Ford Performance Vehicles was the
Melbourne
Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...
-based, premium performance arm of automobile manufacturer
Ford Australia
Ford Motor Company of Australia Limited (known by its trading name Ford Australia) is the Australian subsidiary of United States-based automaker Ford Motor Company. It was founded in Geelong, Victoria, in 1925 as an outpost of Ford Motor Comp ...
. The company produced a range of Ford-based models from 2002 to 2014 under the FPV marque name.
History
The roots of FPV can be traced back to 1991, when the English automotive engineering company
Tickford
Tickford is an automobile engineering and testing business in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, known for tuning and such products as the 140 mph Tickford Turbo Capri.
Under the name Salmons & Sons and their Tickford products the firm has ...
began a collaboration with
Ford Australia
Ford Motor Company of Australia Limited (known by its trading name Ford Australia) is the Australian subsidiary of United States-based automaker Ford Motor Company. It was founded in Geelong, Victoria, in 1925 as an outpost of Ford Motor Comp ...
to produce high-performance variants of the
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
n
Falcon
Falcons () are birds of prey in the genus ''Falco'', which includes about 40 species. Falcons are widely distributed on all continents of the world except Antarctica, though closely related raptors did occur there in the Eocene.
Adult falcons ...
range. The partnership, Tickford Vehicle Engineering, saw the introduction of the Ford Falcon S-XR6 and Ford Falcon S-XR8 models. This was followed in October 1999 by the launch of the
Ford Tickford Experience
Tickford Vehicle Engineering (TVE) was a company responsible for numerous automotive projects and upgrades for Ford Australia between 1991 and 2002. In 1999, TVE setup Ford Tickford Experience (FTE) as a competitor to Holden Special Vehicles (H ...
dealer network and the FTE T-Series range based on Ford's
AU Falcon
The Ford Falcon (AU) is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1998 to 2002. It was the sixth generation Ford Falcon (Australia), Ford Falcon and also included the Ford Fairmont (AU)—the luxury-oriented model range. The AU se ...
and
Fairlane models.
In 2002, following the purchase of Tickford by
Prodrive
Prodrive is a British motorsport and advanced engineering group based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. It designs, constructs and races automobile, cars for companies and teams such as Aston Martin, Bahrain Raid Xtreme and Team X44. Its advan ...
, the Ford Performance Vehicles company was formed as a joint venture between Ford Australia and Prodrive. The FPV brand name was created to replace the FTE name and a restructured range was developed based on the
Ford BA Falcon
The Ford Falcon (BA) is a full-sized car produced by Ford Australia from 2002 to 2005. It was the second significantly re-engineered iteration of the sixth generation of the Falcon, and also included the Ford Fairmont (BA)—the luxury-oriented ...
, seeing the return of the
GT nameplate to a Falcon-based product for the first time since the "
30th Anniversary GT", and as a regular production model since the XB Falcon GT. The range was headlined by the
FPV GT-P, and included a turbo-charged model based on the XR6 Turbo.
Over the years, FPV expanded the range to include a High Performance version of the
Ford Territory as well as a number of special editions and anniversary models. The purchase from
Prodrive
Prodrive is a British motorsport and advanced engineering group based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. It designs, constructs and races automobile, cars for companies and teams such as Aston Martin, Bahrain Raid Xtreme and Team X44. Its advan ...
also saw a factory backed V8 Supercar outfit in
Ford Performance Racing
Tickford Racing (formerly known as Prodrive Racing Australia and Ford Performance Racing) is an Australian motor racing team which competes in the Supercars Championship. The team currently campaigns three Ford Mustangs, with their current drive ...
.
In August 2012, Ford Australia announced its purchase of FPV assets to continue the engineering, manufacturing and marketing of that performance brand in Australia. In preparation for
Ford Australia
Ford Motor Company of Australia Limited (known by its trading name Ford Australia) is the Australian subsidiary of United States-based automaker Ford Motor Company. It was founded in Geelong, Victoria, in 1925 as an outpost of Ford Motor Comp ...
