Ford is Looking Back - XR8

[martyk54]

Originally Posted by Professor Farnsworth

.
i'm getting a little over you telling me what i should like, because of how hektic it is. Not everyone thinks in such a limited spectrum. If i wanted a cheap-to-tune street weapon i'd buy a turbo, but like i said a million times, to me, they're BORING.

Well... this is a discussion forum, you've given your opinion, I gave you mine. Never have I told you what YOU should like. I couldn't really care less what you like, I am interested to know how you come to conclusions though.

Originally Posted by Professor Farnsworth

To you they're obviously the ants pants and that's fantastic i'm happy you feel that way. Also the tickford 5.0 and the BOSS 5.4 are nothing alike in their power delivery, as the barra 220 is nothing like the BOSS. Horses for courses. It's how you mod them that counts.

I do like the I6T, correct. Is there anything wrong with prodding someone who thinks they're boring without any real reason?? I'm interested to know why, not to be argumentative, just curious. And refer to my last post... I GET IT. If anyone wants to know why I disliked my XR8(5.4l) I'd be glad to oblige.

Originally Posted by Professor Farnsworth

And now that you've just got to the point of bagging out what's being spoken about here for no reason, you can consider this an informal warning to stop.

Scroll back through the thread at members like 'pottery beige'. I realise he shares your opinion on the matter, but has offered nothing topical, purely responding to my posts with pointless provocative dribble. He's been 'bagging me out for no reason' over and over. Warning?

[Professor Farnsworth]

i've given you real reason several times, as have others.

why do some people like peanut butter, others hate it?
why do some people like wine, others only drink beer?
why do people have favourite colours, completely differing to other peoples' choices?
why do some people use macs?

personal preference

My personal preference is that i get no interest from 6 cylinder cars, and for some reason that provokes you into a hell-bent defence of your turbo. Then you claim to not care lol.

I came to my decision after owning 11 Falclanemonts, 7 being 6 cylinders, and 4 being V8's including 1 x 347ci. I've also driven plenty of turbos, and have a friend with one. To me, personally, driving the v8 makes going anywhere enjoyable, and adds more character to the car. Driving the 6 was like being on public transport and the 6T was like riding really fast on a Hoover vacuum.

You need to open your eyes and understand not everyone thinks the same. But then again, i've already said that to you, as have i already detailed everything that you've just asked again, so since you're not adding anything positive to the conversation, how about you let those who actually care about the topic continue it. You're being argumentative for no reason whatsoever, in spite of people answering your questions, so warnings will follow if it continues.

[Grunter]

Originally Posted by prydey

ahh, good, looks like you are finally coming around and getting the picture. this is exactly what they are saying. sure, the 6T is fast, but it has no character!! no soul!! if you think character and soul can be found in kw and nm numbers then i'm afraid you will never understand.

I kind of see where you’re coming from but I disagree.

Both the 6T and V8 have character and soul. Just depends on what the individual is looking for in their ride.

I'm lucky enough to have both and while I adore my V8 and the "drama" involved in driving it, the F6 does it for me just as much but in completely different ways.

V8 - rumble, sound at WOT, coarseness, its power delivery, etc.
6T - the quiet before the storm, sound as it spools up and flutter as you back off, the relative lack of drama even when pushed, its power delivery, etc.

Really enjoy driving them and both have big pluses to me.

Saying one has no character or soul over the other, is kind of like saying Jazz has no soul, because you prefer Rock. Both do, just not necessarily to the same people.

[Polyal]

Guys the soul or character of the XR6T has nothing to do with the future or lack of the XR8...well directly anyway.

Grunter stop showing off, you have the perfect garage

[Sam_Boss260]

Originally Posted by Grunter

I kind of see where you’re coming from but I disagree.

Both the 6T and V8 have character and soul. Just depends on what the individual is looking for in their ride.

I'm lucky enough to have both and while I adore my V8 and the "drama" involved in driving it, the F6 does it for me just as much but in completely different ways.

V8 - rumble, sound at WOT, coarseness, its power delivery, etc.
6T - the quiet before the storm, sound as it spools up and flutter as you back off, the relative lack of drama even when pushed, its power delivery, etc.

