Ford Performance Vehicles FG Series: FPV Strikes Back

Motoring Channel Staff - 15/May/2008

Melbourne, Australia — Ford Performance Vehicles has revealed seven brand-new muscle cars, the first major changes to the large rear-wheel drive FPV sports sedans and utes since the marque launched in 2003.

On sale from early June, the new FPV range will take the fight to arch-rival, Holden Special Vehicles.

Showing off several sleek new designs in the new FG FPV range, the Australian sports car maker hopes the sinister new styling will give its vehicles an edge in the showroom, when buyers toss up between an HSV or an FPV.

Not surprisingly HSV has recently launched a newer, larger V8 engine in its range giving it bragging rights in the V8 power war, but on the road the new F6 is expected to be numero uno, it's turbocharged 6-cylinder engine likely to blow both its FPV stablemates and its competition from HSV out of the water.

Model Range

The four sedans in the FPV range are as follows:

GT: The original Australian muscle car - $65,990
GT-P: Premium version of the GT with bigger brakes, more luxury - $75,990
GT-E: The European styled model with conservative exterior - $76,990
F6: The 6-cylinder turbo model, likely to be a cult hit - $65,990

The three ute models in the FPV range are as follows:

F6 Ute: The 6-cylinder turbo ute - $57,990
Pursuit Ute: The 8-cylinder ute - $57,990
Super Pursuit Ute: The luxury version of the Pursuit Ute - $62,990

Styling

One of the first changes that Ford Performance Vehicles set about implementing was the changing of the Ford badges. All new FG Series models now feature FPV badging.

Based on the new Falcon, the FG FPV range sport an aggressive new design that begins with a new front fascia. All models except the GT-E features blacked out sections underneath the headlights that add a menacing aspect to the vehicles.

New grille and lower air dam designs combine with low body kits, including new side skirts and rear aprons, and all models get new 19-inch alloy wheels. Large rear wing spoilers are also part of the new FPV packages.

The 6-cylinder sedan models get single ovoid exhaust outlets, the V8s get double exhaust outlets and all ute models feature dual circular exhausts.

Bold decals adorn the V8 utes and sedans highlighting their hood power bulges and flanks, except for the GT-E, which is far more conservative design. 

The FPV GT-E displays a single solid colour, has a discreet lip spoiler in lieu of the high-rise wing, and also loses the blacked out sections underneath the headlights. 

Ford Performance Vehicles general manager, Rod Barrett, says "The GT E is a combination of luxury V8 and executive racer. It's for those who want the power and sound of a high-performance vehicle without the overt styling and bright colours."

Engines

Ford Performance Vehicles claims that it spent more than two years and 29,000 engineering hours "designing, validating and releasing its new generation F6 and V8 engines - the 310kW F6 and the Boss 315 V8".

Significant changes to both the 6- and 8-cylinder the engines result in power and torque increases across the range, ensuring the four new sedans and two utes are even quicker off the mark than before.

The 6-cylinder turbocharged engine gets the biggest power boost, rising from 270kW to 310kW.

This power hike is expected to make the F6 sedan and ute the fastest home-grown vehicle in the country, which could record zero to 100km/h times of around 5.3 seconds and, if not speed limited, could reach 300km/h.

The 310kW of power hits the skids @ 5500rpm while peak torque of 565Nm is unmatched by any other locally-made large car in Australia.

The 565Nm of torque arrives @ 1950rpm and is sustained until the engine speed reaches 5200rpm. This provides the FPV F6 models with a super-flat torque curve - a positive attribute for any sports car.

"The F6 is an amazing car with performance equal or better to many European sports cars, but at a fraction of the price," boasted FPV boss Rod Barrett.

Some of the changes to the 6-cylinder, 24-valve engine include a new intake manifold, a larger aluminium air-to-air intercooler, and a beefed up turbocharger from Garrett which was developed especially for FPV.

Strengthened pistons and conrods have been added to deal with increased turbo pressure, now up to 13.3 psi (0.91 bar) and FPV claims throttle response has been improved as well, adding to the performance feel.

It seems that one of Australia's most potent engines had a lot of work on thermal efficiency, as FPV wanted to keep the heat generated by the turbo from sapping power.

"The intercooler remains in the existing position," said Bernie Quinn, FPV’s head of powertrain engineering, "it is chassis mounted in front of the radiator, however it has better airflow because we have removed the grill in front of it."

"We have re-tuned the wastegate to allow us to reliably achieve 310kW without any unwanted surges due to variation in boost pressure. The improvements made to the intake system, particularly the intercooler, have allowed us to maintain high levels of performance even in high ambient conditions," explained Quinn.

FPV's engineers haven't compromised fuel efficiency in the search for more power, and the new FPV F6 boasts fuel consumption figures of 12.3L/100km in manual transmission and 12.1L/100km in automatic guise. This represents a 7% (manual) and 9% (auto) increase in fuel efficiency over the previous models.

