when road testing a car that you’re confronted with “nice car mate” at the lights. Even rarer then to have a bloke run up and kiss your car at an intersection, insist on shaking hands and call you a dead set legend – how flattering! Now sure, he may have been partially inebriated and the lurid green, sorry Dash, paintwork doesn’t exactly do anything to obscure you in a crowd, but this kind of reaction happened all week long … and who doesn’t love that.
But the XR6T isn’t all about ego stroking and big grins – ah, who am I kidding, of course it is! In fact if driving it doesn’t bring a grin to your face then you’re either unwashed, hugging trees and singing Kumbayah around the commune campfire or about to have the paddles placed on your chest, just before they shout “clear”. Yes, it’s that good. In fact, it’s better than good, it’s bloody brilliant. Easily the best value for money performance sedan on the market.
Just $45,000 will see you behind the wheel of an entry model manual XR6T and when all things are considered, you’re really getting a lot of car for the coin. Not only does the new FG series have to be one of the best looking Falcons yet, it’s also the most refined in terms of power delivery and handling that I’m yet to drive, not a bad feat for a locally built sub $50K car.
Now at first a lot of people shrugged off the FG as not different enough, a quick touch up or just plain boring, but to them I say look harder. The lines are so much cleaner, it’s more aggressive, but it’s not over the top with plastic rubbish hung all over. Simply put it has a muscular appeal that makes grown men drool or grunt like Neanderthals, and how many cars can do that these days?
Inside things are basic, but handsome and well laid out and there’s certainly enough technology to make your mates at the footy club green with envy. It’s comfortable, very generous in proportion and has enough adjustment in the driving position, steering column and pedals that even someone as vertically challenged as myself can feel secure and well supported behind the wheel.
yes the SRT’s did not feel good and took a while to bed in!! Your wrong, I was begging you to remove them, not pleading
Now that they have bedded in, they stop and feel better but its main difference is high speed stopping. They bite MUCH harder than custom pads when going 100km+. Stop sitting in your office and eating those donuts you love and go and fix my oil leak!!
Everyone, I am a friend of Peter’s and I recently came back from an overseas trip and he told me about this debate.
I have driven his car with all those modifications mentioned in the previous posts he has written.
I also went myself to my local HSV dealer and I test drove the new R8 and what he says is so true.
His car does handle quite a bit better and is sharper turning in the corners. You can throw it into corners with a lot more control except the IRS is not as good as it is in the VE. I found the ride quite good but the VE is definately better over the bumps but thats because the standard suspension in the VE is soft and the car sits high front and rear. Just as in any holden, its always best to buy the last series of the platform as it will always be the best in all areas and any problems in the previous models are usually ironed out.
VZ r8 seats are definately more supportive than VE and the standard bridgestone tyres in VE are noisy as hell. The VE ute that I have been in that has modified suspension is much better than a standard VE R8 for sure.
the 4 piston brakes are not strong enough to pull up such a heavy car but the 6 pistons on the VZ r8 are so much better that you can’t compare them and pedal feel is not much better than the VZ R8. Its firmer but still lacks feel. the best holden I have been in that has excellent pedal feel is my brother’s VX commodore. He has the standard callipers with DBA4000 rotors and the police spec bendix ultimate pads. His pedal feel is fantastic.
the yokohama advan tyres on his VZ R8 are so much quiter.
Holden still need to do a lot of work to the VE and the 6 speed auto transmission needs to be more responsive and it needs more brains. Holden never get it right in that area where as the ford has.
Overall, the VE is an alright car but it needs a lot of improvements in all areas. If you want a properly engineered car always go german, they usually get it right first time engineering wise.
I find that above debate quite amusing. Cant really say anything pro or con as i have not driven either BUT it is more than likely that a modified VZ R8 would probably be better in the corners etc than a standard e series HSV as holden never get the car right in the first series shape.
The only VE i have driven is a VE omega and they understeer way too much I find too. Interesting to see what the VF update brings.
cheers
Flux capacitator is written by Peter, Contradicting himself again.
DO same mods to a VE and that will handle better
END OF STORY
connor, you are right.
just make sure you put those sway bars as discussed and then I will keep my mouth shut!!
Connor, check out this link. Do that to your car and i guarantee your car will have more power and better handling. We know yours has much better IRS!!!
http://images.google.com.au/im.....n%26um%3D1
I have ordered the updated model hsv coming out in september. Hsv have told me the VE is better in all categories and u cannot compare to a VZ.
