Eight decades on, Ford’s last Aussie ute rolls out

1 Oct 1997

By BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS

A minor equipment and trim reshuffle was overshadowed by the re-introduction of the V8 utility.

Ford installed its 185kW/402Nm Tickford-enhanced 5.0L OHV V8 engine into the new XR8 model (payload: 530kg) and gave it and the XR6 a sleeker quad-headlight and a 30kg extra payload. Remote central locking became standard.

Special editions:· Oct 97 – S Splash: alloy sports bar, alloy wheels, cruise control, upgraded audio, decals.

· Oct 98 – Tradesman: air-conditioning, bed liner, alloy wheels, keyless entry.

· Dec 98 – Special Edition: air-conditioning, alloy wheels, keyless entry, decals.