Ford's performance arm is fighting back with a massaged and more powerful V8

[fprfpv]

It makes me wonder with all the speculation that the Cobra to be released in October may be more than 302kw. The way I read this article there is going to be a special R-Spec GT with 302kw to be release before the Cobra.

So I wonder if FPV are hiding something special for the Cobra? What do you think?


Source: Carpoint.com.au

Ford's performance arm is fighting back with a massaged and more powerful V8

Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) is back on the front foot. As the last of its limited edition GT 40th Anniversary sedans are delivered to dealers in July, the Prodrive-operated Ford performance arm is gearing up for a non-stop roll out of revised models planned to regain momentum ahead of its all-new Orion-based range in 2008.

The big news is the first power increase for the Boss V8-engined models since 2003, set for a launch as early as mid-August.

Just as HSV recently revived the 307kW figure in line with the capacity of Holden's first 307 V8 option in 1968, FPV is expected to announce a power increase of 12kW over the current 290kW, for a total of 302kW -- the same as the capacity for Ford's rival V8 option in 1968.

Although this increased power figure has already been linked to the launch of a new Cobra limited edition for this year's Sydney Motor Show and Bathurst in October, it makes no sense for FPV to reserve such an engine upgrade solely for a limited edition Cobra so late in the BF Series II model life. Simply, FPV cannot afford to wait until October for its next special editions.

It is significant that FPV has yet to announce the availability of its R-Spec suspension option on the mainstream FPV range after previewing it in March this year. After this handling option was fitted to all GT 40th Anniversary models, FPV suggested that the R-Spec option would then become available on all its sedans once production of the GT 40th Anniversary model ended.

When the R-Spec option amounted to no more than shock absorbers, a badge, extra paint accents and a larger auto transmission cooler, not everyone was holding their breath for this development. However, the R-Spec option will gain a huge measure of credibility when the 302kW engine is announced as part of a special R-Spec production run before the Cobra is revealed in October.

FPV is also expected to announce other revisions that will impact on all its mainstream models.

There will also be upgraded special versions of the F6 turbo models to maintain interest in what has been a huge success for FPV.

It is also believed that FPV will use the suspension and power upgrades to launch a new marketing campaign and sales pitch for the Force 6 and Force 8 models (more here). These models, which were initially offered as a softer Euro-themed alternative to the mainstream FPV range, will be repositioned as premium Aussie muscle with class and attitude.

If the Cobra is launched in October, it would make no sense to hold over customer deliveries until the Christmas shutdown period. The recent situation where the GT 40th Anniversary only went into production in May after its Melbourne Motor Show preview in March is not likely to be repeated.

From now on, expect FPV to announce its new models as they are ready for production so that deliveries don't clash with the arrival of the new Orion range.

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