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#1 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Central Q..10kms west of Rocky...
Posts: 8,307
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A modern-day version of the iconic Ford Falcon GTHO may never see the light of day after all, and is now in a race against time, money and a lack of buyer interest in the regular Falcon.
Since Ford Performance Vehicles unveiled its supercharged 5.0-litre V8, developed at a cost of $36 million, the company has hinted that it could spawn a tribute to the famous GT nameplate from the 1970s. Although the engine produces 335kW of power, FPV insiders say that it is capable of producing in excess of 400kW. However, to handle the awesome amount of power, the Falcon's underpinnings require more engineering work than initially thought. If FPV was to abandon the GTHO project it has been talking about since 2007 (initially it was talked of reviving the GTHO name but later FPV said such a flagship would not use the legendary moniker) it would mean backing down from the wish of former general manager Rod Barrett, who suggested a modern GTHO was likely. FPV today released its fastest ever sedan, a limited edition Falcon GT R-Spec with upgraded suspension and wider tyres to cope with the full 335kW of power, but even more modifications are required to make the next step if more power was eked from the engine. At today's release of "the most advanced GT Falcon to date", the managing director of FPV, Bryan Mears, told Drive: "A lot has been said about GTHO over the years. Many people have had opinions and have wanted us, as the owners of that DNA, to say 'let's bring out a new GTHO'. "[But] I don't know how you do that. The fact is GTHO is not only iconic, it's off in a space by itself. "For someone to say I'm going to make one of those is really an impossible task because we will never ever get it right." Mears said the just-released R-Spec GT is the best of the Falcon breed in 40-plus years, but any further changes would be at a significant cost. "Today's car is so far ahead of the original GTHO, there's daylight," Mears says. "If you look at the underpinnings of this vehicle ... it's the mothership. "[But] there is no doubt it needs considerable investment to take it to a level beyond where we have it now. "This [R-Spec] is the optimum package, for this vehicle's capability." Drive understands that the decision to make the necessary changes to the Falcon's underbody lie with Ford, which has just reported a record financial loss in Australia in the wake of nosediving Falcon sales. The other inhibiting factor is that Ford Australia is now fully integrated into Ford's global research, development and durability standards. Any changes to the Falcon must be approved by Detroit executives, who are reportedly loathe to make any further investments in the Falcon as they are acutely aware of the model's record-low sales. Ford owns 49 per cent of FPV and Prodrive owns 51 per cent. But although Ford is a minority partner, it holds the cards in terms of the development of the donor vehicle. When asked about the likelihood of a modern-day GTHO (or "Phase V" as it has been dubbed by some) before the current generation Falcon bows out by 2016, Mears said: "I'm not at liberty to talk about Ford's plans, or our plans. "If you want the best Falcon GT money can buy ... you'd be crazy not to buy this vehicle we have released today. This is the best car we've ever produced."\ http://brisbanetimes.drive.com.au/mo...813-244g2.html Comment by csv8 not Drive: SRT8 will give the GT a run for its money, power and value for money...
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CSGhia Last edited by flappist; 14-08-2012 at 12:47 PM. Reason: If you are going to constantly cut and paste don't add your own opinion as though it was part of the article |
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#2 | ||
Pity the fool
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wait Awhile
Posts: 8,997
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Pfft, whatever. More Drivel from Drive. Must be a slow news week.
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Fords I own or have owned: 1970 XW Falcon GT replica ![]() Proud to buy Australian and support Ford Australia through thick and thin |
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#3 | ||
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,290
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Oh no no gtho who cares leave it dead bring it back whateva it makes no diffrence
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#4 | ||
I am Groot
![]() Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Burnett Heads, Qld
Posts: 6,840
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If they have killed it then good on em, there was a reason the GTHO was built in the day and that reason no longer exists.....do people realy want a faux GTHO.....
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.. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() "Those were the days when the cars were cars, they weren't built out of an Ikea pack like they are now and clothed in plastic; they were real cars." John Bowe |
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#5 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Victoria
Posts: 7,854
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36 million in development huh, and still more to do, good to see the moneys well spent. those costs can never be recouped
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______________________________ 2015 Territory Titanium RWD Diesel - SOLD 2016 BMW X5 xdrive 30D Msport Seadoo Challenger 210SE 310HP |
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#6 | ||
GT
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SYDNEY
Posts: 9,205
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"DRIVE" sucks !
