2008 FPV F6 310 Ute Review
November 27, 2008 by Matt Brogan
Inside, and probably most obviously, are the four-way electrically operated (driver’s side only) embossed leather sport seats (optional – ebony suede sport seats standard). These are a delight to sit in, really comfortable, and very supportive once you get stuck in to it.
The only bother with the seats is the mechanism to fold them forward, which seemingly operates in reverse of what one would consider logical. You have to push the lever to the rear of the car to pull the seat forward, thus requiring two hands. It’s a small thing, but is rather annoying when your hands are full of shopping and it’s pouring rain.
Leather, alloy and carbon fibre abounds throughout, joining standard features that include power windows and mirrors, cruise control, single-zone climate control, alloy pedals and scuff plates, FPV build number and starter button panel, turbo boost pressure gauge in addition to the standard offering, and Ford’s rather large leather-clad sports steering wheel with audio and cruise control buttons.
The Prestige six-CD tuner with iPod integration and Bluetooth connectivity offer clarity and a bit of punch and the roof mounted bee-sting type antenna offers far better reception than the in-glass type fitted to the sedan.
Staying outside for a moment, and in addition to dropping the ‘Typhoon’ moniker, F6 sports large 19-inch diameter alloy wheels, fog lights, side skirts and sports front and rear bars to round out the differences above that of the standard Falcon utility.
Thrust comes compliments of a modified Ford 4.0-litre, in-line, six-cylinder engine that has been boosted, intercooled and fitted with a high-flow exhaust to maximise respiration. The results equate to 310kW of brisk, punch-in-the-back power at 5500rpm and a very strong 565Nm of Dunlop-smoking torque available from 1950rpm all the way to 5200rpm, a 40kW and 15Nm improvement over the BF Mark II respectively.
Boost is strong, linear and very predictable being able to be balanced under your right toe for the perfect amount of drive each time. The calibration here is a credit to Ford as is remains uniform despite engine temperature or atmospheric conditions – something that can catch you out in similarly high performance turbocharged cars.
Sub five-second 0-to-100km/h times (4.99 seconds) are manageable if you can get traction to the rear wheels but most of our timed runs scored the F6 around 5.30 seconds due to wheelspin. Mid-tacho performance too is very strong, a big improvement over the BF series, with 80-100km/h times coming in under three seconds (2.90 seconds).
Matt, no, there have been no announcements on if the Falcon will cease to be produced past 2015. All we know is that come 2013 – 2015 the Geelong engine plant *may* shutdown. That might just mean the Falcon gets the V6 engine from the state. Regardless of what happens to Falcon, the Focus will be produced here from 2011 onwards. And Ford Aus are the lead engineering centre for the light truck that will replace the Ford Ranger/Mazda BT50 worldwide, as well as design the Ford India B-car, which is basically a fiesta type car for the Indian market.
As for Holden, they haven’t made any announcements either, but with their decision to produce a small car in Aus as well, they won’t be going anywhere soon.
Now Real World Testing Results.
FG XR8 = 290 KW & 520 NM Torque
VE SS = 270 KW & 530 NM Torque
(FG XR8) 0 – 100 km = 6.2 sec
0 – 400 m = 14.3 sec
(VE SS) 0 – 100 km = 5.5 sec
0 – 400 m = 13.6 sec
Now for the FPV/HSV specs.
FPV FG GTP = 315 KW & 551 NM Torque
HSV VE GTS = 317 KW & 550 NM Torque
(FPV FG GTP) 0 – 100 km = 5.53 sec
0 – 400 m = 13.62
(HSV VE GTS) 0 – 100 km = 4.96 sec
0 – 400 m = 13.19 sec
WTF? Mate, ur a wanker aye, like seriously. Theyve oulled a 13.4 from the gt’s, only 13.3’s from ur $75,000 gts, n the ss doesnt do 13.6 its 13.8 by wheels, n the xr8 is a flat 14 which is still slower, but ud still be cryin when u see the turbo range fly past lol. G6E turbo=13 seconds flat, XR6 Turbo=13.1 n the all mighty hsv n holden crushin F6 has been said to have gone as low as 12.6 seconds when FPV where developing it, n its been done in stock standard F6 in real world times. So mate, eat shit n die cause times have changed, its the era of the tubo mate. N fpv have a new v8 for 2010, its gonna be either a dohc 5.o litre V8 or a 6.2 Litre dohc V8, both which are all alloy, n itl still sound way better then anything on offer from holden or hsv. Go the FPV/Fords !!!!!! N yes, I do hate anything gm related lol
realworld testing of the GTS at sub 5 secs???
thats HSV’s claim and one which no independant tester has been able to match
Ford Falcon is like a step son, worked so much harder than his ‘brother’ Holden, and never receive his fair credit.