Updated XR range including limited Craig Lowndes Ute

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So who is going to buy one of the limited edition lowndes utes

Source GoAuto.com.au

Ford gives Falcon a boost with upgraded XR sedan and ute

By DAVID HASSALL 1 October 2007

WITH Falcon sales continuing to fall, Ford Australia will next month introduce an exterior upgrade to the sporty XR range – less than six months ahead of the long-awaited new-generation ‘Orion’ Falcon.

The exterior changes follow a package of mainly interior changes to XR in July, which saw equipment added while prices dropped by up to 4.3 per cent.

Ford is also bolstering its Falcon ute range by introducing a Craig Lowndes signature edition across the XR ute range that the company claims adds $6000 worth of equipment for just an extra $1000 on the retail price.

On sale from the middle of this month, the “XR by Craig Lowndes” ute will be limited to a production run of 650 units. Pricing will start from $35,620 for the XR6, $41,445 for the XR6 Turbo and $42,595 for the XR8.

The Blue Oval brand is now fending off a double-barrel assault from traditional rival Holden, which last week added the new VE Ute to its already successful Commodore sedan range.

Left: Falcon XR8 and Craig Lowndes with Limited Edition Ute.

Falcon sales are down 23.4 per cent so far this year and, although Ford Australia president Tom Gorman told GoAuto that they are in line with expectations, the company must be concerned that Commodore sales for 2007 are close to double those of Falcon – 40,116 to 22,730 to the end of August.

Ford will introduce the revised XR range and the Lowndes ute at next week’s Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, but the sedans will not reach dealer showrooms until the middle of November.

Although described as “the most significant upgrade to the exterior design of the performance XR models since BF Falcon was introduced” by Ford Australia marketing boss Mark Winslow, only the eagle-eyed will pick the changes at a glance.

The biggest change is to the wheels of the XR8, XR6 Turbo and XR6 fitted with the optional six-speed automatic transmission.

These new wheels, which are a five-spoke 18-inch design with a “shadow chrome” finish and machined face, are optional for the base XR6 manual and four-speed auto models.

Bodywork changes involve new side skirts and matching “mini rockers” built into the front airdam, as well as a revised rear bumper skirt – all with dark colour inserts that match the new wheels.

New exterior mirror shells, also finished in a dark accent paint, complete the new look.

The limited edition “XR by Craig Lowndes” Falcon Ute coincides nicely with the Melbourne’s ace’s recent victory in the Sandown 500 and his attempt next weekend to win back-to-back Bathurst 1000s.

The package includes 18-inch alloys, a one-piece hard tonneau cover with rear spoiler, a Momo steering wheel, upgraded sound system with six-disc in-dash CD player, MPs audio input and, of course, Craig Lowndes decals.

It can be ordered on XR6, XR6 Turbo and XR8 “styleside box” utes, but only in a range of five exterior colours.

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