The V8 engines have been extensively overhauled, also getting a range of new internal componentry.

The engine's rev ceiling has been raised to well above 6000 resulting in an increased power output of 315kW @ 6500rpm.

Changes to the 5.4-litre 32-valve engine comprise an increase in the compression ratio from 10.5:1 to 11:1, new camshaft profiles, new twin plate throttle bodies and a new high flow exhaust system with steel exhaust manifolds.

Torque has also risen from 520Nm to 551Nm @ 4750rpm, but the changes have improved efficiency as well, so the quad camshaft V8 uses 14L/100km, down from 14.7L/100km.

"It was always part of our brief to increase power and improve fuel efficiency, and by reducing losses and freeing the engine up we have increased the engine speed range. This means we’re able to get more air into the engine and that’s where we gain the extra power," Quinn said.

FPV claims it conducted 18 months of solid calibration testing, particularly in the areas of knock control, base engine emissions and fuel economy.

"During our mechanical development, we created our designs then went chasing those designs and ideas with specific testing. We did a significant amount of development to optimise cam timing and valve lift, throttle body design and air cleaner filter selection," Quinn said.

"We've broadened the torque curve so that it picks up better at a lower rev range and gives the driver easier access to torque, so you get that drive all across the rev range. By increasing the torque in the useable, mid-speed engine range we’ve also given the driver more flexibility in overtaking manoeuvres. 

"As a result, the car accelerates faster, while also feeling lighter and more powerful," concluded Bernie Quinn, FPV’s powertrain chief.

There are two gearbox options, a new 6-speed manual (Tremec TR6060) transmission which is standard equipment, or the German-made ZF 6-speed automatic from the previous generation FPV models, which is a no-cost option.

However, those models equipped with the 6-speed automatic will notice improved shift timing and smoothness because the engine control unit (ECU) can cut cylinders between gear shifts.

Chassis

All FPV sedan models get dynamic stability control (DSC), EBD, ABS and a suite of six airbags, including side airbags now standard across the range.

While the stability control system can "operate at a track day in a way that’s not too intrusive" but even when fully switched off it maintains a 'watchdog' mode that is triggered by the use of the brakes.

"While you’re on the throttle and driving the car around corners, if you actually went into a corner, panicked and hit the brake – it [stability control] will come in," Rod Barrett revealed.

All FPV sports cars ride on 19-inch alloy wheels of varying designs that are shod with 245/35 ZR19 Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres.

FPV explains that the F6 models get carry over suspension from the FG Falcon XR6, but benefit from revised spring rates for a firmer ride. The ZF Sachs monotube dampers have also been recalibrated to "create a performance suspension that suits both road and track driving," according to Ford Performance Vehicles.

"The F6 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," said FPV's Bernie Quinn. 

All FPV models get Italian Brembo brake calipers, with the F6 models fitted with 335mm x 32mm front discs with 4-piston Brembo calipers and 328mm x 26mm rear rotors with single red piston caliper.

GT models feature the same 4-pot Brembo calipers but get larger front rotors, with a diameter of 355mm x 32mm. The FPV GT's rear brakes are the same as the F6's.

The GT-P and GT-E models get the range-topping high brake package, sports powerful 6-piston Brembo calipers that bite 355mm x 32mm cross-drilled and vented front discs, while the rear brakes feature 4-piston Brembo calipers working on 330mm x 28mm vented rotors.

FPV's V8 models get performance independent double wishbone front suspension and performance Control Blade Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) that has been "re-engineered to complement the new Boss 315kW powerplant".

According to Ford Performance Vehicles, it reconfigured the XR8s suspension and changed the balance of the car with new spring and damper settings to compensate for the new power and torque outputs.

As FPV's boss MR Barrett said, "We’ve now moved to a Sachs mono-shock damper which has allowed us to refine the balance between a firm, dynamic sports performance feel and a comfortable ride while cruising.

"This has improved turn-in response, on-centre steering feel and resistance to mid-corner understeer, while reducing the roll rate and eliminating the feeling of ‘nose-heaviness’," added Barrett.

Interiors

All models benefit from upgraded interiors that feature new instrument displays with FPV logos, various forms of sports bucket seats in cloth, leather, and suede combinations embroidered with their model designation, F6, GT-E etc.

The FPV F6 sedans and ute also get a turbo boost gauge, while things like alloy pedals, engine ignition buttons, climate control, reverse parking sensors and leather sports steering wheels with emphasised contours are standard across the range.

The GT-E can be specified with a red leather interior at no extra cost.

Related Articles:
- Ford FG Falcon Ute (2008)
- Ford FG Falcon (First Drive)
- Ford FG Falcon Launch (2008)
- Ford Focus RS (2009)
- Ford Mondeo (Road Test)
- Holden Commodore vs Ford Falcon (Road Test)
- FPV F6 X (2008)
- Ford Fiesta XR4 (Road Test)
- Next-Gen Ford Falcon in Detroit (2008)