FPV F6 Typhoon
Encyclopedia
The FPV F6 is an automobile
which has been produced in Australia
by Ford Performance Vehicles
since 2004. It is a high-performance derivative of the Australian Ford Falcon
. Prior to the release of the FG series F6 in 2008, the sedan and utility
models were marketed as the F6 Typhoon and F6 Tornado respectively.
The F6 is based on the modern-classic Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo sports sedan
. The F6 engine is based on the XR6T motor, a turbocharged 4.0L Inline Six, but includes: a modified FPV airbox (with Dual Ram Air intakes), higher strength conrods, larger air to air intercooler
, high flow exhaust system, higher capacity fuel pump, and a Garrett
GT3540 (same as the BA/BF XR6T) turbocharger with an external gate (up from the GT3040 on the FG XR6T)running 0.64 bar of boost on the BA/BF models and 0.91 on the FG. This engine is known for its wide, flat torque curve, with peak torque of 565 newton metre available from 1950 to 5250 rpm(FG F6). This equates to strong acceleration throughout the rev range.
The F6 represented a diversification of sorts for FPV, broadening the reach of the brand to turbo buyers, a typically younger demographic than the V8 buyers that the Australian manufacturers traditionally cater to.
The NSW and Queensland Police Services use the FPV F6 Typhoon as a pursuit vehicle.
s offered as a $5K option.
The F6 Tornado Ute entered production in May 2005.
In 2007 300 limited edition "R Spec" versions of the BF MKII F6 Typhoon were made available. This model was equipped with several upgrades including stiffer suspension and 19'x8" alloy wheels which sought to improve the car's handling. Additional upgrades also included leather seats as standard, R Spec floor mats, Interior Car Console MP3 accessory port and F6 R Spec build plates and badging. Colours that the R Spec Typhoon was released in included Winter White, Lightning Strike, Vixen, Neo, Ego, Bionic and Silhouette. Apart from their badging, R Spec Typhoons can be identified by their Thurderstorm Grey inserts seen on the front and rear bumper bars, fog light surrounds, rear spoiler pillars and alloy wheels.
The R spec model was also available as a special order in custom option colour choice, At Least Two are known to be in Fords "Conquer Blue Metallic" with the Dark Ardent inserts. (One being car number 141 of the 300, which is also one of ten imported to New Zealand and the only manual of those 10)
The F6E, an executive variant of the F6, was announced in July 2009 for sale from September.
s annual Performance Car of the Year competition due to a series of clutch
failures. After initially blaming the magazine's testers, FPV labelled the car as "simply too powerful" and withdrew the car from sale for several months while they engineered a fix. All of the cars released with the clutch issues were recalled.
The F6 Typhoon returned to win Motor magazine's Australian Performance Car Of The Year award in 2006.
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
which has been produced in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
by Ford Performance Vehicles
Ford Performance Vehicles
Ford Performance Vehicles is the Melbourne-based, premium performance vehicle partner of automobile manufacturer Ford Australia. The company, which is as a joint venture between Prodrive and Ford Australia, has produced a range of Ford based models under the FPV brand name since April...
since 2004. It is a high-performance derivative of the Australian Ford Falcon
Ford Falcon (Australia)
The Ford Falcon is a full-size car which has been manufactured by Ford Australia since 1960. Each model from the XA series of 1972 onward has been designed, developed and built in Australia and/or New Zealand, following the phasing out of the American Falcon of 1960–71 which had been re-engineered...
. Prior to the release of the FG series F6 in 2008, the sedan and utility
Coupé utility
The coupé utility automobile body style, also known colloquially as the ute in Australia and New Zealand, combines a two-door "coupé" cabin with an integral cargo bed behind the cabin—using a light-duty passenger vehicle-derived platform....
models were marketed as the F6 Typhoon and F6 Tornado respectively.
The F6 is based on the modern-classic Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo sports sedan
Sports sedan
A sports sedan or a sports saloon is a descriptive term applied to a sedan automobile that is designed to look and feel "sporty", offering the motorist more connection with the driving experience, while providing the comfort and amenities expected of a luxury sedan. A wider definition that includes...
. The F6 engine is based on the XR6T motor, a turbocharged 4.0L Inline Six, but includes: a modified FPV airbox (with Dual Ram Air intakes), higher strength conrods, larger air to air intercooler
Intercooler
An intercooler , or charge air cooler, is an air-to-air or air-to-liquid heat exchange device used on turbocharged and supercharged internal combustion engines to improve their volumetric efficiency by increasing intake air charge density through nearly isobaric cooling, which removes...
, high flow exhaust system, higher capacity fuel pump, and a Garrett
Garrett AiResearch
Garrett AiResearch was a manufacturer of turboprop engines and turbochargers, and a pioneer in numerous aerospace technologies. It was previously known as Aircraft Tool and Supply Company, Garrett Supply Company, AiResearch Manufacturing Company, or simply AiResearch...
