Fpv F6x 270

The Age

Saturday March 15, 2008

Bruce Newton

Ford's performance arm is offering a powerful and comparatively cheap alternative to the pricey top-end German machinery, writes Bruce Newton.

What's it about?

For the first time, Ford Performance Vehicles has shifted its go-faster focus from the Falcon to another member of the blue oval family.

What has just emerged is the Territory Turbo-based F6X 270. Claimed to be the most powerful six-cylinder SUV sold in Australia, its performance figures put it right in the fight against the mega-SUVs from the likes of Porsche and BMW.

Temptingly, the FPV is tens of thousands of dollars cheaper than the German machinery. However, FPV says customers are more likely to emerge from its own sedans in search of more family space.

What do you get?

Priced at $75,990, the F6X is around $10,000 more expensive than the standard Territory Turbo Ghia and $22,000 more than the base Territory Turbo. While safety and comfort equipment are much the same, there are significant technical updates.

The F6 engine - as used by various FPV Falcons - raises power 25 kW to 270 kW, while torque climbs from 480 Nm to 550 Nm. An upgraded Brembo brake package is added, along with a retuned spring and damper calibration.

Unchanged are the ZF six-speed automatic, Acutrac Plus AWD and 18-inch Goodyear Fortera tyres.

The F6X does get it own five-spoke alloy wheel design, as well as unique exterior embellishments including mesh grille inserts and dual exhaust pipes. Inside, two-tone leather is the star attraction.

The overall impression is very similar to the standard Ghia Turbo. Disconcertingly, the occasional quality glitch is noticeable. For instance, the bumper apron cut-outs for the exhaust don't fit the pipes' shape and a door handle sometimes didn't retract fully.

How Safe?

This is the first FPV to be fitted with both stability control and curtain airbags (adding to front and front-side bags). Backing that up is a four-star NCAP crash test rating awarded to the standard Ford Territory.

All passengers in the F6X get a lap-sash seatbelt and headrests, while the standard fitment of reversing sensors and a reversing camera is to be applauded.

What's Inside?

Being based on the Territory, the F6X is spacious and versatile. There are more than 30 storage places including door and seat pockets, elasticised bottle holders and even a flip-top bin at the top of the dashboard.

The test car included the optional ($2455) third-row seat, which automatically brings with it a sliding function for the second row. Compromise a little on comfort in both rows and adults will fit OK. Children are fine.

When row three is in use the luggage space is quite limited, expanding dramatically when it is folded.

Cleverly, row two slides in two sections and split-folds 60:40. Less cleverly, the third row has a single-piece backrest, limiting storage potential. All seats are comfortable.

Up front the seats are large, supportive and powered, the fat-rimmed steering wheel is adjustable for reach and height and there is pedal adjustment to help ensure a comfortable fit.

This is a car with a nice ambience, clean ergonomics and plenty of evidence of careful and clever thought.

Under the bonnet

The 4.0-litre twin-cam in-line six with its Garrett turbocharger and air-to-air intercooler (sitting atop the engine rather than in front as per Falcon) is undoubtedly powerful. And it's also very linear, displaying little, if any, lag. On low and medium throttles, it has diesel-like tractability.

That flexibility - combined with the excellent ZF auto - makes it a very easy engine to live with, always responsive and completely capable of overcoming a kerb weight close to 2.2 tonnes.

Higher up in the rev range the F6X builds up a pretty impressive head of steam. FPV claims a 0-100 km/h time of 5.9 secs, meaning only the Benz ML 63 AMG and Porsche Cayenne Turbo are faster.

But combine the F6X's substantial outputs with lots of weight and the result is a big thirst. The official claim on 95 RON fuel is 14.9 L/100 km, but you'll be feathering the throttle to achieve that. The other notable negatives are a fair amount of induction and exhaust whoosh and an occasional clunk from the driveline.

On the road

FPV's suspension tuning means F6X is tauter than the Ghia. But it still rides comfortably. That means it's fine for the lumps of suburbia as well as the open road, not jolting or crashing.

The high seat aids visibility and the rear view assistance is appreciated.

F6X steers decently for such a high, heavy vehicle and the bigger Brembos are helpful given the vehicle's ability to arrive at corners that much faster.

However, there is no doubt a more sports-oriented lower-profile tyre would have been preferable as the front can understeer when cornering with some pace.

Verdict

FPV believes the F6X's combination of high performance and low pricing (by comparison with the German super-SUVs) makes it unique. That could be a good or bad thing.

FPV's theory that it will appeal to the established faithful has credence. For the rest of us, the F6X represents a dubious buy. The advantages over the Ghia model are limited, the performance advantages recognisable but not game-changing.

How Much? From $75,990

Engine: 4.0-litre six-cylinder 270 kW/550 Nm

What's it got: Six airbags, traction and stability control, ABS, reversing camera, parking sensors, roof rails, running boards, leather trim, dual climate control, cruise control, six-CD audio, trip computer, powered front seats, full-sized spare tyre, Datadot security, remote locking.

For: Heaps of performance for the money, spacious, versatile, comfortable, first FPV with stability control and curtain airbags.

Against: Thirsty, some quality quibbles, needs a sportier set of tyres.

3/5

THE COMPETITION

VOLVO XC90 V8

HOW MUCH? From $84,950

ENGINE: 4.4-litre, V8, 232 kW/440 Nm

SAFETY: Six airbags, ABS, traction and stability control, all-wheel-drive.

WHAT'S IT GOT: Multi-zone climate control, leather trim, alloy wheels,cruise control, six-CD audio, remote locking, fog lights, powered and heated front seats, trip computer, third-row seating, parking sensors, bi-xenon headlights.

FOR: Performance added to traditional Volvo virtues such as flexible interior, strong safety credentials and good value.

AGAINST: Still lacks ride and handling finesse despite tinkering, huge turning circle, space-saver spare tyre.

OUR SCORE: 3.5/5

BMW X5 3.0SI

HOW MUCH? From $85,000

ENGINE: 3.0-litre, in-line 6-cyl, 200 kW/315 Nm

SAFETY: Six airbags, ABS, traction and stability control.

WHAT'S IT GOT: Dual climate control, alloy wheels, cruise control, six-CD audio, remote central locking, fog lights, leather trim, parking sensors, roof rails, trip computer, part-powered front seats.

FOR: Engine's top-end is intoxicating, dynamics excellent for SUV, interior vastly improved, more space, third-row option.

AGAINST: Engine isn't as easy to live with or economical as turbo-diesel, the run-flat tyre debate rolls on.

OUR SCORE: 3.5/5

PORSCHE CAYENNE TURBO

HOW MUCH? From $215,200

ENGINE: 4.8-litre, V8 turbo, 368 kW/700 Nm

SAFETY: Six airbags, ABS, traction and stability control

WHAT'S IT GOT: Dual climate control, alarm, six-CD audio, air suspension, alloy wheels, cruise control, remote central locking, heated seats, leather trim, parking sensors, powered front seats, sat-nav, trip computer, Xenon headlights.

FOR: Stupendous performance and handling, impressive off-road abilities, Porsche badge.

AGAINST: Strange looks, fidgety ride, hefty fuel use when pushed, expensive.

OUR SCORE: 3.5/5

© 2008 The Age

Back to News Index | Back to Home