Ford Performance Vehicles
Encyclopedia
Ford Performance Vehicles is the Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...

-based, premium performance vehicle partner of automobile manufacturer Ford Australia
Ford Australia
Ford Australia is the Australian subsidiary of Ford Motor Company and was founded in Geelong, Victoria, in 1925 as an outpost of Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. At that time, Ford Canada was a separate company from Ford USA...

. The company, which is as a joint venture between Prodrive
Prodrive
Prodrive is a British motorsport and automotive engineering group based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. It designs, constructs and races cars for companies and teams such as Subaru, Aston Martin and Ford...

 and Ford Australia
Ford Australia
Ford Australia is the Australian subsidiary of Ford Motor Company and was founded in Geelong, Victoria, in 1925 as an outpost of Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. At that time, Ford Canada was a separate company from Ford USA...

, has produced a range of Ford based models under the FPV brand name since April 2003.

History

The roots of FPV can be traced back to 1991, when the British automotive engineering company Tickford
Tickford
Tickford is an automobile engineering and testing company with a history of coachbuilding and tuning and is famous for such products as the 140 mph Tickford Turbo Capri.-Early years:...

 began a collaboration with Ford Australia
Ford Australia
Ford Australia is the Australian subsidiary of Ford Motor Company and was founded in Geelong, Victoria, in 1925 as an outpost of Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. At that time, Ford Canada was a separate company from Ford USA...

 to produce high-performance variants of the Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

n Falcon
Ford Falcon (Australia)
The Ford Falcon is a full-size car which has been manufactured by Ford Australia since 1960. Each model from the XA series of 1972 onward has been designed, developed and built in Australia and/or New Zealand, following the phasing out of the American Falcon of 1960–71 which had been re-engineered...

 range. The partnership, Tickford Vehicle Engineering, saw the introduction of the Ford Falcon S-XR6 and Ford Falcon S-XR8 models. This was followed in October 1999 by the launch of the Ford Tickford Experience dealer network and the FTE T-Series range based on Ford’s AU Falcon
Ford AU Falcon
The Ford AU Falcon and Fairmont are the first of the sixth generation series of the Ford Falcon, a full-size car produced by Ford Australia...

 and Fairlane
Ford Fairlane (Australia)
The Ford Fairlane and LTD are full-size luxury vehicles that were produced in a series of models by Ford Australia between 1959 and 2007....

 models. In 2002, following the purchase of Tickford by Prodrive
Prodrive
Prodrive is a British motorsport and automotive engineering group based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. It designs, constructs and races cars for companies and teams such as Subaru, Aston Martin and Ford...

, the Ford Performance Vehicles company was formed and the FPV brand name was created to replace the FTE name. A restructured range was developed based on Ford’s BA Falcon
Ford BA Falcon
The Ford BA Falcon is a full-size car, produced by the Ford Motor Company of Australia between September 2002 and October 2005. The exterior styling of the BA was a substantial revision of that used for the preceding AU model. A new independent rear suspension setup was fitted to all sedan...

 and headlined by the FPV GT-P
Ford Falcon GT
The Ford Falcon GT is an automobile which was produced by Ford Australia from 1967 to 1976 and 2003 to the present day with intermittent limited edition anniversary models offered in between. Since 2003 the car has been marketed as the FPV GT but FPV continue to release anniversary editions based...

.

2003 BA range

The 2003 BA range included the GT, GT-P, and the Pursuit. The GT was the entry-level vehicle that started with a suggested retail price
Suggested retail price
The manufacturer's suggested retail price , list price or recommended retail price of a product is the price which the manufacturer recommends that the retailer sell the product. The intention was to help to standardise prices among locations...

 of A$59,810. The GT-P was the upmarket version of the GT, with a price tag of A$69,850. 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
Ford Modular engine
The Ford Modular engine is Ford Motor Company's overhead camshaft V8 and V10 engine family, which has been produced in 4.6L, 5.0L , 5.4L, and 6.8L variations. Contrary to popular belief, the Modular engine did not get its name from its design or sharing of certain parts among the engine family...

