FPV GT F Confirmed...The Final Falcon GT

[whitels1ss]

Ford has confirmed plans to build 550 special Falcons which will see off one of the most iconic names in Australian motoring.

The blue oval has not announced performance statistics for its final GT, but Drive understands the car will produce 351kW, a number that references the capacity in cubic inches of classic Ford motors, including the earlier Bathurst-winning Falcon GTs.

Ford president Bob Graziano says the final cars, named GT-F – with F denoting final - were “a project of passion” for staff...................

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/ford-confirms-final-falcon-gt-20140408-36af5.html

[whitels1ss]

I don't think they will have much trouble selling these things, can't imagine any large discounts either:hide:

[duke5700]

They should of just taken the Miami out to 351 cubes.. it would of been cooler. Made it special.. sounds kind of like a sticker pack.

[JJW501]

I agree - sounds like a sticker pack.

Curren vehicle seems to exceed the quoted 335 anyway, so in reality what would they need to change.

They stopped making GT falcons several times in the past and they always came back.

The question is will someone put incentive for car industry to return to Australia in 10 years or so?

Surely we are heading to a realisation that we can't offshore everything.

JJW

[QIKMIK]

This car would need to have the R-Spec/Black Edition rear suspension and wheel/tyre package to make it worthwhile. No point giving it extra go if the car can't make use of it. Read in MOTOR that Ford have ruled out a GT-HO nameplate in an attempt to maintain the legend status of the name rather than giving it a fizzer of a send off.

Mick

[whitels1ss]

This car would need to have the R-Spec/Black Edition rear suspension and wheel/tyre package to make it worthwhile. No point giving it extra go if the car can't make use of it.

Yeah.....it's got all that........

"The FPV GT F will feature the mechanical upgrades developed to enhance the handling capabilities of the GT R-Spec variant.

The front suspension gains stiffer upper control arm bushes, stiffer upper strut mounts and retuned dampers, while the rear suspension gets higher spring rates, retuned dampers, a larger anti-roll bar and reinforced lower control arms.

Ford says its nine-inch 275/35R19 Dunlop Sports Maxx tyres enhance cornering grip and acceleration from standstill, the latter helped further by the inclusion of a launch control function.

Six-piston front and four-piston rear Brembo brake calipers that are optional on the regular GT will be standard on the GT F........."


http://www.caradvice.com.au/280741/fpv-gt-f-ford-to-farewell-falcon-gt-with-77990-limited-edition/

[whitels1ss]

I wonder how many of these will be bought & stored as an investment?

[korrupt]

Shit name though

[Pickles]

These will sell, "at the speed of a thousand Gazelles".
Pickles.

[C4B]

I'm surprised and impressed they didn't call it a HO.

Shame HSV didn't show such restraint in the VE when they put GTS badges on what was basically an R8.

[Drizt]

I'm surprised and impressed they didn't call it a HO.

Shame HSV didn't show such restraint in the VE when they put GTS badges on what was basically an R8.

They rectified that with the LSA ;)

[whitels1ss]

They rectified that with the LSA ;)


No, some things can't be undone:teach:

[Micks]

Would love one of those fast Fords, without that all too familiar auto tranny noise like most fords have? :spew:

[Pickles]

They rectified that with the LSA ;)
You are 100% correct.
Not too many have anything significantly bad to say about the VF GTS......Most Aussie journos, even died in the wool of the "anti HSV" brigade, have quite openly, and in print, eaten their words.
Nevertheless, we should all mourn the passing of the "FALCON GT", truly an icon when talking about Aussie Muscle Cars.
Pickles.

[whitels1ss]

You are 100% correct.
Pickles.

No, wrong.....

What C4B was saying was that the VE GTS should never have been called a GTS it was not as special as the earlier GTS's.

What they did with the VF LSA has nothing at all to do with what he was saying about the VE GTS :doh:

[Pickles]

No, wrong.....

What C4B was saying was that the VE GTS should never have been called a GTS it was not as special as the earlier GTS's.

What they did with the VF LSA has nothing at all to do with what he was saying about the VE GTS :doh:
NO...RIGHT.
All Dritz is saying is that they righted "GTS" with LSA, which is exactly what they did.
Pickles.

[C4B]

They certainly redressed the issue when they went from VE to VF.

