Quote:
Originally Posted by Bossxr8
Nope. Manuals were available late in 2002. The autos didn't arrive till Feb. I know cause I had ones of the first autos delivered, and I had a manual XR8 to test drive in december. So they 100% were building and delivering manual xr8's in 2002. Although the xr8's came on line later than the 6 cylinders did.
They usually start delivering cars to dealers before the actual published release date, that way it gives them some time up their sleeve if they have any issues.
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Interesting, I might have to revise my records then.
I remember the media launch drive for the XR8 being after the rest of the range. It was also absent from the Wheels Car Of the Year testing that year.
Jan 2003 review-
https://www.goauto.com.au/new-models...1-27/3039.html
This also from GoAuto at the time -
"The BA Falcon, however, will not go on sale until October, when mainstream Falcon sedan, ute, wagon and XR6 models are likely to be offered at a premium of three to four per cent over current AU models. But the BA XR8 will not appear until early 2003..."
https://www.goauto.com.au/new-models...9-04/3041.html
"The XR6 Turbo slots into the XR6 range above the Barra 182-engined XR6 and below the yet to be released XR8, which we know gets a 260kW four-valve version of the new 5.4-litre modular V8 called the Boss."
https://www.goauto.com.au/new-models...9-27/3040.html
Also, as I linked, the BA Falcon brochure states the XR8 would be available early 2003.
So having said all that, and from what others have said, I'm guessing Ford started to manufacture XR8's from late 2002 to build up stocks for 2003 delivery? I'm also guessing this allowed FPV to build up a stock of engines.