, with DOHC 4-valve cylinder heads from the Mustang
Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, as a "1964½" model, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A...

 Cobra R engine. FPV named this uniquely tuned engine as the Boss 290 because of its power output. It produced 290 kW at 5500 rpm and 520 newton metre of torque at 4500 rpm.

2004 BA MkII update

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 F6 Typhoon (sedan)
FPV F6 Typhoon
The FPV F6 is an automobile which has been produced in Australia by Ford Performance Vehicles since 2004. It is a high-performance derivative of the Australian Ford Falcon. Prior to the release of the FG series F6 in 2008, the sedan and utility models were marketed as the F6 Typhoon and F6 Tornado...

 and F6 Tornado (ute). FPV also released the Super Pursuit, which was a Pursuit ute with GT-P extras.

They were FPV's version of the Ford Falcon Barra engine
Ford Barra engine
The Barra engines are a family of straight 6s and V8s assembled by Ford Australia since 2002. The V8s are built in Windsor, Ontario by the Ford Motor Company and are shipped un-assembled to Australia. Production of the straight 6 is scheduled to continue until at least 2013...

, featuring a 4.0 litre DOHC 24-valve turbocharged inline-six with variable cam timing, which produced 270 kW at 5250 rpm and 550 newton metre at 2000 - 4250 rpm - which is 10 newton metre more than a Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4.

2005 BF

  • GT
  • GT-P
  • Pursuit.
  • Super Pursuit
  • F6 Typhoon
    FPV F6 Typhoon
    The FPV F6 is an automobile which has been produced in Australia by Ford Performance Vehicles since 2004. It is a high-performance derivative of the Australian Ford Falcon. Prior to the release of the FG series F6 in 2008, the sedan and utility models were marketed as the F6 Typhoon and F6 Tornado...

     (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-inch wheels, and the GT-P and Super Pursuit received their own specific road wheel styles. Typhoon & Tornado versions had optional 18-inch road wheel design used on the previous model, or a new 19-inch design with black spokes. All models had subtle changes to the bodykit.

2006 BF MkII update

  • GT
  • GT-P
  • Pursuit.
  • Super Pursuit
  • F6 Typhoon
    FPV F6 Typhoon
    The FPV F6 is an automobile which has been produced in Australia by Ford Performance Vehicles since 2004. It is a high-performance derivative of the Australian Ford Falcon. Prior to the release of the FG series F6 in 2008, the sedan and utility models were marketed as the F6 Typhoon and F6 Tornado...

     (sedan)
  • F6 Tornado (ute)
  • GT Spec R Cobra (limited edition 30th anniversary model - 400 sedans and 100 utes)
  • Force 6
  • Force 8


No mechanical changes were introduced with this update; however, all models came 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 the auto-equipped GT model, but in a more luxury-focused package with more conservative visuals (no rear wing and more conservative colour range). The Force models are essentially an FPV version of the Fairmont Ghia (luxury model in the Falcon
Ford Falcon (Australia)
The Ford Falcon is a full-size car which has been manufactured by Ford Australia since 1960. Each model from the XA series of 1972 onward has been designed, developed and built in Australia and/or New Zealand, following the phasing out of the American Falcon of 1960–71 which had been re-engineered...

 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 with a Cobra Ute - all three of which received stiffer "R-Spec" dampers, and in the case of the GT Cobra, a power hike. (The GT Cobra motor produced 405 hp and 398 lb·ft).

300 R Spec model Typhoons were produced in 2007, these had different Ardent Dark Silver colour accents on wheels and spoilers, leather upholstery, R spec floor mats, Brembo 4-pot front brakes, ten of these R-Spec Typhoons were exported by Ford Australia into Ford New Zealand, of that ten, one was fitted with a 6-speed manual transmission and the other nine were equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions.

