Australia's fastest car yet?

The new FG Falcon-based range of Ford Performance Vehicles includes an even more powerful turbocharged six-cylinder F6 model that is set to break the acceleration record for a locally built car.

The FPV F6 launches on June 1, 2008 as part of FPV's new FG Falcon-based range and is expected to accelerate faster than the just-introduced HSV 6.2-litre V8 Commodores.

FPV, as well as part owner Ford Australia, have a policy of not providing performance figure claims for their cars, but an FPV source told Drive.com.au that the higher-powered version of Ford's XR6 Turbo is capable of sprinting from 0-100km/h in the high-four-second bracket.

Our insider says he would be surprised if independent performance testing by motoring media didn't see the F6 at least match the 4.8 seconds BMW claims for the V8-powered BMW M3. That would pip HSV's claim of 4.96sec for its updated, 6.2-litre V8 range.

The battle for Australia's fastest production car will intensify later this year when HSV launches its 7.0-litre V8 W427 - which the company claims will perform the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.7 seconds.

FPV has increased power for both its turbocharged six-cylinder and V8 engines for its new FG Falcon-based range.

The range comprises the turbo six-cylinder FPV F6 sedan and ute (which ditch the Typhoon and Tornado names respectively), and V8-powered FPV GT, FPV GT-P, FPV GT E sedans and FPV Pursuit and FPV Super Pursuit utes.

In the FPV F6 sedan and ute, the 4.0-litre turbo six-cylinder now delivers 310kW of power (up 40kW) and 565Nm of torque (up 15Nm) thanks mainly to a new air intake system, revised turbocharger, and an increase in boost pressure.

The Boss 5.4-litre V8 engine jumps from 290kW to 315kW in FPV's GT sedans and Pursuit utes.

It means HSV retains the bragging rights to having the most powerful car, though FPV argues that its cars offer better real-world performance.

"We're not in a biggest badge on the boot race with HSV," says FPV boss Rod Barrett. "Our lastest generation of engines deliver the ideal combination of real-world performance, driveability and fuel efficiency."

Fuel economy figures for FPV's turbo six-cylinder and V8 engines have improved by 7 and 5 per cent respectively.

The FPV F6 sedan's fuel consumption has been reduced from 13.0 litres per 100km to 12.1L/100km/h (auto; 12.3L/100km for manual). The FPV GT sedans improve from 14.7 to 14.0L/100km in auto guise (14.2 manual).

There are also significant price hikes for the new FPV range, with the FPV F6 manual sedan increasing the most - by more than 10 per cent to $A65,990 ($NZ81,000).

Price increases for other models range from $A3000 to $A5580.

All FPV models receive some extra equipment over the models they replace, however - most notably the addition of standard stability control.

After stability control debuted on an FPV for the first time in early 2008 on the Territory-based F6X, all the company's sedans and utes now feature as standard the potentially life-saving technology (it helps prevent a skid when cornering by braking individual wheels).

Most FPV models come standard with the same new six-speed manual fitted to the new FG Falcon XR8, while the highly regarded (German engineered) ZF six-speed automatic is a no-cost option.

The FPV F6 and FPV GT models are now priced identically for the first time (the V8-powered GT was previously more expensive).

"We're no longer saying one is better than the other," says FPV boss Barrett. "It's now the customer's choice [whether they prefer the turbo six-cylinder or V8]."

FPV still expects the V8-powered models to dominate sales, however. The company says it expects V8-powered models to account for 71 per cent of total sales, with the three-tier GT range accounting for 43 per cent. FPV is forecasting that the FPV F6 sedan will comprise 20 per cent of sales.

Ford's go-fast division sold 2127 vehicles in 2007 and will say only that it expects to sell more in 2008.

FPV models are easily distinguished from regular Falcon models - particularly at the front where prominent black sections surround the headlights and foglights. FPV calls it ‘warpaint'.

Interior differences are more subtle, with main changes comprising FPV-specific instruments and engine-start button, trim and seats.