's manufacturing shutdown, the FPV brand and its range were discontinued in 2014, after 12 years of production and marketing.
Nameplates
FPV used a number of nameplates for its vehicles. The following are the main series of models offered during the company's run.
;F6-E
Replaced the Force 6 as the luxury orientated 6-cyl offering.
;F6 Typhoon/Tornado
Introduced in 2004 with the BA MkII, used an improved version of the "Barra" 4.0L turbo. 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.
;F6-X
SUV product based on the
Ford Territory.
;Force 6
Luxury orientated offering, using the Typhoon engine, but with low-key looks.
;Force 8
Luxury orientated offering, using the GT drive-train, but with low-key looks. Positioned above the GT-P as the flagship model until the GT-E.
;GS
Intended to sit below the GT and provide a lower entry-point to the FPV range.
;GT
Served as the Falcon-based entry level product until the arrival of the GS in 2010.
;GT-E
Replacing the Force 8 as the top-of-the-line FPV offering.
;GT-P
Higher specification of the GT, with most options standard.
;GT-F
"Final" GT Rendition, 550 completed, with Miami Supercharged engine.
Model Series (Ford Falcon-based)
BA
The 2002 BA range included the GT, GT-P, and the Pursuit. The GT was the entry-level vehicle that started with a
suggested retail price of A$59,810. The GT-P was the upmarket version of the GT, with a price tag of A$69,850. The Pursuit was a ute (utility) version of the GT, featuring the same seats, basic dash/interior package and wheels. A FPV specific body-kit was applied to all cars, using the lights from the XR-range. The kit had a strong resemblance to the BA Falcon
V8 Supercar
The Supercars Championship is a touring car racing category in Australia, running as an International Series under Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) regulations, governing the sport.
Supercars events take place in all Australian ...
, highlighting the connection to FPR.
All three were powered by a unique version of Ford's 5.4-litre
Modular V8, with DOHC 4-valve cylinder heads from the
Mustang Cobra R engine. FPV named this uniquely tuned engine as the ''Boss 290'' because of its power output. It produced at 5,500 rpm and of torque at 4,500 rpm.
Featured Models
*GT
*GT-P
*Pursuit (ute)
File:FPV GT-P BA Mk1.jpg, FPV BA GT-P MkI (Built Aug 04)
MkII update
The GT, GT-P and Pursuit received a new stripe package with bonnet decals, a six-speed Tremec T56 manual and the GT-P received 19" five-spoke alloy wheels. FPV also released the Super Pursuit, which was a Pursuit ute with GT-P extras.
New six cylinder sedan and utility models were added to the range, the
F6 Typhoon (sedan) and F6 Tornado (ute). The F6 was visually separated from the GT range with the use of a different pattern in the front bumper grill mesh, and a smaller boot spoiler on the sedan. F6 models were powered by FPV's version of the
Ford Barra engine
The Barra is a name for the engine range, including the inline-6 and SOHC V8 in the Ford Australia Falcon between 2002 and 2016. The inline-6 engines are unique to the Australian manufactured Falcon and Territory and were developed and manufactured ...
, a 4.0 litre DOHC 24-valve turbocharged inline-six with variable cam timing producing at 5,250 rpm and at 2,000 - 4,250 rpm.
Featured Models
*F6 Tornado (utility)
*
F6 Typhoon (sedan)
*GT
*GT-P
*Pursuit (utility)
*Super Pursuit (utility)
File:FPV BA Pursuit.jpg, FPV BA Pursuit
File:2003_-_2004_FPV_GT_Boss_290_(BA)_01.jpg, FPV BA GT
File:2003_-_2004_FPV_GT_Boss_290_(BA).jpg, FPV BA GT
File:2004-2005 FPV F6 Typhoon (BA II) sedan, engine.jpg, FPV F6 Typhoon, engine.
