FPV F6 E unveiled

Jason[98.EL] · 05-08-2009, 08:09 AM

Ford's go-fast brigade has ticked another box with the release of the luxury-trimmed F6 E executive rocket.
"What you are going to get is 310kW and 565Nm in something that looks like a 5 Series BMW," Ford Performance Vehicles boss Rod Barrett says. "When you put your foot down it is going to go ... and at a pretty good price advantage. "This really is our Euro competitor."

At $79,740 the F6 E - built off Ford's award-winning G6 E Turbo at a price premium of $23,000 - slips into the FPV range alongside the V8-powered GT-E.

"I think it is more about choice," Barrett says. "We make these iconic go-fast cars like the F6 and the GT and that is the base of our range ... it's what our core business is about. But there are some people that we do not cater for in that range that want a bit more luxury and refinement.

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"They don't want stripes and big wings and black wheels. They want a bit more leather and woodgrain and chrome and I don't want to lose them."

Barrett says the overwhelming success of the F6 and the demand for the G6 E Turbo was enough for FPV to shift plans for the F6 E off the back burner and give it some exposure as a concept car at the Melbourne Motor Show earlier this year.

"It was obvious that there is a demand there for it - not significant, but a demand," Barrett says.

The F6 E will be built as a limited production vehicle with plans for ‘less than 50’ this year.

"It is not a limited edition just a limited production run," Barrett says. "If it were to take off and there was demand for 100 or a 150 then we just keep building them - it's there to be built."

Barrett says the F6 E is another model in the FPV range against which rivals HSV cannot set a direct competitor. "They have the Senator in V8, which I would say is our GT E competitor, but they don't have a turbo six and this is the luxury version of that F6. I really think the top end of town will take to this car ... it will cater for the non-V8 crowd."

The F6 E is powered by Ford's proven 4-litre turbo-charged DOHC 24 valve in-line six coupled to the ZF six-speed high-torque automatic transmission with Sequential Sports Shift.

In keeping with the luxury theme the cabin features seats in shadow leather with the F6 E logo embossed on the headrests, a dark walnut woodgrain finish on the dashboard and doors, sports leather steering wheel with cruise control and audio mounted switches, dual-zone air conditioning and memory on adjustable pedals.

Dynamic stability control, side curtain airbags, reverse parking camera and reverse sensing system, electronic brakeforce distribution and ABS are also standard.

Barrett says FPV sales have held up better than the industry-standard large cars numbers with 911 sales year to date against 1154 for the same period last year.

"Under the circumstances I will take that ? especially when you consider last year we were launching new models and had the Cobra sales," Barrett says.

Wretched · 05-08-2009, 08:43 AM

23k premium over the G6ET? What are is the consumer getting for the 23k extra?
I'd rather just the G6ET.

4Vman · 05-08-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wretched

23k premium over the G6ET? What are is the consumer getting for the 23k extra?
I'd rather just the G6ET.

If you can't see or understand the difference yourself no amount of explaining will ever get through...

Wretched · 05-08-2009, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

If you can't see or understand the difference yourself no amount of explaining will ever get through...

Wow thanks for that.
So how will the average consumer know then with that kind of arrogance?

4Vman · 05-08-2009, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wretched

Wow thanks for that.
So how will the average consumer know then with that kind of arrogance?

Im sure the people with the budget to afford one will understand....

Wretched · 05-08-2009, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Im sure the people with the budget to afford one will understand....

So you can tell people's budgets by the way they understand the car?

Anyway I think we'll leave it at that.
I personally don't think the car is worth the 23k premium over the G6ET.
There is nothing innovative introduced, it is pretty much a G6ET with F6 engine, there are no gadgets, nothing to reflect the price or the market it is trying to attract. Force models all over again?
You wouldn't even buy it for the badge, the FPV badge isn't special enough to warrant a badge snob attitude.

zx10 · 05-08-2009, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wretched

23k premium over the G6ET? What are is the consumer getting for the 23k extra?
I'd rather just the G6ET.

I think CDAA has covered this in the below.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDAA

What it has over a G6ET keep in mind there is a just over a $20k price difference assuming the G6ET has the optional 19" wheels.

Bigger intercooler
Stronger engine internals
More power
Bigger turbo
6/4 Brembos
FPV Body kit
LSD rear end
FPV interior
It's an FPV.

Is all that worth the $20k difference? Personally I think so but that's just me.

