Click image for hi-res
FPV will tease everyone with its new lineup of FG Falcon-based sedans and Utes at the Melbourne show, but the tech specs will remain under wraps until sometime closer to June, when the tire-shredders are scheduled to launch. We do know some things, though. As before, power will come from turbo inline-sixes or brawny V8s stuffed under the decaled, domed hood (at least in the case of the wicked FPV GT, above, which has a Boss V8 lurking under there).
Gone are all the Ford badges, too. In their place are oval FPV insignias, which make it crystal clear that these are not mere Falcons. The front fascia on the GT is menacing, with "eye black" under the G-Series-style headlamps (hence the Alice Cooper reference), and a pronounced honeycomb lower bumper insert. The offset GT grille badge carries over from past models. Additional matte black decals can be found on the sides of the car, and beefy (probably 19") 5-spoke wheels hide Brembo stopping power. The new FPV roster lets buyers choose manual or automatic transmissions at no additional cost. Hey Alan Mulally, CAFE-schmafe -- move the steering wheel over and send this to America so we can have the big, bad V8 Interceptor we all want. As for Australia, those GM guys at HSV better prepare for some stiff, new competition.
UPDATE: Sweet live gallery at the Herald Sun.
[Source: FPV]
PRESS RELEASE:
FORD PERFORMANCE VEHICLES REVEALS NEW MODEL RANGE
Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) has officially unveiled a selection of its highly anticipated new Falcon-based range, lifting the covers off the latest evolutions of its performance GT sedan, F6 sedan and Super Pursuit Ute.
"Today we have given the public a glimpse of the new era in Australian performance motoring," said Ford Performance Vehicles General Manager Rod Barrett.
"Our new model range offers performance enthusiasts the ultimate in performance engineering, luxury appointments and sports styling."
For the first time, the Ford badge will not appear on an FPV model. The new-look FPV vehicles will feature FPV badges prominently on the centre grille and centre boot lid.
"Featuring the FPV badge on all our new models is a major repositioning for the FPV brand," said Barrett.
"It signifies the maturing of our brand and the evolution of FPV as Ford's performance partner."
As with Ford, FPV has repositioned its high performance sedan and Ute model variants, with eight stunning vehicles divided into the GT series and F6 series families.
"The repositioning of the vehicle line-up has been done for similar reasons to the Ford G Series," said Barrett.
"It is all about growing the brand and attracting new customers. The GT series family continues our strong iconic heritage, while the F6 series family caters to a new segment of performance car enthusiasts who prefer a slick turbo charged six-cylinder to a thundering V8."
The GT series family retains the familiar GT and GT-P sedan nameplates, and introduces the stylish new luxury GT-E sedan.
The bold exterior styling of the new GT and GT-P is highlighted by the trademark unique front grille treatment, rear wing, side striping and V8 bonnet bulge accented with a newly designed hood decal.
Visually, the new GT-E is distinguished from its V8 siblings by its refined rear lip spoiler, chrome accenting and distinctive GT-E badging.
The GT-E's unique 19 inch alloy wheels are matched by a premium brake package, with 6 piston Brembo brakes now featured as standard.
"The GT-E is a sophisticated luxury performance car that will cater for those buyers that don't want the stripes, wings, and seats offered in the GT-P; however want to retain all the performance attributes of that car," said Barrett.
The Super Pursuit and Pursuit Ute variants complete the GT series range.
The F6 series family features the F6 and F6 Ute- the Typhoon and Tornado nomenclature are discontinued on the new vehicles.
Significant ride, handling and safety advancements have been made to the new FPV stable. Each new model variant has been fully engineered and designed to provide the performance enthusiast with the ultimate in Australian performance motoring.
Safety advances include the addition of Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) on FPV sedan & Ute vehicles for the first time.
Significantly, FPV customers will also have a choice of manual or auto transmission at no additional cost.
"The option of auto or manual transmission at no extra cost caters for both our luxury and overt sports customers, without penalising either for their choice of transmission," said Barrett.
FPV has produced exhilarating performance upgrades across the GT and F6 range, however the exact engine performance power and torque figures will be revealed closer to the on sale date in June.
"The unique FPV enhanced design gives each vehicle and a bolder road presence," said Barrett.
"Coupled with performance upgrades, the new FPV range is a revolution in Australian performance motoring. I'm sure our loyal and passionate customers will be extremely impressed."
GT Series
GT-E
GT-P
GT
Super Pursuit
Pursuit
F6 Series
F6 sedan
F6 Ute
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
sdiori @ Feb 17th 2008 8:38PM
It occured to me that if Ford offered products like this in America, we wouldn't have to preface any comments with "well, it's a Ford..."
refugee7 @ Feb 17th 2008 8:51PM
Yea, I wish. Too bad Ford is smart enough not to offer this here. People in America are more worried about it getting it from point A to point B and cost than fun to drive factor.