BF
This new range was launched in 2005 with engine specifications unchanged. All models shared the same six-speed manual and were now offered with an optional German made
ZF six-speed automatic (the same as featured in Jaguars and BMWs). The GT received the GT-P's old 19-inch wheels, and the GT-P and Super Pursuit received their own specific road wheel styles. Typhoon & Tornado versions had optional 18-inch road wheel design used on the previous model, or a new 19-inch design with black spokes. All models also received new body kits, with the F6 Typhoon benefiting from its own unique styling changes. The F6 now had color coded fog lamp surrounds, and a lower grill insert emphasizing the intercooler. The rear now had a new bumper with mesh inserts, a deeper diffuser, with the GT models now sporting a dual exit exhaust system cut into the diffuser.
Featured Models
*F6 Tornado (utility)
*
F6 Typhoon (sedan)
*GT
*GT-P
*Pursuit (utility)
*Super Pursuit (utility)
MkII update
No mechanical changes were introduced with this update; however, all models came standard with 19 inch rims. Subtle styling changes were made, but the most significant news was the introduction of new Force 6 and Force 8 models. Built to rival HSV's
Senator Signature, they are mechanically identical to the auto-equipped GT model, but in a more luxury-focused package with more conservative visuals (no rear wing and more conservative colour range). The Force models are essentially an FPV version of the Fairmont Ghia (luxury model in the
Falcon
Falcons () are birds of prey in the genus ''Falco'', which includes about 40 species. Falcons are widely distributed on all continents of the world except Antarctica, though closely related raptors did occur there in the Eocene.
Adult falcons ...
range).
In the final months of the BF MkII Falcon, a number of limited edition models were released - namely, the GT "40th Anniversary" (to commemorate the Falcon GT nameplate).; the F6 "R-Spec" Typhoon, which is the only limited edition 6 cylinder turbo FPV and the only 6 cylinder turbo Rspec ever; the GT "Cobra R-spec" sedan and utility (all of which received stiffer "R-Spec" dampers and, in the case of the sedan, a power increase to
Featured Models
*F6 Tornado (utility)
*
F6 Typhoon(sedan)
*Force 6
*Force 8
*GT
*GT-P
*Pursuit (utility)
*Super Pursuit (utility)
Special editions
*F6 "R-spec" Typhoon
*GT "40th Anniversary Edition"
*GT "Cobra R-spec"
File:2005-08 BF GT.JPG, FPV GT (BF)
File:2006 BF GT-P.JPG, FPV GT-P (BF)
File:FPV BF Super Pursuit.jpg, FPV Super Pursuit (BF)
File:2006 FPV F6 Typhoon (BF) sedan (2014-11-23).jpg, FPV F6 Typhoon (BF)
File:2005-2006_FPV_F6_Typhoon_(BF)_sedan_02.jpg, FPV F6 Typhoon (BF Mk II)
File:2007 FPV F6 Typhoon (BF II) R Spec sedan (2007-10-06) 01.jpg, FPV F6 Typhoon R-Spec (BF)
File:2007 BF GT 40th Ann.JPG, FPV GT 40th anniversary (BF)
File:2008 BF Cobra.JPG, FPV GT Cobra (BF)
File:FPV Force 8 (15751186689).jpg, FPV Force 8 (BF)
FG
The FG series FPV was launched in 2008. All models were based on the
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
n
Ford FG Falcon
The Ford Falcon (FG) is a full-sized car that was produced by Ford Australia from 2008 to 2014. It was the first iteration of the seventh and last generation of the Falcon. Its range no longer featured the Fairmont luxury badge, replaced inste ...
and included the 6-
cylinder
A cylinder (from ) has traditionally been a three-dimensional solid, one of the most basic of curvilinear geometric shapes. In elementary geometry, it is considered a prism with a circle as its base.
A cylinder may also be defined as an infin ...
F6
sedan, F6
Ute
Ute or UTE may refer to:
* Ute (band), an Australian jazz group
* Ute (given name)
* ''Ute'' (sponge), a sponge genus
* Ute (vehicle), an Australian and New Zealand term for certain utility vehicles
* Ute, Iowa, a city in Monona County along ...
