Ford locks in final fast Falcon

Ford Australia has approved its plan to send off the Falcon with the hottest XR6 ever and, potentially, a limited-edition XR8.

As we revealed exclusively from the launch of the final, FG X Falcon last November. Ford is developing a high-performance version of the XR6 as a tribute to the finest engine Australia has ever produced before the Falcon is retired by October next year.

The hotter FG X Falcon XR6 employs the same powertrain as the discontinued FPV F6, just as the born-again XR8 is essentially an FPV FGII GT-spec version of the latest Falcon, with RSPEC running gear from limited-edition 2012 GT RSPEC.

Now motoring.com.au has learned the F6-spec XR6 project has been officially signed off — and our sources have revealed Ford may also produce a limited-edition version of the XR8 before production ceases in less than 18 months.

It's not known when the XR6 limited-edition, which could revive the Sprint nameplate, will go on sale — or if the XR8 special will at all — and we understand it will be sedan-only.

But we expect both models to be released by the end of this year to provide Ford with a dramatic response to the HSV-spec 6.2-litre Commodore SS that's expected to emerge as part of Holden's swansong MY16 range later this year.

Nor is it known what outputs the final XR8 will offer, but it's likely to be the same 335kW/570Nm as the existing model, since Ford has categorically ruled out a more powerful Falcon than the limited-edition FPV FGII GT-F, which delivered 351kW.

However, the XR6 'Sprint' will be the fastest and most powerful six-cylinder to wear a Ford badge, and in the real world should be among the quickest Fords ever produced in Australia – and it should cost less than $50,000.

Currently priced at $43,490 plus on-road costs, the standard 2015 XR6 Turbo (pictured) comes with an inline 4.0-litre turbo-six officially producing 270kW/533Nm — as much as Holden's existing 6.0-litre V8-powered Commodore SS.

Fitted with the discontinued FPV F6's higher-output engine — which comes with a large intercooler, revised ECU and other upgrades — it would deliver 310kW/565Nm, which is only just shy of the 335kW/570Nm figures of the supercharged 5.0-litre 'Miami' V8 in the XR8 (from $53,490).

It's possible Ford could offer even more performance from software changes, just as it did with the 351kW/650Nm GT-F, but this would require expensive calibration work and durability testing.

Indeed, the 310kW F6-spec XR6 is possible for the same reason an XR8 Ute is not — the availability of off-the-shelf hardware.

FPV's hottest ute was previously the FGII Falcon-based Pursuit Ute with GS sedan-spec 315kW V8, and Ford's $103 million investment in the final Falcon and Territory did not extend to the engineering and validation of upgraded powertrains such as FG X-spec XR8 Ute with 335kW V8 and RSPEC suspension tune for its leaf-sprung rear-end.

Either way, expect the high-performance XR6 — and the limited-edition XR8, if it eventuates – to come with a more aggressive exterior design and specific badging, plus all the goodies seen on the XR8.

Apart from firmer RSPEC suspension and beefier Brembo brakes, the hot XR6 is also likely to borrow the XR8's wider 19x9.0-inch rear wheels, potentially giving it the traction to be quicker than the born-again XR8.

Ford makes no official performance claim for the XR8, which can deliver more than 375kW in overboost mode, but independent testing shows it can hit 100km/h in around 4.5 seconds.

The XR6 special will not only be cheaper but just as quick, given it should remain up to 90kg lighter and deliver around 340kW in overboost — about 10 per cent more than the claimed figure — in the right conditions (including engine temperature, 98 RON PULP and the most aggressive automatic transmission mode).

For reference, the regular XR6 Turbo officially produces 270kW/533Nm on 95 RON fuel with standard boost pressure (about 9psi), but can generate 20 per cent more power and torque than Ford claims, with up to 335kW/670Nm available in overboost (about 10.5psi) in the right conditions.

Underlining Ford's conservative claimed power outputs, the '351kW/650Nm' GT-F we dyno-tested last July generated almost 350kW and more than 720Nm at the rear wheels, suggesting an engine output of more than 400kW.