2016 Ford Falcon XR6 and XR8 Sprint review | first drive video

Malcolm Flynn road tests and reviews the Ford Falcon XR6 and XR8 Sprints with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at their Australian launch.
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The legendary Australian Ford Falcon is sadly not long for this world, but that hasn’t stopped the Blue Oval from sending it out on a high by screwing together the most powerful XR models ever, with the XR6 and XR8 Sprints.
On the surface, the Sprints may look like a parts bin special, and you may recognise the wheels from the old F6 E and GT E, but there’s a whole lot of subtle details developed just for these last versions.
On the outside, you can pick the XR8 by its signature bonnet bulge, but the Sprint model also gets blacked-out mirrors and roof and a unique decal along the doors.
The XR6 gets its own decals on the rear guards, and both models get new foglight surrounds up front and a subtle lip spoiler on the boot.
On the inside there’s new Alcantara trim patches and revised colours, which makes the old FG interior feel a bit more special.
So if you look closely, it’s a pretty special design, but it’s underneath where the big story is.
The XR8 sprint gets a recalibrated version of the supercharged 8 in the regular XR8, that’s also now sold out.
The XR6 Sprint gets an uprated version of the old F6 engine, and also makes up the last of the XR6 Turbo models.
The XR6 also gets a gorgeous carbon fibre intake snorkel, which combined with a new exhaust helps the Sprint to breathe better than any Turbo 6 before it.
The 6 is auto-only, but the XR8 is being made in manual and auto.
Both get the six-pot Brembo brakes from the fastest of the GTs, but the Sprints also get their own suspension setups and new Pirelli P Zero tyres to bring them a cut above the regular XR8’s R Spec setup.
So which one's quickest? Ford isn’t quoting actual numbers, but say that the XR8 manual is quickest in the right hands and under the right conditions, but the XR6 is the best at delivering consistently fast numbers.
Both are blisteringly fast, to the point where they could well be the fastest cars Australia has ever produced. The new tyres play a big role here, but the new suspension has been tuned to match and somehow manages to improve handling and ride comfort at the same time.
The XR8 is the poetic choice, with its fantastic supercharger whine and V8 exhaust bellow, but the XR6 feels sharper, lighter and more responsive. Horses for courses, but we’re glad they’ve given us a choice.
Both Sprints are being produced in very limited numbers, so you’ll be lucky to find one.
There's no question that the new Sprints are the fastest XRs ever, but they're also arguably the most special. They may not be as lairy as a GT, but their sophistication is a great way to see the Falcon off.

[@smartey2612]

The XR6 Sprint is such a fantastic car. There very quick and reliable. Would definitely recommend getting ur hands on one. I reckon Ford Australia tipped all of there budget into the Sprint 6 development. In the end this is Definitely the best car that has come out of Ford Australia and no doubt will give a Commodore a run for its money.

[@RypienGT]

Full Kudos to Ford Australia for running a fantastic turbo 6 engine in so many models, but I'll never understand why they constantly downplayed the turbos and really never released a fire breathing model.

[@colonelklink9911]

Because in base spec, the XR8 was $8-10K more expensive. Can't get spanked by a cheaper model...

[@IsaiahSarver2]

y is this not sold in America

[@AppleSlipper]

Ford USA discontinued the Falcon since the late 1960s. Since then, all Ford Falcons have been designed and built in Australia from the ground up.

[@JohnJohnson-Aotearoa]

I'll have 2 of each please......

[@anonymous3738]

Too bad this was never sold in America despite being an American brand vehicle. However, we may get something practically identical soon since Ford has recently announced the possibility of a 4-door Mustang.

[@petergiourelas3753]

Not a ford fan but the barra is very good, shame all the plastic bits break, bf falcon shifter cable plastic bushes just rubbish, dont ask me how i know

[@jonathanharrison6859]

So there were Falcons made in The New Millennium in Australia! Millennium Falcons! Maybe if they advertised them that way, they might still be making them!

