Hi guys,

I just went to the City Ford Melbourne showroom and they have one Bionic XR6 BF in their showroom. I wanted to see what it was like in the flesh because I had some questions that I did not see answers to in this forum. Hopefully this will help others as well.

Well, I wanted to see the front bumper etc first hand and I think it looks good in the flesh.

Then I sat inside because I wanted to see the new interior in the flesh. I must admit, it does look classier.

Here are some pics below.

The new 6 speed auto shifter I think is better from an ergonomic point of view because it is closer to the driver in manual sports mode by almost an inch. (No more lounge chair syndrome driving in sports mode where your arms are wide apart...) The movement of the shifter seemed a bit shorter and slicker (but I could not tell what it would be like driving because I ran out of time and I don't think they would have let me take it out of the showroom anyway...)

I was curious about the new key. It's not that fancy. It's still 2 parts like now except the single key opens both the glove box and turns the ignition (used to have 2 sep keys) and it is crafted like a slim icypole stick with grooves running down the sides (like the Expensive Daewoo keys) which means no more holes in the trouser pockets due to sharp pointy car keys (well, I guess it depends on how you carry your car keys...)

And finally, I was curious about whether they had changed the fabrics patterns from the awful spidery pattern. Well, they have. It's now tyre treads. I suppose it is easier on the eyes, but I guess that's in the eyes of the beholder. I would have preferred Ford to come out with some more plainer patterns, but that's just my opinion.

One other thing, the fleet sales person there told me that Ford had stopped shipping BAs a week ago. From about 17 Oct onwards, only new BFs have been delivered. So, I am looking fordward (pun intended) to picking up my new one mid Nov

Anyway, enjoy the pics...

Ewwww - that fabric pattern is really gross!

I don't like it at all.

Shifter looks good - gone for a very manual style look - with the "off to the side" sports mode part hidden by the boot - I like it.

Edited October 25, 200520 yr by Rik_Biel

AGreed, fabric pattern is yuck! Everything else is the goods! Although Id like Ford to get trendy keys like the new Mazda 3s or at least make it a one-piece.

Hey, one of the guys at work said that Ford have a new BF ad on TV that apparently goes likes something like this (but if anyone has seen it and they're able to capture it to mpeg - I'd love to see it for real).

There's these 2 German guys somewhere in Germany at some auto parts warehouse and the one says to the other in German (with English sub-titles) after looking around "Vere are all your 6 speed auto transmissions, I don't zee any avound ere?" and the other says "Ford took all mit good vons - I only have zee vons Ford rejected". It's a take off of the John West tuna ad...

Well, it was funny over coffee this morning...

By the way, I forgot to add in my first post above that you can get the new BF brochures from Ford now that show pics and specs. The tyre tread fabric pattern above is called Nexus Grey. I think it looks much worse in the photos above than it does in real life (knew I should have cleaned the lens on my camera phone...)

Would be very interested to see pics or hear feedback from anyone too. Looking to sell the V8 to go Turbo

Would be very interested to see pics or hear feedback from anyone too. Looking to sell the V8 to go Turbo

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Pick up my BF on Saturday 5th Nov - So much for the "As promised by the dealer" date of 23rd October.....

as of the 28th "it's only just gotten it's gate pass"....

Who cares - just give me the car.......

Will take pics & post em up as soon as I get them......

It's Silhouette (Black), so I dunno how well they'll show up....

800STA

My dealer dropped a clanger for the BF today and stated that the BF will not have the performance of the BA due to the governments upping of the emission controls and the lowering of the 'drive by' noise level.....

Could be a ploy to unload their BA stock.......dunno but, anyone else got any guff on the issue??

My dealer dropped a clanger for the BF today and stated that the BF will not have the performance of the BA due to the governments upping of the emission controls and the lowering of the 'drive by' noise level..... 

Could be a ploy to unload their BA stock.......dunno but, anyone else got any guff on the issue??

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Doesn't make any sense, as the engines have actually gained power, not lost it. Shows how well they have been engineered when they are quieter, have lower emissions, are more fuel efficient, make peak torque lower in the rev range yet they also make more power and torque across the whole 6 cylinder lineup.

This is the weekend to be buying a car, being the last weekend in the month. Dealers must hit their monthly quota. So its really buyers weekend, and you should be able to really screw the dealers into giving you the best possible deal! If not go to another dealer who has plenty of stock...

Personally I think the dealer is pulling your leg about the BF and is just trying anything to move current stock.

BA Xr6T at a glance

Kerb weight - 1710kg (A) - 1690kg (M)

Power - 240kW @ 5250rpm

Torque - 450Nm @ 2000rpm

BF Xr6T at a glance

Kerb Weight - ? (A) - 1694 (M)

Power - 245kW @ 5250 rpm

Torque - 480Nm @ 2000 rpm

MMM assuming the gear ratios are exactly the same, the BF would just be slightly quicker off the launch mark (30 more nm)

Erm......he was talking about the GT.