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Ford's FPV range is ready to rumble
By ROB MAETZIG
If anyone happened to be in North Canterbury last Wednesday
and heard a strange noise that was something between a "Whoa!" and a "Yeeha!", it was probably me, and I apologise.
I know exactly when and where it happened. It was at 1.36pm,
and it was on a lovely stretch of secondary road alongside the Waiau
River near Hanmer Springs.
Why did it happen? Because that empty section of road had presented
me with my first real opportunity to deal to the vehicle I was driving
the latest high-performance F6 ute from Ford Performance Vehicle (FPV).
This was a Falcon ute, but not as anyone had ever known it. Under
the bonnet was a vastly improved version of Ford's 4.0-litre
turbocharged in-line six which, thanks to a series of changes, has had
its power increased by a huge 40 kilowatts to 310kW, matched by a peak torque that is now an enormous 565 newton metres.
This is in a six-cylinder engine, for heaven's sake. I reminded
myself that those new figures are superior than those on offer from the
Aussie eights. The 5.4-litre Boss V8 aboard FPV's new GT Falcon models
might offer a slightly higher 315kW of power, but the torque is less at
551Nm. And the 6.0-litre V8 aboard Holden's HSV product produces 307kW of power and 550Nm of torque.
And there is one more thing worth considering about the turbocharged
in-line six aboard the F6 ute: all that torque is available from just
1950rpm, and remains available all the way to 5200rpm.
And so, at 1.36pm on that stretch of road somewhere along the Waiau River valley, I dealt to this new star car from FPV.
I have to report that it very quickly dealt to me.
In fact, I found myself hanging on for dear life as the big ute took
off, and it wasn't long at all before I backed off, probably to wipe my
sweaty palms.
This is a very fast, high-performance vehicle, no doubt about it. As
a result, just as the turbocharged six-cylinder versions clearly
overshadow the V8 models in the standard FG Falcon range, so the F6
models will do the same in the FPV lineup.
And that's not demeaning the V8s, either. They're beaut performers
in their own right. But the models powered by that turbo six offer a
motoring experience that is downright stunning. Their performance has
to be equal to or better than many European sports cars, but at a
considerably lower price.
A total of four sedans and three utes comprise the latest FPV
lineup, with prices starting at $63,990 for the F6 ute and going up to
$78,990 for V8-powered GT-P and GT-E sedans the GT-P is the premium
version of the out-there GT version, while the GT-E is a more
modest-looking executive model.
The vehicles are the result of a development project that lasted
more than two years, during which FPV staff spent more than 29,000
engineering hours designing and validating the sedans, utes and their
engines.
The result is a fleet of FPV Falcons that look good. They all
feature striking new headlight accents and front-grille treatments, and
depending on the model, there are rear wings, side striping, decalling
and, in the case of the V8 models, a pronounced bonnet bulge.
But the wheels and tyres remain the same, the result of the FPV
people deciding that they simply couldn't find anything better than
those used for the previous-model GTs.
They found something better for under the bonnets, though.
The V8 engine, now known as the Boss 315, has had all sorts of
upgrades, including a new higher-lift camshaft profile, an increase in
compression ratio, and the introduction of a new twin-plate throttle
body. As a result, it now develops 315kW at a higher 6500rpm, and the
maximum torque is 551Nm at 4750rpm.
The improvements have also resulted in a broader torque curve which
allows the V8 models to pick up better at the lower revolutions and be
more flexible for actions such as overtaking. Something a little
special is a new straight-through twin-exhaust system and
stainless-steel exhaust manifolds that minimise back pressure, and
maximise the quality of that lovely V8 note.
But the big news is all about the turbocharged straight-six in the F6 models.
Thanks to new strengthened piston-and-conrod assembly and a complete recalibration, the engine's maximum power has risen over the magic 300kW mark. And with all those 565 newton metres available all the way from not much above idle, it delivers seamless power and that wonderful responsiveness across all driving conditions.
I have to admit that during the drive from Christchurch to Hanmer
Springs and back, all that power and torque allowed those involved to
indulge in some fun departures from the byways and parking areas where
vehicle changes took place. But isn't that what FPV Falcons are all
about? Of course it is.
