Melbourne show: FPV F6 gets E treatment

FORD Performance Vehicles (FPV) has made the surprise move to reveal what appears to be a production-ready concept in the form of the new F6 E muscle-car concept ahead of its reveal at the 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show.

The go-faster Ford brand says the turbocharged F6 E has a target price of $78,190 – the same price as the 5.4-litre V8-powered GT E sedan flagship upon which it is modelled – and even lists eight “subtle” exterior paint colours with which it will be available.

Officially, however, the F6 E is a Melbourne show concept to test market reaction.

“The F6 E has been designed to satisfy calls from the market for more performance-based executive vehicles,” said FPV general manager Rod Barrett.

“With the success of the new F6 and GT E, it was a natural progression to couple the performance and dynamics of F6 with the more subtle executive styling, luxury and comforts of the GT E.

“With the release of this concept we will test the market's reaction before deciding whether or not to put the F6 E into production. Feedback from our customers leaves us confident that the F6 E will be a hit with those looking for something more from their performance vehicle,” said Mr Barrett.

Unlike the GT E’s 315kW/551Nm 5.4-litre V8, the F6 E employs the same 310kW/565Nm turbocharged 4.0-litre inline six-cylinder as the standard F6, which carries the same $66,590 sticker price as the V8 GT.

Fitted as standard with ZF’s six-speed automatic transmission, Ford says the F6 E returns average fuel consumption of 12.1L/00km.

As with the GT E, the F6 E features 355 x 32mm cross-drilled and ventilated front brake discs with six-piston Brembo callipers and 330 x 28mm cross-drilled and ventilated rear rotors with four-piston Brembo callipers.

The F6 E is also fitted with the same luxury interior features that are standard on the GT E, including luxury FPV seats with ‘shadow’ leather and ‘F6 E’-embossed head restraints and a charcoal colour theme with dark walnut woodgrain dashboard and door trims.

Like the GT E, the F6 E also gets black chromed upper and lower grilles and Alpine Silver-finished 19-inch alloy wheels, but FPV’s newest model swaps the F6’s large rear wing for a discreet bootlid lip spoiler and its two-tone “racoon eyes” for a colour-coded paint scheme.

“The F6 E suits those drivers who want the same power and performance of an F6 but finished in a more conservatively styled package that isn't going to leave everyone staring at them,” said Mr Barrett.