[@RypienGT]

It took me 5 years to find and like this comment. Bravo Sir, Bravo.

[@hondolando142]

importing one like, right now hahaha

[@JDMHaze]

So Americans are pissed that this sedan is not in the states, we have nothing to combat the Dodge charger .. Ford has no V8 sedan... smh l... although this interior looks like garbage. The powertrain would be a delight

[@lobsterwhisperer7932]

what are talking about? ford also made regular xr6 n/a

[@AutoDireto]

nice car

[@ramsesisaac5954]

I thought that Ford Falcon was out bissnes

[@MrZillaman73]

Pointless for Aussie public roads, were can you use this much power and properly enjoy it? on the track yeah no worries.

[@Chabobox1]

I guess it's more of Ford wanting to end the Falcons with something special and collectible.

[@maldo72]

dont understand why they dont have cars like this in the usa

[@FREQQLES]

Chevy SS is the only recent... and will also be the last aussie made car in the US (rebranded Holden). Naturally aspirated manual V8.

[@Chabobox1]

You guys in America get tonnes of great locally built cars, we in Australia got Ford Australia and Holden but now they are out of business; I don't get why people keep complaining that they never get good cars in America.

[@xr6tgtx737]

yeah cause overtaking a truck on the wrong side of the road in a hatchback 2lt with yourself partner and kids in the car with a boot full of crap is enough to get the heart racing i spose.

[@josephmason9910]

Um.... ok...

[@alsand64]

i wish i could put my american 65 four door falcon body on this frame and drivetrain....

[@IsaiahSarver2]

never heard of this car😑

[@Studat]

The suspension is garbage, to much power for it to handle as for the most powerful Australian car have you not heard of HSV?

[@josephnicholls9640]

Studat except HSV does not build their blocks whatsoever

[@smartey2612]

Stuart HSV = 320rwkw and GT-F = 343rwkw. What u on about? HSV are so overrated mate. Those results were taken on a dyno day for Street Machine I believe. Oh and one more thing, there’s something called a PRICE DIFFERENCE. One car is about 50 GRAND cheaper and can nearly get the same results (I’m talking about the Sprints here). Holden / HSV is overrated and Ford / FPV is underrated end of story.

[@JohnDoe-xf8nr]

Looks like a Taurus

[@JohnDoe-xf8nr]

I wish I can get my wife a falcon over here to America that way she can have a new falcon and I can have my 63 Sprint

[@djizzah]

try driving these with anything over 150,000 k's on the clock and they are totally, loose, rattly, issue prone, trim falling to bits, doors sagging, suspension and brake shuddering etcetera etcetera.. complete box of bolts not surprised they couldnt compete in our market anymore

[@stealth_sputnik1823]

And you've driven an xr8 sprint over 150,000 kms?

[@locky15luvsbball]

dji zzah absolute nonsense mate why do you think every taxi is a Ford? Reliability! The motors are the best Australian built motor in history and they are indestructible. There are few minor issues with these cars as you get into the high km mileage but that is standard and expected for a car with the many kms. Cannot beat the reliability of a Ford falcon period.

[@djizzah]

fast good looking comfortable yes, reliable no..toyota has that

[@stealth_sputnik1823]

5.0 supercharged miami v8 australian built i dont think they make shitboxes here like those asian imports

[@rabidsminions2079]

dji zzah so your saying no one shouldn't have sought them new because of what they may be like at 150,000 km or at 10 years old.

[@keratase1880]

its good that the falcon is discontinued! woo hoo. seriously putting a V8 in a car commonly used as a taxi is laughable

[@justabagel5173]

why i think its good fun v8 rear wheel drive easy to drift it probably handles better then our crown vic .

[@stealth_sputnik1823]

They used falcons because they are reliable then commodores seriously why else would they use them as taxis

[@justabagel5173]

i don't know why people stopped buying them although people are buying these stupid crossovers .

[@stealth_sputnik1823]

Yeah like i45s or even kia optimas