Really enjoy driving them and both have big pluses to me.

Saying one has no character or soul over the other, is kind of like saying Jazz has no soul, because you prefer Rock. Both do, just not necessarily to the same people.

Completely agree with this post.

My recent Falcons have included a BA XR6, and BA II XR8 and now a G6ET.

The XR6 served it purpose and was a great car. I added extractors, exhaust etc to try and make it something that it really wasnt'. Enter the XR8. I loved that car. The sound of the V8 on WOT is what sold me. Yes that car had "Soul" and it had plenty of character.

I moved from the XR8 to the G6ET for a few reasons;
- For the driving that I do, which is 90% city bumper to bumper traffic, the XR8 is just wasted, and in these driving conditions it just chewed up too much fuel, rego was more, insurance was more etc
- Not that it is relevant in this thread, but the appointments in the FG are far superior than the BA. This point is obvious and a mute point in this thread.
- I liked the power delivery of the Turbo, and for my driving condiitons, it suits me better

Yes the G6ET has character, just a different sort of character, and for my line of work, driving conditions and what I will use the car for it suited me down to a tee. Don't get me wrong, I went out looking for an optioned up GT. But couldn't find an FG GT in my price range. So rather than pay alot more for the car, extra in rego, extra in fuel - I decided to take the Turbo.

Will I go back to a V8 Falcon / FPV, hell yes. But right now, I'm enjoying the quiet ride of the G6ET.

[Sam_Boss260]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Grunter stop showing off, you have the perfect garage

AGREE 100% !!!!

[martyk54]

Originally Posted by Professor Farnsworth

You need to open your eyes and understand not everyone thinks the same. But then again, i've already said that to you, as have i already detailed everything that you've just asked again, so since you're not adding anything positive to the conversation, how about you let those who actually care about the topic continue it. You're being argumentative for no reason whatsoever, in spite of people answering your questions, so warnings will follow if it continues.

That's what's great about discussing personal preferences on forums like this, we all have differing opinions. I've already said once that I'm happy with the explanation given regarding your's and other's choices regarding V8s, I'm not sure why you bothered pointing out the fundamentals regarding personal choice.

I can't agree that asking for an explanation of an opinion is argumentative though. Never have I told you you're wrong, or anything similar.

[Professor Farnsworth]

i remember writing to Ford in 1993, 1994 or whenever it was, and asking for their current range of Falcon brochures. I cherished the brochure for the ED XR8 Sprint, i loved the way that thing looked. Wish i still had the brochure now actually.

That was then, this is now. At least there are still a decent amount of XR8's trotting around.

[pottery beige]

dear knuckle head.... i drive a 5.4 BA GT around EVERY day like it was a pos laser.. its all cool and a bag of fun.. certainly holds its own parked next to the other two other GTs parked next to it... K thx bai...

[Franco Cozzo]

To me, if I was to have a V8, it'd have to be in something like a Silverado or F250, those are the types of cars I'd personally have to have with big, nice sounding engines.

Ford USA's 6.7L powerstroke TT diesel V8 would be awesome, 298KW @ 2800 rpm and 1100nm torque from 1600 revs, so torquey, so awesome.

[excopau]

Alot here saying we need the xr8 back, but when it was around no one bought it so how can ford spend money on something that won't make them money for a few people, there are v8 options out there similar in price to what the xr8 would be with an fpv badge and a bit more then an xr8 would have been if we had it. I'd rather them spend the money on adding features to the cars they got now, you can get in other brands with a way less price tag.

[Professor Farnsworth]

"no one" is a colloquial term which holds little value. "no one" is buying the Falcon, Territory, or Commodore either, better can them all now. A quick glance at carsales shows many people did indeed actually buy the XR8.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by prydey

whats the deal with the engine exactly? i thought i heard that if ford wanted to use it they would have to 'buy' it off FPV?? is that correct?

While the S/C 5.0 Falcon was co developed with FoA, the $40 million costs were borne by FPV.
As with the previous Boss 5.4, the S/C 5.0 are assembled by FPV, delivered to FoA who install them
and then send the semi finished cars to FPV for completion but IIRC, previous XR8s were finished by FoA.

