While the 302kW V8 Cobra sedan and ute (more here) got their share of the limelight at Bathurst on the weekend, the F6 X continued the 'White Hot' theme into the showhalls.
Featuring Ford Performance Vehicles' (FPV) 270kW/550Nm version of the turbo inline six, the Territory Turbo-based F6 X was no surprise, however. News of the long-awaited SUV hotrod was leaked last week.
What is news is the accelerated timetable for the F6 X's release. FPV boss Rod Barrett told the Carsales Network the vehicle would go on sale in January 2008 and that the Prodrive-Ford Australia joint-venture expected to sell around 600 of the five-door SUVs in the full year.
Pricing and final specification are yet to be announced, however, Barrett confirmed the $75,000 pricetag that has been speculated was "indicative". And yes, there will be other paint colours available apart from white. Exterior paint colours on the F6 X palette include Platinum Haze, Seduce, Dash, Nitro, Sensation, Ego and Silhouette.
The performance of the car is spectacular, insiders say. Barrett would not quote raw figures save for the fact that track testing at the Winton (Vic) circuit had yielded lap times within 3sec of the FPV F6 sedan with which the F6X shares its engine and six-speed auto transmission package.
According to Barrett, the F6 X's performance will be comparable to the fastest of the current crop of SUVs. By way of comparison, Porsche's Cayenne Turbo, will undoubtedly better the F6 X but at three times the price.
The F6 X rolls on unique 18-inch alloys, though larger rims are expected to be offered as optional equipment.
Safety equipment is a given: side curtain and dual-stage driver and front passenger airbags; specially calibrated Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control and four-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brembo six-piston front calipers.
And fast families can relax -- the F6 X will arrive with seven seats, all with two-tone leather, of course...