Ford Performance Vehicles
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ford Performance Vehicles | |
 |
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| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Campbellfield, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Key people | Sak Ryopponen (managing director) |
| Industry | Automotive |
| Products | Automobiles |
| Owner | Ford Australia (49%); Prodrive (51%) |
| Slogan | Performance Inc. |
| Website | www.fpv.com.au |
Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) is the Melbourne-based official performance tuning division of Ford Australia, founded in 2002.
Contents |
[edit] History
FPV can trace its roots back to 1991, when the Prodrive-owned Tickford joined with Ford Australia as their tuning division. The Ford Australia/Tickford partnership produced the original Falcon XR6 and XR8 models. In 2000, the FTE (Ford-Tickford Experience) outfit was formed in an effort to counter Holden Special Vehicles. It was under the FTE banner that the acclaimed T-Series was launched.
FTE's products were generally well-received, but sales were below targets. In 2002, Ford Australia launched the all-new BA Falcon. To complement the launch of the new Falcon, Ford decided that FTE needed a radical makeover. The FTE name was replaced with the new Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) moniker, an all-new range was devised (headlined by a new Falcon GT), and all Tickford branding disappeared.
Despite appearances, most of the personnel from the Tickford days remained. Through FPV, Ford Australia sought to rival Holden Special Vehicles, something which FTE emphatically failed to do. Sales steadily increased, and by 2006, FPV sedans were consistently outselling HSV sedans. FPV's products are generally highly rated by the motoring press (the current model F6 Typhoon was crowned Australian Performance Car Of The Year by Motor magazine.)
[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
- GT
- GT-P
- Pursuit (ute or pickup truck)
The GT was the entry level vehicle, with an RRP of AU$59,850, featuring 18" wheels, cloth or leather trim, CD player, air-conditioning, dual airbags 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 Nm (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 Falcon 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 550Nm (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 290kW power output, but better mapping flattened the torque curve and fuel economy.
[edit] 2005 BF Falcon
- 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 German 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 Falcon 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" alloy wheels. 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).
[edit] Specifications
| Model | Amount Built | Engine | Power | Torque | Tyres | 0 - 100 km/h (60 mph) | Standing 400 m (1/4 mile) | Top Speed | RRP (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcon GT | 1798 (2003-2005 only) | 5408cc DOHC 32V V8 | 290 kW @ 5500 rpm (389 hp) | 520 Nm @ 4500 rpm (384 ft/lb) | 245/35 ZR19 - Dunlop SP Sport 9000 | 6.01sec | 14.05 @ 176km/h | 250km/h (restricted) | $59,850 (manual) |
| F6 Typhoon | 3984cc DOHC 24V Turbocharged I6 | 270 kW @ 5250 rpm (362 hp) | 550 Nm @ 2000 rpm (406 ft/lb) | 245/35 ZR19 - Dunlop SP Sport 9000 | 5.56sec | 13.64 @ 175km/h | 250km/h (restricted) | $59,810 (manual) |
Times depend on transmission choice. The ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox has a performance advantage compared to the Tremec T56 6-speed manual (particularly in six-cylinder turbo models) thanks mainly to an easier launch. Motor magazine testing in the F6 Typhoon model shows a difference of about half a second between the two transmissions over a standing quarter-mile.
The GT is estimated to have a top speed of roughly 260km/h, The Typhoon is roughly the same.
[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 along-side 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 D1 Australia Series where it is driven by Adam 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.
[edit] External links
- Ford Performance Vehicles
- Ford Performance Racing
- Ford XR6 Turbo, Typhoon XR8 Forum
- XTC Website DynoWog, AWD Dyno & EMS + Flash Tune
- Australian Ford Forums
- FordAustraliaForums.com
