Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) was the performance arm for Ford Australia. It was a Melbourne-based joint venture between Prodrive and Ford Australia. The company produced a range of Ford-based models from 2002 to 2014 under the FPV marque.

History Ford Australia first partnered with the English automotive engineering company Tickford in 1991, with the joint venture Tickford Vehicle Engineering. In 2002, following Prodrive's purchase of Tickford, Ford Performance Vehicles was formed as a joint venture between Ford Australia and Prodrive.

In 2003, the FPV GT, GT-P and Pursuit released with the 5.4-litre Boss 290 V8 engine at The GT being based on the BA Falcon, while the GT-P was based on the BA Fairmont. The Pursuit was based on the BA Falcon coupe utility

In October 2004, FPV released BA mkII-based models, introducing the Super Pursuit as a luxury coupe utility, powered by the Boss 290, and the FPV F6 Typhoon and Tornado, powered by the turbocharged 4.0-litre straight-six Barra 270T engine at .

The BF Falcon-based FPV models released in 2005, the power Boss 290 for the GT and Barra 270T engine for the F6 were unchanged. In October 2006, the BF MkII series the luxury Force 6 and Force 8 were introduced, based on the F6 and GT, retaining the same engines respectively, the leather interiors were optionally in red or black upholstery, with the models competing with the HSV Senator.

In 2008, FPV introduced the Ford Territory-based FPV F6X. The F6X included a Turbocharged Ford Barra engine at , the F6X was discontinued in 2009.

The FG Falcon-based FPV models released in 2008, with the Force 6 and 8 were replaced by the F6-E and GT-E respectively. The F6 was powered by a turbocharged Barra at . The GT was powered by a Boss 290 at . In 2009 the GS model was introduced with a Boss 302 at , as a sedan and ute. A GT 5th anniversary edition was produced in 2009.

In 2010 the Boss V8 was replaced by the supercharged 5.0-litre Miami V8, available in the GS at and the GT at . A GT Black edition was produced in 2011. The Pursuit was dropped in 2010.

The power of the FG MkII-based FPV models remained unchanged for the December 2011. In 2012 the Pursuit model was brought back as a limited-edition model.

The purchase from Prodrive also saw a factory backed V8 Supercar outfit in Ford Performance Racing.

In August 2012, Ford Australia announced its purchase of FPV assets to continue the engineering, manufacturing and marketing of that performance brand in Australia.2012 Ford assumes sole responsibility for Ford Performance Vehicles, Thursday, 30 August, fpv.com.au via www.webcitation.org Retrieved on 4 August 2013 In preparation for Ford Australia's manufacturing shutdown, the FPV brand and its range were discontinued in 2014, after 12 years of production and marketing.

Nameplates F6 The FPV F6 is a full-size sedan and coupé utility, offered from 2004 to 2014, based on the XR6 Turbo. In the BA and BF series the "Typhoon" and "Tornado" monikers were used for the sedan and Ute respectively. An executive variant 'F6E' was launched in 2009.

F6X The FPV F6X is a crossover SUV offered from 2008 to 2009.

Force 6 / Force 8 The Force 6 is a luxury-oriented variant based on the F6, the Force 8 is a variant sedan based on the GT. Offered from 2006 to 2007.

GS The FPV GS is a full-size sedan and Ute, offered from 2011 to 2014, based on the GT. It was the entry-level offering from its introduction.

GT The FPV GT is a full-size sedan, offered from 2003 to 2014, based on the XR8. The luxury and performance variants, the GT-E and GT-P were launched alongside the GT. It was the entry-level offering before the release of the GS in 2011. Pursuit The FPV Pursuit is a Ute, offered from 2003 to 2014, based on the GT. A Super Pursuit variant based on the GT was launched in 2004, based on the GT-P. Model Series

BA

The 2002 BA range included the GT, GT-P, and the Pursuit. The GT was the entry-level vehicle that started with a suggested retail price of A$59,810. The GT-P was the upmarket version of the GT, with a price tag of A$69,850. The Pursuit was a ute (utility) version of the GT, featuring the same seats, basic dash/interior package and wheels. A FPV specific body-kit was applied to all cars, using the lights from the XR-range. The kit had a strong resemblance to the BA Falcon V8 Supercar, highlighting the connection to FPR.

All three were powered by a unique version of Ford's 5.4-litre Modular V8, with DOHC 4-valve cylinder heads from the Mustang Cobra R engine. FPV named this uniquely tuned engine as the Boss 290 because of its power output. It produced at 5,500 rpm and of torque at 4,500 rpm.

Featured Models GT GT-P Pursuit

MkII update The GT, GT-P and Pursuit received a new stripe package with bonnet decals, a six-speed Tremec T56 manual and the GT-P received 19" five-spoke alloy wheels. FPV also released the Super Pursuit, which was a Pursuit ute with GT-P extras.

New six cylinder sedan and utility models were added to the range, the F6 Typhoon (sedan) and F6 Tornado (Utility). The F6 was visually separated from the GT range with the use of a different pattern in the front bumper grille mesh, and a smaller boot spoiler on the sedan. F6 models were powered by FPV's version of the Ford Barra engine, a 4.0 litre DOHC 24-valve turbocharged inline-six with variable cam timing producing at 5,250 rpm and at 2,000 - 4,250 rpm.

