When the term Ford XR6 is mentioned, many think about the turbo charged option of this fantastic vehicle, however, this week, I tested the standard XR6 and found that you can have fun without the turbo version.
These Ford Flacon XR6 cars have a very sporty appeal to them, with the sports body kit standard and a rear spoiler. Available in ten colours including vibrant pink, red, purple and blue, they sure aren’t made to blend in. With a 4.0L petrol engine producing 195kW of power at 6000 rpm and 391Nm @ 3250 rpm, the XR6 certainly has a bit of power behind the steering wheel. This however means it is not easy on the fuel tank, averaging around 13L/100km. When driving the car you feel a sense of smooth acceleration and braking with even power distribution.
The leather wrapped steering wheel feels very comfortable in your hands and the Multi Function Display provides you with all the details you need including fuel consumption, average speed and distance until empty. The seats come standard with cloth trim sports seats however leather sports seats are optional. The driver can easily find a comfortable position with lumbar support and 8 way power adjustable seat with up to 3 memory positions. As an added bonus the passenger seat also has adjustable lumbar support to maximum comfort.
The audio system on our test vehicle was optional but worth it. It featured a 7 inch colour display unit with FM and AM radio, 6 disc CD, 8 speakers and a 150 watt amplifier and sub woofer. Needless to say, it was an excellent system, made better by the MP3 compatibility, iPod integration and Bluetooth. The steering wheel is also mounted with audio controls for your convenience and it also has cruise control switches.
As I always stress, safety is a key element when it comes to purchasing a car, and the Ford Falcon XR6 provides peace of mind with a 5 star ANCAP rating. The XR6 includes front, curtain and thorax airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, an advanced restraint module, a crash severity sensor to ensure that no extra harm is done by deploying airbags unnecessarily, driver’s seat position sensor and an optional reverse sensing system. Of course it is equipped with dynamic stability control including traction control, EBA, ABS and EBD.
With remote keyless entry, the Ford XR6 really does incorporate all the latest technology. Once inside the XR6, the comfort and room is very reasonable. It can comfortably sit 5 people, only for a short trip however! There is adequate shoulder and head room and the boot space allows a reasonable amount of storage with a 535L luggage capacity.
Overall, the Ford Falcon XR6 is a fantastic everyday car for young drivers right up to people with small families or those who own a second car. It is provides a comfortable drive and plenty of fun, even without the turbocharge option.
