Home
2008 FPV F6 310 Ute Review
27 Nov, 2008
1 Comment
2008 FPV F6 310 Ute Review & Road Test
Spend a week in the hot seat and you’ll agree, this is one quick utility.
Model Tested:
Options:
Strong performance, sweet induction note, personality
Seat folding mechanism, exhaust note, steering wheel
CarAdvice Rating:
- by Matt Brogan
When you glance through the Ford Performance Vehicles brochure, the
inflated triple-digit power and torque figures seem little more than
numbers. Sure some of us may be able to equate the relative performance
characteristics from these little numerical hints into real life terms,
but it’s not until you’ve had a week in the hot seat that you can fully
appreciate the amount of potential on offer - this is one quick utility.
The FPV F6 310 has a strong character and
no-nonsense personality that defines it as instantly recognisable to
those with a bit of nous about such things. The lowered stance, bold
rims and FPV styling cues - especially the eye-patch front - all giving
the impression that this utility means business.
Now sure, you may not be inclined to throw the
cement-mixer in the back or load it full of timber, but those who think
of this ute in that way have missed the point. This ute is all about
performance and lifestyle. Sure you can still carry and tow with it,
I’m not saying you can’t, but it’s best thought of as a sports coupe
with a really big boot, something upon which most owners will agree
with me.
It’s not that the F6 isn’t still a utility, with a
530kg payload and 1600kg towing capacity it certainly is. It’s just
that I can’t see anyone in their right mind wanting to treat such an
awesome (and let’s face it expensive) utility as a mere commercial
vehicle. No, this ute is about lifestyle, it’s about embracing the ute
culture and our love of a performance car in the one package - and what
a package it is.
Not only does the F6 310 behold the FG’s highly
favoured good looks, it also offers an interior that sets it above, in
fact well above, that of a standard Falcon ute and offers performance
credentials to shame most rivals, even those offering Australia’s much
loved bent eight.
Inside, and probably most obviously, are the
four-way electrically operated (driver’s side only) embossed leather
sport seats (optional - ebony suede sport seats standard). These are a
delight to sit in, really comfortable, and very supportive once you get
stuck in to it.
The only bother with the seats is the mechanism to
fold them forward, which seemingly operates in reverse of what one
would consider logical. You have to push the lever to the rear of the
car to pull the seat forward, thus requiring two hands. It’s a small
thing, but is rather annoying when your hands are full of shopping and
it’s pouring rain.
Leather, alloy and carbon fibre abounds throughout,
joining standard features that include power windows and mirrors,
cruise control, single-zone climate control, alloy pedals and scuff
plates, FPV build number and starter button panel, turbo boost pressure
gauge in addition to the standard offering, and Ford’s rather large
leather-clad sports steering wheel with audio and cruise control
buttons.
The Prestige six-CD tuner with iPod integration and
Bluetooth connectivity offer clarity and a bit of punch and the roof
mounted bee-sting type antenna offers far better reception than the
in-glass type fitted to the sedan.
Staying outside for a moment, and in addition to
dropping the ‘Typhoon’ moniker, F6 sports large 19-inch diameter alloy
wheels, fog lights, side skirts and sports front and rear bars to round
out the differences above that of the standard Falcon utility.
Thrust comes compliments of a modified Ford
4.0-litre, in-line, six-cylinder engine that has been boosted,
intercooled and fitted with a high-flow exhaust to maximise
respiration. The results equate to 310kW of brisk, punch-in-the-back
power at 5500rpm and a very strong 565Nm of Dunlop-smoking torque
available from 1950rpm all the way to 5200rpm, a 40kW and 15Nm
improvement over the BF Mark II respectively.
Boost is strong, linear and very predictable being
able to be balanced under your right toe for the perfect amount of
drive each time. The calibration here is a credit to Ford as is remains
uniform despite engine temperature or atmospheric conditions -
something that can catch you out in similarly high performance
turbocharged cars.
Sub five-second 0-to-100km/h times (4.99 seconds)
are manageable if you can get traction to the rear wheels but most of
our timed runs scored the F6 around 5.30 seconds due to wheelspin.
Mid-tacho performance too is very strong, a big improvement over the BF
series, with 80-100km/h times coming in under three seconds (2.90
seconds).
Unlike the XR6 and G6E turbocharged vehicles
though, the F6 doesn’t offer a strong exhaust note, in fact it’s almost
disappointing, at least from inside the cabin. What is on offer in
terms of a sweet soundtrack is a symphonic induction note, pitched
turbo spool whine from the Garret GT3540 and even a little intercooler
flutter on release, which is somewhat exaggerated by the front mount
air-to-air unit’s aluminium construction.
The ZF (6HP26) six-speed automatic transmission is
a work of art and offers quick up shifts, rapid response to throttle
input and will even down shift for you by tapping the throttle under
brakes. If you’re a three pedal fan, the Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual
is available as a no cost option. Best of all, a week in the F6 saw a
return of 11.8 litres per 100km (combined city and highway use) -
that’s 1.2 litres under the ADR claim! Impressive stuff.
