Horsepower Isn't Everything In FPV's Battle With HSV

[JoeT]

Horsepower Isn't Everything

Mike Sinclair
14 August 2007
www.carpoint.com.au

New FPV boss focuses on Total Performance in face of hi-po Holdens and looks beyond Falcon.

Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) is resisting the temptation to engage in an all-out horsepower war with Holden Special Vehicles (HSV). Least for the time being, says new boss, Rod Barrett.

Barrett fronted the media for the first time in his new position as general manager of the Ford/Prodrive joint-venture performance outfit today, stating that the company would continue its focus on 'Total Performance' rather than embark on a kW-for-kW engine output war with its opposite number in the Holden camp.

Whether FPV would continue with that policy in the long term was not so clear, however.

"In the short term, our thinking is to continue with that [Total Performance focus] but in the long term the question remains: is it entirely horsepower? Is that what we [FPV] are all about?"

"[At this stage] It's a difficult question to answer but I don't think we're going to go chasing numbers on the back of cars at the moment,"

Despite Barrett's statement today, FPV has been tipped to launch a 302kW version of its BOSS 290 engine since mid-year. In the face of an expected capacity and horsepower onslaught from Holden's hotshoe arm, Barrett said the decision on where FPV would go in the longer term was still a work-in-progress.

"It's a question of whether we want to tackle that challenge. It's too early [in my tenure] for me to start getting involved whether I want to be chasing horsepower or [concentrating on] developing allround good cars."

Barrett did reveal that FPV's next generation of products would closely follow Ford's launch of its Orion models. He said he would be "disappointed" if the FPV product was any more than a month behind the main vehicle's Q2 2008 launch.

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Limited Editions Not Discounts

Mike Sinclair
14 August 2007
www.carpoint.com.au

FPV will manage its BF MkII runout with limited editions, not discounts.

Incoming Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) boss Rod Barrett says the Blue Oval's performance arm will not be discounting its existing BF MkII based range ahead of the Q2 2008 launch of the all-new Orion-based Falcons.

In fact, the ex-Ford Performance Racing chief Barrett (pictured) confirmed the joint Prodrive/Ford owned operation will manage the runout via the launch of a number of limited edition models -- confirming the strategy first scooped here by The Carsales Network's Joe Kenwright (more here).

"Like all manufacturers in the lead up to major new model we face some challenges," the newly anointed Barrett told The Carsales Network. "I don't deny this is going to a tough period but we've got some exciting new product coming between now and the Orion launch.

Barrett says FPV will be brand savvy in managing the run-out of its BF MkII based range. He said FPV's biggest challenge is "building momentum ahead of Orion without devaluing the brand".

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The Barrett Era

David Hassall
15 August 2007
www.goauto.com.au

The new head of Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) believes he will bring a new style of leadership to the brand, will double sales within two years and will bring a wider range of vehicles to the market – from four-cylinder models all the way up to a stonking new Falcon GTHO flagship.

In a wide-ranging interview with GoAuto on Monday, new FPV general manager Rod Barrett said that:

- Two new FPV models will be launched at the Australian International Motor Show in October (probably including a Territory)

- FPV’s new ‘Orion’-based range of models will be launched within a month of the mainstream Falcon

- The launch will not be adversely affected by an embarrassing leak of official photos

- Four-cylinder and five-cylinder FPV models are almost certain to be added in the future

- A hot ute is under consideration

- He is working to rebuild the damaged relationship with Ford Australia and put their differences in the past

- Prodrive is still calling the shots at FPV

- Toyota’s TRD Aurion will not affect either Ford or Holden Special Vehicles sales

- FPV sales should double within two years and he would like to ultimately beat HSV

- He wants to revive the GTHO nameplate with a worthy FPV performance leader.

FPV’s overdue new-model rollout begins on Friday with the first of three limited-edition models, an R-spec F6 Typhoon, but it will step up a couple of gears with the two new models in October and go into overdrive with the all-new ‘Orion’ range in the first quarter of next year.

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GTHO Set To Return

David Hassall
16 August 2007
www.goauto.com.au

Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) could soon revive arguably the most iconic Australian automotive badge of all time – the GTHO.

New FPV boss Rod Barrett this week told GoAuto of his desire to build the ultimate Falcon while he is at the helm.

Mr Barrett said it will live up to the legend started by the Falcon GTHO Phase 1 in 1969, culminating with the legendary Phase 3 in 1971 and reaching mythical status with the still-born Phase 4 in 1972.

Original Phase 3 GTHOs are now in great demand and command huge prices. A mint example set a new Australian auction record in March, selling for $683,000.

FPV’s born-again GTHO will even be painted the famous ‘vermillion fire’ red colour of the originals, made famous by Allan Moffat in his Bathurst 500 victories in the early 1970s.

