FORD Australia badly needs the XR series Falcons. The XR6 and XR8 are the bearers of the company's hopes to project a more dynamic image, to convince potential buyers that Ford is a progressive, aggressive company that understands and expresses something of the Australian psyche. The latest, 220kW version of the XR8 does a pretty good job of doing that, with a wonderfully rorty, partly hand-built 5.0-litre V8 providing astounding performance and a well-sorted, fully independent suspension giving the sort of handling loved by purists. And does Ford charge any more for the 220kW V8? No.