JITB
04-25-2008, 05:09 PM
2008 Ford Falcon G6E Turbo and XR6 Turbo
Beastly sexy sedans...we never get...
http://images.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0804_05z+2008_ford_falcon_G6E_turbo+front_thre e_quarter_view.jpg
http://images.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0804_08z+2008_ford_falcon_XR6_turbo+front_thre e_quarter_view.jpg
http://images.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0804_02z+2008_ford_falcon_G6E_turbo+interior.j pg
http://images.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0804_09z+2008_ford_falcon_XR6_turbo+interior.j pg
http://images.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0804_14z+2008_ford_falcon+inline_six_turbo_eng ine.jpg
A month ago, Ford Australia powertrain engineers delivered detailed media briefings on the final update of the turbocharged version of their 4.0-liter inline-six, developed for the near all-new FG-series Falcon. Despite the presentations being matter-of-fact, lacking any hint of boastful fanfare, they still created elevated expectations. Now, having driven the two Falcon models that use the engine, the XR6 Turbo and G6E Turbo, it's obvious they were being modest. The engine is a bona-fide V-8-killer, and the models it powers belong to Australia's high-performance elite.
The turbo's headline figures are 360 horsepower and 393 pound-feet. Impressive numbers, to be sure. On paper. But on the dragstrip, they're something else again. For max power, the Ford engine is in the same ballpark as GM's regular-strength 6.0-liter V-8 and Chrysler's 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. But the sheer breadth of its torque spread elevates it into a different league. Those pound-feet are delivered all the way from 2000 to 4750 rpm. It doesn't have a torque curve as such. Torque plateau would be a more apt description.
2008 Ford Falcon XR8
http://images.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0804_01z+2008_ford_falcon_XR8+overhead_view.jp g
http://images.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0804_06z+2008_ford_falcon_XR8+rear_view.jpg
http://images.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0804_03z+2008_ford_falcon_XR8+front_view.jpg
For the FG-series Falcon, a version of Ford's familiar 5.4-liter V-8 formerly confined to vehicles from performance partner Ford Performance Vehicles was pressed into service in the XR8. This Prodrive-owned FPV outfit hand-assembles every engine in a facility literally across the road from Ford Australia's one and only vehicle assembly plant.
The engine isn't like anything available in the U.S. Beginning with a bare block and heads, FPV's artisans fill 'er up with 10.5:1 domed pistons, sintered rods, forged steel crank, and four big-lift cams. Australian-made intake and exhaust manifolds complete the job. When the work is done, the result is called the Boss 290, for its claimed maximum power expressed in kilowatts. That's 389 horsepower at 5750 rpm to Americans. Max torque is 384 pound-feet at a highish 4750 rpm.
It sounds good, especially from outside the car, thanks in part to a new semi-active muffler forced open by exhaust gas at 2800 rpm. While this device frees a few welcome decibels, the XR8's sonics count for nothing when it comes to speed.
Beastly sexy sedans...we never get...
http://images.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0804_05z+2008_ford_falcon_G6E_turbo+front_thre e_quarter_view.jpg
http://images.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0804_08z+2008_ford_falcon_XR6_turbo+front_thre e_quarter_view.jpg
http://images.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0804_02z+2008_ford_falcon_G6E_turbo+interior.j pg
http://images.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0804_09z+2008_ford_falcon_XR6_turbo+interior.j pg
http://images.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0804_14z+2008_ford_falcon+inline_six_turbo_eng ine.jpg
A month ago, Ford Australia powertrain engineers delivered detailed media briefings on the final update of the turbocharged version of their 4.0-liter inline-six, developed for the near all-new FG-series Falcon. Despite the presentations being matter-of-fact, lacking any hint of boastful fanfare, they still created elevated expectations. Now, having driven the two Falcon models that use the engine, the XR6 Turbo and G6E Turbo, it's obvious they were being modest. The engine is a bona-fide V-8-killer, and the models it powers belong to Australia's high-performance elite.
The turbo's headline figures are 360 horsepower and 393 pound-feet. Impressive numbers, to be sure. On paper. But on the dragstrip, they're something else again. For max power, the Ford engine is in the same ballpark as GM's regular-strength 6.0-liter V-8 and Chrysler's 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. But the sheer breadth of its torque spread elevates it into a different league. Those pound-feet are delivered all the way from 2000 to 4750 rpm. It doesn't have a torque curve as such. Torque plateau would be a more apt description.
2008 Ford Falcon XR8
http://images.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0804_01z+2008_ford_falcon_XR8+overhead_view.jp g
http://images.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0804_06z+2008_ford_falcon_XR8+rear_view.jpg
http://images.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0804_03z+2008_ford_falcon_XR8+front_view.jpg
For the FG-series Falcon, a version of Ford's familiar 5.4-liter V-8 formerly confined to vehicles from performance partner Ford Performance Vehicles was pressed into service in the XR8. This Prodrive-owned FPV outfit hand-assembles every engine in a facility literally across the road from Ford Australia's one and only vehicle assembly plant.
The engine isn't like anything available in the U.S. Beginning with a bare block and heads, FPV's artisans fill 'er up with 10.5:1 domed pistons, sintered rods, forged steel crank, and four big-lift cams. Australian-made intake and exhaust manifolds complete the job. When the work is done, the result is called the Boss 290, for its claimed maximum power expressed in kilowatts. That's 389 horsepower at 5750 rpm to Americans. Max torque is 384 pound-feet at a highish 4750 rpm.
It sounds good, especially from outside the car, thanks in part to a new semi-active muffler forced open by exhaust gas at 2800 rpm. While this device frees a few welcome decibels, the XR8's sonics count for nothing when it comes to speed.