Ford doubling XR8 production

Ford has made it official, the balance of Falcon production will be revised to satisfy unexpected demand for the XR8 flagship.

The company originally planned to build 1200 units of the V8-engined sedan in the final FG X series, but consumer demand has outstripped that projection by 1600 units so far. As a consequence, the company will ramp up XR8 production to 2800, prior to the forecast closure of the vehicle assembly plant at Campbellfield in October next year. Sources indicate that XR8 sales so far this year have been fewer than 100.

"We have been buoyed by the amazing customer interest and demand for the XR8," says Ford General Manager, Marketing, David Katic. "It's been a runaway success and our dealers have been asking for more.

"As a result we've been working closely with our key stakeholders to find a way of increasing production; which we can now confirm."

It's the one highlight in Ford Australia's week, following news that former V8 Supercars wunderkind Marcos Ambrose is reducing his involvement in the category, and president Bob Graziano is retiring.

According to Katic, as quoted in a press release, the XR8 has been cause for celebration among the engineering team, which will continue to be based in Australia after local manufacturing ends.

"We're very proud of the work that's gone into the XR8," Katic said. "It's an important halo to the FG X Falcon range and we wanted to deliver the ultimate handling performance machine for customers and they clearly love it."

Basically a cosmetic update of the FG series FPV GT R SPEC, the FG X Falcon XR8 retains the earlier car's supercharged, all-alloy 5.0-litre DOHC V8, which produces 335kW and 570Nm. Suspension for the XR8 comprises retuned dampers, revised rear springs, thicker rear anti-roll bar, stiffer upper spring mounts and upper control arm bushings in the front, and revised geometry to suit the wider (275mm) rear tyres.

In addition, XR8 features Brembo four-piston brakes at the front, uprated engine cooling fan, limited-slip differential, heavy-duty battery and sports steering ratio. Visual differences externally include a quad-tipped exhaust, bonnet bulge, indicators in the exterior mirrors and 19-inch five-spoke alloys (8.0-inch front, 9.0-inch rear).