Fpv T6 & Gtho

[plonky]

I don't think Ford are stupid enough to repeat the XR6/XR8 mistake of the EB days!

Back then, for less money the XR6 was a better performing package than the V8. It hurt V8 sales.

Currently, the XR6T and the GT are "SMOKING" the XR8 as far as sales go. Fortunately the XR8 is the choice weapon for fleet (Highway Patrol) purchases.

Ford (like any smart operator) learns from history and is mature enough to learn from mistakes!

[Mondie]

l have thought long and hard about this for the past few weeks while we were selling the T. Should we continue to try and sell it, or hang on for the FPV T6 (which l think is inevitable, power in the 270-280kw range, mid 50's)

In the end we realised that the reason we wanted the GT in the first place (a thumping V8) didnt change just because an FPV T6 came onto the scene. There is no doubt the T6 will be quicker and cheaper than the GT, but it wont be a GT and it wont be a V8.

The T6 will open up another market segment to Ford, and will steal some customers from the GT just as the XR6T does from the XR8, but Ford are mad not to release a T6 IMO.

[Cobra]

what FoMoCo does is anyones guess

they never cease to surprise me with their lack marketing smarts

[Mondie]

what FoMoCo does is anyones guess

they never cease to surprise me with their lack marketing smarts

Not wrong there mate.

[BrentS]

I've been following the development of the XR / FPV range with a great deal of interest too, although I think that Ford may (again) have painted itself into a corner with its V8s in that the turbo seems to have a lot more potential than the Boss engines. An FPV T6 would be fantastic, but after the monumental marketing stuff-ups in the AU T-Series, it would be the last straw for current BA GT owners if Ford trumped them with a new FPV T6 that was quicker than the GT for less $.

In terms of competition, I think the GT is only just hanging in there against the HSVs, and the new 285kw VY Series II engines for the Holdens will probably put HSV's noses back in front in terms of the old drag strip bragging rights. As for the XR8, it is desperately in need of some work of some sort to make it a worthwhile competitor.

Looking forward to Series II updates very, very keenly to really see if FOrd is serious about getting in front of its competitors, and actually staying there.

Brent.

[Grant]

So, what would be done to change it to an FPV car? I'm sure we've all read that the engine was pushing 270kw but was detunbed to come in under the XR8. The gearbox would have to be changed and the brakes provided with the same as the rest of the FPV range, but what else would be changed?

Now for the dreaming part - how cool would it be if we could get our hands on the engine management program for the FPV and flash our Ts with it...

[BrentS]

An FPV T6 would definitely have to get the Tremec gearbox and a heavier duty clutch. The ZF 6 speed auto would be an nice improvement on the current 4-speeder that you'd keep for the lower-spec Falcon models. Aside from that, maybe some nice Bilstein shockers and better quality suspension bushes just to tidy-up the on-the-limit handling a bit.

Also, what about a tastefully modest air-intake scoop on the bonnet??? No, I'm not talking about the dredge-size thing on an STi Subaru, but something say 4cm high and 30cm or therabouts across, right where the 'bulge' normally is on an XR8 bonnet. You could possibly base it on the existing XR8 bonnet and just integrate the airscoop into it. Could look great if done correctly, and it would immediately stand-out as an FPV T6.

[Guest 56Mainline]

I'll place my order right now for one of them thar bonnet scoop thingy's....

[Guest fordmuscle_83]

Im drouling! Imagine an fpv territory turbo in black with airbags and 20 inch rims. Yum! Just the thing to take the kids to and from school.

[Redhawk]

l have thought long and hard about this for the past few weeks while we were selling the T. Should we continue to try and sell it, or hang on for the FPV T6 (which l think is inevitable, power in the 270-280kw range, mid 50's)

In the end we realised that the reason we wanted the GT in the first place (a thumping V8) didnt change just because an FPV T6 came onto the scene. There is no doubt the T6 will be quicker and cheaper than the GT, but it wont be a GT and it wont be a V8.

The T6 will open up another market segment to Ford, and will steal some customers from the GT just as the XR6T does from the XR8, but Ford are mad not to release a T6 IMO.

Simon the wise. :D

Very well put mate, and I agree with you.

The FPV T6 (if it comes out) will open up the turbo 6 market more but I too believe Ford will not want to encroach on its GT sales (yet), as Ford can still play the "heritage" card for at least a couple of years yet, then to milk it some more release the GTHO. Personally I think Geoff will not want to push too much performance onto the market too soon.

Points to consider, 1. Why did Expensive Daewoo can the 427 GTHO (or whatever), even though they had confirmed sales?

2. With all the push from respective State Govenments on anti hoon laws, narrowing tollerance on speeding etc; do you think they are going to sit back and let car manufacturers release more and more powerful cars that are available to the average joe?

3. Will insurance companies beat each other up to give the lowest premiums for these cars.......not while our collective butts point to the Earths' core!

I think the big car manufacturers are going to be very reserved in their performance increases, as plonky pointed out they will learn from history.

So don't get your hopes up too high on blistering performance increases, cause it is more than likely our 'cash strapped' govenment will introduce a performance tax (that we don't want!!!!).

Just musing on the whole idea :D