F6X

In January 2008, Ford Performance Vehicles unveiled the FPV F6X, a high-performance, luxury version of the Ford Territory
Ford Territory
The Ford Territory is a crossover SUV built by Ford Australia and based on the EA169 platform of the Ford BA Falcon. It was released in April 2004. Its code name inside Ford was E265. It won the 2004 Wheels Car of the Year award, the reviewers praising car-like handling and practicality as reasons...

 SUV. The F6X is fitted with the F6
FPV F6 Typhoon
The FPV F6 is an automobile which has been produced in Australia by Ford Performance Vehicles since 2004. It is a high-performance derivative of the Australian Ford Falcon. Prior to the release of the FG series F6 in 2008, the sedan and utility models were marketed as the F6 Typhoon and F6 Tornado...

  270 Turbo 4.0 L DOHC in-line six-cylinder engine, a ZF six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time all-wheel-drive system. It is the first non Falcon-based model to be produced by FPV and, with an engine producing 270 kW and 550 newton metre, was claimed by the company to be the most powerful six-cylinder SUV available in Australia at that time.

The F6X was discontinued in February 2009, with approximately 218 examples having been built.

FG series

All models in the current FPV FG range are based on the Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

n Ford FG Falcon
Ford FG Falcon
The Ford FG Falcon is a full-size car produced by the Ford Motor Company of Australia since 2008. The FG series is the current model of the Ford Falcon and is the seventh generation of the car...

 and include the 6-cylinder
Cylinder (engine)
A cylinder is the central working part of a reciprocating engine or pump, the space in which a piston travels. Multiple cylinders are commonly arranged side by side in a bank, or engine block, which is typically cast from aluminum or cast iron before receiving precision machine work...

 F6 sedan, F6 Ute
Coupé utility
The coupé utility automobile body style, also known colloquially as the ute in Australia and New Zealand, combines a two-door "coupé" cabin with an integral cargo bed behind the cabin—using a light-duty passenger vehicle-derived platform....

 (the former Typhoon and Tornado names having been retired) and F6 E sedan, the V8 powered GS Sedan and Ute and the V8 engined GT, GT-P and GT E sedans. The 4.0 L Turbocharged Inline Six produces 310 kW and 565 newton metre, while the 5.4 L V8 developed 315 kW and 551 newton metre. The 5.4 L V8 was replaced with the new 5.0 L Supercharged Coyote (Miami) V8. The GT range now produces 335 kW and the GS 315 kW. It is capable of a sub 5 second 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph) time, surpassing the HSV GTS (the FPV's main rival) in both power and torque. The decision was brought about because of pressure to convert to Euro IV emissions, which the 5.4 L was unable to pass.

Miami V8

In October 2010 FPV retired the 5.4L Boss V8, in favour of a new supercharged 5.0L V8. The project, codenamed "Miami", is based on the Coyote 5.0 litre V8 and is a supercharged alloy quad cam engine. It has cost FPV $40 million and has taken 3 years to develop. The engine is offered in two versions; the less powerful variant produces 315 kW at 5750 rpm and 545 newton metre between 2000 - 5500 rpm. This version is offered in the GS sedan and ute. The more powerful version produces 335 kW between 5750 - 6000 rpm and 570 newton metre between 2200 - 5500 rpm. The latter is offered in the GT range, which includes GT, GT-P, and GT-E. Fuel economy was improved dropping 4.5% to 13.7 L/100 km for the auto and 13.6 L/100 km for the manual. No styling changes were made with this update, apart from different wheel designs. The model range has been changed slightly, the GS serves permanently as the entry-level variant for the sedan, and will be the only V8 ute, effectively taking the place of the Pursuit, which has been discontinued along with the Super Pursuit. The GS started at $56,990 for the sedan and the GT at $71,290.
GS

In August 2009 FPV launched new GS Sedan and GS Ute models, reviving a name that was first used for an option pack on the XW Falcon
Ford XW Falcon
-Introduction:The XW Falcon was released in June 1969 replacing the XT Falcon. The XW was an extensive facelift of the XT, featuring a new grille and tail lights...

 range of 1969. Unlike that earlier GS, the new model is a limited-edition model and it is intended to provide a lower entry-point into FPV's performance stable. At $54,950 (plus on-roads) for the Sedan, and $49,950 (plus) for the Ute, the GS variants sit between Ford's Falcon XR range and FPV's GT and F6. The pricing puts both the GS Sedan and Ute under the bar for the Luxury Car Tax.

