It’s a veritable picture of understatement - no wing, no scoops, just a subtle mesh grille and a discrete sideskirt. So why did the TS50 attract so much attention?

Maybe it was the 18 inch wheels and low profile tyres, maybe some people just recognised it as the chameleon of the FTE line-up.

Ford and its performance partner, Tickford Vehicle Engineering, have been taking careful aim at Holden’s HSV operation for some time, and their new Ford Tickford Experience (FTE) vehicles indicate how serious they are.

Of the three models – TE50, TS50 and TL50 – the TS50 is the most serious of all with its 220kW V8. (Especially when you add in the 435Nm of torque.)

But it’s no raw-boned hotrod. A very upmarket Falcon loaded with more technology and luxury than you could throw the proverbial stick at, the TS50 is aimed at those who want performance in a more European style.

A feast for the senses
Open the door and the aroma of leather wafts against your nostrils. And the seats are wonderful things, with firm support in all the right places. Featuring the dual height adjustment common to all Falcons, these have the added appeal of being designed from the outset with sporting intent, and the driver also gets power adjustment

The leather-wrapped steering wheel is by Momo, the instrument layout has a classical `sporty’ look with analogue dials, and at night one of the most effective (and comfortable) illumination setups around. There’s also a premium sound system to massage your ears.

We were disappointed to see that a piece of insulation on the firewall had come adrift and flopped back onto the carpet. Possibly a one-off, but not the sort of quality control expected in a vehicle of this calibre.

However, there’s nothing disappointing about what’s under the hood.

Let's get serious now...
Of the same capacity and design as its TE50 and TL50 siblings, this V8 packs sufficient extra grunt to really set it apart, with just enough `grumble’ at idle to remind you of its ability. Of course, it insists on a diet of Premium unleaded.

Although maximum power and torque both arrive at fairly high rpm, both are available in sufficient quantity at lower revs to launch the car with a haste that might be considered unseemly at the golf club.

TS50 is for those who prefer two-pedal driving as the standard transmission is a 4-speed auto with torque converter lockup – but is yet another variation on the `tiptronic’ theme. Dubbed the ESS, or Electronic Sport Shift, it’s controlled by shift buttons on the steering wheel.

It works well, except that changing mode from Sport to Economy, or vice versa, can only be done with ignition on but engine not running. Which is fine if you can decide which mode you’ll want before you start driving!

Getting it to downshift as quickly as a good manual box takes practice, getting to know just when to blip the throttle to load up the torque converter in readiness for the lower gear.

Walking the tightrope
Where Tickford really got it right was in the suspension, which does an excellent balancing act between ride comfort and handling.

TS50 doesn’t float silently along the freeway, its 245/40 tyres see to that with a bit of road rumble, though the NVH levels are well within its intended purpose as an executive express.

But get it on the right road and it assumes its alter ego of sport sedan.

Boot it through tight twisties and those big tyres lay the grunt down with authority. TS50 responds well to input from the leather-clad steering wheel, turning in to corners without hesitation, and if you try really hard you might even induce a bit of power oversteer.

Indeed, possibly the most rewarding aspect of the driving experience is the chameleon-like way the TS50 changes from plush cruiser to ballsy sports tourer with such deceptive ease.

Above all, this is a superb `country car’ – faced by a long, boring road just set the cruise, load the CDs and relax. But of course on those short, sharp, twisty bits turn off the stereo and listen to the engine.