AFF Technical Resources - FG Falcon XR6 Turbo Ute Wins Motors Magazine's Bang for Your Bucks Award

August 13, 2008

Ford's new FG Falcon continues to set new standards for the Australian auto industry, following an announcement today by MOTOR Magazine declaring the FG Falcon XR6 Turbo Ute as the outright winner in its annual 'Bang For Your Bucks' award.

The FG Falcon XR6 Turbo Ute's victory is the first time a ute has won Bang For Your Bucks in the award's 15-year history, beating 16 of the best performance cars available in Australia this year for under $80,000, including the best on offer from Europe and Japan.

MOTOR Magazine applauded the engine in Falcon XR6 Turbo Ute, saying "…its stonking 270kW 4.0-litre turbocharged six is a gem of an engine – and the reason why it wins 2008's Bang For Your Bucks."

The Falcon XR6 Turbo Ute also won its class, the $38-50K category, beating last year's outright competition winner in the process as well as finishing ahead of its stablemate, the Falcon XR6 Turbo sedan, which finished third in class and fifth outright.

"As the first Ford model to win this award, today's announcement stands as further testament to the outstanding performance and value-for-money offered by the all-new FG Falcon, in this particular case the FG Falcon XR6 Turbo Ute," Ford Australia President Bill Osborne said.
Adding to the performance credentials of Ford's XR brand, the Fiesta XR4 once again finished third outright and first in class – this year in the Sub-$38K category after taking out the Sub-$30K category in 2007 – building on its impressive debut result to reinforce its classic hot-hatch appeal.

The judges commended the XR4 saying it "lives up to its legendary reputation" and is "still one of the best front-drivers out there", as well as crediting its back-to-back win by saying "victory against a tougher field in 2008 dwarfs last year's win".

The Fiesta XR4 was also the only 2007 category winner to defend its crown in 2008, holding out newer, more fancied rivals to deliver "great thrills for minimal bills".