Another problem I see is that the new GS is basically wearing what should be the FG II XR8 Front clip,
maybe that kinda snookers FoA for the moment until FPV changes to another look, unlikely at the moment...

[deadlywill]

I enjoy driving them both but if i had to pick i'd go the turbo...

[jpd80]

In some ways, it's a shame that FoA couldn't get their hands on the 5.8 Alloy block.
IMO, that Boss 5.8 would probably do the job on the SS 6.0 and its HSV 6.2 mate....

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Luke Plaizier

Woohoo. We have a winner in the "It Can't be Done" stakes!

Nice negativity, a heavy dash of hopelesseness, followed by a strong dose of fatalism.

Keep throwing those around. There's hope yet that everyone will give up and chuck out the nyuk nyuk as convincingly as you have!

The V8 Falcon is certainly not dead. We're just talking about changing the Badges and removing the stickers on one model. Why there is so much debate against that is the mind boggling bit.


Lukeyson

I never said it can't be done, just that it won't be, program is on permanant hold and the business case for it doesn't work, that why they stopped working on it 12 months ago. These are facts, maybe you should learn what that means.

Why the hell would they just change the badge from GS to XR8 and then say here you go, here's your new XR8. People would laugh their asses off, its just such a knucklehead thing to do, people aren't that stupid and would see how cynical that is.

The XR8 Ford are talking about, and what they planned to do, was the naturally aspirated 5 litre Coyote version. They will not in a million years take the GS and just rebadge it XR8, that is just dumb.

You need to step out of your fantasy world and face reality.

[Nikked]

For the XR8 to have a place, it would have to be like this

XR8 with the N/A coyote. Pegged at 300-odd kw's.

Then the GS with 335kw's, and the GT at 351...

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Nikked

For the XR8 to have a place, it would have to be like this

XR8 with the N/A coyote. Pegged at 300-odd kw's.

Then the GS with 335kw's, and the GT at 351...

There's no reason why the XR8 couldn't be sold with 302 kw and keep the 315 and 335, but in saying that FPV have already developed the intercooled version and its just sitting there waiting to be used, so even better to fit it to the GT if they don't plan on going ahead with the GT-H, and donate the 335 down to GS.

Will they do a 45th Anniversary GT with the 351 intercooled engine, its the right year for it. 1967 - 2012.

[jpd80]

While this thread topic is specifically about the feasibility of an XR8, my thoughts are with the workers at Broadmeadows and Geelong,
so much hinges on continuing good volume sales of Falcon and Territory, that has a higher priority than an XR8.

[prydey]

do you think ford can make it work at about 4000 units a month (local product)?

also do sales of the imports help to carry the locals? or does it have no bearing on it? surely if the imports are doing well, they can survive on lower local volume.

getting a fair way off track here but the xr8 topic is done. it was done the first time round 12months ago. there's plenty of passion but passion doesn't buy cars.

[Luke Plaizier]

You'd have thought if FPV were going to change power levels, they'd have done so with the FGII change.


Lukeyson

[FPV GTHO]

FPV were out of sync for FG2 though, 2014 update should have everyone back on the same page.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by jpd80

While this thread topic is specifically about the feasibility of an XR8, my thoughts are with the workers at Broadmeadows and Geelong,
so much hinges on continuing good volume sales of Falcon and Territory, that has a higher priority than an XR8.

Yeap and they have made all the moves now necessary, I cant see anything else coming. TDi Falcon would be great but probably for protecting the I6 that wont happen. Which is madness because they should be exploring what actually works, if a tdi falcon proves to be popular then great, its another car sold regardless.

So from now until 2016 we can expect no more engine changes? If 2016 is the cut off date there is no point (if they would ever do it) to release a XR8 late 2014/15..you not even giving it a chance.

To me the XR8 would be the icing on the cake for the Ford range, and as you say thats the range that actually matters.

[EL Lupo]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Yeap and they have made all the moves now necessary, I cant see anything else coming. TDi Falcon would be great but probably for protecting the I6 that wont happen.

