RATT's first drive of BF Falcon and SY Terri

[XtRmn8]

The kit on the XT looks $hit!! Looks a bit too tacky.

[InitialD]

The fairlane looks like a Crazy Pimp mobile.. two thumbs up. I'd love to get one. New colours look great and from what ive read and heard this 6 speed is a godsend

[Iphido]

G8 has lost the XT/Ghia headlights and gone to chrome surrounds?

[EFFalcon]

Mm.... i prefer the BA SR kit over the BF one.
the BF one looks very 'added' on
but hey, still looks better then without it.

[Cobra]

Since the XR6T and XR8 run a "premium" brake package standard, what are the optional brakes? I would hope that brembos were standard on FPVs and optional on XR6T and XR8. I am presuming The premium package offered on XR8 and XR6T run the territory rotors, they also have the larger calipers?

[Iphido]

I wouldn't bother with optioning brembos. Not at something silly $2000 for discs per axel! $500 pads.. You pay aston Martin prices for brembo consumeables. Verse $75 for terry rotors and $20 for pads. For what rear discs are the same bloody size (~8mm diff) and the fronts are only ~25mm bigger..

I am guessing they have removed the premium option. Fair enough. Terry discs are big enough for nearly everyone. They are only ~13 mm smaller than the new M5's brakes.

If you want more you would be happier with ~365+mm front rotor upgrade from a aftermarket supplier.

AFAIK all falco/terri brakes use the same basic caliper design.

[Paxton]

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

Crikey they are an exact replica of the Mondeo Zetec wheels by the looks e

I believe they look more like the GTP wheels, with the Mondeo cut-outs near where the rim meets the tyre. They look great, however I like the look the Ghia mags give the car.



-Andrew

[TheSneakiness]

Was reading in PFM last night about the final drive ratios and was puzzled as to why some ratios are real long (ie: 2.7 odd).

Does the new gearing in the 6 speed auto make up for the longer final drive?

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by AUII_SE_Ute

Was reading in PFM last night about the final drive ratios and was puzzled as to why some ratios are real long (ie: 2.7 odd).

Does the new gearing in the 6 speed auto make up for the longer final drive?

Cause the first gear is so low it needed the 2.whatever ratio, and it still only revs at 1600 odd rpm on the highway in 6th, which is perfect for fuel economy too.

[Deadman]

Originally Posted by Rodp

Particularly the wheels, I've seen a few shots that look like the same wheels I have on mine. Not that I'm complaining because it doesn't date my car too much.

Yeah, I was tossing up weather to upgrade or not, figure I'll wait on till the BF's sucsessor is here... The 6 speed is enticing, but i figure it'd be wiser to hang on to the BA while the BF looks so similar and upgrade before the big jump to the BF's sucessor...

Still, BF looks damn good and very stong mechanical improvements that will make it an awesome drive

thanks for the info RATT (even if you do support the Tigers)

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by Ford_Falcon_XR6

Yeah, I was tossing up weather to upgrade or not, figure I'll wait on till the BF's sucsessor is here... The 6 speed is enticing, but i figure it'd be wiser to hang on to the BA while the BF looks so similar and upgrade before the big jump to the BF's sucessor...

Still, BF looks damn good and very stong mechanical improvements that will make it an awesome drive

thanks for the info RATT (even if you do support the Tigers)

Having an 04 XR6 with 18s, premium sound. fpv sports steering wheel etc I certainly wont be upgrading just to get the six speed auto, even tho i Would love to im in the same position as you.

Ill wait for the entire new shape to come out now, which will be sometime in 2007, and even then if its no good ill probarly buy a runout BF. :

[Sloth]

Originally Posted by Iphido

G8 has lost the XT/Ghia headlights and gone to chrome surrounds?

I noticed that too. Surely they havent changed them as it looks too much like the fairlane ghia, the wrong ones must have been used for some reason.

[JPFS1]

Also drove the new SY Territory last night, TS with the 6spd auto... i've driven the performance and lwb models with the new 6spd, but the transformation this new gearbox presents to the new territory is nothing short of amazing.

I would confidently say that it would be a struggle to find another similarly sized (and weight) vehicle that performs as well as the new Territory.

[WASP]

Originally Posted by JEM

Also drove the new SY Territory last night, TS with the 6spd auto... i've driven the performance and lwb models with the new 6spd, but the transformation this new gearbox presents to the new territory is nothing short of amazing.

I would confidently say that it would be a struggle to find another similarly sized (and weight) vehicle that performs as well as the new Territory.

JEM, in your opinion in regards to comparing a BF 6 speed auto XR8 to a BA XR8 6 speed manual, which would be your pick for performance and why? I like auto's but have alway gone the manual with the performance Fords.

[HSE2]

I have a dumb question I want to put out there regarding autos with manual mode.

We see that the FPV manuals have a shift alert option to help optimise changes before the cutout, but why don’t autos have the same feature when in manual mode?

If they hold the gear till cut out, even with the transient limit activated there is still the top limit.

[JPFS1]

Originally Posted by CDAA

JEM, in your opinion in regards to comparing a BF 6 speed auto XR8 to a BA XR8 6 speed manual, which would be your pick for performance and why? I like auto's but have alway gone the manual with the performance Fords.

Hi CDAA

It's been so long since ive been in a manual BA XR8, actually that was the first model too, so it wouldn't have even been the 6spd manual, so i'm not in a position to be able to compare them.