Featured Models F6 Tornado F6 Typhoon GT GT-P Pursuit Super Pursuit

BF

This new range was launched in 2005 with engine specifications unchanged. All models shared the same six-speed manual and were now offered with an optional German made ZF six-speed automatic (the same as featured in Jaguars and BMWs). The GT received the GT-P's old 19-inch wheels, and the GT-P and Super Pursuit received their own specific road wheel styles. Typhoon & Tornado versions had optional 18-inch road wheel design used on the previous model, or a new 19-inch design with black spokes. All models also received new body kits, with the F6 Typhoon benefiting from its own unique styling changes. The F6 now had colour coded fog lamp surrounds, and a lower grill insert emphasizing the intercooler. The rear now had a new bumper with mesh inserts, a deeper diffuser, with the GT models now sporting a dual exit exhaust system cut into the diffuser.

Featured Models F6 Tornado F6 Typhoon GT GT-P Pursuit Super Pursuit

MkII update No mechanical changes were introduced with this update; however, all models came standard with 19 inch rims. Subtle styling changes were made, but the most significant news was the introduction of new Force 6 and Force 8 models. Built to rival HSV's Senator Signature, they are mechanically identical to the auto-equipped GT model, but in a more luxury-focused package with more conservative visuals (no rear wing and more conservative colour range). The Force models are essentially an FPV version of the Fairmont Ghia (luxury model in the Falcon range).

In the final months of the BF MkII Falcon, a number of limited edition models were released - namely, the GT "40th Anniversary" (to commemorate the Falcon GT nameplate).; the F6 "R-Spec" Typhoon, which is the only limited edition turbo FPV and the only turbo Rspec ever; the GT "Cobra R-spec" sedan and utility (all of which received stiffer "R-Spec" dampers and, in the case of the sedan, a power increase to

Featured Models F6 Tornado F6 Typhoon Force 6 Force 8 GT GT-P Pursuit Super Pursuit

Special editions F6 "R-spec" Typhoon GT "40th Anniversary Edition" GT "Cobra R-spec"

FG

The FG series FPV was launched in 2008, based on the FG Falcon. The Typhoon and Tornado names were dropped for the F6.

4 limited editions GT's were released during the FG series, the first being the GT 5th Anniversary, celebrating 5-years since the start of FPV. The "Black Edition" followed, and the R-Spec and GT-F arriving in the MkII update.

Featured Models F6 F6 E GT GT E GT-P Pursuit Super Pursuit

Special editions GT 5th anniversary GS

MY10 update In October 2010 (before the FG MkII update), the 5.4 L V8 was replaced with the new 5.0 L Supercharged (Miami) V8. The GT range now produces and the GS . It is capable of a sub 5 second 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph) time, surpassing the HSV GTS in both power and torque. The decision was brought about because of pressure to convert to Euro IV emissions, which the 5.4 L was unable to pass.

The Pursuit was dropped in 2010.

Featured Models F6 F6 E GS GT GT E GT-P

Special editions GT Black

MkII Update The FPV range received the updates from the Falcon (FG) MkII range in December 2011, however, the GS sedan and utility received the cosmetic updates from the XR-series. In 2012 the Pursuit model was brought back as a limited-edition model.

FPV released the track focused version of the R-spec in 2012, using the current GT with its / supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine, creating Australia's fastest accelerating production car.

The GT-F 351 marked the end for the Ford Falcon GT / FPV GT model lines, the "F" standing for Final, and "351" paying homage to Falcon GTs of the 1960s and 1970s. It features a retuned version of the Coyote 5.0 litre V8 to produce , with over available through over-boost when the conditions allow, the GT-F also gain's the handling upgrades from the R-spec. The exterior is identified through black highlights on the mirrors, spoiler and door handles, as well as a unique stripe package including a stripe running over the top of the car.

Featured Models F6 F6 E GS GT GT E GT-P Special editions GT R-spec Pursuit (in both R-spec and GT-F visuals) GT-F 351

GT-F "351"

Presented in June 2014, the GT-F 351 is the last Falcon-based GT sedan and last FPV model (along with the Pursuit Utility), with a total production of 500 reserved for Australia at $77,990 and another 50 for New Zealand. Its nomenclature was chosen to mean "F" for final whereas "351" is this GT-F's engine output in kW as well as a homage to the iconic engine capacity of the 1970s GT Falcon (XW to XB series). Mechanically, the GT-F features launch control, standard Brembo six-piston front and four-piston rear brakes, the suspension and 275/35 R19 Dunlop Sports Maxx 9in rear tyre package from the limited edition GT R-spec and a retuned version of the supercharged Coyote "Miami" 5.0 L V8 engine (embossed "GT-F 351" instead of "Boss 335") developing a minimum of at 6,000 rpm of power (or, depending on prevailing conditions, over for 15–20 seconds thanks to a transient overboost function) but an unchanged at 2,500-5,500 rpm of torque that is, however, available across a broader range. Inside, the GT-F is characterised by darker finishes, orange accents throughout (e.g. trim stitching, instrument facia and GT-F seat embroiding) and a build number plate complemented by a certificate. The exterior features stealth or black accents (specifically, the headlight and foglight bezels are black, as are the external mirrors, door handles, rear spoiler and diffuser, alloy wheels) and a unique GT-F stripe package (including over the roof of the car) that is available in different colours depending on exterior paints, which are Winter White, Silhouette (black), Kinetic (blue), Octane (orange) and Smoke (grey).

The NSW highway patrol acquired one of these last FPV GT sedans (build number 88 out of 500 allocated to the domestic market) which, as a unique special, had the engine tuned by Ford racing legend Dick Johnson to . This gave it far more power than Australian racing V8 Supercars and it is, as of 2015, Australia's most powerful police vehicle. It was commissioned by the NSW police force as a promotional car, although it is a fully equipped and operational highway patrol police vehicle.

FPV auctioned build number 001 and the last (for Australia) build number 500 on eBay, with a view to donate proceedings to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. These cars were sold for $236,100 and $157,600 and attracted 84 and 106 bids, respectively.

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