(the former Typhoon and Tornado names having been retired) and F6 E sedan, the V8 powered GS Sedan and Ute and the V8 engined GT, GT-P and GT E sedans. The 4.0 L Turbocharged Inline Six produces and , while the GT-spec 5.4 L V8 developed and . GS models used a detuned version of the GT 315 (different to the Boss 302 from the BF MK II)
4 limited editions GT's were released during the FG series, the first being the GT 5th Anniversary, celebrating 5-years since the start of FPV. The "Black Edition" followed, and the R-Spec and GT-F arriving in the MkII update.
Featured Models
*
F6 (sedan & utility)
*F6
*F6 E
*GS
*GS (utility)
*GT
*GT E
*GT-P
*Pursuit (utility)
*Super Pursuit (utility)
Special editions
*GT 5th anniversary
MY10 update
In October 2010 (before the FG MkII update), the 5.4 L V8 was replaced with the new 5.0 L Supercharged (Miami) V8. The GT range now produces and the GS . It is capable of a sub 5 second 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph) time, surpassing the HSV GTS (the FPV's main rival) in both power and torque. The decision was brought about because of pressure to convert to Euro IV emissions, which the 5.4 L was unable to pass.
During this time, the Pursuit and Super Pursuit utilities were dropped, with the GS being the only V8 ute option in regular production.
Featured Models
*
F6 (sedan & utility)
*F6
*F6 E
*GS
*GS (utility)
*GT
*GT E
*GT-P
*XR6 (Mar 2011 only)
Special editions
*GT Black
MkII Update
The FPV range received the updates from the Falcon (FG) MkII range in December 2011, however, the GS sedan and utility received the cosmetic updates from the XR-series.
FPV released the track focused version of the R-spec in 2012, using the current GT with its / supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine, creating Australia's fastest accelerating production car.
It is seen by many as the spiritual successor the famed "HO" series of GT's, that ended with the Ford XY Falcon GT. Ford (FPV) however, is reluctant to use the "HO" tag on a modern-day equivalent.
The GT-F 351 marked the end for the Ford Falcon GT / FPV GT model lines, the "F" standing for Final, and "351" paying homage to Falcon GTs of the 1960s and 1970s. It features a retuned version of the
Coyote 5.0 litre V8 to produce , with over available through over-boost when the conditions allow, the GT-F also gain's the handling upgrades from the
R-spec. The exterior is identified through black highlights on the mirrors, spoiler and door handles, as well as a unique stripe package including a stripe running over the top of the car.
Featured Models
*
F6 (sedan & utility)
*F6
*F6 E
*GS
*GS (utility)
*GT
*GT E
*GT-P
Special editions
*
GT R-spec
*Pursuit (utility) (in both R-spec and GT-F visuals)
*GT-F 351
;GT-F "351"
Presented in June 2014, the GT-F 351 is the last Falcon-based GT sedan and last FPV model (along with the Pursuit Ute), with a total production of 500 reserved for Australia at $77,990 and another 50 for New Zealand.
Its nomenclature was chosen to mean "F" for final whereas "351" is this GT-F's engine output in kW as well as a homage to the iconic engine capacity of the 1970s GT Falcon (XW to XB series). Mechanically, the GT-F features launch control, standard Brembo six-piston front and four-piston rear brakes, the suspension and 275/35 R19 Dunlop Sports Maxx 9in rear tyre package from the limited edition
GT R-spec and a retuned version of the
supercharged
In an internal combustion engine, a supercharger compresses the intake gas, forcing more air into the engine in order to produce more power for a given displacement.
The current categorisation is that a supercharger is a form of forced induct ...
Coyote "Miami" 5.0 L V8 engine
A V8 engine is an eight-cylinder piston engine in which two banks of four cylinders share a common crankshaft and are arranged in a V configuration.
The first V8 engine was produced by the French Antoinette company in 1904, developed and us ...
