The list of great Fords that Americans cant have gets longer.
3-06-07: As if we Americans weren’t already jealous of our Aussie neighbors down under because they have the ear of Ford’s performance Gods, the latest special edition Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) Falcon GT will add to the envy.
Much rumored to show insight to future Ford vehicles in America including a new rear wheel sedan and we can only hope for the next generation 2010 Mustang, the Australian Ford Falcon is a rich helping of muscle car power and Euro car chassis dynamics that we have not had in America, well forever.
The new Aussie Ford Falcon GT 40th Anniversary edition has been built to celebrate 40 years of the Falcon’s performance legacy. The Falcon is to Australian automotive mavens as Mustang is to enthusiasts in the States. It is their beloved pony car, and their performance icon. The car has a long history in OZ, winning races at Bathurst and topping sales in the showrooms.
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The Ford Falcon GT 40th Anniversary edition features black exterior paint with gold LeMans stripes and special side stripe graphics. Under the hood is the Boss 290 5.4 liter DOHC 32 Valve V8. The name “290” comes from its power rating of 290 Kilowatts at 5500 rpm. Converted to horsepower that is about 388.
The base Falcon is already a car with a commendable performance and handling pedigree. The FPV models come with a special FPV stainless steel exhaust system complete with tubular headers. Behind the Boss 290 is a close ratio 6 speed transmission with high torque clutch. To add insult to injury, Aussie buyers can select a ZF 6-Speed sequential shift transmission as a no-cost option.
The sequential sports shift system allows the driver to make fast, clean manual gear changes to maximize all the available power for acceleration or quick downshifts. When in full auto mode, the adaptive shift system changes characteristics to suit your individual driving style. Both transmissions are matched to a 2-piece drive shaft with shock-absorbing flex couplings, connected to a heavy-duty multi-plate limited-slip differential, transmitting maximum power to the ground.
An “R-Spec” handling package with revised suspension tuning is also included. This is made up of stiffer springs and shock valving for the double wishbone front and “control blade” independent rear suspensions.
The FPV Falcon sports 19x8 wheels with Dunlop 245/35ZR rubber. Massive 14 inch front cross drilled and slotted disc brakes with Brembo 4-piston calipers are standard fare with 13“ discs following up the rear. Buyers can upgrade brakes to Brembo 6 piston calipers.
The Boss 290 engine is assembled by hand at Ford Performance Vehicles on the only V8 production line in Australia. This is why we don’t have versions of the engine here in the States. It features a cast-iron block which makes it exceptionally stout. A forged steel crankshaft and a lower end with bearing caps that sport two cross-bolts, two vertical bolts and two vertical locating dowels for superior location over six bolts. That means superior durability and refinement under high performance loads.
The heads are cast aluminum featuring an improved Cobra R design with a straighter, better-breathing inlet ports. The intake manifold is manufactured in Australia with tuned length. Air gets into the engine through a 75 mm throttle body with drive-by-wire control. In all, the engine is closely related to the one that powered the 2000 Cobra R Mustang, more so than the Ford GT’s 5.4 liter power plant.
We hope the Aussies love this latest generation Falcon. We can only watch from afar with our noses to the glass as we drool with envy. Can Ford someday give the enthusiasts in their home country the same family jewels it shares with others? We can only hope.