I'm not a big fan of FI V8's but they certainly have created a nice package with the new GTS.

I was following one this morning and they don't have quite the same street presence as the older ones did in their day, but if I were looking for a 4 door rocketship I wouldn't look anywhere else......

[Plenty]

It'll sell and they will go quickly but you can only polish a turd so much. They tried all the suspension changes with the r-spec and it barely helped. It's a shame they won't make the final GT in the new FH Falcon coming later this year, basically you'd be buying an FG months before the FH came out only at elevated prices.

[Drizt]

Vt, vx, vy, vz, ve GTS none where really special. The vr, vs GTS at least had bigger engines.

[abrowne70]

VX GTS was well above vt, vy and vz

[whitels1ss]

VX GTS was well above vt, vy and vz

The VX & the VT had the same C4B 300kw engine, the VT GTS was a very special car when it came out.;)

[Drizt]

The VX & the VT had the same C4B 300kw engine, the VT GTS was a very special car when it came out.;)

Was it really though (VT series 2)? Apart from the quoted 300kw figure, was it really anything special? Also, weren't there plenty of callaway engine issues?

At least the VT series 1 GTS had a 5.7l compared to the rest of the range with the 5l engine.

[ti0350]

I'm surprised and impressed they didn't call it a HO.

Shame HSV didn't show such restraint in the VE when they put GTS badges on what was basically an R8.

Ford don't own the GT HO name

[whitels1ss]

Was it really though (VT series 2)? Apart from the quoted 300kw figure, was it really anything special? Also, weren't there plenty of callaway engine issues?

At least the VT series 1 GTS had a 5.7l compared to the rest of the range with the 5l engine.

My post above was in reply to abrowne70's quoted comment about the VX GTS being "Well above the VT....."



Yeah sure the C4B showed up some cam problems after a while but it had more power, it was lighter & gave better fuel economy than the old stroker 5.7 engine.



When the VTII GTS came out with it's all new imported all alloy C4B engine It had much more power than the AU Ford V8 (XR8 or TE50).

It was the first Australian car to come out with 300kw and it was the fastest Australian car on the market at the time.

[mjrandom]

At the risk of pushing this further OT regardless of what issues the C4B had there is no doubt in my mind that it gave the GTS that something special. I was in a Ford at the time and there were two C4Bs downstairs in the carpark. I used to think 300kW, no one needs 300kW. Lusted after the cars though. In the E series the GTS wasn't anything special other than a different level of trim until the big brake package came along. The 325kW vs 317kW was moot because any tune got you lots more than that anyway. Now the GenF GTS has that 'special' back again. I parked at a car parts place yesterday to get some bits for my son's Patrol ute and the guy at the counter did a bit of a double take when I walked in. Is that a GenF? Yes. GTS?? Yes. Nice.

Back on the GT sadly it will still suffer from the problems that this Ford chassis has always had regardless of bigger rear tyres. The interior layout and appointment is not the best either but I suspect the upgrade will only see cosmetics and nothing to address these shortcomings. Pity because the engine is lovely. Won't stop this model selling quickly and selling well.

[C4B]

My post above was in reply to abrowne70's quoted comment about the VX GTS being "Well above the VT....."



Yeah sure the C4B showed up some cam problems after a while but it had more power, it was lighter & gave better fuel economy than the old stroker 5.7 engine.



When the VTII GTS came out with it's all new imported all alloy C4B engine It had much more power than the AU Ford V8 (XR8 or TE50).

It was the first Australian car to come out with 300kw and it was the fastest Australian car on the market at the time.

At the time it was the worlds fastest 4 door saloon. It didn't hold the mantle for very long as Maserati bought out something quite soon after to knock it off its perch.

At the Mark Skaife drive day (all VTII GTS owners got to do a drive day as part of the purchase of the car) there was a couple of ring-ins... a Senator and an SV99 and the difference between the 250Kw HSV's of the day and the GTS's was staggering. The GTS murdered the 250kw cars in every way. But surprisingly the biggest difference wasn't in acceleration and braking but how much speed it could carry though the corners. I'm not sure whether the extra control link in the rear suspension or Hydratrak diff made the difference or whether it was just the overall suspension tuning, but the GTS's were in a different league.