(embossed "GT-F 351" instead of "Boss 335") developing a minimum of at 6,000 rpm of power (or, depending on prevailing conditions, over for 15–20 seconds thanks to a transient overboost function) but an unchanged at 2,500-5,500 rpm of
torque
In physics and mechanics, torque is the rotational equivalent of linear force. It is also referred to as the moment of force (also abbreviated to moment). It represents the capability of a force to produce change in the rotational motion of th ...
that is, however, available across a broader range. Inside, the GT-F is characterised by darker finishes, orange accents throughout (e.g. trim stitching, instrument facia and GT-F seat embroiding) and a build number plate complemented by a certificate. The exterior features stealth or black accents (specifically, the headlight and foglight bezels are black, as are the external mirrors, door handles, rear spoiler and diffuser, alloy wheels) and a unique GT-F stripe package (including over the roof of the car) that is available in different colours depending on exterior paints, which are Winter White, Silhouette (black), Kinetic (blue), Octane (orange) and Smoke (grey).
The
NSW highway patrol acquired one of these last FPV GT sedans (build number 88 out of 500 allocated to the domestic market) which, as a unique special, had the engine tuned by Ford racing legend
Dick Johnson to . This gave it far more power than Australian racing
V8 Supercars
The Supercars Championship is a touring car racing category in Australia, running as an International Series under Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) regulations, governing the sport.
Supercars events take place in all Australian ...
and it is, as of 2015, Australia's most powerful police vehicle. It was commissioned by the NSW police force as a promotional car, although it is a fully equipped and operational highway patrol police vehicle.
FPV auctioned build number 001 and the last (for Australia) build number 500 on
eBay
eBay Inc. ( ) is an American multinational e-commerce company based in San Jose, California, that facilitates consumer-to-consumer and business-to-consumer sales through its website. eBay was founded by Pierre Omidyar in 1995 and became a ...
, with a view to donate proceedings to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. These cars were sold for $236,100 and $157,600 and attracted 84 and 106 bids, respectively.
File:FPV FG GS sedan.jpg, FPV GS (FG)
File:2008 FPV GT.jpg, FPV GT (FG)
File:Ford Performance Vehicles GT-P.jpg, FPV GT-P (FG)
File:2008-14 FG Mk II Boss 335 supercharged.JPG, FPV GT (FG Mk II)
File:2013 FG GT Boss 335 R-Spec.JPG, FPV GT R-Spec (FG)
File:2011 Ford FG FPV F6 Sedan (19912619985).jpg, FPV F6 (FG)
File:2014 FG GT-F 1 off Victory Gold.JPG, FPV GT-F (FG)
File:2009 FPV GS (FG) utility 01.jpg, FPV GS utility (FG)
File:FPV F6 (FG) ute.jpg, FPV F6 utility (FG)
File:FPV FG Super Pursuit.jpg, FPV Super Pursuit utility (FG)
Model Series (Ford Territory-based)
F6X
![2009 FPV F6X (SY) 270 wagon (20922278796)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/2009_FPV_F6X_%28SY%29_270_wagon_%2820922278796%29.jpg)
In January 2008, Ford Performance Vehicles unveiled the FPV F6X, a high-performance, luxury version of the
Ford Territory crossover
Crossover may refer to:
Entertainment
Albums and songs
* ''Cross Over'' (Dan Peek album)
* ''Crossover'' (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles album), 1987
* ''Crossover'' (Intrigue album)
* ''Crossover'' (Hitomi Shimatani album)
* ''Crossover'' (Yoshino ...
.
The F6X is fitted with the
F6 270 Turbo 4.0 L DOHC in-line six-cylinder engine, a
ZF six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time all-wheel-drive system.
[ It is the first non-Falcon-based model to be produced by FPV and, with an engine producing and , was claimed by the company to be the most powerful six-cylinder SUV available in Australia at that time.][
The F6X was discontinued in February 2009, with 251 examples having been built.
