400kW finale for FPV
Ford Performance Vehicles' GT F will pack 400kW-plus overboost modeThe last new model to wear the Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) badge, the GT F sedan, will pack a 403kW punch.
Although the nominal output of the supercharged 5.0-litre V8 Falcon is 351kW -- a nod to Australia's most famous fast four-door, the GTHO, and the 351cubic-inch V8 engines that powered it and a series of Ford's fastest -- the locally developed engine will feature an overboost mode that will boost performance by 15 per cent.
Although the overboost function does not operate in first gear, the 15 per cent boost is enough to take the FPV GT F's peak power to around 403kW. This is less than the 430kW output of Holden Special Vehicles' top-line GTS sedan, but clearly makes the GT F the most powerful Falcon ever produced by Ford.
Arguably, it also makes the GT F engine Australia's most powerful homegrown powerplant. The HSV engine is a 'bolt-in' donated by GM's US performance arm and also features in the Chevrolet Camaro and other US models. The GT F's ‘Miami’ supercharged V8 was a local development.
The GT F is the last FPV model and will be sold in both sedan and Pursuit ute variants. The Pursuit ute is powered by FPV’s existing 315kW version of the supercharged V8.
Ford Australia announced it would 'retire' the FPV brand last November. The updated Falcon due for unveiling later this year will feature V8 models, however, they will wear Ford XR8 nameplates rather than FPV branding.
Ford launched the GT F to media this morning at its You Yangs proving ground near Lara (Vic).
FPV Chief Program Engineer, Peter de Leur, said his team’s goal was “to create the best vehicle we could; a vehicle that pays respect to Ford GTs of old yet celebrates all that is good about Ford’s performance credentials”.
“When we started this program we had an opportunity to look at a performance increase for the engine so we developed a strategy around the calibration that allowed for a performance upgrade without impacting the all-round driveability of the car,” de Leur said, referring to the overboost function.
“This is delivered in every gear above 4000rpm, other than first gear,” he said
Ford has limited the build number of GT F sedans to 550 (including 50 for NZ). Just 120 Pursuit ute versions of the GT F are programmed. The company claims the GT F sedan is all but sold out.
“Very few GT F sedans remain available and there is strong interest in the Pursuit utes,” Ford spokesperson Neil McDonald told motoring.com.au.
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