The 6spd Auto would definitely be on the list, but the manual would also be a serious consideration. But they both must be driven back to back to make a fair judgement.

The new 6spd auto just has so much going for it, it's a smart box with some great features. For me, it would be hard to go past, i really think the auto would have it over the manual in terms of times just because of an easier launch and ratios that seem to keep the engines at their best etc, but that wouldn't be the deciding factor, because the manual may just give a more responsive feel will win people over...

[SSbaby]

Interesting question re: the 6 spd manual vs auto.

I have a mate who has a 7 speed Audi 1.8T, the box is just superb. Seamless. As good an auto as it gets, however, I wouldn't opt for one myself. Personally, I don't think there is any comparison between autos and manuals... if you like your manuals you will stick to them.

Each to their own.

[WASP]

Originally Posted by SSbaby

Interesting question re: the 6 spd manual vs auto.

I have a mate who has a 7 speed Audi 1.8T, the box is just superb. Seamless. As good an auto as it gets, however, I wouldn't opt for one myself. Personally, I don't think there is any comparison between autos and manuals... if you like your manuals you will stick to them.

Each to their own.

Hey mate,
I agree that they are quite a different experience, but in my case I can enjoy both unlike many,....depending on the car of course. Last time I drove an XR8 auto I wasn't that impressed but loved the manual. Had the totally opposite experience with the XR6T.

[HSE2]

Test drove the latest XR8 only a couple of days ago. There is no doubt that they have improved. The box itself is actually very nice, but it remains hard to get smooth shifts when being driven normally. The clutch is too light and has next to no life in it and has a take up point that is too high in the travel. Not sure if they have done something between MK1 and Mk2 with throttle response but this car was very good.
In the XR8 it was nearly acceptable; in a GT I wouldn't be too happy with the quality. Unless I see some major improvements in the manual department my order will be automatic. Being in tassie I just can't afford to be stuffing around trying to fix what should not have left the factory AGAIN. Been through it once, never again. I will be keeping my XR8 for manual enjoyment and the club car

[WASP]

Originally Posted by HSE2

Test drove the latest XR8 only a couple of days ago. There is no doubt that they have improved. The box itself is actually very nice, but it remains hard to get smooth shifts when being driven normally. The clutch is too light and has next to now life in it and has a take up point that is too high in the travel. Not sure if they have down something between MK1 and Mk2 with throttle response but this car was very good.
In the XR8 it was nearly acceptable; in a GT I wouldn't be too happy with the quality. Unless I see some major improvements in the manual department my order will be automatic. Being in tassie I just can't afford to be stuffing around trying to fix what should not have left the factory AGAIN. Been through it once, never again. I will be keeping my XR8 for manual enjoyment and the club car

I drove a Mk2 XR8 Ute 6 speed on the weekend (my friends) but I'm positive something was wrong with it in terms of performance. It was about half the car my series 1 BA XR8 was and mine was stock (his isn't). He's looking into that now as we think there's an crook O2 sensor. Anyway, I found the clutch to have little feel at all like you but I also drove a Mk2 GT manual a few days before and didn't notice this. Do both cars use the same clutch and settings?

[HSE2]

I am 99% sure they do at the moment. BF might pick up the twin plate clutch but as power is staying the same there probably isn't a reason ;)

[HSE2]

Originally Posted by HSE2

I have a dumb question I want to put out there regarding autos with manual mode.

We see that the FPV manuals have a shift alert option to help optimise changes before the cutout, but why don’t autos have the same feature when in manual mode?

If they hold the gear till cut out, even with the transient limit activated there is still the top limit.

Jeez it wasn't that dumb was it. I am Tasmanian we have no feelings so its ok to tell me :togo:

[JPFS1]

Originally Posted by HSE2

Jeez it wasn't that dumb was it. I am Tasmanian we have no feelings so its ok to tell me :togo:

Not dumb at all mate.. just don't know why they haven't implemented such a setup. One would think it would be an easy task with some added code in the tranny/ecu modules.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by HSE2

I have a dumb question I want to put out there regarding autos with manual mode.

We see that the FPV manuals have a shift alert option to help optimise changes before the cutout, but why don’t autos have the same feature when in manual mode?

If they hold the gear till cut out, even with the transient limit activated there is still the top limit.

I remember hearing that the autos did have the chime in manual mode, but can't confirm that. I also think the transient rev limiter applies only to 6 cylinders, the Boss engines won't go past 5950 or whatever the current rev limiter is as FPV would consider that too risky with such a long stroke and powder metal conrods.

[zetec]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I remember hearing that the autos did have the chime in manual mode, but can't confirm that. I also think the transient rev limiter applies only to 6 cylinders, the Boss engines won't go past 5950 or whatever the current rev limiter is as FPV would consider that too risky with such a long stroke and powder metal conrods.

Having driven an auto Mk II Pursuit I can confirm it has the chime with the auto. Imagine BF will be the same but have no idea.

[LUXO_8]

Originally Posted by RATT

Dare I say the XT may give all BA XR8 owners some curry if they're aren't ready. The thing seriously hauls from everywhere. It's definately a low 14sec car now.

FINALLY optioning a V8 means you get real V8 performance...

how long has it taken for that to happen...lol

pics are awesome. thanks for that...

so the sports fairlane is called the G8 now?