FPV and Falcon GT being axed ahead of factory close

[jaykay]

Ford will axe the iconic Falcon GT by the end of 2014 -- two years before the Broadmeadows factory is due to close.
Ford Australia has confirmed the decision in a media statement this afternoon. The announcement will likely come as a shock to Ford fans, many of whom were planning to buy one of the last Falcon GTs and keep them as collector pieces. Ford will instead revive the Falcon XR8 when the new model goes on sale, using a less powerful version of the GT Falcon's supercharged 5.0-litre V8.

A media statement issued by Ford this afternoon said the return of the XR8 is timed to coincide with the introduction of the 2014 Falcon sedan and Territory SUV update, ahead of the closure of Ford's Broadmeadows and Geelong factories no later than October 2016.

As the Falcon XR8 returns to the Ford range, the Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) range -- which includes the iconic GT Falcon -- will retire, the Ford media statement confirmed. Ford plans a series of limited edition GT models during 2014, the company said.

Ford took control of FPV late last year and brought production of the GT back in house in February 2013 for the first time since 1976. But Ford has now decided to wind up production of the GT as well.
It's the second dose of bad news for Australian V8 fans in two weeks. Last week, News Corp Australia exclusively reported that a leaked SA Government document revealed that Holden will not have a V8 in its lineup by 2016 or 2018.

Buoyed by a string of Bathurst victories Ford sold more than 12,000 Falcon GTs in the eight years from 1968 to 1976. As a sign of the changing market, however, it took 21 years to sell the same number of Falcon GTs from 1992 to 2012.

"FPV has been very successful for the last 12 years and our relationship with Tickford for many years before that," said Ford Australia Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Service Graeme Whickman.

"We appreciate all of the great team members, dealers, customers and fans who have supported FPV through its history. We look forward to sharing further details of the final FPV models and the new XR8 over the coming months."

"We have received a lot of interest and continued requests from Falcon fans to bring back the XR8. Re-introducing the XR8 sedan, packaged in our updated Falcon, will make our renowned locally-engineered and manufactured V8 engine available to a broader group of people."

http://www.carsguide.com.au/news-and...paign=theguide

[zorro]

Not surprised in the slightest. Ford obviously has seen the writing on the wall that there is no competition with HSV anymore and doesn't need to keep models going that aren't bringing in sales.

Obviously XR8 will come back, would also not be surprised if it only lasted until the stock of Miami V8s has depleted.

[AD07]

A detuned 5.0 Miami.....not bad when a tune & filter can get you 300+rwkw.

[blackvussii]

A detuned 5.0 Miami.....not bad when a tune & filter can get you 300+rwkw.

Especially if they are priced close to ss money

[jaykay]

I would expect the GT to go out with a big bang....... GTHO maybe ?

[JimmyXR6T04]

A detuned miami like in the current GS will see tune only XR8s hitting about 350-380rwkw... not bad if they can price them about the $50,000....

a ford spokeswoman on the fordforums clarified that there would be no FPV GTHO... I'm tipping a sticker special. I doubt ford would have the money to do anything vast in 2014...

I recently bought a brand new GT, and hopefully it leaves the factory this week for me to collect next... When i ordered, i was sort of thinking that FPV would shut up shop next year, especially with the persistent rumours. Whilst i don't think the GT will ever be worth much money in 20-30 years time, but it would be nice to have the last of the FPV GT to pass on to the kids.

[jaykay]

You are talking about a supercharged miami 5.0 ?

[JimmyXR6T04]

Yep, the supercharged 5.0

Edit: An intercooler and power upgrade is also unlikely. The GT 335 already makes a real world figure of 375kw, and an insider on the fordforums has suggested that when ford tested an intercooled version the firewall couldn't handle all the extra torque during the vigorous torque testing, and started to split, requiring even more strengthening again over and above what had already been strengthened for the 335 motor.

[seedyrom]

At least this will give the broader Ford dealer network access to a V8. Not just those who are FPV approved dealers

[Pickles]

I would expect the GT to go out with a big bang....... GTHO maybe ?

That will not happen....It could, easily, but Ford will not spend the money on R/D to get the car past ADRs etc,.....so, I say, there may well be several "special editions", but there will be NO factory power upgrades, & just let me say this, there is no greater Allan Moffat fan than me, so there should DEFINITELY be a "final" GTHO, or Allan Moffat special or whatever...but there will be no extra power.
Cheers, Pickles.

[cjf]

Here is a copy of the email I received as a FPV owner. Note the Mustang is coming to Australia
"Late yesterday, we announced the Ford XR8 sedan will return to our Falcon line-up in late 2014. Since you have contacted us in the past about FPV, we want to inform you directly that this occasion will also mark the retirement of the FPV brand.

This marks the end of a celebrated era, a wonderful history going back 12 years as FPV and of course many years before that in our performance relationship with Tickford. You have been a part of this journey, this history and we thank you for your support and passion in making the FPV models and engines celebrated successes.

We have planned a series of actions during 2014 to ensure the final FPV models’ iconic status is appropriately celebrated.

But that’s not all.

Performance is part of our history and will always be in our DNA. We’re bringing new performance engines and technologies in more varied models to our shores – from Fiesta ST to the soon-to-be-released Mustang.

We invite you to be part of our future performance journey."

[toey]

one of my good mates is kicking himself more now, he had the last gt-p to come off the fpv production line but traded it 3 months later on a r35 gt-r. while the gt-r is great, he misses the gt-p as it was a great daily driver unlike the gt-r

[Pickles]

Yep, the supercharged 5.0

Edit: An intercooler and power upgrade is also unlikely. The GT 335 already makes a real world figure of 375kw, and an insider on the fordforums has suggested that when ford tested an intercooled version the firewall couldn't handle all the extra torque during the vigorous torque testing, and started to split, requiring even more strengthening again over and above what had already been strengthened for the 335 motor.

Yes, I've heard about the "chassis twisting" stuff,....I also heard that Prodrive built a complete car around a more powerful engine, which they presented to Ford, who wouldn't have a bar of it.
Cheers, Pickles.

[JimmyXR6T04]

Yes, I've heard about the "chassis twisting" stuff,....I also heard that Prodrive built a complete car around a more powerful engine, which they presented to Ford, who wouldn't have a bar of it.
Cheers, Pickles.

Wouldn't surprise me! Would have been nice to see an intercooled, beefed up GT. The potential is clearly evident from all the after market upgrades and tuning shops getting easy power. It's a shame FPV didn't do it 'right' straight from the start!

[HSV,_I_GOT_ONE]

Yes, I've heard about the "chassis twisting" stuff,....I also heard that Prodrive built a complete car around a more powerful engine, which they presented to Ford, who wouldn't have a bar of it.
Cheers, Pickles.

Hey Pickles any links or pics of said prototype? Would love to see what Prodrive would have created.