Featuring GS graphics, FPV chassis enhancements and interior updates, and sitting on 19 inch rims (Graphite for the Sedan, Alpine Silver for the Ute). Production includes 250 sedans and 75 utes. The GS features the new 5.0 litre V8, but produces slightly less power and torque than its more expensive V8 siblings. The engine makes 315 kW and 545 newton metre, and driving through the standard six-speed manual, runs a GT-spec exhaust system and sits on a GT-spec suspension set-up. The GS also offers a premium sound system, Bluetooth compatibility, iPod connectivity, GT instrumentation, starter button, and dual-zone climate control as standard features.
GT

The GT costs the same and has the same features as the F6, the major difference being the engine. It features a 5.0 L supercharged V8, code named "Miami". The engine has 335 kW at 5750 rpm and 570 newton metre of torque between 2200 - 5500 rpm. Because of different shaped BOSS engines that are physically larger than the I6 engine in F6, the GT has a "power bulge" on the bonnet with GT decals. The GT has two transmission choices a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic. Standard are 4-piston front brake calipers, 19-inch alloy wheels, dual zone climate control, and other items. The GT retails for $71,000.
GT-P

The GT-P is a higher-spec version of the regular GT. It costs $81,000 (AUD). It features FPV's new "Miami" V8, it has the same power as the GT. It also includes larger brakes, adjustable pedals, performance seats, a 6-way power driver's seat, and extra GT-P decals. It also features 19-inch alloys; however, they have a different design to the regular GT.
GT E

The GT E is the flagship of the new FPV range at a price of $82,000 (AUD). It is more focused on luxury rather than performance. It has the 5.0 L supercharged V8 that is found in the GT models, which is mated to a ZF 6-speed automatic
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...

. It has replaced the Force 6 and 8. The GT E comes with a boot lip spoiler, special alloy wheels and other features like a reversing camera, parking sensors, leather, and a wood grain interior. The GT-E gets the same sport luxury suspension found in the Ford G Series range.
F6

The F6 is one of two turbocharged 6-cylinder vehicles in the FPV sedan range, with an suggested retail price of $66,590 (AUD). It comes with the same features as the F6 ute, except it also has a Control Blade independent rear suspension, dual-zone climate control, premium audio system, and reverse sensing system that are not standard on the ute. With 310 kW and 565 newton metre, this can take it from 0–100 km (0-62 mph) in 4.9 seconds. The F6 is the quickest Ford vehicle ever sold in Australia.
F6 E

The F6 E incorporates the features of the GT E with the turbocharged six cylinder engine from the F6.
Pursuit and Super Pursuit


FPV offered two V8 powered utes in the FG range, both using the 5.4 L V8. The two models were discontinued when the company introduced the 5.0 L V8 in October 2010. The Pursuit ute is effectively replaced by the new GS ute.
F6 Ute


The F6 Ute is the only 6-cylinder vehicle in the FPV Ute range; it starts off the FPV range at $57,990 (AUD). It is powered by a 4.0 L turbo-charged DOHC 24 valve in-line six-cylinder engine, which produces a maximum power of 310 kW at 5500 rpm and maximum torque of 565 newton metre across the range from 1950 to 5200 rpm. The fuel consumption has dropped to 12.1 L/100 km for the automatic
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...

