Combine two great Aussie legends and what do
you get? - The XR6 & XR8 Falcon utes! There's a certain
character about the XR utes which is hard to define - something that says
"race bread" rather than just a tarted up base model Ute - something the VS SS Commodore
of the time simply didn't share. Maybe it's the bold (and extremely
effective) Tickford quad headlamp front, or the Tickford stamp resting
firmly upon the engine - it's hard to tell. Or just maybe it's the
extremely easy to use "adaptive shift auto" (and I'm not usually an
auto fan) and fantastic handling that does it! Who knows...and who
might ever know - since you'll be busy doing one of two things - soaking
up one of the most pleasurable Ute drives this side of anywhere, or
simply kicking back in an attempt to soak it all in...
Ok - so the ride can be a little too
firm at times (especially on the way home after a stint on night shift)
- but this is a sports car isn't it? While not handling quite with
the purity of Ford's brilliant XR6 & XR8 sedans, it's mighty close and
certainly good enough to put the VS Commodore SS Ute to shame. In
fact, you'll be struggling to find a better handling Ute...anywhere!!!
I'm sure given time something better will eventually be produced -
but for now, this is it - period.
Keeping all the qualities of the XL
& XLS utes before it means that cargo space is in abundance - something
that can't be said for most two door two seater sports cars. Add to
that relatively cheap parts, insurance & servicing and the 2+2 sports car
market has never had a more worthy competitor. A tradesman's hero?
I want one!
Check out the list below to see the all the nitty gritty details of
what a XR comes with - with the improvements over the XLS marked in
italics.
AU1 XR6 & XR8 standard equipment:
Available in style side bed, tray back or cab chassis formats.
Engine choices:
XR6:
4.0 litre 'HP' straight six featuring:
164 kW @ 5000 rpm.
366 Nm @ 3150 rpm.
Single Over Head Cam.
sequential fuel injection.
Dual runner length intake manifold
Serpentine drive belt.
Structural sump.
Fail safe cooling.
Smart start (prevents damage by engine being re-started once running).
Tickford Aluminium head (identified by a 'T' cast into
the front).
XR8:
5.0 litre V8 featuring:
185 kW @ 5000 rpm.
412 Nm @ 3500 rpm.
Pushrod design.
Cast-iron heads.
Sequential fuel injection.
Serpentine accessory drive belt.
Pressed steel rocker covers and sump.
Dual tipped exhaust system.
Gearbox options:
5 speed manual standard.
4 speed auto (including overdrive and converter lock up) optional,
with
"adaptive shift" as standard fitment.
Suspension:
Tickford developed "Sports suspension" and handling package - specifically for XR utes.
Fully independent double wishbone front suspension - forged upper & lower control arms, forged
spindle.
Live rear axil on XR leaf springs with outboard shock absorbers for ultimate motion
control with this type of suspension.
3.45:1 diff ratio with LSD (Limited Slip Differential) standard.
Steering:
Power assisted rack & pinion for exceptional steering feel (try it - you'll never ever know
if you never ever go!).
3.1 turns lock to lock
Turning circle: 11.5m
Wheels & Tyres:
P235/45 ZR17 tyres (Dunlop SP9000's).
17" x 8" Tickford 5-spoke alloy wheels, standard on both XR6 & XR8 (compared to
the XR6 sedan which receives the 16" Tickford wheels as standard).
Still with 15" x 6" silver painted steel wheel as a spare (doh!).
Note - a very small number of XR utes escaped the factory with
TE50 17" wheels attached standard due to a shortage of standard 17's at
the time. Unfortunately this was not recorded on the build sheet at the
time so proving yours came so-fitted can be a little difficult.
Convenience:
Electric remote control exterior mirrors.
Cruise control with steering wheel mounted controls standard (extremely easy to use).
Appearance / Identification:
XR6 or XR8 badging on tailgate and front guards as is appropriate.
Tickford emblem on front guards.
Quad round halogen headlights (literally turn night into day!)
Matching front end styling including matching grill & lower (smaller) blinkers -
same as XR sedan.
Body coloured side protection mouldings.
Black unpainted exterior mirrors.
Load Space:
Plastic tray liner standard on style side rear box, including in built drink holder in tailgate,
cargo divider slots moulded into the sides and space between the rear wheel arches to fit
a standard pallet.
Std black tonneau cover with 2 steel bows.
Security:
'Smart shield' security system, remote central locking/keyless entry.
'Tibbe' keys & locks.
Brakes:
ABS brakes standard.
Floor mounted hand brake - left side of driver.
4 wheel disc brakes standard - vented fronts, solid rears.
Cruise control with steering wheel mounted controls standard (extremely easy to use).
Interior in "warm charcoal" colour theme.
Cloth trimmed sports bucket seats.
Prestige 100 Watt AM/FM stereo radio/cassette with 4 speakers, CD changer controls (CD stacker not included) and mobile phone mute
features.
Optional Prestige 100 Watt AM/FM stereo radio/cassette/single CD with 4 speakers, CD changer controls (CD stacker not included) and mobile phone mute
features.
6 stack CD changer optional with XLS & XR's.
Power antenna.
Carpet floor covering standard.
Digital clock in central dash binnacle.
Interior cargo net.
Low coolant indicator on dash.
Service req'd indicator on dash.
Power operated side windows.
Heated rear window.
Fixed speed intermittent wipers.
Driver's airbag.
Steering wheel mounted volume control & seek functions for radio / cassette.
Quick tilt forward driver's seat for easy access to internal storage area.
Child seat anchorage point.
Instrument panel includes Tachometer, fuels level, water temp and Distance To Empty (DTE) function.
Audible warnings for Turn signals, lights left on, high engine temperature and low fuel.
Oil Pressure & Battery Voltage gauges.
Low Oil Pressure audible warning.
Warning lights for low oil pressure, high beam, alternator fail, lamps on, brake fail, hand
brake on, low fuel, high temperature, rear demist, door ajar, seat belts, ABS (where fitted) and
airbag.
Other options available:
Sump guard
1600 kg rated tow bar with automatic gearbox option (limited to 1200kg with manual gearbox).
2300 kg rated tow bar (dealer fitted option) - only with automatic gearbox.
"Cabin Tidy" - specially designed bin for behind the seats.
Mobile phone platform
Custom formed (for the AU) mudspats.
Rear sunshade.
Headlight shields (clear plastic).
Fire extinguishers.
Carpet mats.
Bonnet protector (clear plastic).
"Smart Bar" - that's a air-bag friendly bull bar to you & I!
