Forbidden Falcon Fruit Gets Even Sweeter: 2008 Ford FPV GT

Think that new 2008 FG Falcon XR8 isn’t sporty enough for you? Fear not, for Ford Performance Vehicles - the SVT of FoMoCo’s Australian operations - has revealed it’ll be putting its sport-touch on the Blue Oval’s new rear-drive range. The new range of performance Falcons will make their debut at the Melbourne Auto Show next week.

Although the cars are supposed to emphasize brute force, we sadly won’t know any performance figures until this summer, but we do expect the FPV Falcon range to use the new 4.0-liter turbocharged I-6 and the 5.4-liter V-8 in the new FG Falcon. We’d hedge our bets that both will debut with at least some bump in horsepower, although both seem fairly powerful in their stock form.

(Click through for more on the FPV Falcon, including a release from Ford)

What we can tell you is what we see - an overly aggressive front fascia that could easily catch the fancy of Max Rockatansky . The bumper fascia seems to sport a deeper grille, but we’re most distracted by the “warpaint” applied between the headlamps and fog lamp assemblies. Similar striping is used not only on the hood bulge, but also the rocker panels. 19″ alloy wheels help add to the sporting look, but the Brembo disc brakes hidden beneath them do more for the car’s performance.

With “lesser” Falcons arriving in Australian showrooms later this year, we’d expect the FPV hi-po variants to appear around the same time, along with specifications on just how sweet they may be. Stay tuned to WINDING ROAD for the latest on the FPV Falcons, but don’t hold your breath for these ‘birds to arrive in the U.S. anytime soon.

FORD RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE:
FORD PERFORMANCE VEHICLES REVEALS NEW MODEL RANGE

Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) has officially unveiled a selection of its highly anticipated new Falcon-based range, lifting the covers off the latest evolutions of its performance GT sedan, F6 sedan and Super Pursuit Ute.

“Today we have given the public a glimpse of the new era in Australian performance motoring,” said Ford Performance Vehicles General Manager Rod Barrett.

“Our new model range offers performance enthusiasts the ultimate in performance engineering, luxury appointments and sports styling.”

For the first time, the Ford badge will not appear on an FPV model. The new-look FPV vehicles will feature FPV badges prominently on the centre grille and centre boot lid.

“Featuring the FPV badge on all our new models is a major repositioning for the FPV brand,” said Barrett.

“It signifies the maturing of our brand and the evolution of FPV as Ford’s performance partner.”

As with Ford, FPV has repositioned its high performance sedan and Ute model variants, with eight stunning vehicles divided into the GT series and F6 series families.

“The repositioning of the vehicle line-up has been done for similar reasons to the Ford G Series,” said Barrett.

“It is all about growing the brand and attracting new customers. The GT series family continues our strong iconic heritage, while the F6 series family caters to a new segment of performance car enthusiasts who prefer a slick turbo charged six-cylinder to a thundering V8.”

The GT series family retains the familiar GT and GT-P sedan nameplates, and introduces the stylish new luxury GT-E sedan.

The bold exterior styling of the new GT and GT-P is highlighted by the trademark unique front grille treatment, rear wing, side striping and V8 bonnet bulge accented with a newly designed hood decal.

Visually, the new GT-E is distinguished from its V8 siblings by its refined rear lip spoiler, chrome accenting and distinctive GT-E badging.

The GT-E’s unique 19 inch alloy wheels are matched by a premium brake package, with 6 piston Brembo brakes now featured as standard.

“The GT-E is a sophisticated luxury performance car that will cater for those buyers that don’t want the stripes, wings, and seats offered in the GT-P; however want to retain all the performance attributes of that car,” said Barrett.

The Super Pursuit and Pursuit Ute variants complete the GT series range.

The F6 series family features the F6 and F6 Ute- the Typhoon and Tornado nomenclature are discontinued on the new vehicles.

Significant ride, handling and safety advancements have been made to the new FPV stable. Each new model variant has been fully engineered and designed to provide the performance enthusiast with the ultimate in Australian performance motoring.

Safety advances include the addition of Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) on FPV sedan & Ute vehicles for the first time.

Significantly, FPV customers will also have a choice of manual or auto transmission at no additional cost.

“The option of auto or manual transmission at no extra cost caters for both our luxury and overt sports customers, without penalising either for their choice of transmission,” said Barrett.

FPV has produced exhilarating performance upgrades across the GT and F6 range, however the exact engine performance power and torque figures will be revealed closer to the on sale date in June.

“The unique FPV enhanced design gives each vehicle and a bolder road presence,” said Barrett.

“Coupled with performance upgrades, the new FPV range is a revolution in Australian performance motoring. I’m sure our loyal and passionate customers will be extremely impressed.”

GT Series
GT-E
GT-P
GT
Super Pursuit
Pursuit

F6 Series
F6 sedan
F6 Ute