Ford’s Falcon to Sprint to the finish line

FORD Australia’s trademark application for the Sprint name has been given the tick of approval by IP Australia, ensuring the final piece is in place for the company to send off its locally made Falcon with a bang ahead of the local hero’s production demise in October next year.

Ford Motor Company lodged XR6 Sprint, XR6 Turbo Sprint and XR8 Sprint trademarks with IP Australia on April 1. These applications were entered on the register on November 11, meaning they are approved for use.

Rumours suggest a special high-performance Falcon FG X sports range carrying the Sprint moniker will be offered to Ford fans, but Ford is only saying – with a wink – that it will have “some Falcon activity” in 2016.

The special editions could be expected to put some much-needed respectability into Falcon sales before it gets the chop, while giving the Holden Commodore and its recently released 304kW VF II SS-V Redline one last poke in the eye.

The Sprint rumour appears to be born out by spy pictures of what appear to be Falcon seats embossed with the Sprint logo, published on Ford fan web chat rooms.

One Ford insider suggested to GoAuto that the images might have been taken by someone with access to the supplier’s stocks.

Asked if Ford Australia was planning a special model to give the Falcon a suitable send-off, Ford Australia communications and public affairs director Wes Sherwood told GoAuto with a smile: “That’s what they keep telling us”.

Conceding that some Falcon activity could be expected in 2016, Mr Sherwood would not be drawn on specifics.

Web reports suggest Ford is preparing to launch up to three Sprint special editions, based on Falcon’s three sports variants – the XR6, XR6 Turbo and XR8.

The XR6 Turbo reportedly will get the 310kW version of Ford's home-grown turbocharged inline six from the defunct Ford Performance Vehicles F6.

The Sprint name has been applied to special Falcons over the years, in both Australia and North America.

In recent years, it has been made prominent by racing driver Jim Richards who has raced an American two-door Ford Falcon Sprint in Australian historic touring cars.