FPV F6 (Ford Performance Vehicle) | Seeking opinions!

[JDM SRE70]

Hi Guys,

In Australia, the Ford Falcon and all it's variant's are disappearing soon and will be replaced by Mustangs. No complaint's except, why do we need to lose a Australian Super saloon at the cost of the Mustang.

So it got me thinking, does this car specifically the FPV F6 interest the international market. What better place to ask then a immense community of car enthusiasts over the net.

So here's a run down of the car, and hopefully you can answer the pole.

___________________________________________________________________________________

FPV F6 10'-14'

The FPV F6 is an automobile which has been produced in Australia by Ford Performance Vehicles since 2004. It is a high-performance derivative of the Australian Ford Falcon. Prior to the release of the FG series F6 in 2008, the sedan and utility models were marketed as the F6 Typhoon and F6 Tornado respectively.

The F6 is based on the modern-classic Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo sports sedan. The F6 engine is based on the XR6T motor, a turbocharged 4.0L Inline Six, but includes: a modified FPV airbox (with Dual Ram Air intakes), higher strength conrods, larger air to air intercooler, high flow exhaust system, higher capacity fuel pump, and a Garrett GT3540 (same as the BA/BF XR6T) turbocharger with an internal gate (up from the GT3040 on the FG XR6T)running 0.64 bar of boost on the BA/BF models and 0.91 on the FG. This engine is known for its wide, flat torque curve, with peak torque of 565 N·m (417 lb·ft) available from 1950 to 5250 rpm(FG F6). This equates to strong acceleration throughout the rev range.

The F6 represented a diversification of sorts for FPV, broadening the reach of the brand to turbo buyers, a typically younger demographic than the V8 buyers that the Australian manufacturers traditionally cater to.

The New South Wales Police Force[1] and Queensland Police Service[2] sometimes use the FPV F6 as Highway Patrol vehicles. But the majority are the FG XR6 turbo model with the optional brembo brakes and F6 wheels fitted, or the VE-VF SS commodore. [From Wikipedia]

Sedan.

Ute.

Overview
Manufacturer Ford Performance Vehicles
Production 2004–present
Body and chassis ClassFull-size car Body style 4-door sedan 2-door utility
Related
Ford Falcon
Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo
FPV GT

Powertrain Engine4.0 L Barra 310T I6
Transmission 6-speed manual
6-speed ZF automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,828 mm (111.3 in)
Length4,949 mm (194.8 in)
Width1,890 mm (74 in)
Height1,424 mm (56.1 in)
Curb weight1,715 kg (3,781 lb)

 

[GranTurismo916]

Sure, but I have a feeling it wouldn't sell very well.

 

[CSMDuty11]

I would like it in Russia, even if 90% Russians can't afford one, because new car.
It does look great, though.

 

[Legro]

I'd love to see it here, but Finnish car taxing would make it cost over 120,000€.

 

[CSMDuty11]

I think im seeing a pattern here...

 

[Murcie_LP640]

The F6 was the best thing to come out of Australia (apart from the VF Commodore), although I highly doubt it would have sold if exported, which it probably would not have even been able to apart from RHD European countries.

And judging by the lacklustre sales of the HSV Clubsport R8, GTS and Maloo (not sure how the old Monaro did) in the UK I really doubt the FPVs would have fared any better. Considering that Ford of Australia was pretty much in the toilet long before Holden was they probably couldn't afford to do it anyway, and nor did they get any backing from the US because assumedly they already had a whole heap of sedans that the Falcon wasn't deemed necessary.

 

[JDM SRE70]

The F6 was the best thing to come out of Australia (apart from the VF Commodore), although I highly doubt it would have sold if exported, which it probably would not have even been able to apart from RHD European countries.

And judging by the lacklustre sales of the HSV Clubsport R8, GTS and Maloo (not sure how the old Monaro did) in the UK I really doubt the FPVs would have fared any better. Considering that Ford of Australia was pretty much in the toilet long before Holden was they probably couldn't afford to do it anyway, and nor did they get any backing from the US because assumedly they already had a whole heap of sedans that the Falcon wasn't deemed necessary.

Makes alot of sense!

 

[SVX]

There is almost nothing more in writing that annoys me more than using ' 's ' for plurals (the other is when people purposely write in lowercase to look cool but have good punctuation besides proper capitalization), but I digress.

Didn't bother voting due to already being sold here. Very cool car, but heck, I see more VF Maloos and Clubsports than these.

 

[JDM SRE70]

There is almost nothing more in writing that annoys me more than using ' 's ' for plurals (the other is when people purposely write in lowercase to look cool but have good punctuation besides proper capitalization), but I digress.

