INDEX:

Full Specifications Listing:

XR6 'HP' & 'VCT' Engine:   (back to index)

• 4.0 litre inline six cylinder.
• 164kW @ 5000 rpm (HP), 172kW @ 5000rpm (VCT)
• 366Nm @ 3150 rpm (HP), 370Nm @ 3500rpm (VCT)
• Overhead Cam with roller rockers & roller cam followers (HP).
• Overhead Cam with roller rockers, variable cam timing unit & roller cam followers (VCT).
• VCT engine features a unique head and rocker cover to enable fitment of the externally fed (oil supply) VCT unit.  Rocker cover features unique styling - as fitted to the Fairmont Ghia.
• Alloy head with direct heat detection sender on the back of no.6 combustion chamber on both 'HP' and 'VCT' engines.
• Unique 'HP' head for XR6 HP - identifiable via a 'T' cast into the front face.
• Both engines feature red powder coated rocker covers with silver machined high lights.
• Stronger AU head studs with greater pull down tensions.
• New two-piece head gasket for AU to further aid in reducing blown head gaskets.
• Sequential fuel injection.
• Dual resonance intake manifold for a better torque spread than previously possible.
• Serpentine accessory drive belt for increased quietness and reliability.
• Fail safe cooling (engine can literally run without coolant in it - theoretically it is impossible to cook this engine due to loss of coolant).  *This feature un-available if converted and running on LPG (option not available from the factory).
• ‘Smart start’ - prevents you from engaging the starter motor if the engine is already running.
• Structural sump for quieter operation and increased block stiffness.
• New stiffer and better balanced crankshaft for quieter operation and less NVH - with machined counterweights for piston clearance and better balance.
• Longer conrods for better fuel economy & better burn control.
• New short skirt anti-friction coated pistons for better fuel economy.
• Overall, a much sweeter and easier engine to rev than ever before...
• Standard Forte exhaust system fitted to XR6 'HP' with small oval chrome tip.
• Free flowing 'sports' exhaust system fitted to XR6 'VCT' with large oval chrome tip - for a far deeper note than possible with the standard 'HP' system.
  

XR8 Engine:   (back to index)

• 5.0 litre V8.
• 185 kW @ 4600 rpm.
• 412 Nm @ 3500 rpm.
• Pushrod valve actuation.
• Cast-iron heads.
• Sequential fuel injection.
• Serpentine accessory drive belt.
• Pressed steel rocker covers and sump.
• Unique free-flowing exhaust system including twin chrome outlets with spine tingling exhaust note (for a late model factory fitted system that is!)
• Note:  All AU Falcon V8s came minus the "fail safe cooling" of the six cylinder, and hence must be treated accordingly.  Considering the V8s have never had significant head gasket problems this shouldn't put you off.

Gearbox:   (back to index)

• Optional 'Adapt-a-shift' 4 speed automatic with floor shift including converter lock-up, electronic control and a overdrive 4^th gear.  - Includes power and economy modes.  *In good condition, one of the smoothest shifting gearboxes on the market at the time, this very same gearbox was used by Maseratti on some earlier models.
• 5 speed manual gearbox standard including overdrive 5th gear.  
• *Unique manual gearbox ratios for XR8.
• No speed limiter (all other Falcons electronically limited to 180 km/h except where noted).

Brakes:   (back to index)

Four wheel disc brakes including the following:

• front ventilated discs.
• rear solid discs.
• special dedicated rear internal drum brakes (inside disc brake hubs) for exceptional hand brake performance and increased reliability.
• easy to use centre mounted hand brake lever.
• Bosch ABS (Bosch Anti-lock Braking System) included as standard equipment.
• ABS module is now bolted to the inner guard inside the engine bay and out of harm’s way in the event of an accident.

Steering:   (back to index)

• Power assistance standard in every AU Falcon.
• Rack and pinion.
• This steering has a incredibly accurate feel to it and only gets better as you progress to the performance Falcons with their low profile tyres and sports suspensions - unlike the VT Commodore’s vague and unresponsive steering (if you could call it that).  Unfortunately many confuse the Commodore's lack of responsiveness combined with it's under-engineered IRS for added stability!  
• Optional red leather Momo steering wheel.
• Perforated black leather steering wheel standard.

Front Suspension:   (back to index)

• Coil sprung double wishbone for much better handling and greater rigidity than Commodore’s flimsy McPherson strut unit.
• Drop forged steel upper and lower wishbones for even greater strength.
• Lower control arm features combined 3 point anchorage for greater stability and steering responsiveness.
• Forged steel spindles for added reliability.
• Machined aluminium cross member for greater rigidity.
• Ball-joints relocated vs. EL for greater steering responsiveness.