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#7 | |||||
Pity the fool
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wait Awhile
Posts: 8,997
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Quote:
http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...257A5A0002AB07 Quote:
http://www.carpoint.com.au/news/2012...s-secure-31861 Quote:
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Fords I own or have owned: 1970 XW Falcon GT replica ![]() Proud to buy Australian and support Ford Australia through thick and thin |
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#8 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,616
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A well known fact is that the 335 is producing a "tiny" bit more power than the claimed 335 in stock guise. To be honest, I am sick of all the people that don't even own a 335/315 saying that a HO is needed without even experiencing the current FPV offering. There are way too many dreamers on here that have a critical opinion of the current FPV offering, and that really stinks. The current FPV line-up is the best Ford Aus has ever made.
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His: 2015 FG-X XR8 ZF (Stock) & 2009 FG G6ET 370rwkw on pulp 98 and 426rwkw on e85 thanks to Spiro @ Autotech Engineering Hers: 2012 FG MK2 G6ET Previous: 2012 FPV GS Ute 423rwkw |
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#9 | |||
N/A all the way
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3,459
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Quote:
2 Those who do and wont buy it, have no say in the answer. 3 Those who will buy it are the only ones who matter. If they build it, it is good enough (it only has to be good enough, it doesnt have to beat a McLaren, the original has been built up by people who fall into answer 1 to beyond the cars actual abilities). It was the fastest four door in the world when virtually no one built fast four door sedans. If people will buy it then Ford/FPV should build it as the Falcons last hurruh.
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BA GT 5.88 litres of Modular Boss Powered Muscle 300++ RWKW N/A on 98 octane on any dyno, happy or sad, on any day, with any operator you choose - 12.39@115.5 full weight |
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#10 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Victoria
Posts: 7,854
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Correct me if I’m wrong the 250 of the 25th Anniversary GT were produced in 1991 would we expect a 2013 GTHO to better this? it would need to be nearly twice as many to be viable
I like the idea, and would love to see them on the road but I would never buy one.
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______________________________ 2015 Territory Titanium RWD Diesel - SOLD 2016 BMW X5 xdrive 30D Msport Seadoo Challenger 210SE 310HP |
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#11 | ||
Long live the Falcon GT
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Victoria
Posts: 1,630
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I'm interested in how you 'Kill' something that is yet to be born?
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#12 | ||
Pity the fool
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wait Awhile
Posts: 8,997
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Misleading thread title is misleading.
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Fords I own or have owned: 1970 XW Falcon GT replica ![]() Proud to buy Australian and support Ford Australia through thick and thin |
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#13 | |||
I am Groot
![]() Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Burnett Heads, Qld
Posts: 6,840
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Quote:
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.. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() "Those were the days when the cars were cars, they weren't built out of an Ikea pack like they are now and clothed in plastic; they were real cars." John Bowe |
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#14 | ||
Oo\===/oO
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tamworth
Posts: 11,348
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Given what has people have said in the R-Spec and W427 threads....
No matter how hard FPV try, it will never be good enough. it could have 500kw, and people will still whinge about the price, how on particular colour combo doesn't suit them and how if you went to such and such you could make a XT go faster. Drive (like most fairfax/newscorp stuff) seem to rather the dull doom and gloom of the world... You can't have FPV release to new models and a possible GTHO-like car slated for a motorshow appearence without drawing attention to somthing obvious. Who'd a thought a car would need the green light from executives....
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#15 | |||
Oo\===/oO
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tamworth
Posts: 11,348
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Quote:
Need to kick the dirt into the eyes...
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#16 | |||
GT
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SYDNEY
Posts: 9,205
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Quote:
totaly agree mate , due to the comments that go around about such cars i think fpv would be better off not releasing a GTHO . But then again , i'm sure buyers wouldnt care about ridicule from c63 owners or c300 buyers . still though , you coukdnt blame FPV for leaving it off the future agenda . |
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#17 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,616
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Quote:
The irony of it is, it's the people that own a far lesser car than an FPV that share absolute rubbish on here. Green eyed envy at its best!
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His: 2015 FG-X XR8 ZF (Stock) & 2009 FG G6ET 370rwkw on pulp 98 and 426rwkw on e85 thanks to Spiro @ Autotech Engineering Hers: 2012 FG MK2 G6ET Previous: 2012 FPV GS Ute 423rwkw |
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#18 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,264
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Quote:
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#19 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Townsville
Posts: 415
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Had a call from my dealer today re the rspec. I have intentonally not driven the current gt till today for fear i would just wilt and say i want one , .... find a way. anyway the current one is awesome, so the rspec will undoubtably be a special vehicle, but im thinking i will roll the dice and wait to see if that legendary HO badge does come back even for a last ever i dont care , will pay deposit the day it is mentioned.
