Ford's FPV range breaks cover

It doesn't matter where you come from, or what kind of vehicle you sell, a flagship model or hero car is almost madatory for success.

While Holden has had its HSV range, and particularly the 300kW GTS, Ford has floundered somewhat in creating and sticking to a flagship model.

While the T-series (TE50, TS50, TL50) proved that Ford could take the fight to HSV with its AU Falcon, the new BA provides a better, if somewhat chubbier, platform on which to build a newer, faster V8.

And so the FPV brand is born.

Ford Performance Vehicles has just released its range of go-fast hero cars, the models that all Falcon buyers would aspire to.

At present, the FPV marque has a stable of only three vehicles, but expect this to rise as FPV head-honcho, David Flint, has already hinted that other cars may be modified by the new group.

While nothing is concrete just yet, rumour has it that FPV has its eye on the four-cylinder Focus, and rumours about an upcoming GTHO persist.

But what's on offer right here, right now? Three models:

- GT
- GT-P
- Pursuit

While all vehicles share the same Boss 290 powerplant, the GT is the 'entry-level' sedan model, the ute is, well, a bloody-quick ute, and the GT-P is the more upmarket model, sort of like the Clubsport R8 is to the standard Clubbie.

The big news, however, is price. And Ford seem to be well placed for an all-out war with HSV. The FPV GT goes on sale in March for $59,850, which is a veritable bargain considering the specs.

"People who love performance motoring will love these cars. The very competitive pricing is just one more benefit they're going to love," said Ford Performance Vehicles Managing Director, Mr David Flint.

In a very clever move by FPV, all Ford Performance Vehicles owners will be able to participate in a performance-driving course in their home state - at no extra cost.

"Offering the performance driving course is an important element of the Ford Performance Vehicles ownership experience and is very much integral to the entire FPV philosophy," said David.

"Performance driving is not about how fast your vehicle can go in a straight line. In the real world, cars go around corners and are called upon to brake quickly at times.

"The performance-driving course will give owners avoidance and recovery skills in handling those situations and will also highlight just how good these vehicles are."

Apart from the sensible inclusion of performance driver training courses as part of the package, the GT and GT-P will also be available with body-stripes, harking back to Ford's hey-day in the '60s and '70s.

The double GT stripes will be a $495 dollar option on the GT and will be a no-cost option on the more expensive and better-equipped GT-P.

"The GT show car was voted the most popular exhibit at the Sydney Motor Show, so we came away confident that we had hit the mark with the design.

"However, there was a small but passionate group who wanted to see more traditional performance cues from earlier GT models," said Simon Butterworth, director of design at Ford.

"As a result, the decision was made to offer a choice of exterior details to meet the needs of both groups of enthusiasts," Mr Butterworth said.

"We were also aware of the wild colour and stripe combinations of early GT models so we decided to let our designers have some fun.

"For example, as an option, you can now order a GT in Winter White with Vivid Blue stripes and matching thread in the seats. Or Phantom (a deep purple) with orange stripes. Other stripe colours include silver and black.

"The new stripes add a fun, performance element to the GT. They also make the car look meaner and more aggressive by adding a stronger horizontal aspect," continued Butterworth.

"The stripes extend around the front corners to the lower lights to continue this more aggressive stance. As with early GT models, owners can order their GT without the stripes, in which case we add a separate GT badge to the rear doors," Butterworth said.

Compared to the XR models, the new FPV vehicles also get new bodywork, and are slightly shorter from nose to boot.

"To complement the race car appearance given by the stripes and the other performance elements of the concept car, we added an additional tri-slot intake in the front bumper splitter.

"Both the upper and lower grilles are filled with matt black mesh for a competition look. The lower mesh grille carries FPV lettering as a reminder of the GT’s performance engineering.

"As part of our review of the bonnet design, we extended also the bonnet power bulge. We wanted to further emphasise the additional power and take the integrated factory build look to the next level from the concept car.

"At the rear, we added a stronger more structural look to the large rear spoiler by adding a centre support spar. The GT is a strong, powerful car and the rear spoiler now reinforces that impression," he said.

Getting down to the business end of things, and Ford's fettled Boss mill is a seriously delightful piece of kit. With quad overhead cams, a 10.5:1 compression ratio and 5.4-litres of displacement, the new FPV range have a power-band between 4500rpm and 5500rpm.

As such, the 32-valve mill creates a massive 520Nm of torque @ 4500rpm and 290kW of power @ 5500rpm. While this means that power will be 10kW less than the HSV GTS, peak torque is 10Nm more.

Furthermore, each engine is hand-built from a combination of carefully matched imported and local parts by FPV technicians, aided by highly sophisticated machinery to ensure unprecedented levels of accuracy and uniformity. The end result is simple: more power, more quickly.

While the new engine has seen plenty of attention, putting such prodigious amounts of torque to the ground is easier said than done: Enter a highly modified version of the Tremec TR3650 five-speed manual transmission.

FPV engineers chose the high-torque Tremec TR3650 5-speed manual - used successfully on the T-Series 5.6-litre stroked Windsor V8 - as the base for the new transmission.