Rear Suspension:   (back to index)

• Coil sprung live rear axil standard on XR6 'HP' - mounted via a “four link” suspension system with Watts link.
• Multi-link Independent Rear Suspension on XR6 'VCT' and XR8 - optional on XR6 'HP'.
• Limited slip differential with 3.45 axil ratio standard with all XR variants.
• Standard Tickford handling kit - includes front and rear suspension and sway bar bushes, unique spring rates and shock absorber valving.  Note unique settings for IRS vs live axil'd equipped vehicles.
• Lower ride height than standard vehicles.

Security:   (back to index)

• Tibbe locks in driver’s door and ignition.
• Smartlock system makes hotwiring difficult via electronic engine immobilization.
• Post 'AU Update' vehicles include a special key with internal transponder as well as better ignition lock shielding.  This can be identified by a fatter key pad as well as a recessed ignition lock / fatter 'eyebrow' above the lock itself.
• Central locking standard.
• Lock button on driver's door only allowing less entry points for the potential thief.
• ‘Smartlock’ remote keyless door and boot (tailgate) entry system.
• Electronic engine immobilization.
• Interior light comes on with remote unlocking.
• Lockable glove box.
• Optional dealer fitted Ford backed car alarm.
• Recommended fitment of further security measures due to desirability of vehicle.

Sound System:   (back to index)

• Double din security coded 100 watt auto reverse/auto scan radio/cassette player.
• Mobile phone interface with mute.
• CD controls for remote stacker unit (not fitted – option only and an expensive one at that!)
  * Note - in a move that reeks of taking advantage of a captive market, the only after-market stackers available that are compatible with Ford's OEM sound systems cost about the same as Ford's over-priced spares parts listing - about double that of most other high quality units!
• Single slott CD player fitted to XR6 'VCT' and XR8.
• Power operated aerial.
• Six cone speaker system.
• Steering wheel mounted volume and seek functions (a feature also shared with the Forte).
• One hour keyless play function (i.e. without the need to have the ignition on).

Instrumentation:   (back to index)

• Tachometer.
• Temperature.
• Oil pressure guage.
• Battery voltage.
• Unique 240 km/h Speedo with Tickford logo on back ground.
• Fuel Guage with DTE calculation next to odometer.
• Distance to Empty calculator for fuel.
• Dual intensity instrument panel illumination.
• Service due indicator.
• Orange LED readouts for DTE, tripmeter, odometer and service due indicators (odometer display disappears after the ignition is turned off). 
• Digital clock built into top of dash center.
• Dash in 'Warm Charcoal' (almost black) with grey center consol.

Comfort:   (back to index)

• Air conditioning standard in all Falcons including:
• four speed fan.
• rapid cool down function.
• six easy to use and well placed dash vents.
• dash top vents to direct air to front side windows for added demisting.
• ducting to rear seat passengers.
• Seating:
• Manually adjustable lumbar support on both front seats.
• Driver's seat cushion tilt adjustment and adjustable thigh support.
• Adjustable lumbar support for driver and front seat passenger.
• Adjustable front seat head rests.
• Built in (fixed) rear seat head rests (adjustable see-through separate items for EL).
• 60/40 fold down rear seat with access into boot.
• Interior on .
• Steering wheel adjustable for both reach and height.
• 'Warm Charcoal' vinyl door trims with cloth insert.
• Matching carpet mats with embroidered XR logos and featuring screw plugs to stop the usual dangerous floating of such under pedals etc.

Safety:   (back to index)

• Retractable lap-sash seat belts in all positions.
• Post upgrade AU’s include an adjustable height top seat belt mount for front seats.
• Standard drivers air bag.
• Childproof rear door locks.
• Built in child seat anchorage points with one hook already attached.
• Steering wheel adjustable for both reach and height.
• Rear window demister.
• Passenger air bag optional.
• ABS braking standard.
• Significantly increased handling abilities enabling increased accident evasion and avoidance provisions.

Convenience:   (back to index)

• Centre front consol with rubberised parts tray and compartment for tapes and CD’s, and including coin slots.
• Standard fold-away mobile phone platform.
• Centre front cup holder in consol.
• Swivelling map reading lights for front seat occupants.
• Fixed map reading lights for rear seat passengers.
• Map pockets standard in front doors.
• Electric exterior rear view mirrors.
• Luggage compartment lamp.
• Ignition lock illumination.
• Passenger vanity mirror in pull down sun visor.
• Standard Cruise Control on XR6 VCT and XR8 (optional on XR6 HP) with easy steering wheel mounted operation.
• Storage pocket below the radio in Forte deleted due to the inclusion of a more powerful double din radio/cassette/CD controller.
• Integrated grab handles (roof mounted in 3 positions) and coat hooks.
• Optional roof racks to enable carrying of essentials such as a surf-board on the way to the beach!

