Jaguar's V8 engine will run the next-generation Ford Falcon.

The hi-tech 5.0-litre V8 will be introduced in 2010 a year that is shaping as a boomer for Ford Australia with the first facelift of the Orion Falcon, the switch to V6 engines in Ford's family fighter, and the likely introduction of the next-generation Territory.

There is a good chance 2010 will also bring the first diesel engine to the Falcon and Territory, a 2.7-litre powerplant already in use in Europe. The good news on the V8 front comes as Ford Australia confirms plans to axe its existing 5.4-litre V8, which was standard in the G8, Fairlane and LTD and optional in a range of other Fords, including the Falcon ute.

The Jaguar V8 is a new all-alloy design that was developed for the upcoming XF hero car, which is a make-or-break model for the legendary British luxury brand.

The new Jaguar V8 will be available both in naturally-aspirated form and with a supercharger and the basic bottom line is 375kW. It will be the hero engine for the XR8 Falcon and will also be used in the fliers from Ford Performance Vehicles.The move to the Jaguar V8 is part of a shift prompted by the end of production of the existing 5.4-litre engine.

Ford Australia imports the engine from the Essex plant in Ontario, Canada, which has been steadily phasing out the engine.

Locally, the engine was known as the Barra 220 or Barra 230, depending on the application, with the number reflecting its kilowatt output.

Still, Ford will continue with the part-locally assembled, four-valve twin-overhead camshaft version of the same engine in its Falcon XR8 and FPV models. The three-valve V8 was optional on the base-model BA Falcon from 2002, replacing the ancient 5.0-litre Windsor pushrod V8.


But Ford's Broadmeadows factory has had little use for the engine, according to Ford Australia's president Tom Gorman.

“Quite honestly, we were down to about 10

a month and it's not a major impact on our business,” Gorman says.

“They've actually ceased production in the US and, as you know, we're ceasing production on our long-wheelbase cars.”

Gorman says Ford has enough remaining

V8s stockpiled to meet demand in the long-wheelbase cars until production of the Fairlane family in a few months.

Big numbers. Be good to see this happen.

Might see the V8 come back to the top of the pile once the somewhat unknown V6 is on the market

What a load of sh*t. The Jag XF has the old 4.2 motor with a max of 306kw in supercharged form and 214 in NA form. It would also cost 3 to 4 times more money then Fords up coming Hurricane V8's, and considering Ford is in the process of selling Jaguar this is one of the most unrealistic BS stories these half arsed journos have cooked up. The 5 litre Jag motor is just a myth anyway, there have been rumours of its creation for years now, but its never seen the light of day.

Interesting .... would be cool if it were real

We all live in hope,

Wishful thinking? maybe, but thats what lifes all about my friend.....................and now I can go to bed and dream of driving my new 375kw XR8 Orion around.

There's a big difference between wishful thinking and utter bullsh*t.

Time will tell......