FPV leak signals end of XR8?
A new V8 model outed by an FPV dealer adds to the body of evidence Ford will kill the XR8FPV is believed to be reviving the storied 'GS' legend for a new grade of V8 model to sit below the GT. The resurrection came to light when a Western Australian FPV dealer posted pics on its website. In essence, the images show a vehicle wearing 'GS' and '302' decals.
The Carsales Network spoke to both Rod Barrett, MD of FPV, and Sinead McAlary, Communications Manager at Ford Australia for a response.
"I have absolutely nothing to say on it," said Barrett. "There's no official comment coming out of FPV on it."
"What's out is speculation at this stage," McAlary responded, "until we're in a position to talk about what we're doing with FPV... [The F6E] is the only new product that they've confirmed at the moment."
No clear denials from either person, so draw what conclusions you will from that.
Questioned as to whether a hypothetical GS model FPV would cut across Ford's XR8 Falcon and make that more or less redundant, McAlary provided an equally hypothetical reply.
"I wouldn't think it necessarily says anything about XR8," she said.
Current power output is 315kW for FPV's V8-powered GT models and 290kW for Ford's XR8 Falcon, so presuming the '302' decal refers to the power output for this as yet unconfirmed 'GS' grade variant, it possibly represents another nail in the coffin for the XR8.
Ford hasn't revealed how many of the XR Falcons it sells are V8s. We know that the XR models are money-spinners for Ford, but the majority of those are XR6 and Turbos. The question remains, how large a majority?
Could the GS be the first step in an expansion of FPV's remit, the low-volume builder assuming responsibility for the relatively smaller numbers of V8 sporty sedans currently being offered as Fords?
As we reported from Ford's announcement of the EcoBoost Falcon, there was no mention of the future for the XR8, which leads us to believe Ford will relinquish the V8 Falcon altogether, leaving FPV solely responsible for catering to the needs of bent-eight power fans.
And don't forget, there's the 'Coyote' there in the mix too...
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