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Ford's new Coyote V8 set to bite
MATT CAMPBELL

Ford's Coyote V8

Ford's all-new 5.0-litre V8 'Coyote' engine will produce 307kW of power and 528Nm of torque in its base form, and is seen as the first step in a performance fight-back against local rivals Holden and HSV.

Details of the new engine have emerged prior to the 2010 Detroit Motor Show, with Ford insiders saying the smaller capacity V8 will produce more power in its base form, boasting 307kW compared to the current 290kW from the 5.4-litre V8 - three versions of which are currently offered across the Ford XR8 and Ford Performance Vehicles ranges.

A range of V8 engines and variants – including a supercharged version - are expected, with insiders saying the all-alloy 5.0-litre Mustang-sourced engine will offer far superior fuel economy, refinement and mid-range response than the current cast-iron 5.4-litre mill.

Whether or not there will be two versions of the new 5.0-litre V8 – to power both the XR8 and the FPV models – is still unknown, and there is speculation that Ford may consider discontinuing the XR8 altogether, leaving FPV to fly the V8 flag against Holden and HSV.

Holden and HSV's twin-pronged V8 dominance over Ford during the past five years has meant that Ford's 'hero' car has moved from the thirsty, less than exhilarating 5.4-litre eight-cylinder Falcon to the turbo-charged six-cylinder XR6.

Holden has capitalised on better access to engines through its parent company General Motors, and despite the push for more environmentally-focused motoring, sales of V8's remain strong.

A shift to a more aggressive V8 range from FPV was signalled earlier in 2009, when the head of Ford Performance Vehicles, Rod Barrett, stated that a reincarnation of the iconic GTHO model in FPV guise was imminent.

The introduction of a new range of V8s could pave the way for the flagship performance model to return, however the timing for the new GTHO is still unconfirmed.

A mid-2010 facelift across the FPV range should see the introduction of several versions of the new V8 in Australia.

Source: smh.com.au