The four-pot Brembo brakes offered little in the
way of brake fade under repeated application, and stand out as
something special with the callipers painted bright red. The pedal feel
is brilliant for big brakes, which normally bite hard on initial
application almost sending you through the windscreen. Thankfully,
these have a much more progressive action and the F6 can be optioned
with larger 355×32mm front and 328×26mm rear discs, both crossed
drilled rears with six-piston callipers, for some extra coin.
New to FG series Falcons, the independent double
wishbone coil front suspension makes for a pointier steering ute that
will respond well to cornering at speed provided you remain balanced.
The beam type leaf rear end is a little jittery under throttle and will
see the limited-slip differential smoke both tyres if you’re a little
generous with the loud pedal.
Geometry is a carry over from the XR6 Turbo Ute,
but FPV has revised the spring rates and shock absorber calibration to
suit both road and track driving. It’s noticeably stiffer than its
poorer cousin, but offers surprising levels of control and grip too,
provided the conditions are, um … favourable.
To
keep you safe and secure the F6 offers ABS with EBD, ESP with Traction
Control, dual front and side (head/thorax) airbags, and a four star
ANCAP rating along with DataDot protection and remote flip-key central
locking with audible alarm - all as standard fit.
As sports utes go - and as a Holden man it pains me
to say this - the F6 ute is by far the best option on the market. To
any one considering such a vehicle, be you red lion, blue oval or umm,
other, I say this; go and drive this thing and take your cheque book. I
guarantee after five minutes behind the wheel you’ll be signing on the
dotted line.
CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go:
Specifications:
Road Test the Rivals:
FPV will be hosting an open day on Sunday, March 1st 2009 at:
Ford Performance Vehicles
33 Glenbarry Road
Campbellfield VIC 3061
(Gates open 9am - 3pm)
27 Nov, 2008
1 Comment
2008 FPV F6 310 Ute Review & Road Test
Spend a week in the hot seat and you’ll agree, this is one quick utility.
Model Tested:
- 2008 FPV F6 310 Style Side Utility, 4.0-litre, turbocharged, six-speed automatic - $57,990 (RRP)
Options:
- Metallic Paint - standard; leather interior $1100; hard tonneau
with spoiler $2900; premium audio system $700; FPV floor mats $110;
1600kg tow kit $495; 19-inch Dark Argent alloy wheels $795; premium
brakes $3630; satellite navigation $2290
Strong performance, sweet induction note, personality Seat folding mechanism, exhaust note, steering wheelCarAdvice Rating:
- by Matt Brogan
When you glance through the Ford Performance Vehicles brochure, the
inflated triple-digit power and torque figures seem little more than
numbers. Sure some of us may be able to equate the relative performance
characteristics from these little numerical hints into real life terms,
but it’s not until you’ve had a week in the hot seat that you can fully
appreciate the amount of potential on offer - this is one quick utility.
The FPV F6 310 has a strong character and
no-nonsense personality that defines it as instantly recognisable to
those with a bit of nous about such things. The lowered stance, bold
rims and FPV styling cues - especially the eye-patch front - all giving
the impression that this utility means business.
Now sure, you may not be inclined to throw the
cement-mixer in the back or load it full of timber, but those who think
of this ute in that way have missed the point. This ute is all about
performance and lifestyle. Sure you can still carry and tow with it,
I’m not saying you can’t, but it’s best thought of as a sports coupe
with a really big boot, something upon which most owners will agree
with me.
It’s not that the F6 isn’t still a utility, with a
530kg payload and 1600kg towing capacity it certainly is. It’s just
that I can’t see anyone in their right mind wanting to treat such an
awesome (and let’s face it expensive) utility as a mere commercial
vehicle. No, this ute is about lifestyle, it’s about embracing the ute
culture and our love of a performance car in the one package - and what
a package it is.
Not only does the F6 310 behold the FG’s highly
favoured good looks, it also offers an interior that sets it above, in
fact well above, that of a standard Falcon ute and offers performance
credentials to shame most rivals, even those offering Australia’s much
loved bent eight.
Inside, and probably most obviously, are the
four-way electrically operated (driver’s side only) embossed leather
sport seats (optional - ebony suede sport seats standard). These are a
delight to sit in, really comfortable, and very supportive once you get
stuck in to it.
The only bother with the seats is the mechanism to
fold them forward, which seemingly operates in reverse of what one
would consider logical. You have to push the lever to the rear of the
car to pull the seat forward, thus requiring two hands. It’s a small
thing, but is rather annoying when your hands are full of shopping and
it’s pouring rain.
Leather, alloy and carbon fibre abounds throughout,
joining standard features that include power windows and mirrors,
cruise control, single-zone climate control, alloy pedals and scuff
plates, FPV build number and starter button panel, turbo boost pressure
gauge in addition to the standard offering, and Ford’s rather large
leather-clad sports steering wheel with audio and cruise control
buttons.
