- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
4.0T, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
270kW, 533Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 12L/100KM
- Manufacturer
RWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo quick spin review
The car: Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo
The price: From $42,990 plus on-road costs.
Vitals: 4.0-litre six-cylinder turbo; 270kW and 533Nm; 6-speed manual ; 12L100km; RWD
What is it?
The final expression of Ford's XR6 Turbo, a force-fed tribute to local know-how that has haunted the dreams of Holden's V8 faithful since 2002.
What it isn't?
The fastest, most powerful Ford on sale. That honour goes to the new XR8, which has considerably more muscle thanks to its 335kW supercharged V8 engine.
What does it say about me?
That you want a Falcon and love the punch of a performance engine but aren't prepared to shell out an extra $10,000 for the faster XR8.
Who else is buying it?
Police are likely to be high on the list, as the XR6 Turbo has been a popular platform for highway patrol officers for several years.
What colours does it come in?
There are a choice of eight tones including the new Victory Gold hero hue, blazing Emperor Red or the bright Kinetic Blue of our test example which feels appropriate on the last Australian-built Falcon.
If it were a celebrity, who would it be?
Retired formula one racer Ralf Schumacher. Talented in their own right, but outshone by a famous bigger brother and with their best days behind them.
Why would I buy it?
Because it's big, goes hard, and represents the end of an era for the brand in Australia. It also holds a 94 kilogram weight advantage over its bigger brother that gives it a lighter nose, making it slightly sweeter to steer.
Does it cost too much?
Ford's price is not too bad in the face off competition, but you could save several thousand dollars buying one of the reigning examples of its mechanically identical predecessor, which has to be worth consideration.
Will I get a deal?
Not at first, as the FG X Falcon is a very new thing. But there may be bargains to be had once dealers are willing to let go of demonstrators.
Will it get me noticed?
New styling at the front and rear, along with LED headlamp accents make the FG X stand out compared with previous Falcons. A subtle body kit and handsome 19-inch alloy wheels in a new design help get the job done, making sure the XR6 will never be mistaken for a standard model.
Any gadgets I can brag about?
Standard equipment includes a reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors, along with an updated infotainment system with Ford's second-generation Sync suite of voice activated features.
How's the cabin ambience?
Been in a taxi lately? It might sound harsh, but you'll be in familiar territory inside the XR6. Sure it has cloth-trimmed sport seats in place of a cab's easy-wipe vinyl pews but the basics are the same. The Falcon also has one of the worst driving positions on the road, with a high chair, low steering wheel and lack of adjustment that limits its appeal.
What's the stereo like?
A new touch screen dubbed Human Machine Interface is easy to navigate and has most of the functionality you could expect from a modern unit. But the sound it emits is disappointing, with a lack of depth and clarity not helped by considerable road and tyre noise that drones into the cabin. Ford has an optional 150 watt amplifier and subwoofer that may improve things.
Does it go?
Unequivocally, yes.
Ford's 4.0-litre turbo six is a modern gem, with a rich vein of torque that shames many V8s. Tractable and refined around town, the XR6 takes on a different character when driven hard, surging towards the redline with a heady turbo rush. It's not a particularly refined thing - our manual test model offered the odd bump, thump and vibration during a spirited drive - but it is quick. We extracted a 0-100km/h time of 4.9 seconds from its identically-powered predecessor at Eastern Creek, a time not to be sneezed at.
Does it like corners?
The XR6 Turbo is a pleasure to punt, with predictable dynamics and fine body control for a large sedan. It doesn't quite have as much grip as the XR8 (which has wider rear tyres), but its 19-inch Dunlops do an admirable job of keeping it pointed in the right direction.
What about bumps?
The big bird rides well, with a slightly firm edge designed to help control body roll. Poise is more of a prioirity in the sporty Falcon than a cushy ride – for that there is the more luxurious G6E Turbo sedan.
What about service stations?
Not a strong suit. Big cars with big power tend to produce big fuel bills, and that's definitely the case here. Drive cautiously and you'll approach its official 12L/100km figure; push harder and that will go closer to 20l/100km.
Would you buy one?
I thoroughly enjoyed the Falcon's purebred motor on a snaking route south of Sydney, but the rest of the package falls short for me. Ford's wheel-in-the-lap driving position is almost unforgivable, and I don't like that the XR6 missed out on the FPV-spec underpinnings that went into the XR8.
What else should I consider?
Holden's Commodore SS is an obvious rival, as is the XR8. Thinking outside the box, Volkswagen Golf GTI or Ford Focus ST hot hatches offer similar driving thrills for around the same money but come at the expense of cabin space.
The Spin:
The best ever Falcon...
The Translation:
... should have been better.