Your Thoughts on SR Range

[FPV70]

G'day all.
For quite some time now I have believed that there is a gap in our car range selection for V8's.
Ok, We all know the XT V8 didn't sell very well for Ford but, what if they were to make it more appealing to people.

I have always thought that the SR Falcons name could be put to better use rather than just a special model runout thing that has happened in the past.

Here are my thoughts on a new range of Falcons and please, tell me what you think.

XT - base model

Futura - family mans car

SR6 - Rather than current Non-Turbo XR6

SR8 - Fill gap between the Base XT V8 and XR8 with lesser V8 engine

XR6 - With or without the T but the XR would denote the fact it is the Quicker model

XR8 - same as the XR6 but with the V8 obviously

I think the SR's could have like a sporty package like the XR's but rather than the XR badge, go the SR badge.

For those of us that can not afford the XR8, an SR8 might be more affordable and also an entry level V8 with Manual gearbox.

3 levels of Sports orientated cars, thats gotta make the Falcon look more appealing to the public?

So what do you all think?

[Bucknaked]

It sounds similar to Holden with the SV6 and SV8.

I had an SR Focus. The difference was Air Con and Alloys and no extra cost.

You would need differnet options to differ between the SR range and the XR range. Between the XT 3V and the XR8, you get a different engine, but between an XT and an XR6 N/a you got all the same running gear. BF was slightly different as I think XT Auto was 4 speed and Manual was 5 speed, while the XR range got the 6 speeds.

I don't think what your suggesting is a bad idea. It's always good to have options.

[Mark^^]

You can also buy an SR Territory, it has different wheels and a few other minor differences from the base grade TX model.

[Kryton]

i believe, like Holden, you should be able to option a V8 on ANY car in the range.
soon the V8 wont be an option on anything but XR8 and GT.

[JBomb3000]

Wast of time IMO, no one wants to by a lesser spec V8 any more. The fact the the Turbo 6 is such a good performer would make a lesser spec V8 completely redundant. If the V8 XT didn't sell what makes you think changing the badge will help the situation?

[3vXT]

^^^ I agree.

When it comes to low spec, base model V8s, people just don't buy them as much anymore. I don't know why, if i had the money for a new car, a manual V8 base model would be high on my list (and other peoples), but it just didn't turn into sales. Maybe by the time people realized how much extra they were spending with a V8 and a few options, they were looking at spending close enough to get an XR anyway.

Personally the only thing i'd change about the currant lineup is the XR6. I'm never been much of a fan partly because they share their engine with the base models. I would love to see a 210-220kw NA XR6 but its probably a bit late for that with the current models. Give the NA XR6 owners something to crow about

[Powdered Toast Man]

I agree with JBomb3000 and I actually own a V8 XT. The reason Ford are dropping the engine is because not enough people buy them. The 6 is a good enough engine for 99% of base model buyers. In fact with the 6spd auto the 6 is probably actually quicker than the 4spd auto 3V in factory spec. The only reason I bought mine was to be different and I love the sound of a V8. If I was after a performance V8 I would have bought an XR8 and was thinking about it.

Bucknaked, I dont think the V8 XT was available as a manual in BF guise. Actually I think it was auto only for BA MkII, it was only MkI that had the manual option. Thats why manual V8 XTs are so rare.

I don't get all these people wanting to change the XR6 though. The XR6 is supposed to be a regular falcon tarted up with sports suspension and a sportier look. Thats the whole point of it. Remember the S-pack XD/XE/XF or even the GS option on the earlier X series, thats all the XR6 is supposed to be. If you want a high performance 6 cylinder then buy a turbo, thats what its there for!

Sorry but I'm a bit sick of the N/A XR6 lack of power argument when there has always been a high power version availble.

[3vXT]

Originally Posted by Powdered Toast Man

I don't get all these people wanting to change the XR6 though. The XR6 is supposed to be a regular falcon tarted up with sports suspension and a sportier look. Thats the whole point of it. Remember the S-pack XD/XE/XF or even the GS option on the earlier X series, thats all the XR6 is supposed to be. If you want a high performance 6 cylinder then buy a turbo, thats what its there for!

Sorry but I'm a bit sick of the N/A XR6 lack of power argument when there has always been a high power version availble.

But why stop at suspension and a bodykit? Too me it just seems weak to (indirectly) market something as the 'sporty option', then give it the exact same engine as the others. Its a bit late, but if they are going to continue with the 'bodykit & suspension' specials, i would rather see just an XR6T and XR8 in the line up.
The V8 XT's got less power than the XR8s, why should the 6's be exactly the same?

Sorry FPV70, i'm a little off topic.