]
Concept Cars
;Galaxie 540
During a 2004 FPV open day, FPV had a clay model of a Fairlane on display. It Featured a custom front end with GT headlamps and bonnet, and a custom bodykit.
;Territory P-SUV
For a 2007 open day, FPV had a Territory-based concept on display. The P-SUV had an open rear section behind the rear seats. The floor of the open rear section and its extension was covered in machine finish metal sheets with the same material covering the fold-down rear seat backs.
;GT "Black Edition" concept
For the 2011 Melbourne motor show, FPV displayed the "FLPV concept" (commonly known as the "Black Edition"), based on the just released supercharged GT series. It featured an all-black appearance, and a unique front bumper and staggered wheel design at the time considered to be available on future FPV products. However, these failed to make an appearance, with only the use of wider rear wheels making the R-spec and GT-F limited editions.
Engines
5.4L Modular "Boss" V8
;Boss 290
Based on the cast iron 4V DOHC Boss short blocks sourced from Windsor, Ontario, the Boss engines include some locally sourced parts such as intake and pistons coupled with DOHC 4-valve cylinder heads from the Mustang Cobra R engine. FPV named this uniquely tuned engine as the Boss 290 because of its power output. It produced 290 kW (394 PS; 389 bhp) at 5,500 rpm and 520 N·m (380 lb·ft) of torque at 4,500 rpm.
;Boss 302
For the BFII FPV GT Cobra special edition, the Boss 302 was created. The GT Cobra motor produced 405 hp (302 kW) and 398 lb·ft (540 N·m)). The Boss 302 motor was also added to all V8-powered FPV models until the release of the FG in 2008. The Boss 302 was then used for the limited edition FPV GS in the FG range.
;Boss 315
For the FG MkI, the 5.4 was further tuned to produce 315 kW (428 PS; 422 bhp) and 551 N·m (406 lb·ft). FPV achieved this through a new camshaft profile, new camshaft timing, strengthened piston assembly and a higher compression ratio (10.5:1 to 10.8:1).
5.0L Coyote "Miami" V8
In October 2010 FPV retired the 5.4L Boss V8, in favour of a new supercharged 5.0L V8. The project, codenamed "Miami", is based on the Coyote
The coyote (''Canis latrans'') is a species of canis, canine native to North America. It is smaller than its close relative, the wolf, and slightly smaller than the closely related eastern wolf and red wolf. It fills much of the same ecologica ...
5.0 litre V8 and is a supercharged alloy quad cam engine. It has cost FPV $40 million and has taken 3 years to develop. The engine was offered in three versions, Boss 315, 335 and finally 351.
With the closure of FPV, the Boss 335 engine was used in the returning XR8 model with the FG-X range. Another variation was developed for the special edition XR8 sprint, that developed .
;Boss 315
Used in the entry level GS sedan and ute, the Boss 315 produces 315 kW (428 PS; 422 bhp) at 5,750 rpm and 545 N·m (402 lb·ft) between 2,000 - 5,500 rpm.
;Boss 335
Available in the GT range, the Boss 335 kW (455 PS; 449 bhp) between 5,750 - 6,000 rpm and between 2,200 - 5,500 rpm. The latter is offered in the GT range, which includes GT, GT-P, and GT-E. Fuel economy was improved dropping 4.5% to 13.7 L/100 km for the auto and 13.6 L/100 km for the manual.
Boss 345
Exclusive to the FG X XR8 Sprint, the Boss 345 developed 345 kW of power and 575 Nm of torque, with base torque figures being just 1 Nm shy of the XR6 Sprint. In favourable atmospheric conditions, overboost mode raised the output to 400 kW / 650 Nm, being equal with the figures produced by the FPV GT-F. The Boss 345 had the build number inscribed onto the top of the engine, instead of any reference to power figures as with previous iterations.
;Boss 351
This is a specially tuned variant of the 5.0L unique to the GT-F, similar to the Cobra before it, the 351 is a reference to the Cleveland engines offered in the Falcon in the past.