If u start upgrading parts in the HSV VE will 10 times better then a VZ.
connor, you don’t know what you are talking about.
With the same parts it will be better. not 10 times better.
Holden still need to do a lot of improvements to the VE.
The VZ was the best they could get it and did a great job.
When the VE platform is about to finish, it will be a big difference between the first VE. Just like the difference between the VT and VZ. same platform, huge difference.
When VE is improved to the max, then I will contemplate in purchasing one.
There is always something holden do the car to improve it where we will never know what the factory has done.
Jeremy i have driven a VZ clubpsort myself and they are quite outdated. They are a great car to drive but its design and elements are from the early 90’s, which sacrifices the cars compatability to perform better then it should. The VE still needs improving but it is a better car then the current VZ in all catergories.It is more refined, steering is better and The IRS is so much better then the VZ and better over the bumps. Obviously the last VE model is going to be better then the first VE just like the VT-VZ models. Holden go forward not backwards.
Me and many people would still rather a VE then a VZ as being a newer and better car. By doing same modifcations to the VE it will better then your’s although it weighs more but it is more balanced then your car. i Think you need to wake up and take a Modified VZ and a modified VE to a track and you will see the results for yourself, Even try googling a comparison between the VZ and VE and you will see. I think you may be jealous because you have an Old 4 speed ticking auto and that your car is not new anymore or that you cannot afford one. This forum is about the Ford xr6 turbo and not hsv.
I agree about the VZ r8 but the VE is definately a better car and is a lot more balanced due to its better weight distribution.
However I would not buy one as holden have a lot of work to do to them.
I have a VZ R8 myself with modified suspension as mentioned in one of the previous posts by peter (he doesn’t quite know what he is saying)
I have the tein coilover at the front. Now, I have driven the new VE r8 and my vz R8 will destroy it on the corners with ease but I know for a fact, do the same mods to the VE, it will be much better again. Steering is sharper in VZ R8 esepecially on turn in.
The VE will be a much better car toward the end of its life before the all new model gets released.
Ve is definately easier to control at the limits thats for sure.
Reason i find my modified VZ is better is because holden worked it for so many years and got it at its best.
Johno does not know what he is saying.At least he has admitted the VE is a better car but then says he would not buy one as it needs more work to be done to perfect it, which is true, but i would still buy a VE as it is better then the VZ model. You cannot compare ur modified suspension to VE r8 hsv standard.What he is meant to say is if the VE had the same modified suspension as the vz u have it will destroy yours. You cannot compare a standard VE against a modified VZ. With the right mods on the VE the steering will be a lot better then an outdated Vz. The reason you find your modifed VZ is better is because you cannot afford the VE. although holden worked on the model for many years does not mean it is better then VE. Holden spent so much more money designing the VE then VT-Vz mode. At the end of the day the VZ is a good car in its time, But the VE is a better car overall. Try comparing a standard VZ r8 against a standard VE r8 and you will see the ve is better, Cannoit compare a modified model against standard!!!!!!!!!!!!
james, i think you need to go to back to school and learn to spell and end sentences properly.
And i can afford a VE but I am going to wait until one of the very last models are made as they will be a big improvement over the current VE.
I still like my VZ. Everyone underestimates it but are always pleasantly suprised how good it really is with those modifications.
I bet james, you drive an outdated torana with only one light working.
haha
will go back to school. you cannot afford a VE you keep bagging it out and keep saying urs is best of the best. its an outdated crapy irs vz hsv with creaks and clunks . I drive a ford g6E and thats a nice car.
These are the cars for life.
Wait till 2011, I6 will receive DIRECT-INJECTION ” i heard! ” and GAS models might make just over 200kW and 400Nm, and petrol version will be able to run on ethanol and petrol making close to 260kW and over 440Nm from N/A stock I6 4.0Liter!!!!
so , keep ya ear out, you might hear this too, i did , as early as December 2008.
Dan
I have forgotten to add, i own a nice 2008 FG XR6 Turbo, did a full tune up, just the ECU, and now this thing makes 336fwkW and 641Nm of torque, that is 270 to 336 and 533 to 641Nm with just the firmware or in other words ECU software upgrade “install” if ya wish. Now it kicks 4.5s 0-100km/h any day 20 times a day consistently!
Sam Field