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By
JOHN CRAWFORD
19 May 2008
Make no mistake the new FPV Falcon range has pretensions.
Capitalising on the extensive work Ford invested in the new Falcon
FG range, the FPV team has gone all out to make a high performance
range that can meet Europeans on equal ground.
Have they pulled it off? A 450 km test run this week, on
mountainous, undulating and mixed surfaces revealed that levels of
refinement are high, the cars perform and handle well and despite
the go-faster attributes in the styling they are quite an elegant
package.
Are they true European competitors? Perhaps it’s best to say
that for the money, they are great value and their pretensions are
not entirely false.
The FPV range consists of three utes, a spectacular turbo 6
sedan and three V8-powered GTs. The darling of the range is easily
the F6, with its turbocharged inline six mated to the
easy-shifting ZF six-speed automatic.
Interestingly, FPV has put the same price tag on the F6 and the
V8-powered GT at $65,990 allowing the buyer to simply choose which
engine they want. Both engines have received a host of detail
changes aimed at improving both performance and response, and they
are both more fuel-efficient. It would be stretching it to say
they were economical. The F6 claims 12.1 litres per 100 kilometres
and the GT 14.0 L/100km.
One new model, the GTE follows the same thinking as Ford, with
its new GTE turbo FG model. The FPV GTE offers the Boss 315 V8,
with the ZF auto with less garish graphics and more restrained
styling. It’s the sophisticated brat of the pack.
In a very competitive set of pricing decisions transmissions
are all no-cost options! All cars come standard with the slick
shifting TR6060 six-speed manual box, or you could choose the ZF
six-speed auto. It just depends on your preference, both are very
easy to use and complement the FPV range’s performance.
All FPV models get Brembo high-performance brakes, with the V8
versions getting six piston calipers up front, whilst four piston
calipers are standard. In the safety department all cars get side
curtain airbags, and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is standard
across the whole range.
FPV is looking for more conquest sales to grow last year’s
2200 units, and is keenly anticipating that some high performance
buyers, who might normally choose a European-bred car, will see
the inherent value in its range of models.
On the road they are extremely competent high performance
touring cars, and depending on the specification will make great
cars on the track too for a club racer.
The interiors reflect Ford’s strong focus on choosing high
quality materials, amazingly tight fit and finish margins, and
elegant colour schemes and trims. The instrument panel
particularly is very impressive, and in design terms could teach a
lot of other car makers lessons in style and legibility.
For Ford loyalists, FPV has delivered on the promise. All the
attributes of past models are present, but with significant
improvements in every area – steering, ride, handling, fit and
finish, and most of all performance. The cars also have great road
presence.
The integrity of the FPV proposition is underscored by the
value pricing, and we’re certain FPV buyers will drive with a
smile on their dial, continuously.
The complete FPV FG range, with prices (excluding on-road
costs) is:
F6 ute: $57,990
F6 sedan: $65,990
Pursuit ute: $57,990
Super Pursuit ute: $62,990
GT sedan: $65,990
GT-P sedan: $75,990
GT-E sedan: $76,990
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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