FPV Force gunning for Senator

Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) has added a premium performance sedan to its hotshoe Falcon range. The new car, dubbed Force was caught in the open earlier this week by keen FordForum 'posters'. We can confirm now that it will be offered in both turbocharged six-cylinder and V8 powered versions. The Force twins join the GT-P as the co-flagships of the FPV range.

The Force 6 and Force 8 are aimed four-square at Holden Special Vehicle’s (HSV) $76,990 Senator Signature in terms of performance, equipment and price. Sitting at the top of the nine-model FPV range, the cars feature a toned down colour pallette and eschew the overt spoilers and stripes of FPV’s core products.

Exterior upgrades include body-colour bumper inserts, chrome grille and mirror treatments and a vestigal boot lip spoiler. Special ‘Force’ badging features on the side skirts and rear of both models.

The interiors are identical for both 6 and 8 and reflect the spec level of Ford’s recently revised Fairmont Ghia. Added to this are FPV-only upgrades including unique seats and door trims, bespoke instrument facings and push button start.

FPV says it was looking for a “European performance” theme with the new car. The cabin reflects this with dark woodgrain trim panels and the two leather trim options offered – Regency Red (pictured) and traditional charcoal.

Convenience items include standard fit rear park sensors and eight-way power drivers seat adjustment with two-position in-built memory linked to mirror and power pedal (also standard) settings.

Mechanically the cars share their running gear with the F6 Typhoon and GT. The Force 6’s 270kW/550Nm blown six is unchanged from the donor car as are suspension settings, limited slip diff and high-performance four-piston Brembo brake package. The Force 8 gets the GT’s 290kW/520Nm quad cam 5.4-litre BOSS 290 V8. However, both models are available with automatic transmission only – ZF’s excellent six-speeder which is now standardised across the FPV range.

An uprated six-piston Brembo braking system is offered as an option on the Force twins and model-specific 19-inch alloys are standard fit.

“The introduction of the Force 6 and Force 8 models will set the standard for locally produced, luxury high performance cars,” said Sak Ryopponen, Managing Director for Ford Performance Vehicles.

“We recognise the market demands for a traditional V8 powerplant in this segment. But FPV has always promised to bend the rules and the Force 6 breaks the mould. I am certain a significant portion of this market segment has been waiting for a vehicle such as this, but has never had the choice.

“I have no doubt that the Force models will find particular favour with corporate executives who want an Australian-built alternative to European luxury marques,” Ryopponen said.

The Force models go on sale officially today, priced from $71,590 for the Force 6 and $400 more for the Force 8.