I should also point out that it was Mark Skaife driving all the different cars at various times during the day, so it's not like I'm comparing a GTS driver that did track days to an SV99 driver that only ever drove to the shops, it was Skaife vs Skaife and his own comments (although it was visually very easy to see the difference anyway).

I've got some video from the day, I'll have to see if I can dig it out and upload it......

[whitels1ss]

I've got some video from the day, I'll have to see if I can dig it out and upload it......

Please do, would be great to see:goodjob:

[C4B]

Please do, would be great to see:goodjob:

Some of the footage is absolutely amazing. Skaife punting a few GTS's through a slalom course and also him jumping in one of the owners cars and doing what to this day is the most impressive skid pan performance I've ever seen (think Tiff Needell type stuff!)

The funniest aspect of that day was when Skaife drove everyones cars, he drove them like he was qualifying at Bathurst. I reckon he would have gone through 30-40% of the SO2 tread that day of practically every car there..... Towards the end of the day there was still 30 mins track time left and he asked everyone if they wanted him to do some more "hot laps" in their cars with them or whether they would rather just do some themselves..... By this time the awe of having Skaife drive their cars had been overtaken by the prospect of having to replace 4 tyres on cars that had less than 10,000k's on them, and everyone politely declined his offer.....

They had a VTII Executive hire car there for the day and Skaife would use it to demonstrate the different events throughout the day.... Boy did that hire car get driven like never before!

[Plenty]

The interior layout and appointment is not the best either but I suspect the upgrade will only see cosmetics and nothing to address these shortcomings. Pity because the engine is lovely. Won't stop this model selling quickly and selling well.
The GT will not get the FH upgrade! It will be the last hurrah as the FG GT..........

[dgp]

There was no VZ GTS guys, just saying.
I think the C4B cars were very special for their day and agree with some other comments about the VE not being a true GTS.
It is a pity about the GT suffering from a hand me down chassis but it will sell and ultimately be a desirable vehicle.

[highlander_69r]

sticker specials are economically viable, a few logos here and there and wooosh. A new "limited build". HSV are just as bad.

Its a shame Ford didn't go the whole hog with the GT. It just makes the originals that much better

[VYBerlinaV8]

It just makes the originals that much better

A big +1 on this. The newer crop aren't a patch on the originals, mainly because they have no racing pedigree.

[macca_779]

A big +1 on this. The newer crop aren't a patch on the originals, mainly because they have no racing pedigree.

Same for any HSV made after the VN Group A

[offshore]

They would have like to have gone 400+kw but the gearbox etc are the weak link. The next and final model XR8 is getting the same gearbox to should be a better handler though.

[macca_779]

Considering the GT engine tends to pull dyno numbers around if not higher than stock gts numbers as it is now. They probably could of stuck a 400+ number on it without breaking a sweat

[whitels1ss]

Considering the GT engine tends to pull dyno numbers around if not higher than stock gts numbers as it is now. They probably could of stuck a 400+ number on it without breaking a sweat

Agreed but I am pretty sure they just wanted to say goodbye with one final encore & a final bow bringing back a 351 GT;)

[Gmfan]

I was reading that it has the temporary overboost function pushing power beyond the rated power but because it only holds that for limited time not permanently the 'rated power' is the lower figure.

[whitels1ss]

They would have like to have gone 400+kw but the gearbox etc are the weak link.

:yup: Those boxes don't like too much extra power, seen a couple broken,
I know there is plenty more in these but I don't think Ford would want to boost these things much more & look after them on warranty.

[VYBerlinaV8]

Same for any HSV made after the VN Group A

Agreed. They're nice cars, but not legends.

[macca_779]

I was reading that it has the temporary overboost function pushing power beyond the rated power but because it only holds that for limited time not permanently the 'rated power' is the lower figure.

They do consistent 12.5's stock as a rock all day long. No doubt there is some torque limiting in the lower gears. But 335 kw at the engine is extremely understating how they actually perform on and off the dyno

[planetdavo]

Shame HSV didn't show such restraint in the VE when they put GTS badges on what was basically an R8.

If one wants to dredge up GTS nameplate history, we could always remind the forum members that the original Kingswood based GTS was available with a "red motor" 6 cylinder engine...