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Ford Territory Firms For Sydney Show As They Release R-Spec F6 Typhoon

Ian Porter
17 August 2007
www.drive.com.au

Ford Performance Vehicles is planning to double sales in the next two years by taking a leaf out of Porsche's text book: it is expected to unveil a hot Territory sport utility vehicle in October at the Sydney Motor Show.

While there is some anxiety within FPV about whether it can correctly target the right buyers for the new model, the Territory model is being driven by the need for FPV to move away from being entirely dependent on the Falcon.

When Porsche decided to branch out from two-seater sports cars, it introduced the Cayenne SUV range which was an immediate hit and doubled Porsche's sales to around 100,000 vehicles a year.

Like its 49 per cent shareholder, Ford Australia, FPV has been struggling through the last months of the BF II Falcon, which is selling against the new VE Commodore and is due to be replaced in the second quarter of 2008.

FPV sales fell to 2144 cars last year, and the company was outsold by its arch rival Holden Special Vehicles, which sold 3,666 cars in 2006.

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Ford Performance Vehicles Website
Power Increase For FPV V8 Models
Review: HSV Senator vs FPV Force 6 & Force 8

[mikmak]

How about building momentum with the brand full stop!?! The only way they are going to devalue the brand is if they start throwing names on the LE's that are going to be tarnished, ie pulling out a Phase V GTHO with a tuned to the eyeballs, mustang motor or white Falcons with blue stripes and calling it a Goss or whatever. You know where I'm going with this. BF is on the way out and they don't want to start throwing those sorts of names down the toilet to shift a few units. What they really need are some gold honeycomb wheels and maroon velour interiors

[BlokeMan]

I'm looking forward to the "Carla Zampatti" limited edition. Bring it on !!!

[JoeT]

Originally Posted by mikmak

How about building momentum with the brand full stop!?! The only way they are going to devalue the brand is if they start throwing names on the LE's that are going to be tarnished, ie pulling out a Phase V GTHO with a tuned to the eyeballs, mustang motor or white Falcons with blue stripes and calling it a Goss or whatever. You know where I'm going with this. BF is on the way out and they don't want to start throwing those sorts of names down the toilet to shift a few units. What they really need are some gold honeycomb wheels and maroon velour interiors

Your talking about this sort of thing - Power Increase For FPV V8 Models, Plus Ford Cobra & 'Super Roo' Expected To Return

[Aych Es Vee]

Hasnt a new 302kw Cobra due for the Sydney Motor Show been confirmed?

Either way, as long as the Orion V8 FPVs are over 310kw, I'll be happy.
Bring the F6s up to about 300kw.

FPV should focus on weight reduction and much better interior upgrades for the Falcons and bringing in the V8 Mustangs aswell please.

FPV Focus would be good too.
FPV Terriory? Nah. Australia doesnt want performance SUVs. Sure, soccer mums like normal ones, but performance ones arent really desirable .... at least compared to performance sedans.

[redimpss5]

Furd.......zzzzzz

[jbernie]

HSV has been constantly evolving its produvt and gets them better and better every year, Ford can't get much right when it comes to the FPV division. the turbo 6's have done well but in getting that right they hurt the v8s.

As GM continues to change and make as many platforms world platforms HSV gets access to more and more potential products.

Ford can bring the Mustang... GM is building the C7 Corvette for both LHD & RHD markets. A RHD C7 Z06 for HSV? Bye bye mustang

[Robert Ryan]

Ford can bring the Mustang... GM is building the C7 Corvette for both LHD & RHD markets. A RHD C7 Z06 for HSV? Bye bye mustang

They are not in the same market. One is a heavy but not that exciting to look at Sportscar(current Corvettes, look bland) and the other the Mustang failed here anyway. The 7 Litre engine will go into a HSV sedan.

[GMusa]

The horsepower wars will continue!

[mikmak]

I really dont think that is bland.

Anyway, yes JoeT that is exactly what I'm talking about. Thankfully the Super Roo is going to be saved for Orion.

And yes, the Horsepower war will continue.

[ZvetteGuy]

I think that yesterday's muscle car mantle has been handed down to the Aussies.... they do a wonderful job making cars with the style, horsepower and comfort that we need here in the States...

[superstreet]

this war should continue!!!!

[Robert Ryan]

MikMak in the "Fibreglass" it looks more like this. It lacks the Corvette look of old.

[MonaroSS]

Originally Posted by mikmak

I really dont think that is bland.

Anyway, yes JoeT that is exactly what I'm talking about. Thankfully the Super Roo is going to be saved for Orion.

And yes, the Horsepower war will continue.

"That's not a not bland."

"This is a not bland."

[MN12Fan]

Originally Posted by MonaroSS

This would have made a better Bumblebee.