The Prestige six-CD tuner with iPod integration and
Bluetooth connectivity offer clarity and a bit of punch and the roof
mounted bee-sting type antenna offers far better reception than the
in-glass type fitted to the sedan.
Staying outside for a moment, and in addition to
dropping the ‘Typhoon’ moniker, F6 sports large 19-inch diameter alloy
wheels, fog lights, side skirts and sports front and rear bars to round
out the differences above that of the standard Falcon utility.
Thrust comes compliments of a modified Ford
4.0-litre, in-line, six-cylinder engine that has been boosted,
intercooled and fitted with a high-flow exhaust to maximise
respiration. The results equate to 310kW of brisk, punch-in-the-back
power at 5500rpm and a very strong 565Nm of Dunlop-smoking torque
available from 1950rpm all the way to 5200rpm, a 40kW and 15Nm
improvement over the BF Mark II respectively.
Boost is strong, linear and very predictable being
able to be balanced under your right toe for the perfect amount of
drive each time. The calibration here is a credit to Ford as is remains
uniform despite engine temperature or atmospheric conditions -
something that can catch you out in similarly high performance
turbocharged cars.
Sub five-second 0-to-100km/h times (4.99 seconds)
are manageable if you can get traction to the rear wheels but most of
our timed runs scored the F6 around 5.30 seconds due to wheelspin.
Mid-tacho performance too is very strong, a big improvement over the BF
series, with 80-100km/h times coming in under three seconds (2.90
seconds).
Unlike the XR6 and G6E turbocharged vehicles
though, the F6 doesn’t offer a strong exhaust note, in fact it’s almost
disappointing, at least from inside the cabin. What is on offer in
terms of a sweet soundtrack is a symphonic induction note, pitched
turbo spool whine from the Garret GT3540 and even a little intercooler
flutter on release, which is somewhat exaggerated by the front mount
air-to-air unit’s aluminium construction.
The ZF (6HP26) six-speed automatic transmission is
a work of art and offers quick up shifts, rapid response to throttle
input and will even down shift for you by tapping the throttle under
brakes. If you’re a three pedal fan, the Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual
is available as a no cost option. Best of all, a week in the F6 saw a
return of 11.8 litres per 100km (combined city and highway use) -
that’s 1.2 litres under the ADR claim! Impressive stuff.
The four-pot Brembo brakes offered little in the
way of brake fade under repeated application, and stand out as
something special with the callipers painted bright red. The pedal feel
is brilliant for big brakes, which normally bite hard on initial
application almost sending you through the windscreen. Thankfully,
these have a much more progressive action and the F6 can be optioned
with larger 355×32mm front and 328×26mm rear discs, both crossed
drilled rears with six-piston callipers, for some extra coin.
New to FG series Falcons, the independent double
wishbone coil front suspension makes for a pointier steering ute that
will respond well to cornering at speed provided you remain balanced.
The beam type leaf rear end is a little jittery under throttle and will
see the limited-slip differential smoke both tyres if you’re a little
generous with the loud pedal.
Geometry is a carry over from the XR6 Turbo Ute,
but FPV has revised the spring rates and shock absorber calibration to
suit both road and track driving. It’s noticeably stiffer than its
poorer cousin, but offers surprising levels of control and grip too,
provided the conditions are, um … favourable.
To
keep you safe and secure the F6 offers ABS with EBD, ESP with Traction
Control, dual front and side (head/thorax) airbags, and a four star
ANCAP rating along with DataDot protection and remote flip-key central
locking with audible alarm - all as standard fit.
As sports utes go - and as a Holden man it pains me
to say this - the F6 ute is by far the best option on the market. To
any one considering such a vehicle, be you red lion, blue oval or umm,
other, I say this; go and drive this thing and take your cheque book. I
guarantee after five minutes behind the wheel you’ll be signing on the
dotted line.
CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go:
Specifications:
- Engine: 4.0-litre DOHC six cylinder (24 valve)
- Power: 310kW @ 5500rpm
- Torque: 565Nm @ 1950-5200rpm
- Induction: Turbocharged & multi-point
- Transmission: Six-speed automatic
- Driven Wheels: Rear (LSD)
- Brakes: Disc with ABS & EBD
- Top Speed: 250km/h (Electronically Limited)
- 0-100km/h: 4.99 seconds
- 0-400m: Not Tested
- CO2 Emissions: 311g/km
- Fuel Consumption: 13.0 litres/100km
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 80 litres
- Fuel Type: 98RON petrol
- ANCAP Rating: Four Star
- Safety: Front & side airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP & TCS
- Spare Wheel: Full-size (underbody mount) alloy
- Tow Capacity: 1600kg (Braked)
- Turning Circle: 11.5 metres
- Warranty: 3 year/100,000km
- Weight: 1825kg (tare)/530kg (payload)
- Wheels: Alloy 19 x 8.0-inch
Road Test the Rivals:
FPV will be hosting an open day on Sunday, March 1st 2009 at:
Ford Performance Vehicles
33 Glenbarry Road
Campbellfield VIC 3061
(Gates open 9am - 3pm)