4.0L "Barra" I6
;Barra 1000
For the BA/BF F6 Typhoon and Tornado models, the boost from the Garrett GT3540 turbocharger was increased over the Barra 240, producing at 5,250 rpm and of torque at 2,000-4,000 rpm
;Barra 310
With the FG series, the Garret GT3540 was retained as opposed to the smaller GT3576 used in the FG XR6 Turbo. This is the most powerful engine with at 5,250 rpm and of torque at 1,950-5,200 rpm (and the first to produce more than 100 hp (75 kW) per litre) manufactured in Australia. As a result,
;Barra 325
Exclusively fitted to the FGX XR6 Turbo Sprint. It was essentially a Barra 270T with a Garrett GT3540 and revised carbon fibre intake.
File:Barra_270T.jpg, FPV Barra 270T 6-cylinder
File:2011_FPV_GS_Falcon_BOSS_315_-_Flickr_-_NRMA_New_Cars_(2).jpg, 2011 FPV GS BOSS 315
Motorsport
V8 Supercars
Ford Performance Racing (FPR) was created by Prodrive
Prodrive is a British motorsport and advanced engineering group based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. It designs, constructs and races automobile, cars for companies and teams such as Aston Martin, Bahrain Raid Xtreme and Team X44. Its advan ...
in 2003 to establish a link between the FPV road car range and the Ford Falcon V8 Supercars
The Supercars Championship is a touring car racing category in Australia, running as an International Series under Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) regulations, governing the sport.
Supercars events take place in all Australian ...
. Given the team's massive budget, its early results were disappointing but a form reversal in 2006 saw the team finish second in the Teams' standings. Mark Winterbottom
Mark "Frosty" Winterbottom (born 20 May 1981) is an Australian professional racing driver. He currently competes in the Repco Supercars Championship, driving the No. 18 Holden ZB Commodore for Team 18. His career highlights include winning the ...
also placed second in the Drivers Championship in 2008. In January 2013 the team was sold by Prodrive
Prodrive is a British motorsport and advanced engineering group based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. It designs, constructs and races automobile, cars for companies and teams such as Aston Martin, Bahrain Raid Xtreme and Team X44. Its advan ...
to Rusty French and Rod Nash.V8 team FPR sold to Melbourne-based pair
''The Sydney Morning Herald'' 5 January 2013 The team achieved their first Bathurst 1000
The Bathurst 1000 (formally known as the Repco Bathurst 1000) is a touring car race held annually on the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. It is currently run as part of the Supercars Championship, the most rece ...
victory in 2013 with Mark Winterbottom
Mark "Frosty" Winterbottom (born 20 May 1981) is an Australian professional racing driver. He currently competes in the Repco Supercars Championship, driving the No. 18 Holden ZB Commodore for Team 18. His career highlights include winning the ...
and Steven Richards driving a Falcon FG
The Ford Falcon (FG) is a full-size car, full-sized car that was produced by Ford Australia from 2008 to 2014. It was the first iteration of the seventh and last generation of the Ford Falcon (Australia), Falcon. Its range no longer featured th ...
. In 2015
File:2015 Events Collage new.png, From top left, clockwise: Civil service in remembrance of November 2015 Paris attacks; Germanwings Flight 9525 was purposely crashed into the French Alps; the rubble of residences in Kathmandu following the Apri ...
, Ford Performance Racing was renamed as Prodrive Racing Australia as a result of Ford's decision to progressively withdraw its V8 Supercars
The Supercars Championship is a touring car racing category in Australia, running as an International Series under Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) regulations, governing the sport.
Supercars events take place in all Australian ...
support by 2016.
FPR drivers have included Craig Lowndes
Craig Andrew Lowndes (born 21 June 1974) is an Australian racing driver in the Repco Supercars Championship competing in the Holden ZB Commodore for Triple Eight Race Engineering. He is also a TV commentator.
Lowndes is a three-time V8 Sup ...
