FPV is the official tuner to the Ford Motor Company [NYSE:F] in Australia and currently manufactures a range of high-performance Falcons, including versions powered by a supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 tuned to deliver 450 horsepower. It was part-owned by motorsport and engineering firm Prodrive up until last year when 100 percent of FPV’s shares were bought up by Ford.
Citing an inside source, Drive reports that FPV will be disbanded by as early as next year, when the final Falcon, a facelifted version of the current model, is due to be launched. The move would save Ford from having to develop new FPV models for what would be a two-year run.
To cater to its Australian performance fans, the Blue Oval will allegedly use FPV mechanicals in performance variants of its regular Falcon, with many predicting the automaker will revive its ‘XR8’ performance badge. Some of the FPV mechanicals at Ford’s disposal include the aforementioned supercharged V-8, a turbocharged 4.0-liter straight-six, Brembo brakes and sports-tuned suspension.
Sadly, it means we’re likely to never see Ford revive its most-storied Falcon nameplate, GT-HO.
Beyond 2016, Ford will launch its latest Mustang in the Aussie market to meet the demand of performance fans. The regular Falcon range is expected to be replaced by the Taurus, though there's a chance Ford may exit the large sedan segment in Australia altogether and focus on its mid-size Mondeo (a Fusion to U.S. readers) instead.
More details will be revealed next month when Ford’s global vice president of sales and marketing, Jim Farley, visits Australia to make an announcement on the Blue Oval’s future plans in the country.
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