FPV F6 Typhoon
Burly V8 sedans have been a fantasy plaything for generations of Australians. But occasionally a hot six-cylinder has made its voice heard above the persistent V8 bellow. Chrysler's Charger in the early '70s probably the most notable.
Today the David and Goliath spirit lives on in Ford's Falcon XR6 Turbo, which keeps V8s more than honest with its blend of performance and slick road manners at a sub-V8 price. The Turbo has made up a decent chunk of Falcon XR sales since the BA's 2002 launch.
But there are always going to be those who want more, and there is now a car to grab the baton from the XR6T.
Actually, there are two, Ford Performance Vehicles' F6 Typhoon sedan and F6 Tornado ute, both with gusty titles to emphasise the FPV-fettled turbo six engine.
On paper the new FPVs look impressive. Power output has jumped from 240 kW to 270 Nm, while peak torque is a monstrous 550 Nm from just 2000 rpm - that's more than a Porsche 911 Turbo.
To ensure the drivetrain doesn't go pop, an upgraded version of FPV's new six-speed manual gearbox and a beefier clutch are used.
However, the latter has already been the cause of a recall due to a failure in nine Typhoons so far. It's an embarrassing turnaround for Ford - which initially tried to blame the failures on driver abuse - and leaves a cloud hanging over the car's driveline.
Still, the Typhoon costs $58,950 and, apart from the obvious mechanical differences, is equipped to more or less the same level as the V8 GT - although there is no automatic transmission available. Climate-control air-con, power windows, cruise control, a trip computer, a six-stack CD, four airbags, anti-lock brakes and 18-inch alloys are standard, along with unique badging and wheels. Like all Falcons, there are no curtain airbags.
However, it only takes a few minutes behind the wheel to realise the Typhoon is a different beast to the XR6 Turbo but it's not all good.
The take-up point of the clutch - that's the one being recalled - is devilishly difficult to master and the upgraded six-speed gearbox is strangely stiff and prone to snagging, especially if you try to select first after coming to rest. It is hardly the recipe for smooth driving and the heavy-duty clunks from the drivetrain emphasise the lack of polish.
Further detracting from the Typhoon's urban credentials is turbo lag. In gentle cruising there is little to complain about but call for some urgent shove below 2000 rpm and there is a noticeable delay.
Out on the open road, however, the Typhoon really gets its act together. Put the foot down and it rockets forward with an ever-increasing intensity that most cars will struggle to match.
The positive flipside of the turbo lag and reduced driveability around town is the FPV's eager, free-breathing nature, and from a hard-driver's perspective it's hard to fault. But the V8-like thirst for fuel when pushed is an unpleasant surprise.
Add a few corners to the mix and the FPV comes up trumps. The Typhoon, like the XR6T, feels a touch lighter on its feet than its V8 siblings but other than that the on-road manners are pure BA Falcon; an eagerness to turn in to a corner, minimal leaning, bags of grip and wonderfully balanced and predictable road holding even over lumpy surfaces. Only slightly over-assisted steering and a lack of feel sours the taste.
There are no such issues with the ride, which blends comfort and all-out handling. The large, comfortable, well-specified cabin and low wind, tyre and mechanical noise also mean it eats up long distances.
Rating the Typhoon is a difficult task because the XR6 Turbo offers such a good mix of performance, handling and everyday liveableness. OK, so the FPV is fractionally quicker but the clunky drivetrain, difficult clutch, stiff gearbox and heavy thirst make you wonder whether you would want to pay substantially more for a package with a much smaller sweet spot.