Ford Performance Vehicles

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Ford Performance Vehicles
Type Private
Founded 2002
Headquarters Campbellfield, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Industry Automotive
Products Automobiles
Owner Ford Australia (49%); Prodrive (51%)
Website www.fpv.com.au

Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) is the Melbourne-based official performance car division of Ford Australia, founded in 2002.

Contents

[edit] History

FPV can trace its roots back to 1991, when the Prodrive-owned Tickford began its collaboration with Ford Australia on the high-performance variants of its Falcon range. The partnership between Ford and Tickford saw the introduction of the successful Falcon XR6 and XR8 variants. Ford and Tickford later created the T-Series, a model line which sought to rival Holden Special Vehicles. Poor T-Series sales saw a change in marketing approach from Ford. The Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) moniker was created in 2002 to replace Tickford branding, and a restructured range was devised, headlined by a new GT Falcon. The FPV brand has blossomed in subsequent years.

[edit] Models

The vehicles produced by FPV are all based on the Australian Ford Falcon, a large family-size sedan, with ute (short for utility, the Australian word for a pickup truck) derivatives. The current FPV range is a mix of turbocharged inline 6-cylinder and V8-powered Falcons.

[edit] 2003 BA range

2003-2004 FPV BA GT
2003-2004 FPV BA GT
  • GT
  • GT-P
  • Pursuit (ute)

The GT was the entry level vehicle, with an RRP of AU$59,850, featuring 18" wheels, cloth or leather trim, am/fm radio , air-conditioning, dual speakers etc. The GT-P was the upmarket version of the GT, with an RRP of AU$69,850, it featured a unique multi-spoke 18" alloy wheel, unique seats with cloth or leather trim, four airbags, climate control, large Brembo brakes measuring 355 mm front and 330 mm rear. The Pursuit was a ute (utility) version of the GT, featuring the same seats, basic dash/interior package and wheels.

All three were powered by a unique version of Ford's 5.4-litre Modular V8, with DOHC 4-valve cylinder heads from the Mustang Cobra R engine, dubbed by FPV as "Boss 290," producing 290 kW (389 hp) @ 5500 rpm and 520 N m (384 ft·lbf) @ 4500 rpm. They featured either a four-speed automatic featuring a tiptronic function that Ford dubbed Sequential Sports Shift, or, a five-speed Tremec TR3650 manual.

[edit] 2004 BA MkII update

  • GT
  • GT-P
  • Pursuit.
  • Super Pursuit
  • F6 Typhoon* (sedan)
  • F6 Tornado*(ute)

The GT, GT-P and Pursuit received a new stripe package with bonnet decals, a six-speed Tremec T56 manual and the GT-P received 19" five-spoke alloy wheels. A new car and ute were added to the range, the FPV F6 Typhoon (sedan) and FPV F6 Tornado (ute).

They were FPV's version of Ford's hugely popular Falcon Barra engine, featuring a 4.0 litre DOHC 24-valve turbocharged inline-six with variable cam timing, which produced 270 kW (362 hp) @ 5250 rpm and 550 N m (406 ft·lbf) @ 2000 - 4250 rpm - the highest level of torque in any Australian production car to that date. They were available with the T56 six-speed manual only. They also released the Super Pursuit, which was a Pursuit ute with GT-P extras. No change to V8's 290 kW power output, but better mapping flattened the torque curve and fuel economy.

[edit] 2005 BF

2005 FPV BF F6 Typhoon
2005 FPV BF F6 Typhoon
  • GT
  • GT-P
  • Pursuit.
  • Super Pursuit
  • F6 Typhoon (sedan)
  • F6 Tornado (ute)

Engine specifications remain unchanged. All models share the same six-speed manual and were now offered with an optional SS made ZF six-speed automatic (the same as featured in Jaguars and BMWs). The GT received the GT-P's old 19" wheels, and the GT-P & Super Pursuit got their own design. Typhoon & Tornado customers got the option of the 18" wheel design used on the previous model or a new 19" design with black spokes. All models had subtle changes to the bodykit.

[edit] 2006 BF MkII update

  • GT
  • GT-P
  • Pursuit.
  • Super Pursuit
  • F6 Typhoon (sedan)
  • F6 Tornado (ute)
  • Force 6
  • Force 8

No mechanical changes were introduced with this update however all models now come standard with 19 inch rims. Subtle styling changes were made, but the most significant news was the introduction of new Force 6 and Force 8 models. Built to rival HSV's Senator Signature, they are mechanically identical to auto-equipped F6 Typhoon and GT models respectively, but in a more luxury-focussed package with more conservative visuals (no rear wing, more conservative colour range). The Force models are essentially an FPV version of the Fairmont Ghia (luxury model in the Falcon range). In the final months of the BF MkII Falcon, a trio of limited-editions were released - the GT 40th Anniversary, the F6 Typhoon R-Spec, and the GT Cobra - all three of which received stiffer "R-Spec" dampers, and in the case of the GT Cobra, a power hike.

[edit] 2008 F6-X

In late 2007, FPV unveilled the F6-X - a high-performance version of the Ford Territory SUV. It is equipped with the F6 Typhoon's powertrain, and received numerous upgrades to the standard Territory. When compared to FPV's BF F6 Typhoon the F6-X is only 3 seconds slower around the Australian Winton racetrack.

[edit] 2008 FG Falcon

FPV's new FG Falcon-based range consists of F6 sedan and ute variants (Typhoon and Tornado names have been retired), and a V8 range consisting of GT, GT-P, GT-E, Pursuit and Super-Pursuit variants. The 4.0L Turbocharged Inline Six now produces 310kW and 565Nm, while the 5.4L V8 develops 315kW and 551Nm.

[edit] Motorsport

[edit] V8 Supercars

Main article: Ford Performance Racing

FPR was created in 2003 to hype the link between FPV's road car range, and the popular V8 Supercars. Given the team's massive budget, the team's early results were disappointing, but a form reversal in 2006 saw the team finish 2nd in the team's standings. In 2007, Mark Winterbottom is expected to drive alongside Steven Richards in the two FPR entries. Former drivers include Craig Lowndes, Glenn Seton, Greg Ritter, David Brabham and Jason Bright.

[edit] Drifting

FPV created a show-car dubbed the 'DRIF6' - an F6 Typhoon with modifications making the car suitable for competitive drifting. The show-car was a popular exhibit, and the car was entered into the national-level Drift Australia Series in 2006, where it was driven by Adam 'Newtonmeter' Newton. One of the car's main objectives was to expose the FPV brand to a younger audience than its usual, traditionalistic V8-driving crowd.

Apart from Adam Newton, only Gary Myers of Summernats Burnout fame has driven the car in anger. Gary drove the F6 for Street Machine Magazine, and commented the vehicle had incredible power.

The F6 drift car managed to score a best qualifying position of 5th at Mallala Motorsport Park in Adelaide, South Australia. In the Queensland Round of racing, the car suffered damage when Warran Luff, V8 Supercar driver took to the wheel for a few demo laps. Under Warren's control the car only made the end of the back straight of Queensland Raceway before it was turned passenger side first into the wall.

The vehicle made an appearance in China to bolster one of its sponsors agenda's. Many people believe the car is still in China, but Ford Australia brought the vehicle back to Australia and it can now be seen at the Ford Australia Discovery Centre in Geelong Victoria.

[edit] External links

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Ford Performance Vehicles, a division of Ford Australia, automobile timeline, 2000s
Type 2000s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
I6T F6 Typhoon
F6 Tornado (Ute)
Force 6
F6X
V8 GT
GT-P
Pursuit (Ute)
Super Pursuit (Ute)
Force 8
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