XR Sprint 001
Feann Torr9 Feb 2016
NEWS

Ford Falcon Sprint powers up

Fast Falcons assume attack mode for fitting send-off before factory closes

After yesterday's leak, Ford Australia has come clean with the official details and timing of the Falcon Sprint models, high-performance sedans intended to provide a fitting send off for the 56-year-old nameplate.

And as we reported, the Falcon XR6 Sprint is shaping up to be one of the fastest production Falcon's ever built – if not the fastest – when deliveries begin in May.

Powered by Ford's Australian made and engineered 4.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, the XR6 Sprint belts out a nominal 325kW at 6000rpm and 576Nm at just 2750rpm. But here's the kicker – the engine and turbo can huff real hard in for up to 10 seconds under full throttle, boosting these figures to an almighty 370kW and 650Nm!

How does it come by all this mumbo? The Ford Falcon XR6 Sprint makes use of larger intercooler and fuel injectors borrowed from the now defunct FPV F6 Typhoon, and also features a different airbox, larger air intake system and a unique transmission calibration.

The only problem for purists is that there's no manual gearbox option for the XR6 Sprint. It's six-speed auto-only… That said the XR8 Sprint will be offered with both six-speed manual and auto.

Speaking of which, the Ford Falcon XR8 Sprint is powered by a 'bespoke' version of the company's 5.0-litre supercharged V8. It grinds out 345kW at 5750rpm and 575Nm at 2220-6250rpm.

And in overboost the XR8 bangs out a whopping 400kW and 650Nm. That's serious power, and as we've previously reported Ford often underquotes its power outputs, as this dyno shootout between the FPV GT F and HSV GTS proved.

sprint

Because the XR6 Sprint is lighter, due to its smaller engine, but pumps out just as much torque with overboost, it's likely to be the fastest of the two in a straight line.

Ford hasn't released acceleration times, but the standard XR6 Turbo can pull off 4.7 second 0-100km/h runs, so it's not impossible that we might see 4.5 second runs. Stay tuned!

According to Ford, the limited-edition Sprint models draw its "performance heritage" and a total of just 1400 vehicles will be built – 550 XR6 Sprints and 850 XR8 Sprints. New Zealand will get 150 of these.

The Sprint name was last seen on an Aussie Ford in 1993, the beefed-up ED XR8, and just 300 were built.

It's expected the 1400 modern-day Falcon Sprint vehicles will sell out quickly, despite price hikes of $11,500 for the XR6 Sprint, priced at $54,990, when compared to the regular 270kW/533Nm XR6 Turbo.

The XR8 Sprint is pegged at $59,990 for the manual and $62,190 for the auto.

Apart from the modified engines, Falcon Sprint models get several interior and exterior enhancements "to mark their exclusivity" says Ford. These include 19-inch black wheels, upgraded Brembo brakes with gold-painted calipers, black headlamp surrounds, a black rear deck spoiler and new front fog lamp bezels.

XR8 Sprint will really stand out thanks to a 'silhouette black' painted roof and black side mirrors to boot.

Stepping inside the cabins, and the Ford Falcon Sprint models reveal special seats finished in in "leather/lux suede", a special gear shifter design and unique gauges.

Luxury features include dual-zone climate control, a self-dimming rear-view mirror and high-end stereo system.

Ford Falcon Sprint seat 3nzg

Ford says the XR Sprint program was possible thanks to a $300 million research and development spend in 2015, the final product boasting "dynamic attributes expected by Falcon enthusiasts".

Six colours are available on both I6 and V8 models: Winter White, Smoke, Aero Blue, Silhouette, Kinetic and Victory Gold.

Expected to be the final run of high-performance, special edition Falcons before the Blue Oval shuts its factory doors in Broadmeadows and Geelong in October 2016, the Falcon Sprint vehicles are likely to become highly collectible vehicles in future.

Graeme Whickman, Ford President and CEO, said the Falcon Sprint models "offer our Falcon enthusiasts a car that truly represents the performance DNA of Ford".

"We think customers will really appreciate the amount of dedication and work that's gone into this limited-edition series," he said.

In total 1400 units of the Falcon Sprint sport sedans will be built, and deliveries will commence from May 2016.

Ford Falcon Sprint details:

XR6 Sprint exterior design 
• New front fog-lamp surround, with cut out vent in bumper
• New stripe decal in signature hockey stick style
• New Sprint badge (Rear)
• New Sprint mudguard badge (Side)
• Indicator moved to wing mirror – body coloured for XR6
• ‘Sprint’ scuff-plates
• Black headlamp bezels
• Body coloured deck-lid Applique
• Staggered 19-inch alloy wheels in black
• Premium 6-Piston (Front), 4-Piston (Rear) Brembo Brakes in unique Gold colour
• Numbered build plates for each model – both located on the engine
• Rear Deck spoiler in black

XR8 Sprint exterior design (as above)
• Silhouette black painted roof
• Black wing mirrors

XR6 & XR8 Sprint interior design 
• Unique Sprint Interior – featuring Sprint Seat Package of Leather/Lux Suede trim
• Interior Electro-Chromatic Mirror
• Interior Command Centre, including dual zone climate control and high-series audio
• Unique Shifter assembly and surround
• Manual shifter for V8 gets “Sprint” labelled shifter
• Unique Gauge Cluster with “Sprint” logo
• SYNC 2 with satellite navigation and Bluetooth2 connectivity

Ford Falcon Sprint Performance

XR6 Sprint
• Power - 325kW @ 6000rpm
• Torque - 576Nm @ 2750rpm

XR8 Sprint
• Power - 345kW @ 5750rpm
• Torque - 575Nm @ 2220 – 6250rpm

Ford Falcon Sprint pricing
XR6 Sprint: $54,990 (auto)
XR8 Sprint: $59,990 (manual)
XR8 Sprint: $62,190 (auto)

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