Didn't bother voting due to already being sold here. Very cool car, but heck, I see more VF Maloos and Clubsports than these.

oh my god! Sorry.

I couldn't english at the time! lol

 

[SVX]

oh my god! Sorry.

I couldn't english at the time! lol

It is all good man, I was just taking a jab, should of really had a smiley, now that I think of it, it's a rather serious message.

 

[JDM SRE70]

It is all good man, I was just taking a jab, should of really had a smiley, now that I think of it, it's a rather serious message.

No worries dude, i never take anything too seriously haha. Plus i know you're not the type to bash people on gtplanet

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

Yes, I would love to see that over here. I would love for the Aussie Ford Falcon in general to be sold in the US.

 

[Conza]

Well, gee hate to ruin a flawless record, but I'll prefer the Mustang being sold here... instead of the FPV F6 continuing.

I don't really have a problem with the F6 being sold here, per se, to me its only about which car would I prefer to own, or be more likely to buy and I couldn't see myself ever having the FPV F6. The Mustang, because of the Ecoboost engine maybe I could.

So an FPV 6 is $64,390 here, has 416bhp and 417lbft of torque from a 4 litre turbocharged inline six. Looks alright in blue. Cheap power too, hard to find anything here with more power for less, except a SRT-8 and that's pretty rubbish. 0-60 in 4.7 seconds, which is 911 Carrera fast. But its the usual story for cheap muscle, skimping on interior quality, and apart from going sideways in smoke, no one's saying it's a very capable performance car... All the reviews are drag strips which is sad.

The Mustang 2.3 Ecoboost isn't marvellous either, still uses too much fuel (9.3 l/ 100km vs. 12.3 for the F6), its less everywhere, less power, torque, but also weight (310bhp, 300lbft and 1600kgs vs. the F6s 1771kgs). Personally I prefer the looks, slightly. Slower to 60mph at 5.5 seconds. But I think it will drive in a more sophisticated way, and its a fastback so hopefully a more usable boot, and the interior looks much higher quality too. If it starts at $50,000, it'll be an interesting alternative to hot hatchbacks.

So I'd have the new Mustang out of these two, but for this kind of money, I'd probably really rather an M135i (superior drive, faster, lighter, prettier, more economical and practical). EDIT: Oh and 1950rpm torque curve is ok, but the M135i starts at 1250rpm, admittedly for 332lbft.

 

[Jahgee]

Where's the "Indifferent" poll option?

 

[Murcie_LP640]

I don't remember anyone saying that the F6 would be preferable to the Mustang being sold here @Conza . Aside from the OP of course. However the Mustang is only taking over Ford Australia's performance vehicle side...they still need a large sedan to replace the Falcon as a whole.

Also I can guarantee you (from having driven them) that despite that rpm number on the M135i's torque curve, it would absolutely not touch an F6. That 4.7sec 0-100 is purely because the Ford can't get that torque to the ground from launch. Once she gets rolling she gets rolling. 80-120km/h in 2.6 seconds is as quick as a 997 Turbo, and about as quick as the HSV GTS and the super saloons that thing fights with significantly more power and more torque than the Barra.

The F6 though is highly irrelevant on the new car market. Especially considering you can't actually buy it any more on the new car market as FPV has shut up shop.

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

I kinda wish the Ford Falcon could be sold in the US for a short time while it's still around to compete with the US-Spec Commodore over here. It's been a while since Ford had a fantastic RWD performance sedan sold here.

 

[King Kraven]

I hope the Mustang flops in Australia as revenge for killing the Falcon. Ford US purposely cannabalized it by restricting export programs and limiting funds for updates. They wanted it dead for a while because it didn't fit Ford's One Ford program which is FWD/AWD cars really. The Mustang though gets a pass even though the Falcon nameplate is older. Now to add insult to injury. They closed the factory (well will close) and force the Ford Taurus successor down the their throats. So you from a competent RWD sedan to FWD pig. Ford could have really used the Falcon as a Lincoln. That brand is hopeless.

Holden is doing the same thing. Trying to replace the Commodore in the future with the Opel Insignia. I'm also angry that GM didn't bring the Ute version of the Commodore here (though they were close). If they did then I would have been at the door of the dealership begging and pleading for them to sell me one with my checkbook in my hand. It would have been an embarrassing sight.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

Sadly the Mustang most likely isn't going to flop, especially when it's rumoured to be starting from AU$45k.

 

[Conza]

I don't remember anyone saying that the F6 would be preferable to the Mustang being sold here @Conza . Aside from the OP of course. However the Mustang is only taking over Ford Australia's performance vehicle side...they still need a large sedan to replace the Falcon as a whole.