[C4B]

If one wants to dredge up GTS nameplate history, we could always remind the forum members that the original Kingswood based GTS was available with a "red motor" 6 cylinder engine...

A bit like the CV6 Monaros.

[macca_779]

A bit like the CV6 Monaros.

Yeah but a hk gts is actually worth something

[planetdavo]

Yeah but a hk gts is actually worth something

Go back 30 years ago, and not many people at the time thought ANY of the (not always highly) muscle cars of that era would EVER pull the money they did later on...
We live in a VASTLY different era these days. The whole "motorsport heritage" thing is a croc of poo with the newer stuff. Sweet FA of anything around the world has had that for donkeys years now (and especially so in this country with stuff all showroom relevence to 80's Group A), but collectors and speculators will still be out there.
The loss of the Australian car industry will change the rules (a little) of what is considered "collectable" in this country. The modern Monaro is a given- for obvious reasons- but expect relatively mainstream Tickford/FPV and HSV models to join the list of "collectable" to some degree...:yup:

[Jag530G]

Go back 30 years ago, and not many people at the time thought ANY of the (not always highly) muscle cars of that era would EVER pull the money they did later on...
We live in a VASTLY different era these days. The whole "motorsport heritage" thing is a croc of poo with the newer stuff. Sweet FA of anything around the world has had that for donkeys years now (and especially so in this country with stuff all showroom relevence to 80's Group A), but collectors and speculators will still be out there.
The loss of the Australian car industry will change the rules (a little) of what is considered "collectable" in this country. The modern Monaro is a given- for obvious reasons- but expect relatively mainstream Tickford/FPV and HSV models to join the list of "collectable" to some degree...:yup:

It will take a while but I think the V8 utes will also be worth a bit, a VY SS with the factory "Sandman" canopy would be my tip apart from the obvious like the Monaros, Coupe 4, GTS etc.

Cheers, Matthew

[planetdavo]

It will take a while but I think the V8 utes will also be worth a bit, a VY SS with the factory "Sandman" canopy would be my tip apart from the obvious like the Monaros, Coupe 4, GTS etc.

Cheers, Matthew

I agree with the utes. Similar to what happened after the WB stopped and there was no foreseeable V8 Holden ute on the horizon. Prices rocketed up from the depreciated lows in almost no time at all.

[GTSLOVER]

I agree with the utes. Similar to what happened after the WB stopped and there was no foreseeable V8 Holden ute on the horizon. Prices rocketed up from the depreciated lows in almost no time at all.

God yeah, those WB's were going for ridiculous money at the time

[C4B]

It's like anything. Once they turn the tap off the more sought after models will go up in value pretty quickly. Having said that, eventually even an SS will be worth something as the pool of V8's dwindles with the passing of time.

[jaykay]

Final GT to be a 351......351kW power plant.....

http://www.carsguide.com.au/news-and-reviews/car-news/ford_351_gt_to_make_a_comeback_82936_20140402?utm_ source=cg&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=theguide

[macca_779]

Going to be a very hard decision between one of these and a gts when I get my retention benefit in 3 years

[Drizt]

I'm surprised you think it is a hard decision. I guess from a $ perspective it brings the Ford into consideration.

[macca_779]

I'm surprised you think it is a hard decision. I guess from a $ perspective it brings the Ford into consideration.

The money is always a factor

[Jamolad]

I see the GT-F is going to include a display with G-Force meter. Wonder if the Ford fans that thought this was a "wanky gimmick" when released on E3 still feel the same way now it is in a FPV? :stick:

Look, I know some on here didn't think much of this feature when it was released and probably hold the same opinion now irrespective of vehicle make - and there were Ford fans at the time that liked it and wished FPV would do more than a bulge and stickers (it was just prior to the 5.0SC) - just saying it will be interesting to see if any of the blue fans that rubbished this have now changed their opinion.

[whitels1ss]

Saw this on YouTube,

it's a pretty lame vid IMHO but you get a bit of a view of what it might look like;)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjPBiwrVHss#t=62

[jaykay]

what is the 351 for when they say it will be 404fwkw ? :confused:

[macca_779]

Very lame video.

