2016 Ford Falcon XR6 Sprint REVIEW – Fast, Flawed, Exiting On A Six-Pot Salvo
THIS IS THE XR6 SPRINT: 370kW OF POWER, 650Nm OF TORQUE, AND A GLORIOUS INLINE-SIX SOUNDTRACK. It's a last-hurrah effort from Ford’s local operation and the last all-Australian Falcon to be built before the Broadmeadows factory doors slam shut on October 7.
Yes we know the XR8 Sprint also exists, but that car’s 5.0 litre V8 is sourced from the ‘States. The XR6 Sprint’s inline six, however, was forged just down the road at Ford’s Geelong foundry - it’s thoroughly true-blue.
And the XR6 Sprint is properly intriguing on paper. The stats promise big thrills, and its importance as the last of a long line of Australian-made big Fords means it occupies a special place in Australia’s automotive history. Collectibility is guaranteed.
Is it any good though? The architecture is verging on prehistoric, and the poor Falcon has more than a few wrinkles in evidence. Let’s check it out.