First look: FPV's F6 Tornado hyper-ute

FIRST it was Typhoon. Now Ford Performance Vehicles has announced production of a second freak of nature – the turbocharged F6 Tornado hyper-ute.

The 270kW/550Nm Tornado, which will become FPV’s new entry level model when it goes on sale in January at $51,950, was heralded at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, where the Blue Oval focus is on Ford’s GT supercar, a Fiesta ST show car and a new Courier V6.

Also debuting in Sydney is the production F6 Typhoon sedan, FPV’s MkII range, the MkII BA Falcon range, a Focus Zetec R variant and the mid-spec Territory TS.

F6 Tornado will represent the second turbo model in FPV’s line-up and, as the workhorse sibling to the F6 Typhoon sedan, is set to push the Aussie ute concept to new limits by offering an unrivalled 550Nm of torque from just 2000rpm.

While the force-fed engine’s torque peak out-grunts the best on offer from HSV as well as FPV’s own V8 GT sedan and Pursuit ute models, like Typhoon the Tornado will produce a more restrained 270kW of maximum power at 5250rpm.

Powered by the same F6 270 turbo engine as Typhoon, Tornado’s 4.0-litre DOHC six features a 50 per cent larger 12-core intercooler, dual-entry ram-air box, heavy-duty conrods, beefier valve springs and an FPV oil cooler.

It will be available exclusively with the FPV-specific close-ratio Tremec T56 six-speed manual transmission with 3.73:1 final drive ratio (GTs run a taller 3.46:1 ratio) and AP Racing twin-plate clutch.

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Ford’s Sports Sequential Shift four-speed auto becomes a no-cost option on GT and Pursuit

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"The FPV F6 Tornado adds an exciting new dimension to the burgeoning ute culture and will be a car that will literally blow our customers away with its performance, handling and value for money," said FPV managing director David Flint.

Like F6 Typhoon, F6 Tornado will come with FPV Performance brakes comprising twin-grooved 325mm front and 303mm rear rotors with blue twin-piston front and single-piston rear callipers, or optional four-piston Brembo brakes with cross-drilled and ventilated 355mm front and 330mm rear rotors.

Similarly, F6 Tornado will sport 18 x 8.0-inch double five-spoke alloys, FPV front bumper, mesh grille with F6 badge, FPV Sports seats with Technik fabric and FPV logos, and FPV’s trademark dash-mounted starter.

Of course, standard kit will include air-conditioning, power windows, soft tonneau and 100-watt, six-CD Prestige Sound, with both a lockable winged hard tonneau and alloy sports bar optional.

Unlike Tornado, Typhoon is at Darling Harbour in the metal, orders for which are currently being taken before the start of production in mid-October, with pricing set at $58,950.

Alongside F6 Typhoon will be a revised MkII FPV line-up comprising a Tremec T56 six-speed manual with Shift Alert across the range, plus internal, external and equipment upgrades.

Ford’s Sports Sequential Shift four-speed auto becomes a no-cost option on GT and Pursuit, with pricing increasing by $350 in most cases and the base GT manual price rising $500.

FPV MkII pricing sees GT now pegged at $61,350 in either manual or auto guise, GT-P priced at $70,200 for either version and both auto and manual Pursuit variants set at $53,340.

Other FPV MkII changes include revised suspension settings for sedans (14 per cent firmer spring up front, 10 per cent at rear), unique new 19-inch alloy wheels for GT-P, a standard soft tonneau and optional stripe package for Pursuit and revised colour options and a new-look optional FPV exterior stripe package with Boss 290 hood decal.

New twin-pod Sports Instrument gauges, positioned on top of the Interior Command Centre toward the driver, include oil pressure and oil temp gauges on GTs, plus a turbo boost gauge for F6s.

MkII FPV sedans receive an upgraded ICC with large TFT colour screen, dual-zone air-conditioning and Premium Sound system as standard, while all FPVs get BAII’s auto headlights and illuminated window switches.

Also on display in Sydney will be the PH Courier V6 due on sale here in 2005 in both 4x2 and 4x4 versions and featuring a class-leading 154kW/323Nm 4.0-litre V6 and optional five-speed auto on Crew Cab models.

As well as the 410kW/678Nm supercharged 5.4-litre V8-powered Ford GT, gauging public response for its potential release here will be the 110kW 2.0-litre Fiesta ST show car, along with the new Focus Zetec R variant.

A five-door manual or auto hatch, Fous Zetec R comprises 17-inch alloys, unique front/rear bumpers and side skirts, unique large rear spoiler, alloy pedals, leather gearknob, scuff plates, Zetec R mats and 'R' decals, offering $4200 of extra value for no extra cost.

Finally, alongside the upgraded BAII Falcon at Sydney, Ford launches the Territory TS, which slots in between TX and Ghia at $44,790, with the AWD version costing $48,790. An Intelligent Bullbar System for Territory will also be unveiled in Sydney.