MemphisNET @ Feb 17th 2008 8:53PM
Love it.
HotRodzNKustoms @ Feb 17th 2008 8:56PM
Even though I think it looks a bit boring, I like the G8 myself, it certainly is a handsome car.
Smeagle @ Feb 17th 2008 9:03PM
I have heard speculation that the GT will have 310kW (415hp) under the hood. That was from wheels magazine which is a pretty good source but it is still speculation.
As with the last generation Falcon, I think it will be hard to justify the V8 with the Turbo 6's performing so well. The XR6 is just 11kW short of the XR8 and 13 Nm up on it. If the speculation is right the FPV turbo 6's will have to slot in somewhere between 290kW and 310kW.
ocnj179 @ Feb 17th 2008 9:17PM
As cliché as it sounds I would love to see this here as a Mercury.
TriShield @ Feb 17th 2008 9:34PM
Yes, let's quickly rebadge these for Mercury.
Everyone knows US consumers covet Mercury because it's such a premium and desirable brand. People the nation over would certainly mourn if it were to ever go away. A waterfall grille and Mercury's awesome brand image would do wonders to make this car more desirable in the US, they would definitely sell out.
While we're at it why didn't Ford ever give the GT supercar to Mercury too? And the Mustang? Mercury is certainly a luxury brand that could have easily sold a high dollar car like that
Sarcasm off.
P.S. - I want one with a turbo proudly flaunting the fact it's a FORD.
Stef @ Feb 17th 2008 9:47PM
Real photos are available:
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/large-gallery/0,25410,5029668-5013800-1,00.html
Enjoy!
Craig @ Feb 17th 2008 9:55PM
How do you explain all the F series trucks on the road then?
Franz @ Feb 17th 2008 11:00PM
I think it's pretty sweet. Ford should be selling it in the US.
aaron @ Feb 17th 2008 11:32PM
yeah they should be sold in the usa and i seen that ther ready for Lhd so fingers crossed hopefully they will be over ther puting pontacs gto"s to shame thats a true aussie car to not at all like the holden with its fully imported 6.oL
Randy @ Feb 17th 2008 11:50PM
Um....who is Alice Cooper...?
Cold Ethyl @ Feb 20th 2008 7:05AM
Who is Alice Cooper? Only an iconic rock legend who's been around for decades and had such hits as "School's Out," " No More Mr. Nice Guy," "Poison," "I'm Eighteen," and on and on. I can pretty much guarantee you've heard some of his songs....hard to avoid the big hits, they're all over the radio and movie sound tracks. He was even just on "Craig Ferguson" two nights ago.
Brendan @ Feb 17th 2008 11:56PM
I think the eye-black is a bit much, but it isn't enough to stop me from wishing I could get one here in the States.
thommo @ Feb 18th 2008 4:49AM
If it was to be offered in the US it would be far cheaper than $60000. The Holden Monaro/GTO cost $32000ish in the US compared to compared to $57000 here in aus. We pay much higher taxes in australia. I would doubt it would be much more than $40000 if sold in the US.
Rogue_G @ Feb 18th 2008 5:39AM
Given a year or two of Ford products with Euro/Aus styling like this, you'd see a dramatic increase in sales for Ford. As for a question of efficiency or practicality, ask yourself if the majority of F-series pickup sales really DO any towing or hauling. Put that kind of enthusiasm behind a car, things will happen.
Damian @ Feb 18th 2008 7:52AM
I wonder if this version of the FPV GT is still going to be slower than a Commodore SS... And hopefully this new Falcon isn't just another AU model with a different front and rear end.
Robert Hammen @ Feb 18th 2008 9:29AM
This model won't be brought here to the States as it's not LHD-capable.
The replacement for this model, the Huntsman chassis, will be engineered (in Australia, just like GM/Holden's Zeta) for both LHD and RHD, but that won't be out until 2011-2012 or so. No clue if it will be assembled in Oz or both there and somewhere here (the latter is more likely if the $AUD maintains its strength against the $USD)...
TriShield @ Feb 18th 2008 12:16PM
Hey Robert.
I've read in various places that the successor to this car will be used to create new RWD cars for the US and underpin the next Mustang much like Holden's Zeta chassis.
I doubt we'll ever see actual Ford AU exports to the US though, which is a shame. I'd love to have an XR6T.
aaron @ Feb 18th 2008 9:48PM
Im in love for the money thes cars are the best in the worldin ausssie $ the gt will b about $70 000 so US $60 000 if not abit less but for that money no other car comes close that times 2 to 3 for a euro car for pretty much the same stuff