So from now until 2016 we can expect no more engine changes? If 2016 is the cut off date there is no point (if they would ever do it) to release a XR8 late 2014/15..you not even giving it a chance.

To me the XR8 would be the icing on the cake for the Ford range, and as you say thats the range that actually matters.

Just wishfull thinking here but what do y'all think of a lightweight version of the GS? Strip off some of the luxo crap that I don't want or need etc, it'll go faster, handle better and cost less... and there's bugger all development involved so it could be ready in a week.

[Polyal]

Lupo the gs is barebones as it is...hehe

[Professor Farnsworth]

yeah, what luxo crap? lol it's pov spec

[DJM83]

My 2c
IF i were to buy a new falcon with the current way the range is IE GS/GT with no XR8 id have to settle for an XR6T.
Always loved owning my V8 and i can see the point of people buying them, but if i was in the situation arose and buying an FPV came upon me id still pick the F6, as much as i love the V8, its pointless for me ie more rego, insurance and fuel.
I just dont see the point of an XR8 now (as much as its loved by many).
Ill bet a lot of people wanting it back would never buy one, but when they did and pulled up next to an S/C GS.....

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Ill bet a lot of people wanting it back would never buy one, but when they did and pulled up next to an S/C GS.....

This line gets thrown around way to much, this is a medium to discuss cars, if the next generation of buyers cant put their views forward then we have lost the subtance of what a forum is about. ignore it if you ill but its just as valid as anyone elses.

That line would inicate that the people in the xr8 category have disppeared? Prior to FG the XR8 was very popular, even with the XR6T about, i think the decline of the xr8 was proportional to the falcon market in general...but it was still clocking up numbers that now they are missing.

Its really indicative of the difference in v8 culture between ford and holden, holden have stuck it out over the years are they get rewarded with blind loyalty. Ford chop and change and reap what they sow.

Btw, if i was the xr8 driver i would give the gs guy the thumbs up and think one day when i can commit more to my mode of transport, or simply bite the bullet and finance one, that oon enough ill be in his position. But for now i would be more than happy with my mustang powered falcon.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Polyal

That line would inicate that the people in the xr8 category have disppeared? Prior to FG the XR8 was very popular, even with the XR6T about, i think the decline of the xr8 was proportional to the falcon market in general...but it was still clocking up numbers that now they are missing.

Its really indicative of the difference in v8 culture between ford and holden, holden have stuck it out over the years are they get rewarded with blind loyalty. Ford chop and change and reap what they sow.

Btw, if i was the xr8 driver i would give the gs guy the thumbs up and think one day when i can commit more to my mode of transport, or simply bite the bullet and finance one, that oon enough ill be in his position. But for now i would be more than happy with my mustang powered falcon.

They did disappear... into a 6T or swapped camps. (When FG XR8 was released) Ford would have been silly to can it if it sold well with the BOSS motor and not continue it with an N/A 5.0.
Prior to FG, yes ill admit they did sell well and you see plenty around. But the FG XR6T was always going to be hard to beat, only the V8 die hards would buy an XR8. I cant help but wonder if the XR8 would have held a candle to the 6T if it were offered with the 5.0.
I love the 6T motor if you didnt know, but would be good to see the 'bigger bro' XR8 go toe to toe with it.

But your right with the Holden/HSV mentality though. They stuck with the V8 and it has paid off for them in spades.

Edit- Im not saying the XR8 was rubbish in anyway, before people get their backs up.

[Luke Plaizier]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Ill bet a lot of people wanting it back would never buy one, but when they did and pulled up next to an S/C GS.....

Well, inthe context of an XR8 being a rebadged GS, thankfully there's a large body of experience on this topic.

Just go find someone who has just bought a new Ranger and pulled up next to a BT50. Or VN Commodore next to a Lexcen. A Mazda 2 next to a Fiesta. A Laser next to a 323. A Ford Telstar and a 626. A Ford Courier next to a Mazda Bravo.....

Did those people all fall over in self digust? Or did the models sell in parallel and people just got over it?


Lukeyson