Ford Falcon XR6 2006 review

We took the opportunity last week to re-acquaint ourselves with the hi-po Falcon six and its new six speed automatic transmission.

We knew the car was a cracker to drive and who are we to refuse the opportunity to savour the delights of this home grown hot-rod.

Never is there a point where instant grunt isn't available.

And with the automatic controlling power delivery, acceleration is seamless and smooth, well as smooth as something as brutal as this can be.

The engine is a 4.0-litre, twin cam straight six like garden variety Falcons but the innards have been changed and there's a turbo charger and intercooler bolted on. Boost pressure is quite modest but is enough to change the humble Falcon donk from Dr Jekyll into Mr Hyde. It sounds furious when the taps are opened and is a fitting accompaniment to a car that can dust a 0-100kmh sprint in the mid-five second bracket.

Being XR spec' the Turbo bristles with "go- fast" goodies including a set of slick-looking 18in alloys with low profile rubber, ABS, multiple air bags, sports suspension and brakes, sharper steering and all the necessary gear inside.

Let's not forget this is a big car, essentially a family car capable of seating five in comfort and take all their stuff in the boot. But that picture doesn't really sit right with us given the Turbo's nature.

It's such a good package we can't understand why anyone would buy the XR8. The Turbo would see it off and costs thousands less. That probably explains the respective sales rates of each car.

The test vehicle had 16,000km on the clock and felt strong as an ox and quicker than other versions we had driven with fewer kilometres.

It offers tidy handling and the facility of automatic transmission which is one of the smoothest in the business.

It makes an excellent car even better.

And all for $47,655

The iridescent purple test car was a hoot to drive. Everyone hated the colour.