FPV GT-P 2011 Overview
Merciless. Not wild, but furious, powerful and ruthless.
When it first appeared, it might have been called a Coyote, but the supercharged V8 now purring under the bulging FPV GT-P hood looks more like a panther or a lion—sorry, Holden and Peugeot.
This is, according to Ford, the most powerful GT in the history of the company's most famous Australian model, and it sounds like it.
VALUE
The GT-P undercuts the GT-E by $1000 starting at $81,540 - some say that's a lot of money for a Falcon, others look at the performance and think it's a decent list of features.
It includes dual zone climate control, full iPod integration for a 6CD audio system with subwoofer, Bluetooth phone connectivity, parking sensors, rearview camera, power adjustable driver's seat, carpet floor mats, alloy covered pedals, power windows, power mirrors and anti-dazzle mirrors – but sat-nav is on the options list – a little pricey for an $80,000 car.
TECHNOLOGY
The already powerful V8 makes the journey from the US, but once it gets a lot of extra work here, it's worth every cent of the $40 million spent on the development program.
The Coyote Ford V8 - first seen in the new Mustang - is an all-aluminum, 32-valve, double-overhead-cam unit that meets Euro IV emissions standards and is 47kg lighter than the previous 5.4-liter V8.
An Eaton supercharger boosts power to 335kW and 570Nm - an increase of 20kW and 19Nm over the previous GT-P powerplant - roaring through an active quad exhaust.
The test car had a beefy but crisp-shifting six-speed manual transmission, but a six-speed automatic is offered as a free option.
Design
The new increased power output decals are a major styling change (although I think they would look better if paired with the hood stripes) for the updated FPV - they are reminiscent of the Ford Boss Mustang muscle cars of yesteryear.
The power bulge - perhaps more needed now than ever with a supercharger - and the outright sporty body kit remain unchanged, leaving other road users in no doubt about the GT-P's intentions and potential.
The interior is dark and brooding, with GT-P embroidered leather sport seats and suede bolsters, a sporty leather steering wheel and shifter.
SECURITY
The Falcon's donor is the five-star ANCAP, while the GT-P gets a full suite of safety features - airbags (dual front, side and full-length curtains), stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes - as well as rear ones. parking sensors and rear view camera.
DRIVING
After our first spin in a supercharged FPV, we were looking forward to a ride on local roads, and the GT-P did not disappoint.
The big, muscular sedan sits on the road like a low-profile Dunlop is woven into the road, but the ride is pretty good considering the 35-profile tires and the slant towards handling.
Drive through the underground car park and the V8 bass gets quiet; crank it up to 6000rpm and the V8 roar and supercharger howl become more obvious but never intrusive.
The six-speed manual needs to be shifted purposefully - on more than a couple of occasions the shifts from first to second were crunchy as the action wasn't completed with confidence.
Sitting back and forth day in and day out is a short matter: first gear is pretty much redundant unless you're heading uphill, fourth and fifth can be selected fairly early, and just above idle is all it takes to maintain forward momentum.
A blast down your favorite stretch of tarmac soon gives you a glimpse of what the GT-P is capable of – blasting straight down, decelerating quickly with sturdy Brembo brakes and turning confidently through corners.
Sometimes the GT-P reminds you it's a two-ton machine by spreading the front end a bit if you're really overdoing it, but it pulls out of a corner where sensible use of the right foot is required.
The driving feel suggests that a claimed 0-km/h time of less than five seconds is achievable.
The start should be perfect, as a lot of power will immediately turn the rear tires into scrap metal, but the GT-P leaps forward menacingly.
Leaving the stability control on is the best option for public roads, as it is very easy to achieve a break in traction that will be considered "hoon" behavior; however, a track day can easily burn a set of rear tires.
VERDICT
The dollars spent on supercharging the engine are well spent, and the FPV has the firepower to rival the HSV, even if the (more expensive) GTS has more gizmos and gadgets. The attractiveness of the supercharged V8 engine offsets some of the interior quirks, and if you're looking for an extroverted V8 muscle car, this should definitely be on your shopping list... at the very top.
GOAL: 84/100
WE LIKE
Supercharged V8 outlets and soundtrack, balance of ride and handling, Brembo brakes.
WE DO NOT LIKE
Low-set steering wheel and high-set seat, no satellite navigation, awkward trip computer switches, small fuel tank, supercharger boost sensor.
FPV GT-P sedan
Cost: from $ 81,540.
Engine: five-liter 32-valve fully supercharged V8 light-alloy engine.
Transmission: six-speed manual, limited slip differential, rear-wheel drive.
Power: 335 kW at 5750 rpm.
Torque: 570 Nm in the range from 2200 to 5500 rpm.
Performance: 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.
Fuel consumption: 13.6l / 100km, on the XX.X test, tank 68l.
Emissions: 324g / km.
Suspension: double wishbones (front); Control blade (rear).
brakes: four-wheel ventilated and perforated discs, six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers.
Dimensions: length 4970 mm, width 1868 mm, height 1453 mm, wheelbase 2838 mm, track front/back 1583/1598 mm
Cargo volume: 535 liters
The weight: 1855kg.
Wheels: 19" alloy wheels, 245/35 Dunlop tires
In your class:
HSV GTS starting at $84,900.
