New Ford Falcon Revealed

Ford Falcon new generation is one of the best selling vehicles in Australia has been presented in the market this year. The all-new Ford Falcon, also known as FG (for Fairmont Ghia), features three versions, the basic XT, the luxury G (Ghia) and the sporty XR. Each of these versions presents a different front end, but changes go well beyond that.
The G line comes to replace the Futura and Fairmont models, and there will be no V8 option for this range. In place of the Fairmont V8 Australian customers will have to choose the new G6 Turbo or to change their option to the XR8, equipped with the BOSS 290 5,4-liter V8 engine delivering 290 kW (394 cv) at 5,750 rpm and a peak torque of 520 Nm at 4,750. Anyway, the inline six-cylinder turbo engine of the G6 is also able to provide lots of fun at the wheel, generating 270 kW at 5,250 rpm and a better torque, of 533 Nm between 2,000 rpm and 4,750 rpm.Though the engines can provide more power, they are also able to do a better mileage, achieved with enhancements in all engines and the use of variety new transmissions. The I6 Turbo, especially, uses a cylinder cut system that has been developed to provide sportier gear changes, but most surely has helped the engine reach a 10% reduction in fuel consumption.Besides this, the new Falcon also uses the Virtual Pivot Control Link front suspension, which has been taken from the Territory SUV and is said to provide better handling, a variable ratio steering, recently introduced to Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the CLC-Class, and an Australian first self adjusting park brake, according to Ford. Consumers are anticipating the release of this model but Loacal companies has not provided an official press release of the vehicle, though most of the new car details can be checked on Fords website. The car will be officially unveiled to the public at the Melbourne Motor Show, starting February 29, 2008, and sales will begin next May

Ford FPV Range Australia

Ford has officially decided to use the Melbourne International Motor Show to publicly unveil it full range of Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV).

Ford lauched FG Ford Falcon series, the FPV range is a thorough reworking of a familiar theme, big grunt, big car and rear wheel drive.

Its excellent for Australian performance car enthusiast as Holden, Ford’s arch rival downunder, also has a range of performance vehicles coming from the Commodore Sedan and Ute which are called HSV.

The range has not been officially released to the buying Australian public until June this year but FPV are ready to get the public excited about ther latest fpv range. Performance details have yet to be released suggesting there is still some tweaking of the powertrains going on by the Engineers to optimise both the V8 and turbo 6 cylinder units. The F6 range will use a 4.0L in-line turbocharged 6 cylinder engine which will be good for 300kW/402hp (SAE) and 550Nm of torque. This is a big jump in power from the 270kW/360hp (DIN) of the outgoing BF model so acceleration times should plummet. The 5.4L V8 in the GT series will breathe better and rev higher which should push power to over 310kW/415hp (SAE), again a good improvement over the superseded BF’s 290kW/390hp(DIN). Expect a 6 speed manual and a 6 speed ZF sourced automatic to complete the transmissions available FPV products have always had menacing styling and the new FG range does not disappoint, the front end looking particularly aggressive. If you like what you see, and you don’t live in Australia or New Zealand, you had better get that immigration process moving a long as these cars will likely never be available elsewhere.

FPV Cobra strikes Australia

FPV Cobra Apperars to be the hottest cars in in Australia. Australian’s like affair with muscle cars is nearly as long, and recently much more ardent, than America’s. The 1978 Ford Cobra XC, based on the 1977 winner of the Bathurst 1000 endurance race, kicked off the Aussie Cobra brand in style. Carrying on the tradition of big power and big iron is the new Boss 302 powered FPV GT Cobra. As we wrote last Friday, the latest incarnation of the Ford Performance Vehicle division’s Falcon-based muscle madness will be a limited edition, with only 400 sedans and 100 utes available.