[Jamolad]

Yeah, but Macca you've never had a good thing to say about the supercharged GT :stick:

[adr8]

what is the 351 for when they say it will be 404fwkw ? :confused:

Below quote taken from the following article explains it http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/2014-fpv-falcon-gt-f-review-first-drive-28638#.U5fgHPmSzO5

Don’t believe the hype about the 400kW engine. The GT-F has 351kW when tested to government standards that all car makers use. Ford says it is capable of 400kW in “ideal conditions” (such as cool mornings) in what is known as “transient overboost”.

But, in such conditions, all engines have the ability to produce more power than their published claims. It’s just that they choose not to say so.

The Ford bodies who let slip about the 400kW were told by Ford PR minders not to go there. But their passion got them better of them in the moment. I can’t blame them, to be honest. They should be proud. But by their measure the 430kW HSV GTS has more than 500kW in “transient overboost”.

[cashie]

Below quote taken from the following article explains it http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/2014-fpv-falcon-gt-f-review-first-drive-28638#.U5fgHPmSzO5

Don’t believe the hype about the 400kW engine. The GT-F has 351kW when tested to government standards that all car makers use. Ford says it is capable of 400kW in “ideal conditions” (such as cool mornings) in what is known as “transient overboost”.

But, in such conditions, all engines have the ability to produce more power than their published claims. It’s just that they choose not to say so.

The Ford bodies who let slip about the 400kW were told by Ford PR minders not to go there. But their passion got them better of them in the moment. I can’t blame them, to be honest. They should be proud. But by their measure the 430kW HSV GTS has more than 500kW in “transient overboost”.

Maybe all engines can produce a small about of extra power in dense air, but FPV have programmed all the coyotes to produce 15% extra power in "ideal conditions". Dynos seem to indicate the ideal conditions are pretty generous.


It is believed the extra power will be available at all times during lower temperatures while during hot days the added oomph is available for 15-20 seconds. The engine's ECU has been remapped in such a way so that it prevents the use of overboost in first gear as a safety measure to protect the gearbox. With overboost activated, the engine puts out somewhere in the region of 549 PS (404 kW) according to local media.

I think the XR8 is going to be a value buy with plenty of power (especially compared to a VF SS/SS-V).

[feistl]

Wasnt it a case of it cant produce the "peak" power of 400kw when its bloody hot when the engine pulls out timing (to reduce power to 351kw), but for the vast majority of the time (Eg when its less than 40 degrees) it can produce the higher power figure?

[cashie]

Wasnt it a case of it cant produce the "peak" power of 400kw when its bloody hot when the engine pulls out timing (to reduce power to 351kw), but for the vast majority of the time (Eg when its less than 40 degrees) it can produce the higher power figure?

It's as per the quote in my post above yours (so they say)

[zorro]

I spoke to someone who drove one of these this week. Disappointment over the small cosmetic and power differences but do say that it is pretty bloody fast and better than the current GT.

Is a lot of car for the money, and to be honest reckon will see more of these on the road than the VF GTS

[VNV8]

Looks pretty good from the outside, but their interior is terrible, IMO. Looks like every other taxi-spec falcon, but with 3 letters stitched onto the seats. Miles behind the VF interior, and even the VE interior. I would want better than that for that much money, personally.

[andrewslr]

Someone has already listed the promise of the GT-F on ebay for the princely sum of $140K. Not sure that it has hit collector status before release at that sort of coin!

[cashie]

Looks pretty good from the outside, but their interior is terrible, IMO. Looks like every other taxi-spec falcon, but with 3 letters stitched onto the seats. Miles behind the VF interior, and even the VE interior. I would want better than that for that much money, personally.

Agree, when ever I start getting feelings for a coyote powered Ford/FPV I get stuck on how old and antiquated the car is around it.
It is very easy to see that Ford has not had money for a long time to evolve the base car. The VF is probably 2 generations in front (has always been half a cycle in front).

[macca_779]

Agree, when ever I start getting feelings for a coyote powered Ford/FPV I get stuck on how old and antiquated the car is around it.
It is very easy to see that Ford has not had money for a long time to evolve the base car. The VF is probably 2 generations in front (has always been half a cycle in front).

Drivetrain Ford has been doing just fine, current engines, gearboxes still eclipse Holden IMHO. But yeah interior of VF craps all over FG.

