The XR8's future?

[Perko]

As much as I would love the XR8 badge to reappear I think that the business case deems that it will remain firmly shut. The GS, right or wrong, has taken its place for the foreseeable future. I think that Ford have deliberately been playing with the media and the whole "future" thing until the next platform for the Falcon has been determined. Under the One Ford model there is room for a RWD large car. Australia might have to compromise with a common chassis and major parts but with unique exterior and interior components. This could mean that the 5.0 N/A and S/C motors will still have a place. I love my V8's even though the Turbo is a hoot. If Ford do change the platform to FWD then I can guarantee that I will be considering purchasing a FG III GS ute. It may well be a collectors item.

[Burnout]

Hell, I used to be a V8 owner, been complaining to myself that Ford have done it again, I was there when they dropped the V8 in 79, useing up the last stock in the XD's.
I remember when I brought my XE Ghia ESP in '82 for $17,825.00, I got a 351, however it wasn't and Aussie cast block but the thin wall casting Mexican block. Fantastic car, one of a couple I regret giving up.
My first car was a V8 a '54 Mainline Ute, Spew Yella it was, loved the thing to bits. Built a few Clevos, 302's, 351's, 4V & 2V. Got meself a GS XB Ute in '75, yanked the 302 out of it as I had a 'couple of contacts', I sold the thing and got a 302 Boss from the US and shoved that in the Ute. You could get some serious stuff for Clevos in those days and my Boss came with a Cross Boss intake manifold with four dual throat Webbers stuck on. Jesus it went well, I blew an E49 off one afternoon on the Harbour Bridge........ Four mile to the gallon though!
I even had the chance to give a mate a hand to build a side oiler FE 427 SOHC one time, fantastic. Except for degreeing the cams...Timeing chain went of forever.
I even got a chance to fiddle with Kerry Packers HE V12 Jag with twin Garrets on it. 1000hp and simply dangerous in the wet.
A mate was a V8 Ford man too and we got hold of his 4WD F-100 Short Wheel Base and gave it the business, lifted and inch or two, go rid of the 409 front diff and shoved a 411 in there sorted out the Clevo in it and went Volvo hunting in the thing. It could spin all four in the first two gears and was an evil beastie.

Just had so much fun you know, but I'm nearly, well, the big 60 and while I'm in me second childhood I just don't understand why Falcon isn't doing better. I hear all the talk, here and elsewhere, and I am still no better off. GMH have done some bloody good marketing over the last few years and that just might be the difference.
Take a look at Ford Aus over the years, it sold best to the conservative side of the Aussie market, while Holden trottted out their Meat pies..... Holden Cars stuff. I think all this is closer to the truth.
It's obviously the truth that fuel economy means sod all really, it didn't last time fuel got expensive in the '70's and it cost Ford big time, Holden didn't do so good with the Star Fire 4 either....
Now its SUV's big, little or crap ones are selling all over the joint. A lot of conservative buyers have gone Eruo or up market Jap. Ford was slow with the Diesel Terry, had lost the plot, now the XR8... I don't know where it will go, I know if I brought an 8 I could get a GS, however what about a cooking model?
I've had a good time over the years doing over Ford V8's, it's been fun, a real chest beater.... I hope it continues for a while yet.
I see these young blokes getting 400+ out of the rear of the Miami S/C and I get that tight chest again...... I don't think it's the ol' ticker either. Still love it!

[HSE2]

Hell, I used to be a V8 owner, been complaining to myself that Ford have done it again, I was there when they dropped the V8 in 79, useing up the last stock in the XD's.
I remember when I brought my XE Ghia ESP in '82 for $17,825.00, I got a 351, however it wasn't and Aussie cast block but the thin wall casting Mexican block. Fantastic car, one of a couple I regret giving up.
My first car was a V8 a '54 Mainline Ute, Spew Yella it was, loved the thing to bits. Built a few Clevos, 302's, 351's, 4V & 2V. Got meself a GS XB Ute in '75, yanked the 302 out of it as I had a 'couple of contacts', I sold the thing and got a 302 Boss from the US and shoved that in the Ute. You could get some serious stuff for Clevos in those days and my Boss came with a Cross Boss intake manifold with four dual throat Webbers stuck on. Jesus it went well, I blew an E49 off one afternoon on the Harbour Bridge........ Four mile to the gallon though!
I even had the chance to give a mate a hand to build a side oiler FE 427 SOHC one time, fantastic. Except for degreeing the cams...Timeing chain went of forever.
I even got a chance to fiddle with Kerry Packers HE V12 Jag with twin Garrets on it. 1000hp and simply dangerous in the wet.
A mate was a V8 Ford man too and we got hold of his 4WD F-100 Short Wheel Base and gave it the business, lifted and inch or two, go rid of the 409 front diff and shoved a 411 in there sorted out the Clevo in it and went Volvo hunting in the thing. It could spin all four in the first two gears and was an evil beastie.

Just had so much fun you know, but I'm nearly, well, the big 60 and while I'm in me second childhood I just don't understand why Falcon isn't doing better. I hear all the talk, here and elsewhere, and I am still no better off. GMH have done some bloody good marketing over the last few years and that just might be the difference.
Take a look at Ford Aus over the years, it sold best to the conservative side of the Aussie market, while Holden trottted out their Meat pies..... Holden Cars stuff. I think all this is closer to the truth.
It's obviously the truth that fuel economy means sod all really, it didn't last time fuel got expensive in the '70's and it cost Ford big time, Holden didn't do so good with the Star Fire 4 either....
Now its SUV's big, little or crap ones are selling all over the joint. A lot of conservative buyers have gone Eruo or up market Jap. Ford was slow with the Diesel Terry, had lost the plot, now the XR8... I don't know where it will go, I know if I brought an 8 I could get a GS, however what about a cooking model?
I've had a good time over the years doing over Ford V8's, it's been fun, a real chest beater.... I hope it continues for a while yet.
I see these young blokes getting 400+ out of the rear of the Miami S/C and I get that tight chest again...... I don't think it's the ol' ticker either. Still love it!

Awesome post mate

[defective]

when i bought my xr8 it came down to three cars, the xr, an 07 ss, and an optima.

the optima lost out because i knew no matter how much i liked the looksand the interior, i would get bored silly with the power, so it was down to the xr8 and the ss.

the interior of the ss lost it the sale, it was dull dreary and drab,all at once. both cars were basically povo spec.

the ss didnt go as well, but not enough to rule it out, and it made up for it by sounding awesome. it really was the interior that killed it.

i was quite prepared to jump ship to holden if it had impressed me, and for me that was a shock to the system,ive been pro ford for nearly two decades. but in the end, the fg stood head and shoulders above the ss. and i still love it to this day.

[TS50]

Im a way biased V8 owner so take this with a grain of salt. One of the great things about a V8 vs the T6, is they are still fun to drive at 1/4 throttle with the lovely V8 burble. They are slower than a T6 particularly the older ones, but fun. When you pull up people smile, whereas a T6 is a taxi until better than 50% throttle. An XR8 would address this.

Tony, you best drive my F6 then mate, cos 50% throttle will have you in a lot of strife. There is no noise and theatre with a F6, but dont underestimate the throttle response. My BF F6 was like what you said, but the FG is a different ball game. Still I like you prefer the V8 burble. While the F6 is faster and more throttle responsive, the TS still puts a bigger smile on the dial

[HSE2]

Well we now know it has a future, albeit a limited one. Thoroughly deserved and a car eagerly anticipated.