Its the same as the old why buy an F6 over the XR6T. I think the F6 has held its own quite well in the past, as will the F6E.

YOOT · 05-08-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zx10

I think CDAA has covered this in the below.

Its the same as the old why buy an F6 over the XR6T. I think the F6 has held its own quite well in the past, as will the F6E.

The real issue here is you are paying extra money for an F6 and getting... an F6. Seems odd.

Remember all the options and features that are offered on an FPV are pretty standard or are available on most cars half its size and 1/4 of its price.

When people say an FPV isn't special enough, that is why. You can't pull into a carpark and brag that my new FPV has auto headlights, or GPS, or Cameras, or Bluethtooth. Because chances are every $30K hatchback has that all too. Most people (if they cared) will see an XT Falcon that looks nice and cost as much as three.

Unfortunately if you sit in an XT and jump straight in a F6 you feel like you back in the XT with some different trim. Performance aside.

The same can't be said for German models, an M5 does not feel remotely like a 530i, but thats why the price tag is three times higher.

For FPV the price tag is higher, but the standard of car is not.

**Polyal** · 05-08-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YOOT

The real issue here is you are paying extra money for an F6 and getting... an F6. Seems odd.

Oh come on..its a F6 with colour coded bits and no spoiler...LOL

I agree with you.

xr8daz · 05-08-2009, 11:55 AM

And no standard Sat Nav , yep still an option for extra $$$$$.....

flappist · 05-08-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Oh come on..its a F6 with colour coded bits and no spoiler...LOL

I agree with you.

And 6 spot Brembos and extrememly good leather interior (much softer and more comfortable than the F6) and reversing camera and adj pedals and FPV mats and prestige colour..........

Wretched · 05-08-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zx10

I think CDAA has covered this in the below.

Its the same as the old why buy an F6 over the XR6T. I think the F6 has held its own quite well in the past, as will the F6E.

I understand this, but like I said these changes are not unique to this car, they are shared among other vehicles within the FPV range.
From my understanding the F6E is a "step up" from a G6ET, it isn't a "boy racer" marketed car like the beast F6, it is meant to be a plush executive car with a bit of power. So why not give the customer that, give them a car that is a step up from the G6ET not just in terms of power, they're paying the $$ so give them gadgets and other such things? The people who buy the F6E are not the same that will buy the F6.
As I said this is my opinion and yes I would be in the market that FPV would be aiming at with this car.

zx10 · 05-08-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wretched

I understand this, but like I said these changes are not unique to this car, they are shared among other vehicles within the FPV range.
From my understanding the F6E is a "step up" from a G6ET, it isn't a "boy racer" marketed car like the beast F6, it is meant to be a plush executive car with a bit of power. So why not give the customer that, give them a car that is a step up from the G6ET not just in terms of power, they're paying the $$ so give them gadgets and other such things? The people who buy the F6E are not the same that will buy the F6.
As I said this is my opinion and yes I would be in the market that FPV would be aiming at with this car.

So what "gadgets" would you like?

Iggypoppin' · 05-08-2009, 08:43 AM

Looks good. Is it worth the 75 g's though?

csv8 · 05-08-2009, 08:43 AM

Can't see how $23k price difference is justified ?

Director · 05-08-2009, 09:02 AM

Good move, bit of innovation, bit of a risk, looks classy and has no direct competitor in that price range, hope it goes well

JPFS1 · 05-08-2009, 09:37 AM

Wretched - I actually agree with allot of what you have said.

But it if works for FPV great, it would be a great cash cow for what is essentially a model that has had basically nothing spent on it.

Mr Brooksy · 05-08-2009, 10:49 AM

I think thats its a great move, it looks awesome, goes as hard as a F6 and doesnt scream hey look at me, but looks loads better than the basic Falcon series.

Hope they sell truck loads of them. I also love the comment from Rob, "Barrett says the F6 E is another model in the FPV range against which rivals HSV cannot set a direct competitor. "They have the Senator in V8, which I would say is our GT E competitor, but they don't have a turbo six and this is the luxury version of that F6. I really think the top end of town will take to this car ... it will cater for the non-V8 crowd."

Bit of a dig... hehehe

flappist · 05-08-2009, 11:17 AM

You guys do realise that about $5k of the $23K is kuxury car tax don't you?

Now can someone explain to me why a G6ET is $20,000 more than a XT. They are the same car with a slightly more powerful motor, different seats and wheels and a few farkles.
No leds or DVDs or multi sub woofers or anything useful........

