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Strong Customer Demand Prompts Increase in Falcon XR8 Sedan Production (442)

Ford has confirmed that it will increase production of its performance flagship model, the XR8 sedan.

“We have been buoyed by the amazing customer interest and demand for the XR8,” according to 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.”

Initially Ford expected to sell around 1200 Falcon XR8 sedans. Katic says the company has now expanded XR8 production to 2800 vehicles, effectively more than doubling output.

Already gaining momentum as a future classic, the Falcon XR8 sedan, has won hearts among enthusiasts and auto media alike for its performance, refinement and handling.

The car is being praised for the work the Australian-based engineering team has done to deliver the expected ride, handling and stopping power desired in a performance touring sedan.

“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.”

The engineering development team treated the XR8 program as a complete new car, rather than just slotting the high performance Boss 5.0-litre, supercharged all-aluminum V8 engine under the bonnet.

As a result, engineers applied the best-of-the-best FPV GT RSPEC suspension on the Falcon XR8. In contrast to standard GT suspension, the XR8 gains:

• Retuned rear dampers and springs
• Larger rear stabiliser bar (up from 18 mm to 19 mm)
• Retuned front dampers
• Stiffer front upper spring mounts
• Stiffer front upper control arm bushing
• Front and rear suspension geometry adjusted to complement 275 rear tyres

The Boss 5.0-litre, supercharged 32-valve V8 features maximum power of 335 kW at 5,750 rpm and maximum torque of 570 Nm at 2,200-5,500 rpm#.

To match the performance nature of the sporty sedan, the Falcon XR8 features a range of upgrades, including front Brembo 4-piston caliper brakes and rear single-piston caliper brakes, high-specification cooling fan, limited slip differential, heavy duty battery and sports steering gear.

Apart from an upgraded brake package for Falcon XR8 customers, the exterior of the XR8 has been provided with strong visual differences over other XR Series models, with a performance ‘power’ bulge, quad-tipped exhaust system, power side exterior repeater mirrors and unique shadow-line 5-spoke 19-inch x 8.0 (front) / 9.0 (rear) alloy wheels. Front and rear parking sensors are also standard.

#Performance data obtained using premium unleaded fuel (98 RON)

Read more on the ever-popular Falcon XR8