FPV GT-P 2014 Review

The big Australian V8 is an endangered species, and only a few examples remain before their final extinction. But it looks like Ford Performance Vehicles' swansong, the FPV GT-P, is destined to be remembered. This latest cheer for Ford's sports brand is an appropriate retirement, not a meek retirement.

TECHNOLOGY

It has a 5.0-liter V8 with a huge supercharger that develops 335 kW of power and seismically determined torque of 570 Nm. Thanks to the extra air from the Harrop supercharger, maximum torque is available from 2200 to 5500 rpm, which gives ample room for wheel spin in higher gear.

Ford calls the V8 engine BOSS and it definitely sounds like the boss I once had, with a raucous roar accompanied by a great supercharger howl. A 5.0L Coyote V8 replaced the old 5.4 in 2010. due to emission restrictions.

Design

It's clear Ford Falcon, but it looks rather sinister. Our car was a rather intimidating bright orange hue, but even so, the styling modification is cool and suits the car and its character well - a mixture of elegance and rowdy. The big bulge on the hood is almost enough to obscure some of your forward vision, while the rear view is bisected by a wing so big you can park your second car under it in a hailstorm.

Luckily, the temptation to cram a set of 21-inch wheels into the wheel arches has been avoided, and the 19s look their best in what has always been beautiful bodywork. Quad tailpipes and side skirts complete the package. The cabin is dominated by superb front seats with large arrowhead bolsters and embroidered GT-P logos on the headrests.

The dashboard is pretty standard for a Falcon, with a big red start button and a tricky ID dial at the bottom of the console, the two separated by the FPV logo. The combination of leather and suede is grippy, comfortable and attractive. The dashboard is basically the same as any other Falcon, minus the supercharger boost gauge - or "fun dial" if you will.

The rear seats are also upholstered in premium leather and suede, while the fixed headrests are embroidered. It's not a luxurious interior, but it certainly disguises a few elements of the standard Falcon interior and reminds you that you're in something special.

VALUE

The $82,040 GT-P is a slightly more luxurious version of the FPV GT. The $12,000 price difference is attributed to leather and suede seats, different alloy wheels, a navigator with traffic alert, and various trim pieces. The P also features 6-piston Brembo calipers up front (four on the GT) and 355-piston rear calipers (single-piston on the GT). The rims are the same size: 330 mm in the front and 8 mm in the back. Both cars have a XNUMX-inch screen with rearview camera and reversing sensors, USB for iPod and Bluetooth.

SECURITY

Five-star safety is a given, with six airbags, ABS and traction and stability control.

DRIVING

Despite the aggressive rollers that have to be bent when landing, the seats are comfortable even for people of large build. The driving position is still as weird as the Falcon's "too high - wheel on your knees" so you really have to shuffle around to get settled.

But it's worth it. The GT-P is an absolute driving riot. Anyone who buys it as a race car is crazy because it's just as deliberately free as any other car on the market today. The 245/35 tires are intentionally narrower than what you might find on the HSV, providing a wonderful, fun and fun experience.

That's not to say it's unsafe - keep your traction control on and that only hints at the fun that's available. In a straight line, you'll have a little laugh before the tech brains calm everything down. With the traction off, you could easily draw a couple of straight or curly black lines even in dry weather. It depends on you and your appetite for tire shops.

It's not much in the wet, but you don't buy one of these cars for easy driving. Or you? One of its main advantages is excellent handling, and this does not fall into the category of "sports car". He has an amazing level of conformity. If you kidnap, blindfold, and put headphones on a typical Falcon owner, it's hard for them to tell that it's not a standard car driving around the block.

There is a bit of body roll as a result, but it's worth it for everyday use. It rides beautifully, the V8 delivers a subdued, joyful beat. The radio will please you with its power, and comfortable seats will save your back from the worst excesses of Australian road repairs.

Start spinning it and it becomes clear that FPV was for maximum fun, not maximum speed. The rear is truly alive, the rear tires screeching in tune with the operatic, soaring voice of the supercharger when traction control is off. The whole experience is extremely addictive and sets it apart from the more serious HSVs it has to compete with.

The limited slip differential provides excellent corner entry and fantastic turn off capability. You can imagine that power slides (obviously not available on public roads) (ahem) are just a simple flexion of the ankle and movement of the wrists to the sides. It's a very slow car that goes sideways and that makes it better. The only chink in its armor is a boonie-like thirst of over 15L/100km in mixed driving. A sobering 20 liters is sure to catch the eye during a vigorous ride.

VERDICT

It'll be fun to paint black stripes on the road every time you ask it, but it'll also tow or haul whatever you want and won't force you to compromise. It will do everything that a normal Falcon does, only faster, noisier, and in the case of the orange coloration, much louder. FPV is a fantastic, joyful, uncompromising machine dedicated to smiling, not lap times. If you're going to die out, you can walk away with a bang.

2014 FPV GT-P

Cost: from $ 82,040

Engine: 5.0 l, eight-cylinder, 335 kW / 570 Nm

Transmission: 6-speed manual or automatic, rear-wheel drive

Thirst: 13.7 l/100 km, CO2 324 g/km