Typhoon R blows in

FORD Performance Vehicles has produced the first of three limited-edition Falcon-based models to be released in the next six months to satisfy demand from FPV dealers and customers for new product before the new ‘Orion’ models appear in 2008.

The new F6 R-Spec Typhoon sedan released today sports the R-Spec suspension package that appeared for the first time in the limited-edition 40th Anniversary GT that was released at the Melbourne motor show in March.

It is the first of FPV’s turbocharged six-cylinder models to get the more hardcore suspension set-up, which was designed with track days in mind and consists of revised dampers.



FPV programmes manager Paul Cook said that, with John Bowe driving, the new limited-edition Typhoon recently set the fastest time ever by an FPV vehicle around Winton Raceway in north-east Victoria.

Only 300 examples of the F6 R-Spec Typhoon will be built and each will carry an individual build certificate of authenticity.

With a price tag of $63,310 (manual and auto), it is $1500 more expensive than the regular F6 Typhoon but comes with leather upholstery, MP3 connectivity and R-Spec logo floor mats.

When the original F6 Typhoon was launched in November 2004 it developed more torque than any Ford ever produced in Australia – some 550Nm to go with its 270kW of power – but it proved too much for a small clip in the clutch, which led to an embarrassing production stoppage.

FPV overcame the set-back though, and the Typhoon has become a strong nameplate for the brand – and there has been no cut-back on the startling performance.

New general manager Rod Barrett said that the R-Spec suspension “picks up more road irregularities” than other FPV models but still has a sufficiently supple ride for regular road use.

“The initial idea behind R-Spec was to provide an FPV vehicle for those people who wanted to be more competitive at track days and club sprint events, but who didn’t want to compromise on the comfort of daily driving,” said Mr Barrett.

“The GT 40th Anniversary succeeded in fitting that brief, and now for the first time our customers can enjoy the same superior level of suspension and handling on our award-winning Typhoon.

“The set-up on the F6 is different to our Boss 290 package to account for the different mass of the Typhoon. The most significant change has been to the front end damper tune.”

Read more:

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First drive: FPV lets the Force be with it

FPV DRIF6 to race!

First drive: FPV delivers the right stuff