FPV F6

Infobox Automobile


name = FPV F6 310
manufacturer = Ford Performance Vehicles
production = 2004—present
class = Full-size car
body_style = 4-door sedan
engine = 4.0 L "Barra 310T" I6
transmission = 6-speed manual
6-speed automatic
wheelbase = Auto mm|2828
length = Auto mm|4949
width = Auto mm|1890
height = Auto mm|1424
weight = Auto kg|1715
related = Ford Falcon
Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo

The FPV F6 (formerly known as the FPV F6 Typhoon) is high-performance derivative of the Australian Ford Falcon. The car was introduced by FPV in 2004.

The F6 is based on the modern-classic Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo sports sedan. The F6 engine is based on the XR6T motor, a turbocharged 4.0L Inline Six, but includes: a modified FPV airbox (with Duel Ram Air intakes), higher strength conrods, larger air to air intercooler, high flow exhaust system, higher capacity fuel pump, and a Garrett GT3540 turbocharger with an external gate (up from the GT3040 on the XR6T) running 0.64 bar of boost. This engine is known for its wide, flat torque curve, with peak torque of 565Nm available from 1950 to 5250rpm. 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.

FPV also make a ute version of the F6 with the same drivetrain, simply called the F6 Ute (formerly the F6 Tornado).

The Queensland Police Service uses the FPV F6 Typhoon as a pursuit vehicle.

Models

2004-2005 BA MkII

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 convert|270|kW|hp|abbr=on at 5250 rpm and convert|550|Nm|ftlbf|abbr=on 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 alloy wheels, and PBR convert|325|mm|in|abbr=on/2-piston brakes offered as standard with convert|355|mm|in|abbr=on/4-piston Brembos offered as a $5K option.

2005-2006 BF

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 becamme 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 "Dark Argent" Alloys.

2006 BF MkII

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 foglamp surrounds (instead of body-coloured).

2007 BF MkII R Spec

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 Thurderstorm Grey inserts seen on the front and rear bumper bars, fog light surrounds, rear spoiler pillars and alloy wheels.

2008 FG

FPV released a new FG Falcon-based range in 2008, including a new F6 (dropping the Typhoon moniker). The 4.0L Turbo engine has been further enhanced, with power increased to convert|310|kW|hp|abbr=on, and torque to convert|565|Nm|ftlbf|abbr=on. 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.

Future

With news that Ford Australia is to stop production of the 4.0L Inline Six to reduce costs in 2010, the future of the F6 variant is uncertain. However, the replacement V6 is produced in twin-turbocharged form, and is capable of convert|324|kW|hp|abbr=on and convert|542|Nm|ftlbf|abbr=on. This is the likely replacement for the current 4.0L Turbo.

Motor magazine controversy

In 2005, the F6 Typhoon became the object of some controversy after it 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 traced the failures to a component in the clutch, and withdrew the car from sale for several months while they engineered a fix..

Performance Figures

*0-100 km/h: 4.96 seconds
*Standing 400 m: 12.73 @ convert|175.41|km/h|mi/h|2|abbr=on
*Rolling 80-120 km/h: 2.9 seconds
*Top Speed: 250km/h (156mph) limited