2015 Ford Falcon XR8 premieres on October 4

As we know, the new FG X Falcon, a final iteration of an iconic nameplate doomed to die with the closure of Ford Australia’s Campbellfield factory in October 2016, will launch in November. But today’s announcement means diehards will be able to get up-close more than a month early. 

The XR8 will be the star of the show at an event called Outside the Oval, an art and design expo created by staff at the booming Ford Australia-based Design Centre for the company’s Asia Pacific region. It will be the first sanctioned public appearance of the car.

The public debut of the Falcon XR8 showcases Ford’s global design DNA with signature trapezoidal grille, “chiseled” headlight treatment and smoother wrap-around tail-lights with LEDs.

Pictured above is the XR6

As a mark of distinction among the XR series, the XR8 features particular exterior graphics with a sportier front end treatment, as well as a signature bonnet power bulge that has been enhanced for the new model. 

There’s also a specific exhaust system that Ford says will accentuate the raucuous V8 exhaust note.

The reveal of the 2015 Ford Falcon XR8 marks the first time the classic badge has been seen on a new Falcon since 2010.

Pricing and specifications for the entire FG X Ford Falcon range will be revealed closer to its launch and fourth quarter on-sale date, however, the line-up will include a Falcon ute and likely a tweaked version of the supercharged 5.0-litre V8 found in the 351kW/570Nm FPV GT-F and 335kW FPV GT RSPEC.

Pictured above is the G6E

More than 30 bits of artwork will be on show at the event at the 1000 Pound Gallery in Little Lonsdale st in Melbourne CBD. Entry is free. 

The event, normally held internally within Ford and not for public viewing, includes sculpture, 2D paintings and digital art. One artist has even created a full-size clay model of an in-line four-cylinder engine from a Model T. There’s also a ‘body-in-white’ Falcon covered in images of Ford Line workers making the final model. 

Ford Australia design director Todd Willing said the gallery event was the perfect way to celebrate the arrival of the “best-ever” designed Falcon, even if was an unusual move.

“It will also showcase some of the talent pool of model makers, sculptors and fabrication staff we have at Ford,” he said. 

“We’re very proud of the execution of the XR8 – as well as all the entire Falcon range – and we’re proud of the people that engineered and built it. The exhibition will show another side to the Ford Design Team.”