[JimmyXR6T04]

I'll admit i was a tad underwhelmed with the interior of my GT. But being brutally honest, when i'm driving that thing, all is forgiven. When getting up it, i don't have time to look and worry about the interior! I thought i'd regret not going a GTS, but honestly i love the raw beauty of the GT. The interior is nice enough, but it's the driving experience that makes it worth it... Sure, i'd have loved some leather over the dash, or a nicer interior, but i guess part of the raw beauty of it is the fact that it's all go, and not much show! For about 67k (including brand new purchase price), i have a near on 370rwkw monster, and despite what people think, it handles bloody awesome (due to the aftermarket coilovers).

It's a shame that FPV aren't going to stick around for the next model, i would have liked to see what else they could have come up with. But for me, my GT is a cracker of a car for the money, and i'll be holding on to it for a very long time...

[duke5700]

I think all the cars are spoken for? Maybe trying to cash in early, still be a hard flog to increase $60K. Then again someone might be able to fork over that much without blinking.


Someone has already listed the promise of the GT-F on ebay for the princely sum of $140K. Not sure that it has hit collector status before release at that sort of coin!

[jaykay]

Someone has already listed the promise of the GT-F on ebay for the princely sum of $140K. Not sure that it has hit collector status before release at that sort of coin!

12 offers already :lmao:

[planetdavo]

I'll admit i was a tad underwhelmed with the interior of my GT. But being brutally honest, when i'm driving that thing, all is forgiven. When getting up it, i don't have time to look and worry about the interior! I thought i'd regret not going a GTS, but honestly i love the raw beauty of the GT. The interior is nice enough, but it's the driving experience that makes it worth it... Sure, i'd have loved some leather over the dash, or a nicer interior, but i guess part of the raw beauty of it is the fact that it's all go, and not much show! For about 67k (including brand new purchase price), i have a near on 370rwkw monster, and despite what people think, it handles bloody awesome (due to the aftermarket coilovers).

It's a shame that FPV aren't going to stick around for the next model, i would have liked to see what else they could have come up with. But for me, my GT is a cracker of a car for the money, and i'll be holding on to it for a very long time...

As long as the owner of ANY car is happy, then that is all that matters at the end of the day...

[GTSLOVER]

I think all the cars are spoken for? Maybe trying to cash in early, still be a hard flog to increase $60K. Then again someone might be able to fork over that much without blinking.

I was talking to a Ford sales bloke at Klosters in Newcastle the other day while looking at a ranger. He sold the last GT F allocated to them via a bidding war from interested parties that ran to 90k. He said cityFord in Sydney had a bidding war for their last allocation that ran to 130k. Slightly off topic but he also said they already have a dozen or so deposits on a mustang when they get here. People dont care what the price is or what colour, they just said it had to be a V8. General Motors hopefully is taking notice and the camaro lands here.

[JimmyXR6T04]

As long as the owner of ANY car is happy, then that is all that matters at the end of the day...

true that mate.

[jaykay]

GTF v GTS comparo by Drive


http://media.drive.com.au/cars/car-reviews/fpv-falcon-gt-f-v-hsv-gts-5546901.html

[DMW]

Bit stupid putting a manual up against an auto but anyway >

Drive Article >
http://www.drive.com.au/new-car-comp...626-zskvh.html

Vid >
http://media.drive.com.au/cars/car-n...s-5550657.html
GTS (Auto)
1/4 mile 12.1 (192kph) / 0-100 4.2
GTF (Manual)
1/4 mile 13.1 (184kph) / 0-100 5.1

Carsguide Article >
http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/ford-falcon-gt-f-v-hsv-gts-review-comparo-28782#.U64kFqh0wht

[offshore]

And yet again they crap on about the LSA being a major effort to fit the GTS what a load of crap. It slots into any VF just as easy as the LS3 and the only reason they concentrated on the cooling side so much was due to the multi year warranties these cars have to have. Any way slightly off topic it just gets to me that myth that keeps getting repeated by these journalists.

[Pickles]

I see AMCS has one for offers over $112K!!!
Pickles.

[whitels1ss]

I see AMCS has one for offers over $112K!!!
Pickles.

I posted a copy of this advert on chatbox at lunchtime...$120,000 :lmao:

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/adela...t-f/1049414589

[Kakarot_92]

Can't wait to see it!