By ROB MAETZIG
If anyone happened to be in North Canterbury last Wednesday
and heard a strange noise that was something between a "Whoa!" and a "Yeeha!", it was probably me, and I apologise.
I know exactly when and where it happened. It was at 1.36pm,
and it was on a lovely stretch of secondary road alongside the Waiau
River near Hanmer Springs.
Why did it happen? Because that empty section of road had presented
me with my first real opportunity to deal to the vehicle I was driving
the latest high-performance F6 ute from Ford Performance Vehicle (FPV).
This was a Falcon ute, but not as anyone had ever known it. Under
the bonnet was a vastly improved version of Ford's 4.0-litre
turbocharged in-line six which, thanks to a series of changes, has had
its power increased by a huge 40 kilowatts to 310kW, matched by a peak torque that is now an enormous 565 newton metres.
This is in a six-cylinder engine, for heaven's sake. I reminded
myself that those new figures are superior than those on offer from the
Aussie eights. The 5.4-litre Boss V8 aboard FPV's new GT Falcon models
might offer a slightly higher 315kW of power, but the torque is less at
551Nm. And the 6.0-litre V8 aboard Holden's HSV product produces 307kW of power and 550Nm of torque.
And there is one more thing worth considering about the turbocharged
in-line six aboard the F6 ute: all that torque is available from just
1950rpm, and remains available all the way to 5200rpm.
And so, at 1.36pm on that stretch of road somewhere along the Waiau River valley, I dealt to this new star car from FPV.
I have to report that it very quickly dealt to me.
In fact, I found myself hanging on for dear life as the big ute took
off, and it wasn't long at all before I backed off, probably to wipe my
sweaty palms.
This is a very fast, high-performance vehicle, no doubt about it. As
a result, just as the turbocharged six-cylinder versions clearly
overshadow the V8 models in the standard FG Falcon range, so the F6
models will do the same in the FPV lineup.
And that's not demeaning the V8s, either. They're beaut performers
in their own right. But the models powered by that turbo six offer a
motoring experience that is downright stunning. Their performance has
to be equal to or better than many European sports cars, but at a
considerably lower price.
A total of four sedans and three utes comprise the latest FPV
lineup, with prices starting at $63,990 for the F6 ute and going up to
$78,990 for V8-powered GT-P and GT-E sedans the GT-P is the premium
version of the out-there GT version, while the GT-E is a more
modest-looking executive model.
The vehicles are the result of a development project that lasted
more than two years, during which FPV staff spent more than 29,000
engineering hours designing and validating the sedans, utes and their
engines.
The result is a fleet of FPV Falcons that look good. They all
feature striking new headlight accents and front-grille treatments, and
depending on the model, there are rear wings, side striping, decalling
and, in the case of the V8 models, a pronounced bonnet bulge.
But the wheels and tyres remain the same, the result of the FPV
people deciding that they simply couldn't find anything better than
those used for the previous-model GTs.
They found something better for under the bonnets, though.
The V8 engine, now known as the Boss 315, has had all sorts of
upgrades, including a new higher-lift camshaft profile, an increase in
compression ratio, and the introduction of a new twin-plate throttle
body. As a result, it now develops 315kW at a higher 6500rpm, and the
maximum torque is 551Nm at 4750rpm.
The improvements have also resulted in a broader torque curve which
allows the V8 models to pick up better at the lower revolutions and be
more flexible for actions such as overtaking. Something a little
special is a new straight-through twin-exhaust system and
stainless-steel exhaust manifolds that minimise back pressure, and
maximise the quality of that lovely V8 note.
But the big news is all about the turbocharged straight-six in the F6 models.
Thanks to new strengthened piston-and-conrod assembly and a complete recalibration, the engine's maximum power has risen over the magic 300kW mark. And with all those 565 newton metres available all the way from not much above idle, it delivers seamless power and that wonderful responsiveness across all driving conditions.
I have to admit that during the drive from Christchurch to Hanmer
Springs and back, all that power and torque allowed those involved to
indulge in some fun departures from the byways and parking areas where
vehicle changes took place. But isn't that what FPV Falcons are all
about? Of course it is.
Carting his DVDs around in I guess. :lol2:
