FPV Pursuit Reviews

Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) has taken the already rapid Ford Territory Turbo and turned it into something awesome: the F6X.Although Ford plans a revamp of the Territory Turbo to increase its profile amid the new Falcon sedan range, the F6X already has abilities that set it apart.Its turbocharged, four-litre, six-cylinder engine generates 270kW and 550Nm of torque, meaning the FX6's clever ZF six-speed automatic has ample grunt with which to work.Power has risen by 35kW over the Territory Turbo and there's an additional 70Nm of torque on offer, with the full 550Nm available between 2000rpm and 4250rpm.DRIVINGSuburban pace is easy to maintain without punching the turbo six to the redline, making for smooth, unfussed progress.But the temptation to pound the firewall is difficult to resist; giving in causes the F6X to press forward with gusto, raising its nose and sniffing the air with intent.Kickdown from the gearbox follows, accompanied by considerable thrust which doesn't really need to be moderated for corners.The F6X sits reasonably flat for a tall SUV and, despite compromise rubber (it sits on 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/55 Goodyear Fortera tyres), manages to make short work of corners. Up to a point. Physics still wins eventually, but the FPV F6X can be hustled with remarkable pace.In fact, a Beemer X5 V8, an AMG-tweaked M-Class Benz or a supercharged V8 Range Rover Sport — all costing at least $40,000 more — would be the only SUVs that could keep it in sight.The F6X's nose points into a corner with remarkable accuracy and feel. There are more than a few sedans that could take a leaf from this SUV's book when it comes to handling.Suspension has been upgraded for the extra performance, but the already capable Territory chassis was a good base from which to start.Tweaked dampers have been installed, and revised spring rates — 10 per cent tauter than on the Territory Turbo—have tightened up the handling without sacrificing ride quality.That's where the F6X makes up substantial ground on the Euro hot rods, with a ride quality born from local knowledge and Ford's expertise in getting the ride/handling balance right.The brakes are well up to the task of reining in the F6X's performance. The front end is home to bigger discs with Brembo six-piston calipers.FPV also says the stability control has been reprogrammed in conjunction with manufacturer Bosch to allow for sportier driving before the system interferes.The official ADR fuel-consumption figure is 14.9 litres/100km, but it doesn't take too much lead in the right foot to nudge that number towards 20 litres/100km. More reasonable driving will return that figure to the mid-teens.Based on the Territory Turbo Ghia, the F6X has a comprehensive range of features, although the fat side stripes may not be to everyone's taste.Adjustable pedals are a welcome feature, as is the wide-ranging rear-view camera teamed with rear parking sensors.The sound system, with a six-disc, in-dash CD player, provides good-quality noise.Safety features include ABS brakes and stability control, dual front airbags and side curtain airbags for both rows of seats.The FPV version of Ford's Territory is a versatile package which can cart the family, tow a boat and deal decently with any corners it encounters. FPV F6XPrice: $75,990 (five-seater)Engine: 4L/6-cylinder turbocharged 270kW/550NmTransmission: 6-speed auto, all-wheel driveEconomy: 14.9L/100km claimed, 20.5L/100km tested 

Despite our wide brown land having millions of empty hectares – more than enough to swing a camera crew, you’d think – Ford Performance Vehicles turned to the computer to create both landscape and vehicles for their new ad.FPV employed the use of computer-generated Imagery (CGI) to create the sparse landscape featured in the powerful commercial, with all vehicles developed in CGI from CAD data.FPV decribes the ad as “the epitome of the ultimate driving environment, one that is stark and graphic, but also represents freedom and escape from the everyday.”"Such an environment with no roads and plenty of wide open space enabled clean graphic imagery and angles that would be difficult to achieve elsewhere,” the press release says."To manage such a production with eight cars and a production crew would be an extremely consuming and costly exercise and besides, the vehicles were in production at the time," FPV general manager Rod Barrett says."We rarely use television to advertise our brand and to be able to use this technology in the way we have is extremely advantageous," Barrett says."The result was a more flexible shoot, no large crew, no weather contingency, and the freedom to choreograph the shots, choose our own weather conditions, rehearse the shots and then produce the finished television commercial."The TVC, produced by advertising agency Magnum Opus and CGI specialists Airbag Productions, will be mounted here at midday tomorrow and will premiere on pay television on Sunday July 6 on Fox Sports, Sky News, Fox Sports News, Discovery and the History Channel, with airplay during the free-to-air coverage of the V8 Supercar Series. 

Blueblood Dick Johnson was tossed on the tip yesterday by Ford.After more than 30 years as a blue oval battler, often fighting single-handed against a horde of Holdens, he was left behind in a dash for cash.Craig Lowndes will also be caught in the crossfire from a decision by Ford to centralise its cash commitment with just two V8 Supercar teams, Ford Performance Racing and Stone Brothers Racing.Lowndes' team, Triple Eight, was dumped by management at Broadmeadows in a money move which also affects former Bathurst winner Jason Bright's team. The decision is likely to save Ford around $3 million, a significant sum as it battles falling sales of its flagship Falcon."This is a weird one," a stunned Johnson said yesterday."It's a bit disappointing. We always knew things were up for negotiation, but . . ."I'm 63 but right now I feel more like 190. It's already been a tough year."Roland Dane, the head of Triple Eight, was also not happy."I'm surprised, given our record," Dane said."Team Vodafone has won 16 rounds of the V8 championship in the past three years. FPR has won four, Stones have won two and Dickie Johnson's team has won one. We've also won four of the six enduros in that time, including two Bathursts."Ford have clearly got some issues they have to deal with. I wish all the employees at Ford all the best, because the company has obviously got a few challenges at the moment."The Ford cutback comes as the company looks for more bang from its V8 Supercar buck, although it says motorsport its still its single biggest sporting spend and well ahead of cricket. It has only just completed its all-new FG Falcon racer, which is set to race from the start of the 2009 season.Full details of Ford's future will not be revealed for some time, with FPR believed to be working on a three-car program for next year with James Courtney moving from Stone Brothers to take the extra wheel. But FPR and SBR will form a technical liaison, with the Melbourne team building cars and the Queensland outfit responsible for engines.The impact is likely to be extensive and could even shake the foundations of V8 Supercar racing, as Holden has also scaled-back its involvement in recent years and new company chief Mark Reuss has recently said he would be happy to see another carmaker in the contest."I think it's probably time to move on from the whole Ford-Holden thing, because it turns off as many people as it turns on. We'll crack on with life. I work on the basis that there is no point in getting too steamed up if there is no money to be earned or it doesn't make us go faster."Johnson joked that he might even end up driving a Toyota, although his lifetime commitment to Ford is unlikely to change."We'll see where it goes from here. I need a bit of time to think about things. I see no reason to stop being a Ford person.""We're pleased to see that Ford continues to support the sport. How they spend their money is entirely up to them," is all the CEO of V8 Supercars, Wayne Cattach, said.Johnson actually began his racing career in Holdens, but had his first start in a Falcon in 1975.Since then he has raced American Mustangs and British Sierras, and even a production-class Laser, before returning to Falcons in the V8 Supercar era. He also rallies in an Escort.His ties to the company came in 1980, after he hit a rock while leading at Bathurst and Edsel Ford - then the marketing chief at Ford Australia - offered to a dollar-for-dollar deal to match donations from his fans."It went from there. I guess the biggest win for me was getting the first championship in 1981," Johnson said."And Bathurst in the Sierra days was pretty good, before the Bathurst wins in the early 1990s."Johnson's team has been hit hard by money troubles in recent years, with the laconic Queenslander losing more than $2 million of his personal fortune in keeping the operation running. He is now facing a bankruptcy proceeding, although a re-structure and a new partner has kept his team on the track.Youngster Will Davison even gave Johnson a much-needed win at Eastern Creek in Sydney this year."We looked like we were back on track. Now this," Johnson said."It's not quite seven figures that we're losing, but Ford was a significant part of our budget because we haven't had much to work with."Dane was less worried about the cash, as his Vodafone deal is the biggest in the V8 Supercar pitlane."Ford's contribution to our budget is not that great. So I'm not particuarly concerned from a commercial standpoint," he said.But he is now re-assessing the future of his team, which was founded in the UK and won last year's British championship, and admits he has been talking to other carmakers."Who knows what is going to happen in future? I've only ever spoken to other manufacturers, and it's plural, in the context of understanding their long-term marketing plans in Australia."Only a fool would rule out another brand. Never say never."V8 SUPERCAR RETHINKThe rising cost of racing and falling returns from Falcon sales have forced Ford's re-think on its V8 Supercar program."The days of winning on Sunday and selling on Monday are well and truly gone," the vice-president of sales and marketing at Ford Australia, Mark Winslow, told the Herald Sun yesterday."And the costs of this sport are getting larger and larger."He admitted Ford has cut its Supercar spending but defended the move by saying the company's overall sponsorship budget was unchanged and V8 racers still got the biggest slice."It's reduced from what it was, but it's still our largest sponsorship," Winslow said.His new strategy is to maximise the Ford force in the sport, both in results and in cars which look more like blue-oval road cars than high-speed billboards for other brands."We've been very successful but now the time has come to focus and leverage our brand. From our point of view, this will give us the best chance for success," he said."Up to now we haven't got our true-blue brand out there, which is a problem for us. We want them to look like a Ford car."Winslow backs the decision to focus Ford's spending on FPV and SBR, despite the company's history with Dick Johnson and the racetrack success of Team Vodafone."They have both got the depth. We think it's a good strategy to go forward."How you define success isn't just about what step you take on the podium. You also have to leverage every dollar you invest."Triple Eight is stellar. Clearly Vodafone are a strong sponsor . . . but they are predominantly red and we are blue."Winslow also denied the cutback was the start of a withdrawal from V8 Supercar racing or the company's other motorsport spending in Formula Ford."I've always said V8 racing is valuable to the brand. We just need to make an investment and get a return on that investment." 

The Range Rover Vogue and the Porsche 911 are always welcoming, and welcomed, vehicles. And a handful of utes, two- and four-wheel-drive, have grinability.These have class and character that extend beyond a simple collection of mechanicals.Now FPV's F6X 270, pictured, must be added to this list of vehicles which feel right from the get-go and encourage driving smiles.It is no secret that Ford's Territory is a favourite around here, a well-designed Australian wagon with ability on both good roads and bad while carrying a family in comfort. There is the option of seven seats and the option of either rear-or all-wheel drive.Some quibble about the Ford's fuel consumption — and a diesel power plant would be most welcome — yet for the breadth of its capabilities the Territory remains in a class of its own among home-grown vehicles.So a superhot Territory built by FPV has to be a bit special.Here it is not only about the extra power and torque of the remapped turbo engine, not only the sharp turn-in and great ride/handling balance of the F6X but also about the leather seats, the comfort, convenience and safety gear plus all those slick finishing touches.These add an ambience which lifts the Ford above the pack and this plushness plus refined driving dynamics put the F6X into exalted company.For the FPV F6X 270 is a worthy — and cheaper — rival for a number of European machines in the premium SUV set.There is more than enough go and stopping power here, more than enough finesse to the all-wheel drive and the Ford's chassis.All that and the attention to detail give the F6X a tonne of credibility; it brings smiles whether leaping off the line into a sprint, cruising around with big-time stereo working overtime or being hurled up a mountain pass with brio.Some may believe the F6X needs a little more cosmetic work to differentiate it from other Ford Territorys, some are happy to travel in a handsome, understated machine.This FPV wagon is based on the turbocharged Ford Territory Ghia, itself no slouch on the open road.Here that original turbocharged wagon's 245kW is taken out to a neat 270kW, thanks to recalibrated engine mapping, fuel delivery, spark timing and boost control. There is also 70Nm extra.This means that the F6X gets away that bit quicker than the donor machine.This is much appreciated just after the wagon leaves the line and lifts away under acceleration for a claimed 0 to 100km/h time of 5.9 seconds. Here there is a seamless rush of boosted power, quite refined and most pleasant with 550Nm of torque from 2000rpm coming into play.There is a determined.push and fine note to the exhaust; and all this brings the first round of smiles.The wagon's forward progress is aided here by a six-speed transmission with smooth and eager shift. While a driver can shift to sports mode and play with sequential gear changes, left alone the gearbox is quick enough for most moves.The exception is where there's the perception that quick downchanges are needed for overtaking or attacking particular corners.This is the next deal where the F6X can bring a big and wide smile.For the wagon likes to attack corners with a panache that, for the most part, belies the F6X's bulk.Indeed it is most easy to have those 18-inch tyres howling through the turn and then grabbing hard as the F6X straightens up and runs hard to the next turn.FPV engineers have left enough excitement in the electronic traction and stability controls for a driver to have a little fun.Now as much as a press-on driver will appreciate all this performance, as much will some appreciate the leather-clad luxury of a quite practical machine, the real clever work is on the suspension.Here the FPV F6X is ahead of some big-name German rivals.Here, while retaining the standard Territory's ride height, engineers spent a deal of testing time on returning the damper rates and the springs.The result is an excellent compromise, one of the best, between hard-core performance needs and ride comfort. Overseas engineers do not always understand the state of Australian roads or how some people may use their premium SUVs; some of these more expensive machines offer great dynamics on racetracks but a little too much lumpiness on local highways.This suspension work by FPV (on what was already a decent chassis package) steels the chassis and steering to the point where it betters any other SUV at this price point.Indeed the FPV F6X, with the backing of Ford dealers spread a little wider than imported products, could be the perfect hot-rodded SUV for this country.It has power, grip, balance and all-wheel drive. And it has a full-sized, matching spare alloy wheel, something not always found in European machines and yet another little pointer to the suitability of the FPV F6X as a great Australian sports tourer.FPV F6X 270PRICE: $75,990BODY: Four-door wagonENGINE: Four-litre, turbocharged, inline sixPOWER: 270kW @ 5000rpmTORQUE: 550Nm from 2000rpmTRANSMISSION: Six-speed sequential automatic, all-wheel-driveWHEELS: 18-inchTOWING: 2300kg 

Imported cars are hardest hit by the new LCT threshold but some of our homegrown brands also suffer.

A Ford GT confiscated by police is claimed by its owner to be worth at least $200,000 after he painstakingly restored it with a gleaming blue spray job and faultless interior.

Holden's performance arm is upgrading its engines this month, weeks before rival Ford Performance Vehicles releases its new range. HSV is updating the current 307kW LS2 to the LS3 V8, which pumps out 317kW.The upgrade should see HSV maintain its power advantage because FPV is reportedly set to offer a 315kW V8. HSV says the timing simply coincides with its supply of the LS2 running out.“Our customers want the latest and greatest technology in their cars,” HSV managing director Scott Grant says. “The General Motors LS3 engine continues the HSV tradition of scouring the world for technological advancements to enhance the driving experience.”At the unveiling of the new FPV range in February, company boss Rod Barrett said the Blue Oval performance brand would not engage in a power war with its Holden rival.FPV will rely on an upgraded version of the 5.4-litre Boss V8 for the short term, but promises more upgrades, including a reborn GT-HO.The new HSV engine comes at a price. The ClubSport R8 now starts at $64,550, up $1660, the Maloo R8 goes from $59,990 to $61,550, the GTS is up $1000 to $76,990 and the Senator Signature cops a $1200 increase to take it to $79,190.The Grange has been bumped up $1700 to start at $84,690. The LS3 unit is 6.2-litres and produces 550Nm of torque at 4600rpm, the same as the LS2. It is built in North America by General Motors Powertrains.Despite the size increase, HSV is reporting a slight drop in fuel economy for the new models.As well as the local line-up, the engine will feature in HSV's export models, the Vauxhall VXR8 sold in Britain and the Middle East-bound CSV R8. The same engine is fitted to the Chevrolet Corvette in the US.HSV says that automatic gearboxes will also get an oil cooler as standard. As an option for ClubSport, Senator and Grange buyers, new 20-inch alloy wheels will be available at $2500. 

Ford Performance Vehicles' V8 Cobras have turned into an instant classic. Buyers are paying $30,000 above the recommended retail price for the used versions of the cars, which had a recommended retail price of $65,110 for the GT sedan and $61,200 for the ute.One website has two Cobra sedans for sale, one with 10,000km on the clock listed for $80,000 and the other with just 500km for $95,000.Another buyer has a $109,000 asking price on a Cobra that has done just 29km. Another has $84,990 for an example that has travelled 1500km. Yet another buyer has his XC Cobra listed with his BF Mk II Cobra for “best offer over $200,000.” It is the same story with the Cobra Pursuit utes, with prices varying from $74,000 to $87,000.FPV general manager Rod Barrett says he could have built more Cobras if Ford had let him.“We were restricted. I would have liked to have built more. In 40 years, though, those 500 cars will still be classics,” he says.Last year FPV built 400 sedans and 100 utes with a Cobra badge.All 500 cars were snapped up by dealers, but a handful remain, with some FPV dealers holding back on stock to maintain interest.Cashed-up buyers are clearly keen to spend what it takes to secure a piece of Ford history, Barrett says.And he says FPV had to field some negativity for recreating a commemorative Cobra from the 1970s.“We copped a bit of criticism for recreating the Cobra, but it's an icon worth remembering.”The latest Cobra sedan and ute is powered by a Boss 302 engine developing 302kW/540Nm, and is equipped with FPV stainless-steel fabricated exhaust manifolds and a high-flow dual-exhaust system.For motoring buffs, 302 was the capacity in cubic inches of Ford's small-block V8 engine and is also exactly double the 151kW output of the 1978 Cobra's 4.9-litre V8 engine.The GT Cobra has a limited slip differential and is available as a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission with a high torque clutch or the ZF six-speed automatic transmission.The latest Cobra came about to mark last year's 30th anniversary of Ford's one-two win with drivers Allan Moffat and Colin Bond at the famed Bathurst endurance race.To commemorate that win, Ford Australia released 400 Falcon XC Cobra coupes in July 1978. Those cars are now highly collectable, with one 220,000km example recently priced at $71,500. 

The appeal goes across both genders and a broad range of ages - from those who were old enough to vaguely remember the paint scheme on Falcon coupes at Bathurst to those who only know Mount Panorama from PS2 or 3.Unfortunately for those who look, like and lay down hard-earned dollars, there aren't any left to buy direct from the manufacturer. Just 400 sedans and 100 ute versions of the Cobra were made so head for eBay or carsguide classifieds.To use its full title, I'm piloting an FPV GT Cobra R-Spec - the six-speed auto sedan with an upgraded brake package, and it causes public mischief even before the start button is pushed.Once it fires, the 5.4-litre quad-cam, 32-valve “Boss 302” power plant settles into a burbly idle that still has the odd lump in it, although nothing like the chassis-shaking attitude of some previous Ford muscle-cars.The clever, smooth and driver-friendly six-speed auto works well with the eight, allowing unruffled progress through traffic on a useful amount of torque, although its down a little on pulling power when compared to its HSV competition. The ride quality is better than expected for 35-profile tyres on 19in alloys, although big road ruts do hit home.Firing away from the lights at full throttle is not recommended unless you want to challenge new hoon laws, as the rears can offer a noisy and smoky departure.Save that sort of throttle application for windy backroads, where the chassis shows off poise and grip that belies its size.That's not to say there's no shortage of action, as the Cobra fires out of corners with enthusiasm, thanks in part to its limited slip differential and (switchable) traction control, although there's no stability control on offer.Bumps and lumps mid-corner don't bother the Cobra too much, with decent compliance helping to maintain the chosen line.The R Spec handling package is standard on the Cobra, with sticky Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 245/35ZR tyres on 19in five-spoke alloys.The rims even get white-painted sections to the spokes, which are an interesting highlight and probably also a magnet for brake-pad dust.This is going to be built up on a regular basis, as the Cobra is a fun drive.The soundtrack provided by the big V8 in its upper rev reaches borders on indecent and there is ample ability from the chassis to keep the pace going.Of course, you're going to have to pay the piper sometime for all that amusement.The 68-litre tank supplies PULP to the engine at a claimed rate of around 15 litres/100km in the standard GT, but the extra performance isn't likely to have reduced that thirst.The trip computer quickly shot up to an average of well over 20 litres/100km, but as the driving became more sedate, the number tumbled back to 18 litres/100km.That's the price you pay for a great soundtrack.The chunky, grippy leather-wrapped steering wheel is a nice unit and the big Falcon responds to corners with vigour, with well-controlled body roll and plenty of grip.The Cobra features list includes dual-zone climate control, which was tested to its limits by the recent 40C heat, but it managed to keep the interior cool.The seating is comfortable and has half-decent lateral support, but the bug-bear that has haunted the Falcon for more than a few years is the high-seating position, something that seems to have been fixed in the FG.It is a shame the current Ford Falcon could well be remembered mainly for its falling sales volume.It is a well-mannered, capable and decent family sedan, which when tweaked to near its limits can become a desirable, rapid and entertaining machine.The Cobra looks will see them quickly snapped up on the used market and given it has more go faster bits than some of the previous Cobra “specials” there's good reason to grab one. Snapshot FPV GT COBRA R-SpecPrice: $65,110Engine: 5.4-litre 32-valve V8.Transmission: Six-speed manual or automatic.Power: 302kW at 6000rpm.Torque: 540Nm at 4750rpm.Fuel consumption: 15 litres/100km (claimed), on test 20 litres/100km, tank capacity 68 litres.Emissions: 357g/km.Suspension: Independent double wishbone, coil spring/damper units, jointed mount anti-roll bar (front). Performance Control Blade, independent coil springs, jointed mount anti-roll bar (rear).Brakes: 355x32mm cross-drilled and slotted discs, Brembo six-piston calipers (front). 330x28mm cross-drilled discs with Brembo four-piston calipers (rear).Dimensions: Length 4944mm, width 1864mm, height 1435mm, wheelbase 2829mm, track fr/rr 1553/1586mm, cargo volume 504 litres, weight 1855kg.Wheels: 19in alloys. 

The Bathurst build-up begins today when the long-distance co-drivers have their first hitout of the year at Eastern Creek, the first time organisers have given drivers in the two endurance races special practice sessions at race meetings.Eastern Creek is one of four events where the extra drivers will have a chance to become familiar with their machinery before the Phillip Island 500 and Bathurst 1000.Not all teams have finalised co-drivers, but the session will be a great way to get a headstart for those that have.The Holden Racing Team will run veterans Glenn Seton and Craig Baird in its two Commodores. Seton will drive Mark Skaife's usual machine and Baird will use Garth Tander's car.Ford Performance Racing will run Dean Canto in Mark Winterbottom's regular ride and Luke Youlden will drive Steven Richard's Castrol-sponsored Falcon.The HSV Dealer Team will give experienced Kiwi Paul Radisich time in Rick Kelly's car, while Marcus Zukanovic will steer Paul Dumbrell's machine.“It's an important part of getting them used to the team and the cars,” Dick Johnson Racing team manager Adrian Burgess says.His team will run new signings Warren Luff and Steve Owen.Finding the right co-drivers and getting them up to speed is becoming an increasingly important issue. This year's race at Phillip Island will feature two short qualifying races on the Saturday of the meeting to determine the starting order of the long race. Each driver will compete in one race, making it critical to give the inexperienced driver more seat time.Stone Brother's Racing will get extra use out of the session. James Courtney's huge shunt at Adelaide has forced the team to use the team's spare car, Russell Ingall's car from last year.It hasn't been used in months and the session will allow rookie Jonathon Webb to gain valuable miles ahead of the enduros and shakedown the car before Courtney races it.