. The engine is mated to a new 6-speed manual transmission; however, a ZF 6-speed automatic is a no cost option. It is equipped with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), 6 airbags, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), 4-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS), Beltminder technology, a six CD player (MP3 compatible), FPV starter button, alloy pedal covers, and 19 inches (482.6 mm) alloy wheels.
GS Ute


The GS ute is now the only V8 powered ute in FPV's line-up. It is powered by the same 315 kW supercharged 5.0 L V8 found in the GS sedan. Fuel economy for the GS ute is 14.0 L/100 km for the manual and 14.2 L/100 km for the automatic, both figures are small improvements over the 5.4 L V8. The GS ute can be optioned with either a 6-speed manual or a ZF 6-speed automatic. The GS ute will start at $52,000.

V8 Supercars

FPR was created in 2003 to establish a link between FPV's road car range and the V8 Supercars. Given the team's massive budget, its early results were disappointing but a form reversal in 2006 saw the team finish 2nd in the teams' standings. Mark Winterbottom has also got 2nd place in the drivers championship in 06 and 08. Current drivers are Mark Winterbottom
Mark Winterbottom
Mark "Frosty" Winterbottom, is a racing driver who has competed in the V8 Supercar category since 2003. He currently drives for the Ford Performance Racing team...

 and Will Davison in the two FPR entries. Former drivers include Craig Lowndes
Craig Lowndes
Craig Lowndes is a multi-championship winning Australian racing driver. He is a three-time V8 Supercar champion and five-time winner of Australia's most famous motor race, the Bathurst 1000...

, Glenn Seton
Glenn Seton
Glenn Seton is an Australian racing driver.Seton, father of Courtney and Aaron Seton and husband to Jayne Seton, retired from full time racing after the 2005 V8 Supercar season, and is only one of five drivers to have competed in over 200 rounds in the series. The other drivers are Dick Johnson ,...

, Greg Ritter
Greg Ritter
Greg Ritter is an Australian racing driver. He was the winner of the 1999 Australian Formula Ford Championship. and shared the winning drive at the 2004 Betta Electrical 500-Career results:-External links:*...

, David Brabham
David Brabham
David Brabham is an Australian racing driver and one of the most successful and experienced specialists in sports car racing. He has won three international Sports Car series and is one of four Australians to have won the Le Mans 24 Hour sports car race, winning the event in...

, David Besnard
David Besnard
David Besnard, , in Sydney, Australia is a professional race car driver. Starting in Karts in 1981, he quickly proceeded into Formula Ford in 1995. After initial success, he had a major accident at Eastern Creek Raceway and broke his leg. In 1996 he made a comeback and won the Australian title...

, Jason Bright
Jason Bright
Jason Bright is an Australian racing driver currently competing in the V8 Supercar series.-Australia:...

 and Steven Richards
Steven Richards
Steven Richards is a New Zealand racing driver, currently competing in the with the team. He previously raced in the V8 Supercar series for Ford Performance Racing....

 .

Drifting

FPV created a show car
Show car
A show car, sometimes called a dream car, is a custom-made automobile created specifically for public display, rather than sale. They are shown at auto shows and other exhibitions.Show cars generally fall into one or more of three categories:...

 dubbed the 'DRIF6' - an F6 Typhoon
FPV F6 Typhoon
The FPV F6 is an automobile which has been produced in Australia by Ford Performance Vehicles since 2004. It is a high-performance derivative of the Australian Ford Falcon. Prior to the release of the FG series F6 in 2008, the sedan and utility models were marketed as the F6 Typhoon and F6 Tornado...

 with modifications making the car suitable for competitive drifting
Drifting (motorsport)
Drifting refers to a driving technique and to a motorsport where the driver intentionally over steers, causing loss of traction in the rear wheels through turns, while maintaining vehicle control and a high exit speed...

. 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, traditional V8-driving crowd.

Apart from Adam Newton, only Gary Myers of Summernats Burnout fame has driven the car. 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 Warren 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 agendas. Ford Australia brought the vehicle back to Australia and it can be seen at the Ford Australia Discovery Centre in Geelong Victoria.

External links

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