FPV releases hottest GT ever

Has Ford Performance Vehicles’ supercharged Miami V8 engine finally got the chassis it always deserved?

You’ll have to wait a few weeks for us to answer that question, but for now motoring.com.au can confirm initial details of FPV’s limited-edition GT RSPEC.

Priced at $76,990 (as auto or manual), the 350-run RSPEC is all about adding grip via retuned suspension, wider tyres and new-for-FPV launch control. Cosmetics reminiscent of the 1969 Boss Mustang are thrown in for good measure.

Ever since the 335kW/570Nm 5.0-litre V8 burst onto the scene in 2010 there’s been criticism of the FG Falcon-based GT’s suspension tune and narrow 19 x 8.0-inch rear tyres. As a result it never felt completely comfortable in the bends, while tyre smoke was the inevitable result of injudicious throttle control.

“It (RSPEC) is the finest handling GT in history,” promised FPV managing director Bryan Mears.

It should also be the fastest accelerating. Back in 2010 FPV claimed the supercharged GT was capable of 4.9-second 0-100km/h acceleration in manual form - a time that was matched by Wheels magazine in a GT auto - and the RSPEC's upgraded chassis should make it quicker again. But like we said earlier, you’ll have to wait a few weeks till we get our hands on the RSPEC to confirm it.

So just what do you get for your $5700 extra over a standard GT (or $8000 plus on-roads if you take into account the current $68,990 drive-away offer).

Eighteen months of development have resulted in higher spring rates, re-tuned dampers, larger anti-roll bar, and reinforced rear lower control arms fitted to the rear-end, while the front suspension has stiffer upper control arm bushes, stiffer front upper suspension strut mounts, and re-tuned dampers.

Nine-inch rear wheels and 275/35 (replacing 245/35) Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres are claimed to improve cornering grip as well as improving traction during launch. A revised toe setting on the rear wheel alignment also enhances turn-in response.

FPV says stiffer transmission mounts reduce powertrain and driveline movement under load and improve ride quality, while the addition of launch control reduces wheel slip when accelerating from rest.

“The system is automatically enabled when the vehicle is started and is designed to give drivers a smooth, consistent launch on typical road surfaces,” Chief Engineer Prodrive Australia, Bernie Quinn said.

“From the outset with the GT RSPEC we wanted more agile handling with better traction, and so the suspension had to be considered holistically, unlike the aftermarket, where you might bolt on a set of wider tyres and hope for the best,” he added.

However, FPV resisted the urge to get too holistic, leaving the excellent six-pot Brembo brakes on the options list.

The Boss Mustang’s C-stripe is replicated on the RSPEC, except with a ‘335’ identifier in the stripe. There’s also a unique accent package including the lower and upper grille surrounds, fog lamp bezels, mirror scalps, high performance spoiler with GT decal, and black painted exhaust tips.

Inside, there’s ‘shadow’ leather sports seats with GT logo embroidery, piano black finish around the ICC unit, tissue box and door spears and new-look unique build badge.

The RSPEC is available in four colour combinations, half of them to be built in the ‘hero’ colour scheme of Silhouette (black) with Vixen (red) accents. The remaining 175 units will be made up of Winter White, red and Kinetic (blue) with black accents.

FPV has used the RSPEC moniker previously, building 300 BF MkII turbo-six F6 RSPECs in 2007. Then the shift up to 19 x 8.0-inch rubber was one of the big talking points.

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