Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) has introduced an executive express to its high-performance range. The all-new F6 E was shown as a concept car at this year’s Melbourne International Motor Show and gained so much positive comment that the engineers immediately went to work turning it into a reality.

FPV general manager Rod Barrett explained, "The F6 E will cater for the corner of the market - in particular executives - that want the performance and dynamics of the F6 with some added luxury appointments and subdued styling ... we are confident that the F6 E will be a hit with those looking for something more from their performance vehicle.”

Compared with the overtly sporty F6, the styling of the FPV F6 E is more subtle. It has chromed accents and a refined lip spoiler replacing the bright colours, and large rear wings found on the other models. The colour coding of the ‘racoon-eyes’ helps the F6 E to keep a lower profile in the look-at-me stakes. The upper radiator and lower bumper grille mesh are finished in black chrome, while the front driving lamps are highlighted with a high chromed bezel, complemented by full body coloured bumpers.

The latest design of FPV badge takes centre stage on both the front and rear, and there are ‘F6 E’ badges on the rear and side panels.

FPV's F6 E is available in Winter White, Silhouette, Lightning Strike, Velvet, Sensation, Steel, Ego, Seduce and the new Mystic.



Inside the cabin, the F6 E features luxury FPV seats in shadow leather with the F6 E logo embossed on the headrests. The interior environment of the F6 E is charcoal and receives a dark walnut woodgrain finish on the dashboard as well as the doors.

The interior is packed with features to ensure a premium driving experience, including a sports leather steering wheel with cruise control and audio mounted switches, dual zone temperature control air conditioning, front and rear power windows, and memory adjustable pedals with alloy pedal controls.

“The F6 E gives increased response to the accelerator pedal throughout the rev range, but also provides around town driveability due to better access to torque,” FPV Head of Powertrain Engineering Bernie Quinn said.

The new F6 E is powered by the company's highly respected 4.0-litre turbocharged in-line six and produces maximum power of 310kW. A major advantage of a turbocharged engine is that it can be tuned to produced maximum torque over a wide spread of revs. But even so, the engineers at FPV have excelled – this engine gives you 565 Nm all the way from 1950 to 5200 revs. That's astonishing and means that most drivers will have peak torque at their right foot virtually all the time.

This big-torque engine is mated to a ZF six-speed automatic transmission with Sequential Sports Shift. The automatic features a cylinder cut feature during wide open throttle gear changes, which shortens the ‘torque off, torque-back-on’ time between gear changes, to enhance the wide open throttle performance feel.

 

Keeping all that power and torque under control is a braking system consisting of 355 x 32mm cross-drilled and ventilated front rotors with Brembo six-piston callipers; and 330 x 28mm cross-drilled and ventilated rear rotors with Brembo four-piston callipers. A new 19-inch alloy-wheel design was custom matched to the F6 E’s premium Brembo brake package and the ‘shadow chrome’ alloy finish completes an understated yet stylish exterior package.

Suspension changes mean the F6 E has an improved turn-in response and linearity, better steering precision and stability mid-corner and a reduced roll rate, which all work to deliver a smooth and controlled ride. Sachs mono-shock damper provides a great balance between a firm, dynamic sports performance feel and good ride comfort while cruising.

Safety features include Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), side curtain airbags and a reverse parking camera and reverse sensing system.

Ford Performance Vehicle’s hot new F6 E is priced at $79,740, plus dealer and statutory charges.