Also I can guarantee you (from having driven them) that despite that rpm number on the M135i's torque curve, it would absolutely not touch an F6. That 4.7sec 0-100 is purely because the Ford can't get that torque to the ground from launch. Once she gets rolling she gets rolling. 80-120km/h in 2.6 seconds is as quick as a 997 Turbo, and about as quick as the HSV GTS and the super saloons that thing fights with significantly more power and more torque than the Barra.

The F6 though is highly irrelevant on the new car market. Especially considering you can't actually buy it any more on the new car market as FPV has shut up shop.

Oh, you can't buy it? Actually that saddens me a bit. Yeah you're probably right, I just want to say again, I don't actually have a problem with F6s, and the drag I saw showed that at high speed the F6 dominated the HSV GTS - All I'm saying is personally, given the real world circumstances, if I had to make the choice of only one or the other, I'd agree with Ford Australia's decision, which is why I've voted No.

I've read also of a possible Mustang four-door, but I'll believe it when I see it, I think the Ford Mondeo if it has AWD, while it could take another generation to achieve the speeds of the F6 (or the Boss for that matter), will probably fill the FPV market, or try to.

Yes. an M135i, above 70mph does get left behind by the F6 on paper. I think in real life it'd be an epic drag race, the F6 undoubtedly winning in top speed alone, but probably a good deal before that, the only question is when, and, if it could at any point up to the national speed limit .

Here's a great site that illustrates this really well, http://www.automobile-catalog.com/ I selected these two as the best examples of both. And of course this isn't real data, but still believable.

2014 BMW M135i (3-door) Steptronic
&
2014 Ford FPV F6 6-speed

Acceleration: (M135i / F6)

0-30 km/h (s):

1.2 1.3

0-40 km/h (s):

1.6 1.6

0-50 km/h (s):

1.9 2.0

0-60 km/h (s):

2.5 2.3

0-70 km/h (s):

2.9 3

0-80 km/h (s):

3.4 3.5

0-90 km/h (s):

4.1 4.1

0-100 km/h (s):

4.8 4.7

0-110 km/h (s)

5.5 5.4

0-120 km/h (s):

6.3 6.4

0-130 km/h (s):

7.4 7.2

0-140 km/h (s):

8.4 8.1

0-150 km/h (s):

9.6 9.2

0-160 km/h (s):

11 10.6

0-170 km/h (s):

12.5 11.9

0-180 km/h (s):

14.3 13.3

0-190 km/h (s):

16.2 15

0-200 km/h (s):

18.6 17.6

0-210 km/h (s):

21.4 20.3

0-220 km/h (s):

24.7 23.3

0-230 km/h (s):

28.9 26.6

0-240 km/h (s):

34.8 30.2

0-250 km/h (s):

44.2 34.9

 

[King Kraven]

Sadly the Mustang most likely isn't going to flop, especially when it's rumoured to be starting from AU$45k.

Oh it will start strong but like the Monaro it will slow down. Plus coupes don't sell well for the long haul traditionally in Oz anymore.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

Yes. an M135i, above 70mph does get left behind by the F6 on paper. I think in real life it'd be an epic drag race, the F6 undoubtedly winning in top speed alone, but probably a good deal before that, the only question is when, and, if it could at any point up to the national speed limit .

They're level pace (ie. hundredths of seconds in it) up to 120km/h, from real data gathered by Wheels Magazine.

Again, that mostly comes down to the F6's lack of grip to get it out of the hole, and its bulk. Take a tyre-frying launch out of the equation (ie. 2nd/3rd/4th gear pulls) and it becomes less about weight and more about torque outputs. And the F6 is considerably more potent.

1/4 mile from Wheels is 13.1sec @179km/h for the Ford, 13.2sec @172km/h for the BMW.

Not bad considering the Beemer's $8k more expensive (when the F6 was still new that is) and has a more sophisticated drivetrain. If you want to go really fast that is. The Falcon is obviously let down by the fact that it's a very large sedan when it comes crunch time in the corners and of course by a cash-strapped Ford of Australia when it comes to interior quality.

I also agree that Ford Australia's decision was the right choice to make. In fact all things considered it was the only choice they could have made.

 

[Conza]

@Murcie_LP640 $8K? I don't get that, the M135i is available now for $65k base (carsales isn't backing me up with real cars at that price, but that's the MRSP according to cars guide). The F6 was $65k before they lowered its price to... $55k? Wouldn't that mean that the BMW was... $63k at one point? $55k vs. $65k, I'd still pick the BMW.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

EDIT: I'm behind the times apparently. You are correct.

 

[SVT Cobra GT]

I'd like to see civilian Falcons over here especially the FPV models, would be good competition against Vauxhall, I see a lot of the Commodore/Monaro based cars around.

The only time I've seen a modern Falcon here is when they were imported and converted to be used as funeral cars.