FPV Force 8 - Review

FPV Force 8 - Aimed squarely at the executive market, this understated offering from Ford boasts luxury and performance without making you feel like a poseur (a la GT-P). For this reason you won’t notice it coming down the road, but as it cruises past you, a few cheeky cues will present themselves and leave you wanting more.
FPV Force 8 is not the usual attention grabbing ‘package’ I agree, but enough to start a stirring the loins. From the exterior FPV Force 8, there’s the bulge (ahem) in the bonnet, sans posing stripes, big 19” alloys sneaking a peak at the shiny red 4-pot Brembos (6 pots available), small chrome’esque touches here and there, and at the rear end there is a small pouting lip spoiler on the boot.
On the interior FPV Force 8 is stitched leather upholstery in a range of (two) colours, black and red. The red, for me, is a bit over the top and must look like something you’d find adorning the waiting room of a brothel (according to the Editor). Add to this the usual mix of black and aluminium effect trim, dark woodgrain inserts and it represents a comfortable and entertaining environment to be in.Sounds are provided by the 150W audio system with subwoofer and in dash 6CD, which strangely doesn’t play MP3s. Information for audio and climate controls are neatly combined on the colour TFT display, however overall usability left me fiddling at the traffic lights and studying the manual on the driveway. Combined electric driver’s seat and mirror memory settings, as well as power adjustable pedals are nice touches
So what’s my first ‘V8 experience’ like to drive? Well, the earth certainly moved for me but not in the raw edged, rough, gruff way I was expecting. The chassis is well composed and the FPV-tweaked 290kW, 5.4L quad-cam, 32-valve engine responsive, albeit playing with a subdued soundtrack.
To help keep a handle on those 520Nm of torques the limited slip diff (LSD) and traction control (TC) do their best to keep you heading forwards. Squeals of delight are regularly heard from the rear tyres, and 69 had to give way to 11 as my favourite number for a while. Sporting 245/35 profile tyres it does however tramline on some road surfaces.
In the wet the excitement heightens, with a lardy love-handle laden 1800Kg of bulk to try and hold onto, Stability control might be a welcome addition. Brakes need to be no less well endowed than they currently are, at 355mm front, 300mm rear, slotted and cross drilled, to be up to the task of stopping this beefcake.
Even being a bit portly 0-100 Km/h is dealt to in around 6 seconds, with the advanced ‘joy of six’ speed ZF 6HP26 high-torque auto ‘box shifting swiftly to keep the momentum going. Sports shift is available too if you want to take control and show it who’s boss.

2005 Ford FPV GT-P Reviews

Engine Type: V8
Displacement cu in (cc): 330 (5408)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 394(290) / 5500
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 384(520) / 4500
Redline at RPM: n.a.

