FPV GS recreates a famous Ford

Ford Performance Vehicles has today lifted the lid on one of its worst keep secrets the FPV GS, the recreation of a famous Ford model from the late 1960s, and one CarAdvice broke virtually the full details on several weeks ago.

The FPV GS first became a badly kept secret when an FPV dealer briefly posted pictures and information about the car on its website.

Then CarAdvice delved into its secret sources and came up with almost all the vital information about the car, weeks before the factory acknowledged it.

However, the FPV GS is now official and will be available as a limited run series of 250 sedans and 75 utilities, with the FPV GS sedan priced at $54,950* and the Ute at $49,950*.

FPV believes the GS will broaden its appeal to Australian car enthusiasts with the model being physically largely based on the Ford XR8 sedan and utility.

With Ford moving the Falcon to a more fuel efficient base with the introduction in 2011 of the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, CarAdvice was obliged to ask Ford Pr Manager Sinead McAlary if the GS was the first step in a move to hand over all V8 engine cars to FPV.

She declined to answer directly, saying, “We will be revealing all our product plans in due course.”

Named in tribute to a fondly remembered Ford from the late ’60s, the new GS sedan and GS Ute are unique limited-edition models offering buyers entry to the FPV family at a very competitive price point.

“GS is another iconic badge in Ford’s family history in this country,” FPV General Manager Rod Barrett said.

“Our aim was to develop a model that provides the performance, prestige and individuality that is a signature of the FPV brand, with its own identifiable model personality, and all at a great price.

“We’ve achieved all of that and expect the new GS Series models will find their own place in Australian performance motoring folklore.”

FPV’s GS sedan and Ute are individually specified to provide a combination of GT-based 302kW V8 engine performance, FPV chassis enhancements, bespoke GS graphics and FPV driver comfort features.

Available in limited numbers, the new FPV GS Series models hark back to the original Falcon GS of 30 years ago, introduced with the XW-model of 1969 and now the second most collectible Ford Falcon behind the GT.

Developed specifically for the GS Series, the recalibrated FPV 5.4 litre V8 GT engine from the FG-model now produces 302kW of power and 551Nm of torque, driving through a standard six-speed manual transmission.

FPV’s engineers have given the GS Series engine the twin throttle bodies and intake system of the GT engine, the GT headers and dual exhaust and a recalibrated ECU, all fine-tuned in an engine development program specific to the GS Series.

“We aimed to provide the GS Series owner with a GT driving experience with this engine … at 302kW it’s the perfect entry to our range, which steps up to the turbocharged F6 at 310kW and the full GT-spec V8 at 315kW,” Mr Barrett said.

Every FPV GS Series also comes standard with unique GS striping graphics, charcoal cloth interior, FPV GT instrumentation, gear knob, starter button and badging, premium sound system with iPod® and Bluetooth® integration, and dual zone climate control. There’s also ‘302′ graphics on the GS sedan’s rear spoiler.

The GS sedan also features 19-inch Graphite rims and a choice of six exterior colour/stripe combinations, while the GS Ute features 19-inch Alpine Silver rims, FPV soft tonneau and a choice of three exterior colour/stripe combinations.

Like its namesake from three decades ago, the new FPV GS Series offers a long list of options that include a FPV-spec four-pot Brembo brake upgrade, a six-speed auto transmission recalibrated specifically for the GS’ 302kW engine, leather seats and satellite-navigation, and, on the Ute only, a hard tonneau with spoiler.

“We have also given the major design elements of the original GS logo a modern interpretation, which adds to the distinctive styling of the GS sedan and Ute,” Mr Barrett said.

CarAdvice will be spending time in both the GS sedan and GS Ute in the near future to bring you a full road test on both vehicles.
*Manufacturer List Price, full pricing can be obtained from a dealer.