Ford says no to XR8 ute

No chance of an XR8 ute to sit alongside the 335kW GT RSPEC-in-disguise FG X Falcon XR8 sedan.

Ford fans hoping for a supercharged V8 XR8 ute will have to make do with the new FG X XR8 sedan, with Ford confirming that there are no plans for a Blue Oval semi-equivalent to the HSV GTS Maloo ahead of the Falcon nameplate’s demise by late 2016. 

Speaking with CarsGuide at this week’s FG X Falcon launch, Ford Australia’s E8 (Falcon and Territory) Vehicle Line Director David Wilkinson confirmed that the returning XR8 performance flagship will remain four-door only for the last iteration of the Falcon. 

Returning after a four year hiatus, the new XR8 sedan marries the drivetrain and chassis of the limited-build 2012 FPV GT RSPEC with the restyled and refined FG X Falcon XR package. 

This means that the previously FPV-only 5.0-litre supercharged ‘Miami’ V8 is officially joining the Ford lineup for the first time, and pack the RSPEC’s 335kW tune, staggered wheel and tyre sizes and track-tuned RSPEC suspension package.    

So why no XR8 ute?

“The full XR8 package just isn’t available to us,” Wilkinson said.

The most powerful drivetrain homologated for the ute body is the 315kW tune used by the final supercharged GS and Pursuit utes, and a (leaf-sprung rear end) ute version of the RSPEC’s suspension package was never developed.

“Unless it’s got the full package, it’s just not worth doing,” Wilkinson added.

The demise of the FPV GS ute earlier this year also sees Ford without any form of V8 ute for the first time since the first XH II XR8 ute arrived in 1997.

The previous FG XR8 ute still makes up the bulk of the field in the national V8 Ute racing category and currently leads the 2014 championship. 

David Wilkinson also squashed any hope of a return of the FG FPV GT F’s 351kW tune supercharged 5.0-litre V8 in any bodystyle during the Falcon’s remaining days. 

“We’re not reintroducing a 351 engine,” he asserted.

Ford will instead preserve the limited-build GT F’s status as the most powerful production Falcon ever, maintaining the high note formed by Ford’s farewell to the Falcon GT nameplate and the FPV brand.

This will also help protect the resale value of the 550 FPV GT Fs snapped up by eager collectors earlier this year, and protect the HSV GTS Maloo's status as the world's fastest ute.