Brakes & Tires
Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc
Tires F-R: 245/35 R19
Driveline: Rear Wheel Drive
Exterior Dimensions & Weight
Length × Width × Height in: 194.6 × 73.4 × 56.9
Weight lb (kg):
n.a.
Performance
Acceleration 0-62 mph s:
n.a.
Top Speed mph (km/h):
n.a.
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km):
n.a.
Ford Performance Vehicles has unveiled its bold new range of high-performance vehicles at the 2005 Australian International Motor Show. For the first time since FPV was launched in September 2002, the BF range will consist of a full product lineup of six high-performance models: GT, GT-P, Pursuit, Super Pursuit, F6 Typhoon and F6 Tornado. The addition of the ZF six-speed automatic transmission has allowed FPV to increase its product portfolio with, for the first time, an automatic gearbox available as an option on the turbo-charged F6 Typhoon and F6 Tornado.
Never has an Australian-built production car range contained so many technologically-advanced performance driving features. The new ZF six-speed automatic transmission or the close-ratio Tremec T56 six-speed manual, the Boss 290 quad cam V8 or the F6 270 Turbo with its twin-plate clutch, the award-winning Control Blade independent rear suspension system, Brembo brakes and the outstanding Falcon chassis, all combine to offer the very best range of vehicles yet from FPV.
Complementing these mechanical features, the BF FPV range introduces an aggressive new styling theme with greater visual distinction between Boss 290 V8-powered and F6 270 Turbo-powered models, and more options for customers to personalize their vehicle.
The BOSS 290 Engine
The high-tech quad cam Boss 290 – the only V8 production engine to be built in Australia – has a number of upgraded features that coincide with the introduction of the new BF range.
In conjunction with compliance with the Euro III emission regulations, another new design standard will be introduced from 2006: a reduction in drive-by noise (ADR 83/00) from 77dB to 75dB. To achieve this, the 5.4-liter quad cam Boss 290 V8 is now fitted with the dual-entry ram airbox and a bold new twin-exhaust system exclusively available on the GT and GT-P.
The new twin exhaust system not only lifts the aesthetic presence of the iconic V8-powered models, but also generates a traditional muscle car-inspired exhaust note. The system has four-into-one extractors from each bank of cylinders joining into a twin 2 Ľ-inch exhaust with an intermediate silencer box. The exhaust gases pass through new tri-flow silencers before exiting via the six-inch twin-outlets that feature a trapezoidal design reminiscent of iconic muscle cars of the 1970s.
Despite the restrictions imposed by the Euro III regulations, Prodrive’s powertrain engineering team has maintained the power and torque outputs of the 5.4-liter quad cam Boss 290 V8. It produces maximum power of 394 bhp at 5,500rpm and 384 lb-ft of torque at 4,500rpm.
The Boss 290 is now up to 2.6 per cent more fuel efficient, with the GT and GT-P manual sedans recording 14.9 liters/100km/h under official ADR requirements for combined city/urban driving cycle. The lower gearing of the six-speed automatic records 15.0 liters/100km in GT and GT-P and 15.1 in Pursuit.
Exterior Styling
The new-look front bumpers further enhance the traditional performance car styling of the Boss 290 V8-powered vehicles with a larger and more pronounced lower air intake featuring the race-inspired three-slot spoiler.
Enhancing the more aggressive styling, all FPV Boss 290 V8-powered models are now fitted with 19-inch alloy wheels as standard equipment. The wheels have been designed to accentuate the power and presence of the Brembo brakes that are now standard on all FPV models.
FPV owners will be offered even more ways to customize their vehicle, with a new-design side stripe and hood decal package available as an option on GT, GT-P, Pursuit and Super Pursuit.
Interior Upgrades
The feature-filled cabin in all FPV models has received a number of improvements with the introduction of the new BF range.
Complementing the satin alloy interior features such as the Interior Command Centre and gear lever surrounds, the door trims now carry the same premium highlight on the grab handles with a soft-feel material. The performance seats in all models now feature Satin Alloy contrast stitching with the FPV logo embroidered in the headrests.
Brakes
Ford Performance Vehicles has improved the braking packages on its entire vehicle lineup with the introduction of the new BF model.
The flagship FPV GT-P features ultra-high-performance Brembo six-piston front calipers and a four-piston rear caliper. These calipers provide improved stopping power, better resistance to brake fade and improved pedal feel and effort. The monoblock construction is significantly stiffer than conventional two-piece calipers, generating better braking response and improving long-term durability and performance.
The cross-drilled and pillar-ventilated rotors measure 355 mm x 32 mm at the front and 330 mm x 28 mm at the rear. The unique pillar venting provides greater heat extraction from the inner portion of the rotor for better braking performance during enthusiastic driving.
The flagship GT-P and Super Pursuit models step up a notch with ultra-high-performance Brembo six-piston front calipers.

Ford FPV Falcons 2008 review

Ford is getting ready for a battle in Australia for the hearts and minds of performance enthusiasts. Its new FPV Falcons will go head to head with what HSV offers from Holden, and today the Blue Oval from Down Under released officials specs for its souped up, gnarly-looking rear-wheel-drive sedans.
Ford is getting ready for a battle in Australia for the hearts and minds of performance enthusiasts. Its new FPV Falcons will go head to head with what HSV offers from Holden, and today the Blue Oval from Down Under released officials specs for its souped up, gnarly-looking rear-wheel-drive sedans. First we have the F6, which is powered by the familiar turbocharged 4.0L straight-six engine now producing 416 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque at just 1,950 rpm. That’s a 54-horsepower increase over the prior straight six, and matches up surprisingly well with Ford’s other engine offering, the 5.4L Boss V8 producing 422 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque at a loftier 4,750 rpm. The Boss motor can be had in the GT E, GT-P and GT sedans, as well as the Super Pursuit and Pursuit Ute. The exceptional straight-six meanwhile, is only offered in the F6 sedan and ute.
Let’s compare what Ford revealed today with the offerings from Holden’s HSV. Currently the Clubsport R8 is HSV’s most high-performance sedan, and it’s powered by an LS3 6.2L V8 producing 425 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. Ford has pretty much matched HSV in the motor department then, and the new Falcon looks like it might weigh less to boot. But HSV dropped a bomb at the Melbourne Motor Show named the HSV W427, which is a version of the Clubsport R8 powered by GM’s LS7 V8 producing 496 horses and 472 pound feet of torque. Hopefully Ford Australia has an answer for that up its sleeves, too.