FPV F6

The FPV F6 is an automobile that was produced in Australia by Ford Performance Vehicles from 2004 until 2014. It is a high-performance derivative of the Australian Ford Falcon.

FPV F6
FPV F6 (FG)
Overview
ManufacturerFPV
Production2004–2014
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size car
Body style4-door sedan
2-door utility
RelatedFord Falcon
Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo
FPV GT
Powertrain
Engine4.0 L Barra 270T I6
4.0 L Barra 310T I6
Transmission6-speed (Borg-Warner T56) manual
6-speed (Tremec TR6060) manual
6-speed (ZF 6HP26) automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,828 mm (111.3 in)
Length4,949 mm (194.8 in)
Width1,890 mm (74 in)
Height1,424 mm (56.1 in)
Curb weight1,715 kg (3,781 lb)

The F6 is based on the modern-classic Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo sports sedan. The F6 engine is based on XR6T motor, a turbocharged intercooled DOHC 4.0L Inline Six with VCT, but includes: a modified FPV airbox (with Dual Ram Air intakes), higher strength conrods, larger air-to-air intercooler, high flow exhaust system, higher capacity fuel pump, and a Garrett GT3582r (same as the BA/BF XR6T) turbocharger with an internal waste gate (up from the GT3576r on the FG XR6T) running 0.64 bar of boost on the BA/BF models and 0.91 on the FG. This engine is known for its wide, flat torque curve, with peak torque of 565 N⋅m (417 lb⋅ft) available from 1950 to 5250 rpm (FG F6). This equates to strong acceleration throughout the rev range.

The F6 represented a diversification of sorts for FPV, broadening the reach of the brand to turbo buyers, a typically younger demographic than the V8 buyers that the Australian manufacturers traditionally cater to.

Models

During the BA-BF series, the F6 sedan was known as the "Typhoon", and the utility based version as the "Tornado". Upon the release of the FG series, the names were dropped and the product using F6 only. FPV also developed the Force 6 as a luxury orientated version of the F6, and a Territory based F6-X.

BA Series
See also: Ford Falcon (BA)
BA MKII (2004-2005)

The F6 Typhoon first emerged in FPV's late-2004 BA MkII facelift. The car's 4.0L DOHC 24V Turbocharged Inline Six-Cylinder engine made 270 kW (362 hp) at 5250 rpm and 550 N⋅m (406 lbf⋅ft) at 2000-4250 rpm of torque. It was only offered with a Tremec T-56 6-speed manual gearbox. The car had a more low-key look than the V8-powered FPV's with a lower rear wing, no body stripes. The F6 had 18-inch (460 mm) alloy wheels, and PBR 325 mm (12.8 in)/2-piston brakes offered as standard with 355 mm (14.0 in)/4-piston Brembos offered as a $5K option.

BF Series
See also: Ford Falcon (BF)
BF MKI (2005–2006)

With the BF update of 2005 came no power or torque increases, but a host of different updates in other areas. A ZF 6-speed sequential automatic transmission became available. The other key update was a brake upgrade - a Brembo 355 mm/4-piston package becoming standard, with a 355 mm/6-piston package is optional. The F6 also scored a more aggressive bodykit to further differentiate it from other vehicles in the FPV range, as well as 19-inch (480 mm) "Dark Argent" Alloys.

The F6 Tornado Ute entered production in May 2005.[1]

  • 2005–2006 FPV F6 Typhoon (BF)
BF MkII (2006–2008)

The F6 Typhoon did not get any mechanical upgrades with the BF MkII update of late-2006. Minor changes included new design alloy wheels and a change to graphite fog-lamp surrounds (instead of body-coloured). FPV also introduced the luxury focused Force 6 during the MKII update.

In 2007 300 limited edition "R Spec" versions of the BF MKII F6 Typhoon were made available. This model was equipped with several upgrades including stiffer suspension and 19'x8" alloy wheels which sought to improve the car's handling. Additional upgrades also included leather seats as standard, R Spec floor mats, interior car console MP3 accessory port and F6 R Spec build plates and badging. Colours that the R Spec Typhoon was released in included winter white, lightning strike, vixen, neo, ego, bionic and silhouette. Apart from their badging, R Spec Typhoons can be identified by their thunderstorm grey inserts seen on the front and rear bumper bars, fog light surrounds, rear spoiler pillars and alloy wheels. The R spec model was also available as a special order in custom option colour choice, At least two are known to be in Fords "Conquer Blue Metallic" with the dark ardent inserts.

  • FPV F6 Typhoon R Spec (BF MkII)
  • FPV F6 Typhoon R Spec (BF MkII)

FG Series
See also: Ford Falcon (FG)

FG MKI (2008–2011) FPV released a new FG Falcon-based range in 2008, including F6 models which no longer used the Typhoon and Tornado monikers. The 4.0L Turbo engine has been further enhanced, with power increased to 310 kW (416 hp), and torque to 565 N⋅m (417 ft⋅lbf). Key changes included new front suspension, a new steering rack, all-new exterior and interior design and a revised 6-speed manual transmission with launch control. The brake specifications, and the ZF 6-speed automatic remained unchanged. In 2008, it won New Zealand Autocar Magazine's Car of the Year Award.

The F6E, an executive variant of the F6, was announced in July 2009 for sale from September.[2]

FG MKII(2011-2014)

The MKII update gave the F6 new wheels, and projector headlamps from the MKII Falcon update. During 2012, ProDrive sold their share in the FPV company, liquidating it. All FPV models, including the FG F6, were produced in Ford's own factory.

  • 2008–2010 FPV F6 (FG) Sedan
  • 2008–2010 FPV F6 (FG) Ute

Motor magazine controversy

In 2005, the BAII F6 Typhoon was disqualified from Motor magazine's annual Performance Car of the Year competition due to a series of clutch failures. After initially blaming the magazine's testers, FPV labelled the car as "simply too powerful" and withdrew the car from sale for several months while they engineered a fix. All of the cars released with the clutch issues were recalled.

The F6 Typhoon returned to win Motor magazine's Australian Performance Car of the Year award in 2006.[3]

See also

References
  1. FPV's Scorching F6 Turbo Ute Retrieved from www.webwombat.com.au on 18 December 2009
  2. FPV announces F6E pricing Retrieved from www.carsales.com.au on 18 December 2009
  3. About FPV Retrieved from www.anynewcar.com.au on 18 December 2009
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