GT3540 (same as the BA/BF XR6T) turbocharger with an external gate (up from the GT3040 on the FG XR6T)running 0.64 bar of boost on the BA/BF models and 0.91 on the FG. This engine is known for its wide, flat torque curve, with peak torque of 565 newton metre available from 1950 to 5250 rpm(FG F6). This equates to strong acceleration throughout the rev range.
The F6 represented a diversification of sorts for FPV, broadening the reach of the brand to turbo buyers, a typically younger demographic than the V8 buyers that the Australian manufacturers traditionally cater to.
The NSW and Queensland Police Services use the FPV F6 Typhoon as a pursuit vehicle.
BA MkII (2004–2005)
The F6 Typhoon first emerged in FPV's late-2004 BA MkII facelift. The car's 4.0L DOHC 24V Turbocharged Inline Six-Cylinder engine made 270 kW at 5250 rpm and 550 N·m (405.7 ft·lbf) at 2000-4250 rpm of torque. It was only offered with a Tremec T-56 6-speed manual gearbox. The car had a more low-key look than the V8-powered FPV's with a lower rear wing, no body stripes. The F6 had 18 inches (457.2 mm) alloy wheels, and PBR 325 mm (12.8 in)/2-piston brakes offered as standard with 355 mm (14 in)/4-piston BremboBrembo
Brembo S.p.A. is a manufacturer of automotive brake systems, especially for high-performance cars and motorcycles. It was established in Bergamo, Italy in 1961. Soon after the company was formed, it specialised in disc brakes, which were exclusively imported from the United Kingdom at the time...
s offered as a $5K option.
BF (2005–2006)
With the BF update of 2005 came no power or torque increases, but a host of different updates in other areas. A ZF 6-speed sequential automatic transmission became available. The other key update was a brake upgrade - a Brembo 355 mm/4-piston package becoming standard, with a 355 mm/6-piston package is optional. The F6 also scored a more aggressive bodykit to further differentiate it from other vehicles in the FPV range, as well as 19 inches (482.6 mm) "Dark Argent" Alloys.The F6 Tornado Ute entered production in May 2005.
BF MkII (2006–2008)
The F6 Typhoon did not get any mechanical upgrades with the BF MkII update of late-2006. Minor changes included new design alloy wheels and a change to graphite foglamp surrounds (instead of body-coloured).In 2007 300 limited edition "R Spec" versions of the BF MKII F6 Typhoon were made available. This model was equipped with several upgrades including stiffer suspension and 19'x8" alloy wheels which sought to improve the car's handling. Additional upgrades also included leather seats as standard, R Spec floor mats, Interior Car Console MP3 accessory port and F6 R Spec build plates and badging. Colours that the R Spec Typhoon was released in included Winter White, Lightning Strike, Vixen, Neo, Ego, Bionic and Silhouette. Apart from their badging, R Spec Typhoons can be identified by their Thurderstorm Grey inserts seen on the front and rear bumper bars, fog light surrounds, rear spoiler pillars and alloy wheels.
The R spec model was also available as a special order in custom option colour choice, At Least Two are known to be in Fords "Conquer Blue Metallic" with the Dark Ardent inserts. (One being car number 141 of the 300, which is also one of ten imported to New Zealand and the only manual of those 10)
FG (2008–present)
FPV released a new FG Falcon-based range in 2008, including F6 models which no longer used the Typhoon and Tornado monikers. The 4.0L Turbo engine has been further enhanced, with power increased to 310 kW, and torque to 565 N·m (416.7 ft·lbf). Key changes included new front suspension, a new steering rack, all-new exterior and interior design and a revised 6-speed manual transmission with launch control. The brake specifications, and the ZF 6-speed automatic remained unchanged. In 2008 it won New Zealand Autocar Magazine's Car of the Year Award.The F6E, an executive variant of the F6, was announced in July 2009 for sale from September.
Motor magazine controversy
In 2005, the BAII F6 Typhoon was disqualified from Motor magazineMotor magazine
MOTOR is an Australian motoring magazine published monthly by ACP Magazines. MOTOR is Australia's premiere performance car publication, with two major crowns for automotive manufacturers: 'Performance Car of The Year' and 'Bang For Your Bucks'....
s annual Performance Car of the Year competition due to a series of clutch
Clutch
A clutch is a mechanical device which provides for the transmission of power from one component to another...
failures. After initially blaming the magazine's testers, FPV labelled the car as "simply too powerful" and withdrew the car from sale for several months while they engineered a fix. All of the cars released with the clutch issues were recalled.
The F6 Typhoon returned to win Motor magazine's Australian Performance Car Of The Year award in 2006.
Performance figures
- 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h): 5.1 Seconds
- Standing 400 m (1/4 mile): 13.4 Seconds
- Rolling 80-120 km/h: 3.0 Seconds
- Top Speed:156 mph (250 km/h) (Speed limited)
External links
- FPV F6 FG Series brochure - January 2009 As archived at www.webcitation.org on 18 December 2009