FPV 2006 Overview

The latest development of Ford Performance Vehicles is a pair of "stealth" performers - Force 6 and Force 8.

With much more refined styling, badges and incognito body kits, the V8 Force 8 and Turbo Six Force 6 are, according to one expert, an unzipped GT and Typhoon.

“I have no doubt that Force models will find particular support among corporate executives who want an Australian alternative to European luxury marques,” says FPV head Sak Riopponen. “Many executives want these cars to be performance cars but feel a little uncomfortable putting models with more overt performance in the staff parking lot.”

Rioppenen is confident that recent fluctuations in fuel prices and cuts in the large car market will not have a long-term impact on luxury cars, provided the current improvements in fuel prices can be stabilized before Christmas and the New Year.

Force cars lead a series of minor changes to the full lineup in line with the mid-life refresh of the Ford BF MkII. Joining the GT-P as the flagship of the FPV lineup, the Force 6 will retail for $71,590 and the Force $8.

The full FPV range starts with the F6 Tornado for $54,170 and the F6 Typhoon for $61,810. The VV GT is $8 while the GT-P is $62,210.

In the ute line, the Pursuit is $54,170 and the Super Pursuit is $59,200. Under the hood of the Force 8 is an 5.4-liter quad-cam Boss V290 engine. [email protected] and a roaring 8 Nm of torque peaking at 520 rpm.

The Force 6 is powered by an intercooled F6 270 Turbo inline-six that delivers 270kW at 5250rpm and 550Nm of torque from 2000-4250rpm.

Both feature four-piston front and single-piston Brembo rear brakes – upgrading to six-piston front and four-piston rear is optional. The 19-inch alloy wheels are wrapped in Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tires, standard on the FPV series.

Limited slip differential, sport-tuned suspension, elegant body kit, including a trunk spoiler, special embossed leather interior. steering wheel, prestige audio system, adjustable pedal and dark wood trim. On the road, Force cars perform exactly as you'd expect them to.

The widely praised FPV handling and handling is still at the top of the list of virtues.

Weighing the steering wheel just right, without vagueness and excessive heaviness. Riding the new 19-inch rims and Dunlop tires over some seriously unsettling surfaces was, if not plush, certainly comfortable enough to merit comment. Damping was outstanding.

And while the Boss promises the rumbling power of a traditional curved-eight out of two cars, it's still a shiny turbocharged inline-six that lights up the range.

Enlarge garage

FPV guys are more modest than a blushing bride on their wedding night, but mention a high-performance Territory and you'll see the brilliance.

“There is no program approval for the territory,” says FPV boss Sak Ryopponen with a straight face – behavior that dissolves into a wide smirk when the question of whether the program is in the process of getting approval is in the process. “Every project is on the table and new ideas are constantly being discussed.

“Of course, we would like to do something with the territory, but whether it will be commercially profitable is the question.

"I would say we made sure we can do it."

Launching a performance icon in 2002 - stepping into the shoes of Tickford Engineering - with just three models, the GT, GT-P and Pursuit Ute, FPV is booming.

In October 2004, due to clutch problems, the F6 Typhoon was launched, followed by the F2005 Tornado in April 6. In July of that year, the ute family expanded with the Super Pursuit, and with the launch of the Force 6 and Force 8, the lineup tripled in four years.

“If I had to name a number that would be a good garage model, I think 10 comes to mind,” Riopponen says.

Enough space for the Territory.