Ford made a long-term commitment to using the TR3650 and in return Tremec has supplied a version of the TR3650 that has been specifically tooled for BA Falcon application. Unique to Ford Australia, it has a specific input shaft, clutch housing, extension housing, shift rail and 31-spline output shaft. The end result is a clean and precise shift feel that adds to the driving experience.

Its low first gear provides powerful launch from rest and exceptional low speed flexibility for dense traffic conditions, parking manoeuvres and righteous burnouts. Reverse gear also has synchro for fast, crunch-free engagement.

All FPV vehicles are also fitted with the Dana M86 limited slip differential, which features a wet design heavy-duty multi-plate clutch. The all-new M86 drive unit backs up the powerful new drivelines with increased capacity to handle 290kW of power. Ring gear diameters are now 220mm (up from 197mm) to provide the durability and reliability demanded by FPV.

Automatic transmissioned FPV models will be available in quarter two and FPV has worked closely with local automatic transmission manufacturer BTR to deliver a premium performance automatic transmission that meets a wide range of tough local demands, including high ambient temperatures and heavy towing.

Although packaging considerations demanded a similar outer casing to the automatic transmission in other BA Falcon models, the FPV automatic transmission is a brand new transmission internally, developed specifically for this application.

As a result of close liaison between BTR and FPV, the new M97-019 auto is a transmission engineered to match the characteristics of the Boss engine. This new FPV automatic transmission represents several firsts. It is the first automatic transmission to offer a console-mounted sequential shift with full manual override in a premium V8 performance model in Australia.

In manual override mode, it won’t change up unless the driver wants it to and just so happens to be mated to an engine with the highest torque rating of any automatic model in local automotive history.

Hauling the Ford Performance Vehicle range in from speed are new Rossini-grooved front rotors, designed in the US and supplied by PBR, and incorporating pillar-style internal venting under license from Brembo.

The front rotors are 325mm in diameter and 32mm thick, and compared to conventional straight or curved vane venting, Brembo pillar venting acts as a powerful internal exhaust fan that aggressively sucks in and expels cooling air through the rotor.

The most visible sections of the rotor are finished in black enamel to complement the GT and Pursuit’s open spoke alloy wheel style.

The Performance rear brake is a single piston (1 X 40.5mm) pin-guided sliding calliper design also in FPV blue. The disc is 303mm by 16mm with twin-circle grooves. The brake pad is a JBI B3014. Low expansion brake lines are also used at the rear.

Inside, the new FPV models come with a seriously cool metallic start button on the centre dash. Turn on the ignition and a red glow appears in the starter button, inviting the driver to fire up the potent Boss 290 engine.

FPV buyers have a choice of race check patterned cloth or an optional leather design, which incorporates a fine perforated alloy inlay embossed into the leather to create a similar effect.

Stitching on the seats, console lid and manual gear lever boot is colour coded to the exterior colour. The model level is embroidered in the backrest of the front and rear seats in the same thread colour.

The FPV performance steering wheel (standard on GT-P, optional on GT and Pursuit) has spokes with a matching alloy finish and a coin-like embossed FPV badge set in the left side lower spoke as a mark of its performance design.

The racing theme is carried through to drilled alloy pedals, although the holes are filled with rubber to meet road car legal requirements. This rubber extends around the pedals to facilitate heel and toe gear changes. Power pedal adjustment is standard on the automatic GT-P and optional on the automatic GT.

Wherever possible, distinguishing FPV interior features are branded with an FPV logo to avoid forgery. "The emphasis throughout the FPV interiors is a subtle but purposeful blend of appointments and performance hardware with exquisite detailing," Ford design director, Simon Butterworth said.

While the GT and Pursuit models get air-conditioning, a 100 watt audio system with single in-dash CD slot, cruise control, split fold down rear seat, four way electric driver’s seat adjustment and adjustable lumbar support in both front seats, the GT-P gets dual climate control, a large LCD screen, trip computer and the prestige audio system with 6 disc in dash CD. The GT-P also get slightly sportier racing seats, with increased lateral support, perfect when your pushing high-Gees.

When it comes to ride and handling, the new FPV range will give the HSV line-up a real run for its money. On the GT and GT-P, standard traction control and a torque-sensing limited-slip differential combine with the IRS to deliver a good levels of safety, without detracting from the driving experience.

The close working relationship between Ford and FPV engineers meant that early FPV gains were engineered into all Control Blade IRS systems during development, allowing the FPV improvements to start from a much higher base point.

FPV could then focus on tuning the suspension for the extra performance and enhancing the grip of the premium 18-inch Dunlop tyres. Tyre pressures could also be optimised for ride, handling and longevity. The Control Blade independent rear suspension also introduces significant anti-dive characteristics that reduce weight transfer to the front under hard braking.

But one question still remains: Who is the king of V8's in Australia?

Until a side-by-side comparo of the HSV GTS and FPV GT are carried out, it's anyone's guess, but the new FPV range is looking seriously hot, so much so that the great Lion may get burnt. Ford is currently experiencing the best ever sales of XR models, and while the HSV brand is well entrenched, the GT and its brethren could breathe new life into Ford's performance car onslaught.

Pricing:

FPV GT (manual) $59,850
FPV GT (automatic) $61,000
FPV GT-P (manual and automatic) $69,850
FPV Pursuit (manual) $54,850
FPV Pursuit (automatic) $56,000

(auto models not due till Q2 of 2003)