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BA XR6 Turbo Courier Dual Cab (now sold) Waiting for the Last HO 2012 cool white px xlt ranger. ![]() |
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#20 | |||
Regular Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Sydney
Posts: 57
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Quote:
Really, till you drive one of these you have no idea what there like, go try one first first then come back and comment. |
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#21 | |||
GT-P With An Ego
![]() ![]() Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Canberra
Posts: 20,558
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Quote:
But what manager/bean counter in their right mind would approve the R&D money on a dead end project.
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1998 DL LTD in Sparkling Burgundy, daily, mild 5.0L, high end stereo, slow'n'thirsty - 138.8rwkw. 2006 BF GT-P in Ego, 5.8L all alloy, Kenne Bell 2.8HLC, Nizpro Stage 2 ZF - 440rwkw. 2008 SY F6X in Silhouette, Ford Performance Club of ACT |
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#22 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,573
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the problem i see with reviving the GTHO is people will have stupid expectations of it before its even made.
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#23 | |||
Cynical Idealist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Orlando, FL, USA
Posts: 1,512
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Quote:
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Your plastic pal who's fun to be with! |
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#24 | |||
N/A all the way
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3,459
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Quote:
I agree they would not and should not spend more, but hopefully with what they have done with R Spec, and an already tested intercooler the durability and crash testing will not apply. The diff and gearbox cooling is a bit pie in the sky, even bigger front brakes may not work as an off the shelf change, and might require extensive ABS and ESC recalibration and testing.
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BA GT 5.88 litres of Modular Boss Powered Muscle 300++ RWKW N/A on 98 octane on any dyno, happy or sad, on any day, with any operator you choose - 12.39@115.5 full weight |
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#25 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Victoria
Posts: 2,182
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Quote:
I dont think you can resurrect the GTHO especally when referring to the phase 3 as it was specifically built as the "race track model" so any attempt to mimic the GTHO is only marketing & window dressing regardless of how good the car is going to be ...it isnt going to have decals wacked over it and sent to Bathurst and I think thats the defining point between both cars (IMO) |
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#26 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Townsville
Posts: 415
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Personally I will buy GTHO regardless, as my sales rep said yesterday , remember they are a high powered tourer, not a dedicated race car.
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BA XR6 Turbo Courier Dual Cab (now sold) Waiting for the Last HO 2012 cool white px xlt ranger. ![]() |
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#27 | ||||
I am Groot
![]() Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Burnett Heads, Qld
Posts: 6,840
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Quote:
Quote:
__________________
.. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() "Those were the days when the cars were cars, they weren't built out of an Ikea pack like they are now and clothed in plastic; they were real cars." John Bowe |
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#28 | ||
Render unto Caesar
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: ::1
Posts: 4,221
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Leave the GTHO in the past.
What is was, the passion behind it and the reasoning behind creating it will never be replicated. If they want another flagship name it something else (whether it is R-Spec).
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"Aliens might be surprised to learn that in a cosmos with limitless starlight, humans kill for energy sources buried in sand." - Neil deGrasse Tyson |
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#29 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,616
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Quote:
This all changed February this year! My brother owns a 335 GT-P and I went for a 2 hour drive with him. Pulling out of the street where I live was all that I needed. I wasn't driving, but the blower sound and the exhaust note, this thing was filling every void that my XR6 could never fill, and I wasn't driving! That day, I saw the light. FPV had finally built a factory V8 that is a very, very fast car that has character, and is daily driveable. My time came late April this year. It was a choice between an F6 Ute or GS. For me, the GS wasn't the complete package, but I was determined to make it the complete package. The purchase was made, 6 piston Brembos + matching rear PBR upgrade, Herrod Intercooler, Yella Terra blower snout, 1000cc injectors, upgraded fuel pump, and Spiro's magic at Autotech, and 423rwkw was possible in a daily drive! I went for a test drive in a FG XR6T as a possible new car for my wife 2 days ago, fast car and that's probably all I can say about my XR6T experience.
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His: 2015 FG-X XR8 ZF (Stock) & 2009 FG G6ET 370rwkw on pulp 98 and 426rwkw on e85 thanks to Spiro @ Autotech Engineering Hers: 2012 FG MK2 G6ET Previous: 2012 FPV GS Ute 423rwkw |
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#30 | |||
Barra Turbo > V8
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 25,716
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Quote:
I'd own an FPV no worries but they don't suit my needs and a little out of my budget, but for what you get for your money it's pretty bloody good. Seems they are going down the right track with the R Spec. Hell I'd love to see another EsCos but I never will.
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-2011 XR6 Turbo Ute - Lux Pack - M6 -2022 Hyundai Tucson Highlander Diesel N Line |
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