Ford details Falcon XR Sprint chassis

Ford has revealed the final pieces of its XR Sprint puzzle today, by revealing details of the final fast Falcon's chassis package – including a unique performance suspension tune and sticky Pirelli P-Zero tyres.

The first actual images of the swansong Falcon XR Sprint -- just 1400 of which will be built instead of the standard XR8 and XR6 Turbo between now and October, when Ford closes its Australian factory doors – have also been issued today.

They follow the release of the first teaser image in December, a single rendering last week when pricing was announced, and details of the XR6 Sprint's Ford-first carbon-fibre air intake earlier this week.

Now full specifications have been released, including increased fuel consumption of 12.8L/100km for the auto-only XR6 Sprint and 14.0L/100km for the XR8 Sprint auto (13.8L/100km manual).

That's an increase of about 0.3L/100km for the XR8 Sprint, which is powered by a specially calibrated version of Ford’s 5.0-litre supercharged with 345kW at 5750rpm and 575Nm at 2220-6250rpm, and up 0.8L/100km for the XR6 Sprint, the most powerful six-cylinder Falcon ever with a 4.0-litre turbo engine delivering 325kW at 6000rpm and 576Nm at 2750rpm (on 95-98 premium unleaded petrol).

Putting all this engine performance to the ground will be a unique new chassis comprising a bespoke suspension set-up, Pirelli P-Zero tyres and a large Brembo bake package.

The latter incorporates 355x32mm discs with six-piston fixed aluminium callipers (front) and 330x28mm rotors with four-piston callipers (rear), both in a unique gold colour.

The Pirellis measure 245/35 R19 (front) and 265/35 R19 (rear), plus a 245/35 R19 on a full-size alloy spare wheel. The Panther Black wheels measure 19x8.0-inch front and 19x9.0-inch rear.

Ford says a wider rear tyre was essential for the Sprint models, and that a new suspension package was developed to suit the higher grip level of the Pirellis without reducing ride comfort.

It claims both Sprint models deliver improved ride, sharper handling, increased grip levels, improved braking performance and cornering stability, reduced understeer, increased body control and better balance.

“Customers will certainly notice the difference,” said Falcon and Territory Vehicle Line Director, David Wilkinson.

“All Fords are renowned for their dynamic DNA – from steering to ride and handling – and with the XR Sprint series our enthusiast customers will experience a number of improvements first-hand. The ride and steering response has improved and the cars feel more agile and can easily be adjusted mid-corner.”

Given the standard XR6 Turbo is already capable of hitting 100km/h in 4.5 seconds in the right conditions, the extra grip should make the 1818kg XR6 Sprint the quickest factory Falcon ever. The XR8 Sprint manual weighs 1869kg (1872kg auto).

Unique cosmetic extras include Sprint foglights, fender and rear badges, front scuff plates, stripe decal, Body coloured decklid applique New Sprint black painted lip spoiler, numbered build plates, a single bright exhaust (XR6) and quad black exhaust (XR8) and, for the XR8 Sprint, a Silhouette-black roof and side mirrors.

Production of the XR8 Sprint (which officially outputs 400kW/650Nm in overboost mode) and the XR6 Sprint (370kW/650Nm in overboost) begins next month and first deliveries begin in May.

However, all Sprints are likely already spoken for, with just 500 XR6s and 750 XR8s earmarked for Australia, priced from $54,990 and $59,990 respectively.