2008 Ford Falcon Ute and XR6 Turbo Sprung!
June 8, 2007 by Paul Maric
Unlike Holden, Ford seems to be preparing their Falcon Utility to coincide with the release of their new model – codename Orion.
Our spy photographer has sprung the Falcon Ute during testing in an undisclosed location in Victoria’s bushy countryside. Although the photos aren’t quite crystal clear, there is an obvious indication that body size will remain similar to Ford’s currently successful utility range.
The model photographed seems to be a base model with tray attached. It’s also nice to see the Ute decked out with a big set of alloy wheels which – I would think – probably won’t be seen on the ready model.
Click for larger version.
Click for larger version.
Whilst waiting for the Ford Falcon Ute to come past, our sleuth photographer snapped off a few shots of a car we have seen before.
This time around, the car was much closer, revealing some more information about the vehicle’s shape and contours. The front end reveals new sculpting for the fog lights and also some humps on the bonnet…we’ll leave that to your imagination.
Many European vehicles are now fitted with Xenon headlights, it’s unclear whether the Falcon will also feature such a headlight treatment. One thing that is clear though is that the vehicle pictured below has several objects protruding from the headlight assembly, suggesting ad-hoc headlight washers (which are required as ADR for Xenon/HID headlights). And is that a carbon-fibre spoiler fitted to the vehicle pictured? You betch’ya. Will it make it to production? Probably not.
Click for larger version.
Insiders have informed us that the mold featured in the following photo is not representative of the tail-lights. Cladding has been employed to emboss the tail-light surrounding in a bid to throw off onlookers.
The front end close up shot suggests a new fog light arrangement and bonnet contours. The vehicle photographed is probably an XR6 Turbo variant. Our spy photographer has suggested that it was towing a trailer filled with cement and other heavy objects and had a noise reminiscent of the current turbocharged Falcon lineup.
Click for larger version.
Click for larger version.
And finally, the following picture clearly shows the outline of the window. It’s unclear why Ford went to such extremes to pad the C-pillar windows. This photo shots that nothing all too interesting is going on behind there. It is encouraging to see that the old AU rear door frame is gone. There were many complaints about the lack of ease getting in and out of Falcons from the AU – BF, this new door frame will hopefully rectify the issue.
One thing’s for certain, Ford is working hard to ready the Falcon for sale next year. As further news or photos come to hand, you will see them first at CarAdvice.
Remember, if you have any spy photos of Ford’s new Falcon – or any other vehicle for that matter – contact CarAdvice, if the photos are decent, we’re willing to pay cash (more than the major magazines).
Print it: 
BK you seem to be one of these guys who give the rest of us car enthusiasts/street machiners a bad name [in the media].
Unless you got out of your car at the lights; went round and said to the driver of the SV6 [something like] “I’ll give you a race to the next set of lights” to which s/he agreed. Which I doubt you would/did. Then there was no race and so even if you beat the SV6 you didn’t really win anything., in a way you were the loser!
Me
It’s fairly obvious that Ford is DETERMINED to beat Holden in terms of engine output. I mean the new Head at FPV virtually admitted one of his goals is to out do HSV
All I can say is that its a case of History Repeating because back in the 70s Holden was beating Ford.. Ford came up with the idea of the Phase 4.. then a photo of a GT doing 160Km/h plus on a public road made it into the sydney papers which started a “supercar scare”. As a result both the Phase 4 and the GT-X Monaro were canned because these cars were considered to be to powerful for our roads [or our drivers]
So if the new cars are considered to be too powerful; producing 300-400-500Kw it’s quite possible we could see a another scare with a similar result. [Bye bye HSV & FPV]
Yet why is it that inorder to produce more power both Ford and Holden are increasing engine capacity when BMW can get close to 400Kw out of a 4 litre V8 engine?
That would be crap if “Supercar Scare” comes back, but that can also prevent a power war. I’m not so sure if thats good or bad
wheelnut,
it is only really holden who keeps putting on the cubes.
fords new 6cyl is rumoured to have 230kw in stock form so when is holdens 220kw coming? i doubt they will get it out of their current motor.
also what does the torrie get? the same 3.6L?
the V8 power war keeps “see-sawing” so i dont think its fair to say one has always had more than the other. come next year with out a doubt ford will once again have the edge but the question is for how long? 2yrs top before they have to do something about it again
Im still waiting from Holden to build an engine thats better than Fords 4 litre. Ford 6 cylinder da best. New 2008 orion is gonna be the best out there.
im a big holden fan, but yes i agree the ford 6 has so much more power than the holden 6, but i hear that holden is making a new 6 and it wont be as shit as the current 1.. but holden v8 does kill the ford. and that supercar scare shit if they bring that in it will be fukd
Kill the Ford? They yet to finaly upgrade it after it was a killer to HSV at the time the Boss V8 came out.
Ford 4 litre kills holden v8 to and I cant wait till they get that new v6 in the ford falcons in 2010. Who needs V8s just drive a falcon 6 cylinder. Even a 2 litre does a v8 so what is so good about Holden V8.
Hey WHEELNUT
Did the SV 6 VE commodore with ease. It was my mates SV6 Ve that I easily dragged of. He was always wanting to give me a run and guess what the XR 6 shown holden who the BOSS is. I win so holdens lose again. Anybody else out there in a VE SV6 wanna give me a run. I give you a couple car lengths head start. FORD V8s dominate from the 60s to the 80s. FORD 4 litres dominate from the 90s to current. Cant wait for the Orion next year cause its gonna be the best car around in Australia. FORD AUSTRALIA STILL LEAD IN HIGH PERFORMANCE VEHICLES…
Seen the new Falcon today driving along Horseshoebend Road, Torquay at about 1030am. There where two cars following it and one in front of it. Its a great way to get everybodys attention as it did for me. Great camoflauge they use on it but the FORD badges stood out. I bet they be takin it on the Great Ocean road to give it a good run.
Seen the new falcon again today and still it looks better than the VE commodore even with all the camflauge on it. Holden should have spent the billion dollars on camoflauging the VE cause that is one ugly car. Holden VE commodore sales are falling fast for a car thats been out for a short time. Big mistake by holden and a waste of money as Ford always makes the smart moves with there new cars. The 4 litre is king of aussie muscle cars.
Im still waiting from Holden to build an engine thats better than Fords 4 litre. Ford 6 cylinder da best. New 2008 orion is gonna be the best out there.
Looks like they might have to slow the Fords down again soon. Poor old holden can never keep up
Hi BK…
I agree with the 4.0L six is better that Holdenwoo’s playdoh tec. It’s a shame Ford has to use a playdoh engine after 2010, but it will be a fuel effishint motor, so thats a plus.
I HAVE FOUND LLOYD PORT LEWIS, GLORY TO ME I HAVE ACTUALLY FOUND SOMEONE I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR