FPV GT-F 351 2014 review
The Ford Falcon GT-F marks the beginning of the end for the Australian manufacturing industry. It is the first model to be retired from the lineup before Ford closes its Broadmeadows assembly line and Geelong engine plant in October 2016.
Accordingly, the GT-F ("F" stands for "Final Edition") will leave the Ford Falcon lineup on a high note. Ford has incorporated every available technology into its sports car icon. The only tragedy is that all these changes happened not many years ago. Perhaps then we wouldn't be writing an obituary for such an iconic car in 2014.
Price
The Ford Falcon GT-F price of $77,990 plus travel expenses is academic. All 500 vehicles have been wholesaled to dealers and almost all have names on them.
It's the most expensive Falcon GT of all time, but it's still almost $20,000 cheaper than the Holden Special Vehicles GTS. Frankly, Ford deserves credit for not charging more for it.
Numbers 1 and 500 will be sold at a charity auction, which has not yet been decided. Number 14 (for 2014) will also be put up for auction. For car enthusiasts, numbers 1 and 14 are media test vehicles (001 is a blue manual transmission and 014 is a gray car). Number 351 went to a buyer in Queensland after Gold Coast dealer Sunshine Ford won it in a dealer vote and gave it to one of its eight GT-F buyers.
Engine / transmission
Don't believe the hype around the 400kW motor. The GT-F has a power output of 351kW when tested to the government standards that all car manufacturers use. Ford claims it is capable of delivering 400kW under "ideal conditions" (such as cool mornings) in what it calls "short-term overpowering". But under such conditions, all engines are capable of producing more power than their published claims. They just prefer not to talk about it.
Ford public relations people told Ford employees who let slip about the 400kW not to go there. But their passion helped them in that moment. I can't blame them, to be honest. They should be proud.
The GT-F is based on the R-Spec released in August 2012, so the suspension is the same as the launch control (so you can get the perfect start). But Ford engineers have improved the software to make it run better.
It had an overload meter for the first time when the new engine control module was introduced. The GT R-Spec used the Bosch 9 stability control system, but Ford says the new ECU has opened up more options for the GT-F. The build number is now also displayed on the center screen at startup.
Design
Style is the only disappointing part for diehard fans. It's fair to say that they and the rest of the industry expected more visual impact from the Ford Falcon GT-F. Design changes are limited to black stripes on the hood, trunk and roof, and black flare on the doors on both sides. And special seams on the seats.
At least the decals were made by the Ford Shelby team in the USA. Broadmeadows asked for advice on how best to apply the decals so they don't peel off prematurely in the hot Australian sun. True story.
Thankfully, Ford took the trouble to make badges for the "GT-F" and "351" rather than decals. To keep the power output a secret, Ford gave the badge suppliers the number 315 and then changed the order to 351 at the last minute.
The wheels are painted dark gray (same as they were on the previous Ford Performance Vehicles F6 turbo sedan) and the mirror caps, rear fender and door handles are painted black. There are also glossy black highlights on the headlights and front bumper. The shark fin antenna in the roof improves reception (previously the antenna was built into the rear window).
safety
Six airbags, a five-star safety rating and, uh, plenty of overtaking power. Ford says the engine revs above 4000 rpm in every gear except first (otherwise the wheel just spins).
To improve rear-wheel traction, Ford installed "staggered" wheels (rear wheels are wider than front wheels (19x8 vs. standard equipment.
Driving
The Ford V8 has always sounded great, and the same can be said for the Falcon GT-F. Sounds incredible, even if it's not the fastest car ever made in Australia.
At a media preview at Ford's top-secret test track between Melbourne and Geelong, one of the company's test drivers made about two dozen attempts to reach 0 km/h (with and without me as a passenger).
The best we were able to get - repeatedly - was 4.9 seconds after the engine cooled down and the rear tires warmed up and throttle loaded by holding the brakes before takeoff. This makes it 0.2 seconds slower than the HSV GTS, its main competitor.
But this deficit is academic. Ford fans rarely consider the Holden and vice versa, and this is the fastest and most powerful Ford ever built in Australia.
The GT-F continues to be a delight to hear and a thrill to drive. The brakes never give up, as does the engine, whose power seems to have no limit.
In automatic and manual guise, he just wants to work for free. If you're ever lucky enough to ride it on a race track (Ford added adjustable rear suspension for racing fanatics), you'll find that its top speed is limited to 250 km/h. Under the right conditions, he could have done much more.
The suspension is still tuned for comfort over handling, but the target audience won't mind. After all, the Ford Falcon GT-F is a worthy point. Too bad it's the last of its kind. The people who built it and the fans who build them don't deserve to have cars like this taken away from them. But the sad reality is that few of us love the V8 more. “We all buy SUVs and family cars,” says Ford.
It should look more special than this one, but it's without a doubt the best Falcon GT ever. May the earth rest in peace for her.