, Glenn Seton
Glenn Seton (born 5 May 1965) is an Australian racing driver. He won the Australian Touring Car Championship in 1993 and 1997 while driving for his own team. Although he never won the Bathurst 1000 like his father Barry did in 1965, Glenn s ...
, Greg Ritter
Greg Ritter (born 20 February 1973, in Victoria) is an Australian racing driver. He was the winner of the 1999 Australian Formula Ford Championship
The 1999 Australian Formula Ford Championship was an Australian motor racing competition for ...
, David Brabham
David Brabham (born 5 September 1965) is an Australian professional racing driver and one of the most successful and experienced specialists in sports car racing. He has won three international Sports Car series and is one of four Australians t ...
, David Besnard
David Besnard, (born 21 January 1977 in Sydney, Australia) is a retired professional racing driver.
Career history
Starting in karts in 1991, he quickly proceeded into Formula Ford in 1995. After initial success, he had a major accident at Easte ...
, Jason Bright, Mark Winterbottom
Mark "Frosty" Winterbottom (born 20 May 1981) is an Australian professional racing driver. He currently competes in the Repco Supercars Championship, driving the No. 18 Holden ZB Commodore for Team 18. His career highlights include winning the ...
, Steven Richards and Will Davison
William 'THE SOOK' Davison (born 30 August 1982) is an Australian professional racing driver. He currently drives the No.17 Ford Mustang GT for Dick Johnson Racing in the Repco Supercars Championship. Davison is a two-time winner of the Bathur ...
.
Drifting
FPV created a show car
A show car, sometimes called a dream car, is a custom-made automobile created specifically for public display, rather than sale. They are shown at auto shows and other exhibitions. Show cars can either come from car companies or from private indivi ...
dubbed the 'DRIF6' - an F6 Typhoon with modifications making the car suitable for competitive drifting. The car was entered into the national-level Drift Australia Series in 2006, where it was driven by Adam 'Newtonmeter' Newton. One of the car's main objectives was to expose the FPV brand to a younger audience than its usual, traditional V8-driving crowd.
Apart from Adam Newton, only Gary Myers of Summernats Burnout fame has driven the car. Gary drove the F6 for Street Machine Magazine, and commented the vehicle had incredible power.
The F6 drift car managed to score a best qualifying position of 5th at Mallala Motorsport Park in Adelaide, South Australia. In the Queensland Round of racing, the car suffered damage when Warren Luff
A warren is a network of wild rodent or lagomorph, typically rabbit burrows. Domestic warrens are artificial, enclosed establishment of animal husbandry dedicated to the raising of rabbits for meat and fur. The term evolved from the medieval Anglo ...
, a professional race driver, took to the wheel for a few demo laps. Under Warren's control the car only made the end of the back straight of Queensland Raceway before it was turned passenger side first into the wall and Warren ended up in hospital with a fractured nose.
The damaged vehicle made an appearance in China to bolster one of its sponsors agendas. Ford Australia brought the vehicle back to Australia and it can be seen at the Ford Australia Discovery Centre in Geelong Victoria.
See also
*Ford Falcon GT
The Ford Falcon GT is an automobile produced by Ford Australia from 1967 to 1976 as the performance version of its Falcon model range. Its production was resumed by a joint venture in 1992 and 1997 with Tickford, and then again between 2003 an ...
*FPV F6 Typhoon
The FPV F6 is an automobile that was produced in Australia by Ford Performance Vehicles from 2004 until 2014. It is a high-performance derivative of the Australian Ford Falcon.
The F6 is based on the modern-classic Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo sport ...
*Tickford Vehicle Engineering
Tickford Vehicle Engineering (TVE) was a company responsible for numerous automotive projects and upgrades for Ford Australia between 1991 and 2002. In 1999, TVE setup Ford Tickford Experience (FTE) as a competitor to Holden Special Vehicles ...
References
External links
Official website
(archived, 27 Sep 2002)
Ford Australia
{{Automotive industry in Australia
Performance Vehicles
FPV vehicles
Car manufacturers of Australia
Official motorsports and performance division of automakers
Ford Motor Company Marques