[Powdered Toast Man]

Originally Posted by ken2903

But why stop at suspension and a bodykit? Too me it just seems weak to (indirectly) market something as the 'sporty option', then give it the exact same engine as the others. Its a bit late, but if they are going to continue with the 'bodykit & suspension' specials, i would rather see just an XR6T and XR8 in the line up.
The V8 XT's got less power than the XR8s, why should the 6's be exactly the same?

Sorry FPV70, i'm a little off topic.

But the XR6T is there for people who want a hipo 6. So the XR6 is the sporty option over an XT. I understand your reasoning, you would prefer the XR6 was actually called say a Falcon S or an SR6 as FPV70 suggested, and then the XR6T would be the only XR6. I dont buy a car for badge bragging rights (I own an XT lol) so I dont fully understand the problem some N/A XR6 owners have. But I do get your argument.

As far as bragging rights go who are you competeing against? If its only XT owners then you have the better suspension, bodykit and wheel/tyre package over them so just look at it that way. If it's the Holden equivelent then you already have a better engine than the best V6 Holden can offer.

Back on topic; the only car on FPV70s list that won't work is the SR8. The SV8 obviously didn't work too well for Holden otherwise they would still use it instead of having an SS and an SS-V. Also the SV8 had exactly the same engine as the SS but still didn't sell. The other problem is Ford dont have a low level V8 for Orion, the 3V was discontinued.

[3vXT]

Originally Posted by Powdered Toast Man

(I own an XT lol)

Me too, that probably makes me an idiot for trying to argue for a more powerful XR6


I probably should view it as a 'glass half full' kind of deal. At least they aren't just a 'badge and wheel' model, they look and feel different to drive and they seem to sell ok in relation to other models

[Falc'man]

Well after driving an XR6 for a day I found the handling so much more enjoyable than the XT set up. In fact, it was rewarding enough to look past the fact they had the same power... lower diff ratio also helped with the response and made the car feel a little lighter. I wouldn't want it to change.

[Bossxr8]

Another problem is how can Ford market a lower powered V8 when Holden have the same 270kw engine from the Berlina to the SS to the Caprice.

Doesn't matter anyway, the optional V8 is dead.

[XR6_190]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Another problem is how can Ford market a lower powered V8 when Holden have the same 270kw engine from the Berlina to the SS to the Caprice.

Doesn't matter anyway, the optional V8 is dead.

Not dead, Dorment. I think it is very naive to assume Ford will not bring back a base V8, or like Holden the same V8 as XR8, in other models such as Futura, Fairmont, Fairmont Ghia, Ute (XL, XLS, RTV). Sure it is unlikely to happen now with the current engines size issues (unless they were to bring out a Fairmont Ghia with a bulge, or craft a new, classier and better intergrated bulge) but when Hurricane V8 enters the arena it would be more than likely than not that the V8 will return to more mainstream

Remember that this year Holden has had something of a record with V8 sales. Heck most VE Calais I see are V8s

[schnoods]

I dont agree that you should be able to have a lesser v8 option (like the 3v), I don't believe that there should be more models based with different names.

With the holden range out of the Omega, you have in the v8 category, the sv8, ss, ssv, calais V and thats without going into the stato's and HSV's.

They have tried doing it before with the Force6 and force8 and didn't do well, as it was too subtle.


Just option the v8 and turbo 6 motors at a premium like the other camp does with their cars, have a pov pack V8, or optioned up NA 6's. Not all of us want the top of the range GTP or pov pack 6's.

Thats why the Na XR6's sold so well, people wanted the turbo (shape) with out having the turbo drive. And vise versa.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by XR6_190

Not dead, Dorment. I think it is very naive to assume Ford will not bring back a base V8, or like Holden the same V8 as XR8, in other models such as Futura, Fairmont, Fairmont Ghia, Ute (XL, XLS, RTV). Sure it is unlikely to happen now with the current engines size issues (unless they were to bring out a Fairmont Ghia with a bulge, or craft a new, classier and better intergrated bulge) but when Hurricane V8 enters the arena it would be more than likely than not that the V8 will return to more mainstream

Remember that this year Holden has had something of a record with V8 sales. Heck most VE Calais I see are V8s

They just had an optional V8 and no one bought them, so the precedent has been set.

[drew`SEVNT5]

Originally Posted by ken2903

^^^ I agree.

When it comes to low spec, base model V8s, people just don't buy them as much anymore. I don't know why, if i had the money for a new car, a manual V8 base model would be high on my list (and other peoples), but it just didn't turn into sales. Maybe by the time people realized how much extra they were spending with a V8 and a few options, they were looking at spending close enough to get an XR anyway.

Personally the only thing i'd change about the currant lineup is the XR6. I'm never been much of a fan partly because they share their engine with the base models. I would love to see a 210-220kw NA XR6 but its probably a bit late for that with the current models. Give the NA XR6 owners something to crow about

they never shut up, as it is..