2008 FPV F6 310 Ute Review
November 27, 2008 by Matt Brogan
2008 FPV F6 310 Ute Review & Road Test
Spend a week in the hot seat and you’ll agree, this is one quick utility.
Model Tested:
- 2008 FPV F6 310 Style Side Utility, 4.0-litre, turbocharged, six-speed automatic – $57,990 (RRP)
Options:
- Metallic Paint – standard; leather interior $1100; hard tonneau with spoiler $2900; premium audio system $700; FPV floor mats $110; 1600kg tow kit $495; 19-inch Dark Argent alloy wheels $795; premium brakes $3630; satellite navigation $2290
Strong performance, sweet induction note, personality
Seat folding mechanism, exhaust note, steering wheel
CarAdvice Rating: 
- by Matt Brogan
When you glance through the Ford Performance Vehicles brochure, the inflated triple-digit power and torque figures seem little more than numbers. Sure some of us may be able to equate the relative performance characteristics from these little numerical hints into real life terms, but it’s not until you’ve had a week in the hot seat that you can fully appreciate the amount of potential on offer – this is one quick utility.
The FPV F6 310 has a strong character and no-nonsense personality that defines it as instantly recognisable to those with a bit of nous about such things. The lowered stance, bold rims and FPV styling cues – especially the eye-patch front – all giving the impression that this utility means business.
Now sure, you may not be inclined to throw the cement-mixer in the back or load it full of timber, but those who think of this ute in that way have missed the point. This ute is all about performance and lifestyle. Sure you can still carry and tow with it, I’m not saying you can’t, but it’s best thought of as a sports coupe with a really big boot, something upon which most owners will agree with me.
It’s not that the F6 isn’t still a utility, with a 530kg payload and 1600kg towing capacity it certainly is. It’s just that I can’t see anyone in their right mind wanting to treat such an awesome (and let’s face it expensive) utility as a mere commercial vehicle. No, this ute is about lifestyle, it’s about embracing the ute culture and our love of a performance car in the one package – and what a package it is.
Not only does the F6 310 behold the FG’s highly favoured good looks, it also offers an interior that sets it above, in fact well above, that of a standard Falcon ute and offers performance credentials to shame most rivals, even those offering Australia’s much loved bent eight.
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.