Melbourne 2009: FPV F6 E Concept tests the waters
The Blue Oval's FPV F6 is relentlessly awesome. Loud colors. Alice Cooper eye makeup. Blistering, turbocharged inline-six power. It drops the full musclecar ethos onto a completely modern Australian performance sedan. We love it, but it may not necessarily be for everybody. Ford Performance Vehicles knows this, and the F6's V8-powered evil twin, the FPV GT, gets an additional, more subdued "E" trim level. Darker colors. No decals. No "eye black.". It's a more conservative Aussie muscle machine.
When the Melbourne Motor Show opens its doors in a few days, the FPV stand will be home to a very production-ready-looking F6 E "concept." Don't let its rather sedate appearance fool you. Underhood, you'll still find the 415-horsepower, 416 lb-ft , 4.0-liter turbo-six. Ford's performance mavens say they're using the F6 E concept car to determine whether there's demand for a production version. We think that decision's obviously been made already. After all, why else would the PR mention things like the color selection and theoretical starting price? Face it, you lucky SOBs Down Under are getting yet another tasty entree added to your street missile buffet. Official press release after the jump.
Gallery: 2009 FPV F6 E Concept
[Source: FPV]
PRESS RELEASE:
FPV Reveals the Stylish F6 E Concept
Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) has today set a new benchmark in executive styling and performance with the release of an all-new concept, the F6 E.
"The F6 E has been designed to satisfy calls from the market for more performance based executive vehicles," Ford Performance Vehicles General Manager Rod Barrett said.
"With the success of the new F6 and GT E, it was a natural progression to couple the performance and dynamics of F6 with the more subtle executive styling, luxury and comforts of the GT E.
"With the release of this concept we will test the market's reaction before deciding whether or not to put the F6 E into production," Barrett added.
"Feed back from our customers leaves us confident that the F6 E will be a hit with those looking for something more from their performance vehicle."
Powered by the high performance 4.0 litre turbo-charged DOHC 24 valve in-line six, the F6 E produces maximum power of 310kW at 5500 rpm and maximum torque of 565Nm across the range from 1950 to 5200 rpm.
The new F6 E features the ZF six-speed high-torque automatic transmission with Sequential Sports Shift as standard and boasts a fuel economy figure of 12.1L/100km.
The F6 E receives performance 355 x 32mm cross-drilled and ventilated front rotors with Brembo 6-piston calipers and 330 x 28mm cross-drilled and ventilated rear rotors with Brembo 4-piston caliper as standard.
"The F6 E suits those drivers who want the same power and performance of an F6 but finished in a more conservatively styled package that isn't going to leave everyone staring at them."
Executive styling
"The styling of the F6 E differentiates itself from its F6 sibling through the use of a softer colour palette and more luxurious finishes and trim," Barrett said.
"As opposed to the overtly sporty F6, the F6 E is more subtle, with striking chrome accents and a refined lip spoiler replacing the bright colours, and large rear wings found on the other models - the colour coding of the 'racoon-eyes' also helps the F6 E to keep a 'low profile'."
The upper radiator and lower bumper grille mesh are finished in black chrome, while the front driving lamps are highlighted with a high chrome bezel and complemented by full body coloured bumpers.
The new FPV badge takes centre stage on both the front and rear of the vehicle and the new F6 E badge features on the rear and side panels.
The 19-inch wheel design was custom matched to the F6 E's premium Brembo brake package and the Alpine Silver alloy finish completes an understated yet stylish exterior package.
The F6 E is available in a subtle exterior palette of eight colours - Winter White, Silhouette, Lightning Strike, Velvet, Sensation, Steel, Ego, and Seduce.
Inside the cabin, the F6 E features luxury FPV seats in shadow leather with the F6 E logo embossed on the headrests.
The interior environment of the F6 E is charcoal and receives a dark walnut woodgrain finish on the dashboard as well as the doors.
The interior is packed with features to ensure a premium driving experience, including a sports leather steering wheel with cruise control and audio mounted switches, dual zone temperature control air conditioning, front and rear power windows, and memory adjustable pedals with alloy pedal controls.
Sports performance maintains ride comfort
"The F6 E gives increased response to the accelerator pedal throughout the rev range, but also provides around town driveability due to better access to torque," FPV Head of Powertrain Engineering Bernie Quinn said.
The automatic transmission has a cylinder cut feature during wide open throttle gear changes, which shortens the 'torque off, torque-back-on' time between gear changes, enhancing the wide open throttle performance feel.
"The result is a vehicle with outstanding performance, better engine response and fuel efficiency, and improved operating performance under all conditions.
