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By EWAN
KENNEDY
10 August 2009
Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) has introduced an executive
express to its high-performance range. The all-new F6 E was shown
as a concept car at this year’s Melbourne International
Motor Show and gained so much positive comment that the engineers
immediately went to work turning it into a reality.
FPV general manager Rod Barrett explained, "The F6 E will
cater for the corner of the market - in particular executives -
that want the performance and dynamics of the F6 with some added
luxury appointments and subdued styling ... we are confident that
the F6 E will be a hit with those looking for something more from
their performance vehicle.”
Compared with the overtly sporty F6, the styling of the FPV F6 E
is more subtle. It has chromed accents and a refined lip spoiler
replacing the bright colours, and large rear wings found on the
other models. The colour coding of the ‘racoon-eyes’ helps the
F6 E to keep a lower profile in the look-at-me stakes. The upper
radiator and lower bumper grille mesh are finished in black
chrome, while the front driving lamps are highlighted with a high
chromed bezel, complemented by full body coloured bumpers.
The latest design of FPV badge takes centre stage on both the
front and rear, and there are ‘F6 E’ badges on the rear and
side panels.
FPV's F6 E is available in Winter White, Silhouette, Lightning
Strike, Velvet, Sensation, Steel, Ego, Seduce and the new Mystic.
Inside the cabin, the F6 E features luxury FPV seats in shadow
leather with the F6 E logo embossed on the headrests. The interior
environment of the F6 E is charcoal and receives a dark walnut
woodgrain finish on the dashboard as well as the doors.
The interior is packed with features to ensure a premium driving
experience, including a sports leather steering wheel with cruise
control and audio mounted switches, dual zone temperature control
air conditioning, front and rear power windows, and memory
adjustable pedals with alloy pedal controls.
“The F6 E gives increased response to the accelerator pedal
throughout the rev range, but also provides around town
driveability due to better access to torque,” FPV Head of
Powertrain Engineering Bernie Quinn said.
The new F6 E is powered by the company's highly respected
4.0-litre turbocharged in-line six and produces maximum power of
310kW. A major advantage of a turbocharged engine is that it can
be tuned to produced maximum torque over a wide spread of revs.
But even so, the engineers at FPV have excelled – this engine
gives you 565 Nm all the way from 1950 to 5200 revs. That's
astonishing and means that most drivers will have peak torque at
their right foot virtually all the time.
This big-torque engine is mated to a ZF six-speed automatic
transmission with Sequential Sports Shift. The automatic features
a cylinder cut feature during wide open throttle gear changes,
which shortens the ‘torque off, torque-back-on’ time between
gear changes, to enhance the wide open throttle performance feel.
Keeping all that power and torque under control is a braking
system consisting of 355 x 32mm cross-drilled and ventilated front
rotors with Brembo six-piston callipers; and 330 x 28mm
cross-drilled and ventilated rear rotors with Brembo four-piston
callipers. A new 19-inch alloy-wheel design was custom matched to
the F6 E’s premium Brembo brake package and the ‘shadow
chrome’ alloy finish completes an understated yet stylish
exterior package.
Suspension changes mean the F6 E has an improved turn-in response
and linearity, better steering precision and stability mid-corner
and a reduced roll rate, which all work to deliver a smooth and
controlled ride. Sachs mono-shock damper provides a great balance
between a firm, dynamic sports performance feel and good ride
comfort while cruising.
Safety features include Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), side
curtain airbags and a reverse parking camera and reverse sensing
system.
Ford
Performance Vehicle’s hot new F6 E is priced at $79,740, plus
dealer and statutory charges.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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