FPV GT F earns its stripes

GT stripes and ‘GT orange’ detailing are just two of the ways in which Ford Performance Vehicles' new GT F pays homage to past fast Fords.

Launched to media today at Ford's You Yangs proving ground near Lara, the $77,990 GT F sedan is all but sold out, according to Ford, but will no doubt grab headlines as the Blue Oval slides its performance arm into ‘retirement’.

The GT F’s 351kW supercharged V8 packs 403kW in overboost mode but much has also been made of the vehicle’s suspension packaging, colour schemes and interior tweaks.

And in what’s claimed to be a direct salute to the Falcon GTs of old, the GT F features bonnet, roof and rear deck black-outs that FPV says are “unique” to the model.

The GT F is also gifted a “distinctive ‘stealth’ exterior striping package” as well as gloss-black accents on the ‘raccoon eyes’, grille, applique, rear diffuser, door handles and mirrors. This says Ford ensures “the GT F is unlike anything that has come before it”.

The GT F’s interior upgrades include higher spec materials “with darker tones and more lustrous finishes”. ‘GT orange’ is featured on the GTF’s ‘351’ badging, instrument dial faces, seat stitching and embroidery, and build number badging.

It also features on the ‘ICC’ infotainment system’s start-up screen. Ford has also added additional performance-related functions to the system, including a G-sensor.

“Our goal was to create the best vehicle we could,” FPV Chief Program Engineer Peter de Leur stated.

“[It’s] a vehicle that pays respect to Ford GTs of old yet celebrates all that is good about Ford’s performance credentials,” he said.

While the 400kW-plus overboost output of the Miami V8 will get the lion’s share of the attention, perhaps of equal importance is the GT F’s suspension and braking package.

This is essentially drawn taken from the FPV GT RSPEC launched in August 2012.

At the rear, the RSPEC set-up delivers higher spring rates, re-tuned dampers, a larger anti-roll bar, wider (9.0-inch) wheels and tyres, and reinforced rear lower control arms. The front-end benefits from stiffer upper control arm bushes and upper suspension strut mounts, and re-tuned dampers.

A revised toe setting on the rear wheel alignment also enhances turn-in response, says FPV, and the RSPEC upgrade also includes stiffer transmission mounts and a launch control mode for the stability control system.

The GT F further evolves the package.

“We were also able to add things like rear camber bolt adjustment on the rear suspension so it can be adjusted for track days, if a customer wishes,” de Leur revealed.

Ford also unveiled the $52,990 GT F Pursuit ute today. The hauler will feature a new exterior look incorporating a number of GT F-style features and includes the bonnet/roof/rear deck black-outs, however, it is powered a 315kW version of FPV’s supercharged 5.0-litre V8.