"The F6 E has an improved turn-in response and linearity, better steering precision and stability mid-corner and a reduced roll rate, which all work to deliver a smooth and controlled ride," Quinn explained.
The FPV performance independent double wish bone front suspension and performance control independent rear suspension teamed up with the new Sachs mono-shock damper provides the perfect balance between a firm, dynamic sports performance feel and maintaining ride comfort while cruising.
Safety is standard in the F6 E
The F6 E is equipped with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and side curtain airbags, both of which are now standard across the entire FPV range.
In addition, the F6 E also features a reverse parking camera and reverse sensing system as standard.
Other safety features include Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), and 4-channel Anti lock Braking System (ABS), driver and passenger airbags and Beltminder technology for both the driver and passenger.
The F6 E is protected by a remote alarm and FPV's ID Datadot identification
Target pricing for the F6 E would be $78,190.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
monkeykat2 9:34AM (2/23/2009)
It's ok... looks a little too much like an Impala.
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montoym 9:23PM (2/23/2009)
Even though I'm not a Ford fan, I wish the Impala looked like that. Even better, I wish it were at least RWD.
I have no idea whose glasses you put on this morning to be able to see any sort of Impal from that.
grumbles 9:42AM (2/23/2009)
ooh reflector-housed headlamps
going for the retro look it seems!
...
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TriShield 9:57AM (2/23/2009)
VASTLY superior to the recently unveiled SHO super sized, super heavyweight, super high priced rental car. The hottest Falcons put our cheap plastic Taurus on the barbie for sure.
FPV will have more to show off next year when they adopt Ford's new 5.0L or 6.2L BOSS V8 as well.
Six or eight, you can't go wrong with FPV's super muscle cars.
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Mazda FTW! 10:08AM (2/23/2009)
100% agreed. It's gorgeous and sized right, unlike the lang-yacht new Taurus.
Shawn 10:10AM (2/23/2009)
I'm not 100% sure, but isn't the FPV F6 about the same weight as Taurus AWD? I have no idea what TSho's curb weight is.
kal326 11:51AM (2/23/2009)
However where its not vastly superiour is the 6spd auto that it seems to share with the SHO. If it where truely vastly superior it would have come with a manual or a dsg.
Alex Nunez 11:57AM (2/23/2009)
kal326,
The entire FPV lineup is available with a 6-speed manual.
Devil666 9:10PM (2/24/2009)
Vastly superior in every way: The 6 speed auto is a ZF shifter, and there isn't many better gearboxes around without going to the Benz 7 Speed or a DSG.
iamhoff 10:06AM (2/23/2009)
Stupid depressed world economy. Fix it dammit, so Ford can justify bringing this over here. Keep the Fusion as a FWD/AWD and bring over the Falcon (and its uber-fun variants) as the new Taurus!
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geo.stewart 10:21AM (2/23/2009)
idk, I'm about ready to pack up the family and emigrate to Australia
bonh 10:13AM (2/23/2009)
rear reminds me of a TL.
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pooponaim2009 10:19AM (2/23/2009)
does anyone else notice the pickup in the back? I don't think I have ever seen that one before.
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Avinash machado 10:37AM (2/23/2009)
Might be the Falcone Ute.
robbie.coffey 11:00AM (2/23/2009)
hi, ive spend some time in OZ with a Ford Dealership and to help you, the white ute in the background is a F6 ute with the optional 19" wheels, the darkened rims only come as an option on the F6 Sedan and Ute :) The F6 E looks to be just a GT E but with the 6 Cylinder motor instead of the V8, The wood finish interior in my option looks out of place so give me a F6 any day, but i do like the stealth look to the exterior. Also and not to offend all you Taurus lovers over in the U.S the Falcon is a far better finished and far better drive than any of your Taurus`s. Robbie
G-Meister 12:45PM (2/23/2009)
Think he means the actual truck- looks like an older model Hi-lux, probably pre-2004. The Ranger (global) has rounder wheel wells, and the rear well is separate from the back of the cab. Its basically like the Ranger "Wildcat" that popped up last week.
Slizzo 3:37PM (2/23/2009)
Pickup in the back is actually a HOLDEN UTE... Looks like an SS-V or maybe an HSV Ute...
Smeagle 6:47PM (2/23/2009)
@ Slizzo: No, it's an F6 Ute.
billadams 8:49PM (3/09/2009)
The white one is a falcon ute, the blue one is a ford Ranger/mazda bt50
PuBeLeSs 10:36AM (2/23/2009)
the car looks great. but what is that white truck in the background. now that thing looks nice
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