Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows, Australia
Ford refreshes Falcon XR for 2008, adds special edition ute
click above image for more high-res pics of the 2008 Ford Falcon XR
Despite the fact an all-new rear-wheel-drive Falcon sedan is on the horizon, Ford of Australia saw fit to dress up the current range of higher-performance XR models for their final run. The '08 XR range features a new body kit with new side rockers and rocker extensions for the front bumper, as well as a new insert in the rear valance. The side mirrors are also new, and the XRs get a new set of 5-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels with a "shadow chrome" finish.
Ford of Oz also introduced a limited edition "XR by Craig Lowndes" Falcon Ute special vehicle pack available on XR6, XR6 Turbo and XR8 Styleside Box models. Don't worry, we had to Google the guy's name, too. Craig Lowndes is a well known V8 Supercar driver in Australia who jumped ship from Holden to Ford back in 2001. His namesake option package offers buyers $6,000 of equipment for just $1,000 above the Falcon XR's base price. Only 650 Utes with this package will be made, and all will be branded with "by Craig Lowndes" badging.
We'll bring you live coverage of these vehicles and more from the floor of the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney next week. Oh yeah, we go to that show, too.
[Source: Ford]
Gallery: Ford BF Falcon XR facelift
PRESS RELEASE:
Ford Announces Bold New Look on Falcon XR
Ford Australia today announced details of a new look Falcon XR sedan range, along with a unique, limited edition Falcon XR Ute, both of which are due to make their public debut at next week's Australian International Motor Show in Sydney.
The new look Falcon XR sedan includes a new bodykit and revised exterior mirror treatment, along with a revised alloy wheel design on premium XR sedan models – XR6 six-speed automatic and all XR6 Turbo and XR8 sedan models.
The new bodykit features a modified front bumper with new mini rockers on each side, all-new side rockers and a new insert in the rear bumper valance, all of which have been treated with an accent colour paint finish.
Modified exterior mirror scalps are also finished in the accent paint colour, which is a high-gloss Dark Argent for maximum impact.
The premium XR models receive a revised five-spoke 18-inch alloy wheel with a unique shadow chrome paint finish to complement the new bodykit.
The new look wheels are finished in a high-gloss Mid Argent paint colour with a machined face, along with a matching Mid Argent wheel centre cap, and are available as an option on the XR6 six-speed manual and four-speed automatic models.
"The new look Falcon XR sedan is the most significant upgrade to the exterior design of the performance XR models since BF Falcon was introduced," Ford Australia Vice President Marketing and Sales Mark Winslow said.
"With its powerful and distinctive quad-headlight signature, the Falcon XR continues to have an unmistakeable road presence, while the new bodykit and individual paint treatments are sure to make the XR sedan stand out from the pack even further."
Due to go on sale in mid-November, recommended retail pricing remains unchanged for the restyled XR sedan models.
Limited Edition XR by Craig Lowndes Ute
In a further announcement, a limited edition "XR by Craig Lowndes" Falcon Ute special vehicle pack has been released, which is available on XR6, XR6 Turbo and XR8 Styleside Box models, including XR6 with the optional E-Gas dedicated LPG engine.
Due to go on sale in mid-October, the exclusive XR by Craig Lowndes Utes offer almost $6,000 of additional equipment and features for just $1,000 over the recommended retail price of the standard XR Utes.
Additional features include a set of four 18-inch sports alloy wheels, a one-piece hard tonneau cover with integrated power bulge and rear spoiler, Momo steering wheel, prestige audio system with six-disc in-dash CD player, an iPod®/MP3 audio player input connection and unique "by Craig Lowndes" decals.
"Recently voted one of the ten greatest Australian racing drivers in history by a panel of drivers, journalists and senior motorsport figures, Craig's achievements within the world of V8 Supercar racing resonate with a huge percentage of our Falcon XR Ute customers," Mr Winslow said.
