Ford FalconSprints to the finish
With Ford Australia due to cease local production in just 10 months, the manufacturer looks set to release several last-ever editions of its once-popular performance derivatives during 2016.
The last Falcon XR8 has already been a big seller (well, for a Falcon) as Blue Oval fans on both sides of the Tasman look to grab a going-going-gone example for their garages. Now, Ford Australia has also confirmed a new line of limited-edition Falcon XR Sprint models. The Falcon XR Sprint will be available with either a turbocharged six cylinder or supercharged V8 engine.
The six will be auto only, while V8 fans can opt for a manual. Other key features will include the usual array of edition-specific stickers and badges, unique wheels and an upgraded brake package, Sprint-centric cabin trim and a numbered build plaque on the engine.
Ford Australia hasn’t released performance stats yet, but says the limited-edition model will also feature an increase in power.
“The XR Sprint will be a limited-edition series and one we think will be highly regarded by our Falcon fans. Ultimately too, like many of our performance Fords, we expect it to be a highly collectible car,” said Graeme Whickman, Ford President and CEO. The Sprint name has appeared on Falcons in the past and was used on the 1993 ED XR8, where the model featured a Tickford-enhanced V8, upgraded suspension and interior. Just more than 300 were built.
There is yet to be any further suggestion of other final-edition Falcon or Territory models before the company’s Geelong plant shuts its doors on October 7, but here at The Good Oil, we can only imagine the opportunity to play to the heartstrings and credit cards of the Ford faithful will prove too great for the company to resist as deadline approaches.
As for the name of any potential final, final Aussie-built Ford Falcon? Given that this year’s last-ever production run will buck recent trends and no doubt sell out completely, could The Good Oil perhaps suggest the Ford Falcon Irony Edition?
Better call LaTowTruck
A rare, multimillion-dollar LaFerrari supercar became the centre of attention in Budapest, Hungary last week for all the wrong reasons, when the driver appeared to lose control and plough the 588kW V12 performance car into a row of parked vehicles.
The crash was caught on camera (of course) by nearby motorists who snapped the rare supercar as it departed a Ferrari dealership moments before the driver lost control. With a rapidly forming crowd of onlookers hoisting camera phones high in the wake of the crash, witnesses say the driver had the forethought to quickly remove the Slovakian registered car’s number plates.
Photos show the crash took out much of the right front wing of the supercar, although the cabin was not impacted and no injuries appear to have been sustained by pedestrians nearby.
Only 499 LaFerraris’ were built by the Italian manufacturer.
The Good Oil believes this to be the fourth-recorded bungle involving one of the exotic supercars.
Are we there yet?
Chrysler has unveiled the new Pacifica minivan that claims 115 automotive firsts at this week’s Detroit motor show — and there’s one feature parents will love.
To help keep back seat passengers happy, Chrysler’s Uconnect Theatre entertainment system comes with several apps and games via 10-inch touchscreens embedded into the seats. Features included are math flash cards (yawn), checkers, bingo for geriatric care and tic tac toe. But it is the “Are We There Yet?” app that is the real star. With a funky animation, passengers can view the distance remaining to their destination and estimated arrival time.
For parents, that means the kids know where they are, and how long they have left to go before they get there, but in a fun animated way.
Chrysler you genius!
Smart cars not that smart
Photo / Sony Pictures
Motoring journos are a cynical bunch and a few are card carrying subscribers to the Conspiracy Theorists Monthly.
Mercedes-Benz, knowing the potential for a few stories on intelligent cars being the automotive bringers of the Apocalypse, hired an MIT scientist to assuage those fears at this week’s Detroit motor show.
The new E-Class has a clever system called Car-to-X communication where the car can communicate with other vehicles and infrastructure, and that’s where the MIT professor comes in.
Though we might be terrified of an I, Robot-style robot takeover, Dr Andrew McAfee says that isn’t possible.
“There’s nothing on our current trajectory of research or investigation that’s going to get us to that point,” he says.
While using fancy charts explaining how smarter computers have made the world a better place, we can’t help but think this fancy MIT professor might be covering something up with the ol’ bait and switch move.
Oh look, it’s time to renew our membership to Conspiracy Theorists Monthly ...
Number Crunching
0 INPUT
From Ferrari’s styling gurus Pininfarina went into the LaFerrari.
2 LAFERRARI
Currently call New Zealand home.
6.2 LITRES
The capacity of the LaFerrari’s V12 engine.
15 SECONDS
The time it takes the LaFerrari to reach 300 km/h!