Appearance / Identification:   (back to index)

• Black unpainted exterior mirrors.
• Silver painted unique 'XR' 16" alloy wheels standard except on late AU1 XR8s.
• Sleek 'low slung' bonnet (same as Forte / Futura / Falcon “S” / Classic / XL & XLS).
• “INTECH OHC” decal on front mudguard.
• Body coloured rear spoiler (mono plane) including triangular LED high mount stop light standard.
• Unique single bar grill treatment with four tunnel mounted round H4 halogen headlamps.  
• Black pin striping in body coloured side protection strips (red, white and silver cars - while blue, green and black XR’s have red pin striping).
• XR6 or XR8 badging on boot lid and front guards (black on silver, white and red XR’s, red on blue, green and black XR’s).
• Tickford 'wings' on front guards.
• Small oval chrome exhaust tip on XR6 'HP'.
• Large angle-cut oval chrome exhaust tip on XR6 'VCT' - same as on AU Fairlane.
• Twin round exhaust outlets on XR8.
• Optional body kit featuring front bumper extension, side and rear skirts as well as unique twin deck rear spoiler.
• Colours limited to Hot Chilli Red, Silohette (black), Liquid Silver, White, Oxford Green and Galaxy (dark blue metallic).

Lighting:   (back to index)

• Exceptionally bright headlights (30% brighter than the EL's) - make the VT’s pale in comparison and exceptionally good to drive by.  Four round halogen H4's with glass lenses - with a better light spread than on the standard Falcon equivalents.
• Optional plastic headlight protectors.  Note: fitment of these headlight protectors requires holes to be drilled in the front of your XR meaning you had better be sure since once it's done there's no going back...
• Orange front guard indicator repeater lenses.
• Blinkers relocated from beside the headlights to lower in the bumper.
• Orange blinker lenses in tail lights (clear in Fairmont / Fairmont Ghia).
• Self fading interior light.
• Illuminated ignition lock.
• High mount rear stop light (triangular) mounted in rear spoiler.  Note genuine Tickford AU1 spoiler carries triangular high mount stop light where as non-genuine item carries a strip LED.

Wheels:   (back to index)

Standard unique 'XR' 16” x 7” sliver five spoke painted alloy wheels (also fitted to Falcon S and XLS).  Note - early AU1 XRs came with the more fiddly and controversial 'Cloverleaf' 16" wheel. Optional 17” x 8.0” Tickford five spoke alloy wheels.

Tyres:   (back to index)

• Standard P215/55 R16 tyres.
• Optional (with appropriate wheels) P235/45 ZR17 tyres.

Windows:   (back to index)

• Front electric windows with time delay after key off, rears wind-up style (XR6 'HP' only). *Early XR6 HP's came with wind-up front windows as well and are extremely rare, having been upgraded to the new spec with the 'AU Upgrade'.
• Electric windows in all four positions for XR6 'VCT' and XR8.
• Two speed front windscreen wipers plus variable intermittent setting and on-demand wash / wipe.
• Rear window demister with timed auto switch off.
• Electrically operable exterior rear view mirrors.
• Wide angle left hand rear view mirror.
• Day/night interior rear view mirror.

Towing:   (back to index)

• Optional 1600*kg rated towbar (auto only).
• Optional 2300*kg rated towbar (auto only).
• Ford maintains a 1200kg limit for a manual gearbox equipped Falcon - due mainly to the capacity of the clutch than anything else.

* See Ford for specifications needed to achieve these rated figures.

Body:   (back to index)

• The AU XR6 benefits from the same race stiffened body shell as the XR8 that is so suitably used for the V8 Supercar series.
• Bake hardened steel used in all external surfaces - means a lighter body shell while being more resistant to shopping trolley dints than the model it replaces.
• Body kit available as an option - uses rear spoiler (twin deck), side & rear skirts as well as front air dam extension -overall very attractive and well suited to the AU’s shape.  Much wilder than the VT’s Hyundai imitation (body kit not available on wagons).
• More aerodynamic than VT.
• “New Edge” styling has an added practical feature - sharp corners add strength and rigidity to panels, further resisting low speed impacts.
• Boot hinges do not intrude into boot space allowing you more room to pack the goodies in as well as a lessened chance of damaging packed items...
• “Blocker” steel bar welded across front of the radiator to help prevent damage in low speed impacts (therefore cheaper repairs).
  

Fuel Economy:   (back to index)

* Actual figures taken from Ford's official AU series 1 brochure featuring both Forte, Futura and Falcon S.

Dimensions:   (back to index)

(Back to XR Summary)

AU Home / Contact / Links / Home Page / Feedback EL Home / EF Home / Galleries / Showcars / Visitor's Cars

Info By Doug Bevan, site by Anthony Robinson.
Copyright © 2000 by Doug & Any . All rights reserved.
Revised: 19 Nov 2002 .