"And as the reigning Bathurst and Sandown champion, it's fitting for the Craig Lowndes name to sit alongside the performance XR brand in celebration of his achievements at the highest level of Australian motorsport."
As part of the exclusivity of the XR by Craig Lowndes Utes, only a limited selection of exterior paint colours are available – Lightning Strike, Octane, Vixen, Conquer and Silhouette.
The Momo steering wheel is available in Blue, Grey or Red depending on the exterior paint colour and interior seat trim colour of the vehicle.
Only 650 examples of the limited edition XR by Craig Lowndes Ute will be built.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TriShield 3:37PM (10/01/2007)
I drove a Falcon turbo when I was in Sydney. It's really an incredible car in every respect, and a total shame Ford does not sell them here in the US.
Maybe with Mullaly in charge we'll see the next generation Falcon at Blue Oval dealers, and Ford AU getting the export programs they really need.
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Kyle 3:38PM (10/01/2007)
This would make an awesome Mercury!!!
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SPG 3:38PM (10/01/2007)
This is the kind of Ford I'd love to see in North America.
Just not this exact Ford.
The styling would not work in a North American market.
Well, in this decade.
Looking forward to the next gen though.
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David W. 3:39PM (10/01/2007)
*drools*
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wilbot 3:45PM (10/01/2007)
It's too bad; we're never going to see this car in the US. Thanks alot Ford.
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whofan 4:00PM (10/01/2007)
The only car that looks as good is the Mustang. Ford so needs another youth oriented car here in America. The Falcon would sell like crazy if pirced favorably with others cars in its class. The Fusion would be better with a front clip like this.
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DCragtop 4:22PM (10/01/2007)
speaking of face lifts...those eye-brows of his don't come as part of the 'signature package' do they?? jeeez!
Aside from...that...this is a great car and Ford should seriously consider bringing it over to do battle with the Pontiac G8. Imagine: two Aussies dueling it out for the mid-size V8 rear drive USA customer base! Spice things up a piece around here!
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stefan 4:29PM (10/01/2007)
That thing looks 15 jears old.
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Yaroukh 5:37PM (10/01/2007)
that's what I think
Frank the Tank 4:34PM (10/01/2007)
Thanks for reminding us how badly Ford screws us.
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Jim Pease 5:32PM (10/01/2007)
It kinda looks like the body of a 2000 Maxima with a new Mitsu Lancer nose stuck on the front!
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TriShield 6:00PM (10/01/2007)
The basis of this car is from 1998 and it's gone through a few facelifts since then.
The all-new Falcon debuts very soon, and it looks thoroughly modern like the new Commodore. The Falcon follows the European kinetic design theme instead of the US 3-bar grille nonsense.
Apparently it's engineered for both left and right-hand drive so there's some hope we may see it here in the US.
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AltairDusk 7:58PM (10/01/2007)
This is a Ford I would actually want to drive. Why do we get such mundane designs in the US compared to what the same automakers sell overseas?
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Alex 10:10PM (10/01/2007)
I once wrote to Ford USA, basically summing up everything we say here: Kinetic is very much desired over here in the States, even if branded as Mercury.
They immediately responded with some crap about how they cannot accept ideas from people from outside their payroll. i'm sure that's typical legal stuff but christ, the tone was a little insulting. they might as well have said "Get f*cked, we know what we are doing"
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Robert Ryan 1:53AM (10/02/2007)
The new 2008 FPV Falcon Typhoon should have a 402hp, 400lbs ft of torque at 2000rpm.Turbo Six. The Turbo Six has been the engine of choice in the Falcon. The V8 will have about 430hp.
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awam 7:47AM (10/02/2007)
not enough styling to keep up with the new Holden SS imho
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Level 1:09PM (10/03/2007)
I would have to disagree with all your comments on "if they brought this car over to the states it would sell"
Look what happen to the GTO everyone and their mother wished it over here and when it got here it got a bad rap....
This Falcon is a nice looking car but not a high volume seller...hence not worth the effort unless the new one turns out to be better X2......
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