Walt Kowalski · 06-08-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

You guys do realise that about $5k of the $23K is kuxury car tax don't you?

Now can someone explain to me why a G6ET is $20,000 more than a XT. They are the same car with a slightly more powerful motor, different seats and wheels and a few farkles.
No leds or DVDs or multi sub woofers or anything useful........

Walt Kowalski · 06-08-2009, 08:29 PM

Congratulations to everyone involved in releasing this gorgeous F6 E.

Now can you get a F6 E Ute organised??

Or can Ford get a G6E T Ute happening???

Yes I know a ute is supposed to be utilitarion but some of us treat them as 2 seater sports cars with a big boot and do not want racoon eyes and boy racer wings.

PLEASE no comments about a "luxury" ute not being wanted by anyone.

Well done FPV

Paddyboy · 05-08-2009, 11:26 AM

haha some of you guys make me laugh.

Quote:

Now can someone explain to me why a G6ET is $20,000 more than a XT. They are the same car with a slightly more powerful motor, different seats and wheels and a few farkles.
No leds or DVDs or multi sub woofers or anything useful........

The XT isnt just different seats and wheels and motor, the G6ET is a totally different car! Im not going to even explain why, surely can tell the differences and the 20grand price difference.

Moving on, I like the new F6 E but why why why do they recycle the bloody wheels!!! Cant they introduce a new model with new mags as well?? It lets the whole car down that they are using the same wheels as a GT and the old BF FORCE 6 and 8 models. The new F6 E should have classier wheels to much the classier market they are going for. The G6ET has much better wheels!!! It ****es me off big time!

zx10 · 05-08-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paddyboy

haha some of you guys make me laugh.

The XT isnt just different seats and wheels and motor, the G6ET is a totally different car! Im not going to even explain why, surely can tell the differences and the 20grand price difference.

Moving on, I like the new F6 E but why why why do they recycle the bloody wheels!!! Cant they introduce a new model with new mags as well?? It lets the whole car down that they are using the same wheels as a GT and the old BF FORCE 6 and 8 models. The new F6 E should have classier wheels to much the classier market they are going for. The G6ET has much better wheels!!! It ****es me off big time!

I agree the wheels have been done, as have most of the wheels in the range. Even when they introduce new wheels they still look ordinary.

flappist · 05-08-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paddyboy

haha some of you guys make me laugh.

The XT isnt just different seats and wheels and motor, the G6ET is a totally different car! Im not going to even explain why, surely can tell the differences and the 20grand price difference.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/satire

This might help......

Wally · 05-08-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

They don't want stripes and big wings and black wheels. They want a bit more leather and woodgrain and chrome and I don't want to lose them."

At last someone in Ford is thinking about me. But I still want a V8

vztrt · 05-08-2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wally

At last someone in Ford is thinking about me. But I still want a V8

GT-E has been out for a while.

**TUF_302** · 05-08-2009, 03:49 PM

Thats bloody awsome, if i could afford the cost id be happy to pay 23g more, i mean its more powerful, tougher looking and is an FPV, nothing wrong with a G6E Turbo of course, but if you want a full on hi-po luxury car you couldn't go past the F6E!

:

zx10 · 05-08-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TUF_302

if you want a full on hi-po luxury car you couldn't go past the F6E!

:

That is it right there! Stop comparing it to its little brother and look at what else you can buy for the same money with the same power and the same level of luxury with a full factory warranty.

JPFS1 · 05-08-2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zx10

That is it right there! Stop comparing it to its little brother and look at what else you can buy for the same money with the same power and the same level of luxury with a full factory warranty.

The vibe i'm getting from people that think the value is not there is that it's not about the power, or any of the other fundamental differences to that of a G6ET for example, it seems to be a lack of aspiration the car gives (or doesn't) to people.

There's a lack of innovation and change that dates back to the release of the whole FG FPV range that is likely to be at the core of the issue. The fact that FPV are only going to be seen as falling further behind on the innovation front come HSV E2 this year, the perception of value could be further to the downside.

Can only hope that FPV's updates next year bring the product line up to scratch (excluding the drivetrain, I have confidence in that).

DanielXR8 · 12-08-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paddyboy

haha some of you guys make me laugh.

The XT isnt just different seats and wheels and motor, the G6ET is a totally different car! Im not going to even explain why, surely can tell the differences and the 20grand price difference.

Absolutely! The plastic wheel trims don't fit over the alloys for a start!

Dan